Daytime Emmys 2020: ‘Jeopardy,’ ‘The View,’ ‘Ellen,’ Alex Trebek, ‘Young and the Restless’ Among Top Winners

Michael Schneider
·11 min read

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The 47th Daytime Emmy Awards got underway on Friday night, after a particularly unusual path due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s Daytime Emmys returned to TV for the first time in five years, and to broadcast TV (specifically, CBS) for the first time since 2011.

Big winners included best daytime drama winner “The Young and the Restless,” which dominated the tally with eight wins, the most for any show. Also experiencing a good night: “Jeopardy,” which was named best game show and best game show host (for Alex Trebek); “The View,” selected as best informative talk show; Kelly Clarkson, for entertainment talk show host; “Entertainment Tonight,” for entertainment news; and “Ellen” for entertainment talk show. In her acceptance speech, Ellen DeGeneres pledged to more actively use her show as a tool for change.

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“I have been doing this show for 17 years and we have a few more to go,” DeGeneres said. “If anything has become clear over the last month or so, it’s that we can do a lot more with the platform that we’re given. I intend to use the next two years of my show as a platform for change, to amplify voices of Black people and people of color and to educate my audience. More than ever, I feel like this is a responsibility to affect change.”

As for Trebek, the host said that this win “was a shock. Speaking as one nominated 32 times and has won 7 times, I can say with some degree of authority that winning is nicer.”

“The Talk’s” Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba and Marie Osmond were tapped to host this year’s Daytime Emmys, which was set to reveal winners behind 19 categories during the telecast. Presenters and winners took a moment to address some of the issues of the moment, in particular the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the production community. “Entertainment Tonight” host Kevin Frazier made a point to offer words of encouragement for below-the-line crew, such as camera operators, currently out of work.

“Our voices have inspired action, not just in the United States, but worldwide,” Eve said. “It’s not just a moment, but a movement. It is our responsibility to create the world we want to see,” Underwood added. Said “The View’s” Sunny Hostin: “I envision a world that seeks to reign above pettiness, divisiveness and hatred. I envision a world not of fences and barriers but a world where these protests lead to equality and the recognition of humanity for each, regardless of skin color.”

Besides the 19 categories announced on the CBS broadcast, another 24 were revealed on social media immediately after the show. (Digital drama categories will be streamed in a separate virtual ceremony on July 19. Animation, family viewing, lifestyle and children’s programming categories will be streamed in an additional virtual ceremony on July 26.)

Besides “Young and the Restless,” other top winners on Friday were “The Bold and Beautiful” and “General Hospital,” with four each, and then “Jeopardy,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration,” with three apiece.

CBS, which went into the show with the most nominations (57), dominated the wins, with 15 so far. Syndicated shows followed with 11, then ABC with five, NBC with four, and then HBO (three) and Amazon Prime Video (two).

ABC’s “General Hospital” topped all nominees this year, garnering a total of 23, followed closely by the other major TV soaps: NBC’s “Days of Our Lives” (22), CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” (21) and CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” (13).

Here is the list of categories and winners presented during Friday night’s show:

Outstanding Drama Series

WINNER: “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
“The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
“Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
“General Hospital” (ABC)

(last year’s winner: “The Young and the Restless”)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama

WINNER: Heather Tom as Katie Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
Finola Hughes as Anna Devane, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Katherine Kelly Lang as Brooke Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
Maura West as Ava Jerome, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

(last year’s winner: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, as Steffy Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful”)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama

WINNER: Jason Thompson as Billy Abbott, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Steve Burton as Jason Morgan, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
Jon Lindstrom as Kevin Collins/Ryan Chamberlain, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Thaao Penghlis as Tony DiMera, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

(last year’s winner: Maurice Benard, as Sonny Corinthos, “General Hospital”)

Outstanding Entertainment News Show

WINNER: “Entertainment Tonight” (Syndicated)
“Access Hollywood” (Syndicated)
“E! News” (E! Entertainment)
“Extra” (Syndicated)
“Inside Edition” (Syndicated)

(last year’s winner: “Daily Mail TV”)

Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series

WINNER: “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
“Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
“General Hospital” (ABC)
“The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: “The Young and the Restless”)

Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series

WINNER: “The Bay The Series” (Amazon Prime Video)
“After Forever” (Amazon Prime Video)
“DARK/WEB” (Amazon Prime Video)
“Eastsiders” (Netflix)
“Studio City” (Amazon Prime Video)

(last year’s winner: “After Forever”)

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host

WINNER: Kelly Clarkson, “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Syndicated)
Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood,
Eve, Carrie Ann Inaba & Marie Osmond, “The Talk” (CBS)
Maury Povich, “Maury” (Syndicated)
Kelly Ripa & Ryan Seacrest, “Live with Kelly and Ryan” (Syndicated)
Michael Strahan, Sara Haines & Keke Palmer, “GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke” (ABC)

(last year’s winner: Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, “Live with Kelly and Ryan”)

Outstanding Game Show Host

WINNER: Alex Trebek, “Jeopardy” (Syndicated)
Wayne Brady, “Let’s Make a Deal” (CBS)
Steve Harvey, “Family Feud” (Syndicated)
Alfonso Ribeiro, “Catch 21” (Game Show Network)
Pat Sajak, “Wheel of Fortune” (Syndicated)

(last year’s winner: Alex Trebek, “Jeopardy”)

Outstanding Game Show

WINNER: “Jeopardy” (Syndicated)
“Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?” (Nickelodeon)
“Double Dare” (Nickelodeon)
“Family Feud” (Syndicated)
“The Price Is Right” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: “Family Feud”)

Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series

WINNER: “General Hospital” (ABC)
“The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
“Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
“The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: “The Young and the Restless”)

