On June 9 in Washington, DC, the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Creative Arts and Lifestyle Awards continued its tradition of celebrating excellence in daytime television. The event’s second night was filled with stars, honoring both new and established talent.
One of the highlights was Oscar-winning actor Robert Downey Jr., who won his first Daytime Emmy for his Lifestyle Program series “Downey’s Dream Cars.” Renowned cake decorator Buddy Valastro, known as the Cake Boss, also received his first Emmy for hosting “Legends of the Fork.” Basketball legend Dwyane Wade made his mark by winning his first Daytime Emmy as an executive producer for the short-form series “Dads.”
This year saw significant changes to the Daytime Emmys, including the removal of a special category for younger actors in daytime dramas. Now, young talent competes in lead, supporting, or guest categories. The eligibility period for this year’s awards spanned from January 1 to December 31, 2023, showcasing a variety of genres and themes.
“Judy Justice” on Amazon Freevee won the Legal/Courtroom Program category, while National Geographic’s “Animals Up Close with Bertie Gregory” took home the award for Travel, Adventure, and Nature Program. Netflix’s “Hack My Home” won in the Instructional/How-To Program category.
“Oprah and ‘The Color Purple’ Journey” (Max) won in the Arts and Popular Culture Program category, and “Leveling Lincoln” (PBS) won in the Educational and Informational Program category. “Culture Quest: Ukraine” on PBS earned the Daytime Special award, and “The Dads” on Netflix won the Short Form Program prize.
Unseen talents were also celebrated. “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” (Netflix) received honors for Sound Mixing, Sound Editing, and Directing Team for a Single-Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program. “Reconnecting Roots” (PBS) won for Outstanding Writing in a Daytime Non-Fiction Program. “The Kelly Clarkson Show” received awards for Lighting Direction, Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video, and Live Sound Mixing and Sound Editing.
In the culinary category, Christian Cooper won Daytime Personality, Non-Daily for “Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper” (National Geographic), and Buddy Valastro won Best Culinary Host for “Legends of the Fork” (A&E). The awards also honored “African Queens: Njinga” (Netflix) for Casting, and “Searching for Soul Food” (Hulu) for Main Title and Graphic Design.
The Daytime Emmys continue to celebrate the diversity and depth of daytime television, honoring everything from travel and nature shows to legal dramas. This year’s awards highlighted the dynamic range of talent in the industry, celebrating both newcomers and established icons in a vibrant showcase of excellence in daytime programming.