USC Annenberg Norman Lear Heart Reveals Sentinel Awards Winners

In a tragic little bit of coincidence, the Hollywood, Well being & Society on the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Heart honored its 2023 Sentinel Awards winners on Wednesday night time, simply hours after the passing of its namesake and inspiration, the legendary Norman Lear.

Emmy-winning comic and author Larry Wilmore hosted the occasion and launched this yr’s 11 winners, together with writers behind the sequence “Mrs. Davis,” “Fleishman is in Hassle” and “Tiny Stunning Issues.” However earlier than the awards have been handed out, Wilmore took a second to pay tribute to Lear. And remarks from Lear’s spouse, Lyn, have been shared with the viewers.

“Effectively you bought to say this about Norman – the person knew find out how to make an exit,” Wilmore joked. “He knew his viewers. And needed us to ensure we have been all listening.

“An enormous has left us and we’re going to do him proud,” he added. “This night meant lots to Norman as a result of he believed tv can mirror our greatest. That’s why the Sentinel Awards have been created – to honor tv’s finest and brightest writing.” 

On the prime of the 2023 Sentinel Awards, held on the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, Norman Lear Heart founding director Marty Kaplan learn the assertion from Lyn Lear. “I’d have been there tonight if not for the passing of our beloved Norman,” she mentioned within the assertion. “He was so pleased with the work of The Lear Heart and Hollywood Well being and Society. And he wouldn’t have needed all of us to mourn. He would need us to have a good time the necessary exhibits you might be honoring tonight, and most of all… he would need us to chuckle.”

Added Kaplan: “Norman’s exhibits moved our hearts and minds to embrace our widespread humanity and stay as much as what’s finest in us. Doing that’s the reason these profitable writers are being honored.”

The Sentinel Award acknowledges writers for his or her “significant and correct portrayals onscreen that tackled well timed and necessary subjects together with abortion, systemic racism, local weather change, and psychological well being.”

“These writers and honorees this yr have all made a dedication to telling tales that not solely attain audiences, however make a big impression far past the small display,” mentioned Hollywood, Well being & Society program director Kate Folb. “It’s such an honor to deliver these writers collectively after the strikes and have a good time their work.”

Talking about Lear, Folb added: “They are saying by no means to fulfill your heroes since you is perhaps disenchanted. Not so once I met Norman. He was the whole lot I imagined and a lot extra. I really feel so blessed to have been a really small a part of his large universe.”

Presenters this yr included Emmy-nominated actor and producer Kathryn Hahn, Emmy-winning producer/choreographer and actor Debbie Allen, Grammy-winning performer and actor Ben Harper, actor Adam Brody, comic and actor Frankie Quiñones, and actors Logan Marmino, Jake McDorman, Michael McKean, Elizabeth Tulloch and Barrett Doss.

Listed here are the 2023 Sentinel Award Winners:

Depiction of Abortion: Julie Wong, “Gray’s Anatomy” (ABC) – “Once I Get to the Border”

Depiction of A.I.: Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof, “Mrs. Davis” (Peacock) – “The Remaining Intercut: So I’m Your Horse”

Depiction of Breast Most cancers: Brent Fletcher and Todd Helbing, “Superman & Lois” (The CW) – multi-episode storyline (4 episodes)

Depiction of Disabilities: Matt Fleckenstein, Zach Anner and Gillian Grassie, “Finest Foot Ahead” (Apple TV+) – “Halloween”

Depiction of Local weather Change: Scott Z. Burns, “Extrapolations” (Apple TV+) – “2046: Whale Fall”

Depiction of Diplomacy: Debora Cahn and Anna Haden, “The Diplomat” (Netflix) – “Some Lusty Twister”

Depiction of Financial Disparities: Chris Estrada, Matt Ingebretson, Pat Bishop and Jake Weisman, “This Idiot” (Hulu) – “Los Botes”

Depiction of Finish of Life: Liz Tigelaar, “Tiny Stunning Issues” (Hulu) – “The Nostril”

Depiction of Maternal Well being: Taffy Brodesser-Akner, “Fleishman is in Hassle” (FX/Hulu) – “Me-Time”

Depiction of Psychological Well being: Adam Kay, “That is Going to Harm” (AMC+) — “Episode 6” BBC

Depiction of Systemic Racism: Zoanne Clack and Zaiver Sinnett, “Station 19” (ABC) – “We Construct Then We Break”