I know. Awards shows tend to be way too long and self-involved. Plus, the ceremonies often deteriorate into just a parade of stars.

But nothing’s more rewarding than gathering a group of friends together and gloating over knowing who’ll win. You can then demand your friends remove one article of clothing for each correct pick of yours.

So, to help you win your next game of Strip Golden Globes, here’s what I know:

First, anyone named Russell Crowe or Julia Roberts has a lock on their respective acting categories. Roberts has been long overdue to win a statuette, and Crowe turned himself into an instant star with “Gladiator.” And we could use some attractive people making acceptance speeches.

Something strange about the Best Drama nominees: The hype-rich “Cast Away” was replaced by Istvan Szabo’s “Sunshine,” a film released in 1999. “Survivor” backlash already? It doesn’t matter, since the fight will be between “Gladiator” and “Traffic,” both still ripe with buzz. That buzz has already worn off the other nominees, “Billy Elliot,” “Erin Brockovich” and “Wonder Boys.”

I’ll throw my pajamas in the pot for “Gladiator.” Director Steven Soderbergh will at least be compensated with a Best Director award for either “Erin Brockovich” or “Traffic” - unless Ang Lee from “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” gets to it first. Ridley Scott for “Gladiator” and Szabo for “Sunshine” will be lagging behind.

The sorely neglected “Almost Famous” will get the Best Musical or Comedy globe because most of the other nominees, like “Best In Show,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” or “Chocolat,” don’t have the notoriety. Poor “Chicken Run.”

I’d feel safe betting my undies for Mel Gibson in the musical or comedy acting category. Your guess is as good as mine for that subcategory’s best actress, but I’d officially like to bet against Sandra Bullock in “Miss Congeniality.”

In television land, we’ll see the David E. Kelley empire crumble when “The West Wing” wins even more drama series and actor (Martin Sheen) awards. There must be something about Americans and shows about the president. Presidents are all the rage.

Other nominees in the dramatic series category are “CSI,” “ER,” “The Practice” and “The Sopranos.” HBO’s hit about a dysfunctional mafia family may be a cult favorite, but “The West Wing” is the mainstream favorite. And it’s been winning gobs of awards already. Same with Sheen.

So, inexplicably, my dirty socks go to “Sex and the City” for best musical or comedy. It must be something about people having sex.

But I have a feeling Bette Midler will beat out Sarah Jessica Parker as best actress in the cleverly titled “Bette.”

Have I covered everything? Hardly. But I’d give the shirt off my back for “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” as Best Foreign Language Film, anything from a Disney soundtrack for Best Song (they have a monopoly, after all), and, as a general rule, anything with one or more of the Baldwins.

Hope that helps, although I take no responsibility if you’re forced to look at your friends naked.

Vince Estes, State News film reporter, can be reached at estesvin@msu.edu.