TV Critics Give "West Wing" Heritage Award

The TV Critics Association has given "The West Wing" its heritage award "which recognizes a long-standing program that has had a lasting cultural or social impact.

Among those on hand at Pasadena’s Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel to accept were Carol Burnett, Hugh Laurie, Steve Carell, Jason Lee, Jaime Pressly, Rainn Wilson, B.J. Novak, John Krasinski, Ethan Suplee, Nadine Velazquez, Isaiah Washington, James Pickens, Chandra Wilson, Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Lucas Grabeel , Aaron Sorkin and John Wells."

There is a photo of Aaron Sorkin, Tommy Schlamme and John Wells at Wireimage. If you click "details", you can register to see an enlarged photo for 30 days.

From the Associated Press:
"The group, which includes more than 200 reporters and columnists working in U.S. and Canadian print media, voted a heritage award to "The West Wing."

Series creator Aaron Sorkin called the honor "an incredible compliment" to all those involved it the White House drama that wrapped up its seven-year run on NBC last season.

Sorkin also called it a tribute to "the memory of the unforgettable John Spencer," who played Leo McGarry in the series and who died of a heart attack in December 2005 at age 58."





From Reuters on May 31:
"Two recently departed NBC programs, White House drama "The West Wing" and gay-themed comedy "Will & Grace," picked up bids for the TCA's Heritage Award, which recognizes long-running programs of lasting cultural or social impact.

The third Heritage nominee was the CBS drama anthology "Hallmark Hall of Fame."

Winners of the TCA Awards, which are decided by critics rather than television industry members who vote on the Emmys, will be announced July 23 in Pasadena, California.
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"M*A*S*H" veteran Alan Alda also drew a nod for his role as the Republican senator who loses the hard-fought race for president on the final season of "The West Wing."
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While NBC led the pack in nominations, the General Electric Co.-owned broadcaster finished the 2005-06 season as the least watched major network overall, and in last place among viewers aged 18 to 49, the group most prized by advertisers.

In another sign that critical acclaim is often at odds with the Nielsens, some of the season's most popular dramas and comedies were snubbed by the TCA, including CBS powerhouses "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Two and a Half Men."