It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise. The final season of “Battlestar Galactica,” the Syfy network series long adored by critics, was named Program of the Year by the the Television Critics Association on Saturday night.
Also at the 25th annual awards ceremony, the Southern vampire-fest HBO’s “True Blood” was named Outstanding New Program and AMC’s “Mad Men” won “Outstanding Achievement in Drama.
CBS’ “Big Bang Theory” won Outstanding Achievement in Comedy — it was the only network show to be cited by the critics.
HBO also scored two more wins: Outstanding Achievement in News & Information for “The Alzheimer’s Project” and Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series and Specials for “Grey Gardens.”
The awards were staged at the Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena. Chelsea Handler, host of E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” was host.
Long-time sitcom star Betty White (“The Betty White Show,” “Golden Girls”) was given the Career Achievement Award. “ER,” which also closed up shop this year, took home the Heritage Award, which honors the impact the show has had on the TV landscape.
The full list of 2009 TCA Award recipients:
Program of the Year: “Battlestar Galactica” (Syfy)
Outsanding New Program: “True Blood” (HBO)
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: “Mad Men” (AMC)
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
Outstanding Achievement in News & Information: “The Alzheimer’s Project” (HBO)
Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming: “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nickelodeon)
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Mini-Series & Specials: “Grey Gardens” (HBO)
Individual Achievement in Comedy: Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS)
Individual Achievement in Drama: Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad” (AMC)
Heritage Award: “ER” (NBC)
Career Achievement: Betty White
