For the first time since it was launched, the Genesis Awards was taped and later broadcast as a one-hour special on the Discovery Channel. The fifth annual awards, hosted by Betty White and Richard Kiley, were presented during an elegant, dinner-time affair at The Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Honors were bestowed in 23 categories; some of the winners included Saturday Night Live, U.S. News & World Report, Paul Moyer of KABC-TV's Eyewitness News, MacGyver and 60 Minutes. The Doris Day Music Award was presented to The Grateful Dead for the group's song, "We Can Run."

Three worthy Guests of Honor rounded out the evening: Roger Caras, ABC network correspondent for animals and the environment; Tony LaRussa, manager of the Oakland A's and an outspoken animal-rights advocate; and Tom Nolan, president of the San Mateo County (California) Board of Supervisors and author of a landmark ordinance to control pet breeding.

Most Memorable Moment:
Roddy McDowall and Lassie's princely grandpup share the stage to accept the Classic Film Award for Lassie Come Home.

Winners:

Feature Film: The Rescuers Down Under

Film Classic: Lassie Come Home

Television Dramatic Series: Life Goes On, ABC

Television Comedy Series: Designing Women, CBS

Television Family Series: Ferris Bueller, NBC

Television Children's Special: Protecting the Web

Television Comedy/Variety Series: Saturday Night Live, NBC

Television Action/Adventure Series: MacGyver, ABC

Television Movie: The Last Elephant

Television Documentary, Network: Cougar: Ghost of the Rockies

Television Documentary, Cable: Animals in War

Television Documentary, Series: The Animal Contract

Television Newsmagazine, Network: 60 Minutes, CBS

Television Newsmagazine, Syndicated: Inside Edition

Television News Series: Paul Moyer, KABC-TV's Eyewitness News

Television News Feature: World News Tonight, ABC

Television Special Award: The Discovery Channel

Television Artistic Achievement: Whale Nation, BBC/PBS

Doris Day Music Award: The Grateful Dead, "We Can Run"

Periodical, News Feature: U.S. News & World Report

Periodical, Feature Essay: Esquire

Cartoonist: Garry Trudeau

Syndicated Columnist: Anna Quindlen