74th Writers Guild of America Awards explained

Number:	74
Award:	WGA Awards
Date:	March 20, 2022
Organizer:	Writers Guild of America, East and the Writers Guild of America West
Last:	73rd
Next:	75th

The 74th Writers Guild of America Awards were held on March 20, 2022, to honor the best writing in film, television and radio of 2021. The nominees for television and radio were announced on January 13, 2022, while the nominees for the film categories were announced on January 27, 2022.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Winners and nominees

Winners are listed first and in bold.^[4]

Film

Best Original Screenplay
Don't Look Up – Adam McKay; story by Adam McKay & David Sirota Being the Ricardos – Aaron Sorkin The French Dispatch – Wes Anderson; story by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness & Jason Schwartzman King Richard – Zach Baylin Licorice Pizza – Paul Thomas Anderson
Best Adapted Screenplay
CODA – Sian Heder; based on the film La Famille Bélier directed by Eric Lartigau and written by Victoria Bedos, Stanislas Carree de Malberg, Éric Lartigau & Thomas Bidegain Dune – Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve & Eric Roth; based on the novel by Frank Herbert Nightmare Alley – Guillermo del Toro & Kim Morgan; based on the novel by William Lindsay Gresham tick, tick... BOOM! – Steven Levenson; based on the musical by Jonathan Larson West Side Story – Tony Kushner; based on the stage play, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, conceived, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Best Documentary Screenplay
Exposing Muybridge – Marc Shaffer Becoming Cousteau – Mark Monroe & Pax Wasserman Like a Rolling Stone: The Life & Times of Ben Fong-Torres – Suzanne Joe Kai

