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NATAS’ Children’s & Family Emmy Awards: Loretta Devine, Sherri Shepherd & Gina Rodriguez Land Nominations

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: NBC/ABC

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences unveiled on Tuesday the nominations for their inaugural Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. 

The awards are the first standalone expansion of the Emmy Award competition since 1979, and mark the successful culmination of the first full year of the realignment between NATAS and the Television Academy. Previously, children’s programming had been a part of the Daytime Emmy Awards, which were recently given out this summer.

Courtesy/NATAS

The new awards will be handed out during two separate ceremonies: December 10th (Creative Arts Emmys) and December 11 (Main categories) at the Wilshire Ebell Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Children’s & Family content represent the fastest-growing genre that NATAS awards, with a 23% increase in related programming the past two years.  With more than 3,000 submissions, the competition is now the largest that NATAS oversees.

Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS said in a statement: “Putting a spotlight on children’s & family programming after years of unparalleled growth in content quality and quantity in this space is an exciting moment for the television industry. These programs entertain, inform and educate family members of all ages, and NATAS is proud to mark this milestone event and give these creators the stage they deserve.”

Scoring nominations in various performer categories were: Loretta Devine, who recently appeared in Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem Chapter 2.  Devine, will compete in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program for her work in Family Reunion. 

Photo: IMDb

Talk show host, Sherri Shepherd, also scored a nomination but in the Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program for her role in Blaze and the Monster Machines.  In addition, Gina Rodriguez (Ex-Beverly, B&B) received an Emmy nomination for her work in Diary of a Future President in the Outstanding Guest Performance in a Preschool, Children’s or Young Teen Program.  Check out the other notables receiving nominations including: Oscar winner, Olivia Colman and Friends favorite, Lisa Kudrow. Former All My Children alum, Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca) is also nominated in the Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series for Amphibia.

Below are some of the main categories/nominations in the first annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards.  Congrats to all the nominees!

OUTSTANDING PRESCHOOL SERIES
Helpsters, Apple TV+
The Not-Too-Late Show Eith Elmo: Game Edition, HBO Max
Sesame Street, HBO Max
Tab Time, YouTube Originals
Waffles + Mochi, Netflix

OUTSTANDING CHILDREN’S OR FAMILY VIEWING SERIES
The Astronauts, Nickelodeon
The Baby-Sitters Club, Netflix
Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, Apple TV+
Raising Dion, Netflix
Secrets of Sulphur Springs, Disney Channel

OUTSTANDING YOUNG TEEN SERIES
Doogie Kamealoha M.D., Disney+
First Day, Hulu
Heartstopper, Netflix
High School Musical: The Musical – The Series, Disney Channel
The Mysterious Benedict Society, Disney+

OUTSTANDING FICTION SPECIAL
Better Nate Than Ever, Disney+
Muppets Haunted Mansion, Disney+
See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special, HBO Max
Sneakerella, Disney+
Spin, Disney Channel
Waffles + Mochi’s Holiday Feast, Netflix

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Kit Connor as Nick Nelson, Heartstopper
Loretta Devine as M’Dear, Family Reunion
Mark Feuerstein as Watson Brewer, The Baby-Sitters Club
Joe Locke as Charlie Spring, Heartstopper
Alicia Silverstone as Elizabeth Thomas-Brewer, The Baby-Sitters Club
Rueby Wood as Nate Better, Nate Than Ever

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Adeel Akhtar as Aditya Singh, Sweet Tooth
Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd, Sweet Tooth
Yasmin Finney as Elle Argent, Heartstopper
William Gao as Tao Xu, Heartstopper
Lisa Kudrow as Aunt Heidi, Better Nate Than Ever

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER PERFORMER IN A PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Malia Baker as Mary Anne Spier, The Baby-Sitters Club
Quinn Copeland as Izzy, Punky Brewster
Sammi Haney as Esperanza, Raising Dion
Momona Tamada as Claudia Kishi, The Baby-Sitters Club
Ja’Siah Young as Dion Warren, Raising Dion

OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN PRESCHOOL, CHILDREN’S OR YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Olivia Colman as Sarah Nelson, Heartstopper
Chris Diamontopoulos as Owen Quinn, Ghostwriter
Sharon Lawrence as Susan, Punky Brewster
Randall Park as Dr. Choi, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
Gina Rodriguez as Grown-Up Elena, Diary of a Future President

