Two of The Bold and the Beautiful’s leading ladies, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) and Annika Noelle (Hope), are in the running for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Original series star Lang, along with Noelle, play mother and daughter on the series, which makes for an interesting dynamic on-screen and off. For Katherine, this marks her fourth Daytime Emmy Acting nomination. She previously won a producer Emmy for Venice the Series, and for Annika, this is her first Lead Actress nomination after previously scoring a nod in the Supporting Actress category.

On B&B, Brooke and Hope have had a rocky road this past year, with Brooke disapproving of Hope giving into her feelings and desires for Thomas (Matthew Atkinson), and the dissolution of her marriage to Liam (Scott Clifton). Meanwhile, Hope watched Brooke have marital troubles with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), in part to Taylor (Krista Allen), only for her to win him back.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto

The two actresses chatted with Michael Fairman for an exclusive livestream interview this week on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where they shared their thoughts, reactions and scenes from their nominated reels, how they see the current climate between Brooke and Hope, and much more. Below are some excerpts from the conversation.

Katherine, what are your thoughts on getting a Lead Actress nomination as this point in your career?

KATHERINE: I think it’s great. I was so happy to be nominated. It was unexpected, but I was really happy about it.  Of course, I think everybody wants to be nominated, or get an Emmy at some point in their life, especially if they’ve been on a show for a very long time and you put a lot of work in. You do many, many scenes and hopefully, good enough scenes to be able to be nominated, and get in into the running. But yes, it’s hard to me. It’s hard every time when it comes around. I get anxiety whenever Emmy-time comes around.

Photo: JPI

What scenes were on both of your nominated reels?

KATHERINE: I just submitted the two back to back shows that I had between Brooke and Taylor (Krista Allen). It was when their relationship came to an end because they became friends, which was really nice. They swore off Ridge, which was great, and they had a nice relationship for a little while. But then, Brooke finally realized Taylor still had her sights on Ridge and this wasn’t going to work. So, she ended the relationship with Taylor. At that point, she really had it with Taylor, because she really trusted her and she really liked their friendship. She was shocked to find out what Taylor was still doing and how she still wanted Ridge in the end. And so for Brooke, there was no going back after that.

Photo: JPI

ANNIKA: My reel launched into Hope’s denial of “I’m nothing like you, mom. I have a solid marriage.” Cut to Liam confronting her about what happened in Rome and the choices that were made there. And then Brooke walking in on her and Thomas together and mother/daughter going toe to toe, and then finally kind of wrapping it up with Hope just coming into her own and just not being so swayed by other people’s choices.

Is it difficult for you to chose to enter into the Daytime Emmy race?

KATHERINE: I don’t want to do a competition, because we do this for a living, because we love it. I think if you don’t love it, you won’t be here for very long. So, it just feels weird in a way that it has to be a judging where everybody’s judged against each other.  I don’t like that feeling because I like it all to be about family, which it is. Sometimes in a competition it can get kind of of strange. So to me, the prize is just coming to work every single day, getting to work with wonderful people like Annika, everybody in the office, the producers, the writers, the directors, the crew, and just working with everybody. It’s wonderful how we all work so well together and just being able to do something that I love to do every single day and play this character of Brooke on a TV show on CBS.

ANNIKA: I would have never thought in a million years you would get anxious from it. For me, it’s very obvious that I get very anxious.

Photo: JPI

Katherine, what do you recall about Annika when you first met her and then shared scenes with her, after having Kim Matula as her predecessor in the part?

KATHERINE: Honestly, it was super easy to work with Annika. She just fell right into the character. I loved her immediately and her energy. Actually, I got to read with her. I loved her, even then in the reading. I was kind of mesmerized with her, like her eyes. She’s very innocent, open face, and you can feel her. I loved Kim Matula, too, who played Hope before Annika, and there was a little time between them. It was nice that they didn’t recast somebody right away, because that’s always kind of shocking. You want to give it a little time, and for the audience to accept it and to find somebody new and bring them on. People come and go andyou have to kind of go with the flow.

Annika, what was your first impression upon meeting Katherine?

ANNIKA: Oh, I understood that this was the legend who had been on the show since the beginning. I think you were my second callback. I think the first one I read with Scott Clifton (Liam). When they called me back again and they had me read with you, I remember I just opened the doors and she was just  standing there. I was like, “Oh, Gosh. Okay. I’m reading with Katherine Kelly Lang.” She was very professional, knew her lines like back and forth, and she was saying the lines as if she was really the character. It wasn’t even like acting. That’s how good she is.

Photo: JPI

Where do you think Brooke and Hope’s relationship is at now?

