Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 26, 1993 TAG: 9305260235
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DEBORAH WILKER FORT LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
It's no small wonder why. Since moving to prime time, the annual awarding of Emmys to soap and talk stars has outdrawn the real (night-time) Emmys by a substantial margin. You can catch it - and the continuing drama of Susan Lucci's bid for a trophy - on ABC tonight (at 9 p.m. on WSET-Channel 13).
This is Lucci's 14th try at Emmy gold. She'll face off in the best actress category against "All My Children" castmate Julia Barr, "Another World's" Linda Dano, "As The World Turns' " Ellen Dolan and "Guiding Light's" Maeve Kinkead.
Producers know there's lots of emotion and ratings value in Lucci's saga. That's why they've also asked her to serve as host, just as she did last year.
Sharing the podium with her will be castmate Walt Willey (Jackson Montgomery), formerly Lucci's (Erica's) love interest on the show.
Does their prime-time hosting appearance hint at a daytime reunion?
"They haven't closed those doors entirely," Willey said of their TV romance. "But it certainly doesn't look good at the moment."
Willey, who has worked with Lucci for the past seven years, says she seems to take her yearly Emmy snub in gracious stride.
"If you look up `class' in the dictionary, it will say `see Lucci.' She has stayed on top five days a week, 52 weeks a year for 22 years; raised two wonderful, smart, well-rounded children; and kept a long-running marriage together. I stand in awe.
"I can't imagine what a wonderful embarrassment of riches it would be to be nominated 14 times by your peers. It's an unprecedented situation."
Willey said he campaigned hard for the co-hosting job. Knowing he isn't quite the household name Lucci is, and that the show's producers might logically have wanted a soap star from another network for balance, Willey said he wasn't optimistic about landing the gig.
Last year, Willey, who moonlights as a stand-up comic, was host of the syndicated contest "Supermodel of the World." To prove himself to ABC brass, he sent a tape of that show to a network vice president, along with a plea.
"I don't think I quite crossed the line by becoming a pain in the neck. But I went after it very actively."
"The 20th Annual Daytime Emmys" also will salute children's programming, game shows and public service shows. Winners are selected by their peers. CBS has the most nominations with 74. PBS is second with 41.
The top three vote-getters among the soaps are "Guiding Light," "The Young and The Restless" and "All My Children." Among the talkers, Joan Rivers and Oprah Winfrey lead with six apiece. The top animated show is "Batman" with five.
Here are some of the other major categories:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: David Canary ("All My Children"); Michael Zaslow ("Guiding Light"); Mark Derwin ("Guiding Light"); Robert S. Woods ("One Life To Live"); A Martinez ("Santa Barbara"); Peter Bergman ("The Young and the Restless").
Outstanding Supporting Actress: Jill Larson ("All My Children"); Jane Elliot ("General Hospital"); Ellen Parker ("Guiding Light"); Tonja Walker ("One Life To Live"); Kimberlin Brown ("The Young and the Restless").
Outstanding Supporting Actor: Charles Keating ("Another World"); Gerald Anthony ("General Hospital"); Kin Shriner ("General Hospital"); Rick Hearts ("Guiding Light"); Thom Christopher ("One Life To Live").
Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show: "Family Feud Challenge," "Jeopardy!," "The Price Is Right," "Wheel Of Fortune."
Outstanding Children's Series: "Barney and Friends," "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," "Reading Rainbow," "Sesame Street," "Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?"
Outstanding Talk/Service Show: "Donahue," "Good Morning America," "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "This Old House."
Keywords:
RICK HEARST
by CNB