TV Critics Nominate Their Best Shows of the Season

The Television Critics Association–of which your humble critic is a member–has released its list of nominees for the 2013–14 TCA Awards, the winners of which will be named at a ceremony in July.

A few words about the process: Each critic nominates up to two entries in each category. The top vote getters make up the nominees, among whom we each vote again to pick a winner. The eligibility period is May 15 to May 15. Personally, I voted for some of these nominees and not others (and to be totally honest, I do not recall my precise votes in a few categories). On the one hand, I was glad to see The Americans and Orange Is the New Black recognized (as well as The Returned, probably the one show I most regret not putting on my best-of list last year). On the other, I would have liked to see more variety in the reality/nonfiction categories (I was pushing for Time of Death and Friday Night Tykes). And I have to wonder whether the half-season of Mad Men might have had a better showing, had the excellent final two episodes aired before the voting cutoff.

Anyway, this is your chance to lobby the critics of the world before the last round of voting. Here are the nominees, and have at it!

Individual Achievement in Comedy

Louis C.K., “Louie” (FX) [2013 winner in category]

Mindy Kaling, “The Mindy Project” (Fox)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” (HBO)

Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)

Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

Individual Achievement in Drama

Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (AMC)

Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife” (CBS)

Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black” (BBC America) [2013 winner in category]

Matthew McConaughey, “True Detective” (HBO)

Matthew Rhys, “The Americans” (FX)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

“CBS Sunday Morning” (CBS)

“Cosmos” (Fox)

“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (Comedy Central)

“Frontline” (PBS)

“60 Minutes” (CBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

“The Amazing Race” (CBS)

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” (Logo)
“Shark Tank” (ABC) [2013 winner in category]

“Survivor” (CBS)

“The Voice” (NBC)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

“Adventure Time” (Cartoon Network)

“Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” (PBS)

“The Fosters” (ABC Family)

“Sesame Street” (PBS)

“Switched at Birth” (ABC Family)

Outstanding New Program

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox)

“Fargo” (FX)

“Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix)

“Sleepy Hollow” (Fox)

“True Detective” (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

“American Horror Story: Coven” (FX)

“Broadchurch” (BBC America)

“Fargo” (FX)

“The Returned” (SundanceTV)

“True Detective” (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama

“The Americans” (FX)

“Breaking Bad” (AMC)

“Game of Thrones” (HBO) [2013 winner in category]

“House of Cards” (Netflix)

“The Good Wife” (CBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy

“The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) [2013 winner in category – tied with “Parks and Recreation”]

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox)

“Louie” (FX)

“The Mindy Project” (Fox)

“Veep” (HBO)

Career Achievement Award

Mark Burnett

James Burrows

Valerie Harper

Jay Leno

William Shatner

Heritage Award

“Lost” (ABC)

“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
“South Park” (Comedy Central)

“Star Trek” (NBC)

“Twin Peaks” (ABC)

Program of the Year

“Breaking Bad” (AMC) [2013 winner in category]

“Game of Thrones” (HBO)

“The Good Wife” (CBS)

“Orange Is the New Black” (Netflix)

“True Detective” (HBO)