Why the 2013 Daytime Emmy Awards were a Massive Fail

Celebrating 40 years of the Daytime Emmy Awards was like watching a parent try to use social media or fit in within their children, in the worst way ever. Robin Meade from the host of the HLN show Morning Express,  Sam Champion the weatherman for Good Morning America, and the HLN host of Showbiz Tonight AJ Hammond were the hosts and boy were they painful trying to hard, with singing, awkward interviews on couches after acting winners gave their speeches, and these moments were only the tip of the iceberg.

I know I am a bit behind on my analysis of this show, but that's because I was away for the weekend, and I am trying to play catch up.  The daytime community is trying to play catch up, but is it too late?  As All My Children and One Life to Live head to Hulu, and the mediums with which consumers watch television evolve can this genre maintain the same nature.  The answer is no, and there is this unwillingness of award shows to break format.  This show used cheap HLN tactics like the couch interview and bad hosts to make this into "something special."  This did not work, the best part of the evening was when the late Corbin Bernson paid tribute to his mother the late Jeanne Cooper, swore and made fun of the show itself.

Daytime television and these awards need to figure out a way to be current with paying tribute to the genre, and maybe a new network is in order.  HLN may be one of the worst networks out there.

How do you fix these awards?

1-Cut categories out that do not matter, and make this a 2 hour award show.  What matters?  Sure seeing George Lucas win his first Emmy or any award is cool, but this award did not need to be on the show.

2-People like cooking, and legal shows, and more, but boy did they lack of enthusiasm and this hurt.  Kick it up a notch!

3-Lose the couches/singing hosts, even the audience looked embarrassed to be there!  Maybe keep Sam Champion, keep the hosts to mainstays in Daytime.

4-Involve fans/social media to keep yourself relevant.  This will only help your award show proving people still watch and interact with your genre.  This is the most important thing to do/remember when, and if you get to plan a show for next year!

What I did enjoy most about the night was getting to watch Doug Davdison win his first Emmy, and Days of Our Lives win only their second award for Outstanding Drama Series, proving the award show is moving away from rubber stamping (more than usual.)

Beyond these few moments this award show was a train wreck and needs some TLC ASAP, that's a lot of abbrevs as penny Hart's would say, but truer words have never been spoken.  While a similar number of viewers watched, 912, 000 (last year 943,000) the key demographic for this show 25-54 was down 25%.  That is a big drop, and they need to think how they can do more to not only get themselve out there, but remain relevant.

The Young and the Restless Dominates the 40th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations

Good Morning America's Sam Champion took charge announcing the 40th Annual Daytime Emmy nominations this morning around 9 am (EST).  Champion was a natural, and hilarious proving this shows dominance within the morning show realm, and helping GMA grab a bunch of Emmy nominations this morning as well.

Today's nominations were interesting all five eligible dramas received a nomination, including the returning One Life to Live.  Most of the acting categories only had four nominees, and most of the nominees in those categories came from The Young and the Restless.  An interesting twist since most prognosticators thought General Hospital would dominate. Y&R had 11 of the 25 acting nominations, almost half!

The best news on the acting front is that after 26 years on The Bold and the Beautiful Katherine Kelly Lang finally received an acting nomination for playing Brooke Logan.  Props to Robin Roberts for knowing the history of Lang being snubbed.  Another actress who is often snubbed finally received a nomination, Kristen Alderson, but for General Hospital.  Alderson has played Starr Maning for 15 years (since she was 7).

The weirdest category anomaly is the Outstanding Talk Show Categories and Outstanding Talk Show Host, only one line up Dr. Oz.  I am not sure if people did not submit themselves, but no pair, or series of hosts was nominated, and Katie Couric missed out on a nomination as well.

Below is a list of the bigger awards

Best Drama
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
One Life to Live
The Young and the Restless

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Peter Bergman-The Young and the Restless
Doug Davidson-The Young and the Restless
Michael Muhney-The Young and the Restless
Jason Thompson-General Hospital

Best Actress
Susan Flannery-The Bold and the Beautiful
Peggy McCay-Days of Our Lives
Michelle Stafford-The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom-The Bold and the Beautiful

Best Supporting Actor
Bradford Anderson-General Hospital
Jeff Branson-The Young and the Restless
Scott Clifton-The Bold and the Beautiful
Billy Miller-The Young and the Restless

