Emmys @ soapcentral.com

I was sad to hear that because of the car bail out situation the daytime soap operas are suffering. Appearently they do all the big advertising during the soaps and it helps the soaps go on. I also heard that the soap opera/day time emmys weren't going to be broadcast because of cost and ratings. I'm sad by it. Though I think some years it's more of a popularity contest, I enjoy seeing the stars inter act. Has anyone heard if any soaps are going under? I did see a clip of AMC.

Emmy Hits!

Tony and I assembled a bang-up team of experts on all things TV to rate how people looked, acted, and won at the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.  Ok, so it was just the two of us, but what we lack in actual knowledge, we make up for in passion!  Read on to hear who we picked as the best of the best. 

Best Dressed Male

Laurisa (on Days): My vote goes to Thaao Penghlis.  He dressed like he came there to win and I thought he looked great.  He looked sophisticated without looking stuffy and fun without looking careless.  Of course, when you have a leading lady as beautiful as Leann Hunley on your arm, you better bring the good style to match!

Laurisa (in general): This is kind of a shock for me, but I’m going with Jason Cook (Matt Hunter, General Hospital)!  He did everything against my taste.  He was scruffy, and I like clean shaven.  He wore a bright colored tie, which always screams politician to me.  But, when he walked out on that stage, I had a stop and stare moment.  Jason looks all grown up and age agrees with our little Shawn D!

Tony (on Days): Whereas James Scott probably could’ve worn a burlap sack with a bow tie and made it work, I gave him my vote anyway. He always has an air of sophistication and class, but looked especially regal for the big event. Sure, we’re used to seeing E.J. in a suite provided by the wardrobe department, but this was James’ pick and he did well!

Tony (in general): I thought Montel Williams looked great! His suite was very classy, yet simple – perfect for the Emmys. I also liked his tie. It was the ideal combo for a guy who comes across very sincere. A+ to you Monetl!

Bested Dressed Female

Laurisa (on Days): Nadia Bjorlin.  On an evening where so many ladies tried and FAILED MISERABLY to wear white, Nadia totally pulled it off.  She really made me think of the classic movie stars.  She was part Jean Harlow and part Sophia Loren.  Nadia literally looked like she had been dipped in diamonds and crystals.  Beautiful!    

Laurisa (in general): Debbi Morgan (Dr. Angie Hubbard, All My Children).  She got her outfit all kinds of right.  The fit was very flattering, yet it looked still comfortable!  Her jewels were a good accent without overpowering.  But, the hands-down thing that sealed the deal for me was that AMAZING cobalt blue color.  It’s was basically a crime to Darnell Williams and Cornelius Smith that they had to stand next to her for so long. 

Tony (on Days): Although Leann Hunley looked radiant, Tamara Braun was my Emmy winner when it came to Days’ fashion. She had a great fusion of old school Hollywood glamor meets a Greek goddess. In a sea of white dresses this year, many of which should have stayed on the sales rack, she wore one as it should have been worn – simple, sleek and sexy.

Tony (in general): Sure, she’s on Days, but Shelley Henning stood out amongst all of the other daytime divas. Her black and white patterned dress verged on being “too much,” but she pulled it off! It was young and fun, yet elegant enough for the awards. She was also smart by simply wearing her hair down and accenting it all with a tiny, red clutch. Shelley may not have been nominated for anything this year, but, in my eyes, she was an Emmy outfit winner!

Best Dressed Duo

Laurisa (on Days): I'm cheating a little bit on this one, but Judi Evans looked fabulous.  Great hair, appropriate make-up, stylish jewels, and a flattering dress is a great blue color.&reminded me of Princess Di. But the thing that pushed her over the edge was her gorgeous date, her 12 year old son. He looked absolutely dapper and so proud of his mom.   

Laurisa (in general): My vote goes to Regis and Joy Philbin.  Joy took a page out of Debbi Morgan’s Book-O-Color and picked a wonderful royal purple dress that complimented her red hair and fair skin beautifully!  Regis looked properly coiffed and polished in a great suit and black tie.  They just looked like genuinely happy people.  Any why should they be?  Regis has been on TV for 326 years and he got the “Lifetime Achievement” Award!    

Tony (on Days): My duo is actually a trio as it didn’t get any hotter than Nadia Bjorlin, Alison Sweeney and Arianne Zuker! Seriously, when they came out to present an award it was like seeing the Charlie’s Angels of Soapland – great hair, great clothes and killer smiles. The greenish color on Alison looked amazing, Nadia just looked all shades of Hollywood glam in her beaded gown and Arianne simply rocked the simple black dress and the up do! Days needs to work in a ball or some special event so we can see these ladies all dressed up again soon!

Tony (in general): Brandon Buddy and Kristen Alderson (Cole Thornhart and Starr Manning, One Life to Live) looked great together! Both were dressed age appropriate with a touch of daytime sexiness. Kristen especially shined in her outfit and proved that our little girl is all grown up (she started playing Starr ten years ago when she was seven)!  If they’re any indication of the future of soaps we should all be in good shape!

Best Acceptance Speech

Laurisa: I’m going with Ellen Degeneres.  Everything she said, I believed.  She was genuinely honored to win.  And, despite the fact that she’s quick headed for “Oprah Land” Ellen really is shocked every time that she’s recognized for how cool she really is.  

Tony: Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor , The Young and The Restless) gave a speech that simply rocked! It was heartfelt, funny and not too long! In my book, those are three winning qualities more people should shoot for when they’re at the podium.

