The Television Academy has canceled its May 31 Television Academy Honors due to the ongoing writers’ strike. The 16th annual program would have recognized six television programs and their producers who have harnessed storytelling to fuel social change. The honorees would have included two documentary specials, one documentary/nonfiction series, two scripted series, and one reality series from 2022. The Television Academy Honors celebrates programs that raise awareness about complex issues facing society. This year’s honorees produced programs that addressed neurodiversity, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, equal rights for women, the experience of immigrants and refugees, and racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism.
In accordance with the latest findings of Deadline, the Television Academy has canceled its annual Television Academy Honors, which was scheduled for May 31. The decision was made after discussions with the WGA and out of deference to those impacted by the ongoing labor dispute.
The Television Academy Honors is an annual program that recognizes television programs and their producers who have harnessed storytelling to fuel social change. This year’s honorees would have included two documentary specials, one documentary/nonfiction series, two scripted series, and one reality series from 2022. The programs that were scheduled to be honored tackled complex issues facing society, such as neurodiversity, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, equal rights for women, the experience of immigrants and refugees, and racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism.
The cancellation of the Television Academy Honors is just one of many Hollywood events that have been affected by the ongoing writers’ strike. Nicole Kidman’s AFI Life Achievement Award was also canceled or postponed due to the labor dispute.
In a statement, a TV Academy spokesperson said, “We appreciate everyone’s understanding. The Academy would like to congratulate this year’s Honors recipients and thank them on behalf of the entire industry for their groundbreaking and inspiring work.”
Bryan Leder, Governor for the Professional Representatives Peer Group, chaired this year’s Television Academy Honors selection committee, with Kim Taylor-Coleman, C.S.A., Governor for the Casting Directors Peer Group, serving as vice-chair.
The cancellation of the Television Academy Honors is a disappointment for the honorees and the industry as a whole, as it is an important platform for recognizing the power of television to effect change. However, the decision to cancel the event out of deference to those impacted by the labor dispute shows a commitment to fairness and respect for the rights of all involved.
