TCA Award winners include ‘Empire,’ ‘Inside Amy Schumer,’ ‘Better Call Saul,’ ‘Mad Men’

“Empire” won the top prize Saturday at the 31st annual Television Critics Assn. Awards as Fox’s hip-hop drama was named program of the year by the critics’ group.

The honor comes just a few weeks after the show, a smash hit in its freshman season, was passed over for an Emmy nomination for best drama to the consternation of many fans.

Other TCA Awards winners included Comedy Central’s “Inside Amy Schumer,” which took home prizes for outstanding achievement in comedy and individual achievement in comedy, and AMC’s “Breaking Bad” spinoff “Better Call Saul,” which earned the award for outstanding new program.

The group gave a warm send-off to two old favorites: Jon Hamm received the prize for individual achievement in drama for his work on AMC’s last season of “Mad Men,” and “Late Show/Late Night with David Letterman,” which wrapped up its final season in May after 33 years, collected a special Heritage Award for its cultural and social impact.

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The TCA, a collection of more than 220 TV critics and journalists from the U.S. and Canada, is in the middle of its semiannual press tour. The group’s untelevised event was held at the Beverly Hilton and hosted by “The Late Late Show’s” James Corden.

Below is a complete list of winners:

Individual Achievement in Drama: Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)

Individual Achievement in Comedy: Amy Schumer (“Inside Amy Schumer,” Comedy Central)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: “The Chair” (Starz)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming: “The Fosters” (ABC Family) – second consecutive year

Outstanding New Program: “Better Call Saul” (AMC)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst” (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama: “The Americans” (FX)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: “Inside Amy Schumer” (Comedy Central)

Career Achievement Award: James L. Brooks

Heritage Award: “Late Show/Late Night with David Letterman” (CBS/NBC)

Program of the Year: “Empire” (Fox)

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