The Television Critics Association last week announced nominations for this year’s TCA Awards, and I love that the categories are simple and to the point. We’re choosing the outstanding individual achievement in drama (Noah Wyle vs. Rhea Seehorn!) and comedy (the Harrison Ford-Jean Smart smackdown of our dreams), in addition to best new show and overall program of the year (“The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” beating out its scripted rivals? Could happen!).
It’s a nice antidote to the Emmys and other TV awards shows. Too bad an actual TCA Awards ceremony doesn’t exist at the moment. Like many events, the TCA Awards went press-release-only during the pandemic, and then in 2023 due to the Hollywood strikes.
Finally, the awards returned to an in-person event during the org’s 2024 summer press tour, just in time for its 40th edition. It was a dynamic evening, with the producers and stars of FX’s “Shōgun,” HBO Max’s “Hacks” and Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” among those in attendance.
Because they weren’t televised, the TCA Awards were always a fun, pressure-free night for the folks behind some of TV’s biggest shows — and getting recognition from the country’s most influential TV critics and reporters meant something extra special.
