The WGAW and WGAE have announced the nominees for this year’s Writers Guild Awards, and Hulu’s whodunit comedy Only Murders in the Building led the pack with three nominations, including Best Comedy, Best New Series and Episodic Comedy for its charming pilot.
Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez star in Only Murders in the Building, which is already in production on Season 2. Other shows earning multiple nominations on Thursday include Bob’s Burgers, Hacks, The Handmaid’s Tale, Loki, The Morning Show, Reservation Dogs, The Simpsons, Succession, and Yellowjackets.
Only Murders in the Building boasted witty writing throughout and never lost track of the murder mystery at its center. I’m thrilled to see it recognized alongside similarly well-scripted shows such as Hacks and Reservation Dogs. All three of those shows were on my Top 10 list last year.
HBO led all networks with nine nominations (12 if you count HBO Max), while Apple TV+ FX, Hulu, NBC, Netflix, and PBS drew six nods each. CBS also received six if you include its nod for promotional writing. Although the big winner today may very well be Slate.com, judging by the Digital News and Radio/Audio Documentary nominees.
The Writers Guild Awards honor outstanding achievements in television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2021. Winners will be honored at a joint Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 20.
The WGA’s complete list of TV nominations can be found below:
Drama Series
The Handmaid’s Tale, written by Yahlin Chang, Nina Fiore, Dorothy Fortenberry, Jacey Heldrich, John Herrera, Bruce Miller, Aly Monroe, Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman; Hulu
Loki, written by Bisha K. Ali, Elissa Karasik, Eric Martin, Michael Waldron; Disney Plus
The Morning Show, written by Jeff Augustin, Brian Chamberlayne, Kerry Ehrin, Kristen Layden, Erica Lipez, Justin Matthews, Adam Milch, Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Torrey Speer, Scott Troy, Ali Vingiano; Apple TV Plus
Succession, written by Jesse Armstrong, Jon Brown, Jamie Carragher, Ted Cohen, Francesca Gardiner, Lucy Prebble, Georgia Pritchett, Tony Roche, Susan Soon He Stanton, Will Tracy; HBO
Yellowjackets, written by Cameron Brent Johnson, Katherine Kearns, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Liz Phang, Ameni Rozsa, Sarah L. Thompson, Chantelle M. Wells; Showtime
Comedy Series
Curb Your Enthusiasm, written by Larry David, Steve Leff, Carol Leifer, Jeff Schaffer, Nathaniel Stein; HBO
Hacks, written by Lucia Aniello, Joanna Calo, Jessica Chaffin, Paul W. Downs, Cole Escola, Janis E. Hirsch, Ariel Karlin, Katherine Kearns, Andrew Law, Joe Mande, Pat Regan, Samantha Riley, Michael Schur, Jen Statsky; HBO Max
Only Murders in the Building, written by Thembi Banks, Matteo Borghese, Rachel Burger, Kirker Butler, Madeleine George, John Hoffman, Stephen Markley, Steve Martin, Kristin Newman, Ben Philippe, Kim Rosenstock, Ben Smith, Rob Turbovsky; Hulu
Ted Lasso, written by Jane Becker, Ashley Nicole Black, Leann Bowen, Sasha Garron, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence, Jamie Lee, Michael Orton-Toliver, Jason Sudeikis, Phoebe Walsh, Bill Wrubel; Apple TV Plus
What We Do in the Shadows, written by Jake Bender, Jemaine Clement, Zach Dunn, Shana Gohd, Sam Johnson, Chris Marcil, William Meny, Sarah Naftalis, Stefani Robinson, Marika Sawyer, Paul Simms, Lauren Wells; FX Networks
New Series
Hacks, written by Lucia Aniello, Joanna Calo, Jessica Chaffin, Paul W. Downs, Cole Escola, Janis E. Hirsch, Ariel Karlin, Katherine Kearns, Andrew Law, Joe Mande, Pat Regan, Samantha Riley, Michael H. Schur, Jen Statsky; HBO Max
Loki, written by Bisha K. Ali, Elissa Karasik, Eric Martin, Michael Waldron; Disney Plus
Only Murders in the Building, written by Thembi Banks, Matteo Borghese, Rachel Burger, Kirker Butler, Madeleine George, John Hoffman, Stephen Markley, Steve Martin, Kristin Newman, Ben Philippe, Kim Rosenstock, Ben Smith, Rob Turbovsky; Hulu
