The 21st Annual TCA Awards

"How kick ass is it that we have an awards show where you have to wear a bracelet? Where are the kegs?"--Damon Lindelof, co-creator and executive producer of TCA award winner "Lost."

That's the nature of the Television Critics Association awards ceremony in a nutshell -- we show our love to the industry's best programs and performers by getting all of them, and ourselves, tanked. It's as laid back as a house party.

Last night's 21st Annual TCA Awards was the same as it ever was -- the best mixer of this soul-draining marathon we call press tour. Even better, it was hosted by "The Late Late Show's" Craig Ferguson -- who actually stuck around! (Most hosts say their piece at the top of the show, then duck out while everyone else is speechifying. That makes Ferguson an especially good egg.)

It is also famous for being an awards ceremony in which the stars and producers attending know they're going to win ahead of time. To show their appreciation for the lack of pretense, wonderful people from the cast of "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry merrily hung around with the critics until we became too obnoxious to endure. Then they slipped out unnoticed.

The evening's finest moment was delivered by Bob Newhart, the nicest guy in Hollywood, who came with his daughter to accept an award for Career Achievement.

"I love television," he said during his acceptance speech. "As you people know, more than anyone, it is the most powerful medium ever. It has great power to elevate, and it has great power to debase. And you are its keepers."

Here is the complete list of 2005 TCA Award recipients.

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: “Desperate Housewives,” ABC.

OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM: “Lost,” ABC.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: “Lost,” ABC.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: “Arrested Development,” Fox.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS & INFORMATION: “Frontline,” PBS.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING: “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” The N.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINI-SERIES & SPECIALS: “The Office Special,” BBC America.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: Jon Stewart, “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Comedy Central.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: Hugh Laurie, “House,” Fox.

HERITAGE AWARD: “Nightline,” ABC.

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: Bob Newhart