2024 Sentinel Awards

Hollywood, Health & Society, a program of the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, is excited to announce Laraine Newman as the host for the 2024 Sentinel Awards, which celebrate some of the best and most challenging TV entertainment of the past year that made a difference in viewers’ lives.

This year’s red-carpet event will be held on Oct. 24 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. Entries from broadcast, cable and streaming network shows were all eligible, and represent a range of topics on health, safety and security. 

The final honorees were selected by judges based on accuracy, entertainment value and benefit to audiences, will be announced at the ceremony.

Last year’s ceremony at the WGT was hosted by Emmy-winning producer, comedian, actor and writer Larry Wilmore. Among the winning shows were The DiplomatStation 19Fleishman Is in Trouble, Tiny Beautiful Things, Mrs. Davis, This Is Going to Hurt and Superman & Lois.

“Television has the power to affect audiences and the way they see the world around them long after the credits roll,” said HH&S program Director Kate Folb.

For more than 20 years, the Sentinel Awards have recognized exemplary achievements in TV storylines that inform, educate and motivate viewers to make choices for healthier and safer lives. For audiences here and around the world, television often provides both entertainment and factual information about a wide range of health topics and social issues. Today, fighting widespread misinformation with facts has never been more important, and HH&S helps TV storytellers find the facts they need to “get it right.”

As the entertainment landscape expands and programs continue to push boundaries, topics such as disease, injury, maternal health, disability, violence, discrimination and more are being explored through dynamic storytelling.

Funding for Hollywood, Health & Society comes from the California Dept. of Water Resources, the California Health Care Foundation, End Well, Future of Life Institute, John Pritzker Family Fund, Ogilvy, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft; the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute. The program, now celebrating more than 20 years of service to the TV entertainment industry, serves as a free resource by providing expert consultations and briefings, panel discussions, screenings, custom research trips, social media and more. 

2024 Sentinel Awards

Laraine Newman Hosts the 2024 Sentinel Awards

Newman, who is set to host this year’s Sentinel Awards, talks to PEOPLE about ‘SNL’ and The Groundlings’ 50th anniversary, as well as her memories with Norman Lear, who is being honored at the Oct. 24 awards ceremony

2023 Sentinel Awards

Star Presenters

Kathryn Hahn, Debbie Allen, Adam Brody Announced As Presenters for 2023 Sentinel Awards

2023 Sentinel Awards

Larry Wilmore Hosts the Sentinel Awards

Larry Wilmore, best known for his work on The Daily Show and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, will host this year’s edition of the Sentinel Awards for Hollywood, Health and Society.

2023 Sentinel Awards

Larry Wilmore Set as Sentinel Awards Host

Norman Lear Center trophy celebrates meaningful TV storytelling that makes a difference.

2022 Sentinel Awards

A Red-Carpet Celebration

Quinta Brunson, Hannah Einbinder, Tyler James Williams and Sarah Podemski were among the shining stars on the red carpet.

Must Watch

The Sentinel Champion

Introducing the world’s newest super figure—The Sentinel—who’s been called on to help champion and honor TV’s hero storytellers.

2021 Sentinel Awards

A Virtual VIP Affair

The event, co-hosted by Gloria Calderón Kellett and Mike Royce, honored NBC’s New Amsterdam with an award for Season 3. 

2020 Sentinel Awards

We Heart TV

The event marked its 20th year, honoring shows that included Normal People, The Good Fight, Pose and I May Destroy You.

Must Watch

‘This Is Us’ Recognized

Mandy Moore talks about her character’s multi-episode Alzheimer’s storyline, an honoree in the 2020 Sentinel Awards.

2020 Sentinel Awards

TV’s Toughest Topics

The virtual event reminded everyone that stories that tackle topics such as abortion, racism and immigration make a difference.

2019 Sentinel Awards

Special Guests, Special Night

Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us was among the honorees, which also included Chernobyl, Grace and Frankie and The Resident. 

Video Highlights

A Magical Evening

Watch some of the best moments from the 2019 red-carpet event, a sometimes moving and deeply personal ceremony.

Archive

Red Carpet Memories

Check out our gala events from past years. Pictured: Justin Baldoni, co-star of 2015 comedy winner Jane the Virgin.