Television

Drama Series
Succession (HBO) – Written by Jesse Armstrong, Jon Brown, Jamie Carragher, Ted Cohen, Francesca Gardiner, Lucy Prebble, Georgia Pritchett, Tony Roche, Susan Soon He Stanton, Will Tracy The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) – Written by Yahlin Chang, Nina Fiore, Dorothy Fortenberry, Jacey Heldrich, John Herrera, Bruce Miller, Aly Monroe, Kira Snyder, Eric Tuchman Loki (Disney+) – Written by Bisha K. Ali, Jess Dweck, Elissa Karasik, Tom Kauffman, Eric Martin, Michael Waldron The Morning Show (Apple TV+) – 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 Yellowjackets (Showtime) – Written by Cameron Brent Johnson, Katherine Kearns, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Liz Phang, Ameni Rozsa, Sarah L. Thompson, Chantelle M. Wells
Comedy Series
Hacks (HBO Max) – 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 Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – Written by Larry David, Steve Leff, Carol Leifer, Jeff Schaffer, Nathaniel Stein Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – 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 Ted Lasso (Apple TV+) – 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 What We Do in the Shadows (FX) – 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
New Series
Hacks (HBO Max) – 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 Loki (Disney+) – Written by Bisha K. Ali, Jess Dweck, Elissa Karasik, Tom Kauffman, Eric Martin, Michael Waldron Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – 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 Reservation Dogs (FX) – Written by Tazbah Rose Chavez, Sydney Freeland, Sterlin Harjo, Migizi Pensoneau, Tommy Pico, Taika Waititi, Bobby Wilson Yellowjackets (Showtime) – Written by Cameron Brent Johnson, Katherine Kearns, Jonathan Lisco, Ashley Lyle, Bart Nickerson, Liz Phang, Ameni Rozsa, Sarah L. Thompson, Chantelle M. Wells
Long Form – Original
Mare of Easttown (HBO) – Written by Brad Ingelsby (FX) – Written by Brad Falchuk, Manny Coto, Ryan Murphy, Kristen Reidel, Reilly Smith Midnight Mass (Netflix) – Written by James Flanagan, Mike Flanagan, Elan Gale, Jeff Howard, Dani Parker Them: Covenant (Prime Video) – Written by Christina Ham, Little Marvin, David Matthews, Dominic Orlando, Seth Zvi Rosenfeld, Francine Volpe The White Lotus (HBO) – Written by Mike White
Long Form – Adapted
Maid (Netflix) – Written by Bekah Brunstetter, Marcus Gardley, Michelle Denise Jackson, Colin McKenna, Molly Smith Metzler; Inspired by the book Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land Halston (Netflix) – Written by Ian Brennan, Ted Malawer, Ryan Murphy, Tim Pinckney, Sharr White, Kristina Woo; Based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Gaines (FX) – Written by Flora Birnbaum, Sarah Burgess, Halley Feiffer, Daniel Pearle; Based on the book A Vast Conspiracy by Jeffrey Toobin The Underground Railroad (Prime Video) – Written by Jihan Crowther, Allison Davis, Jacqueline Hoyt, Barry Jenkins, Nathan C. Parker, Adrienne Rush; Based on the novel by Colson Whitehead WandaVision (Disney+) – Written by Peter Cameron, Mackenzie Dohr, Laura Donney, Bobak Esfarjani, Chuck Hayward, Megan McDonnell, Jac Schaeffer, Cameron Squires; Based on the Marvel Comics
Short Form New Media – Adapted
Debunking Borat (Prime Video) – Written by Robyn Adams, Paul Hogan, Jack Youngelson Calls (Apple TV+) – Written by Fede Álvarez, Nick Cuse, Aidan Fitzgerald, Noah Gardner, Rodo Sayagues The Expanse: One Ship (Prime Video) – Written by Wes Chatham, Julianna Damewood, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Glenton Richards
Animation
"Planteau" – Tuca & Bertie (Adult Swim) – Written by Lisa Hanawalt "An Incon-Wheelie-ent Truth" – Bob's Burgers (Fox) – Written by Dan Fybel "Loft in Bedslation" – Bob's Burgers (Fox) – Written by Jameel Saleem "Must Love Dogs" – Family Guy (Fox) – Written by Daniel Peck "Portrait of a Lackey on Fire" – The Simpsons (Fox) – Written by Rob LaZebnik & Johnny LaZebnik "The Star of the Backstage" – The Simpsons (Fox) – Written by Elisabeth Kiernen Averick
Episodic Drama
"Retired Janitors of Idaho" – Succession (HBO) – Written by Tony Roche & Susan Soon He Stanton "1883" – 1883 (Paramount+) – Written by Taylor Sheridan "Birth Mother" – This Is Us (NBC) – Written by Eboni Freeman & Kay Oyegun "La Amara Vita" – The Morning Show (Apple TV+) – Written by Kerry Ehrin & Scott Troy "The New Normal" – New Amsterdam (NBC) – Written by David Schulner "Testimony" – The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) – Written by Kira Snyder
Episodic Comedy
"Alone At Last" – The Great (Hulu) – Written by Tony McNamara "All Sales Final" – Superstore (NBC) – Teleplay by Jonathan Green & Gabe Miller; Story by Justin Spitzer "Enlightened Dave" – Dave (FX) – Written by Luvh Rakhe & Lee Sung Jin "Episode One: True Crime" – Only Murders in the Building (Hulu) – Written by Steve Martin & John Hoffman "F*ckin’ Rez Dogs" – Reservation Dogs (FX) – Written by Sterlin Harjo & Taika Waititi "Pilot" – The Wonder Years (ABC) – Written by Saladin K. Patterson
Comedy/Variety – Talk Series
Conan (TBS) – 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 Desus & Mero (Showtime) – Writers: Daniel "Desus Nice" Baker, Josh Gondelman, Robert Kornhauser, Joel "The Kid Mero" Martinez, Robert A. McRae, Heben Nigatu, Mike Pielocik, Julia Young Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – 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 The Problem with Jon Stewart (Apple TV+) – Head Writer: Chelsea Devantez; Writers: Kristen Acimovic, Henrik Blix, Rob Christensen, Jay Jurden, Alexa Loftus, Tocarra Mallard, Robby Slowik, Jon Stewart, Kasaun Wilson
Comedy/Variety – Specials
Full Frontal Wants to Take Your Guns (TBS) – Head Writers: Kristen Bartlett, Mike Drucker; Writers: Samantha Bee, Pat Cassels, Sean Crespo, Mike Drucker, Miles Kahn, Chris Thompson, Holly Walker, Allison Silverman; Writing Supervised by Joe Grossman, Sahar Rizvi; Special Material by Michael Rhoa 43rd Annual Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) – Written by Dave Boone Drew Michael: Red Blue Green (HBO) – Written by Drew Michael The Tony Awards Presents: Broadway's Back! (CBS) – 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 Yearly Departed (Prime Video) – Head Writer: Bess Kalb; Writers: Karen Chee, Akilah Green, Franchesca Ramsey, Jocelyn Richard
Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (Netflix) – Writers: Zach Kanin, Tim Robinson, John Solomon How To with John Wilson (HBO) – Writers: Alice Gregory, Michael Koman, Conner O'Malley, Susan Orlean, John Wilson PAUSE with Sam Jay (HBO) – Writers: Emmy Blotnick, Ryan Donahue, Zack Fox, Megan Gailey, Robin M. Henry, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Jak Knight Saturday Night Live (NBC) – 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 That Damn Michael Che (HBO Max) – 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
Quiz and Audience Participation
Baking It (Peacock) – Writers: Neil Casey, Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino, Niccole Thurman Capital One College Bowl (NBC) – Head Writer: Scott Saltzburg; Writers: Rosemarie DiSalvo, Ryan Hopak, Jon Macks, Karissa Noel, Todd Sachs, Doug Shaffer, Grant Taylor, Bennett Webber The Chase (ABC) – Head Writer: David Levinson Wilk; Writers: Erik Agard, Eliza Bayne, Kyle Beakley, Megan Broussard, Robert King, Amy Ozols, Bobby Patton, Ellen Teitel, Ari Yolkut Jeopardy! (Syndicated) – Writers: Michael Davies, John Duarte, Mark Gaberman, Debbie Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Mike Richards, Billy Wisse
Daytime Drama
Days of Our Lives (NBC) – 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 General Hospital (ABC) – 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 The Young and the Restless (CBS) – 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