ANNIKA: Brooke and Hope have maybe ironed out some misunderstandings. I think there’s still that little bit of Hope’s baggage or just unresolved trauma, or she needs to go see a psychiatrist about not wanting to become like her mother. I think she acted out in a lot of ways within the Thomas storyline.

KATHERINE: Brooke wasn’t happy with Hope and Thomas. She didn’t approve. Brooke’s a little bit more relieved and doesn’t have to deal with that pressure and can get back to the relationship with her daughter. I think they’re really good friends and I think they have a good understanding of each other and their positions within this relationship. I think it’s only going to get stronger and better, when they realize that they are two powerhouses together.

Photo: JPI

Remember when Brooke and Thomas had their psychedelic berry trip and we didn’t know if they slept together?

ANNIKA: I try not to think about it. (Laughs)

KATHERINE: Well, I loved it! I almost have to say that was my favorite fun story. In it, our plane crashed in the ocean and this was a huge production. They had made a pool inside a hangar, and then the pool was full with broken plane pieces, and we are sputtering up out of the water. It was dark and misty, they had the smoke, everything. It looked like a movie. So, we got to do that which was so much fun. When we were stranded on the island, we actually shot those scenes in Malibu. But, they also made a huge deserted island on set. It was humongous. It almost took up the whole stage, and that’s when Brooke and Thomas were high on berries, and the flowers would come out of the the cave. There were a lot of CGI effects. It was crazy and incredible. Adam Gregory was playing Thomas then, and we had a lot of fun. We never knew if Thomas and Brooke actually did it or not, but then it turned out they didn’t, because they realized it was like something in a dream.

ANNIKA: We like to keep things vague.

Photo: JPI

The show, at times, likes to pull out the classic line, “Slut from the Valley.” How do you feel about your character being called that when it was originated by Stephanie Forrester, who used to dig at Brooke?

KATHERINE: Do I mind, “Slut from the Valley?” I didn’t mind it when Stephanie (Susan Flannery) would say it, but I kind of mind it when other people say it.  I thought that was Stephanie’s line, and that should just come from her.

Photo: JPI

Annika, one of the hottest topics on B&B’s fans mind in our live chat, is when Thomas returns from Paris, will he and Hope rekindle their relationship or is it truly over?

ANNIKA: I’m just as in the dark as everyone else about what is to come with that. So, I’m kind of waiting on pins and needles to see if we revisit it, or if Thomas has moved on. I’m just so curious to see what is to come. I think we’re going to find out very soon.

Check out the full video interview with Katherine and Annika below. Now let us know, do you enjoy the mother/daughter scenes between Brooke and Hope as played by Katherine and Annika? Are you rooting for one of them to win the Daytime Emmy for Lead Actress? What do you think will happen in the future for Brooke and for Hope? Weigh-in below.

The Young and the Restless’ iconic Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination in 20 years, when NATAS and the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed who would be going for gold at the upcoming ceremony on June 7th live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

The iconic Braeden is a past Lead Actor recipient having won back in 1998. However, the last time Eric was nominated in the category was 2004. Throughout his enduring run on the top-rated CBS soap opera, he has now received a total of 9 Lead Actor nominations and a 10th, when back in 2002, along with Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki), they were nominated in the now defunct and then special fan voted category for “America’s Favorite Couple.”

This year, Eric’s nominated reel features scenes between Victor and Adam (Mark Grossman) where they discuss their fractured relationship as father and son, and the struggles and conflicts they have had personally and in business. In addition, Braeden also shares scenes with Melody Thomas Scott’s Nikki, where Victor voices his disappointment that the Newman children seemingly can’t get along and work together within the Newman dynasty. In Eric’s reel, the only characters who make appearances are the aforementioned Adam and Nikki.

Photo: JPI

Michael Fairman visited the set of The Young and the Restless for a special video sit-down with the legendary star exclusively for the Michael Fairman Channel. 

During the conversation, Eric touched upon why he will participate in the Daytime Emmys at this point in his career due to changes in the voting procedures, his most embarrassing Emmy moment, how he feels about his fellow nominees, and that he wilattending this year’s ceremony.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview below, followed by the full video interview in its entirety.

How does it feel to get your first Lead Actor nomination in 20 years?

ERIC: You can’t help but feel very good about it. I had not submitted any stuff for more than 10 years, because I didn’t believe in the voting process. Finally, the academy had the sense to invite outsiders to widen the circle of those who vote for this. You cannot ask for objectivity when you vote from within only your company. That’s nonsense. Then, personalities play a role in who likes who. I’m very happy about the nomination, though.

