TCA Awards honor 'Mad Men', 'John Adams', 'The Wire'

The ongoing TCA (Television Critics' Association) press tour is a two-week star-studded TV and cable juggernaut held twice annually, now in its final few days at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Paul Giamatti - Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals - Mann's Chinese Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Paul Giamatti - Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals - Mann's Chinese Theatre - Hollywood, CA, USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR PhotosThe TCA membership is composed of more than 200 reporters and columnists in print and online media from the United States and Canada. Non-TCA members also attend the event which allows the reporters to meet and interview the showrunners and cast of each noteworthy network and cable channel series or film prior to the new television season.

Smothers Brothers

NBC's "30 Rock" took home TCA's best comedy series at a ceremony hosted by the Smothers Brothers. Tonight the group showed its love for the HBO-rejected AMC hit series,“Mad Men.” It was first time an AMC series has won a TCA Award.AMC’s sixties period drama picked up three TCA awards Saturday night, including program of the year. This was on the heels of the Emmy voters bestowing 16 nominations for “Mad Men.” The remainder of the three awards offered by the TCA for "Mad Men" included awards for outstanding drama and new program. HBO’s “John Adams” won the TCA miniseries/special award, and Ken Burns and Lynn Novic’s PBS documentary “The War” was honored for achievement in news and information.Acting honors went to NBC's “30 Rock” star Tina Fey (comedy) and HBO's “John Adams” lead Paul Giamatti (drama). PBS won in the children’s programming category for its series, “WordGirl.”

TCA voters honored HBO's “The Wire,” with the Heritage Award. The Emmys completely overlooked this brilliant series which wrapped this last season.“Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels received the organization’s career achievement award.