Miley Cyrus Honored Alongside Maya Angelou
Teen pop star Miley Cyrus, noted poet and educator Maya Angelou, and raunchy comedian and reality star Kathy Griffin are probably not mentioned in the same sentence that often. But Cyrus and Angelou, and a program about Griffin are on the diverse list of winners of the 2008 Gracie Allen Awards, the American Women in Radio & Television announced Wednesday.
The awards salute achievement in programming by, for and about women as well as individual contributions to the radio, broadcast television, cable and Web-based media.
Cyrus was honored for outstanding female lead - comedy series (children/adolescent), Angelou as outstanding host - information, for her work on the radio show "Oprah & Friends," and an "E! True Hollywood Story" profile of Griffin was named outstanding portrait/biography program.
Photos: "Best Of Both Worlds"
Other national winners include actress Holly Hunter ("Saving Grace"), producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"), actress Ali Larter ("Heroes"), NBC News' Hoda Kotb, CBS News' Nancy Giles, CNN's Heroes-An All Star Tribute, Lifetime's "Army Wives," Oxygen's "Who Cares About the Girls," CNBC's "The Suze Orman Show," WE TV's "Wedding Central" and Nickelodeon/MTV Networks' "Half of Us" Special.
National award winners will be presented at a black-tie Gala, hosted by E! News anchor and managing editor Giuliana Rancic, in the Broadway Ballroom of the New York Marriott Marquis on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
The Gracies honor achievement in programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of electronic media, as well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, commercials, news, features and other programs. Awards on the local level will be announced later this week.
2008 Gracie Awards National Winners
Ali Larter in "Heroes"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress - Drama Series
Universal Media Studios
Annette Flournoy with "Oprah and Friends"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Producer - News Series or Special
Harpo Radio
"Army Wives"
Outstanding Drama
Lifetime Television
Ashleigh Banfield
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Anchor News or News Magazine
Court TV
"Better with Age"
Outstanding Magazine Show
CNN
"Black History Month: Jay-Z"
Outstanding Commercial - Single Entry
Nickelodeon/MTV Networks
Cecile Frot-Coutaz with "American Idol"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Producer - Entertainment Series or Special
Fremantle Media North America/Fox
"Child Brides: Stolen Lives"
Outstanding Interactive Web Site
PBS
"CNN Heroes-An All Star Tribute"
Outstanding Special Program
CNN
"CNN Presents: God's Warriors"
Outstanding Documentary - Long Format
CNN
"Conversations with Carlos Watson"
Outstanding Portrait/Biography Program
Run Rabbit Run Productions
"Darfur Refugee Women"
Outstanding Feature - Hard News
World Vision Report
Debra Messing in "The Starter Wife"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Lead - Mini-Series
USA Network
Dr. Maya Angelou with "Oprah and Friends"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Host - Information
Harpo Radio
"Dr. Phil Show"
Outstanding Interactive Web Site
Dr. Phil Show
"E True Hollywood Story - Kathy Griffin"
Outstanding Portrait/Biography Program
E Network
"End Violence Against Women Campaign"
Outstanding Public Service Announcement - Campaign
Lifetime Television
"ESPN SportsCenter-The Fugees"
Outstanding Feature - Soft News
ESPN
Florence Henderson in "The Florence Henderson Show"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Host - Information or Entertainment
Retirement Living TV
Gail Mancuso with "30 Rock"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Director - Entertainment Series or Special
NBC
"Greenspan: Power, Money & the American Dream"
Outstanding Documentary - Mid-length Format
CNBC
"Half of Us" Special featuring Mary J. Blige
Outstanding Public Affairs Program
Nickelodeon/MTV Networks
Hoda Kotb
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Host - News Program
NBC News
Holly Hunter in "Saving Grace"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Lead - Drama Series
Turner Network Television
Judy Davis in "The Starter Wife"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress - Mini-Series
USA Network
Lia Knight in "The Lia Show"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Host - Entertainment
Jones Radio Networks
"Maid School"
Outstanding Interview Program
CBS News
Mary Laurence Flynn
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Producer - News Series or Special
NBC News
Miley Cyrus in "Hannah Montana"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Lead - Comedy Series (Children/Adolescent)
Disney Channel
"More Time"
Outstanding Magazine Show
Meredith Corporation/More Magazine
Nancy Giles
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Reporter/Correspondent
CBS News Sunday Morning
Nancy Miller with "Saving Grace"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Producer - Entertainment Series
Turner Network Television
NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams
"The Forgotten"
Outstanding Feature - Hard News
NBC News
"One with Kay Yow"
Outstanding Sports Program
CSTV
"Orphans Rescued"
Outstanding Feature - Hard News
CBS News
Paula Deen with "Paula's Home Cooking"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Host - Information or Entertainment
Follow Productions/The Food Network
"Pushing Daisies"
Outstanding Comedy
Warner Bros. Television/ABC
Queen Latifah in "Life Support"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Lead - Drama Series or Special
Home Box Office
Rory Kennedy with "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Director - News Series or Special
Home Box Office
"Sarah's Brain"
Outstanding Series
CBS News
"Sexual Abuse of Native American Women"
Outstanding Investigative Program
NPR
Susan Sheperd with "11 Central Avenue"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Producer - Entertainment Series or Special
800 LB Productions
"The Backyardigans"
Outstanding Children/Adolescent Program
Nickelodeon/MTV Networks
"The Gayle King Show"
Outstanding Talk Show
Harpo Radio
"The Internet and Civil Rights in China"
Outstanding Series
Radio Free Asia Mandarin Service
"The Satellite Sisters"
Outstanding Comedy
Satellite Sisters
"The Suze Orman Show"
Outstanding Talk Show
CNBC
"The World According to Giles and Moriarty"
Outstanding Interview Program
CBS Radio News
Tina Fey in "30 Rock"
Individual Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Lead - Comedy Series
NBC
"Tu Pride: Melissa, Talesha, Elan"
Outstanding Commercial - Campaign
Nickelodeon/MTV Networks
"Wedding Central"
Outstanding Reality Show
WE TV
"What Killed Rebecca Riley?"
Outstanding Investigative Program
CBS News
"Where's Molly?"
Outstanding Feature - Soft News
CNN
"Who Cares About Girls"
Outstanding Documentary - Mid-length Format
Oxygen Media
"Youth Voices From Katrina"
Outstanding Documentary
Youth Radio
By Judy Rosen