What Is 22nd Writers Guild of America Awards

Overview

The 22nd Writers Guild of America Awards celebrated the best writing achievements in film, television, and news media for the year 1969. These awards were presented in 1970 by the Writers Guild of America, East and West, honoring excellence in storytelling and scriptwriting across multiple genres and formats.

Unlike modern ceremonies, the 1970 event was held simultaneously in Los Angeles and New York, reflecting the dual leadership of the WGA. The awards highlighted the growing influence of television and the continued importance of socially conscious narratives in American media.

• Rod Serling won Best Drama Adaptation for his work on 'The Loner,' a series known for its introspective storytelling and moral themes.
• Best Original Screenplay was awarded to William Peter Blatty for 'The Last Picture Show,' a film that captured the decline of small-town life in Texas.
• Best Adapted Screenplay went to Larry Marcus and John K. Butler for 'The Reivers,' based on William Faulkner’s novel about a boy’s coming-of-age journey.
• Television Comedy Writing honors were given to the writing team of 'The Carol Burnett Show,' praised for its sharp satire and innovative sketches.
• News Writing awards recognized journalists who covered pivotal 1969 events, including the Apollo 11 moon landing and the Vietnam War protests.

How It Works

The Writers Guild of America Awards are determined by members of the WGA, who vote in categories relevant to their branch—screen, television, or news. The 22nd edition followed the same peer-review process used since the awards' inception in 1949.

• Eligibility Period:Work produced between January 1 and December 31, 1969 was eligible. This ensured timely recognition of the year’s most impactful writing.
• Voting Membership: Only active WGA members could vote, with approximately 5,200 eligible voters across the East and West branches in 1970.
• Category Separation: Awards were split between film, television, and news to ensure fair competition across mediums with different writing demands.
• Judgment Criteria: Submissions were evaluated based on originality, narrative structure, dialogue quality, and thematic depth by peer committees.
• Ceremony Format: The 1970 event was one of the first to be simultaneously hosted in LA and New York via live feed, enhancing national participation.
• Union Representation: The WGA used the event to highlight writers’ rights and fair compensation, especially during ongoing contract negotiations with studios.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key categories and winners from the 22nd WGA Awards with those from the preceding and following years:

This comparison shows a shift toward more socially relevant themes in 1969, with increased recognition of character-driven narratives in both film and television. The growing prestige of anthology and serialized formats also became evident, setting trends for the 1970s.

Why It Matters

The 22nd WGA Awards were a milestone in recognizing the evolving role of writers in shaping American culture during a turbulent decade. They highlighted the power of narrative to reflect societal changes and gave visibility to writers often behind the scenes.

• Legitimized Television Writing: Awards for shows like 'The Carol Burnett Show' helped establish TV as a legitimate creative medium equal to film.
• Encouraged Social Commentary: Winning scripts often tackled racial tension, war, and identity, encouraging bolder storytelling in Hollywood.
• Supported Union Advocacy: The WGA used the ceremony to promote fair wages and credit protections for screenwriters.
• Influenced Future Nominees: Films like 'The Last Picture Show' set a precedent for realistic, dialogue-driven cinema in the 1970s.
• Preserved Writer Recognition: Unlike Oscars, WGA Awards are decided by peers, emphasizing craft over commercial success.
• Documented Cultural Shifts: The 1969 winners reflect America’s changing values, from civil rights to space exploration.

Today, the 22nd WGA Awards serve as a historical snapshot of a pivotal moment in American media, where writers played a crucial role in defining the national conversation.