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Help Me Choose Nominees for the Television Critics Association Awards

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It’s that time again when those of us in the Television Critics Association toss in our choices for nominees in various categories. The awards are given out at the group’s summer press tour.

I’ve got some ideas, but am wondering who you guys would choose and why. Here are the categories and my thoughts:

Individual Achievement in Drama. Top choices are Jennifer Carpenter for “Dexter,” Joel Kinnaman for “The Killing,” Mireille Enos for “The Killing,” Bryan Cranston for “Breaking Bad,” Tatiana Maslany from “Orphan Black,” Elisabeth Moss from Sundance Channel’s “Top of the Lake,” Jon Hamm for “Mad Men,” Robert Taylor for “Longmire,” and Kevin Spacey for “House of Cards.”

Individual Achievement in Comedy. Mindy Kaling for “The Mindy Project,” Zooey Deschanel for “New Girl,” Max Greenfield for “New Girl,” Jimmy Fallon for “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. Top choices are “Anderson Cooper 360,” “America Live with Megyn Kelly,” and “The Five” on Fox News.

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming. Top choices are “Shark Tank,” “Pawn Stars” and my personal favorite, “Dual Survival” (though they should bring Dave back).

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming. “Adventure Time,” “Wild Kratts,” “The Legend of Korra” (which Kristen Gough wrote about here), “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” and (if we can include teen shows, which I think we can) “The Vampire Diaries” and “Arrow.”

Outstanding New Program. “House of Cards,” “Revolution,” and “Nashville.”

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials. HBO’s “The Central Park Five” and Sundance Channel’s “Top of the Lake.”

Outstanding Achievement in Drama. “House of Cards,” “Breaking Bad,” “Dexter,” “Game of Thrones,” “Homeland,” and the seriously overlooked “Magic City” and “Call the Midwife.”

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy. “The Big Bang Theory” (continues to be fresh and funny), “Modern Family” and “New Girl.”

Career Achievement Award. I like James Burrows for this. What an amazing career he’s had, starting with shows like “Laverne & Shirley,” “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Taxi,” “Frasier,” and “Cheers,” and staying relevant with shows like “Will & Grace” and “Mike & Molly.”

Heritage Award (given to programs at least five years old with a wide-ranging impact). I’m going with “General Hospital” on this, because it turned 50 this year and it’s better than ever. The show has not only managed to keep things chugging along for five decades, but it’s also kept the stories new and fresh, while paying homage to all the previous players and storylines. Good job, GH.

Program of the Year. “House of Cards”? It’s not exactly TV, per se, but I think we’re including Netflix in the mix, and it certainly stirred things up. Also, possibly “Game of Thrones” (though I’ve got some thoughts on this I’ll relay in a different piece), “Homeland,” and “Breaking Bad.”

Your turn! Help me out, dear readers! What are your choices in the above categories? Like mine? Got different ones? 

Comments

7 responses to “Help Me Choose Nominees for the Television Critics Association Awards”

  1. Alexandra Avatar

    My two favorite shows were Breaking Bad and Homeland. I don’t think anyone deserves a prize for news. The news on TV can’t really be called news. Maybe stick Colbert and Jon Stewart in there? (I get my news from the BBC over the radio and the foreign press online.) I also Colbert deserves the comedy award. His writers are brilliant. Did you catch the show about Monsanto and the errant GMOs found in an Oregon wheat field? I haven’t laughed so hard in ages. Here is a link that gives you the two parts of the show. Do watch both. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/06/06/colbert-monsantos-zombie-wheat-is-return-of-the-walking-bread/

  2. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    You *must* go with Tatiana Maslany from Orphan Black. There is no other performance on television that compares to her, and you know it. 🙂

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Yes, I DO know it! Thanks for the confirmation. 🙂

  3. Kerry Dexter Avatar

    although I think the storylines were stronger in season four, I’d still nominate this season of Castle for achievement in drama because it’s consistently well done in writing, acting (both indivually and ensemble), cinematography, and editing.

    news programs: none of the nominees work for me. I’d go with PBS Newshour, Need to Know, Washington Week, Frontline

  4. K.L. Connie Wang Avatar
    K.L. Connie Wang

    Anything with Longmire!!!

  5. […] asked you guys last week who’d you nominate for the Television Critics Awards. Now we’ve got a final ballot, and the winners will be announced August 3, 2013, during the […]

  6. Jackie Santos Avatar

    There isn’t a weak link in this series…..it has a lot of heart. !!! Best program to come along in years….No explosions, no swearing and NO special effects….. Robert Taylor is another John Wayne..He’s quiet but tough….and has a big heart.. RT is an excellent actor and deserves to be rewarded..

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