Daytime Emmy winners acknowledge COVID-19 epidemic, racial justice efforts in remote ceremony

Alex Trebek, Kelly Clarkson, Ellen DeGeneres, "The View" and "The Young and the Restless" scored big at the 47th annual Daytime Emmys, a ceremony reconfigured due to COVID-19 and reflecting larger societal concerns about racial justice.

The five co-hosts of CBS' "The Talk" kicked off Friday's two-hour CBS broadcast from their individual homes, a first for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

"For once, we've got the best seat in the house because we're in our houses," Sheryl Underwood said. Co-host Eve added, "Like all of you, we're doing the responsible thing and keeping some social distancing."

"So for the first time ever, we hosts, our guest presenters and our winners will be watching from our couches, just like the fans," co-host Carrie Ann Inaba said. Marie Osmond explained, "And just like you, we don't know the winners. We'll find out who they are the same time you do."

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The pre-taped ceremony, originally scheduled to be held earlier this month at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, had to be restructured because of the pandemic. All nominees pre-taped acceptance speeches, many from their homes, so those winning didn't know until after their names were announced on the show. Some referred to the changes brought on by COVID-19.

Kevin Frazier, accepting the award for Outstanding Entertainment News Program for "Entertainment Tonight," referred to remote work locations.

"I just want to send a shoutout to the entire team at 'Entertainment Tonight.' We've been working remotely. We haven’t had a chance to see each other. We put the show on each and every day from our homes," he said. "So, congratulations, everybody. Can't wait until we can get on an Emmy Zoom to celebrate."

In features, presentations and speeches, the ceremony also reflected efforts to achieve racial justice that have gained momentum after the death of George Floyd last month in police custody. 

DeGeneres, who won the trophy for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show, vowed to use her platform to uplift Black voices amid anti-racism and police brutality protests, a trend among acceptance speeches on Friday's telecast. 

"If anything has become clear over this last month or so, it's that we can do a lot more with the platform we're given," DeGeneres said. "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. I'm always grateful to do what I do, but more than ever, I just feel like this is a responsibility to affect change."

In a segment that featured video of protest marches, a Black Lives Matter sign and another sign from a Pride march, a group of Black stars of talk shows and news programs, including Eve and Underwood, talked about the need for societal change. 

"I truly believe that this is not just a moment but a movement. A moment is temporary, but a movement lasts. This is just the beginning of a breakthrough for us as a country," she said, adding that people need "to have the courage to do what's right. It is our responsibility to create the world we want to see – and live in."

Trebek, who has continued to host "Jeopardy!" as he battles pancreatic cancer, won Outstanding Game Show Host for the second year in a row and the seventh time out of 32 nominations.

The host, who did not refer to his illness in his speech, answered the age-old question on whether the nomination is more important than the win: "I think I can say with some degree of authority that winning is nicer. Once again, I thank you all. Stay safe." 

Anthony Morina, executive producer of "The Young and the Restless," dedicated the drama series' win to three members of the show's family who died over the past 18 months: co-creator Lee Phillip Bell; actor Kristoff St. John, who was on the show for 27 years; and supervising producer Lisa De Cazotte.

"I’m very proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone," Morina said. "However, it is bittersweet. We lost three people who are very important to us. … We dedicate this award to them."

There were some lighter moments, too. Kelly Clarkson, who won in the Entertainment Talk Show Host category for the first season of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” said her penchant for talking finally paid off. 

"My mom was a teacher. That’s not always the greatest thing for a kid who is always getting in trouble for talking too much. In fact, I got a lot of talking-tos. But look, Mom! It paid off. I mean, we're winners right now," she said.

Clarkson, whose show features segments with people making contributions to their communities, pointed to the importance of such recognition in these times, when medical personnel and essential workers are on the frontlines righting a pandemic.

"These have been some crazy times and the more helpers we can feature to spread kindness and inspire others, I feel like the better we're going to be for that," she said.

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After "The View" picked up some hardware for Outstanding Informative Talk Show, co-host Meghan McCain could hardly contain her excitement on Twitter.  

"CONGRATULATIONS @TheView!" McCain tweeted. "Especially our fearless Executive Producer @Brianteta - hosts @WhoopiGoldberg @JoyVBehar @sunny and our incredible producers and entire team!!!!!"