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From the winner’s circle — comments from Laura Wright, Maria Arena Bell and other Emmy winners at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
TV Source was in Las Vegas for the second year for the Daytime Emmy Awards. Once again, we interviewed some of the biggest soap stars and execs in the industry on the red carpet and in the press room.
We’ll have photos and interviews from the red carpet in the coming days. You saw the presenters, the nominees, the winners, and the speeches, but here’s what our assistant editor William Dallman was able to get from the major winners.
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Outstanding Writing, The Young and the Restless
Upon entering the press room, The Young and the Restless‘ Maria Arena Bell was put on the spot when another reporter asked for an update regarding the status of Y&R veteran (and fan favorite) Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki). The head writer/executive producer assured that “she will be back.”
“That’s really the storyline that was the heart and soul of our submission,” Bell said of Bill Bell’s importance to the show and as a mentor for her. “We felt that was really what Y&R does best; which is emotional driven storytelling that fans can really relate to.”
Many fans commented on the sexy hot pink dress she wore to the ceremony. Bell says she chose the dress to celebrate the launch of Jabot Cosmetics and offset the doom and gloom tone that has surrounded soaps in recent years.
Best Show, The Bold & The Beautiful
It was a three-peat for Bold and the Beautiful head writer/executive producer Brad Bell, winning the award for the third consecutive year.
Bell was asked what soaps can do to thrive again like they had in the past and gave a very thoughtful answer. “A lot of people look back and say ‘well what if it was ten years ago?’ or compared to five years ago. The ratings are down but its not ten years ago, its not five years ago, it’s today — it’s now and we have two hundred competitors, not to mention a little thing called the internet so its never going to be like it once was.”
Read into that what you will…
Leading Actress, Laura Wright
There was nothing but love and respect as first time Emmy winner Laura Wright entered the room.
When we asked Laura how it felt to be only the second actress from General Hospital to win the award for Lead Actress (a fan submitted question by the way), she was genuinely surprised at that fact. “Really? Without even knowing that, it feels awesome. It feels amazing.” As she reflected on her twenty years in the soap business, she beamed, “It was an emotional moment for me.” She also shared that she should have thanked her husband while on stage.
When asked about the new writers at General Hospital, she said her job is that of an actor, not a writer, citing that as something former Guiding Light co-star Kim Zimmer taught her. She had nothing but praise for exiting GH head writer Bob Guza.
If you liked Laura’s Emmy outfit, thanks for that can go to her daughter. “I picked this dress because my daughter told me to wear it.”
Jonathan Jackson says he and his wife Lisa (ex-Hannah, GH) discussed the decision to bring their children with them to the Emmys. They decided they had to since it was Father’s Day, kaing the win for Supporting Actor even sweeter.
When discussing the scenes from his reel where Lucky rips Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) and Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) apart, Jackson says it was difficult. “I really love those people. You have to go there.” The actor said he even asked them to join him in prayer after the scenes. “I don’t really like going to these places.”
Supporting Actress, Heather Tom
“I can’t believe I didn’t thank my boyfriend!” exclaimed Heather Tom as she enterted the press room. She called her win a “great surprise,” and went on to praise her fellow nominees.
When asked where she would place her shiny statuette, she joked about making it go with her other Emmy as a bookend, or perhaps using it as a hood ornament. The actress also stated that some of the material she is currently filming is among the best of her career. Always the professional, Tom had nothing but praise for co-stars Don Diamont (Bill) and Jacqueline Macinnes Wood (Steffy).
Younger Actor, Scott Clifton
“I am going to everything I can to make sure I do not remember any of this by tomorrow morning,” said first time Emmy winner Scott Clifton. “I am going to go to the after parties and bask.”
Clifton was asked about this win over his previous nominations for each of his daytime roles (Dillon on GH; Schyler on OLTL) and shared his joy over winning as Liam on B&B: “If I look back on every single time I have been nominated and I had to choose a character I could win for it would be this one. I am just so happy.” He also said that he never thought he really deserved it until now.
Younger Actress, Brittany Allen
“It is interesting for sure,” said Brittany Allen (ex-Marissa, AMC) said of winning an award for a role that is now being played by Sarah Glendening. She says she felt nothing but love from the cast and crew throughout everything. When discussing the cancellation of All My Children, Allen says her heart is breaking for everyone at the show.
Allen also told us that she was just cast in an upcoming movie, Dead Before Dawn, described as a zombie comedy. As for where she will store her Emmy? Her parent’s house.
Criminal Minds star Shemar Moore (ex-Malcolm, Y&R) came to the press room after presenting with the legendary Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC). When asked about a return to The Young and the Restless, the star replied with “I can’t now,” explaining that someone else is now playing the character (Family Matters star Darius McCrary). Moore praised the show and his time there. “I got to train everyday and I got to take risks. Bill Bell, who is no longer with us, took a chance on me. [He] literally changed my life.”
“In my heart I would love to come back to The Young and the Restless,” said the star before explaining he can’t. “In the business — the politics of the Hollywood game it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
He went on to discuss his role on Criminal Minds, informing us all that he recently signed a new two year contract, and praised the series for its handling of dark issues and pace of character development, citing his own character’s sexual molestation.
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