‘Nightline’ Takes Critics’ Award; ‘Daily Show’ Now A Comedy?

As the Television Critics’ Association massive annual gathering winds down, ABC’s “Nightline” has won the critics’ fourth annual prestigious Heritage Award, recognizing “a long-standing program that made a lasting cultural or social impact.”

The nightly news show, which this year is celebrating its silver anniversary, beat out PBS’ “Frontline” and “Sesame Street,” CBS’ “M*A*S*H,” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” for the honor. Last year, the award went to CBS’ “60 Minutes.” This year “Frontline” was the only other news show to take home an award, winning in the “Outstanding Achievement in News & Information” category.

Interestingly, Jon Stewart‘s “The Daily Show,” which last year was honored with the news award, this year won in the comedy category. Perhaps it was because last year’s snub to “real” news shows made CBS’ Andy Heyward “cranky“? On the other hand, our cousin at FishbowlNY would argue that he’s more news now than ever.

Beyond the news division, the night was all around good to ABC: Its shows “Desperate Housewives” and “Lost” won the association’s top honors.

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