Critics choose ‘Watchmen,’ ‘Schitt’s Creek’ as year’s best
The Television Critics Association on Monday announced the winners of the organization’s 36th annual TCA Awards, honoring the high achievers from the 2019-2020 television season. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TCA Summer Press Tour and the awards ceremony, originally scheduled for Pasadena, could not be held in person.
The winners were determined by votes cast by the TCA’s network of more than 250 professional TV critics and journalists in the United States and Canada.
HBO was the year’s biggest winner as the pay-cable titan took home six of the TCA’s top honors. The strong showing was fueled by the limited series “Watchmen,” which captured an individual achievement in drama honor for series star Regina King; outstanding movie, miniseries or special; outstanding new program; and program of the year.
HBO also scored victories with the media dynasty tale “Succession,” which won the award for outstanding achievement in drama, and first-year comedy series “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” which earned outstanding achievement in sketch/variety show.
Other notable winners include Pop TV’s richesto-rags hit “Schitt’s Creek,” which earned awards for outstanding achievement in comedy and individual achievement in comedy for Catherine O’Hara.
ESPN’s Michael Jordancentric documentary series “The Last Dance” was honored in the category of outstanding achievement in news and information; Netflix’s college pep squad profile “Cheer” landed outstanding achievement in reality programming; and PBS Kids’ Peabody Awardwinning animated series “Molly of Denali” won for outstanding achievement in youth programming.
The TCA bestowed the Heritage Award upon Gene Roddenberry’s landmark 1966 sci-fi epic “Star Trek.” The group presented “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek its career achievement award.
“Entertainment and culture are intertwined and in this challenging year, never has that intersection been more crucial as both a mirror to examine tough reflections and a rabbit hole to escape the noise and scares outside our homes,” TCA President Sarah Rodman said.