OUTSTANDING VOICE PERFORMANCE IN A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
David Errigo Jr. as Dudley, Ridley Jones
Eden Espinosa as The Queen of Hearts, Alice’s Wonderland Bakery
Michael Luwoye as Wavey Jones, Baby Shark’s Big Show!
Daniel Ross as Donald Duck, Mickey and Minnie Wish Upon a Christmas
Sherri Shepherd as Queen Fastine, Blaze and the Monster Machines

OUTSTANDING VOICE PERFORMANCE IN AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Eric Bauza as Bugs Bunny/Marvin the Martian/Daffy Duck/Tweety, Looney Tunes Cartoons
Grey Delisle as Lola/Lana/Lily/Meryl/Cheryl/Scoots/Mopes/Mrs. Bernardo, The Loud House
Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Masters of the Universe: Revelation
Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, SpongeBob SquarePants
Frank Welker as Himself/Fred/Scooby, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER VOICE PERFORMER IN AN ANIMATED OR PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Asher Bishop as Lincoln Loud, The Loud House
Tucker Chandler as Alex, Madagascar: A Little Wild
Kyrie McAlpin as Emma, Doug Unplugs
Amir O’Neil as Marty, Madagascar: A Little Wild
Andy Walken as Young Durpleton, Centaurworld

OUTSTANDING HOST
Tabitha Brown, Tab Time
Recker Eans, Dylan Gilmer, Mykal-Michelle Harris and Olivia Perez, The Kids Tonight Show
Dame Helen Mirren, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses
Jack McBrayer, Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show
Coyote Peterson, Coyote Peterson’s Wild Field Trip

OUTSTANDING NON-FICTION PROGRAM
Hi I’m Sevy, Magnolia Network
Kids Baking Championship, Food Network
Nick News, Nickelodeon
Sesame Street in Communities: Talking About Race, YouTube.com
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?, Apple TV+

OUTSTANDING PRESCHOOL ANIMATED SERIES
Ada Twist, Scientist, Netflix
Molly of Denali, PBS
Octonauts: Above & Beyond, Netflix
Santiago of the Seas, Nickelodeon
Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, PBS

OUTSTANDING ANIMATED SERIES
City of Ghosts, Netflix
The Cuphead Show!, Netflix
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Disney+
Star Trek: Prodigy, Paramount+
A Tale Dark & Grimm, Netflix

OUTSTANDING SPECIAL CLASS ANIMATED PROGRAM
El Deafo, Apple TV+
Hilda and the Mountain King, Netflix
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, Prime Video
Maya and the Three, Netflix
Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, Netflix

OUTSTANDING SHORT-FORM PROGRAM
Ciao Alberto, Disney+
Little Bird, Vimeo
Rhymes Through Times, Noggin
Sesame Street in Communities – Explaining Race | #ComingTogether, YouTube.com
We the People, Netflix

OUTSTANDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Cat Burglar, Netflix
In Space with Markiplier, YouTube Originals
Madrid Noir, Oculus TV
Namoo, Baobab Studios
Paper Birds, Oculus TV

OUTSTANDING PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT
CHOOSE KINDNESS Campaign, ABC
Dragons: The Nine Realms, Hulu and Peacock
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, Netflix
Maya and the Three, Netflix
My Squishy Little Dumplings, Nickelodeon
PBS KIDS: “You Taught Me” Brand Campaign, PBS

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A LIVE ACTION PRESCHOOL OR CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
The Baby-Sitters Club
See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special
Sesame Street
Waffles + Mochi
Who Are You, Charlie Brown?

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A YOUNG TEEN PROGRAM
Better Nate Than Ever
Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.
Heartstopper
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Sweet Tooth

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A PRESCHOOL ANIMATED PROGRAM
Ada Twist, Scientist
Alma’s Way
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Molly of Denali
Muppet Babies

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR AN ANIMATED PROGRAM
Amphibia
City of Ghosts
Dug Days
Karma’s World
Maya and the Three

What do you think of the nominees for the first Children’s & Family Emmy Awards? Are you glad this genre of TV was given its own ceremony and no longer a part of the Daytime Emmy Awards? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

 

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‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)

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The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.

Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.

While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100,  A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman

HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM

Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.

There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC

A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN

In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”

Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”

So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.

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‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July

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There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.

The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.

On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI

THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.

Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.

The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.

As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.

Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.

So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order

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In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.

The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.

The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC

In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”

A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS

The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.

Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear.  The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.

It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.

So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.

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