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2012 TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD NOMINEES

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I am the Media Strategist for The Television Critics Association.

THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

2012 TCA AWARDS NOMINEES

TCA Program of the Year Nominees Represent Diverse Genres From Period Piece “Downton Abbey” and Fantasy Adventure “Game of Thrones” to Arresting Dramas “Breaking Bad,” “Homeland” and “Mad Men”   

Critics Nominate Stellar Personalities for Career Achievement Award, Including Dick Clark, Andy Griffith, David Letterman, Regis Philbin and William Shatner 

The 28th Annual TCA Awards will be Presented on Saturday, July 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel

LOS ANGELES (June 7, 2012) – The Television Critics Association (TCA), a media organization with more than 200 professional TV critics and journalists from the United States and Canada, today announced nominations for its 2012 TCA Awards.  The 2012 TCA Awards recognize outstanding television programming in the 2011-2012 season, honoring both actors and producers in a variety of categories including news and information, youth, reality, drama and comedy achievements.

The winners of the 28th Annual TCA Awards will be announced at the invitation-only presentation on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, as part of the group’s bi-annual industry conference.

The nominations for current programming are spread across all four broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox — PBS, and 13 cable networks. HBO leads the way with eight nominations; AMC has six; NBC and PBS each have five; and CBS and FX each have four.

The nominees include a number of past winners, including Bryan Cranston, Jon Hamm, Jim Parsons and shows ranging from “Mad Men” to “Game of Thrones” and “The Daily Show” to “The Big Bang Theory.”

But there are also a number of first-time nominees, including “Homeland” and its star, Claire Danes, and “Girls” and its creator/star, Lena Dunham.

“Homeland” and “Girls” join “New Girl,” “Revenge” and “Smash” as nominees for Outstanding New Program.

“These nominees represent the highest quality that television had to offer in the past year,” said TCA President Candace Havens. “Our more than 200 members chose these people and programs as the best of the best.”

In addition to recognizing the year’s finest programming, the TCA Awards bestow a Heritage Award trophy to one long-standing program that has culturally or socially impacted society. This year, the TCA members have nominated some of TV’s most memorable series with NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” ABC’s “Lost,” NBC’s “Cheers,” NBC’s “Star Trek” and ABC’s “Twin Peaks” as nominees in this eminent category.

The organization also presents a Career Achievement Award to an individual who has influenced television through his work on the small screen. Nominees include TV host/producer Dick Clark (“American Bandstand”), late-night talk show host David Letterman (“Late Show with David Letterman”), actor William Shatner (“Star Trek”), actor Andy Griffith (“The Andy Griffith Show”) and TV host Regis Philbin (“Regis and Kelly”).

Below is the complete list of the 2012 Television Critics Association nominees.

Individual Achievement in Drama

  1. Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad,” AMC)
  2. Claire Danes (“Homeland,” Showtime)
  3. Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
  4. Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
  5. Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story,” FX)

Individual Achievement in Comedy

  1. Louis C.K. (“Louie,” FX)
  2. Lena Dunham (“Girls,” HBO)
  3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep,” HBO)
  4. Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory,” CBS)
  5. Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

  1. “Anderson Cooper 360” (CNN)
  2. “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
  3. “Frontline” (PBS)
  4. “60 Minutes” (CBS)
  5. “The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

  1. “The Amazing Race” (CBS)
  2. “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
  3. “The Glee Project” (Oxygen)
  4. “So You Think You Can Dance” (Fox)
  5. “The Voice” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

  1.  “iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
  2. “Phineas and Ferb” (Disney)
  3.  “Sesame Street” (PBS)
  4. “Switched at Birth” (ABC Family)
  5. “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)

Outstanding New Program

  1. “Girls” (HBO)
  2. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  3. “New Girl” (Fox)
  4. “Revenge” (ABC)
  5. “Smash” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

  1. “Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)
  2. “Game Change” (HBO)
  3. “Hatfields & McCoys” (History)
  4. “Hemingway & Gellhorn” (HBO)
  5. “Sherlock: Masterpiece” (PBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

  1. “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  2. “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  3. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  4. “Justified” (FX)
  5. “Mad Men” (AMC)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

  1. “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
  2. “Community” (NBC)
  3. “Louie” (FX)
  4. “Modern Family” (ABC)
  5. “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

