GALECA, the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, announced their picks for top television series, movies and performers during a virtual, live-streamed event on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Hosted by talk radio personality Karel on Revry, the LGBT streaming service, the two-hour event recognized unique contributions in mainstream TV and featured a slate of A-list Hollywood stars, including Hugh Jackman, Regina King, Laverne Cox, John Oliver, Janelle Monáe and Billy Porter.
“The presenters and winners really outdid themselves with their virtual appearances,” said GALECA Executive Director John Griffiths. “And our host Karel did an amazing job, especially considering he was flying virtually. He’s such a genuine, enthusiastic fan, and that makes an awards show much more fun. He also gets how much power TV has in transforming and uplifting lives. That makes the viewing experience more meaningful.”
Referring to the new era of social distancing, Karel said, “There are people in the Trump administration that’ve gone to jail and gotten out sooner than we have from our lock-up!”
“Killing Eve” (BBC America) and “Schitt's Creek” (Pop) were named best TV drama and comedy, respectively, while best LGBT TV show also went to Dan Levy's sitcom, which won numerous accolades during the evening, including the Wilde Wit award, honoring a performer whose observations "both challenge and amuse," and best actor. Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy also earned awards for best actress and supporting actress.
Thanking GALECA’s 250 members (including SFGN’s Arts & Entertainment Editor J.W. Arnold), Levy said, "It is a great honor to be recognized by all of you, because, let's be honest, you got good taste."
HBO’s alternate universe fantasy series “Watchmen” was awarded the best-limited series and most visually striking show.
Accepting the awards, creator Damon Lindelof said, “I know the Dorians celebrate all kinds of film and TV shows that don't necessarily need to be LGBTQ-themed, but we take particular pride in the fact that there is a queer character at the very center of ‘Watchmen.’”
Lindelof continued, "We started this story by asking a simple question, ‘Why would a superhero need to hide their face?’ If they were truly fighting for justice, the answer seemed obvious: Because the world wasn't ready to see who they really were. And so ‘Watchmen’ became this story about unmasking, about understanding the pain and trauma caused by ignorance and hate."
Hugh Jackman won the best TV performance for his role in HBO’s “Bad Education” as real-life figure Frank Tassone, a school superintendent who was imprisoned for embezzling over $11 million in 2004.
Campiest TV show went to “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness,” the Netflix docuseries that became a social media sensation in the early weeks of the pandemic shutdown. The series tells the true story of zoo owner and controversial personality Joe Exotic, who was embroiled in a murder-for-hire plot and subsequently imprisoned.
Director/producer Rebecca Chaiklin told viewers Joe Exotic (Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage) — who is gay and recently sent a letter to Donald Trump asking to be pardoned for charges of murder for hire and animal abuse — sent his gratitude.
Rounding out the Dorian winners were “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX), best unsung TV show, and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO), best current affairs program.
GALECA’s 2020 “Dorians TV Toast” can be viewed at watch.revry.tv.
