At the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, ABC’s General Hospital secured the award for outstanding drama series for a record 19th time overall and its sixth consecutive win in the category.
General Hospital Extends Record With Sixth Consecutive Win
Executive producer Frank Valentini accepted the trophy on behalf of the cast, crew, and writers at the Hollywood Palladium, coming with his team to receive the award and thanking everyone for their efforts.
The triumph extends the program’s lead as the most-honored soap opera in the category, keeping The Young and the Restless second with 11 wins. The competition included Peacock’s Days of Our Lives, CBS’ The Young and the Restless, and the newcomer Beyond the Gates.
Acting Honors and Veteran Milestones at the Hollywood Palladium
Scott Clifton of CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful won lead actor, defeating a field featuring Eric Braeden, Steve Burton, Thorsten Kaye, and Christian Jules LeBlanc. Clifton plays Liam Spencer on the CBS show and earned his second lead actor trophy after winning in 2017, adding to previous wins as younger actor and supporting actor that previously made him the first male actor to sweep all three categories. I’m speechless,
Clifton said.
Please help congratulate the entire cast and crew of #GeneralHospital on their win for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series! 👏👏👏 @TheEmmys #GH #DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/NjhM8ilSSW
For her portrayal of determined family head Anita Dupree on CBS’ Beyond the Gates, Tamara Tunie captured the top actress prize, marking a program launched on CBS the previous year that showcased the primary Black cast seen in a network soap since Generations in the 1990s and the initial new network soap introduction since 1999. Tunie previously made her daytime debut in 1987 on As the World Turns and stayed until leaving in 2009, a year before that CBS show ended. My heart is so full right now,
Tunie said. This is the best welcome back to daytime ever. There is a host of Black actresses who paved the way for me, and I feel them as I stand here.
Supporting acting categories were swept by Roger Howarth and Beth Maitland of The Young and the Restless, both winning decades after their initial career triumphs. Having first claimed victory in the younger actor division back in 1994 for his breakout performance as Todd Manning on One Life to Live, Howarth now portrays Matt Clark on the CBS daytime drama. Maitland was honored for playing Traci Abbott, a role she originated in 1982—the year of her first supporting actress win—and has played off and on ever since. Every one of you a winner, every one of you a part of the contribution daytime makes in a world gone mad, offering just a few minutes of relief — to laugh, to cry and to celebrate,
Maitland said in tribute to her peers.
| Category | Winner | Show | Network / Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Drama Series | Production Team | General Hospital | ABC |
| Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Scott Clifton | The Bold and the Beautiful | CBS |
| Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Tamara Tunie | Beyond the Gates | CBS |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Genie Francis | General Hospital | ABC |
Genie Francis Receives Lifetime Achievement Honor
Before presenting the award, Frakes shared a message from one of her co-stars, Jonathan Jackson, who recalled starting work with her at age 11. She was radiant with a beautiful smile and a laugh that shot through the atmosphere,
Jackson said as per Frakes. Genie taught me so much. She’s the most emotionally present actor or actress that I’ve ever worked with. She’s always prepared, carrying with her a host of insights and observations of the human soul, and yet, somehow, she maintains the openness and vulnerability of a child. It was mesmerizing to witness as a young artist, and it still is to this day. You can throw anything at her, the most difficult or outrageous scene or story, and somehow she’ll make it brilliant.
Jackson also appeared in the career montage that brought Francis to tears as she attended while recovering from a broken right ankle, supported by her two children before taking the stage. Jackson added in the video, It is so well deserved. Your dedication, your graciousness, your humility, and love is incredible. And I just can’t thank you enough for who you are. And I’m so happy for you.
I know 50 years sounds like an awfully long time, but it doesn’t feel like it to me,
Francis said, noting the physical realities of studio work. As they say, if you love what you do you don’t work a day in your life. I wouldn’t go that far because doing a party scene in high heels is hard work.
I have had the most amazing ride and I am so grateful,
she said, concluding, I would do it all over again if I could.
The entire event was streamed on YouTube.
Talk Shows and Alternative Programming Victories
Wow, how fun is this?
Ross said, while thanking the countries of Morocco, Mexico, and Spain.
The daytime talk series category went to Kelly Clarkson, who concluded her self-titled NBC program this past August following a seven-season run.
