The Television Critics Association has announced its list of nominees for the 2011 TCA Awards, an annual process that is seen as being a portent for what will happen at the Emmys.
Not surprisingly, "Mad Men" is sprinkled throughout the drama categories but it failed to gain a nomination for "Program of the Year."
There are plenty of other surprises to be found on the list of 11 categories.
Among them: the snub of the highly touted HBO series "Boardwalk Empire" for Outstanding Achievement in Drama (although, oddly, it is on the "Program of the Year" list) and the continued emergence of FX's "Justified" as a major Emmy season contender.
Additionally, HBO's "Game of Thrones" was the only show to score nominations in three major categories: Outstanding Achievement in Drama, Outstanding New Program and Program of the Year.
On the comedy side, "Community" will square off with fellow Thursday night NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" in the Outstanding Achievement in Comedy category. "Parks and Rec" was the sole comedy to earn a Program of the Year nod.
The TCA will also hand out a career achievement award to one of six candidates: Oprah Winfrey, William Shatner, David Letterman, Cloris Leachman, Dick Ebersol and Steven Bochco. "All in the Family," "Freaks and Geeks," "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "Twin Peaks" will compete for the Heritage Award, given to a classic show whose influence and impact are still felt.
More than 200 television critics and journalist cast their votes for the shows and people that wowed them the most during the 2010-11 season. The winners will be announced on August 6 at a ceremony hosted by "Parks and Rec" actor Nick Offerman, who is also a nominee in the Individual Achievement in a Comedy category.
Here's the full nomination list:
Program of the Year
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV/NBC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Justified” (FX)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
Outstanding New Program
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Terriers” (FX)
“The Killing” (AMC)
“Walking Dead” (AMC)
Outstanding Achievement in Drama
“Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV/NBC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Justified” (FX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
“Community” (NBC)
“Louie” (FX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
“Raising Hope” (FOX)
Individual Achievement in Drama
Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire,” HBO)
Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife,” CBS)
Margo Martindale (“Justified”, FX)
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified,” FX)
Individual Achievement in Comedy
Ty Burrell (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Louis C.K. (“Louis,” FX)
Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)
Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)
Danny Pudi (“Community,” NBC)
Jon Stewart (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central)
Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming
“Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Survivor” (CBS)
“The Voice” (NBC)
“Top Chef: All Stars” (Bravo)
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information
“If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise” (HBO)
“Restrepo” (National Geographic Channel)
“60 Minutes” (CBS)
“The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC)
“30 for 30″ (ESPN)
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming
“A Children’s Garden of Poetry” (HBO)
“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“Nick News with Linda Ellerbee” (Nickelodeon)
“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour” (The Hub)
“Sesame Street” (PBS)
“Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)
Career Achievement Award
Steven Bochco
Dick Ebersol
Cloris Leachman
David Letterman
William Shatner
Oprah Winfrey
Heritage Award
“All in the Family”
“Freaks and Geeks”
“The Dick Van Dyke Show”
“Twin Peaks”