You had some scenes between father and son on your nominated reel, as Victor and Adam (Mark Grossman) discuss their complex relationship and history. How was working with Mark?

ERIC: Mark Grossman is a wonderful actor. He’s a good actor.

You would up this year in a Lead Actor category that also features: John McCook (Eric, B&B), Thorsten Kaye (Ridge, B&B), Scott Clifton (Liam, B&B), and Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS). I think you know some of these gentlemen?

ERIC: Thorsten Kaye is a very good actor. I’ve known John McCook for 150 years, I think 140 years, maybe. And the other gentlemen, I don’t know, but I’m sure they’re all worthy of receiving the same award.

Photos: CBS and JPI

I talked to Eric Martsolf after he received his Daytime Emmy nomination, and he said he’s so honored to be in the category with you, and that his late mother would be so thrilled that he’s in the category with Victor Newman. My late mom felt the same way when she came to the set and met you years ago. For so many people, you are the guy they all want to meet.

ERIC: That’s nice. That’s really very touching to know. This medium in that sense has been wonderful. As I’ve told you before, I joined this reluctantly and signed on for three months, and here I am 44 years later. That’s very nice to know about Eric’s mother, and your mother.

What was your reaction to finding out you were nominated?

ERIC: To be very frank with you, I was very happy. I said “Oh, that’s nice.” Someone had listened because I’d complained for years about the voting system, and it was based on pure laziness as far as I’m concerned. There are 150,000 registered actors in Hollywood. You can’t tell me that you can vote only from within your company. It’s nonsense. It’s not right. You know, let other actors from the outside be judges of what they see.

Photo: Courtesy/NATAS

I believe when you won in 1998, you didn’t go to the Emmy’s, right?

ERIC: I was doing a Shakespeare play that evening, if I recall. However, I’ve got to tell you about the most embarrassing moment. Aretha Franklin was a big fan of the show and of mine. She had asked me if I would present with her at Radio City Music Hall in New York. These producers when you accept an award, be it the Oscars or whatever it is, they will sit in the booth, and they say, “Move on, move on, move on.” They want you to get on and off stage very quickly. That should not be allowed. When you receive an award, then it should last a little. So, there’s a ticker thing in front of me, and you look at it and kept on saying, “Eric Braeden move on.” I’d hardly been there with Aretha Franklin and I wanted to thank Bill Bell (co-creator and former head writer, Y&R). We owe everything to him. We owe everything to that man’s foundation and his genius. So, I stood there with Aretha and I saw again “Eric Braeden.” So I said, “And I would like to thank Eric Braeden.” The moment I said it, I wanted to sink in to the ground. Fortunately, it was a long time ago, but I had to bring it up again because I’ll never forget it.

Photo: CBS

You’ve done so much for this industry, so much for Y&R, and the soaps. You’re an icon in it. It must be nice to get recognized by your peers, at this point in your career.

ERIC: It felt wonderful, no question. I even sent the nominating announcement to my brothers in German. I’m very happy about it, very proud of it, you know.

So, will you be rooting for Eric come Emmy night to take home his first Lead Actor Emmy in 20 years? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

The Bold and the Beautiful received 12 Daytime Emmy nominations for the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards tied with The Young and the Restless for the most of any show. Of those 12 nods, 7 were acting nominations for its cast. One of the names who made the Lead Actor race was a very familiar face to Emmy voters, and a three-time winner, Scott Clifton (Liam).

For the first-time in the shows 37-year history, three leading actors from the soap made the grade and find themselves up against each other on Emmy night: Clifton, Thorsten Kaye (Ridge) and John McCook (Eric). While Kaye won the 2023 gold statuette in the category and McCook won in 2022, the last time Clifton won in this category was 2017.

Scott also holds the Daytime Emmy record for the only actor to win in all three acting categories: ‘Younger’ in 2011, ‘Supporting’ in 2013 and then the aforementioned ‘Lead’ category. This year, also marks Clifton’s 10th Daytime Emmy nomination, having also picked up nods early in his career for his work as Dillon Quartermaine on General Hospital and as Schuyler Joplin on One Life to Live.

Photo: MFTV Inc

On Friday, April 26th, The Bold and the Beautiful held an on set celebration to honor this year’s nominated cast, crew and creatives. When B&B executive producer and head writer, Brad Bell introduced Scott Clifton, as one of the three actors from the series being recognized at Emmy time, Clifton addressed those in attendance.

Scott expressed, “I’m grateful to you, Brad Bell, and this family you created. I know at the end of my life, I’m not going to remember winning Emmys. I’m going to remember that I was nominated alongside John McCook and Thorsten Kaye. That’s what I’m going to remember, and that’s still blowing my mind, on the shoulders of giants doesn’t do it justice. So thank you, for that one.”

