Emmy Reaction From Around The Web

"Hooray: ONE LIFE TO LIVE! Boo: BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL" Tom O'Neil from the Gold Derby writes: "Hallelujah!" cried journos back in the press room when "One Life to Live" was nommed for best drama series. It's widely perceived to be the best soap on the tube this year. But also beloved right now is "The Bold and the Beautiful," which got snubbed. Curious oddity in the lead acting races. The lead actor race is full of the reigning older dudes like David Canary, Peter Bergman and Anthony Geary. But the older dames are missing from the leading lady race — except for Jeanne Cooper, who is long overdue to win after more than three decades starring on TV's top-rated soap, "The Young and the Restless." "I simply don't understand the system" Elaine G. Flores from Soap Opera Digest writes: So, the 35th Annual Daytime Emmy nominations were just announced a little while ago, and I'm already vexed. I simply don't understand the system: There are countless glaring omissions and a few laughable head-scratchers who made the cut. I can't believe the Younger Actress category could overlook a spitfire like GH's Kirsten Storms (Maxie). Shelley Hennig (Stephanie, DAYS) kicked some serious butt in one of DAYS's most compelling stories with campus rapist Ford Decker. And while three of the Younger Actress nominations went to Y&R, how on earth did Christel Khalil who carried the youth storylines as Lily not get a slot? The perennial snubbing of Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B) is just outrageous. After Brooke's rape last year, there was an episode where she vowed to get her life back. It was very moving and raw, and I distinctly recall getting chills and saying to myself how this was gonna be her year. Apparently not. I hope someone is paying attention to the scenes she had this week at Katie's bedside. Why is Alicia Minshew, who jumps through hoops as AMC's Kendall, not a nominee? And another thing, I know the Emmys love to reward sobbing and screaming, but I wish they paid more attention to the value of endearing quirkiness. As I was howling at my pal Danielle McClure's desk, she goes: "Funny never wins, Elaine. Funny never wins." I adore Bradford Anderson's Spinelli on GH and I wish the people who came up with this list had recognized him. The guy has waaaaaaay more to do than some other people in the Younger Actor category. I know this is a long shot, but another GHer Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) is very talented and would have made a fresh addition to the Supporting category. To my way of thinking, she beautifully exemplifies what it means to be a supporting actress. On the bright side, I'm really glad that ATWT's Trent Dawson (Henry) is there to represent the character actors. And Emily O'Brien's Jana on Y&R is certainly a colorful character, from the Amy Winehouse hair on down. I'm really glad that DAYS received so many nominations, especially that bankable cutie Darin Brooks as Max. But only one for GH? Seriously? " I only have this to say: ...???...?!?!...???..." Mallory at Serial Drama writes: According to Mirriam-Webster, synonyms for "outstanding" include exceptional, magnificent, extraordinary and remarkable. When I think of those words, I do not think of a show so boring and repetitive that it made me fall asleep on multiple occasions, whose boringness was only broken up by terrible stories about porn, an ill-advised recast, a long and mostly pointless prison storyline, a long and mostly pointless political storyline, a poorly written device to write off a core character, appalling hairstyles, a cheesy story about psychopaths with plastic surgery, bad photoshop, a disaster story so wretched that even Bob Guza laughed at it and the continued employment of daytime's only robot cast member. But that show seems downright brilliant compared to GENERAL HOSPITAL. "dismayed by the small number of ABC actor nods" Lauren Flynn from Soap Opera Digest writes: I've just returned from the 35th Annual Emmy Award nominations announced live at THE VIEW! Press was herded to a lounge area (where we had a Whoopi Goldberg sighting!) to watch the noms on TVs. I must admit, as annoyed as I was that I had to watch Tyra Banks blabber her way through an interview with Whoopi, Joy, Sherri and Elisabeth (no Barbara today, sadly) when there was not a single soap-star interview, it was hilarious how Banks managed to dominate the interview. As Joy said during earlier bickering, "There has to be a period on the sentence before someone else starts talking." LOL. As for the noms themselves, boy were there a few, er, surprises. While I totes agree with OLTL, GH and Y&R's nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, I was dismayed by the small number of ABC actor nods and the overwhelming actor nominations for CBS folks. And where, oh, where were ATWT's Martha Byrne (ex-Lily), B&B's Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke, B&B), Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) and Laura Wright (Carly, GH) in the Outstanding Lead Actress category? Also, I must give a shout-out to Kirsten Storms (Maxie, GH), who IMO, should have taken home the Emmy right then and there. I hope this doesn't deter Storms from attending the ceremony, because I'd like to shake that young lady's hand. All that said, kudos to ALL the nominees and I look forward to the 2008 Daytime Emmys!