Career Achievement Award

  1. Dick Clark
  2. Andy Griffith
  3. David Letterman
  4. Regis Philbin
  5. William Shatner

Heritage Award

  1. “Cheers” (NBC)
  2. “Lost” (ABC)
  3. “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
  4. “Star Trek” (NBC)
  5. “Twin Peaks” (ABC)

Program of the Year

  1. “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  2. “Game of Thrones” (HBO)
  3. “Homeland” (Showtime)
  4. “Mad Men” (AMC)
  5. “Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)

ABOUT THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION

The Television Critics Association represents more than 200 journalists writing about television for print and online outlets in the United States and Canada. For 28 years the TCA has honored outstanding achievement in television and enduring contributions to the medium’s heritage through the TCA Awards.  Membership in the Television Critics Association is open to full-time TV writers at newspapers, magazines, trade publications, news wire services, news syndicates, and text-based Internet news organizations. For additional information on the TCA, please visit www.tvcritics.org. The TCA is also represented on Facebook and Twitter. To follow the Summer TCA on twitter, tweets are represented with the hashtag #TCAs12.

 

-TCA-

5 Best 2011 Emmy Award Screeners

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The Emmy Award Process Is Just That...A Process

The countdown to the Prime Time Emmy Awards has begun.

Well, the process began months ago, when producers/production companies and networks began thinking about which shows, actors and crew would be nominated for TV’s  highest awards. April 29 was the deadline for all entries and since that time, members like me have been inundated with DVD screeners.

THE PR POSTMAN COMETH

For you see, producers, production companies and/or networks, often create DVD screeners which are mailed during the nomination window of March to June 10.  These people think that by investing in screeners that their show has a better chance of being voted on for who in their right mind, besides a TV critic, is able to sample everything on air. It’s impossible.

For over 15 years I have been a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ and as such, I have received DVD screeners for that length of time. I love getting them and yes, I do watch them.  They prove extremely helpful when it is time for me to cast my vote. In addition to having an additional opportunity to catch particular shows, I love observing how each DVD is branded. Each has its own unique nuance and price point and so I thought I’d show the DVDs I was mailed this year. For examples, please view the video below.

 

TOP 5 EMMY SCREENERS

As you see, producing and mailing screeners are not a cheap endeavor, it is quite an investment.  However, if I was able to vote on which were the best, these would be my top five.

She's Literally "Torn" Between Them - Spot On Brand Marketing

(1) HBO – They packaged their series, documentaries and specials in easily identifiable box cartons. They use this same box design every year as they should because it’s brilliantly useful and its cover art is stunning.  It reeks of class and prestige and it showcases dozens of shows in a small space. Magnificent.

(2) THE GOOD WIFE - HBO may be my overall winner, but “The Good Wife’s” design and messaging was my top choice for a single program. I do not watch the show, but I am aware that the lead character in the series has been struggling deciding between two men in her life. Therefore, by having a spot in the middle of the package that you have to tear to open was brilliant. The tear literally separates the main character from the two men.

(3.) BIO – I thought Bio’s packaging was extremely smart and classy and compact. They included a page for each of their shows and bundled it all up with one nice case that had a magnetic clasp.

(4.) MODERN FAMILY – I have to give ABC’s “Modern Family” marketing team an A for ambition. They organized a separate photo shoot just for the DVD screener. All others just used gallery photos.

(5.) FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS’ DVD screener is a definite keeper. I have to admit my bias here…but I absolutely have loved every minute of this TV series. And its screener is spot on perfect in carrying off the tone and sentiment of the show. Fans of this series will not soon forget it and thanks to the producers, we don’t have to with this screener.  In addition to providing every episode of the last season, they have tucked away in an inside compartment small photographs of key moments and characters in the show.  This extra touch was wonderful just like the show.

Friday Night Lights DVD Screener Carried the Sentiment and Tone of the Show. Hopefully, Emmy voters will have clear eyes and full hearts so it can't lose.

Well, that about wraps it up for me with this post. I hope you have enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek at the Emmy voting process. I have to be going now for I have a lot of  television to watch before June 24. That’s my deadline to send in my Emmy ballot.

Until next time,

Cindy

 

2010 TCA Award Winners – A Night Celebrating Honorable TV

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This is a sponsored post–The Television Critics Association is one of my clients. Here is the link for photographs from the ceremony via Getty Images.

THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES

2010 TCA AWARDS WINNERS

Fox’s “Glee” Takes Home Multiple Honors as “Program of the Year,” “Outstanding New Program” and “Individual Achievement in Comedy” for winning actress Jane Lynch

“Modern Family,” “The Pacific,” “The Good Wife,” “Life,” “Breaking Bad” and “Lost” are honored along with “M*A*S*H” and James Garner

BEVERLY HILLS (Saturday, July 31, 2010) – Members of the Television Critics Association (TCA) recognized the top programs and actors representing the 2009-2010 TV season tonight at its 26th Annual TCA Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  Dax Shepard, star of NBC’s “Parenthood,” introduced the ceremony that bestowed 11 awards in categories reflecting comedy, drama, miniseries, news and youth programming at its annual event in conjunction with the TCA’s summer press tour.

The biggest winner of the night was Fox’s musical ensemble comedy “Glee” which was the only series to win multiple awards from the 200-plus professional TV critics association, garnering the top honor “Program of the Year,” as well as “Outstanding New Program,” and “Individual Achievement in Comedy,” with lead actress Jane Lynch’s victory.

Tom Hanks Loves Attending the TCA Awards

ABC’s “Modern Family” was voted “Outstanding Achievement in Comedy,” and ABC’s “Lost” and AMC’s “Breaking Bad” tied as the victors in the category of “Outstanding Achievement in Drama.”

Nick Jr.’s children’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba” won its second consecutive TCA Award as “Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming,” and Discovery Channel’s “Life” series took the top honors as “Outstanding Achievement in News & Information.”

Julianna Margulies, star of CBS’s “The Good Wife,” received the award for “Individual Achievement in Drama,” and HBO’s World War II miniseries epic “The Pacific” garnered “Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials.”

In addition to recognizing the year’s finest programming, the TCA bestowed a Heritage Award trophy to CBS’ former series “M*A*S*H” for the cultural and social impact that program has had on society.

The organization also presented actor James Garner with a Career Achievement Award for the influence his work has had on the small screen.

2010 TCA Award recipients are as follows:

  • PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: “Glee” (FOX)
  • OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM: “Glee” (FOX)
  • INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: Jane Lynch, “Glee” (FOX)
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: “Modern Family” (ABC)
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: TIE – “Lost” (ABC) and “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
  • INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife” (CBS)
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS & INFORMATION: “Life” (Discovery)
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUTH PROGRAMMING: “Yo Gabba Gabba” (NICK JR.)
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINISERIES & SPECIALS: “The Pacific” (HBO)
  • HERITAGE AWARD: “M*A*S*H*” (CBS)
  • CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: James Garner

ABOUT THE TELEVISION CRITICS ASSOCIATION

The Television Critics Association represents more than 200 journalists writing about television for print and online outlets in the United States and Canada. For 26 years the TCA has honored outstanding achievement in television and enduring contributions to the medium’s heritage through the TCA Awards.  Membership in the Television Critics Association is open to full-time TV writers at newspapers, magazines, trade publications, news wire services, news syndicates, and text-based Internet news organizations. For additional information on the TCA, please visit www.tvcritics.org.

-TCA-

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HBO’s “The Pacific” Deserves TV’s Medal of Honor

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THE PACIFIC Deserves a Medal of Honor

THE PACIFIC Deserves a Medal of Honor

Tonight I just finished watching the conclusion of HBO’s 10-part mini-series “The Pacific.”  For those of you unaware, “The Pacific,” produced by Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks, chronicled the Pacific Theater of action during WWII.  Its predecessor, HBO’s “Band of Brothers,” was equally well done and this installment was as remarkable.  Many times I shake my head at the programs produced for television, but thanks to installments like these -TV shines a bit brighter.  It’s masterful and how TV was intended to be used.

“The Pacific” was a proud moment for TV.

If I had any complaints it would be that it saddens me that so many TV viewers were unable to watch this spectacle due to the fact that HBO is a premium paid cable service.  But, I am hoping in years to come that “The Pacific” will be offered to all free of charge over the Internet.  Its subject matter is something everyone needs to see  for it reminds us about the severity of war.

"The Pacific" Hopefully Will Be Available to All

I found its conclusion tonight beautifully done.  Yes, I was brought to tears – who wouldn’t when you’ve been eyewitnesses  to the what these featured soldiers endured through the last ten weeks.  It was mind-boggling seeing what a smidgen of their lives were like.  We saw firsthand what conditions they were under fighting the Japanese Army that would never give up in a terrain unsuitable for life. It was brutal and horrific.

