2025 Daytime Emmy Awards Recap: Surprises and Upsets in Talk Show Categories
The recent 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards saw Drew Barrymore and Live With Kelly and Mark taking home the trophies for Best Talk Series Host and Best Talk Series, respectively. Despite this, The Kelly Clarkson Show managed to secure wins in the categories of Best Live Sound Mixing/Sound Editing and Best Lighting Direction. Kelly Clarkson, the host and producer of the show, did not attend the ceremony, citing personal reasons related to the recent passing of her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock. The show has previously won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards in the past.
Returning for its Season 7 premiere on September 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show did not address the death of Brandon Blackstock on air. The show is filmed in New York City, which may have been a factor in Clarkson's absence from the Pasadena ceremony. The Gold Derby data had predicted a high likelihood of The Kelly Clarkson Show winning the Best Talk Series award, but Live With Kelly and Mark emerged as the unexpected winner.
In the category of Best Talk Series Host, Kelly Clarkson was the frontrunner with a significant chance of winning, but Drew Barrymore ultimately took home the award. The competition included hosts from shows like Live with Kelly and Mark, Today Show with Hoda and Jenna, and The Drew Barrymore Show. Despite the unexpected outcomes at the Daytime Emmy Awards, The Kelly Clarkson Show continues to be a strong contender in the talk show category.
Overall, the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards brought surprises and upsets in the talk show categories, with Drew Barrymore and Live With Kelly and Mark emerging as winners over The Kelly Clarkson Show. Despite not attending the ceremony, Kelly Clarkson's show managed to secure wins in technical categories, showcasing its excellence in production quality. The show's previous successes and Clarkson's popularity as a host continue to make it a standout in the daytime talk show landscape.