OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS

Nominee Handicapping

• Peggy McKay 3 to 1
• Susan Flannery 5 to 1
• Heather Tom 6 to 1
• Michelle Stafford 10 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Peggy McKay

WHO SHOULD WIN: Susan Flannery or Peggy McKay

DON’T COUNT OUT: Heather Tom

The big acting prize of the night is always the highly competitive Lead Actress category, and this year it is a tight race as well. On the surface, it was a surprise to many that Days of our Lives Peggy McKay entered into the Lead Actress category, when she has always been, for the most part, a supporting actress on the NBC soap. This year however, her gamble paid off and she entered the Lead Actress category with her performance as a woman struggling with the on-set of Alzheimer’s disease. It truly was a tour de force performance, and surprised even us, when watching the scenes cut together in McKay’s nominated episode. It is heartbreaking to watch, and McKay is able to flip from reality to somewhat dementia with ease. It could just be the ticket to earn this long standing veteran Emmy gold. That also brings us to Susan Flannery’s swan song performance as Stephanie Forrester after 25 years as the matriarch of the series, The Bold and the Beautiful. In her nominated performance, Flannery with her long-time scene partner, the also nominated, Katherine Kelly Lang was subtle but strong … everything you would expect from a Flannery performance. This could be the perfect capper on a legendary career in soaps and on B&B and make Susan a five-time Daytime Emmy winner!

Susan’s cast mate, now a four-time Daytime Emmy winner herself, Heather Tom could win back-to-back Lead Actress Emmys with another extraordinary strong reel as Katie becomes unglued and struggles to bond with her newborn son and post-partum depression. This could easily take the gold for Tom, once again. But will the voters give her the nod two years running? As for The Young and the Restless, Michelle Stafford, what can one say? She is always, always phenomenal and in her reel, she was once again spectacular in scenes where Phyllis lays the smack down on Christine! However, it would appear that the three ladies in front of her may have more going for them this year, except for the now realized fact, this could very well be the final time we see Michelle at the Daytime Emmys after being a ten-time nominee, since she announced she is departing Y&R after 16 years with the CBS soap, this month.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR

Nominee Handicapping:

• Jason Thompson 2 to 1
• Doug Davidson 4 to 1
• Michael Muhney 10 to 1
• Peter Bergman 12 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Jason Thompson

WHO SHOULD WIN: Jason Thompson

DON’T COUNT OUT: Doug Davidson

Two of the very best performances of the year, and perhaps in this history of the Lead Actor category, happened in this Emmy season. General Hospital’s Jason Thompson delivered quite frankly, the most touching, ten-hankie moment in soaps last year, for his performance of the a man grieving the loss of his wife, and preparing himself and his little girl to attend her funeral . In the key moment, when Thompson attempts to tie his tie to go to Robin’s funeral, it is a moment that will be revered as a soap classic. If Jason Thompson were not to win this based on the reel, it would be crime. However, he faces some stiff competition from the one and only 35 year veteran of The Young and the Restless, Doug Davidson. Doug turned in one of the finest performances of his career as Paul is grief-stricken over shooting and “killing” his own son, Ricky. The reel is the aftermath after the shooting, and Davidson played it for everything it’s worth.

The Young and the Restless Michael Muhney is one of the finest actors currently in the genre, and in his nominated reel as Adam Newman, he effortlessly goes from emotion to emotion with such finesse. Any other year, this might get him an Emmy, but with Thompson and Davidson’s strong reels, Muhney may have to wait till next year. But if there is a spoiler here, it would be him. As far as Y&R’s Peter Bergman, he always turns in a classic performance as Jack Abbott, and having won several times previously, Peter may not be the front-runner this time.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Nominee Handicapping

• Bradford Anderson 2 to 1
• Scott Clifton 3 to 1
• Jeff Branson 5 to 1
• Billy Miller 7 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Bradford Anderson

WHO SHOULD WIN: Bradford Anderson or Scott Clifton

DON’T COUNT OUT: Jeff Branson

General Hospital’s Bradford Anderson had been nominated in this category and not won, but this could all change on Emmy night, with his strongest submission to date. In it, we see the serious side of Damian Spinelli, and all of the years of frustration he has sticking up for, fighting for, and loving, Maxie Jones. This was a sensational performance! Hot on the heels of Anderson is The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton (Liam) who in scenes half-naked (shirtless) he begs his beloved Hope to forgive him in front of a room full of family members and friends on what was to be the couple’s wedding day. Clifton’s performances was raw, fearless, and his reel exceptional. He could very well win his second Daytime Emmy and first in this category.

