TV critics pick ‘Idol’ as program of year
Fox’s hit unscripted series “American Idol” was named program of the year Saturday night by the Television Critics Assn., while NBC’s “Boomtown” and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” were picked as drama and comedy of the year.
Although a critical favorite, the NBC drama has not scored with a large viewing audience and almost was not renewed for a second season.
Besides grabbing the award in comedy, Stewart was honored for individual achievement in comedy. Another honor went to Edie Falco of HBO’s “The Sopranos” for best achievement in drama.
Additional awards went to PBS’ “Frontline” for best news and information show, while PBS’ “Reading Rainbow” was named as best children’s programming.
Carl Reiner received a career achievement award, while “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was presented with the Heritage Award for “impact on society beyond the bounds of TV.”
Both the WB and UPN shared in the award, since the now-finished show started on the former and ended its run on the latter.
The Television Critics Assn. consists of more than 200 print critics and reporters in North America who gather in Hollywood twice a year. Some major critics do not participate, including The Times’ Howard Rosenberg and the Washington Post’s Tom Shales.
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