Television Critics Association likes lots of shows but especially Breaking Bad

By Emily St. James | August 4, 2013 | 4:00am

Aux Features Breaking Bad

The Television Critics Association cast its net wide with its awards this year, awarding no particular program twice and voting for two different comedy series as the year’s best, thanks to a tie. The top award—Program of the Year—went to AMC’s Breaking Bad for the first half of its final season, while the award for the best new program went to FX’s The Americans, which had the most nominations at four. The drama and comedy series trophies went to Game Of Thrones for the former and a tie between The Big Bang Theory and Parks And Recreation for the latter. The organization also awarded Bunheads, recently canceled by ABC Family, for best youth program. It was a swap in awards for Breaking Bad—which won last year’s Drama prize—and Game Of Thrones—which won Program of the Year last year. This is the first time Parks And Recreation has won and Big Bang Theory’s second comedy prize, having previously won for its second season.

The individual achievement awards were given to Tatiana Maslany for Orphan Black (who won both the TCA and Critics’ Choice Awards for her performance but was snubbed by the Emmys) and Louis C.K. for Louie. It was C.K.’s second year in a row winning the award. The organization also continued its celebration of the best of TV’s history, awarding its Heritage Award to All In The Family, accepted in person by Norman Lear and Rob Reiner, and its Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Walters, who accepted via video. The award for best made-for-TV movie or miniseries went to HBO’s Behind The Candelabra, while the award for best news or informational program went to PBS’ The Central Park Five. ABC’s Shark Tank took home the award for best reality show.