Producers Guild honors Joss Whedon

'Dollhouse' and 'Firefly' creator will received the Vanguard Award from the PGA

Monday, Nov 23, 2009 3:07 PM

Daniel Fienberg

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Joss Whedon

When did Joss Whedon suddenly become the toast of mainstream award-givers?

Just months after receiving an Emmy for "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog," the "Dollhouse" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator has been tapped to received the 2010 Vanguard Award from the Producers Guild of America.

The PGA explains that the Vanguard Award recognizes achievements in new media and technology and that previous winners have included George Lucas, James Cameron and John Lasseter.

"Joss Whedon has mastered the art of melding the newest technology with inspired storytelling, truly exemplifying the spirit of the Vanguard Award," say David Friendly and Laurence Mark, co-chairs of the PGA Awards, in a statement.

Other credits for Whedon include "Angel" and "Firefly" on the small screen and "Serenity," plus the scripts for "Toy Story" and "Alien Resurrection" on the big screen. Whedon also has created and written for a number of comic book series over the years.

Not surprisingly, Whedon's quote in the PGA statement is priceless.

"This is an honor I didn't expect and probably don't deserve," Whedon says. "The truth is, I've never actually guarded a van. But I am a super-total visionary, so that fits. I'm ready to take my place next to the guys who made 'THX 1138' and 'Tin Toy' (Did they ever do anything else, btw? They showed such promise.). This is a time of radical change in media delivery and content, and I'm honestly proud the PGA has singled me out as someone who sort of knows what's going on."

Whedon will receive his prize at the 21st Annual PGA Awards ceremony, held on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 at the Hollywood Palladium. Perhaps this will provide some solace for Whedon, coming two days after the expected series finale for "Dollhouse."