Daytime Emmy Awards

Last Friday night the stars were out; the stars of the Daytime Emmys that is! This year marked the 30th anniversary of honoring excellence and outstanding achievement in talk shows, game shows, children's television, and soap operas.

The show was broadcast live from New York's Radio City Music Hall on the ABC network. Wayne Brady hosted the extended three-hour-long gala in his own jamming way by kicking it up a notch with the opening monologue that had break dancers, hip-hop funkiness, and Mr. Brady himself singing and rhyming to the Emmy nominees.

Barbara Walters took us for a walk down memory lane as she reminisced about hosting the first Daytime Emmy Awards that were broadcast live outside of Rockfeller Center, where the stars were brought in by horse and carriage (how magnificent that must have been!).

The second Daytime Emmy Award Show was broadcast on the Upper Deck of The Hudson River Dayliner. Well, times have most assuredly changed and since 1991 the Daytime Emmy Awards are now being seen in Prime Time and getting more of the royal treatment every year! I still like the idea of horse-drawn carriages, which is more in tune with living a fairy tale for such a special night.

It's so much fun to watch the flashbacks of Daytime Emmy stars throughout the years and see all the fashion faux pas and standout moments that make shows like the Daytime Emmys so enjoyable to watch. It's like flipping through your year book, but without the celebrities; well, mine anyway!

Nowadays soap opera actors and actresses have a lot more on their plate than just acting and looking great; under their towels lie another talent waiting to be revealed and what better place to show that talent than on live TV! Oh, it's singing that some of these soap opera stars have done. What did you think I was going to say?

Soap opera stars who spun their acting credentials around for some singing in the shower melodies were: Ron Raines, Susan Lucci, Eden Riegel, Eva LaRue, Wally Kurth, Kassie Depaiva, Ricky Paul Goldin, Kyle Lowder, and Tamara Tunie.

OK, I'm going to be honest and say I was gullible, but more disappointed when Jack Wagner (Nick), who recently signed onto "The Bold and The Beautiful," didn't walk onto the stage at the last moments of the musical collaboration and start singing. It's not like I was expecting Blacky (John Stamos) to break out of jail or Dr. Noah Drake (Rick Springfield), also from General Hospital, to waltz onto the stage, but at least Danny Romalata (Michael Damien) from "The Young and the Restless" could have rocked his way onto the stage. Danny did make an appearance on the show to Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) when she was having a complete mental break down, but can you imagine how awesome that would have been?

The wonderfully witty, strong, sensitive, and outspoken members of "The View," Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar, and Barbara Walters dished out some pretty sweet smelling and humorous moments when they staged their own take of how the evening's events had gone.

A special and touching segment was dedicated in respecting the memory of Mr. Rogers and his life-long commitment of teaching children that had Big Bird, Grover, Elmo, and other friends of "Sesame Street" reflecting in song along with Wayne Brady to the good times Mr. Rogers shared within each of our neighborhoods. An "In Memoriam" was also dedicated to those lives who have entertained and came into our homes each day. A sad good-bye goes out to Nancy Addison Aitman, Josh Ryan Evans, Kim Hunter, Michael Jeter, Mary Stuart, and Lynne Thigpen.

The winners who took the privilege in this year's Daytime Emmy Awards were also part of a small group that took home their first trophy and celebrated landmark years running on daytime television. Here's a look at just those remarkable accomplishments!

The Bold And The Beautiful has been airing for the past 16 years and for the first time was nominated as Best Drama Series (one of my favorite soap operas).

Port Charles was also nominated for the 1st time for Best Drama Series.

Outstanding Drama Series, which celebrated its fourth win and 47 years on the air was As The World Turns.

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, which celebrated its 40th year, went to Maurice Benard (Sonny) on General Hospital. He's a show stopper, just so charming and cool, he knows how to work a scene!

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series went to Susan Flannery (Stephanie) on The Bold and the Beautiful. She's wonderful and so full of passion and power!

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series went to Benjamin Hendrickson (Hal) on As The World Turns. He's a fine actor who does this role justice!

Outstanding Supporting Actress, who received her first win, went to Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) on General Hospital.

Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series, who received his first win went to Jordi Vilasuso (Tony) on Guiding Light.

Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series, who received her second win, went to Jennifer Finnigan (Bridget) on The Bold and the Beautiful. She's terrific in this role, such a talent with so much natural ability!

Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team was awarded their third win to General Hospital.

Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team was awarded their second win to All My Children.

Other Daytime Winners included:Outstanding Children's Series winner "Reading Rainbow," which now fills its "Pot of Gold" with 19 awards. During LeVar Burton's acceptance speech he made it known that this might be the last time that "Reading Rainbow" will be aired since there is no funding for PBS shows. In my opinion, it is awful when good programing isn't able to continue because of lack of funds. I do hope that will change in the future.

Outstanding Preschool Series went to Sesame Street and made this their 86th win!

Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special went to Ben Foster in Bang Bang You're Dead.

Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series went to first-time winner, Shia LaBeouf, for Even Stevens.

Outstanding Game Show Host went to Alex Trebeck and gained him the three-times-a-charm-award for Jeopardy.

Wayne Brady took it home for his first time with not one, but two awards! His first honor went to Outstanding Talk Show Host for The Wayne Brady Show and for Outstanding Talk Show.

However, Wayne Brady was not the sole beneficiary to winning the award for Outstanding Talk Show; there was a tie! The ladies of The View won their first award; good for you gals!

Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show Award went to Jeopardy and received its ninth win.

Outstanding Special Class Series Award went to A Baby Story, which delivered its first honor.

A special Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the wonderful work of Mr. Art Linkletter whose fantastic history of presenting warm and thoughtful, funny and honest television created House Party, which brought life to the beloved Kids Say the Darndist Things.

Among the recipients of awards presented, congratulations also go to show stoppers of fashion. Here are my picks for the ladies and gentleman who took center stage and brought style to the evening's events.

Coming in first for the ladies, I would have to say was Vivica A. Fox who dazzled and looked so stunning in her gown of sparkly muted-tone colors. A class act all the way!

Next on my list is Michele Stafford who looked incredibly beautiful with just enough sex-appeal in her long fitted white spaghetti-strapped gown that flowed long in the back and was etched in blue flowers; Susan Walters looked pretty as could be in her crisscrossed long black gown that revealed just a little peek-a-boo of skin; and, yes, Judge Judy looked wonderfully glamorous in her hot salmon colored gown and wrap that made her look dazzling! All three ladies carried themselves beautifully and made an impression of sheer glamour and sophistication that still left an ample amount to the imagination!

The gentlemen looked fine and dignified, as well, and those who took top billing for me were Jack Wagner, Erik Roberts, followed by Danny Osmond, LeVar Burton, Anthony Geary, and Art Linkletter. Nicely done gentleman

A fun little viewer's poll question was also soaking in thought throughout the evening that had viewers logging onto www.abc.com and picking the #1 most memorable moment in daytime television from TVs Guide Top 10 list. With over 125,000 votes, the winning moment...I hear bells ringing; Luke and Laura's Wedding! (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis). That, of course, is my sentimental favorite too! They don't make weddings like that one anymore and it's a moment that won't be forgotten!

On my closing note, I'd like to pay homage and lather up to my favorite soap opera that has celebrated its 30th anniversary and, although did not received the year's Best Drama Award, it rightfully does each day in my living room. Let's just say I'm young (still) and restless (well, not really), but I'm a fan nevertheless! Until next year!