Best Supporting Actress
Julie Marie Berman-General Hospital
Jessica Collins-The Young and the Restless
Melissa Claire Egan-The Young and the Restless
Katherine Kelly Lange-The Bold and the Beautiful
Arienne Zucker-Days of Our Lives

Best Younger Actor
Max Ehrich-The Young and the Restless
Bryton James-The Young and the Restless
Chandler Massey-Days of Our Lives
Freddy Smith-Days of Our Lives

Best Younger Actress
Kristin Alderson-General Hospital
Hunter King-The Young and the Restless
Jacqueline Macinnes Wood-The Bold and the Beautiful
Lindsey Morgan-General Hospital

Best Directing

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of Our Lives

General Hospital 

The Young and the Restless

Best Writing 

The Bold and the Beautiful

General Hospital 

One Life to Live 

The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Talk Show (Entertainment)
The Ellen Show
Live with Kelly and Michael
The Talk
The View

Outstanding Talk Show (Informative)
The Doctors
Dr. Oz Show
Katie

Outstanding Talk Show host
Anderson Cooper-Anderson Live
Steve Harvey-The Steve Harvey Show
Dr. Mehmet Oz-The Dr. Oz Show
Ricki Lake-The Ricki Lake Show
Rachel Ray-Rachel Ray

Outstanding Game Show
Cash Cab
Family Feud
Jeopardy
Let's Make a Deal
The Price is Right
Who Wants to be a Millionaire

Best Game Show Host
Ben Bailey-Cash Cab
Bill Eichner-Funny or Die Ben Eicher's on the Street
Steve Harvey-Family Feud
Alex Trebek-Jeopardy

General Hospital Dominates the Daytime Emmy Awards within a Slightly Better, but Boring Ceremony

The show started with a song from one of my favorite Sesame Street characters Oscar the Grouch singing and bantering with Anderson Cooper was cute and straight to the point, but isn’t there more to Daytime than Luke and Laura?

The first award was presented by the four nominees for Outstanding Younger in a Drama Series announcing the winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.  Anthony Geary who plays Luke on General Hospital was the victor, and is now the most honored acting winner at the Daytime Emmy Awards with 7 trophies with 30 years of nominations, his first being 1982 when Luke married Laura.  This started the award show train for General Hospital on Saturday night.

I liked the concept between the way they present this award, but showing no scenes was in poor taste.  Yet Geary was a consument professional, and stated it was “a great way to start an evening” and proving that Daytime Dramas are still relevant, and that cancelling GH for “a boob job bonanza” would be a mistake.

Why Daytime?  A producer talking about Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune proves how important this genre is.  Then the women of The Talk poking fun at the confusion between of their show while presenting Outstanding Game Show was terrific.  The eventual winner was Todd Newton from Family Game Night.  I have never seen the show, but his genuine speech made me happy for former E! fame.   The ladies then presented Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show went to Jeopardy.

The show then went on to show people who weren’t just actors, but the costume designer from All My Children, and this theme throughout the night was great, and truly honored the brilliance of what Daytime means.  In a bit of a surprising twist Days of Our Lives won for Outstanding Writing in a drama series, the show has not won the prize since 1976.  Quickly followed Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series where Jonathan Jackson won for the second year in a row. 

Days of Our Lives was nipping at General Hospital’s heals when Chandler Massey won the award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series.  Barbara Wlaters then presented Bill Geddie with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor he deserves with his producing.  I like that they took the time to honor him even with the show feeling rushed.  Dr. Drew took the stage soon after to announce the Outstanding Morning Show Award, which went to The Today Show.

In the same style as Outstanding Lead Actor, the four Younger Actress nominees presented the Outstanding Lead Actress Award to Heather Tom; she is the first person in Daytime to win in every single acting category..  This made two big record breaking moments in the lead categories.

Like the actual award show I am going to speed up the commentary and go right to the point.  The show should have skipped a few of the awards, and honored two of of the Daytime Dramas that left the air All My Children, and One Life to Live better.  Susan Lucci’s tribute was sweet, but was not enough.  Inviting Cameron Matheson along with Lucci is a slap to the history of All My Children, although I was glad they asked Erika Slezak to help honor leading the tribute.  These three just talking about recently cancelled shows was just not enough.  I am mad that the Emmys did these shows wrong like this.

The night ended with General Hospital helping sweep the evening with a win in the best Drama Series category.  The show was better than most recent years, but the quick pacing, and lack of attention to this past year's cancelled shows makes it worse. See the full list of winners below.

