The Pitt, Matlock, Shrinking and other top shows have been honored with Hollywood, Health & Society’s renamed Norman Lear Awards for TV That Makes a Difference.
The prizes, from the program at USC Annenberg‘s Norman Lear Center, were previously called the Sentinel Awards. Marking its 25th year, HH&S rebranded its honors to pay tribute to the late trailblazing TV writer-producer Lear, who pioneered classic television hits like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and One Day at a Time — all of which broke ground in tackling relevant sociopolitical issues.
The seven series awarded are recognized for their powerful storytelling on such topics as racism, climate, addiction and cancer, and will be celebrated at the annual fete to be held Oct. 27 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.
“Norman would be thrilled that this award carries his name,” producer Lyn Lear, his wife of 37 years, said in a statement. “He loved what HH&S does, as do I, and he loved celebrating the creative community’s passion for making a difference.”
Lear Center founding director Marty Kaplan added, “Writers and actors love being on a hit show. These awards remind us they also love being on a show that matters.”
Scripted shows from network, cable and streaming services were reviewed by award judges twice before being selected: for accuracy of information and for entertainment value and potential benefit to the viewing audience.
Among the nominated, HBO Max’s The Pitt received the special Culture of Health Award for its entire Season 1 body of work. Following frontline healthcare workers’ full day shift at an under-resourced trauma hospital’s emergency department, the drama offers an unflinching look at America’s embattled medical system. Executive produced by creator R. Scott Gemmill, actor Noah Wyle and John Wells, the Emmy-nominated series delves into salient themes with accuracy and poignancy, including mental health, abortion access, organ donation, trust in medicine, gun violence, social services and end of life care.
“We were delighted to connect the writers of The Pitt with experts on a range of topics,” HH&S director, Kate Folb, said. “It’s what we can do for any show.”
See the full list of winners below:
The Culture of Health Award: The Pitt (HBO Max), Season 1 body of work
Topic: Racial Disparities in Healthcare:Chicago Med (NBC), “Trust Fall” episode
Topic: Breast Cancer Dying for Sex (FX on Hulu), “It’s Not That Serious” episode
Topic: Advances in Medicine/Clinical TrialsGrey’s Anatomy (ABC), “Ridin’ Solo” episode
Topic: Addiction and Recovery Matlock (CBS), “Claws” episode
Topic: Climate ChangeParadise (Hulu), “The Day” episode
Topic: CaregivingShrinking (Apple TV+, “The Last Thanksgiving” episode
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