Schitt’s Creek wins top comedy award at Golden Globes

The CBC comedy walked away with two Golden Globe awards, including a win for star Catherine O'Hara, while co-creator Dan Levy accepted the Best Musical or Comedy Series win.

It was no Schitt’s Sweep, but Schitt’s Creek didn’t leave the 78th Golden Globe Awards empty-handed.

The CBC comedy ended the bi-coastal and largely virtual awards ceremony with two trophies, winning Best Musical or Comedy Series and Best Television Actress – Musical or Comedy Series for Catherine O’Hara.

The series, co-created and executive produced by Dan and Eugene Levy, is the “most-honoured original Canadian series” in Golden Globes history, according to CBC. Schitt’s Creek broke Emmy records in 2020 by sweeping the comedy category and winning nine awards total.

“Congratulations to Schitt’s Creek on their groundbreaking Golden Globe wins,” said Sally Catto, GM, entertainment, factual and sports at CBC, in a statement. “It is so wonderful to see this brilliant team honoured once more. We are proud to have commissioned this heartfelt, inclusive Canadian comedy that has brought so much joy to audiences, and are thrilled to celebrate with fans around the world as the show continues to make history.”

Schitt’s Creek, which is broadcast by Pop TV in the U.S. and available to stream on Netflix, earned five total nominations for the 2021 award ceremony, with Dan and Eugene Levy and Annie Murphy up for Best Supporting Actor – Television, Best Television Actor – Musical or Comedy Series and Best Supporting Actress – Television, respectively.

Dan Levy accepted the Best Musical or Comedy Series award on behalf of the cast and crew in a speech that honoured its Canadian roots and the series’ message of love and inclusion within a small community.

He also addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the non-profit entertainment journalism organization which determines the nominees and winners of the Golden Globes, which notably snubbed Black-led critically acclaimed projects such as Spike Lee’s film Da 5 Bloods and Michaela Coel’s HBO series I May Destroy You in its nominations. The Los Angeles Times reported last month that the HFPA has zero Black members in its ranks.

“In the spirit of inclusion, I hope that this time next year, this ceremony reflects the true breadth and diversity of film and television being made today, because there is so much more to be celebrated,” said Levy.

The hometown support has already come out of the woodwork for Schitt’s Creek‘s latest win, including from the Canada Media Fund, which was an early financier for the series. “We’re immensely proud of the unparalleled achievement by the creators and talent of Schitt’s Creek,” said president and CEO Valerie Creighton, in a statement.

“This is Canadian television at its very best and a testament to the quality of Canada’s creative talent and content… in today’s fiercely competitive environment, traditional distributors and indeed our whole domestic system, is under increasing pressure. The show serves as an example of IP developed in Canada, by Canadians and illustrates the importance of a system that supports Canada’s creative talent.”

Two Canadian coproductions were up for Best Actress – Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, with Michelle Pfeiffer nominated for Elevation Pictures coproduction French Exit and Vanessa Kirby for BRON’s Pieces of the Woman; the award ultimately went to Andra Day for The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Day is the second Black woman to win this award, after Whoopie Goldberg for 1985’s The Color Purple. Donald Sutherland was also nominated in the same category as Dan Levy, with John Boyega winning for his role in Small Axe.