Complete List of Winners (Major Categories)

Outstanding Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Anthony Geary as Luke Spencer on General Hospital

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Heather Tom as Katie Spencer in The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer on General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis on General Hospital

Outstanding Young Actor in a Drama Series

Chandler Massey as Will Horton on Days of Our Lives

Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series

Cristal Khalil as Lily Winters on The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Days of our Lives

Outstanding Talk Shoe (Entertainment)

Live with Regis and Kelly

Outstanding Talk Show (Informative)

The Dr. Oz Show

Outstanding Talk Show Host

Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa-Live with Regis and Kelly

Outstanding Game Show

Jeopardy

Outstanding Game Show Host

Todd Newton-Family Game Night

Daytime Emmy Award Analysis (Outstanding Lead Actor)

I was chosen by one of my favorite website Goldderby.com to view the tapes for two categories for the Daytime Emmy Awards.  I watched the episodes for Outstanding Lead Actor first.  Listed below is a summary of the actor's tape, and my own opinion of the performance.

Maurice Bernard as Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital 

Airdate: July 21, 2011; Runtime: 13:05

Synopsis:

Brenda interrupts a conversation that Sonny is having with Carly because she needs to talk to him.  Brenda is planning to leave Sonny after learning about something he did to Jax to help Carly get custody of their daughter Josslyn back from him.  Sonny doesn’t want Brenda to leave, and asks if she would stay with him if he agreed to move away from Port Charles with her, to live in a nice house in California and hand over his dangerous business to Jason and commute to Port Charles to see his kids.  Brenda says that would be perfect, but Sonny says it would be a lie.  He says Brenda loves a version of him that she invented, that she’s never accepted that the ruthless and dangerous man she is seeing now is the same man he’s always been.  He says that his power is more important to him than anything, and he couldn’t give it up.  Since Sonny can’t change, the two share a sorrowful farewell.  Carly returns, and seeing Sonny drinking alone on the balcony, tries to comfort him, to cheer him up.  Carly can’t understand how Brenda can have known Sonny for so long and not get him, but Sonny defends Brenda, saying that she changed when she found her son.  He says he can’t guarantee the safety of Brenda’s son Alec, so she did what she had to do.  Later, he gets a call informing him that Brenda and Alec have left with Jax, and mobilizes his plane to leave also.

Analysis: I am not a huge fan of the Sonny character, this is a big reason why I never watch this show. I was pleasantly surprised by the storyline, and the way Bernard was able to have so much control, and to create beautifully subtle performance within this scene.  The scene is beautiful because Sonny plays off the two the women who are "the loves of his life" Brenda and Carly.  Bernard does a great job in a sense giving up his "power" by allowing himself to be more vulnerable than I have ever seen the character become.  Usually when I watch Bernard uses shouting to convey the most dramatic moments, but his subtlety shines through and proves to give on of the best performances has ever had.  I like this tape because the scenes feel cohesive short and emotionally to the point.  If size matters, voters could lose the emotional context, but that was another strength, you get pulled into the emotion right away.

Anthony Geary and Luke Spencer on General Hospital

Airdate: June 13, 2011; Runtime: 17:56

Synopsis:

Lucky finds Luke with a pretty young woman and asks to speak to his father alone.  Lucky apologizes for how he handled finding out that Luke was the driver who hit and killed his son Jake, and for how aggressive his efforts to force Luke to get treatment for being an alcoholic were.  Lucky tells Luke that he should come home, for the sake of his kids and his wife Tracy.  Luke counters that he was a lousy father and husband, and those people who love him want him to be a version of himself that doesn’t exist.  Luke tells Lucky that Lucky doesn’t even know who he is, and he has no intention of going back to try to fit into Lucky’s mold.  Luke says that he never wanted to be a father or a husband, that he grew up learning to be practical and really all he ever wanted was the freedom to drink and lie and cheat, and have sex with the prettiest woman he could afford.  Luke says that he’s sorry that he killed Jake, but that the silver lining was that he felt liberated, having become so irredeemable that he no longer felt the pressure to try to live up to anyone else’s expectations.  Lucky leaves, and when the woman returns, Luke tells her that he’d put his son in an impossible position by killing Jake, for Lucky to have to love, to forgive, the person who’d taken his son away.  Luke says he freed Lucky from that by making sure Lucky would hate him as much as he would always love Lucky.