Reservation Dogs, written by Tazbah Rose Chavez, Sydney Freeland, Sterlin Harjo, Migizi Pensoneau, Tommy Pico, Taika Waititi, Bobby Wilson; FX Networks
Yellowjackets, written by Cameron Brent Johnson, Katherine Kearns, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Liz Phang, Ameni Rozsa, Sarah L. Thompson, Chantelle M. Wells; Showtime
Original Long Form
American Horror Story: Double Feature, written by Brad Falchuk, Manny Coto, Ryan Murphy, Kristen Reidel, Reilly Smith; FX Networks
Mare of Easttown, written by Brad Ingelsby; HBO
Midnight Mass, written by James Flanagan, Mike Flanagan, Elan Gale, Jeff Howard, Dani Parker; Netflix
Them: Covenant, written by Christina Ham, Little Marvin, David Matthews, Dominic Orlando, Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, Francine Volpe; Prime Video
The White Lotus, written by Mike White; HBO
Adapted Long Form
Halston, written by Ian Brennan, Ted Malawer, Ryan Murphy, Tim Pinckney, Sharr White, Kristina Woo, Based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Gaines; Netflix
Impeachment: American Crime Story, written by Flora Birnbaum, Sarah Burgess, Halley Feiffer, Daniel Pearle, Based on the book A Vast Conspiracy by Jeffrey Toobin; FX Networks
Maid, written by Bekah Brunstetter, Marcus Gardley, Michelle Denise Jackson, Colin McKenna, Molly Smith Metzler, Inspired by the book by Stephanie Land; Netflix
The Underground Railroad, written by Jihan Crowther, Allison Davis, Jacqueline Hoyt, Barry Jenkins, Nathan C. Parker, Adrienne Rush, Based on the novel by Colson Whitehead; Prime Video
WandaVision, written by Peter Cameron, Mackenzie Dohr, Laura Donney, Bobak Esfarjani, Chuck Hayward, Megan McDonnell, Jac Schaeffer, Cameron Squires, Based on the Marvel Comics; Disney Plus
Adapted Short Form New Media
Calls, written by Fede Alvarez, Nick Cuse, Aidan Fitzgerald, Noah Gardner, Rodo Sayagues; Apple TV Plus
Debunking Borat, written by Robyn Adams, Paul Hogan, Jack Youngelson; Prime Video
The Expanse: One Ship, written by Wes Chatham, Julianna Damewood, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Glenton Richards; Prime Video
Animation
“An Incon-Wheelie-ent Truth” (Bob’s Burgers), written by Dan Fybel; Fox
“Loft in Bedslation” (Bob’s Burgers), written by Jameel Saleem, Fox
“Must Love Dogs” (Family Guy), written by Daniel Peck; Fox
“Planteau” (Tuca & Bertie), written by Lisa Hanawalt; Cartoon Network
“Portrait of a Lackey on Fire” (The Simpsons), written by Rob LaZebnik & Johnny LaZebnik; Fox
“The Star of the Backstage” (The Simpsons), written by Elisabeth Kiernen Averick; Fox
Episodic Drama
“1883” (1883), written by Taylor Sheridan; Paramount Plus
“Birth Mother” (This Is Us), written by Eboni Freeman & Kay Oyegun; NBC
“La Amara Vita” (The Morning Show), written by Kerry Ehrin & Scott Troy; Apple TV Plus
“The New Normal” (New Amsterdam), written by David Schulner; NBC
“Retired Janitors of Idaho” (Succession), written by Tony Roche & Susan Soon He Stanton; HBO
“Testimony” (The Handmaid’s Tale), written by Kira Snyder; Hulu
Episodic Comedy
“All Sales Final” (Superstore), teleplay by Jonathan Green & Gabe Miller, story by Justin Spitzer; NBC
“Alone At Last” (The Great), written by Tony McNamara; Hulu
“Enlightened Dave” (Dave), written by Luvh Rakhe & Lee Sung Jin; FX Networks
“Episode One: True Crime” (Only Murders in the Building), written by Steve Martin & John Hoffman; Hulu
“F*ckin’ Rez Dogs” (Pilot) (Reservation Dogs), written by Sterlin Harjo & Taika Waititi; FX Networks
“Pilot” (The Wonder Years), written by Saladin K. Patterson; ABC
Comedy/Variety Talk Series
Conan, Head Writer: Matt O’Brien; Writers: Jose Arroyo, Glenn Boozan, Daniel Cronin, Andres du Bouchet, Jessie Gaskell, Skyler Higley, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Todd Levin, Levi MacDougall, Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Frank Smiley, Mike Sweeney; TBS
Desus & Mero, Writers: Daniel “Desus Nice” Baker, Josh Gondelman, Robert Kornhauser, Joel “The Kid Mero” Martinez, Robert A. McRae, Heben Nigatu, Mike Pielocik, Julia Young; Showtime
