SOUTH BOSTON, VA.- When South Boston resident Lee Sandstead called the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences at their corporate office in New York City to learn if “Art Attack with Lee Sandstead” made it to the final round of judging for an Emmy nomination, he never thought he would hear the words: “please let me put you through to the executive director.” In fact, Brent Stanton, Executive Director of the Daytime Emmy Awards Programs, confirmed that “Art Attack” did move to the final round of judging. But not only that, Stanton asked Sandstead to be a judge for several of the categories in which “Art Attack” was not submitted.

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Award for News, Sports, Daytime, Public Service and Technology.

This is the first time that a project Sandstead has been associated with has been submitted for an Emmy.

Travel Channel submitted “Art Attack” in two categories: “New Approaches--Daytime Entertainment” and “Outstanding Special Class Series.” The New Approaches category is open to original Daytime programming and recognizes new approaches to the practice, presentation and delivery of daytime entertainment programming. Entries are from over-the-air, cable, satellite and internet broadcasters, and are intended to recognize traditional broadcasts, to the use of new media (associated websites, webcasts, interactivity etc.), to other creative and innovative means of practicing these crafts and presenting programming to the viewer. The second category, Outstanding Special Class Series recognizes the work of the Executive Producer(s), Supervising Producer(s), Coordinating Producer(s), Senior Producer(s), Producer(s), Line Producer(s) and Host(s) and Co-Host(s). Special Class Series includes programming that focuses on general information, entertainment, travel or reality programming.

The next step for Sandstead? April 13 is the deadline to submit final ballots, and shortly thereafter, Emmy nominations are to be announced. As to what network will air the Emmys, the Academy is still in negotiations for a broadcast partner and date for the much-anticipated 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony.

“For the past year,” says Sandstead, “I’ve been having an ‘Art Attack.’ I guess now, I’m having an ‘Emmy Attack!’”