News
Should there be less acting noms at Emmys, if there are less Soaps?

Courtesy/NATAS
In an interesting commentary and revealing piece today from veteran soap journalist, Michael Maloney for Variety, he takes a look at if the Daytime Emmys should consider limiting the number of acting nominees in the acting categories, with only six soaps on the air. And, if NATAS should do away with the Younger Actor and Actress categories, as well as if the Guest-Star category should return. Maloney spoke to a number of soap vets for their thoughts as well. Here are what a few had to say:
Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R) ” They do need to change. You can’t have five (nominees) with only six shows. If you do, you may as well throw one from every show in.” Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R) “I don’t think there should be younger actor or actress categories. If you’re that good, then you can be up there with (older actors), the way Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense) and Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit) have been at the Oscars.” Ken Corday (DAYS, EP) argued the other side of the coin, that NATAS and the Emmys should keep the younger set categories because, “there will be more awards to give out.”
What do you think? Should we honor less actors, in a genre which gets very little recognition anyway? Or, are they right, since there is less of a talent pool with the dwindling number of shows? Let us know your thoughts.
All My Children
Mark Consuelos Celebrates Kelly Ripa’s 56th Birthday on ‘Live,’ But Remember When Wendy Williams Outed the Couple as Married Before Anyone at ‘All My Children’ Knew?

On the Friday, October 2 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, the morning talk show marked the 56th birthday of Kelly Ripa (ex-Hayley Vaughan Santos, All My Children).
During the opening segment, Mark Consuelos (ex-Mateo Santos, All My Children) humorously comparing his wife to both Gandhi and Groucho Marx, reflecting on both her comedic ability and peaceful ways.
Later, they went on to discuss the origins of her name and the most popular picks to name babies back in the year she was born, 1970. They were Kimberly, Lisa, and Jennifer for girls and Michael, David, and James for the boys.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Ripa recalled that she learned she was almost named Kim. However, their neighbors at the time had two daughters Kelly and Kim, which is what her parents wanted to call them, but they settled on Kelly and and her younger sister, Linda.
At the conclusion of the episode, Mark rolled out a huge cake for his wife. It was, “Happy birthday from all of us here at Live and at home.” Next, he cut the cake, and Ripa grabbed his face and gave him a “thank you” kiss.

Photo: JPI
KELLY AND MARK TRIED TO KEEP THEIR VEGAS WEDDING ON THE DOWN LOW
All of this brings back memories of how Kelly and Mark’s Las Vegas wedding ceremony went public in 1996 while the two were still on All My Children playing Mateo Santos and Hayley Vaughan. In essence, they were outed by then radio host Wendy Williams! They discussed it on the talk show back in 2024.
In fact, the duo hid their marriage from their All My Children castmates for months, until they found out Williams got wind of the nuptials and spread the intel on the airwaves.
The two recalled their secret wedding on a 2024 episode of Live! “We’d eloped. It’d been a few months at that point. We’d been married for three months, nobody at All My Children knew we were even dating, much less married to each other. We’re brushing our teeth and we’ve got Wendy Williams’ radio show on. We’re listening, and she’s like, ‘I’ve got celebrity dish!”
EYEWITNESS
Next Ripa continued, “The celebrities,’ I guess they had a broad use of the term back then, was the fact that ‘two soap stars from All My Children, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos eloped in Las Vegas.’ There was this eyewitness that worked in the Clark County courthouse that said we eloped, and the news broke, and we had to tell everybody we were married.”
Live With Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication. Check your local listings for times in your area.
Share your birthday wishes for Kelly in the comment section, and let us know your thoughts on how Wendy Williams broadcast the news, unbeknownst to the All My Children newlyweds, that they tied the knot in Vegas? Check out Mark and the ‘Live’ studio audience singing ‘happy birthday’ to Kelly in the post below.
View this post on Instagram
Beyond the Gates
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life

As previously reported, kicking off today, is a two-part Beyond the Gates, when The Duprees gather to celebrate Banneker University’s homecoming weekend.
The producers and writers are taking an opportunity to spotlight the rich traditions of the long-held tradition of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its fictional university.
The episodes are today on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Friday, October 2 and next week on Monday, October 5, where in true Beyond the Gates fashion, there will be some surprising drama that ensues when someone shows up!