Outstanding Talk Show/Entertainment

WINNER: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (Syndicated)
“GMA3 Strahan, Sara & Keke” (ABC)
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Syndicated)
“Live with Kelly and Ryan” (Syndicated)
“The Talk” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”)

Outstanding Talk Show/Informative

WINNER: “The View” (ABC)
“Rachael Ray” (Syndicated)
“Red Table Talk” (Facebook Watch)
“The 3rd Hour of Today” (NBC)
“Today Show with Hoda & Jenna” (NBC)

(last year’s winner: “Rachael Ray”)

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series

WINNER: Olivia Rose Keegan as Claire Brady, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
Sasha Calle as Lola Rosales, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Katelyn MacMullen as Willow Tait, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Eden McCoy as Josslyn Jacks, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Thia Megia as Haley Chen, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

(last year’s winners: Hayley Erin, as Kiki Jerome, “General Hospital” and Kyler Pettis, as Theo Carver, “Days of Our Lives”)

Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program

WINNER: “The People’s Court” (Syndicated)
“Hot Bench” (Syndicated)
“Judge Judy” (Syndicated)
“Judge Mathis” (Syndicated)
“Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court” (Syndicated)

(last year’s winner: “Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court”)

Outstanding Special Class Special

WINNER: “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration” (HBO)
“93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day” (NBC)
“Hate Among Us” (Popstar TV)
“This Old House: 40th Anniversary Special” (PBS)
“The Young and the Restless: Kristoff St. John Tribute” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: “Quiet Heroes”)

Outstanding Culinary Program

WINNER: “Giada Entertains” (Food Network)
“Barefoot Contessa: Cook Like a Pro” (Food Network)
“Milk Street” (PBS)
“30 Minute Meals” (Food Network)
“Valerie’s Home Cooking” (Food Network)

(last year’s winner: “Valerie’s Home Cooking”)

Outstanding Morning Program

WINNER: “Today Show” (NBC)
“CBS Sunday Morning” (CBS)
“CBS This Morning” (CBS)
“Good Morning America” (ABC)
“Sunday Today with Willie Geist” (NBC)

(last year’s winner: “CBS Sunday Morning”)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

WINNER: Tamara Braun as Dr Kim Nero, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Rebecca Budig as Hayden Barnes, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Williams, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
Christel Khalil as Lily Winters, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Annika Noelle as Hope Logan, “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)

(last year’s winner: Vernee Watson, as Stella Henry, “General Hospital”)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

WINNER: Bryton James as Devon Hamilton, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Mark Grossman as Adam Newman, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
Chandler Massey as Will Horton, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
James Patrick Stuart as Valentin Cassadine, “General Hospital” (ABC)
Paul Telfer as Xander Kiriakis, “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

(last year’s winner: Max Gail, as Mike Corbin, “General Hospital”)

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences originally planned to hold the Daytime Emmys over three nights, from June 12 to 14, in Pasadena, Calif. But obviously concerns over the pandemic led to the delay, and decision to go the at-home route.

This year’s two-hour Daytime Emmys telecast was produced remotely, due to stay-at-home orders, and much of it was pre-taped. As Variety previously wrote, presenters filmed five different envelope openings — and every nominee in the major categories presented were asked to tape an acceptance speech and send it to the show.

Associated Television Inc. (ATI) is producing the show, along with NATAS, for CBS. “It’s probably the first time [in awards show history] that all of the nominees will be giving acceptance speeches,” ATI’s Al Schwartz told Variety.

Added NATAS president/CEO Adam Sharp: “Certainly, this is a new and unique experience for us, but it’s one that also carries a lot of opportunity, an opportunity to be a more intimate, tighter broadcast, and one that can be really engaging for the audience.”

This was the first year that programs considered eligible for daytime may submit any episode in to the Daytime Emmy Awards contest whether that episode premiered in primetime or daytime hours. Also, this is the first year that the Daytime Emmys has merged its young actor and young actress categories into a single, gender-neutral younger performer award. NATAS also clarified its policy allowing performers in gendered categories to enter the one they felt best suited their identity.

Gayle King, Cookie Monster, Kelsey Grammer, Michael Strahan, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest are among the presenters who will take part in the Daytime Emmy Awards.

Meanwhile, these categories are also set to be announced on social media later this evening:

Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series: Eva LaRue, “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Makeup for A Drama Series: “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Makeup: “The Talk” (CBS)

Outstanding Hairstyling for a Drama Series: “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Hairstyling: “The Real” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Costume Design for a Drama or Digital Series: “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)

Outstanding Costume Design: “The Real” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design for a Drama or Digital Series: “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design: “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Promo – Topical: “Jeopardy” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Promo – Brand Image Campaign – Network or Program: “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” (Digital Release)

Outstanding Directing for a Game Show: “The Price Is Right” (CBS)

Outstanding Directing for Talk, Entertainment News, Morning Show: “Today Show with Hoda & Jenna” (NBC)

Outstanding Music Direction & Composition for a Drama or Digital Drama Series: “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)

Outstanding Original Song: “The Bad Guys?” from “Brainwashed By Toons” (Funny or Die)

Outstanding Casting for a Drama or Digital Drama Series: “Eastsiders” (Netflix)

Outstanding Technical Team for a Drama Series: “General Hospital” (ABC)

Outstanding Technical Team: “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration” (HBO)

Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Drama or Digital Drama Series: “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS) and “DARK/WEB” (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Lighting Direction: “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Multi-Cam Editing for a Drama or Digital Drama Series: “General Hospital” (ABC)

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing for a Drama Series: “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)

Outstanding Live and Direct to Tape Sound Mixing: “The Price Is Right” (CBS)

Outstanding Writing for a Special Class Special: “Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Celebration” (HBO)

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