The Gotham Awards in the fall celebrated excellence in film just as the awards season was heating up. Television awards used to be included in the program. Now, the small screen is having a moment with a ceremony all its own.

“Let’s keep the arts alive.” The sublimely arch Parker Posey could not have said it better this week at the second annual Gotham Television Awards at Cipriani Wall Street, adding a serious note to the accolades recognizing television’s craft and vital contribution to culture.

The “Legend Tribute” to Parker Posey is apt, bringing on the need to parse that word. “White Lotus” co-stars Sam Rockwell and Leslie Bibb presented the award—as guests dined on filet mignon and Cipriani’s signature layered cake, food fit for kings, and the ultrarich. Posey’s character in the latest “White Lotus” iteration in Thailand wants nothing to do with poverty, she deadpans to her husband who is about to face white collar jail time as the family, including the hot young actor Sam Nivola, makes its way back to civilization from the island paradise where Nivola’s character almost dies from a plant-infused smoothie.

The Palladino’s, that’s Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, the masterminds behind “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and their current “Etoile,” think of their hit series as covering the parent bases: “Mrs. Maisel,” Amy Sherman’s homage to her father, a professional comedian; “Etoile” to her mother, a dancer. “Etoile” takes place in the ballet world, shifting locations between New York and Paris, with rivalling dancers; and equally competing sex partners.

Mrs. Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan and Luke Kirby—Lenny Bruce in Mrs. Maisel– cheered the Palladinos on. Kirby also stars in “Etoile.” Sherman-Palladino’s fast paced language was particularly difficult for the French actors, Lou de Laage told me at a recent publicity event in Grand Central Station involving a live ballerina pirouetting in a music box. Fingers crossed for a second season of this series illuminating dance’s most fine art.

Netflix’s much lauded “Adolescence” won Breakthrough Limited Series, while “The Pitt” landed Breakthrough Drama Series. Kathy Bates won Best Lead Performance for her role as “Matlock.” These were just some of the highlights of a great night celebrating television’s many triumphs. But in the end, Stephen Graham, awarded Outstanding Lead Performer in a Limited Series as the father in “Adolescence,” summed up the experience: it’s a cliché to say it, but we are all just family.