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Writers: Johnathan Appel, Ali Barthwell, Tim Carvell, Liz Hynes, Greg Iwinski, Mark Kramer, Daniel O’Brien, John Oliver, Owen Parsons, Charlie Redd, Joanna Rothkopf, Chrissy Shackelford, Ben Silva, Seena Vali; HBO
The Problem with Jon Stewart, Head Writer: Chelsea Devantez; Writers: Kristen Acimovic, Henrik Blix, Rob Christensen, Jay Jurden, Alexa Loftus, Tocarra Mallard, Robby Slowik, Jon Stewart, Kasaun Wilson; Apple TV Plus
Comedy/Variety Specials
How To with John Wilson, written by: Alice Gregory, Michael Koman, Conner O’Malley, Susan Orlean, John Wilson; HBO
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Writers: Zach Kanin, Tim Robinson, John Solomon; Netflix
Pause with Sam Jay, Writers: Emmy Blotnick, Ryan Donahue, Zack Fox, Megan Gailey, Robin M. Henry, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Jak Knight; HBO
Saturday Night Live, Head Writer: Michael Che, Anna Drezen, Colin Jost, Kent Sublette; Senior Writer: Bryan Tucker; Weekend Update Head Writer: Pete Schultz; Weekend Update Writers: Megan Callahan-Shah, Dennis McNicholas, Josh Patten, Mark Steinbach; Supervising Writers: Alison Gates, Fran Gillespie, Sudi Green, Streeter Seidell; Writers: James Anderson, Dan Bulla, Steven Castillo, Mike DiCenzo, Billy Domineau, Alex English, John Higgins, Steve Higgins, Martin Herlihy, Vannessa Jackson, Sam Jay, Erik Kenward, Tesha Kondrat, Dan Licata, Lorne Michaels, Ben Marshall, Jake Nordwind, Jasmine Pierce, Gary Richardson, Ben Silva, Emily Spivey, Will Stephen, Celeste Yim; NBC
That Damn Michael Che, Head Writer: Michael Che; Writing Supervised by: Gary Richardson; Writers: Rosebud Baker, Reggie Conquest, Godfrey Danchimah Jr., Calise Hawkins, Kevin Iso, Sam Jay, Matt Richards, Wil Sylvince; HBO Max
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series
43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors, written by Dave Boone; CBS
Drew Michael: Red Blue Green, written by Drew Michael; HBO
Full Frontal Wants to Take Your Guns, Head Writers: Kristen Bartlett, Mike Drucker; Writers: Samantha Bee, Pat Cassels, Sean Crespo, Mike Drucker, Miles Kahn, Chris Thompson, Holly Walker, Alison Zeidman; Writing Supervised by Joe Grossman, Sahar Rizvi Special Material by Michael Rhoa; TBS
The Tony Awards Presents: Broadway’s Back!, written by Dave Boone; Special Material by Amber Ruffin, Marc Shaiman, Daniel J. Watts, Scott Wittman; Opening Number by Amber Ruffin, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman; CBS
Yearly Departed, Head Writer: Bess Kalb; Writers: Karen Chee, Akilah Green, Franchesca Ramsey, Jocelyn Richard; Prime Video
Quiz and Audience Participation
Baking It, Writers: Neil Casey, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino, Niccole Thurman; Peacock
Capital One College Bowl, Head Writer: Scott Saltzburg; Writers: Rosemarie DiSalvo, Ryan Hopak, Jon Macks, Karissa Noel, Todd Sachs, Doug Shaffer, Grant Taylor, Bennett Webber; NBC
The Chase, Head Writer: David Levinson Wilk; Writers: Erik Agard, Eliza Bayne, Kyle Beakley, Megan Broussard, Robert King, Amy Ozols, Bobby Patton, Ellen Teitel, Ari Yolkut; ABC
Jeopardy!, Writers: Michael Davies, John Duarte, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Mike Richards, Billy Wisse; Syndicated
Daytime Drama
General Hospital, Head Writers: Chris Van Etten, Dan O’Connor; Associate Head Writer: Anna T. Cascio; Writers: Barbara Bloom, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Shannon Peace, David Rupel, Lisa Seidman, Scott Sickles; ABC
The Young and the Restless, Head Writer: Amanda L. Beall; Writers: Susan Banks, Jeff Beldner, Sara A. Bibel, Brent Boyd, Susan Dansby, Christopher Dunn, Sara Endsley, Janice Ferri Esser, Marin Gazzaniga, Lynn Martin, Natalie Minardi Slater, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS
Days of Our Lives, Head Writer: Ron Carlivati; Writers: Lorraine Broderick, Joanna Cohen, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Jamey Giddens, David Kreizman, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Katherine D. Schock, Elizabeth Snyder; NBC
Children’s Episodic, Long Form and Specials
“A Big Favor for Grampy/A Fair Way to Bounce” (Donkey Hodie), written by Adam Rudman & David Rudman, Joey Mazzarino; PBS KIDS/pbskids.org
“Park Ranger Percy / Lizard Lizzy” (Helpsters) written by Annabeth Bondor-Stone, Connor White, Liz Hara; Apple TV Plus
“Rice” (Waffles + Mochi), written by Lyric Lewis; Netflix
“The Tale of the Midnight Magic” (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), written by JT Billings, Alex Ebel; Nickelodeon
“Which Witch?” (Just Beyond), written by Mitali Jahagirdar; Disney Plus
Documentary Script — Current Events
“The Healthcare Divide” (Frontline), written by Rick Young; PBS
“The Jihadist” (Frontline), written by Martin Smith & Marcela Gaviria; PBS
Documentary Script — Other Than Current Events
“A Writer” (Hemingway), Written by Geoffrey C. Ward; PBS
“Citizen” (Amend: The Fight for America), written by Sasha Stewart and Robe Imbriano; Netflix
“Citizen Hearst, Part One” (American Experience), written by Gene Tempest; PBS
“Round One” (Muhammad Ali), written by David McMahon & Sarah Burns; PBS
News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report
“Against All Enemies” (60 Minutes), written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young; CBS News
“Democracy Lost” (60 Minutes), written by Oriana Zill de Granados, Sharyn Alfonsi; CBS News
“The Unequal Recession” (60 Minutes), written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young; CBS News
News Script – Analysis, Feature or Commentary
“The Fall of Kandahar” (Vice News Tonight), written by Amel Guettatfi, Ben C. Solomon, Vice News
“Handcuffed to the Truth” (60 Minutes) Written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young; CBS News
“Unpacking How Child Welfare and Foster Care Fails Black Children” (Unpack That), written by Joel Kahn, Felice León; The Root
“The Unstudied Link Between the COVID Vaccine and Periods” (Vice News Tonight), written by Caitlin Bladt; Vice News
“Woman in Motion: Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols and The Transformation of NASA” (CBS Sunday Morning), written by Daniel Elias, Michelle Miller; CBS
Digital News
“An Oral History of the Longest-Ever Broadway Shutdown,” written by Madeline Ducharme; Slate.com
“Knives Out: Why ‘Hacks’ Works,” Written by Katie Baker; TheRinger.com
“Men’s Rights Asians” Think This Is Their Moment,” written by Aaron Mak; Slate.com
“We Get to Hear Them Training to Kill Us,” written by Christina Cauterucci; Slate.com
“What if the Unorthodox Arizona Audit Declares Trump Won?” written by Jeremy Stahl; Slate.com
Radio/Audio Documentary
“One Year: 1977 ‘The Miracle Cure’” written by Evan Chung; Slate Podcast
“Our Year” (What Next), written by Mary Harris; Slate Podcast
“That Seattle Muzak Sound” (Decoder Ring), written by Benjamin Frisch; Slate Podcast
“Who Killed the Segway?” (Decoder Ring), written by Dan Kois, Slate Podcast
Radio/Audio News Script — Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin or Breaking Report
“Silence the Mics: Tributes to Some Famous Broadcasters,” written by Gail Lee; CBS Radio
“Surfside Condo Collapse” (CBS World News Roundup Late Edition), written by Kathleen M. Biggins; CBS News Radio
“World News This Week – Week of August 16, 2021,” written by Robert Hawley; ABC Audio
“World News This Week – Week of January 8, 2021,” written by Joy Piazza; ABC Audio
“World News This Week – Week of September 3, 2021,” written by Joan B. Harris; ABC Audio
Radio/Audio News Script — Analysis, Feature or Commentary
“The Tasmanian Devil Tattoo” (Decoder Ring), written by Benjamin Frisch; Slate Podcast
“When the Culture War Comes for Your Job” (What Next), written by Mary Harris; Slate Podcast
On-Air Promotion
“Celebrating Powerful Female Leads: Trailers for The Equalizer & Why Women Kill,” Written by Molly Neylan; CBS
“CSI: Vegas Trailers,” written by Erial Tompkins; CBS
