General Hospital — already the winningest sudser in daytime history – was named Outstanding Daytime Drama Friday while The Kelly Clarkson Show took home the prize for Outstanding Talk Show at the 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. The ceremony aired live on the East Coast on CBS.
Jeopardy! won Best Game Show with new hosts Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings, while Mishael Morgan made history by becoming the first Black woman to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama for her work on The Young and the Restless.
The in-person ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium opened with a not-so-subtle reference to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. After host Kevin Frazier referenced how well his co-host Nischelle Turner looked in her blue gown, she replied, “I chose this dress. It was my choice.” The comment was met with huge applause.
Daytime Emmy Awards Red Carpet – Photo Gallery
Later, Drew Carey paid tribute to 50 years of The Price is Right. And Susan Lucci received a standing ovation after she took the stage to remember her late husband/manager Helmet Huber and introduce the In Memoriam segment. It included a performance by Michael Bolton, who sang his 1983 hit “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You.”
Suzanne Rogers of Days of Our Lives presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime daytime star John Aniston. The presentation included a video clip from his daughter, Jennifer Aniston, who talked about how her dad started acting in TV in 1962 before joining Days of Our Lives in 1985. He’s played Victor Kiriakis ever since.
The veteran actor was not present. “We are like a family to him,” said Rogers, who accepted the Daytime Emmy on Aniston’s behalf.
Longtime daytime actor John McCook finally won his first Emmy for starring in The Bold and the Beautiful. He had special thanks for CBS and how its keeping the Daytime Emmys on the air. “It means so much to us,” he said.
Turner ended the show with another nod to Friday’s big headlines. “Women’s rights are human rights,” she said.
Here are the night’s winners:
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 Game Show Host: Steve Harvey, Family Feud
Outstanding Game Show: Jeopardy!
Outstanding Writing Team For a Daytime Drama: Days of Our Lives
Outstanding Entertainment News Series: Entertainment Tonight
Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series: Nicholas Chavez, General Hospital
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host: Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show: The Kelly Clarkson Show
Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series: General Hospital
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host: Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Outstanding Informative Talk Show: Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts, Disney+
Outstanding Supporting Performance, Actor, in a Daytime Drama: Jeff Kober, General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Performance, Actress, in a Daytime Drama: Kelly Thiebaud, General Hospital
The Daytime Emmys recognize outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, and legal/courtroom programs. The first set of trophies were distributed June 18 at the 49th Annual Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards.
