By 
BEST ACTOR
Photo: Giles Toucas/Bell-Phillip Television Productions
Don Diamont as Bill Spencer, The Bold and the Beautiful
In the hands of a lessor actor, Bill Spencer would be a caricature, a mustache-twirling super villain who schemes his way into a corner and can’t get out of it. Don Diamont is no lessor actor. He effortlessly commanded attention in 2012 – whether he was scheming to keep Hope away from Liam or fighting with Katie over her risky pregnancy – he was captivating. Don Diamont is what a modern day leading man should be – strong yet vulnerable when necessary. He’s not afraid to let you hate him, because even when you do, you can understand his character’s point of view.
Diamont balances Bill’s righteous conviction with a deep sense of love for his family. In his mind, he’s doing the right thing, even if you don’t think so. When Bill learned Katie was pregnant, he demanded she abort her pregnancy! Not wanting to face the possibility of losing Katie, he openly told her if it came down between her and the baby, he’d choose her.
The scenes where Katie lay dying showcased some of Diamont’s best work all year. He willed her to come back to him and their family as he poured out his heart and soul.
Honorable Mentions: James Scott as EJ DiMera, Days of our Lives; Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, Billy Miller as Billy Abbott, The Young and the Restless
‘This is a female driven storyline – Liam isn’t the one “choosing” between the women, it’s the women who are choosing him.’
Really? I cannot fathom finding this storyline anything but completely offensive to women. You’re absolutely right that Liam isn’t “choosing” between the women, because he wants to have it both ways AND THE WOMEN LET HIM. Both of those women should want and demand better for themselves, and yet it’s a torturous, never-ending merry-go-round that is wildly demeaning to the characters of both Hope and Steffy. I wish they’d both kick him to the curb that he deserves to be dropped on and then go out and find someone worth their trouble.
If they’re bores you, then why you’re watching them?
Will and Sonny are good together as friends…only. As a couple they are boring.
Your choice of Melissa Claire Egan as best supporting makes me realize why I agree completely with the naming of Y&R as most disappointing soap. I’ve been a major fan of hers since forever, and love her work. I only wish the show’s writing was worthy of her. It managed to make me despise her character, and that is so frustrating! I wish I could’ve seen Chelsea and Adam’s chemistry and instantly forgotten how she came on the scene, but I needed a whole lot more than that to forget everything she did. The writers constantly opted to take the easy way out with her, and her redemption and entry into respected GC circles happened overnight – totally unbelievable, and now it’s too late to rectify that in my eyes. MCE’s acting is fantastic as always, but the character is a fail for me, and the writers are entirely to blame.
Totally agree with one of the choices for Best Couple: Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakas of Days of our Lives (Chandler Massey, Freddie Smith). In my opinion, these two actors are simply amazing in their portrayal of a young couple who start out as friends and end up in love. They portray Will and Sonny as a real couple with real problems and struggles, just like any other couple. This is a true love story between these two characters, and Chandler and Freddie are both talented actors who make this relationship seem real.