News
Patrika Darbo’s Daytime Emmy Revoked by NATAS After Submission Guideline Violation Investigation
After an internal investigation, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) had to make the heartbreaking decision to revoke soap opera favorite Patrika Darbo’s (Ex-Nancy Days, and Shirley B&B) Daytime Emmy; that she received at the 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards this April.
Darbo won the gold for her role as Mickey Walker on The Bay. She won in the category of Outstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama Series.
According to Variety, it was determined that Darbo’s submission reel for competition contained two violations of the official rules. One, that she had previously appeared on the show, and two, that her reel contained material from more than one episode.
However, NATAS Sr. VP Daytime Emmy Awards, David Michaels, clarified to Michael Fairman TV, “Patrika’s violation was based solely on the previous appearance – not on number of episodes.”
But the story has a few twists and turns to it. A NATAS rep commented that they immediately commissioned a thorough internal investigation, and determined that Patrika Darbo and Thomas Calabro, both of Amazon’s The Bay, should have been deemed ineligible, as they had each appeared in a prior season of the program.
Darbo spoke to The Bay’s Gregori J. Martin, who told her the situation was being looked in to and then received word from David Michaels, who told her the investigation was completed and the ruling was not in her favor.
“Early on, I owned this mistake,” David Michaels expressed. “I had spent most of the day vetting supporting categories, then I switched over to (guest). My big mistake was not noticing some of the entries weren’t following the one-episode rule.”
Then, in another shocking twist, after Darbo was notified that they would be taking back her Emmy, the plan was to give the award to the performer in the category with the next highest number of votes. That turned out to be All My Children’s Jennifer Bassey, who appeared as Everly Newman in Anacostia. Bassey was informed she would be receiving the Emmy, but then, in yet another twist, found out that her win was also being retracted after it was determined that her submission reel also included scenes from more than one episode. When she found out that she wasn’t getting the Emmy, according to Anacostia creator, Anthony Anderson, “She broke down, it was unbearable to listen to.”
David Michaels, who was dealing with the submissions and executive producing the ceremony that live-streamed on April 29th, clearly had a lot on his plate. Paul Pillitteri, Sr. VP of Public Relations and Communications NATAS, said, “Human mistake is human mistake, upon further review, it seemed that the entire category was questionable. Everybody was a little off. The awards committee decided instead there would be no Emmy in the Guest Performer category this year.”
NATAS started looking into their submission investigation after communication was received from Ladies of the Lake EP, Michael Caruso. This occured two days prior to the Creative Arts Daytime Emmy ceremony, where the majority of the digital category winners are announced.
Michaels recalls asking Caruso if this was something that could wait till after the awards ceremony. “If I had been told, ‘No, this can’t wait till next week,’ this all would have gone differently, I didn’t actually have all the facts until after the show.”
Because of the determination of the awards committee, moving forward, there are proposed changes in the competition.
However for Darbo, who is a previous Primetime Emmy winner, and who sits on the board of governors for the TV Academy, she has this to say: “If you’re taking away mine, you have to take (other perceived violators’) because you have a cloud over you. It’s a sad thing that I’m going to lose my Emmy because of a paperwork error, but if we let little things like that go through we are negating the Emmy brand and that cannot happen.” Darbo ends with that she would ask to, “please see how we’re submitting and what’s going on. Because this has really broken my heart.”
In an official statement released today by NATAS, they offered up: “While the Daytime judges found each performance worthy of distinction, and the investigation determined that neither performer was involved in the selection of categories in which their performances were submitted, prior-season appearances are nonetheless a disqualifying violation of the guidelines for the category. Ms. Darbo’s Daytime Emmy Award and nomination and Mr. Calabro’s nomination have been withdrawn. Other nominations in the category will remain, but no Emmy Award will be presented in the category this year.”
“NATAS also investigated whether entrants in this or other categories violated guidelines limiting the number of program episodes from which submitted excerpts could be drawn. The questioned materials were often fleeting, representing only a single line of dialogue, and their inclusion was deemed not to have impacted the outcome of the competition. Further, in retrospect, the guidelines were not sufficiently reflective of current digital distribution trends, causing ambiguity regarding the submissions’ qualification. The questioned entries will not be penalized for this ambiguity, and the guidelines will be updated for future competitions.”
So, what do you think about Patrika having to return her Emmy? What do you think about the guidelines and submission policies of the Daytime Emmy Digital Drama category? Share your thoughts on this series of unfortunate events via the comment section below.
Michael Fairman TV will have more on the Emmy revocation in a follow up interview with David Michaels forthcoming.
There have been many great performances from the actors through the decades.
Not all the actors subject themselves to being judged and they do not submit clips.
I say; good for them!
Why any actor would submit their work for judgement by the whomevers, is beyond me.
I admire the actors that have no need for validation by not submitting their work . I , as others, know which are the best.
