ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” is set to be honored next week with a Sentinel Award, which will recognize the series’ entire body of work over the past 20 seasons (and heading into Season 21) when it comes to promoting the culture of health. That’s one of eleven awards set to be given out on Thursday, October 24, as the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center‘s Hollywood, Health & Society program recognizes series that make a difference in informing viewers about important issues.
Other shows set to be honored include Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” for its discussion on abortion, NBC’s “Lopez vs. Lopez” for tackling addiction, Fox’s “The Simpsons” for looking at wealth disparity, Max’s “Hacks” for touching on the climate crisis, AMC’s “Dark Winds” for its story focus on racism in healthcare, ABC’s “Abbott Elementary” on taking on the dangers of smoking and vaping, and more.
“Saturday Night Live” veteran and The Groundlings founding member Laraine Newman will host the event, which will take place at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, Calif. Stars from the winning series will present the trophies to the writers, showrunners, and executive producers who are taking on these important storylines.
The event also pays tribute to the legacy of Norman Lear, the legendary producer behind hits like “All in the Family,” who pioneered the notion of tackling tough subjects while entertaining audiences. Last year’s Sentinel Awards took place the day after Lear’s death at the age of 101, and became an impromptu tribute to him.
“The Sentinel Awards celebrates the voices and stories that transcend TV and help shape our culture,” said Newman. “Norman Lear’s work has touched countless lives, and I’m proud to celebrate the transformative impact of our craft. As we approach the November 5th election, it’s crucial to address the pressing issues facing voters, including significant topics like abortion, which will be honored for their portrayal onscreen at the Sentinel Awards. These narratives are more important now than ever.”
Presenters this year will include Sarayu Blue (“Expats”), Matt Shively and Selenis Leyva (“Lopez vs Lopez”), Yeardley Smith (“The Simpsons”) Todd Grinnell and more.
“Television has the power to affect audiences’ perceptions and influence how they view and engage with the world,” said Hollywood, Health & Society program director. “While entertainment is vital, it should never compromise accuracy, especially when addressing important topics – a hallmark of Norman Lear’s legacy. Thoughtful and responsible storytelling can educate, inspire and drive meaningful conversations, something critical to the evolution of our society.”
Here are the 2024 Sentinel Award winners:
The Culture of Health: “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), Body of work for 20 Seasons – Shonda Rhimes (creator, executive producer), Meg Marinis (executive producer/showrunner, writer)
Depiction of Abortion: “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+), “The Kármán Line” – Charlotte Stoudt (executive producer/showrunner, Writer)
Depiction of Addiction: “Lopez vs Lopez” (NBC), “Lopez vs Sobriety” & “Lopez vs George” – Debby Wolfe (creator, executive producer/showrunner, writer), George Lopez (creator, executive producer), Mayan Lopez (creator, producer), Dan Signer (writer)
Depiction of Caregiving: “Expats” (Prime Video), “Central” – Lulu Wang (creator, showrunner, director, writer)
Depiction of End of Life: “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” (FX), “Beautiful Babe” – Jon Robin Baitz (executive producer, writer, developed by)
Depiction of Mental Health: Gen V (Prime Video), “#ThinkBrink” – Michele Fazekas (executive producer/ showrunner), Erica Rosbe (executive producer, writer)
Depiction of Smoking and Vaping: “Abbott Elementary” (ABC), “Smoking” – Quinta Brunson (creator, executive producer/showrunner), Jordan Temple (co-executive producer, writer)
Depiction of Racism: “The Big Cigar (Apple TV+), “Panther/Producer” – Jim Hecht (executive producer, writer, developed by), Janine Sherman Barrois (executive producer/showrunner)
Depiction of Racism in Healthcare: “Dark Winds” (AMC), Multi-episode storyline – Graham Roland (creator, executive producer, writer), John Wirth (executive producer/showrunner, writer)
Depiction of Climate Consciousness: “Hacks” (Max), “One Day” – Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky (creators, executive producers, showrunners), Carol Leifer (co-executive producer, writer), Carolyn Lipka (writer)
Depiction of Economic Disparity: “The Simpsons” (Fox), “Night of the Living Wage” – Matt Selman (executive producer/showrunner), Cesar Mazariegos (writer, supervising producer)