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Norman Lear Awards announce 2026 honorees recognizing social and health storylines

USC Annenberg's Hollywood, Health & Society will honor series including 'Abbott Elementary' and 'The Morning Show' at an October ceremony hosted by Jay Pharoah.

The short version

  • Hollywood, Health & Society announced the winning television series for the 2026 Norman Lear Awards, recognizing depictions of public health and social issues.
  • Honorees include 'Abbott Elementary', 'The Morning Show', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Diplomat', and 'Brilliant Minds'.
  • The 26th annual ceremony is scheduled for October 29 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, hosted by Jay Pharoah.

Key facts

  • The 2026 Norman Lear Awards will honor television series addressing topics such as mental health, healthcare disparities, cancer, climate change, and reproductive rights.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Recognized series and episodes include 'Abbott Elementary', '9-1-1', 'Beyond the Gates', 'Brilliant Minds', 'Grey's Anatomy', 'The Morning Show', 'Ted', 'The Boroughs', and 'The Diplomat'.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The awards are organized by Hollywood, Health & Society, a program based at USC Annenberg's Norman Lear Center.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The 26th annual ceremony, formerly known as the Sentinel Awards, will take place on October 29 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, with Jay Pharoah hosting.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Sources