(but- that’s just the way I see it ))
I think you made a lot good points and I too believe most actors do not need or want an “award” to validate their hard work. However in every industry there are ways to recognize work that is outstanding– not BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE– but work that goes beyond the expected standards– and I do believe in those cases “awards” have a place. Unfortunately the Emmy system has corrupted those noble values over the years and the system in place to deemed who warrants the “Outstanding” distinction flawed that at this point I think the whole thing should be scrapped. In the end like you said, the viewers know and appreciate the quality work– we don’t need the Emmy people to tell us who is outstanding.
Its crazy and stupid feel bad for her, now I am thinking this whole EMMY’s for daytime is nothing but rigged from the beginning, it’s not like it used to be, it’s 2018 they committee only picks their favorites to win it all. Y&R has been on top from the beginning, they cannot win top soap, directing, writing, etc.. but Days can really? It’s rigged no wonder it’s not show on regular TV anymore and you have to watch it online- that’s for the birds.
“It’s not like it used to be”? The Emmys were never fair bcuz the CBS shows voted together. The ABC shows voted together. The P&G shows voted together. DAYS never had a chance bcuz they were the lone NBC show. Now, that most of those shows are gone, DAYS is finally breaking thru. Which is sad bcuz it never should’ve been like that to begin with. You’re supposed to vote for the best performance…..not for whoever is on the same show/network as you.
The emmys arent as entertaining and good as it used to be…daytime has really gone downhl!!!
This “startling” revelation would have mattered more if they cared about how important watching the Emmys are to fans. Snatching the show off the air, snatching back Emmys. Well done. Well done.
It seems odd that performers are only eligible as guests in the first season they appear. In the Prime Time Emmy’s these errors are corrected during the voting period. If you get all the way to the awards presentation, win, and receive the Emmy then the performer should not be penalized. Then the Academy has to suck it up because they didn’t catch the error. Clearly, the rules are not clearly stated to the performers if 2 of the nominees, the 2 with the most votes!, both made errors which do not appear to be purposeful… Ugh.. this sucks!
Seems odd. Vernee Watson won as guest performer for GH yet, she has been in a bunch of episodes. How does this differ or how did it not violate the same rules as PD’s win?
This should NOT have happened!
It’s NATAS fault, and they should have just said…”In the future this can’t happen”…and left things as they were!
It’s not the actors fault they fucked up!
And they did it more than once!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
Today’s Monday, July 13 episode of General Hospital marks it 16,000 episode to air on the ABC television network. It is a remarkable milestone. The previous television record was held by Guiding Light which clocked in at 15,762 episodes before it went off the air on CBS in 2009.
To mark the occasion, the cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony on the Prospect Studios lot in Los Angeles back on Monday, June 1, 2026.
In addition, GH has released a new cast photo taken the day of the on set celebration. Pictured in the photo are front row: Rory Gibson, Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski, Asher Antonyzyn, Giovanni Mazza, Braedyn Bruner, Dean Geyer and Nathan Dean.
Featured in the back row are: Tabyana Ali, Eden McCoy, Josh Swickard, Kristen Vaganos, Rebecca Herbst, Dominic Zamprogna, Alexa Havins, Cameron Mathison, Brooke Kerr, Cynthia Watros, Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Jane Elliot, Maurice Benard, Laura Wright, Maura West, Donnell Turner, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Kelly Thiebaud, Kristina Wagner, Lynn Herring, Chris McKenna, Katelyn MacMullen and Sawandi Wilson.
In addition, the official GH social media handles shared these sentiments along with some other photos from the cake cutting: “Today’s episode of General Hospital is the 16,000th produced since the show’s inception in 1963. It’s a milestone we couldn’t let pass by without taking some time to celebrate as a family (and, of course… eating some cake). 🍰 We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did making it.”
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE 16,000th Episode?
The 16,000th episode will feature Jason Morgan returning to the town of Port Charles, Anna and Valentin (James Patrick Stewart) reuniting, and a new surgeon, Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) joining the staff of ‘General Hospital.’
GENERAL HOSPITAL HOLDS SEVERAL RECORDS
Now in its 64th year, Emmy Award-winning daytime drama General Hospital is currently both the longest-running scripted American drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production.
General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 18 times. Will they do it again and make it 19 in 2026? Stay tuned for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations tomorrow on Tuesday, July 14 to find out if GH will be going for gold in the category, once again.
The ABC daytime drama series was created by Frank and Doris Hursley and premiered back on April 1, 1963. Frank Valentini is the current executive producer with Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten are the show’s co-head writers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams on Hulu.
What do you think of the new cast photo marking General Hospital’s 16000th episode? What do you think of the accomplishment to have that many episodes of a television show and its still thriving and kicking? Share your thoughts and congrats for everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes on this milestone airing.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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