Jeff Branson is always good. As Ronan Malloy on The Young and the Restless, in his reel he romanced, and got scorned for all intent and purposes by Phyllis, and left the episode without the girl he wanted to be with. It was another solid Emmy-worthy performance by the 2009 Daytime Emmy winner in this category. As for Billy Miller, he submitted the same episode as Peter Bergman, which shows Billy Abbott trying to make amends with his brother, Jack. Miller is always good in scenes with Bergman, which shows that no matter what he does, the younger Abbott at heart is a good guy despite himself.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Nominee Handicapping:

• Julie Marie Berman 4 to 1
• Katherine Kelly Lang 5 to 1
• Jessica Collins 10 to 1
• Arianne Zucker 12 to 1
• Melissa Claire Egan 15 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Julie Marie Berman

WHO SHOULD WIN: Katherine Kelly Lang

DON’T COUNT OUT: Jessica Collins

So this is again a battle between two amazing actresses and two great performances. The Bold and the Beautiful’s Katherine Kelly Lang finally received her first nomination in 26 years with her performance as Brooke, as she sadly watched her long time nemesis- turned-best friend die. The heartbreaking performance was Lang’s best Emmy submission to date, and a win by Katherine would be a heartfelt and triumphant win on Emmy night. However, there is another amazing performance in this category and that belongs to Julie Marie Berman as the former Lulu Spencer Falconeri on General Hospital. Julie’s reel really showed dynamic range and took the voters on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. And, Julie did something we have rarely scene possible, steal a scene from Daytime Emmy record holder, Anthony Geary (Luke). It is just that good.

On the outside, but with a shot at Emmy gold is The Young and the Restless, Jessica Collins. As Avery Clark she has to face the death of her beloved father, after realizing her sister Phyllis was right about dear old dad all along. Arianne Zucker of Days of our Lives plays shattered angst so well, and makes us still care about Nicole Walker even when she does the unthinkable, and she does so in her nominated performance again this year. Finally, Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan delivered a very solid performance as Chelsea fights to keep the man she loves, Adam Newman, and away from another woman.

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS

Nominee Handicapping:

• Kristen Alderson 2 to 1
• Jacqueline MacInnes Wood 7 to 1
• Hunter King 10 to 1
• Lindsay Morgan 14 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Kristen Alderson

WHO SHOULD WIN: Kristen Alderson

DON’T COUNT OUT: Jacqueline MacInnes Wood

This hands down should go to Kristen Alderson this year! In a win that would mean so much to both One Life to Live and General Hospital fans who can no longer see the character of Starr Manning, this is Kristen’s strongest Emmy reel and first nomination … ever! In it, Starr grieves the death of her beau Cole and baby girl Hope and vows revenge on Sonny Corinthos! It was meatier than the other actresses work via the reels in this category. If there is as spoiler, it’s going to be The Bold and the Beuatiful’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, who has turned in to a standout performer in her own right and who made Steffy Forrester a character to care for even when she does some awful things too!

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR

Nominee Handicapping

• Chandler Massey 4 to 1
• Briton James 6 to 1
• Max Ehrich 7 to 1
• Freddie Smith 10 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: Chandler Massey

WHO SHOULD WIN: Chandler Massey

DON’T COUNT OUT: Max Ehrich and Bryton James

The young men nominated in this category have made this a tough one call in some respects. But, we got to go with another fabulous performance by Days of our Lives Chandler Massey that would very well win him his second straight ‘Younger Actor’ prize. As Will Horton, he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he kissed another guy, and runs to Grandma Marlena to try to explain his behavior, more to himself, than her. It is a powerful moment, and a relatable moment, for anyone who has struggled to come out about their sexuality, and the ripple effect it can cause for their loved ones and family.

However, there was another extremely touching reel via The Young and the Restless, Bryton James as Devon. In it, Devon is finally is able to hear again without the use of the Cochlear implant he has worn for years. It is a strong story arc, with a beginning, middle and resolve all in one episode, and it could very well be the upset of the night. Or, the upset could go to the most impressive young actor of the Emmy season, Max Ehrich as quirky Fen Baldwin. Finally, Freddie Smith of Days of our Lives delivered a realistic, not over the top performance that was subdued, yet effective. This could go several ways on Emmy night.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

Nominee Handicapping:

• One Life to Live 2 to 1
• The Bold and the Beautiful 2 to 1
• General Hospital 5 to 1
• The Young and the Restless 12 to 1
• Days of our Lives 15 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: The Bold and the Beautiful

