Soap Opera Awards Shows

[Contessa Donatella]

1991 Daytime Emmys
New York, 1st time in Primetime
Lifetime Achievement Award to for the 1st time ever to a company rather than a person, beginning in 1933 it not only sponsored soaps but it created them. Of course, this is P&G. Helen Wagner presenting to Ed Trach. He acknowledged Irna Phillips & Bob Short & referred to all manner of persons employed by P&G as well as fans!
We see Michael Zaslow as a presenter & he is on crutches!
We see Sam Ratliff speak, accepting an Emmy for Santa Barbara. I have looked for years for even a photo of him, so this neatly checks off a box. 
Best Show ATWT
Best Directing Santa Barbara
Best Writing Santa Barbara
Best Supporting Actress Jess Walton
Best Supporting Actor Bernard Barrow, Loving
Best Younger Actor, Rick Hearst, who from the mic when accepting announced the birth of his son the day before.
Best Younger Actress, Anne Heche, who could not be there because she was filming O Pioneers!!
Best Actress Finola Hughes GH who had been called home  to London.
Best Actor Peter Bergman Y&R
Reels by Clarence throughout the show
-----
1991 Daytime Emmy Writing Santa Barbara with Sam Ratliff accepting https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvskwgpBd8/

1991 Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement
Procter & Gamble Ed Trach accepting
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvs_0KJn_3/

1991 Daytime Emmy
They Started on Soaps
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIvtcGIJ-70/

 

In my rumble account there is a file that is titled

1991 Daytime Emmys Only Soaps

which shows all of the Soap Opera portion of the awards except not They Started on Soaps & the Lifetime Achievement Award to P&G 

 

Edited April 22 by Contessa Donatella

[Contessa Donatella]

If anyone has any text or images that could help to describe the daytime emmys prior to 1982 it would be greatly appreciated.

The 1983 Daytime Emmy Awards was not televised. If anyone has any text or images that could describe the awards it would be greatly appreciated. 

The 1984 Daytime Emmy Awards was not televised. If anyone has any text or images that could describe the awards it would be greatly appreciated. 

Edited April 22 by Contessa Donatella

[Contessa Donatella]

1982 Daytime Emmys GH Edit
David Lewis, Best Supporting Actor
Directing
Tony Geary, Best Actor 
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIpEQ07phqf/

1982 Daytime Emmys Opening
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIoxQqAJRaO/

1982 Daytime Emmys AMC Edit
Best Supporting Actress
Dorothy Lyman as Opal
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIpi-o7Jbj9/

https://rumble.com/v6sbybj-1982-daytime-emmys-soap-edit.html

Edited April 22 by Contessa Donatella

[Contessa Donatella]

https://www.goldderby.com/article/2023/when-did-daytime-emmys-start/

Daytime Emmys flashback: The awards started with wins for ‘The Doctors,’ Elizabeth Hubbard and Macdonald Carey

Susan Pennington
 TV April 29, 2023 6:00AM
emmy statue atmosphereMichael Buckner for Variety

In the 1950s daytime programming became extremely popular, with game shows and soap operas becoming a staple in American households. Although the Emmy Awards had been established in 1949, the categories were limited for the first few years, and performers from all genres, and from both daytime and nighttime programs, were lumped together in one or two acting categories, with daytime performers usually left out.

In 1962 Mary Stuart became the only soap opera actress nominated for a Primetime Emmy, for her role as Joanne Gardner on "Search for Tomorrow." In 1968 a category for Best Achievement in Daytime Programming was attempted, but judges decided that no one was deserving. Outraged pioneers of the genre, such as writer Agnes Nixon and "General Hospital" star John Beradino, lobbied for recognition of daytime television. In 1972 the first Emmy Awards specifically honoring daytime programming were bestowed to "The Doctors" for Best Daytime Drama and to Mary Fickett (Ruth Martin, "All My Children") for Best Daytime Drama Performance.

Then daytime programming finally received its due with the first Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony, which was held on the afternoon of May 28, 1974; it's the only time the Daytime and Primetime ceremonies aired the same day. Barbara Walters and Peter Marshall hosted, with categories that celebrated the best in daytime drama, game shows, children's programming and daytime talk shows.

"The Doctors" was once again named the Best Daytime Drama, beating out two soaps that would become among the most popular and long-lasting, "Days of Our Lives" and "General Hospital." "GH" also earned two spots in the Best Actor category, for John Beradino and Peter Hansen, for their respective roles as Dr. Steve Hardy and Lee Baldwin. But another daytime legend won, Macdonald Carey for his portrayal of Dr. Tom Horton on "Days."

For Best Actress, Fickett, the 1972 performance winner, was again considered for her role on "All My Children," as was former Primetime nominee Stuart (again for "Search for Tomorrow"). Rachel Ames (Audrey Hardy, "General Hospital") also received a nomination. But the winner was Elizabeth Hubbard, for her portrayal of Dr. Althea Davis on "The Doctors." Hubbard would become better known for her role as Lucinda Walsh on "As the World Turns" from 1984-2010, for which she received nine Daytime Emmy nominations; she most recently earned a bid for Best Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama for "Anacostia" in 2016. This grande dame of daytime television passed away on April 8, 2023, at the age of 89.