Analysis

The scene builds to a slow start with Lucky doing most of the talking, and I was worried that Geary was going to be out acted, this is not the case.  Tony Geary is probably one of, if not, the strongest male actor in the genre of daytime drama; he knows how to deliver a scene, and does not fail here.  Geary unleashes this self loathing tirade, and boom, he becomes angry, heartbreaking, and easy to hate within the same breath.  Geary has won 6 Emmy Awards and been nominated for 15, for playing this character.  I think this is a great performance, and based on the wide array of emotions he leaves you feeling I can see him taking home his 7th trophy.  my only reason he may lose is you walk away disliking the character more than you like him; he killed his grandson while driving drunk.  I think voters will get past this, but I had a hard time sometimes thinking about this fact.  Great performance.

John McCook  as Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdates: October 13 and 14, 2011; Runtime: 14:31

Synopsis:

Eric has set up a romantic surprise to celebrate the news that Stephanie’s latest test results show no tumors, indicating that she’s getting better.  Stephanie goes along with the dinner Eric has prepared, even though she is reluctant to celebrate or believe that she is really cancer-free.  Eric gives Stephanie a gift, a piece from the “Intimates” collection that he’s designed.  Stephanie has no interest in wearing this sexy ensemble, which segues into a discussion of their relationship, and the role that sex and intimacy play in their lives.  Eric wonders if Stephanie is somehow repulsed by him, as his very presence seems to make her feel more sick than she is when isn’t around, and feels she uses her sickness as an excuse not to be intimate with him.  Stephanie admits that, yes, she does sometimes use her charity work, meddling, etc., as an excuse to keep him at arm’s length, physically.  Stephanie says that Eric’s desire for sex has ruined their relationship in the past, like when he married Donna and Brooke.  Eric admits that things haven’t always been great for them, but he stands firm that he won’t apologize for being a sexual person and shouldn’t have to feel badly about wanting to be intimate with her.  Stephanie says that he deserves to have his desires and needs understood, but so does she.  Eric says that just means that she gets what she wants, and he doesn’t.

Analysis: Talk about a build up this tape started even slower than Geary's.  For most of the beginning I did not know where the story was going.  McCook and on screen partner Susan Flannery were talking about her recovery.  As the scene progressed Eric (McCook) fights to understand why his wife is being distant.  While McCook ends up giving a solid performance the disjointed tape and slow build up prevent you from fully investing in that build up.

Darnell Williams as Jesse Hubbard on All My Children

Airdate: March 30, 2011; Runtime: 12:01

Synopsis:

Jesse tries to calm a very pregnant Angie, who is experiencing contractions and pains.  Angie is convinced that the baby is coming, and they won’t have time to get to the hospital, so Jesse will have to deliver it.  Jesse calls for an ambulance, but it doesn’t seem one will arrive in time.  Jesse pulls double duty keeping Angie calm and preparing as best he can for a home delivery.  Angie passes out during birth, but Jesse successfully coaxes the baby from the birth canal.  He is struck with horror when he realizes that their littlie Ellie, as they’ve decided to name her, is not breathing.  He tries desperately to revive Ellie, to no avail, as Brot arrives to help.  Brot tends to Angie, but there’s nothing to be done for Ellie.  Jesse begins to accept this awful truth when he hears a baby’s cry coming from a box that Brot brought in, which had been left in his squad car, and Angie begins to regain consciousness.

Analysis: Williams is great, as Angie is going to labor he rushes into concerned father mode.  Williams hits all of the right notes as he is trying to balance being the cool and calm for his wife, but not freaking out as she starts to go into labor.  After Angie gives birth she loses conscientiousness, and Jesse is left with his baby girl dead in his arms.  Jesse rages rocking the girl back and forth in his arms saying "We always loved you."  As he hears a baby crying in the room Jesse cradles his dead baby close to him once again rocking back and forth grief stricken by the thought he will have to tell his wife they lose their child.  I thought Williams was superb and there is a genuine sadness at the end of this clip; he makes you feel everything you are supposed to, and while it may be a bit showy, I think it works.

