High production values and top acting always elevate ABC’s “General Hospital” above most of the pack in daytime. The show had enough going for it this past year to recommend a win in this category due to a some plots that made viewers, well, plotz.
But this past year, daytime’s most honored show, “The Young and the Restless” really was head and shoulders above the rest. The series scored the most nominations of any daytime show (16, compared with “GH’s” 12), and it didn’t even get nods for lighting, makeup or wardrobe, areas where it truly excelled.
Given the embarrassment of its story line riches, it would be hard to imagine anyone beating “Y&R” this year, but anything can happen when producers can submit only two of 240 episodes for consideration.
Indeed, there have been upsets in the not-too-distant past. No one begrudged the tart, taut and tantalizing “As the World Turns” its victory a year ago, but industry insiders are still scratching their heads about “One Life to Live’s” win on the strength of two well-done fantasy episodes several seasons back.
“The Bold and the Beautiful,” which is “Y&R’s” kid sister (both shows share the same creators and tape across the hall from each other at CBS’s Television City in Hollywood), is good but not likely to eclipse its older sibling. There aren’t many insiders who believe “Guiding Light” has much of a chance either. Its executive producer was recently fired, and programming execs all but said they didn’t think the show was living up to its potential.
Despite “General Hospital’s” solid year, the only way “Y&R” can lose, it seems, is if it leaves its best work in the vault.
The Nominees
* “As the World Turns” (CBS)
* “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
* “General Hospital” (ABC)
* “Guiding Light” (CBS)
* “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Prediction
Should win: “The Young and the Restless”
Will win: “The Young and the Restless,” but “General Hospital” could surprise