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John Oliver (The Daily Show) hosted the 23rd Annual TCA Awards, which were given out at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on Saturday night.

After being introduced by outgoing TCA president Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Oliver opened the show up with (surprise!) some political humor. Pointing out that vice president Dick Cheney was fully in charge during President Bush's colonoscopy procedure, a ranting Oliver joked, "We should be thankful that we are alive to enjoy this evening!"

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"I've got this theory that whatever you say is funnier if you say it with British accent," says first presenter Eric Deggans, St. Petersburg Times.

I think Deggans is correct.

Alec Baldwin, who won for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy for his role on 30 Rock, raves, "Tina Fey [the show's creator/star/executive producer] is the funniest person I'd ever met in my life."

Baldwin went on to add on a somber note: "I have to share with you just how sad I am that The Sopranos is over ... because now I won't be able to be on the show."

The actor shared that he even switched agents a while back, hoping his new representation would get him on The Sopranos. And what did he get? "Nothing. Zippo. Nothing."

A year goes by and Baldwin finds himself in the mens' room at the Four Seasons restaurant in New York on a stifling hot summer day. It was so sweltering that the former Knots Landing star took his jacket and shirt off and used the restroom fan to dry his shirt.

"And into this room," Baldwin recalls, "walks David Chase -- and he says, 'Alec Baldwin?'"

Later, Chase, who won "Outstanding Achievement in Drama," recollects he said, "Holy, s--t. That's Alec Baldwin!'"

Retiring TCA member Dusty Saunders of the Rocky Mountain News read an acceptance letter from Career Achievement Award winner Mary Tyler Moore, who thanked the journalists for their terrific support.

"Had your support been 100%," Moore quipped in her note, "God knows where I'd be today."

Here are the winners:

• Individual Achievement in Drama: Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
• Individual Achievement in Comedy: Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
• Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: Planet Earth
• Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming: Kyle XY
• Outstanding New Program: Friday Night Lights
• Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials: Planet Earth
• Outstanding Achievement in Drama: The Sopranos
• Outstanding Achievement in Comedy: The Office
• Career Achievement Award: Mary Tyler Moore
• Heritage Award: The Sopranos
• Program of the Year: Heroes

After the awards, critics and winners enjoyed dessert out by the pool.

Next up, two days of Fox's new and returning programs.