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The TCA Awards: A Return to Normalcy and Celebration of Excellence
The Television Critics Association’s annual TCA Awards is back in full swing, marking its first in-person event since 2019. After a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes, the 40th annual TCA Awards will take place at the Langham Pasadena on July 12, during the midpoint of this summer’s TCA press tour.
Wendi McLendon-Covey: The Host with the Most
Hosting this year’s event is the beloved Wendi McLendon-Covey, known for her roles in “Reno 911!: The Hunt for QAnon” and ABC’s “The Goldbergs.” She’s also set to star in NBC’s new comedy “St. Denis Medical” alongside David Alan Grier and Allison Tolman. McLendon-Covey is thrilled to be part of the TCA Awards, expressing her excitement about returning to an in-person format. “No pressure,” she jokes. “But my God, it’s going to feel good to actually get to be in person again and have that return to normalcy. I love the TCAs, I love meeting everybody. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I’m looking forward to it.”
The Nominees: A Diverse Array of Talent
This year’s TCA Awards nominations are led by Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” and “Ripley,” as well as FX’s “Shogun,” each with five nominations. FX and Netflix both garnered 16 nods leading all outlets. The TCA Awards honor excellence in various categories, including comedy, drama, movies/miniseries/specials, news and information, variety/talk/sketch, reality, family programming, and children’s programming. Notably, the awards also feature non-gendered prizes for individual achievements in comedy and drama.
Program of the Year: A Tough Competition
The top award, Program of the Year, features a competitive lineup including “Baby Reindeer” (Netflix), “The Bear” (FX), “Hacks” (Max), “Reservation Dogs” (FX), “Ripley” (Netflix), and “Shogun” (FX). McLendon-Covey shares her thoughts on the nominees, saying, “What a delicious treat ‘Shogun’ is. It’s so great. I voted ‘Shogun’ across the board for Emmys. And ‘Fargo’ was absolutely terrifying.”
Drama and Comedy: A Blend of Genres
The drama category sees “Baby Reindeer,” “Fargo,” and “Ripley” competing against “Shogun,” Prime Video’s “Fallout,” and HBO’s “True Detective: Night Country.” In the movies/miniseries/specials category, they face off against Netflix’s “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Showtime’s “Fellow Travelers,” and HBO’s “The Sympathizer.”
In comedy, McLendon-Covey predicts success for “Hacks” and expresses admiration for “Abbott Elementary.” The comedy category includes “Abbott Elementary” (ABC), “The Bear” (FX), “Girls5eva” (Netflix), “Hacks” (Max), “Reservation Dogs” (FX), and “We Are Lady Parts” (Peacock).
A Casual and Fun Evening
McLendon-Covey emphasizes the casual and stress-free nature of the TCA Awards, noting that the audience of reporters and winners already know the results beforehand. “I want to keep it light,” she says. “I want to keep it positive. I do feel that there is a way that can be done. I think people are sick to death of bad news, politics, and all of that shit. Pardon my French! There is a way and a need to keep things fun and focus on the fact that we are back together after five years. How lucky we are to have jobs where we can celebrate all these things! So that’s what I really want to concentrate on.”
The Nominees: A Closer Look
Program of the Year
- “Baby Reindeer” – Netflix Trailer
- “The Bear” – FX Trailer
- “Hacks” – Max Trailer
- “Reservation Dogs” – FX Trailer
- “Ripley” – Netflix Trailer
- “Shogun” – FX Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
- “Abbott Elementary” – ABC Trailer
- “The Bear” – FX Trailer
- “Girls5eva” – Netflix Trailer
- “Hacks” – Max Trailer
- “Reservation Dogs” – FX Trailer
- “We Are Lady Parts” – Peacock Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Drama
- “Baby Reindeer” – Netflix Trailer
- “Fallout” – Prime Video Trailer
- “Fargo” – FX Trailer
- “Ripley” – Netflix Trailer
- “Shogun” – FX Trailer
- “True Detective: Night Country” – Max Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries or Specials
- “Baby Reindeer” – Netflix Trailer
- “The Fall of the House of Usher” – Netflix Trailer
- “Fargo” – FX Trailer
- “Fellow Travelers” – Showtime Trailer
- “Ripley” – Netflix Trailer
- “The Sympathizer” – Max Trailer
Outstanding New Program
- “Baby Reindeer” – Netflix Trailer
- “Fallout” – Prime Video Trailer
- “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” – Prime Video Trailer
- “Ripley” – Netflix Trailer
- “Shogun” – FX Trailer
- “X-Men ’97” – Disney+ Trailer
Individual Achievement in Drama
- Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country” – Max Trailer
- Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer” – Netflix Trailer
- Hiroyuki Sanada, ”Shogun” – FX Trailer
- Anna Sawai, “Shogun” – FX Trailer
- Andrew Scott, “Ripley” – Netflix Trailer
- Juno Temple, “Fargo” – FX Trailer
Individual Achievement in Comedy
- Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary” – ABC Trailer
- Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear” – FX Trailer
- Renée Elise Goldsberry, “Girls5eva” – Netflix Trailer
- Devery Jacobs, “Reservation Dogs” – FX Trailer
- Jean Smart, “Hacks” – Max Trailer
- Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear” – FX Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information
- “America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston” – PBS Trailer
- “Frontline” – PBS Trailer
- “The Jinx: Part Two” – Max Trailer
- “Queens” – Nat Geo Trailer
- “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” – ID Trailer
- “Telemarketers” – Max Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Variety, Talk or Sketch
- “The Daily Show” – Comedy Central Trailer
- “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” – ABC Trailer
- “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA” – Netflix Trailer
- “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” – Max Trailer
- “Late Night with Seth Meyers” – NBC Trailer
- “Saturday Night Live” – NBC Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Reality
- “The Amazing Race” – CBS Trailer
- “Conan O’Brien Must Go” – Max Trailer
- “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” – Max Trailer
- “The Traitors” – Peacock Trailer
- “Top Chef” – Bravo Trailer
- “We’re Here” – Max Trailer
- “Welcome to Wrexham” – FX Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Family Programming
- “Doctor Who” – Disney+ Trailer
- “Heartstopper” – Netflix Trailer
- “My Adventures with Superman” – Adult Swim Trailer
- “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” – Disney+ Trailer
- “Renegade Nell” – Disney+ Trailer
- “X-Men ’97” – Disney+ Trailer
Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming
- “Bluey” – Disney+ Trailer
- “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” – PBS KIDS Trailer
- “Frog and Toad” – Apple TV+ Trailer
- “Pokémon Concierge” – Netflix Trailer
- “Sesame Street” – Max Trailer
- “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin” – Apple TV+ Trailer
Reflecting on the TCA Awards
The TCA Awards are more than just a celebration of television excellence; they are a testament to the resilience and creativity of the industry. As we gather to honor the best in TV, we are reminded of the power of storytelling and the joy it brings to our lives. The return to an in-person event symbolizes a return to normalcy and a renewed appreciation for the art of television.
