Post the dazzling Golden Globes 2024 extravaganza, it is now the Critics Choice Awards’ turn to roll out the red carpet and celebrate the cream of the crop in cinematic and television accomplishments. In the film arena, Barbie led the pack with a whopping eighteen nominations, marking a milestone in Critics Choice history. Meanwhile, in the television category, two heavyweight shows are gearing up for a head-to-head battle at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, as the clock strikes 19:00.

The Morning Show and Succession are the hot contenders at the Critics Choice Awards. Nonetheless, the burning question is which show will really grab the spotlight? Here is a rundown of key facts that might shed light on the destiny of these two television series come Sunday night.

Assessing their victories thus far

The Morning Show is the belle of the ball at the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards, boasting six nominations, with a standout mention in the best drama series category. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are both in the running for best actress, while stellar performances from Billy Crudup, Nicole Beharie, and Karen Pittman have also earned themselves nods in the supporting roles category. The accolades pour in for Succession at the Critics Choice Awards as well, with an impressive five nominations. 

Key nominations for Succession include Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong for best actor, Sarah Snook for best actress, and Matthew MacFadyen for supporting actor. Although The Morning Show outshone Succession by a small margin at the Critics Choice nominations, its Golden Globes history this year raises concerns. While Succession practically swept the awards one after another at this year’s Globes, The Morning Show walked away empty-handed.

The reception from the audience for both shows

Succession has maintained its iron grip on the drama series scene for half a decade, frequently crossing swords with The Morning Show at major award ceremonies. It zooms in on the clashes among family members and other contenders jostling to be the heir to the CEO throne. This intense power struggle for the CEO position took a prominent role in The Morning Show as well, particularly in season 3. Both series navigated through topical events with a streak of dark humor, peeling back the layers of their cutthroat industries.

This drew a lot of comparisons between the two shows. Nevertheless, viewers have consistently lauded every season of Succession, with the latest three securing an outstanding 97% approval rating. Meanwhile, The Morning Show has been swimming in lukewarm waters, scoring approval ratings of 62%, 67%, and 66% over its three seasons. Critics have also thrown shade at the Jennifer Aniston starrer, noting a souring quality over the years. 

Taking this into account, Succession appears to be in a more favorable position for earning recognition at the Critics Choice Awards compared to The Morning Show. However, the competition is not limited to just these two contenders. 

Other top contenders at the Critics Choice awards 

Among the highly nominated shows at the upcoming award ceremony, The Last of Us stood out with four nominations. It is in the running for Program of the Year, Outstanding New Program, Outstanding Achievement in Drama, and Individual Achievement in Drama. A lot of acclaim has greeted the cast’s performances in this show, with critics specifically praising the remarkable chemistry between Pascal and Ramsey. 

Last but certainly not least is The Crown, which has already dazzled at the Golden Globes with four nominations and a win. The Crown. With the upcoming award ceremony on the horizon, this show has received three nominations in the drama category. Given the show’s broad appeal, it is understandable why it is well-positioned to secure the awards. 

What are your top pics among the contenders for the Critics Choice Awards? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!