The Television Critics Association (TCA), one of the few organizations that dole out pats on the backs to people in Hollywood, has announced the nominations for its TCA Awards, and as expected, the turf is full of familiar names.

Leading all networks with nominations is perpetual award winner HBO, which earned at least 10 nods. The closing chapters of The Wire takes the lead for all shows with four nominations, including Program of the Year, Achievement in Drama, Individual Achievement in Drama (for creator David Simon), and the annual Heritage Award, which is granted to the show that has displayed worthy social impact beyond the screen.

Following five critically acclaimed seasons of realistic portrayal of urban life and uncommonly deep exploration of sociological themes, The Wire has earned positive reviews from various critics. Season 1 focused on the ongoing struggles between police units and drug-dealing gangs on the west side of Baltimore, Maryland, told from both points of view.  Season 2 explored the plight of the blue-collar urban working class, while the third season focused on the political scene.  The fourth season examined the school system, while the fifth and final season centered on the media.

Other nominees for the Heritage Award are Roots, Sesame Street, Saturday Night Live, and M*A*S*H.

Matching The Wire for with nominations as well is AMC's breakout hit Mad Men, the series that centers on a fictional advertising agency and the changing social mores of early 1960s America. The Golden Globe winner is up for Program of the Year, Achievement in Drama, Individual Achievement in Drama (lead actor Jon Hamm), and New Program of the Year.

Aside from The Wire and Mad Men, also competing for Program of the Year are HBO's John Adams, ABC's Lost, and PBS' Ken Burns' The War.

The TCA Awards are scheduled for Saturday, July 19.



-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Zap2it.com
(Image courtesy of HBO)