Best Reaction to an Award

Laurisa: Tom Pelphrey.  It seems cliché to say that the award meant a lot to him after the recent death of his father, but it did.  And I could tell.  Good for you, Tom!  You make us all proud!      

Tony: Again I would have to go with Jeanne Cooper! She seemed so sincere and humbled to win. And I think she was as surprised as the rest of us as she was a semi-underdog because most people seemed to have their money on her co-star Michelle Stafford. But I think it’s awesome she won (even if it disproved my prediction) because to give fresh and awesome performances worthy of an Emmy after 35 years in the same role is pretty amazing.

Best On Stage Surprise (Could be a reunion, a joke, or a prop)

Laurisa: The Shelle 1.0 reunion!  I have a special place in my heart for Kirsten Storms and Jason Cook.  When they were announced as a couple again, I cheered for all those lucky GH fans that get to witness the chemistry that is not Shelle, but “Kirson” (Kirsten + Jason).  

Tony: I loved the opening! More so I loved Sherri Shepherd’s journey through Pine Valley. She was absolutely hysterical! To top it off, Susan Lucci sneaking out of the jail cell was priceless. La Lucci not only has an Emmy, but a great sense of humor too!

Best Camera Pan Surprise (Whoa!  Did you see who was in the audience?!?)

Laurisa: I didn’t have a big shock.  But, I do think that the best camera pan was when the camera caught Kristoff St John’s little daughter standing up on her chair, watching her dad accept his award. She was just a little girl who thinks that her dad is Superman- just like every little girl should.    

Tony: You know, I didn’t have many major “wow, I can’t believe they were there moments” this year. It seemed like the regular daytime crowd, minus a few Days cast members I can’t believe weren’t there *cough Deidre Hall* Maybe I just missed her.

Best Presenter(s)

Laurisa: I thought that Farah Fath and Jean Paul did the near impossible.  They made one of those awkward pre-scripted banter skits actually funny.  Beautiful, talented, funny….  never mind, I hate them. 

Tony: Although I loved seeing my Days’ girls, Nadia, Ali and Arianne, I thought it was a nice treat to see Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann (Luke Snyder and Noah Mayer, As The World Turns) present an award together. It proved that times are changing for the better and super couples no longer have to be solely Ken and Barbie – they can be Ken and Ken or Barbie and Barbie! Side note: Van’s orange was a little much though, but at least he’d be safe while jogging at night in his tux.

Best Underdog Win

Laurisa: I’ll come right out and say that this category was supposed to be for Rachel Melvin.  Darn it though, I’m proud to give my vote to Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor, Young and the Restless).  She’s the longest tenured actress on YR, she’s a feisty as can be, and she’s never won an Emmy!  Until now…..that is.    

Tony: Rachel Ray beat Ellen and The View for Best Talk Show (Entertainment)?! Say what!? That was pretty shocking. I would have picked Jeanne Cooper again, but I didn’t want to be redundant!

TiVo Award (You didn’t watch it before, but after the Emmy’s you gotta check it out)!

Laurisa: One Life to Live. First, if the show is half as good as their montage reel, I think I may have to add another member to my “Season Pass” family.  Second, they won for writing which is super cool.  Third, Jean Paul is on that show and he’s all sorts of dreamy.   

Tony: Although I have my hands full with Days,  I’m totally interested in checking out One Life to Live a little more and perhaps As The World Turns. I do tend to  flip to All My Children a lot, but usually zone out after that. However, I may need to start power booking my DVR.  

So that's the "Hits"!  Of course, we couldn't be all hugs and rainbows.  Nope.  Tony and I had some not-so-favorites too.  Head over to Tony's Blog to check out our "Emmy Misses".    Be sure to leave feedback to let us know what you think!

Cheers,
Laurisa

I get 2 out of 8 right.

Supporting actress:
Gina T

Younger Actor
Tom P

Younger actress
Jennifer Landon

Directing team
One life to live

Supporting Actor
Kristoff St John

Outstanding Writing
OLTL


Outstanding Lead Actress
Jeanne Cooper

Outstanding Lead Actor
Anthony Geary

Outstanding Drama Series
General Hospital

DRAMA SERIES
     Guiding Light

LEAD ACTOR
  Anthony Geary

LEAD ACTRESS
  Maura West

SUPPORTING ACTOR
  Daniel Cosgrove

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
      Tracey Bregman

YOUNGER ACTOR
   Van Hansis

YOUNGER ACTRESS
    Jennifer Landon

WRITING TEAM
    General Hospital

 

Hey everyone -- I want to apologize for the lack of updates. Things have been very busy with preparations for The Daytime Entertainment Emmys. I don't like the new name, but that's what it is now. Of course, they will always be the Daytime Emmys to me.

 

Because we have blogs this year, I am going to try to do a little more in the way of behind-the-scenes blogging about this year's events. It's one thing to watch the awards on television and another to read our coverage of all the things that happen in the press room. But believe it or not, there are oodles of things that happen elsewhere on Emmy Night. So stay tuned for some more updates as I travel cross-country to Los Angeles to help bring you more coverage of the Daytime Emmys than ever before!

 

And for those of you that like to read our winner predictions, they are now online. I went 5 for 8 last year, our best record to date. I am hoping to at least come close to that again this year.

 

Links to Articles Mentioned in This Entry

 

* Daytime Emmy coverage

* soapcentral.com Emmy predictions