The Super Bowl – now in its fortieth year! This is a grand event,
looked on by football enthusiasts (myself included), as Must-See
TV. My football fascination began with a trip to Penn State
University in State College, PA, as a junior in high school traveling
with our high school band. We were to play with many other bands at
half time and this experience was a super one! I was in awe of the
spectacle of the show and with this entire football experience. Being
from a small town and getting to go to a
big-time
football arena was awesome! Beaver Stadium held lots fewer people than
the well over a hundred thousand that it accommodates now, but it was
still amazing! Then, I became fascinated with the Pittsburgh Steelers
in their four-Super Bowl glory years and have followed them faithfully
ever since. So, I am waiting in eager anticipation! Since I’m writing
this column on Saturday, I have a little over a day to wait. Since I’m
from Pennsylvania, I am bleeding black and gold and the displays of
fondness and team loyalty are seen everywhere!!!!!
Another event
awaiting eager anticipation is the presentation of the nominations for
the “Super Bowl” of Daytime Television – the Emmy awards. I did a bit
of research on the Daytime Emmys and thought this would be a perfect
place to start this column, which will later feature some of your
choices for nominations from ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
The Daytime Emmy
awards are presented by the New York-based National Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of
Television Arts and Sciences in recognition of excellence in daytime
television programming.
The first
daytime-themed Emmy awards were given out at the Primetime Emmy
ceremony in 1972. THE DOCTORS and GENERAL HOSPITAL were nominated for
Outstanding Achievement in a Daytime Drama. THE DOCTORS won that
coveted statuette. The late JOHN BERADINO, GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Dr.
Steve Hardy,
became a leading voice to have daytime talent honored.
The first separate
awards show made just for daytime was broadcast in 1974 From the
Channel Gardens in Rockefeller Center in New York City. The show has
been broadcast from New York City; however, this year the venue is
changing to the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California. Originally the
show was aired during the daytime hours, but in 1991 the awards were
moved to primetime.
Categories have
been added over the years. The procedures for voting for the final
Emmy nominees have also changed. Which leads us to the Emmy
nominations, which will be announced on THE VIEW on this Wednesday,
February 8. The 33rd Daytime Emmy Awards Ceremony will be
on April 28th.
To reiterate, the
pre-nominees from ONE LIFE TO LIVE are:
LEAD ACTOR: MICHAEL EASTON
(John McBain)
ROBERT S. WOODS (Bo
Buchanan)
LEAD ACTRESS: ERIKA SLEZAK
(Victoria Davidson/Niki Smith)
ROBIN STRASSER
(Dorian Cramer Lord)
SUPPORTING
ACTRESS: RENEE ELISE GOLDSBERRY (Evangeline Williamson)
TARI SIGNOR
(Margaret Cochran)
SUPPORTING
ACTOR: DAN GAUTHIER (Kevin
Buchanan)
TUC WATKINS (David
Vickers)
YOUNGER ACTRESS: BREE WILLIAMSON
(Jessica Buchanan/Tess)
MELISSA ARCHER
(Natalie Buchanan)
YOUNGER ACTOR: EDDIE ALDERSON
(Matthew Buchanan)
JOHN-PAUL LAVOISIER
(Sexy Rexy Balsom)
Competition for the
coveted statuette is always stiff. Last year, in a twist, eight
actresses were up for the Lead Actress category. Of course that award
was won by ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s very own SLEZAK.
Regardless of
whether you thought certain actors were omitted from consideration,
the list above represents the possibilities from ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
Because there is formidable competition from the other soaps, it is
hard to predict whom from our show will get into the finals.
I am going to say
WILLIAMSON should be a shoo-in for a nomination. Her work as Jessica/Tess has
been of Emmy caliber all during the DID storyline. The storyline,
while not my cup of tea and I think is being dragged on far too long,
has been a showcase for her talents playing Tess coming out of Jess
and vice versa. I just feel she is the choice for Younger Actress
from the show and should be nominated for that coveted Emmy.
Another storyline
definitely not my cup of tea, is the Todd/Margaret saga. But, SIGNOR’s performances have been Emmy-worthy. SIGNOR could sneak in
there and nab that nomination because she has been brilliant playing
“Mad Mags – the Psycho” and what a psycho she is!!!!!
GOLDSBERRY had
convincing performances during the hypnosis episodes, plus the
break-up of John and Evangeline, that could net her a nomination.
LAVOISIER has an
excellent chance to be nominated. He has been a break-out star on the
show this past year. His performances, anything with WOODS, could put
him in the running. As well, as his stellar work after the death of
Rex’s love, Jen Rappaport.
EASTON had an
outstanding week of performances from August 1st through
the 5th, starting when McBain nearly choked the life out of
Hayes Barber in the warehouse to when McBain was reading the pink
pig/bunny its rights in Evangeline’s apartment, during a drunken
binge. Anything with NATHANIEL MARSTON and the McBain Brothers could
be a consideration. His category has very stiff competition, but I’m
hoping he will break through with a nomination.
WATKINS – any scene
from him is must-see television. His flair for humor is unmatched
anywhere on daytime television. Could this be the year for him to
finally earn that nomination he so richly deserves?
Good luck to all of
the nominees from ONE LIFE TO LIVE.
It’s very hard to
select episodes for these actors/actresses, because of course our
choices could be far from what they ultimately chose for
consideration.
Thanks to all of
you who sent me your choices. Please take a look below.
DAWN
shares: I love that EASTON has been nominated for Lead Actor. Am I the
only thinking dammit, it’s about time! He earned one on PORT CHARLES
but was shuffled off and out of it. Congrats to Michael and I hope he
wins!
