Episodes of “Nurse Jackie,” “Parenthood” and “Switched at Birth” were among the finalists named Tuesday for the 2014 Sentinel Awards, which honor shows that educate and motivate viewers to lead healthier and safer lives.
The awards are presented by the Hollywood, Health & Society program at The Norman Lear Center at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. The 11 finalists were chosen from more than 60 entries.
“Every year we are more amazed at the quality and number of entries,” said Kate Langrall Folb, director of the program. “Entertainment television can be a powerful resource for health information, and compelling storylines a call to action for millions of viewers worldwide.”
The finalists, which will be honored at an Oct. 9 event in Hollywood, are:
- “Nurse Jackie,” Sidecars and Spermicide (Showtime); Topic: Substance Abuse
- “Years of Living Dangerously,” A Dangerous Future (Showtime); Topic: Climate Change
- “Life According to Sam” (HBO); Topic: Progeria
- “Our America With Lisa Ling,” Black America’s Silent Epidemic (OWN); Topic: HIV/AIDS
- “The Normal Heart” (HBO); Topic: HIV/AIDS
- “Parenthood,” Hank’s Diagnosis (NBC); Topic: Asperger’s Syndrome
- “Switched at Birth,” Cameron’s Cochlear Implant (ABC Family); Topic: Deafness/cochlear implants
- “Getting On,” Born On the Fourth of July (HBO); Topic: Healthcare
- “Ann Curry Reports,” Our Year of Extremes: Did Climate Change Just Hit Home? (NBC); Topic: Climate Change
- “Doc McStuffins,” Don’t Knock the Noggin (Disney Jr.); Topic: Importance of wearing a helmet
- “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1” (HBO); Topic: PTSD.
— City News Service