Yes, John Oliver does focus on hot news topics, but the droll British comedian’s HBO series is still after laughs.
But top TV honchos apparently see his bid for humor as more than just comedy, as he’s being honored Thursday along with five far more serious small-screen productions for advancing social change.
The six television productions, including an ABC sitcom and an NBC drama, are being recognized at the 10th annual Television Academy Honors, which hails programs that “have harnessed the extraordinary power of television to advance social change.”
“With a constant presence in people’s daily lives, television consistently demonstrates its ability to power social change,” Television Academy Chair/CEO Hayma Washington said. “The six honorees have effectively leveraged the medium to raise awareness of complex issues.
We are honored to acknowledge storytellers producing meaningful television that provokes important conversations.”
The programs being honored are:
— “Before the Flood,” the National Geographic documentary from director Fisher Stevens and actor/activist Leonardo DiCaprio focused on the worldwide impacts of climate change;
— “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” the HBO newsmagazine hailed by the Television Academy for presenting topical stories in unorthodox ways, bringing topics “that might have escaped the audience to the forefront”;
— “The Night Of,” HBO’s eight-part series that explores a New York City murder case to present the inner workings of the American criminal justice system;
— “Speechless,” ABC’s sitcom based on a family coping with the tribulations — and the joys — of having a teenage son with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair and has a full-time aide to speak for him;
— “This is Us,” NBC’s ensemble drama that tracks a family at various stages of their lives and addresses topics including “marriage, adoption, racial identity, body image and hurdles of parenting”; and
— “We Will Rise: Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World,” CNN’s documentary about the former first lady’s travels with Meryl Streep and Frieda Pinto to Morocco and Liberia, meeting “young women overcoming incredible odds to better their lives.”
—City News Service