Best Show or Series – Other
Winner
The Bully Effect – Cartoon Network
Lee Hirsh, the orchestrator of this immensely inspiring show, had been bullied himself as a child. So he made a film about it, knowing first-hand the difficulties children face in talking about such experiences. Cartoon Network then created an on-air call-to-action online where people pledged to stop bullying. In this TV event, harrowing testimonials from parents and kids are interspersed with mind-blowing stats to create a compelling education on a truly significant topic. Additionally, the network’s own president and COO Stuart Snyder, as well as newsman Anderson Cooper, offer their thoughts on bullying as well.
Honorable Mentions
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film – Lifetime – The sequel to the net’s successful “Five” film project, “Call Me Crazy” explores various states of mental illness, anchored by complex writing and strong performances.
Carrie Underwood “Blown Away Tour” Live – AXS TV – We were blown away by the production values and excellent directing in this live special.
Dangerous Grounds – Travel Channel – Who knew coffee could be so dangerous? The thrill-seeking host Todd Carmichael tackles precarious locales across the globe in search of the best coffee beans.
Family S.O.S. with Jo Frost – TLC – In an attempt to truly fix the families she counsels, Jo Frost does not sugarcoat her advice—or demands, one might say. It’s satisfying to see her triumph with a no-nonsense approach.
House Crashers – DIY Network – Looking for a house to make over in a short three days, the very charming Josh Temple ambushes people at home improvement stores.
Property Brothers – HGTV – These two professional and energetic brothers help couples find the perfect home—and if it’s a fixer upper, even better.
The Root 100 – ASPIRE – Celebrating 24 of “The Root 100” 2012 honorees, or a collection of young, black leaders doing inspiring work, the series shows in-depth and empowering interviews of these achievers.