2016 TCA Awards Winners: A ‘Simpson’ Emmy Preview?

The 2016 TCA Awards winners are in and People v. O.J. Simpson holds court

In a potential preview of September’s Primetime Emmy Awards, the 2016 TCA Awards announced their winners tonight with FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story taking home three major awards. That may seem underwhelming, but keep in mind that the Television Critics Association awards don’t have as many categories as your standard awards show. For example, they combine the performance categories into Drama and Comedy, allowing both genders to compete against each other.

Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed limited series won Program of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials, and Individual Achievement in Drama for Sarah Paulson. Paulson’s Marcia Clark reinvention stands as the biggest story of the limited series, and the actress is a heavy front-runner to take home Emmy gold in September after several nominations. Paulson beat out such heavyweights as Bryan Cranston (All the Way), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), and Rami Malek (Mr. Robot).

In an overall celebration of women, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend‘s Rachel Bloom and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee matched Paulson’s win with wins of their own. Both wins are well-deserved but somewhat bittersweet as they missed Emmy nominations.

“This was truly a landmark season — not just for television, but for women in television,” said Amber Dowling, TCA President. “We had an unprecedented amount of female winners this year, which is a testament to both the talented actresses who were honored tonight, as well as to the growing number of high-quality roles being created for and by women. It’s extremely encouraging to see this growing trend being embraced, accepted, and expanded upon, and I look forward to seeing even more of it in the future.”

ABC’s black-ish and FX’s The Americans received wins in the Comedy and Drama categories, respectively. Both series will compete at the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards in September.

Here is a complete list of tonight’s 2016 TCA Awards winners.

Program of the Year: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Individual Achievement in Drama: Sarah Paulson (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, FX)
Individual Achievement in Comedy: Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The CW)
Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS)
Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: Making a Murderer (Netflix)
Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS)
Outstanding New Program: Mr. Robot (USA)
Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)
Outstanding Achievement in Drama: The Americans (FX)
Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: black-ish (ABC)
Career Achievement Award: Lily Tomlin
Heritage Award: The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS)