PGA Awards: Sweet Speeches From Mindy Kaling, BJ Novak

LOS ANGELES, CA (IANS) – The Producers Guild of America awards ceremony held here on February 25 saw B.J. Novak present the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television to Mindy Kaling.

In a sweet speech, he recalled their early days together at ‘The Office’ and their careers since. “She knows a lot about producing now but she was great at it even before she did, because she’s a great producer for the same reason that many people, including her, are great parents right away. She cares so much that she either knows what to do or finds out fast,” he said, adding: “She cares so much about everything, and I care so much about her.”

In her acceptance speech, Kaling dedicated the award to her late mother and thanked ‘The Office’ producers Greg Daniels and Howard Klein for giving her start. She also had a shout out for Lear for “paving the way for all kinds of people to be centered on TV – nuanced, three-dimensional people who are sometimes awkward or selfish but they’re always hilarious.”

Kaling also thanked her studio executive partners, “powerful people who have all believed in me, believed in the good business that is inclusive content, and encouraged me to fill my productions with tons of new talent, particularly women of color.”