Creative Arts Emmys: Winners Revealed Night Two

Overview of the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys

The 2025 Creative Arts Emmys, held over two nights, celebrated a wide array of achievements in television, focusing on below-the-line categories. The event, which took place the weekend before the Primetime Emmys, recognized excellence across various genres including variety programming, nonfiction, and reality shows. Notable winners included Jimmy Kimmel, Alan Cumming, Barack Obama, and SNL50: The Anniversary Special, among others.

Key Winners and Highlights

On the second night of the awards, several notable wins were announced. Jimmy Kimmel was honored for best game show host for Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, while SNL50 won multiple awards, including writing and directing for a variety special. The Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special took home eight Emmys, making it one of the top winners of the evening.

Other significant winners included Pee-wee As Himself, which earned four Emmys, including best documentary or nonfiction special. The main Saturday Night Live weekly late-night program also secured three Emmys, tying with The Traitors. Former President Barack Obama received his third Emmy for best narrator for Our Oceans, and Conan O’Brien won for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) tied to The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Alan Cumming continued his success by winning the title of best reality host for The Traitors for the second year in a row. Queer Eye took home the award for best structured reality program, while Love on the Spectrum won in the unstructured reality category and also claimed outstanding reality casting.

In the documentary and nonfiction categories, 100 Foot Wave won best documentary or nonfiction series, and Jeopardy! was recognized as best game show. The night featured an impressive lineup of presenters, including Jennifer Affleck, Mikey Day, Nyle DiMarco, Amaya Espinal, Danielle Fishel, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and many others.

Additional Awards and Categories

The Creative Arts Emmys also recognized other notable achievements. For instance, Rebel Ridge won best TV movie, and Cristobal Tapia de Veer, the composer for The White Lotus, was honored for best original main title theme music. Bridgerton’s Julie Andrews won for best character voice-over performance, and Arcane was awarded for best animated program.

Juried winners, which were announced last month, were presented across both nights of the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys. These awards covered a range of categories, from outstanding casting for a reality program to outstanding picture editing for a structured reality or competition program.

Detailed Award Categories and Winners

Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program

• Winner: Love On The Spectrum
• Other nominees: The Amazing Race, Queer Eye, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Survivor

Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming

• Winner: The 67th Annual Grammy Awards – Routines: Doechii Musical Performance
• Other nominees: The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé Bowl, The Lion King At The Hollywood Bowl, The Oscars

Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program

• Winner: 100 Foot Wave • Chapter III – Cortes Bank
• Other nominees: Chef’s Table • Jamie Oliver, Ren Faire • Daddy’s Dyin’, Who’s Got The Will?, Tucci In Italy • Tuscany, Will & Harper

Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program

• Winner: The Traitors • Series Body Of Work
• Other nominees: The Amazing Race, Life Below Zero, Love On The Spectrum, Survivor

Outstanding Commercial

• Winner: Brian Cox Goes To College – Uber One for Students
• Other nominees: Batman Vs. Bateman – State Farm, The Boy & The Octopus – The Walt Disney Company, Flock – Apple Privacy, So Win. – Nike

Other Notable Categories

Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program

• Winner: Pee-wee As Himself
• Other nominees: Deaf President Now!, Ladies & Gentlemen… 50 Years Of SNL Music, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, Will & Harper

Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program

• Winner: The Traitors • Let Battle Commence
• Other nominees: The Amazing Race, Love On The Spectrum, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Top Chef

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series

• Winner: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
• Other nominees: The Daily Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special

• Winner: SNL50: The Anniversary Special
• Other nominees: The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé Bowl, The Oscars, SNL50: The Homecoming Concert

Final Notes

The 2025 Creative Arts Emmys highlighted the diverse and dynamic nature of television production, recognizing talent across a wide range of categories. The event not only celebrated the achievements of individuals and teams but also showcased the creative and technical excellence that defines the industry. As the awards continue to be announced, the excitement surrounding the 2025 Primetime Emmys grows, with fans eagerly anticipating the final honors.