Photo: CBS
BANNEKER REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HBCUS
Sheila Duckworth, (executive producer, Beyond the Gates) spoke to Soaps.com to give some insight on the decision for the series to illustrate the ties that bind with HBCUs.
“It was important that we have this school as almost a character on our canvas, right from the beginning. Beyond even education, HBCUs have been pivotal when it comes to everything from economic progression and fostering a sense of community to the development of leadership skills,” explained Ducksworth. “From the beginning, we wanted to illustrate that what the Duprees are able to do in the world was a direct reflection of the impact HBCU’s have in real life.”
EVERYTHING HAS ITS PURPOSE
The EP talked about how purposeful the elements that integrate Banneker into the overall story of Beyond the Gates are including: the Dupree family door knocker that is a lion, the mascot for the fictional university, plus, the upcoming fight song that the cast will sing together on the Monday, October 5 episode, and the painting the hangs at Fairmont Crest.
That portrait of Vernon Dupree’s (Clifton Davis) father, George Cheeks Dupree, that hangs prominently at the country club, was named after CBS executive George Cheeks (now Chairman of TV and Media, Paramount), and as Ducksworth says of the legacy of Vernon’s father, “He was the architect of Fairmont Crest.”
So, are you looking forward to these episodes honoring HBCU traditions with the Dupree and the Richardson clans? What surprises do you think might be in store come next week? Let us know via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver

After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”

Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
-

Days Of Our Lives3 days agoREPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
-

Beyond the Gates3 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
-
General Hospital1 week agoAlley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
-
News1 week agoJudith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
-

Beyond the Gates7 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
News5 days agoY&R Alum Thad Luckinbill Cast in New Thriller ‘Copperhead’
-

Beyond the Gates22 hours agoTUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
-
News1 week agoMatthew Atkinson Reveals New Project ‘Into the Wilderness’











Well, could we have an emmy for the actors and actresses who throw their names in for not even having a lead story! Mr. LeBlanc and Mr. Bergman neither one of these guys have had a LEAD Story this last year! Campaigning is a turn off!
Exactly!!!
The genre unfortunately gets very little recognition, but that’s at no fault to the actors. Daytime actors are unquestionably some of the hardest working actors: memorization of lengthy script dialogue on a very regular basis, working through long production hours on a weekly basis, minimal rehersal time, and decreasing job stability all contribute to what makes these actors strong, and worthy of formal recognition just as actors who work in other mediums. Further, there may be less of a talent pool in terms of numbers, but it’s certainly stronger now with less shows on the air and more vets and previously established actors finding work on currently existing shows. In some ways, there is arguably now more competition for the gold, but now there’s arguably an easier chance to win as a result of the smaller talent pool. I think reducing the number of nominees is a good option to alleviate the concern of too many actors earning nominations over the six remaining serials. Perhaps cap the nomination numbers at 3 or 4 nods per category. The Daytime Emmys seems to increasinly become a popularity contest, and reduced nominations may help with this. I also think the younger actor/actress categories can be eliminated, and worthy opponents can contend in the Supporting category. In my opinion, most of the younger nominees are not Emmy-worthy performers; they just qualify for placement in the category, so they end up with a nomination despite lack of a justifiably solid, nomination-worthy performance. Obviously this can’t be said for all Younger actor noms / winners like Jennifer Finnigan, Eden Riegel, and Jennifer Landon, who deserved their Emmy wins, and Scott Clifton, who is LONG overdue for an Emmy. However, with the dwindling number of younger actors in daytime it just seems like anyone who’s under 26 will get a nod. In a nutshell, the Daytime Emmys are necessary as actors in this medium deserve formal recognition. However, reduced numbers of nominees and the elimination of the Younger Actor / Actress categories may balance things out. Thanks!
I feel they neeed to more fairly evaluate the actors rather than the popularity contest it has become. It shouldn’t be the actors themselves deciding who gets the nomination. Every year there are great individuals left out that in my opinion could have gone home with the gold. I appreciate both actors quoted here, however they are 2 that always get a nod. It is a popularity contest amongst themselves.
I say let it stay the way it is and give us “the best guest appearance role awards again”. The way I see it is it wouldn’t be fair to cut down the awards because I remember when one year where GH had many nominees in each Categories while there were other Actors who should have been nominated and were over looked and we see where Actors who were great last year (2010) were shot out again as well and have to wait for a time to be nom. again. There are some People who should have won an Emmy in the past who hasn’t yet which is beyond me like Melody Thomas Scott. The younger Actors & Actresses awards shows off how talented our younger Actors are and who can keep up with the likes of Anthony Geary, Michael E. Night, Susan Flannery, Eric Breaden and our many great Vets who shows that just because they are Soap Actors they shouldn’t be underestimated that they can far act anyone who dears to be in a Scene with them. Not to mention sometimes these young Actors have there own Stories being told separately which test talent and further more they are the new generation of the genre, plus it shows which Soap has the best young talent right, sounds awful I know but a good point. This might not make any sense but why not make it 6 noms each from each Category since there are only 6 Soaps any way, then picking who should represent each Soap would be easier and more divided cause the decision is made from one episode Reel anyways right. As for best Drama there should just be 4 noms. Now I don’t know how this whole award thing works so is it about money or should it be about who should really get the award at the end of the Day or just simply who should really be nominated. Like I said before though some Actors are over due for an award, that’s my opinion. Besides when it comes down to it isn’t it about the love for the genre it self, if it were me though I would just be grateful I have a Job.