Photo: JPI

Following the acknowledgements, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Scott to gain some insight into what scenes he submitted on his Emmy reel, how he feels being back in the Emmy competition an, and more. Here’s what he shared below.

What scenes did you submit that landed you this Lead Actor nomination?

SCOTT: When Hope (Annika Noelle) and Liam come back home from Rome. It’s just two episodes in a row. That’s all it was, which was new for me. I’ve never really submitted a reel like that. But, it’s where Liam confronts Hope about kissing Thomas (Matthew Atkinson). It’s a side of Liam I don’t think, at least any Emmy voters have seen before where he’s just an asshole. Of course, he’s hurt and he is angry and he feels betrayed. But, he is sort of toying with Hope, almost. And then it turns into this somewhat cruel interrogation scene. Annika was incredible. It wouldn’t have worked without her performance.

Photo: JPI

It was the scene where Liam is pushing Hope to admit she kissed Thomas, going “C’mon, say it, Hope! Say it with me?”

SCOTT: Correct. Liam’s going, “I want you to say it. You say it.” That’s somewhat in the middle of the reel, and there was just sort of this lead up to that. It ends with Hope kind of pleading and begging to Liam, saying, “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I still love you.” Liam’s still emotional, but he is saying, “I don’t know how that could be true.” That’s just kind of where it ends. I hadn’t planned on submitting anything. It wasn’t like I was submitting because I thought I had a good year going,”Now, which scenes do I find?” I had multiple people here that I trust, Eva Basler (VP Communications and Talent Relations, B&B) and Rachel Herman (Associate Producer, B&B), come up to me and say, “Just submit those scenes, please.”, I said, “okay.” And I did, and then this happened, which blew me away.

Did you think that, perhaps, would never receive a nomination again in your role as Liam?

SCOTT: I kind of thought the whole ‘Emmy nominations’ were over for me. They gave me three already.

Photo: NATAS

And, you hold the record for the only actor win in the Younger, Supporting and Lead categories.

SCOTT: I know, and now one of those categories doesn’t exist anymore, and that’s a bummer. And then, after that third one, I didn’t get nominated for like five years or something like that.

But in those five years, did you still submit yourself, though?

SCOTT: I fought hard not to because I wanted to give everybody a break and disappear for a while. And that comes from a place of like support and encouragement, but the show really wanted me to submit every year, even when I didn’t feel like I had anything. My argument was, this is a mistake. Emmy voter time is valuable and they don’t want to see something that you’re not totally proud of, and I don’t want to create resentment about me or the show. I would wager to say I was right. Then finally, the last two years, the show said, “OK, fine, you don’t want to submit, you don’t have to submit”. And then this year, the Emmy voters gave me the nomination. I feel good about that.

In the scenes you submitted, Liam wasn’t a doofus. He stood up for himself in it, which was good. He wasn’t going to lay down and let Hope just run over him with her betrayal.

SCOTT: We’ve seen kind of the vulnerable Liam, we’ve seen Liam scrambling to be heard, but he was in control throughout all these scenes. That’s a side that I had not played much before, and that the Emmy voters certainly haven’t seen me do.

Photo: JPI

Now, who do you root for yourself, John McCook or Thorsten Kaye since B&B holds three of the five slots in the Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series this year?

SCOTT: Oh, God. If any one of us gets it, that would be fantastic. Think about it. In terms of game theory, the value in getting an Emmy nomination is that you have a chance of winning an award for the show, right? The more we can get nominations, the more awards we can win. Those are awards for the show. That helps with ratings, it helps with the contract with the network. It’s all good. It inspires Brad to write more. So, I don’t care, honestly, but we have a three out of five chance of getting the show another Lead Actor Emmy which is huge. So, I’m rooting for any one of us.

Who did you first tell that you were Emmy-nominated?

SCOTT:  I was with my girlfriend, Elle. I was getting out of the shower and I’ve got like a towel barely around me and I got a phone call from Eva Basler. Then, Elle, she just saw the look on my face, and she could only hear my side of it, but she was trying to figure out what was going on. Then, I got off the phone and she went, “Did you just get nominated for Emmy?” And I said, “Yeah, I think I did.”

Make sure to tune-in to the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ beginning at 8pm ET/ delayed on the west coast.

Now below, check out some of the moments from the scenes that Scott included in his Emmy-nominated where Liam confronts Hope about her betrayal of kissing Thomas in Rome. Then, let us know, will you be rooting for Scott to take home the Lead Actor Emmy this year? What did you think about his nominated performance? Share your thoughts in the comment section.