The nation’s TV critics coronated AMC’s “Mad Men” Saturday, naming the period drama about advertising execs the program of the year, the outstanding new program and the year’s best drama. The awards, on the heels of a sweep of Emmy nominations, were the first ever given to AMC by the Television Critics Assn.
Another big TCA Award winner was NBC’s “30 Rock,” which took the prize for comedy and its star Tina Fey, who won for individual achievement in comedy. The other dual-award winner was HBO’s “John Adams,” which won for best movie, miniseries or special, and its star Paul Giamatti, who was honored for individual achievement in a drama.
HBO’s “The Wire,” a critical darling practically ignored by Emmy voters, was given TCA’s heritage award, reserved for longstanding programs with cultural impact. The prize for career achievement went to Lorne Michaels, creator of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
PBS took two TCA Awards. Ken Burns’ “The War” won for news and information, and the erudite “WordGirl” was named best children’s program.
The awards, presented at the Beverly Hilton, were introduced by the Smothers Brothers.
