This was posted Wednesday, June 14, 2017 by Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
It may be time to re-name the show Brendan Keefe's Southeast Emmy Awards.
For the second year in a row, the 11Alive investigatve reporter took home 11 Emmy awards Saturday night at the annual shindig at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. His lifetime total is now a whopping 77 Emmys.
Keefe brought his 7-year-old daughter Mackie along, he said, because she insisted. He took her on stage every time and she was game, albeit looking a bit tired by the time the clock hit 11 p.m.
"The Emmys are about a standard of excellence," he wrote me later. "These awards are not about me - they're about the stories. The work is more fulfilling than any trophy, but these many Emmys serve as an affirmation of the long days and hard work chasing corrupt officials. I made a decision at the age of 40 to work entirely alone as my own producer, photographer and video editor. That choice has been rewarded with the most meaningful work of my career."
Among his Emmys was for best news editor and investigative reporter as well as for stories on painkillers and problems regarding the 911 emergency system.
Fellow 11Alive reporter Matt Pearl nabbed four more. His lifetime total is now 23.
11Alive as a whole pocketed 31 Emmys for the night, the most in its history, exceeding 28 from two years ago.
Also for the second year in a row, Channel 2 Action News (WSB-TV) took home 11 Emmys, including best newscast for its 6 p.m. Hurricane Katrina coverage, best morning newscast, best investigative report, best human interest story and best on-air talent reporter (Nicole Carr).
Carr, who joined WSB-TV just 16 months ago, was among the most excited on the dais as she accepted her Emmy.
"I was just thrilled to have my parents, brother and husband with me," she wrote me afterwards. "I was thinking of my baby girls at home. They've all been here for the journey. Their sacrifice and encouragement is part of the reason I'm a year into this awesome gig."
Jovita Moore, evening anchor at Channel 2 Action News, won the best anchor Emmy for the first time in five tries. She joked on stage about shaking the "Susan Lucci" curse.
Georgia Public Broadcasting won 15, including overall excellence for the third time in six years.
Univision nabbed 17, while Telemundo won 13.
CBS46 garnered three, including Adam Murphy's special assignment story on a senior home near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and best breaking news story for Vince Sims and Steve Franklin covering the Black Lives Matter protests.
Fox 5, which has not submitted many nominations for Emmy awards in recent years, won two: Justin Felder, best sports reporter and best daily sports program.
WSB-TV and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution are both part of Cox Media Group.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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Credit: Rodney Ho
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Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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