The winners of the 65th Annual Peabody Awards were announced by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The winners, chosen by the Peabody board as the best in electronic media for 2005, were named in a ceremony in the Peabody Gallery on the University of Georgia Campus.
The awards were presented June 5, 2006, at a luncheon at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Jon Stewart, anchor of Comedy Central`s two-time Peabody Award winner, THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, was the master of ceremonies.
"As is the case every year, submissions for consideration by the Peabody Board provide insight into the astonishing array of electronic media productions," said Horace Newcomb, director of the Peabody Awards. "These are the works self-selected by creators and producers as their very best work from the previous calendar year. This year`s Peabody Award recipients stand as hallmarks of excellence in news, documentary, comedy, drama, education and public service."
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, a drama about a war-ravaged, homeless civilization attempting to begin anew, gave SCI FI Channel its first Peabody victory. Peabody board described the show as a belated, brilliantly re-imagined revival of a so-so 1970s outer-space saga. The series about imperiled survivors of a besieged planet has revitalized sci-fi television with its parallax considerations of politics, religion, sex, even what it means to be human.
SOUTH PARK was cited a being Comedy Centrals notoriously rude, undeniably fearless lampoon of all that is self-important and hypocritical in American life, regardless of race, creed, color or celebrity status. Primitive animation is part of the charm of TV's boldest, most politically incorrect satirical series. Its simple style also makes possible the show's unmatched topicality.
The Peabody Board is a 16-member group, comprised of television critics, broadcast and cable industry exes and experts in culture and the arts, that judges the entries. Selection is made by the board following review by special screening committees of UGA faculty, students and staff.
The Peabody Awards, the oldest honor in electronic media, do not recognize categories nor is there a set number of awards given each year. Today the Peabody recognizes distinguished achievement and meritorious public service by stations, networks, producing organizations and individuals.
All entries become a permanent part of the Peabody Archive in the University of Georgia Libraries. The collection is one of the nations oldest, largest and most respected moving-image archives. For more information about the Peabody Archive or the Peabody Awards, visit www.peabody.uga.edu.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
