Carnivàle is an American television series that aired on HBO between 2003 and 2005. Created by Daniel Knauf, the show traces the disparate storylines of a young carnival worker named Ben Hawkins (played by Nick Stahl) and a preacher in California named Brother Justin Crowe (Clancy Brown) during the United States Dust Bowl. Although Carnivàle was praised for its production and art style,[1][2] the unfolding story proved too inaccessible for the general audience[3][4] and led to the show's cancellation after two of six planned seasons.[5][6] The inaugural season of Carnivàle garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Emmy Awards and two Emmy nominations in the creative arts categories. The second season received eight Emmy nominations. Nominations for two Golden Reel Awards, four Satellite Awards and two Saturn Awards did not result in a win. The only actor of Carnivàle's large main cast to win an award was Adrienne Barbeau ("Ruthie") with a Women's Image Network Award. Overall, Carnivàle has received nine awards from twenty-one nominations.
Costume Designers Guild Awards
Founded in 1999, the Costume Designers Guild Awards honors Costume Designers in Motion Pictures, Television, and Commercials. Carnivàle was nominated for a CDG twice, winning in 2003.[7]
The Emmy is a television production award considered the television equivalent to the Academy Award.[8] The inaugural season of Carnivàle received nominations for seven Emmys in 2004, winning five in creative arts categories. The second season received eight further Emmy nominations in 2005 without a win.[9]
Year
Category
Nominee
Episode
Result
2004
Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series
John Papsidera, Wendy O'Brien
—
Nominated
2004
Outstanding Main Title Design
Angus Wall, Patrick Murphy, Vonetta Taylor
—
Won
2004
Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series
Bernt Amadeus Capra, Jeremy Cassells, Leslie McCarthy-Frankenheimer, Dan Bishop, Roger L. King, Gary Kosko, Sara Andrews
"Milfay" (pilot)
Won
2004
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
Jeff Jur
"Pick A Number"
Won
2004
Outstanding Costumes for a Series
Ruth Myers, Linda Henrikson, Terry Dresbach, Niklas J. Palm, Lucinda Campbell
"Milfay" (pilot)
Won
2004
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series
Kerry Mendenhall, Louisa V. Anthony, Elizabeth Rabe
"After the Ball Is Over"
Won
2004
Outstanding Makeup for a Series (Non-Prosthetic)
Steve Artmont, Simone Almekias-Siegl
"Babylon"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (dramatic Underscore)
Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series
Dan Bishop, Roger L. King, David Morong, Joyce Anne Gilstrap
"Old Cherry Blossom Road", "Damascus, NE", "Outside New Canaan"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
Jim Denault
"The Road to Damascus"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series
Jeff Jur
"Lincoln Highway"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Costumes for a Series
Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko, Robin Roberts
"The Road to Damascus"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Series
Norma Lee, Nanci Cascio, Violet Ortiz
"Outside New Canaan"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Makeup for a Series (non-prosthetic)
Steve Artmont, Simone Almekias-Siegl, Heather Plott
"Alamogordo, NM"
Nominated
2005
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special
Rob Hinderstein, Joel Harlow, Kenny Myers
"Damascus, NE"
Nominated
Golden Reel Awards
The Golden Reel Award has been annually presented by the American Motion Picture Sound Editors since 1953, honoring motion picture and television sound editors and their soundtracks. Carnivàle was nominated for two Golden Reel Awards in 2003.[10]
Year
Category
Nominee
Episode
Result
2003
Best Sound Editing in Television Episodic - Sound Effects & Foley
Mace Matiosian, William H. Angarola, Bradley C. Katona, Edmond J. Coblentz Jr., Matt Sawelson
—
Nominated
2003
Best Sound Editing in Television Episodic - Dialogue & ADR
Mace Matiosian, Ruth Adelman, Lloyd Jay Keiser, Jivan Tahmizian
"Tipton"
Nominated
Satellite Awards
The Satellite Award, originally known as the Golden Satellite Award, is an annual award given by the International Press Academy. Carnivàle could not turn any of its four Saturn Award nominations into a win.[11]
The Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. Carnivàle was nominated in two categories in 2004, but failed to win in either.[12][13]
The Visual Effects Society represents the full breadth of visual effects practitioners in all areas of entertainment and honors film, television, commercials, music videos and video games with an award since 2002. Carnivàle won one of three nominations in 2003.[14]
Year
Category
Nominee
Episode
Result
2003
Outstanding Special Effects in Service to Visual Effects in a Televised Program, Music Video or Commercial
Thomas L. Bellissimo, Charles Belardinelli
"Milfay" (pilot)
Won
2003
Outstanding Special Effects in Service to Visual Effects in a Televised Program, Music Video or Commercial
Thomas L. Bellissimo
"Dust Storm" (i.e. "Black Blizzard")
Nominated
2003
Outstanding Visual Effects - TV Series
David Altenau, Ariel Velasco-Shaw, Thomas L. Bellissimo, Barbara Marshall