And the nominees are … so say the film and TV critics … in the just announced 25th Annual Critics Choice Awards.  The winners will be announced during a live ceremony airing Sunday, January 12 on The CW beginning at 7PMEST/6PMCST.

In the television categories, This Is Us came up with several key nominations including: being in the running for Best Drama Series, and in addition, Justin Hartley (Ex-Y&R, Revenge, Passions) nabbed a Supporting Actor in a Drama Series nomination for his performance as Kevin Pearson in the NBC drama series,

Hartley’s on-screen brother, Sterling K, Brown received recognition in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his work as Randall.  In addition, Susan Kelechi Watson scored a nomination for her work as Randall’s wife, Beth in the Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category.

In an interesting first, The Kelly Clarkson Show received a nomination in the Best Talk Show category and is the only one in the running from daytime, all the rest in the pack are from primetime or late night.

Downton Abbey: The Movie scored in the film categories in Best Production and Costume Design.

Click here for the official list of all the nominations in the film and TV categories competing for the Critics Choice Awards 2020.

Now below, let us know what you think of Justin’s nomination as well as his cast mates from This Is Us in the comment section.

More sorrowful news on Sunday.  Caroll Spinney, the legendary puppeteer behind beloved Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch,died today,  at the age 85 at his home in Connecticut.  Spinney has been suffering from dystonia for quite some time.

For the body of his life’s work, Spinney received many significant honors.  He was the recipient of four Daytime Emmy awards, as well as the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006, the Library of Congress’ Living Legend Award, two Grammy awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

PhotoL SesameStreetWorkshop

The Sesame Street workshop put on this press release upon his passing: “Caroll was an artistic genius whose kind and loving view of the world helped shape and define Sesame Street from its earliest days in 1969 through five decades, and his legacy here at Sesame Workshop and in the cultural firmament will be unending. His enormous talent and outsized heart were perfectly suited to playing the larger-than-life yellow bird who brought joy to generations of children and countless fans of all ages around the world, and his lovably cantankerous grouch gave us all permission to be cranky once in a while.

Welcomed to Sesame Street by Jim Henson, Caroll thrived under a mentorship that led to a decades-long great friendship. Caroll’s unparalleled career saw Big Bird visit China with Bob Hope, dance with the Rockettes, be celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a U.S. postage stamp, and named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress. A favorite highlight for Caroll was conducting symphony orchestras and performing with them across the United States, Australia, and China, allowing him to personally connect with families everywhere through the music of Sesame Street. Caroll Spinney gave something truly special to the world. With deepest admiration, Sesame Workshop is proud to carry his memory – and his beloved characters – into the future. Our hearts go out to Caroll’s beloved wife, Debra, and all of his children and grandchildren.

Sesame Street co-founder Joan Ganz Cooney said of her longtime colleague and friend, “Caroll Spinney’s contributions to Sesame Street are countless. He not only gave us Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, he gave so much of himself as well. We at Sesame Workshop mourn his passing and feel an immense gratitude for all he has given to Sesame Street and to children around the world.”

Share your thoughts on the passing of Caroll Spinney and his tremendous contribution for bringing to life for children young and old, Big Bird, and Oscar the Crouch and more.

But first, watch Barbara Walters present Spinney with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 33rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Sad news to report on Sunday as the soap opera community and its fans learn of the passing of Daytime Emmy-winning and noted soap opera producer, Lisa de Cazotte,

Lisa passed away yesterday on Saturday December 7th after a long illness at the age of 58,   From early in her career her love of the soaps and passion for it were evident.  She began right out of college as an intern on ABC’s One Life to Live, where she worked her way up to Coordinating Producer.

Photo: JPI

Next, Lisa eventually became the Supervising Producer of NBC’s one and only Santa Barbara.  She spent time also on All My Children, before heading back to NBC and Sunset Beach where she assumed the role of Supervising Producer there.

However, it was in 1999 where de Cazotte became the  Executive Producer of Passions, which she helmed and remained till the end of its run in 2008.  It was a show that she loved so much.  She continued her career in the soaps in 2012 stepping into Salem and Days of our Lives where Lisa was named Co-Executive Producer of the series winning two Daytime Emmy Awards. for her efforts.

Sadly, now her final gig began in 2017, when she became Supervising Producer of The Young and the Restless and won her third Emmy in the process this past year.  De Cazotte was said to still be producing Y&R at the time of her passing. She is survived by her husband, Antoine de Cazotte, and her beloved brothers: Michael Patrick Smith, Robert Terence Smith, and Brian Charles Smith.

Photo: JPI

On social media over the last several hours, many actors, and colleagues have shared their sorrow and remembrances of Lisa.  Here are just a sampling:

Jason Thompson (Billy,, Y&R): We lost a member of the family last night, one of our producers, Lisa De Cazotte. I first worked with Lisa when she produced the 2nd season of “Night Shift”. Years later and currently on @YandR_CBS  She was kind and smart. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS): The kindness and opportunity this woman furnished me was immeasurable. We have lost one of the hardest working and graceful producers in our genre. I will miss you terribly, Lisa. #RIP”

Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R) “Sometimes you recognize those women who are part of “the tribe”. Whether you know them for 20 years or 20 minutes… they are still part of your tribe. Lucky for me. Godspeed beautiful Lisa”

Angelica Rosas McDaniel (Ex-CBS Daytime Exec) “Last night we lost a light in this world with the passing of Lisa De Cazotte. Lisa was smart, strong, kind, vibrant, an incredible friend and an Emmy winning producer on many beloved shows. I was blessed to know her. Sending love to her family and friends.”