WHO SHOULD WIN: One Life to Live

DON’T COUNT OUT: General Hospital

Oh, my! This year, there were two heart-tugging submissions from two different daytime dramas that made this quite the race. So, let’s start with One Life to Live. The final two episodes of the series 43 year run on ABC were submitted. The emotional heart of the second to last episodes still makes us grab for the hankies to this day. It features Viki’s beautifully written speech about soaps and its fans, the heartbreaking goodbyes to their families by Starr who moves to Los Angeles, and Rex, Gigi, and Shane who move to London. The second episode features the birth of Drew, the beautiful moments between Bo and Nora, and Bo and Matthew, and the final stunning cliffhanger when we find out that Victor Jr. is very much alive and being held hostage by Alison Perkins! If One Life does not win in its final year of its ABC run, it would be a shame. However, The Bold and the Beautiful submitted their best episodes of the Emmy season with the one-two punch of Stephanie Forrester’s goodbye party. In these scenes, you need ten hankies and more! Is there anything more touching than the slo-motion moments of Stephanie saying goodbye for the last time to her family members and friends, as she leaves to go die with dignity from lung cancer? Hard to beat! This just may just be another ticket to earn B&B another Emmy victor in the Drama Series category.

As for General Hospital, don’t count them out either! They submitted the baby-switch of Tea and Sam, and all the shenanigans that goes with it. And, they submitted the bio-toxin remote featuring Jerry Jax’s warped plan and all the drama surrounding it. However, this episodes features the final on-screen moment of John Ingle as Edward Quartermaine and that Emmy worthy moment when Tracy gives the anti-serum to save little Emma instead of her father at the request of Edward. Could be the spoiler here!

As for The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives, they just don’t have the episodes that match up to the above mentioned three. However, The Young and the Restless has always proven to be a spoiler here and win. This year, they submitted episodes from Victor’s “funeral”, where Sharon gloats at her wedding to Tucker, only to find out that Victor is alive and the fallout. Over at DAYS, they submitted a major episode from the DAYSaster arc, and another episode featuring John and Kristen in the cabin and Nicole just about to kill herself!

OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Nominee Handicapping:

• One Life to Live 4 to 1
• The Bold and the Beautiful 6 to 1
• The Young and the Restless 8 to 1
• General Hospital 10 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: One Life to Live

WHO SHOULD WIN: One Life to Live

DON’T COUNT OUT: The Bold and the Beautiful

Frankly, we can’t remember any episode in soap opera history that paid tribute and homage to its long time viewers as the show, at that point, was being sent to soap heaven. We are talking about the second-to-last episode of ABC’s One Life to Live. Complete with the speech about soap operas and what they mean to its fans, the exits of some of its series stars, and the cancellation of “Fraternity Row” and its final episode, mirroring the reality of what the cast, crew, production and fans of OLTL were going through in real life, this was a stunning achievement. Ron Carlivati, I do hope you get your Emmy speech ready!

But of course, the competition in this category is tough and subjective. That means that The Bold and the Beautiful could also win for Brad Bell and his team. The episodes feature Stephanie with Brooke before she dies in the cabin, Katie dealing with post-partum depression, and then the episode where Stephanie dies in Brooke’s arms. B&B can submit two episodes because it is only a half-hour show, while the one hour shows can only submit one episode in this category. The Young and the Restless and General Hospital have some heavy competition this year with these two, and while their episodes have some wonderful writing and moments with Sharon’s wedding to Tucker and Victor’s “death” and the aftermath of the Jerry Jax remote on GH …One Life and B&B have the heart this year in the scripts!

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES

Nominee Handicapping:

• General Hospital 3 to 1
• Days of our Lives 4 to 1
• The Young and the Restless 5 to 1
• The Bold and the Beautiful 5 to 1

WHO WILL WIN: General Hospital

WHO SHOULD WIN: General Hospital

DON’T COUNT OUT: Any of them!

In a race that is to close to call, each directing team from the nominated series turned in very different nominated episodes making this a possible win for any of them! General Hospital delivered a strong show with intense drama and terror with their remote during the bio-toxin/Jerry Jaks story. Days of our Lives had their spectacular DAYSaster episode with tons of very cool special effects. The Young and the Restless showed that their directors work with great talent and can get them to deliver the goods, while The Bold and the Beautiful showcased their Italian remote set against the backdrop of one of Hope and Liam’s weddings! So, we are going with GH, but we could be very wrong here. A real toss-up!

Now that you have read our predictions, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Who should win in the Daytime Drama Categories on Sunday night? Let us know!