Connect with us

Breaking News

1

NATAS’ Independent Investigative Report Into Daytime Emmys Concluded To Address Daytime Dramas Concerns

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

NATAS (The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences) released today its independent review of the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, which came on the heels of a potential threatened boycott by executives and notables from the four daytime drama series, if certain procedures were not addressed and their concerns not heard for continuing to participate in the annual event scheduled next year in May.

Michael Fairman TV spoke with NATAS president, Adam Sharp, to ask pointed questions based on the findings of the independent investigation reports findings. That interview will be posted later today.

For now, here are the official report findings released to members of the press this morning ad how the Daytime Emmys and NATAS will address the concerns at-hand.

“From NATAS: On July 30, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) commissioned an independent review of the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and in particular, concerns raised by members of the Daytime television community regarding its policies and procedures.  The law firm of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth of Washington, DC, was engaged to conduct this investigation and report their findings and recommendations to the NATAS Board of Trustees.  The nature of their engagement was as neutral finders of facts and not as advocates for or representatives of NATAS.  Their work is now complete, having included a review of thousands of pages of documents and emails along with several days of interviews with NATAS staff and competition participants.

The resulting report was presented to the NATAS Board of Trustees on Friday, November 2.  It is thorough and fair. It levies criticism where criticism is due. And it rightly identifies many ways in which we must do better.  To that end, NATAS strongly supports and intends to substantially adopt the Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth recommendations:

We will update and clarify our rulebooks. When we release the 2019 Daytime Emmys “Call for Entries” on November 12, we will update several category criteria to eliminate opportunities for confusion. We will in particular update the requirements in the performer categories (which are at the heart of much of the concern we heard), and we will more specifically define terms such as “episode” where relevant. Additionally, we will audit the guidelines for our other Emmy® competitions to similarly reduce confusion and differences across competitions

We will provide additional resources to the Daytime Emmys:. The 2018 Daytime Emmys generated a record number of entries and tremendous growth in both in-hall and at-home audience, but we did not scale our operations commensurately.

We will add at least one full-time and several part-time positions to our Daytime Emmy® Awards team. While all our staff contribute in meaningful ways to every part of the process, we will divide the leadership of this growing team such that — consistent with the report’s recommendations — the competition and show production will be led by different members of our senior executive team.

Senior Vice President David Michaels will again serve as Executive Producer of the May ceremonies, focusing his energies to build on the success of the 2018 shows, but Executive Director Brent Stanton will take independent and separate responsibility for overseeing the competition.

For processes with potentially adverse results, such as entry disqualification, there will be new and additional review steps — a “second pair of eyes” — and there will be new requirements for documentation. This will help ensure that decisions and guidance are consistent and metered out fairly, and that the handling of such events is appropriately documented.

We will better articulate and make public our core policies and procedures. We will be tasking the Awards team with more specifically documenting and publishing:

  1. the procedures for reporting and investigating concerns about the awards competition, entries, nominees and winners;
  2. the guidelines and “checklist” for vetting and potentially disqualifying entries;
  3. the process and criteria by which we or our accountants select judges, break ties, and/or nullify judges’ ballots;
  4. internal rules and safeguards that ensure consistent application of our policies; and other matters as we identify.

We will distribute these improved resources as they are completed in the coming months, and will provide coaching around and strict enforcement of these policies and procedures.

We will apply our rules consistently and transparently. We will no longer readily grant deadline extensions or other extraordinary exceptions to our rules. Any technical assistance or waiver we grant must be provided equally to all entrants in an affected category, if not the competition as a whole. And any such assistance or waiver will be documented.

Finally, at the end of the competition we will prepare a Transparency Report, providing a high-level summary of how our rules were employed and enforced over the course of the competition.

We will seek to work more closely with the Television Academy. Recognizing that participants in the Daytime Emmy® competition may be more likely to be members of the Television Academy than of NATAS, we hope to better engage our sister Academy in our processes (as representatives of their members). These efforts could include:

  1. More consciously prioritizing Television Academy membership as a criterion for judging participation;
  2. Requesting that the Television Academy reinstate sending emails to their membership encouraging participation as Daytime Emmy® judges;
  3. Inviting a representative of the Television Academy and its members to begin participating again in our Daytime Emmy® nomination cut-off calls; and
  4. Inviting a representative of the Television Academy to review questioned submissions, observe backstage operations, and/or be present for the application of statue bands at the Daytime Emmy® ceremony.

We appreciate that the missteps of this and of past years may have impacted some entrants’ confidence in the Daytime Emmy Awards, and we are absolutely committed to earning back their trust.  We believe that through these and other improvements, we will once again meet the expectations all participants rightfully have of us.”

So, what do you think of the independent report findings? Do you hope the four network soaps will now participate in the upcoming competition? Share your thoughts below.

1 Comment

1 Comment
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Daytime Emmys have long outlived its time.
It’s boring and stupid, actually..
Nobody really gives a hoot about anything daytime to cause it to have ’emmy’s’ LOL

Also– whenever there is a competition to be judged the names of the judges are known/given.
I have never heard the names of the judges; who in the heck is judging the soap awards, why so secret.
The judges should be publicly named.

I rarely agree on the picked winners, many that do not submit their entries had much better performances than the winners.

Daytime Emmys come down to buying a new expensive dress to show off and be seen, ehhh

Daytime Emmys <– bwahaa yah whoopee! 🙂

Breaking News

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Breaking News

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x