Documentary

Documentary Script – Current Events
"The Healthcare Divide" – FRONTLINE (PBS) – Written by Rick Young "The Jihadist" – FRONTLINE (PBS) – Written by Martin Smith & Marcela Gaviria
Documentary Script – Other than Current Events
"Citizen Hearst, Part One" – American Experience (PBS) – Written by Gene Tempest "A Writer" – Hemingway (PBS) – Written by Geoffrey C. Ward "Citizen" – (Netflix) – Written by Sasha Stewart & Robe Imbriano "Round One" – Muhammad Ali (PBS) – Written by David McMahon & Sarah Burns

News

News Script – Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report
"The Unequal Recession" – 60 Minutes (CBS News) – Written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young "Against All Enemies" – 60 Minutes (CBS News) – Written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young "Democracy Lost" – 60 Minutes (CBS News) – Written by Oriana Zill de Granados, Sharyn Alfonsi
News Script – Analysis, Feature, or Commentary
"Handcuffed to the Truth" – 60 Minutes (CBS News) – Written by Katie Kerbstat Jacobson, Scott Pelley, Nicole Young "The Fall of Kandahar" – Vice News Tonight (Vice on TV) – Written by Amel Guettatfi, Ben C. Solomon "Unpacking How Child Welfare and Foster Care Fails Black Children" – Unpack That (The Root) – Written by Joel Kahn, Felice León "The Unstudied Link Between the COVID Vaccine and Periods" – Vice News Tonight (Vice on TV) – Written by Caitlin Bladt “Woman in Motion: Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols and The Transformation of NASA” (CBS Saturday Morning), Written by Daniel Elias, Michelle Miller; CBS News
Digital News
"Men's Rights Asians: Think This Is Their Moment" (Slate) – Written by Aaron Mak "An Oral History of the Longest-Ever Broadway Shutdown" (Slate) – Written by Madeline Ducharme "Knives Out: Why 'Hacks' Works" (The Ringer) – Written by Katie Baker "We Get to Hear Them Training to Kill Us" (Slate) – Written by Christina Cauterucci "What if the Unorthodox Arizona Audit Declares Trump Won?" (Slate) – Written by Jeremy Stahl

Radio

Radio News Script – Regularly Scheduled, Bulletin, or Breaking Report
"Surfside Condo Collapse (CBS World News Roundup Late Edition)" (CBS News Radio) – Written by Kathleen M. Biggins "Silence the Mics: Tributes to Some Famous Broadcasters" (CBS Radio) – Written by Gail Lee "World News This Week – Week of August 16, 2021" (ABC Audio) – Written by Robert Hawley "World News This Week – Week of January 8, 2021" (ABC Audio) – Written by Joy Piazza "World News This Week – Week of September 3, 2021" (ABC Audio) – Written by Joan B. Harris
Radio News Script – Analysis, Feature, or Commentary
"The Tasmanian Devil Tattoo (Decoder Ring)" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Benjamin Frisch "When the Culture War Comes for Your Job (What Next)" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Mary Harris
Radio News Script – Documentary
"One Year: 1977 'The Miracle Cure'" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Evan Chung "Our Year (What Next)" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Mary Harris "That Seattle Muzak Sound (Decoder Ring)" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Benjamin Frisch "Who Killed the Segway? (Decoder Ring)" (Slate Podcast) – Written by Dan Kois

Promotional writing

Notes and References

1. Web site: WGA Awards TV Nominations: 'Yellowjackets', 'Hacks', 'Loki', 'Only Murders In The Building' Join Usual Suspects On List. Deadline. Patrick. Hipes. January 13, 2022. January 14, 2022.
2. Web site: Writers Guild Unveils 2022 WGA TV Award Nominees: 'Yellowjackets,' 'Hacks,' 'Reservation Dogs,' 'Only Murders in the Building' and More. Variety. Michael. Schneider. January 13, 2022. January 14, 2022.
3. Web site: 2022 WGA Awards Nominations: 'CODA', 'Don't Look Up' and 'Dune' Contending in the Screenplay Categories. Variety. Clayton. Davies. January 27, 2022. January 27, 2022.
4. Web site: WGA Awards: CODA, Don't Look Up Win Best Adapted, Original Screenplays. March 20, 2022. Hilary. Lewis. The Hollywood Reporter. March 21, 2022.