Breaking News
NATAS President/CEO Adam Sharp Previews Daytime Emmy Telecast: How Will They Weave In Golden Anniversary & Tackle the In Memoriam Segment In the Face of a Year+ of Tragedy
Just how will the 50th anniversary Daytime Emmy Awards look and feel given that’s been an extraordinary 18 months since the Emmys were held? Michael Fairman TV chatted with NATAS President/CEO Adam Sharp at this week’s Daytime Emmy Nominee reception at the Hollywood Museum to get some insight.
During Sharp’s tenure, the Daytime Emmys have had to pivot multiple times due to circumstances beyond their control including the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic and this year, the writers and performers strikes. Sharp weighed-in on the circumstances: “In my head, I was thinking this is my fifth year and I’ve yet to have a normal one. We had headed into this year thinking we had finally made it through the pandemic and that this would be the return to normalcy and somewhat of a routine. Then, fortunately the practice of the last few years had taught us to be nimble. So it was like, take those emergency plans back off the shelf and know how to do it in variations. Our chairmen tells me it should be a musical.”
This is the 50th anniversary of the Daytime Emmys, and in a telecast of two-hours, Adam shared how the decision was made of how to feature the golden anniversary while staying also in the present. “Obviously a big component of it is honoring the great work that we honor every year,” Sharp expressed. “And so, in many ways, the main thrust will still be a traditional daytime Emmy ceremony. One of the things we thought about in planning for the ceremony is … do we want to sacrifice any of that to lean into that 50th anniversary piece? Those two hours goes by fast. I think what we found is a good balance of a straight-up award show, but remind people of the institutional history and legacy that went into this. I think you saw in our announcement of presenters this week that at every category there is that nod to the past, going back to some of these legacy presenters, some of these ‘first to win their categories’, and things such as that that. All building up to the Lifetime Achievement Award, where I think if you polled anyone, what is the most iconic moment in daytime Emmy’s history? It is Shemar Moore presenting the Lead Actress Emmy to Susan Lucci.”

Photos: JPI
2022-2023 has brought devastating losses of so many beloved people of daytime community, in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Sharp shared how decisions were made when they had to cut to time for the highly important and often highly critiqued In Memoriam segment. “It’s been a rough year … it’s been a rough 18 months, so that played into it as well,” Sharp related. “I think what you’ll see is normally we have run the same in memoriam segment in the telecast as we run in Creative Arts Emmy. This year they will be different. The Creative Arts In Memoriam will be an extended version, because we did have to make difficult choices for time of who could be featured in the telecast itself. The reality is, you want to acknowledge everyone. And no matter where you draw the distinction, whether it’s a three minute in memoriam, a five minute or a half hour, there’s always going to be someone worthy who is left out. That is unfortunately the curse of that segment and why it is one of the most difficult segments to produce.”

Photo: ABC
Sharp concluded, “By having the second opportunity the next day to have a more expansive tribute in Creative Arts, a lot of those people that we won’t have the opportunity to recognize in the telecast can have their moment. I think part of the thinking that goes into that is, where would they have been honored when they were alive? We do distinctions of categories across those shows, too. Their immediate peers are most likely going to be at one ceremony or the other. So, part of the thinking winds up being where are their immediate peers going to be, so that they can be recognized in the room of their colleagues and that guided a lot of the decision.”
So, what do you think about tonight’s 50th Annual Daytime Emmys? Will you be checking the In Memoriam segment closely? Will you be happy to see the present being honored with some nods to Emmy history? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
The 50th Daytime Emmy Awards airs live Friday, December 15th on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ beginning at 9pm ET (tape delayed on the west coast).
Lucci so deserving. Beverley McKinsey needs to be given a posthumous lifetime award.
Why didn’t FV mentioned Jaclyn Zeman when GH won?
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
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.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
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.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order
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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