ABC’s freshman comedy Abbott Elementary led all winners at Friday’s Television Critics Awards held virtually, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 38th semi-annual ceremony had plans to reconvene in person for the first time since 2019. However, the Television Critics Association’s (TCA) press tour decided to go virtual as COVID-19 cases began to rise in Southern California.
“Tonight was supposed to be our first time celebrating the TCA Awards in-person since 2019 — unfortunately, it was not meant to be,” Melanie McFarland, TCA president, said via The Hollywood Reporter. “Despite this development, we are proud to announce this year’s roster of talented TCA Award winners. Each of them played a vital role in making the 2021-2022 television season one of the best in recent memory. We sincerely congratulate all of our honorees, and we look forward to gathering in person once again in 2023.”
Leading all nominees with five total nominations, The Hollywood Reporter details Abbott Elementary was the only program to win multiple awards, including the Individual Achievement in Comedy for its creator and star, Quinta Brunson (A Black Lady’s Sketch Show, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story). The mockumentary-style comedy set at an underfunded school in Philadelphia also scored Best New Program, Achievement in Comedy, and Program of the Year. Its fifth nomination was for costar Janelle James (Black Monday, Central Park) for Individual Achievement in Comedy, which was won by Brunson.
The comedy was a huge success for the Disney-owned network, earning the freshman show a full 22-episode sophomore season set to premiere on Wednesday, September 21 at 9 p.m. ET. A time slot that was once coveted by ABC’s Emmy-winning comedy, Modern Family.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, other winners at the virtual ceremony included This Is Us‘s Mandy Moore for Individual Achievement in Drama. Moore portrayed matriarch Rebecca Pearson on the NBC Emmy-winning family drama which ended this year after six seasons. The win follows Moore’s zero nominations and the show’s single nomination at this year’s Emmy Awards.
Best Miniseries went to Hulu’s opioid crisis drama, Dopesick, which enters this year’s Emmys with nominations for Outstanding Limited Series, Anthology Series, or TV Movie; and, for its lead performers Michael Keaton (Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart, Unbelievable), via The Hollywood Reporter. The third season of HBO’s Succession, which leads all programs with 25 Emmy nominations, took the prize for Achievement in Drama. Comedy legends Ted Danson (Cheers, The Good Place) and Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building, Father of the Bride) received lifetime achievement awards while the Heritage TV Award was presented to the groundbreaking sitcom, I Love Lucy.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the awards ceremony concludes the week-long TCA press tour where networks and studios highlight their year in programming and what’s to come for the next TV season. Over more than 200 critics comprise the TCA and all vote for the TV programs that were nominated this year. See the full list of winners below.
- Individual Achievement In Drama: Mandy Moore (THIS IS US, NBC)
- Individual Achievement In Comedy: Quinta Brunson (ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, ABC)
- Outstanding Achievement In News and Information: THE BEATLES: GET BACK (Disney+)
- Outstanding Achievement In Reality Programming: TIE: THE AMAZING RACE (CBS), LEGENDARY (HBO Max)
- Outstanding Achievement In Youth Programming: THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB (Netflix)
- Outstanding Achievement In Variety, Talk Or Sketch: I THINK YOU SHOULD LEAVE WITH TIM ROBINSON (Netflix)
- Outstanding New Program: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)
- Outstanding Achievement In Movies, Miniseries, Or Specials: DOPESICK (Hulu)
- Outstanding Achievement In Drama: SUCCESSION (HBO)
- Outstanding Achievement In Comedy: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)
- Program of the Year: ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)
- Career Achievement Honoree: TIE: Ted Danson & Steve Martin
- Heritage Award: I LOVE LUCY (CBS)
This year’s Primetime Emmy Awards air Mon., September 12 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.