TV Critics Crazy About ‘Mad Men’ Awards

By David Kronke

"Mad Men," AMC’s stylish new series about advertising executives confronting the social changes of the early 1960s, cleaned up Saturday evening at the Television Critics Association Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills. The show won three top prizes, being named Outstanding Achievement in Drama, Outstanding New Program and Program of the Year.

NBC’s "30 Rock" won two awards. It was named Best Comedy Series and series creator/star Tina Fey won for Individual Achievement in Comedy. HBO’s "John Adams" was also honored in two categories, Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials and Individual Achievement in Drama (for Paul Giamatti’s performance).

Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s epic PBS documentary "The War" won for Outstanding Achievement in News and Information. PBS was also feted in Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Programming for its educational series "WordGirl."

HBO’s recently concluded "The Wire" — which was recently snubbed in Emmy voting for its fifth straight season — received the Heritage Award, honoring a show with an enduring social and/or cultural impact.

"Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels received a Career Achievement citation.

David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke@dailynews.com www.insidesocal.com/tv/

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