Robert S. Woods as Bo Buchanan on One Life to Live 

Airdate: June 14, 2011; Runtime: 6:26

Synopsis:

Bo talks to Viki as he struggles to decide the best course of action regarding his comatose son and his ailing brother.  Matthew’s doctors are not optimistic about him ever waking up from his coma, and his heart is a match for Clint, who is in desperate need of a transplant.  Both Viki and Bo are still shocked by the terrible things Clint has done, but neither of them wants to lose him.  Bo doesn’t want to give up on Matthew, but can’t help feeling that if Matthew never recovers, he’s basically killed his brother.  Nora arrives and says that Matthew is looking better.  She says she confronted Clint about the situation, and he said he’d sooner die than have Matthew’s heart.  Nora says they’ll take him at his word, and Bo needn’t worry about it anymore.

Analysis: I miss Bo Buchanan.  Woods is so natural, and plays this character wonderfully.  Bo has to struggle with the grief of giving his son's heart to his ailing brother.  When Bo says "How do you let your child go" his eyes say it all, and you can see the strength in this performance.  The problem with this reel is that its incredibly short and choppy, which never lets Woods shine as much he could within this situation.

Personal Ranking/Predictions

1-Anthony Geary 

2-Darnel Williams

3-Maurice Bernard

4-John McCook

5-Robert S. Woods

I think this award follow my own personal rankings, as much as I would like to see someone new win, based on the material Geary deserves to win.  Williams and Bernard are neck and neck behind him, and they both have a great shot of taking home the trophy as well.  I think the race is only between these three I would be shocked if anyone else won.

Daytime Emmy Nominees Announced-General Hospital leads with 23 Nominations

As the years pass the attention this award show gets becomes smaller and smaller.  This year the Daytime Drama General Hospital had the most nominations 23, while The Young and the Restless received 16, Days of Our Lives 15, and the two cancelled shows All My Children and One Life to Live garnered 11 nominations.  Listed below is a full list of the nominees.  General Hospital was also in danger of cancellation, but hopefully this helps save the show.

Best Drama Series
All My Children
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless


Best Actor 
Maurice Bernad as Sonny Corinthos-General Hospital 
Tony Geary as Luke Spencer-General Hospital
John McCook as Eric Forrester-The Bold and the Beautiful
Darnell Williams as Jesse Hubbard-All My Children
Robert S. Woods as Bo Buchannon-One Life to Live 


Best Actress
Crystal Chappelle as Dr. Carly Manning-Days of Our Lives
Debbie Morgan as Dr. Angie Martin-All My Children
Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord- One Life to Live
Heather Tom as Katie Logan Spencer-The Bold and the Beautiful
Laura Wright as Carly Corinthos Jax-General Hospital


Best Supporting Actor 
Bradford Anderson as Damien Spinelli, "General Hospital 
Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux, "Days of Our Lives
Sean Blakemore as Shawn Butler General Hospital
Jonathan Jackson as Lucky Spencer, "General Hospital
Jason Thompson as Patrick Drake, "General Hospital


Best Supporting Actress
Melissa Claire Egan as Annie Chandler-All My Children
Genie Francis as Genevieve Atkinson-The Young and the Restless
Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis-General Hospital
Elizabeth Henderickson as Chloe Mitchell-The Young and the Restless
Rebecca Herbst as Elizabeth Webber-General Hospital


Best Younger Actor 
Eddie Alderson as Matthew Buchanan-One Life To Live
Chad Duell as Michael Corinthos-General Hospital
Chandler Massey as Will Horton-Days of Our Lives
Nathan Parsons as Ethan Lovett-General Hospital


Best Younger Actress
Molly Burnett as Melanie Layton-Days of Our Lives
Shelley Hennig as Stephanie Johnson-Days of Our Lives
Christel Khalil as Lily Winters-The Young and the Restless
Jacque Macinnes Wood as Steffy Forrester-The Bold and the Beautiful


Best Directing Team
The Bold and the Beautiful
General Hospital
One Life to Live
The Young and the Restless


Best Writing Team
All My Children
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless 


Best Talk Show (Entertainment)
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Live with Regis and Kelly
The Talk
The View


Best Talk Show (Informative)
Anderson
The Dr. Oz Show
The Doctors


Best Talk Show Host
Anderson Cooper-Anderson
Dr. Mehmet Oz,-The Dr. Oz Show
Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa-Live with Regis and Kelly
Rachael Ray-Rachael Ray
Dr. Lisa Masterson, Jillian Michaels, Dr. Andrew Ordon, Dr. Jim Sears, Dr. Travis Stork, Wendy Walsh, The Doctors