HOLLYWOOD—The biggest accolade you can earn in Daytime TV was all the hoopla on Sunday, May 5, as the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out. It is a sad world; this awards ceremony has been pushed from the small screen to online streaming. Yes, I cannot remember the last time the ceremony actually aired on the TV waves. The last time it did it was absolutely dreadful. Mario Lopez and Sheryl Underwood hosted the festivities which saw the NBC soap “Days of Our Lives” lead all contenders with 27 nominations.
I’m not recapping the entire ceremony because quite frankly, I don’t think there’s an audience for that. If anything most are looking to see who won the top prizes in the Drama Series categories. The ceremony was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, with things kicking off with a bunch of kids singing with the assistance of a few puppets including Elmo to pay tribute to “Sesame Street.” Oh, this looks like it is going to be a long night. Sheryl continued her flirting with Mario per usual which emitted a few laughs of course. Nice open from Mario and Sheryl, who didn’t waste too much time trying to be funny when they didn’t have to. Take note all future hosts.
The first award of the night for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series went to Kyler Pettis for his work on “Days of Our Lives.” Pettis was emotional as he took to the stage to accept his prize. For Outstanding Informative Talk Show it was a victory for “Rachel Ray.” Literally 30 minutes into the show and technical issues halt those who want to watch the ceremony via live stream. Hmm, this is why having the awards air on network TV wouldn’t be a bad idea. I cannot lie this technology glitch forced me to tune out for awhile.
I will admit getting Amy Poehler to present Judge Judith Sheindlin with the Lifetime Achievement Award was a major get. It is hard to fathom that “Judge Judy” has been airing for over 23 years, 23 years people. That is amazing to hear. Hayley Erin picked up the prize for Outstanding Younger Actress for her work on “General Hospital.” Erin has moved on to other things, as she currently stars on Free Form series “The Perfectionists.”
Instead of showing that blooper reel, they could have been handing out more trophies. I feel this ceremony is going to clock in longer than 2 hours. We’re just getting to Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and we’re close to 90 minutes into the ceremony. Deservedly show, Max Gail picked up the award for his transformative performance on “General Hospital.” Another iconic tribute of the night went to Kathie Lee Gifford, who has delivered the laughs to many homes in the past 30 plus years. I’m getting bored people and that’s not a good sign. Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series was a dogfight and I think any of the women nominated could’ve walk away with the prize. I was secretly rooting for Mishael Morgan of “The Young and the Restless,” but I cannot argue with the victory by Vernee Watson for “General Hospital.”
There were indeed some major surprises in the Outstanding Lead Actor and Lead Actress races in the soap arena. I was stunned to see Jacqueline MacInnes Wood win for her role as Steffy Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” I thought Wood was phenomenal in those scenes that she submitted. With that being said, I still thought Maura West should have walked away with that Emmy because her reaction to learning that her daughter Kiki was murdered, oh that gave me chills. That woman is one of the best to do it on Daytime TV; it’s a travesty she wasn’t honored for that sensational work.
At last, at last Maurice Benard finally picked up another Daytime Emmy for Lead Actor for his work on “General Hospital.” This guy has been fantastic in previous years and has gone overlooked time and time again. It is so nice to see him actually get that accolade for such fantastic work he delivers time and time again.
Rounding out the night after a three hour telecast was “The Young and the Restless” taking the prize for Outstanding Drama Series. Hmm, I don’t know how I feel about this victory. I honestly thought that “The Bold and the Beautiful” or “Days of Our Lives” should have been honored. To be honest “B&B” has been stellar the past year if you ask me and they are constantly being overlooked year after year at the Daytime Emmy Awards, especially in the acting races.
I must say after all the technical glitches the Daytime Emmys have to get things together. I mean the ceremony lasted longer than the Golden Globes and they weren’t even televised on the airwaves. It’s a damn shame because these people work their tails off and they should at least have the ability to get their praise on the small screen.