I felt every human emotion possible watching these past ten weeks.  I understood what drove some of the men to go AWOL or act crazily.  I watched a naive Alabama youth loose his soul and sparkle in his eye as he became great at “killing Japs.”  I saw the horror of war when innocent civilians were caught in the cross-fire and I wept when a fallen hero, Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone was killed.

But, it was its ending credits that took my breath away.  We had just finished watching some of our favorite characters return home and become acclimated into the American culture  and we knew that the series had to end.  I wanted to know more and the producers delivered.  Through the final credits we learned that the men in the series where based on the lives  of  “real” men (Marines) and we were able to read what happened to them after the war.  Despite what they went through and endured, we were presented with facts about their lives – and you know what? They all thrived.   One became a doctor; a couple wrote their memoirs; several stayed in touch with each other; one married his sweetheart from Australia – they made it and had offspring.

My Dad Serving His Country in Tinian in the Army

My Dad, Albert Ronzoni, could have been in this series. He lived that life in The Pacific. And so in his honor, here’s what could have been said about him after he returned from the war.

Albert Ronzoni was honorably discharged from the United States Army and returned to his hometown of Eveleth, Minnesota.  Through the GI bill, he was able to attend the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in Pharmacy.  He married his wife, Carol, after graduation and subsequently worked at Eveleth’s local drug store.  He was active in the VFW and he became a Commander and Carol ran the Ladies Auxiliary. He later moved his family west to California and practiced pharmacy there until his retirement.  He died in 2002 and is survived by his wife,  two daughters and two grandchildren.

I would like to personally thank Messrs. Spielberg and Hanks and HBO  for “The Pacific.”  The series opened my eyes to what my Dad went through, but I never knew.  Because of this event, I know have a better sense of who my Dad was, but he could never tell us.  Dad, I’m sorry that I didn’t understand you – I now know why you were so serious about life for you knew how lucky you were to still have yours.  I think that’s the right way we all should live – to be grateful we have this day.  And with that, I truly believe “The Pacific” deserves a medal of honor.

A Happy Family Moment for My Dad

HBO & LA Times Are Heroes for Basilone Coverage

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Episode 8 Was a Tribute to John Basilone

I was simply awe-struck at the manner in which HBO’s episode 8 of “The Pacific” portrayed John Basilone last Sunday.  This episode was remarkable and unforgettable. What stood out, wasn’t the episode’s production value or even Jon Seda’s portrayal of the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient – it was the subject matter.  Since this series is based on true events, I knew that what I was watching really did happen and that this man from the Bronx, deserves the title of hero.

The episode progresses along nicely giving us viewers a glimpse into his life after he tires of selling war bonds.  After being a PR puppet and treated with celebrity status for over a year, he missed home which was The Marines and he wanted to come back. And so he did. He was assigned to train Marines at Camp Pendleton, near San Diego, CA.  In doing so, he started to feel like his old self again by wearing fatigues, eating in the mess tent and being a gunnery sergeant.

Basilone is forever remembered near Camp Pendleton with a Street and Freeway Named After Him

Now, like most soldiers and you could have put me in that category too, I would have run right out of the service as fast as I could when my discharge was up.   But, not Basilone.  When his time was up, he enlisted for a third time even though he just got married.

The scene that brought me to my feet and made my eyes tear up and my jaw drop was his last charge leading his troops in Iwo Jima.  It was an amazing sight of heroism to witness. The battlefield was this man’s playing field.  He was one of the best as he led his Company through heavy artillery falling from the sky and direct shots and he kept going.  Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the executive producers of “The Pacific,” did him justice.  They re-created the magic that was this man – how different and special he was from the rest.  We were eye-witnesses as viewers and thus, we were able to see this soldier’s courage, determination, persistence and leadership.

I guess Basilone’s courage and heroism made such an impact on me because the world desperately needs heroes.  We don’t have too many walking around at the moment. Sadly, sports celebrities fall under this title from time to time – but, this heroism does not match that of Basilone – that’s entirely something else.