Other winners at the inaugural ceremony included "Password" for Best Game Show; "Zoom" for Best Children's Series; Dinah Shore ("Dinah's Place") for Best Host of a Talk, Service or Variety Program; and Peter Marshall ("Hollywood Squares"), who won his first of four statues for Best Game Show Host.

The first televised American daytime serial debuted in 1949, and approximately 50 soap operas have aired on the big three networks since. At 60-years-old "General Hospital" is the longest-running soap opera still airing, and holds the record for most Best Drama wins at 15. That program also holds the record for most Best Actor wins, with Anthony Geary alone winning eight for his role as Luke Spencer. ABC soaps also hold the records for most Best Actress wins, with six for Erika Slezak for her role as Victoria Lord on "One Life to Live," and for most nominations in that category, with Susan Lucci earning 21 bids for her role as Erica Kane on "All My Children." She finally -- famously -- won on her 19th nomination.

This year the Daytime Emmys celebrate their 50th anniversary with a telecast scheduled for June 16, 2023, on CBS.

Gold Derby is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2025 Gold Derby Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[Contessa Donatella]

1982 Daytime Emmys
Dorian Lord Edit
Robin Strasser, Best Actress

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIwa8w1JjYX/

 

[Contessa Donatella]

1985 Daytime Emmys, this file is to be deleted. Should you wish a copy, you know what to do. There are now 3 files that could be downloaded.

I now have 10 Daytime Emmy show files that can be in your possession.

1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

 

Edited April 26 by Contessa Donatella

[Contessa Donatella]

1985 Daytime Emmys, in the afternoon, in LA

 

No opening number. We go right into the first category, which traditionally is Best Supporting Actress. Here to present, from Guiding Light, Judi Evans & Michael O'Leary, aka Beth & Rick.

The Emmy goes to Beth Maitland, Tracy on Y&R.

 

Melody Thomas & Peter Reckell are next up to present for Best Supporting Actor.

The Emmy goes to Larry Gates of Guiding Light.

 

Deidre Hall with Terry Lester presenting Outstanding Juvenile Male.

The Emmy goes to Brian Bloom, Dusty Donovan on ATWT.

 

Next up Victoria Wyndham & Robert S. Woods, presenting Outstanding Ingenue.

The Emmy goes to Tracy E. Bregman, Lauren on Y&R, although previously she played Donna Craig on DAYS.

 

Now we have a special show with 3 bridal couples, first from CAPITOL, then from ATWT & last "Bope" from DAYS. Costumes, finery, kiss the brides, wedding music.

ATWT's Lisa, Eileen Fulton hosted us through this.

 

Now, on to Directing, Darnell Williams & Marg Helgenberg, presenting to Guiding Light!

 

Michael E. Knight & Krista Tesrau, presenting for Writing. Clips are shown of the nominee's work: AW Krtystal with a K Lake talking to Tony the Tuna but we can all see that he is missing his wig. GL slut of Springfield fountain scene.

& the Emmy goes to AMC.

 

Now we turn to Distinguished Service Award Recipients & there are 3: first from GL, Charita Bauer; 2 & 3 go together: from SFT Mary Stuart & Larry Haines.

 

Erica Slezak presenting Best Actor & the Emmy goes to Darnell Williams!

 

Larry Bryggman presenting Best Actress & the Emmy goes to Kim Zimmer, Reva from GL!

 

Now Mary Stuart with Larry Haines presenting Best Show: And the Emmy goes to Y&R!

[Maxim]

Love this. 

[Contessa Donatella]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DIz86Qhpcup/
1986 Daytime Emmys opening number
Jennifer Lewis "Addicted to Love"
various love scenes from soaps

[Maxim]

I'm loving all of these clips and full shows. This is sooo rare to find. Thank you for sharing! 

[Contessa Donatella]

You are very welcome. More to come. 

[Contessa Donatella]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI1FLeIJiRh/
1986 Daytime Emmys
I call this DH2
Deidre & Drake presenting

[Contessa Donatella]

https://www.instagram.com/p/DI3pmXFJCaf/
1974 Daytime Emmy first ever

Opening Number

[Contessa Donatella]

I want to encourage everyone to go vote in the Sudsies!

https://x.com/SudsMedia/status/1928963890752168176

Suds and Squared Circle Media

@SudsMedia

Sudsy Voting is now open! Go to http://suds-media.com/sudsyvoting to vote for the entire month of June!

Off the top of my head one interesting example of creative nominating is that the entire cast of BTG is up for Best Soap Debut!

(I hope I'm getting that category name correctly! I was confident but then, oy.)

And, any Kraze fans they're up for Best Soap Couple! 

[janea4old]

Opinion polls conducted by soap podcasters are not the same as "soap opera award shows".