JARED AND
MARCIE share: EASTON - Any scene that John McBain has with his
brother Michael is a winner. The McBabe Brothers feed off each other
and I as a viewer believe EASTON does his best work in a scene with
MARSTON. STRASSER – Dorian Lord ruled Llanview last year. She had
amazing scenes with WATKINS, particularly after she was left at the
altar by VICKERS. Anytime Dorian and Starr are together you can’t help
but laugh. SIGNOR – If only for the fact that I believe GOLDSBERRY has
many a year ahead of her to shine yet. SIGNOR did an excellent job of
portraying wacky nut job COCHRAN. I think the emotions and scenarios
she had to act out were far more difficult
than
any crying or romantic scenes. WATKINS – David is becoming more and
more interesting and layered as his brother Spencer and him interact. LAVOISIER – BALSOM showed such sorrow and pain after Jen’s death that
I can’t help but just love this character. The episode where he found
Jen’s body and when Bo was shot at Statesville Prison are particular
episodes she shone in. WILLIAMSON – Show any episode of Tess and Nash
and she has it locked up. I love ARCHER – she’s an amazing actress,
but WILLIAMSON was given the bigger and stronger storyline with Tess
coming out. I think she will have a solid chance.
EFFY shares: The
Pre-Emmy lists. Some I agreed, some I’m not so sure about. I’m glad
to see EASTON on the lists. That man has had some great stuff with
the limited material he had. Actually he and GOLDSBERRY have been
excellent in the stuff they have been given. I think for GOLDSBERRY
the breakup scene and scenes after that showed her extraordinary range
in emotions. EASTON’s scenes with Hayes Barber come to mind. I
loved SIGNOR as Margaret. She made you hate her. She did a wonderful
job in portraying a psychotic lunatic. All the categories are great
except the Younger Actress. I think there was a mistake in votes for
that category. Though I love SLEZAK, I think she should have omitted
herself from the ballot this year since she won last year. KASSIE
DEPAIVA’s name should have been included in that category.
DARLENE shares: Of
the twelve Pre-nominations, I would love to see EASTON, STRASSER,
GOLDSBERRY, WATKINS, LAVOISIER and WILLIAMSON survive the final cut.
East of them has displayed award-winning qualities in their
performances in the past year. I will highlight some of her reasons
below:
EASTON – Not only
accomplished award-winning performances the first week of August, he
regularly arises to the occasion with amazing facial expressions and
body language to accompany the lines he delivers. From John’s search
for Natalie to his capture of Hayes, those were among the most
riveting, heart-wrenching performances I’ve ever seen an actor
deliver. He performs with such high quality that he enables the
performers who appear with him to rise above their normal acting
qualities. I see EASTON a most deserving recipient.
STRASSER – Is
Dorian Lord! She delivers cutting lines that she can only pull off. Her facial expressions and unique ability to deliver her lines make
Dorian the calculating, trouble-starting diva that she is. She should
be recognized for the regularity of her amazing acting!
GOLDSBERRY – Has
the unique gift of showing great chemistry with whomever she works.
Over the past year I have seen Evangeline’s chemistry with John,
Michael, Todd, Kevin, Phil Jamison, Antonio, Cristian, and Hugh!
Certainly acting like that deserves the recognition of such an award.
She is a treat to watch perform!
WATKINS – Probably
the funniest guy on daytime television! When his talent is allowed to
soar, he delivers the most entertaining performances that leave you
laughing so loud. A fair number of those scenes are delivered off the
cuff as WATKINS delivers his lines, not scripted by the writers. That
kind of talent needs to be recognized.
LAVOISIER – His
character has evolved considerably and he has evolved with the
character. From the son of Roxy, to the brother of Natalie, to the
gentleman courting the young lady raised in a convent, to the private
eye, I can’t think of a young daytime actor more deserving of an
award.
WILLIAMSON – I can
honestly say that when I watch Tess perform, I see a different person
than Jessica and vice verse. This is a talent not everyone
possesses. It takes quite a bit of talent to see the two different
people both within a five minute performance.
I always felt that
ABC has treated ONE LIFE TO LIVE as its bastard child never giving it
the accomplished writing talent the other shows receive, never putting
it in the forefront of advertising, and never recognizing the
incredible talent they have unwittingly amassed. I hope these
incredible actors are recognized. Thanks for your wonderful column!
I always enjoy it!
BILLIE shares:
Loved your article. It is so true that the experiment was trip
through craziness, but a potential star was born. Adriana did look
beautiful in the photos. I also agree that the show should give
viewers some Love in the Afternoon, without all the external angst. I
need Michael and Marcie, John and Evangeline, Todd and Blair, etc.
I’ve missed what real couples should look like.
LAURA shares: I
hope that you give mention to Wednesday, January 25. Great use of the
drama of the verdict played alongside the devastating reactions of Viki, Evangeline, Starr. She basically loved the entire episode.
Here’s a couple more comments: Matthew and Bo scenes at the diner, Viki trying to comfort Todd, Rex opening up to Adriana and Vangie
reaching out to John. Then John watching Vangie sitting alone in the
darkened courtroom. She hopes for a John and Evangeline reunion. She
would like to know what role Spencer played in Mag’s death. She’s
waiting for Todd to get out of prison and open up a can of worms on
Dr. Truman. Thank you, as always, for keeping the fans informed and
educated, and yes, entertained, with your thoughtful columns.
Thanks to all of
you who responded and thanks again for reading. Please join KD next
week for more of her “Views on Llanview”.