He Deserves A Book Deal

I mean I am just sick and tired of whining financiers who say they’ve got screwed in the meltdown.  Anyone who is angry that they didn’t get their million dollar bonuses…well, that means nothing to me and tells me about their selfish characters.  Our heroes are the men and women who are currently serving our Country everyday and because there’s no cameras on them we can’t see their heroism, but it’s there and they should be applauded.

This Basilone tribute was needed and it came none too soon.  America needed a sobering reminder that we should honor those who overcome great obstacles and make a difference in the world and we should spend less time following those who don’t  (I could name several here.)

I also wanted to recognize the LA Times too. On Monday, they had an article on the front page of its Calendar section written by William Lansford, a fellow marine, who cleared the air about Basilone’s last day in battle. I was so pleased to learn even more about this great man who deserves to be remembered – just like our past leaders.  Heck, based on his life and accomplishments, I think he deserves to have a national holiday named after him.

Be sure to pay honor to our true heroes, our service personnel, and thanks for letting me write about a man that made an impact in my life, some 65 years later.

Only two more episodes left…

Cindy

The Pacific – A War & Promotional Idea Too Big

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This post is a tribute to my father, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Albert E. Ronzoni, who fought in “The Pacific” during World War II.  This is for you Dad!

My Dad Serving His Country in the Pacific

A NEW APPROACH TO SCREENINGS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

HBO’s 10-PART MINISERIES EVENT “THE PACIFIC”

The War in The Pacific has special meaning to me.  My father, Albert Ronzoni, was drafted out of high school by the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War II fighting the Japanese.  This intelligent, scholarly, 5’11″ kid from a small Northern Minnesota town was thrust through boot camp and shipped off to remote islands in the Pacific.  During his stint in the war, he fought battles in Saipan, Tinian, Espiritu Santo, Okinawa and the  Ryukyu Islands, before contracting malaria a month prior to his discharge.

He was a quiet mild man, who loved to garden and play hockey, football and curling.  He never fought nor shot a gun upon entering the Army.  He left a town where everyone knew each other’s names to fighting an enemy half a world away.  This experience affected him the rest of his life, and not in a good way.

The Time Has Come for this Story to be Told

Today, HBO is premiering the most expensive television event to date – the 10-part miniseries “The Pacific” – Steven Spielberg and Tom Hank’s WWII companion piece to HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”  I cannot begin to applaud HBO enough on greenlighting this important endeavor and forever documenting this historic period of war.  “Band of Brothers” was one of the most memorable series I have ever witnessed and now, with the debut of “The Pacific,” it will prove once again to be TV like we’ve never seen before.

I’ve known for several years that Spielberg and Hanks were embarking on this second theater of war, and was pleased for I wanted to learn more about what my Dad went through to make him who he was.  For you see, I have always felt my Dad was a shell of a man. I always thought I didn’t have my full Dad with me – it was just a sense I had and you sure couldn’t tell that from meeting him. After the war, he still was a quiet man who loved to garden, but he held himself back from accepting love, joy and happiness.  I think the war took that out of him, sadly way before I was ever born.

It is because of this belief I contacted HBO to present an idea I had about an innovative approach for affiliate screenings.  Here’s the idea I sent them on December 1, 2009.

“Thank you so very much for taking time today to discuss a community-led “The Pacific” screening and support group.  As mentioned, I have recently become aware that veterans suffer more than we know.  If not physically wounded from combat, they have been emotionally scarred from war. As a daughter of a WWII Staff Sergeant, I can attest to the fact that the war affected my dad and his ability to form trusting and loving relationships, partly due to his experiences I’m sure fighting in the first wave of offense in the Pacific.  Although, the screening that I am presenting is a bit revolutionary for affiliate relations-HBO will reap tremendous goodwill for their efforts and more importantly, HBO will be a part of healing soldiers.

I recently was informed by a crisis counselor that veterans receive effective healing in large groups.  As such, how great would it be if organizations opened their doors to invite the vets in from their community for weekly screenings of HBO’s “The Pacific.”  As with any support group like AA, these “The Pacific” screenings would be private – for vets – only.  It would be their safe place – their sanctuary if you will – to talk about their experiences with those who walked the same path. After each screening, the vets could break up into smaller groups and answer (3) questions.  And, if needed, counseling would be available to them and if at a church, then prayer is some requested that. But, it could be a place where they could talk and get their stories out.  My dad held his pain in his entire life – he never told his daughters what he saw.  He didn’t want us to know about what he faced at 18 years of age.  God bless him for that.

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