Friday night, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ (NATAS) 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were handed out in 15 categories on a live telecast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.  When the dust settled, it was ABC’s General Hospital who took the night’s top prize for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series.

This marks GH’s continued record-breaking number of wins in this category and brings it up to 15 victories for the iconic show, which is currently in its 59th year on the air.  GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini accepted the award on behalf of everyone connected with the show, when Drew Barrymore presented the final award of the night.

Photo: JPI

The night also brought with it the historic win of The Young and the Restless’ Mishael Morgan (Amanda Sinclair). The actress became the first black actress in Daytime Emmy history to ever take home the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy.  In the emotional highpoint of the evening, in terms of acceptance speeches and significance, Morgan spoke to the current generation breaking glass ceilings.

Morgan expressed: “We are breaking glass ceilings left right and center and I am so honored to be a vessel and to experience this moment. Everybody out there today, we can do this thing called equality and unity together.”  In her speech, Mishael shared: “I was born on a tiny island in the Caribbean, and I’m now standing on an international stage and I am being honored regardless of the color of my skin, regardless of my passport, for being the best at what I do, Now there are little girls around the world and no matter what the industry, the vocation they can strive to be the best.”

Veteran actor, John McCook who has played Eric Forrrester on The Bold and the Beautiful for over 35 years, finally won his first ever Emmy after four previous nominations in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Courtesy/CBS

The Supporting Actor and Actress in a Drama Series trophies went to two standouts from General Hospital, Kelly Thiebaud (Britt) and Jeff Kober (Cyrus), while Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Spencer), added another mantle to the GH trophy case with his first win for Outstanding Younger Performer.

Days of our Lives writing team led by Ron Carlivati took home the gold for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series, while GH won for Direction.

The biggest winner in terms of total gold belonged to The Kelly Clarkson Show. When all was said and done, between the Creative Arts ceremonies held last weekend, and last night, the talk show took home 7 awards including: Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show and Talk Show Host. General Hospital followed with five total wins for Daytime Emmys 2022.

The ceremonies featured DAYS Suzanne Rogers (Maggie) anchoring the Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to her longtime co-star John Aniston (Victor), who was not present, with the help of John’s daughter, Jennifer Aniston, who was seen on tape.

Susan Lucci (Ex-Erica, All My Children) made her first public appearance since the passing of her beloved husband, Helmut Huber and introduced the In Memoriam segment.  Grammy-winner Michael Bolton performed his classic tune “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” during the tribute.

Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner were the hosts for the telecast, and with the overturning of the Supreme Court Roe vs. Wade decision on everyone’s mind last night, Turner gave a nod to how she and so many others felt, when Frazier told her how nice she looked in her dress. Nishcelle commented, “I chose this dress. It was my choice.”  That moment received huge applause from the audience in attendance.

Check out the full winners circle list from last night’s 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards below. 

Then let us know, are you happy with the results? Who were you most thrilled to see take home an Emmy? What did you think of the telecast? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

Outstanding Daytime Drama Series

General Hospital 

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama, Actress

Mishael Morgan, The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lead Performance In A Daytime Drama, Actor

John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Supporting Performance, Actor, in a Daytime Drama

Jeff Kober, General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Performance, Actress, in a Daytime Drama

Kelly Thiebaud, General Hospital

Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series

Nicholas Chavez, General Hospital

Outstanding Writing Team For a Daytime Drama

Days of Our Lives

Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series

General Hospital

Outstanding Game Show Host

Steve Harvey, Family Feud 

Outstanding Game Show

Jeopardy!

Outstanding Entertainment News Series

Entertainment Tonight

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host

Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show

Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show

Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show

Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host

Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall

Outstanding Informative Talk Show

Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts 

Coming up on Days of our Lives, both Lani and Eli Grant will be written off the canvas to facilitate the departures of Lamon Archey (Eli) and Sal Stowers (Lani).

According to the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Archey who stepped into the role in 2017, has made the decision to leave the long-running NBC soap opera, and will last air the week of July 4.

As for Stowers, she will last air on Friday, July 1st, and given her current storyline, it looks like Lani, who has confessed to murdering TJ (William Christian), will either be sent to prison, or will exit Salem with Eli.

This would not be the first-time that Stowers has departed DAYS.  After her debut in 2015, she was off the Salem canvas for a six-month break in 2016, before returning to the show through 2022.

We will share more information on Lamon and Sal’s exits as it comes to light.

For now, how do you feel about Lamon and Sal leaving Days of our Lives? Comment below.

The Daytime Emmys are just three days away when the gold statuettes are handed out on the 49th Annual Awards Show telecast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 24th (9pm EST).

Ahead of the ceremonies, NATAS President and CEO, Adam Sharp, spoke to Variety to give some details of what viewers may be on the lookout for when the broadcast returns, with an all-live presentation for the first time since 2019, and through the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused it to pivot to virtual ceremonies for the last two years.

Photo: NATAS

Now, Sharp shares that with the previously announced realignment that will see Children’s & Family programming having its own Emmy that, “The telecast will be very squarely focused on the dramas, talk shows and game shows.”  He also adds: “It will be a bit more focused.”

With an audience present this year, Sharp is counting on the live element to heighten the awards night fun and drama. expressing, “Hopefully that  excitement conveys to the viewers.  I think you’ll see us try to put a lot of that interaction on display.”

This year’s Daytime Emmys will feature 14 categories which Sharp hopes streamlines the broadcast and keeps it to a tight two-hour celebration of daytime.

Previously, NATAS and the TV Academy (which administers the Primetime Emmys), decided to move away from day part distinctions and focus more on genre. In addition, streaming series featuring soap notables, such as Studio City and The Bay, will be competing for nomination slots in September’s Primetime Emmys.

So, looking forward to this year’s Daytime Emmy telecast? Comment below.