Maine talk show, film about Portland radio station win New England Emmys

BOSTON — Maine creators collected several honors at the Boston/New England Emmy Awards Saturday night, taking home trophies for documentary editing, talk‑show interviews, news anchoring and multimedia reporting.

The ceremony, held at the Marriott Boston Copley Place, recognized outstanding regional television and radio work. From the Pine Tree State came a diverse slate of winners, each reflecting the state’s growing talent pool across documentary filmmaking, live programming, and local journalism.

Documentary editing triumph for Yarmouth filmmaker

Yarmouth‑based filmmaker Tom Bell earned the Emmy for editor/long‑form content for his documentary An Extraordinary Place. The film chronicles the daily life and missions of Portland’s community radio station, WMPG, and the volunteers who keep it operating. After volunteering at the station and witnessing the dedication of its staff, Bell said the experience moved him “to do my best work.” An Extraordinary Place has aired on Maine Public Television and already gathered acclaim at several film festivals. Bell, a former Portland Press Herald reporter, was on hand to accept his award and posed for photos alongside the Emmy statuette.

“The Nite Show” doubles up on Emmys

Danny Cashman, the longtime host and producer of the Bangor‑based talk and variety program The Nite Show with Danny Cashman, captured two awards. The first came in the interview/discussion category for an episode that featured a surprise appearance by television legend David Letterman. Cashman, who had been a Letterman admirer for years, secured the icon’s appearance for the show’s final broadcast. The episode aired in May 2025 and was distributed across several Maine television stations. Cashman also received the program host award, recognizing his 15‑year tenure behind the microphone and camera.

Cashman’s motivation to bring Letterman onto his program was personal; he explained that the late‑night host had been an inspiration throughout his career. The surprise guest segment became a hallmark moment as the show wound down, earning the audience a memorable peak before the series concluded.

Other Maine winners

• Portland’s WMTW – The station’s morning newscast, serving smaller markets, was honored. Anchor Jessica Gagne led the team, which included reporters Emily King‑Pike and Jamie Azulay, and producer Alexandra Huff.
• Christopher Costa (News Center Maine) – Costa was named multimedia journalist of the year for his report titled A Mother’s Plea for Justice.
• Mike Novelli (Maine Life Media) – Videographer Novelli captured the photographer/long‑form content award for his work on an extended visual piece.

The evening’s accolades highlight Maine’s robust media ecosystem, from community radio advocacy to network news and documentary storytelling. The state’s creators continue to demonstrate creativity and professionalism on both local and regional platforms.