The Television Critics Association Award Winners Include "The Big Bang Theory" and "Breaking Bad"

Photo Credit: Sean Teegarden

Press Release - (Saturday, August 3, 2013) – The Television Critics Association (TCA) tonight recognized the top programs and actors of the 2012-2013 television season at its 29th Annual TCA Awards presentation. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, stars of Comedy Central’s hit series “Key & Peele,” hosted the annual invitation-only event, held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in conjunction with the TCA’s summer press tour. The non-televised ceremony bestowed awards in 12 categories to recipients in comedy, drama, reality, mini-series, news and youth programming.
Members of the TCA, a media organization of more than 220 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada, voted AMC’s celebrated “Breaking Bad” this season’s Program of the Year and honored FX’s freshman drama, “The Americans,” with the award for Outstanding New Program.

“These were not easy choices for our membership because there were so many deserving nominees,” said TCA president Candace Havens. “In a year that saw a lot of great television, the TCA Awards winners represent the best of the best.”

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, having previously won for Program of the Year in 2012, and BBC America’s “Orphan Black” star Tatiana Maslany was honored with Individual Achievement in Drama for her portrayal of Sarah Manning.

CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory” and NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” both were award-winners, tying for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy. And Louis C.K., star of FX’s “Louie,” nabbed the top trophy in the Individual Achievement in Comedy category for the second consecutive year.

HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra” emerged victorious in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials, while ABC’s “Shark Tank” took home the award for Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming.

Additionally, the TCA also recognized ABC Family’s “Bunheads” with an award for Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming, and PBS’ documentary “The Central Park Five” received top honors for Outstanding Achievement in News & Information.

The TCA not only recognized the year’s finest programming, but it also bestowed a Heritage Award upon CBS’ classic sitcom “All in the Family” (1971-1979), for the cultural and social impact the program has had on society.

The non-profit organization also presented Barbara Walters (“The Barbara Walters Specials,” “The View,” ABC News) with a Career Achievement Award for her influence in covering news and information.

2013 TCA Award recipients are as follows:

• Individual Achievement in Drama: Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black,” BBC America)
• Individual Achievement in Comedy: Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
• Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: “The Central Park Five” (PBS)
• Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: “Shark Tank” (ABC)
• Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: “Bunheads” (ABC Family)
• Outstanding New Program: “The Americans” (FX)
• Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: “Behind the Candelabra” (HBO)
• Outstanding Achievement in Drama: “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
• Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: (Tie) “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) and “Parks and Recreation” (NBC).
• Career Achievement Award: Barbara Walters (ABC)
• Heritage Award: “All in the Family” (CBS)
• Program of the Year: “Breaking Bad” (AMC)