ABC’s new approach to a lagging and dull awards show turned out to be a fun event. The 35th Daytime Emmys added a new twist in a relaxing setting. Instead of crammed into the elbow to elbow seating in the Kodak Theater the nominees were seated around banquet tables. Giving them the chance to eat, sip fine wine from an open bar. But the neat twist was the digital video cameras placed at tables were the chatter, laughter and talk were documenting the experiences of the event. Kind of cool and good for TV and the viewers who like this kind of event programming.
Ratings had falling dramatically to about 6 million views in 2006. Last year did a little better in viewers of 8 million people. What you may not know is on the business side as Nielsen Business Media put together a long-term strategic alliance with Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in which Nielsen manages all the sponsorship sales and the brand development. Nielsen also oversaw all operations of the awards show.
New this year was the Legal or the Courtroom programming. You know all those shows like Judge Judy etc. They now have a category to themselves. Previously they were lumped in with general shows like Trading Spaces, again, capitalizing on the popularity of daytime courtroom programming entertainment which is highly viewed by the public.
The soaps this year saw ABC’s General Hospital the big winner which is celebrating their 45th anniversary. And another ABC soap of One Life to Live got their just statue due.
Winners at the 35th annual Daytime Emmys:
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Gina Tognoni, "Guiding Light," CBS
Talk Show — Informative: "The Tyra Banks Show," syndicated.
Younger Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey, "Guiding Light," CBS.
Younger Actress in a Drama Series: Jennifer Landon, "As the World Turns," CBS.
Talk Show Host: Ellen DeGeneres, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," syndicated.
Drama Series Directing Team: "One Life to Live," ABC.
Legal/Courtroom Program: "Cristina’s Court," syndicated.
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Kristoff St. John, "The Young and the Restless," CBS.
Drama Series Writing Team: "One Life to Live," ABC.
Talk Show Entertainment: "Rachael Ray," syndicated.
Lifetime Achievement: Regis Philbin.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Jeanne Cooper, "The Young and the Restless," CBS.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Anthony Geary, "General Hospital," ABC.
Drama Series: "General Hospital," ABC.
