Awards Show Sanity: TCA Nominations Honor ‘Justified’, ‘Parks and Rec’

Just last week, I praised the completely sane nominations of the first-ever Critics’ Choice Television Awards. Today, the nominees for the Television Critics Awards were released, and they are likewise full of refreshing sanity, as “Justified,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Parks and Recreation” led the field with four nominations apiece. For the record, I have no idea how or why the Critics’ Choice Television Awards are different from the Television Critics Awards — the important thing to know is that they’re both more grounded in taste and reality than the Emmys and Golden Globes.

I’ve got the full list of nominees (via THR) after the jump along with my ever-so-insightful analysis. And by “analysis” I mean “opinions.” Pretty much the same thing these days.

Individual Achievement in Drama

Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire, HBO)

Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones, HBO)

Jon Hamm (Mad Men, AMC)

Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife, CBS)

Margo Martindale (Justified, FX)

Timothy Olyphant (Justified, FX)

I love the way that this doesn’t distinguish between sex or lead/supporting roles. Peter Dinklage and Margo Martindale’s performances in supporting roles are just as worthy and notable as Jon Hamm’s. I could probably nit-pick here — Walton Goggins might be better than any of the nominees listed — but all the candidates are worthy.

Individual Achievement in Comedy

Ty Burrell (Modern Family, ABC)

Louis C.K. (Louis, FX)

Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, NBC)

Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation, NBC)

Danny Pudi (Community, NBC)

Jon Stewart (The Daily Show, Comedy Central)

Hell yes, I love seeing Danny Pudi (and Nick Offerman and Louis C.K.) getting recognized. Stewart’s nomination, though not unworthy, reflects the left-leaning tendencies of the TCAs (see the nominees in News and Information below).

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise (HBO)

Restrepo (National Geographic Channel)

60 Minutes (CBS)

The Rachel Maddow Show (MSNBC)

30 for 30 (ESPN)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

Amazing Race (CBS)

Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Travel Channel)

Survivor (CBS)

The Voice (NBC)

Top Chef: All Stars (Bravo)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

A Children’s Garden of Poetry (HBO)

iCarly (Nickelodeon)

Nick News with Linda Ellerbee (Nickelodeon)

R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour (The Hub)

Sesame Street (PBS)

Yo Gabba Gabba (Nick Jr.)

Outstanding New Program

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Terriers (FX)

The Killing (AMC)

Walking Dead (AMC)

I like all of those shows — and it’s nice that “Terriers” got a nomination — but c’mon: it’s gotta be “Game of Thrones.”

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

Cineme Verite (HBO)

Downton Abbey: Masterpiece (PBS)

Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Sherlock: Masterpiece (PBS)

Too Big to Fail (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

Friday Night Lights (DirecTV/NBC)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Justified (FX)

Mad Men (AMC)

The Good Wife (CBS)

With “Justified” getting so much critical acclaim, it might actually be properly recognized when the Emmys roll around.

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

Community (NBC)

Louie (FX)

Modern Family (ABC)

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Raising Hope (Fox)

I’d put “Archer” (and several other shows) ahead of “Raising Hope,” but still, there’s not much to get worked up over here.

Career Achievement Award

Steven Bochco

Dick Ebersol

Cloris Leachman

David Letterman

William Shatner

Oprah Winfrey

LOL at Dick Ebersol.

Heritage Award

All in the Family

Freaks and Geeks

The Dick Van Dyke Show

Twin Peaks

“Twin Peaks” or GTFO. It changed the blueprint for serialized dramas on TV.

Program of the Year

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Friday Night Lights (DirecTV/NBC)

Game of Thrones (HBO)

Justified (FX)

Parks and Recreation (NBC)

All worthy choices. Good job, TV critics! Now go out there and sway some Emmy voters!

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