Television Academy Foundation Auction

In September, The Colbert Report won its first Primetime Emmy as outstanding variety series, as well as its third Emmy statuette for writing.

In December, the Comedy Central staple had a win of a different sort. Its donation of two VIP tickets to a taping in Manhattan — plus two show T-shirts and an autographed photo of star Stephen Colbert — sold for $5,100, the top bid of the Television Academy Foundation's holiday online auction, which benefits the foundation's education and preservation programs. The Colbert donation also drew the most bids, forty-three, with a starting bid of $250.

With the tagline "Add Sizzle and Celebrity to Your Holidays," the auction, conducted November 25-December 5 by eBay and eBay Giving Works, lived up to its promise. Also sizzling: a seven-night luxury yacht Galapagos Cruise for two from Quasar Expeditions, which came in second at $5,050, and a Primetime Emmy Experience for two — tickets to the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards and Governors Ball, and an overnight stay at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE — third, at $3,800.

"The Governors Ball tickets have never been offered before by the foundation," notes Melody Chen, a consultant to the foundation who supervised the auction. "We're emphasizing experiences. We wanted to make this a special package. The Governors Ball is an exclusive event. Just attending the Primetime Emmys is wonderful, but then to go to the ball, and maybe walk in behind one of your favorite stars.…"

Perennially popular is a set visit to the top-rated daytime CBS drama The Young and the Restless, hosted by star Kate Linder, which this year drew a $1,000 bid. Other items included a set visit to NBC's Community; autographed 65th Primetime Emmy Awards posters; a suitcase autographed at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards giving suite; a cast-signed poster and script from ABC's Modern Family; a Community cast-signed script and DVD; VIP tickets for four to a taping of TBS's Conan; and merchandise from the Syfy series Haven and HBO series Boardwalk Empire, Eastbound & Down, Girls and VEEP.

New this year: the opportunity for users to support the Academy Foundation year-round, by making a donation directly to the Foundation (100 percent of proceeds reach the nonprofit), designating a portion of the proceeds from a seller's items to be donated to the foundation or buying items from those sellers to benefit the foundation.

"In addition to being one of our critical fundraisers, the holiday auction is so much fun for television fans," says foundation executive director Norma Provencio Pichardo. "This year we were able to secure unique items and experiences that give audiences the chance to engage with their favorite shows in a way that most people can only dream of."