Emmy Noms - Surprises & Snubs

Below is my comments on final nominations. I am including the entire pre-nomination list to highlight the biggest surprises and snubs in each category. The first five are the final nominees. Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series Maura West (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Crystal Chappell (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Nicole Forester (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Jeanne Cooper (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Michelle Stafford (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Bobbie Eakes (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Susan Lucci (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Martha Byrne (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Terri Colombino (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Susan Flannery (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Katherine Kelly Lang (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Hunter Tylo (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Deidre Hall (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Alison Sweeney (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Nancy Lee Grahn (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Megan Ward (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Laura Wright (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Kassie DePaiva (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Erika Slezak (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Robin Strasser (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Lindsay Hartley (PASSIONS * NBC) Tracey Ross (PASSIONS * NBC) McKenzie Westmore (PASSIONS * NBC) Melody Thomas Scott (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) - BIGGEST SNUB Nicole Forester had her moments but I did not think she would make the final five based on competition in this category. I was hoping that Melody Thomas Scott would finally get her due but no such luck. Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series David Canary (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Thaao Penghlis (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Anthony Geary (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Peter Bergman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Christian LeBlanc (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Thorsten Kaye (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Michael Knight (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Scott Bryce (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) - BIGGEST SNUB Jon Hensley (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Michael Park (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) John McCook (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Ronn Moss (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Jack Wagner (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Stephen Nichols (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Peter Reckell (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) James Scott (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Steve Burton (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Tyler Christopher (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Ricky Paull Goldin (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Robert Newman (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Ron Raines (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Michael Easton (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Jerry Verdorn (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Robert S. Woods (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Eric Braeden (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) I'm shocked DAYS received any acting nominations at all based on how the Emmys have been judged for the past several years and especially Penghlis as their lead actor nominee. Scott Bryce was the best actor on soaps in 2007 (sorry Mr. Branco). No other actor could make me feel sorry for his character after giving his wife a drug to make her lose her baby. Bryce was that good. Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series Kelley Menighan Hensley (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Heather Tom (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Judi Evans (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Gina Tognoni (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Tracey Bregman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Alicia Minshew (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Sabine Singh (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Marie Wilson (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Colleen Zenk Pinter (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Jennifer Gareis (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Lesli Kay (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Mary Beth Evans (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Martha Madison (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Carolyn Hennesy (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) - BIGGEST SNUB Rebecca Herbst (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Kimberly McCullough (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Beth Chamberlin (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Marcy Rylan (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Kathy Brier (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Catherine Hickland (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Bree Williamson (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Erin Cardillo (PASSIONS * NBC) Melinda Sward (PASSIONS * NBC) Judith Chapman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Adrienne Frantz (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) I was surprised about Judi Evans but in a good way. Again, not expecting any DAYS acting noms and Evans never had the story of a Martha Madison or Mary Beth Evans but I have loved this woman for 25 years and she deserves it! I was sure Hennesy would get a nod this year. Lesli Kay too for that matter. Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series Trent Dawson (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Daniel Cosgrove (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Brian Kerwin (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Greg Rikaart (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Kristoff St. John (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Jeffrey Carlson (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Billy J. Miller (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Jacob Young (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Grayson McCouch (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Austin Peck (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) William deVry (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Patrick Duffy (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Dax Griffin (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Bryan Dattilo (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Jay Kenneth Johnson (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Joseph Mascolo (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Bradford Anderson (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) - BIGGEST SNUB Rick Hearst (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Sebastian Roche (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Murray Bartlett (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Jordan Clarke (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) John-Paul Lavoisier (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Tuc Watkins (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Phillip Jeanmarie (PASSIONS * NBC) Christopher Maleki (PASSIONS * NBC) Eric Martsolf (PASSIONS * NBC) Ted Shackelford (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) I expected some different nominees in this category. I would have picked Shackelford over the two actual Y&R nominees. Cosgrove is smoking hot but he only appeared on GL for a couple of months so not sure he deserves his spot. I was surprised by Kerwin's nod as well. I thought the uniqueness Bradford Anderson brings to daytime would be recognized so I'm giving him the biggest snub award. Outstanding Younger Actress In A Drama Series Jennifer Landon (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Rachel Melvin (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Vail Bloom (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Emily O’Brien (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Tammin Sursok (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Melissa Claire Egan (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Leven Rambin (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Chrishell Stause (ALL MY CHILDREN * ABC) Alexandra Chando (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Marnie Schulenburg (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) MacKenzie Mauzy (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL * CBS) Shelley Hennig (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Kristen Renton (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Julie Marie Berman (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Kirsten Storms (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) - BIGGEST SNUB Mandy Bruno (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Bonnie Dennison (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Caitlin Van Zandt (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Kristen Alderson (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Farah Fath (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Brittany Underwood (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Hannia Guillen (PASSIONS * NBC) Danica Stewart (PASSIONS * NBC) Christel Khalil (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) What can I say? I was sitting in the studio at THE VIEW listening to Van Hansis call out the names of the nominees and I thought there must be some mistake. No Kirsten Storms? No Alex Chando? And Y&R had four pre-noms and the best actress of the bunch is the only one to not make it? This category is totally out of whack and Landon will probably win her third in a row. Outstanding Younger Actor In A Drama Series Van Hansis (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Jesse Lee Soffer (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Darin Brooks (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) - BIGGEST SURPRISE Tom Pelphrey (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Bryton McClure (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) Jake Silbermann (AS THE WORLD TURNS * CBS) Blake Berris (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Matthew Florida (DAYS OF OUR LIVES * NBC) Dylan Cash (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) Josh Duhon (GENERAL HOSPITAL * ABC) - BIGGEST SNUB John Driscoll (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Lawrence Saint-Victor (GUIDING LIGHT * CBS) Edward Alderson (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Brandon Buddy (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Jason Tam (ONE LIFE TO LIVE * ABC) Adrian Bellani (PASSIONS * NBC) Blair Redford (PASSIONS * NBC) Hunter Allan (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS * CBS) I want to say I'm surprised by Bryton McClure's pre-nom, but since he robbed Hansis and Pelphrey last year, nothing will surprise me in this category. I was expecting he make it along with Hansis and Pelphrey. I thought Josh Duhon would and should make the final cut as well.

Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominees

Once again CBS dominated the Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award nominations handed out on THE VIEW this morning. I attended the show and couldn't believe how many Y&R acting noms I kept hearing, especially the Younger Actress category. I'll do a thorough review once I've had time to digest all the technical categories. Nominations by soap The Young and the Restless 17 Guiding Light 13 One Life To Live 13 As the World Turns 12 The Bold and the Beautiful 9 All My Children 8 Days of Our Lives 6 General Hospital 6 Passions 4 Outstanding Drama Series GENERAL HOSPITAL GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GENERAL HOSPITAL GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team ALL MY CHILDREN THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GENERAL HOSPITAL ONE LIFE TO LIVE Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series David Canary (ALL MY CHILDREN) Thaao Penghlis (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) Anthony Geary (GENERAL HOSPITAL) Peter Bergman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Christian Jules LeBlanc (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Maura West (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Crystal Chappell (GUIDING LIGHT) Nicole Forester (GUIDING LIGHT) Michelle Stafford (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Jeane Cooper (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series Jennifer Landon (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Rachel Melvin (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) Vail Bloom (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Emily O'Brien (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Tammin Sursok (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series Van Hansis (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Jesse Lee Soffer (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Darin Brooks (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) Ton Pelphrey (GUIDING LIGHT) Bryton McClure (The THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Kelley Menighan Hensley (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Heather Tom (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) Judi Evans (DAYS OF OUR LIVES) Gina Tongoni (GUIDING LIGHT) Tracey E. Bregman (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Trent Dawson (AS THE WORLD TURNS) Daniel Cosgrove (GUIDING LIGHT) Brian Kerwin (ONE LIFE TO LIVE) Kristoff St. John (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Greg Rikaart (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design For A Drama Series AS THE WORLD TURNS THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS GENERAL HOSPITAL Outstanding Achievement for a Casting Director For A Drama Series GENERAL HOSPITAL GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Outstanding Achievement for in Costume Design For A Drama Series AS THE WORLD TURNS GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE PASSIONS Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing For A Drama Series ALL MY CHILDREN AS THE WORLD TURNS THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL ONE LIFE TO LIVE Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling For A Drama Series DAYS OF OUR LIVES GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE PASSIONS Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction For A Drama Series ALL MY CHILDREN AS THE WORLD TURNS THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL ONE LIFE TO LIVE Outstanding Achievement in Makeup For A Drama Series AS THE WORLD TURNS DAYS OF OUR LIVES PASSIONS THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction And Composition For A Drama Series ALL MY CHILDREN THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GUIDING LIGHT ONE LIFE TO LIVE Outstanding Original Song ALL MY CHILDREN Song Title: The Me Inside ALL MY CHILDREN Song Title: Treasure Of Love ONE LIFE TO LIVE Song Title: Chemistry ONE LIFE TO LIVE Song Title: Little Starr ONE LIFE TO LIVE Song Title: You're the Freak Outstanding Achievement in Live & Direct To Tape Sound Mixing For A Drama Series THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GUIDING LIGHT PASSIONS THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction/Electronic Camera/Video Control For A Drama Series ALL MY CHILDREN AS THE WORLD TURNS THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL GUIDING LIGHT

Out on the Town - April 30, 2008

1 Van Hansis outside the ABC studios in New York today following his appearance on THE VIEW where he found out live that he had earned his second Daytime Emmy nomination.

NPR Covers ATWT's Luke and Noah Again

NPR's "The Bryant Park Project" aired a follow up segment on Luke and Noah from AS THE WORLD TURNS on the Friday, April 25th show. I was asked a few questions for this segment and they used a couple of my answers. You can listen here.

InTurn Season 3 Episode 5: The Love Scene Audition

Back at the loft, Justin, Nell and Audra express their unease over fellow InTurn, Christian.

Perez Hilton: Fight the Bigots!

In a blog entry this morning, Perez comments on the AFA's complaints about the latest Luke and Noah kiss on AS THE WORLD TURNS: "The AFA are a bunch of bigoted hate mongers! Isn't infidelity totally against family values? Why no campaigns against infidelity in the numerous shows that glorify such 'sin'? Luke and Noah are a committed couple–people in love kiss. Gay people are normal. We're you're brothers, sisters, mothers, father. The AFA needs to stop drinking Intolerade!"

Tom Casiello: Damn the man. Save the empire.

Tom Casiello has written a brilliant new blog entry which touches on the Nuke controversy and well-told social stories on soaps, which have been severely lacking in recent years: "NUKE" FANS and ALL soap fans - I don’t care what sexuality you are - this number is IMPORTANT! Okay, so I've kinda stayed out of the Nuke controversy. Mainly because I know how difficult it is to get ANY kind of social issue story to the screen in this day and age (which is the greatest shame of soaps today, but more on that later), and also because I have no idea what's happening in the ATWT writers' room, but clearly there is some kind of internal struggle going on in regards to what they can show, or what they can't show - and since I have so many close friends and so many people I respect at the ATWT studio, I don't want to comment on rumors or speculation. Today, I heard from a friend at the studio in regard to Procter and Gamble's 800-number to poll America on whether or not they should further the Noah/Luke love story. (1-800-331-3774) My friend at ATWT says it's been difficult for TPTB at ATWT to do this story justice, but they are committed to it. She encouraged all of us to call the 1-800 number and support continuing the Luke/Noah love story. Okay, so before you get on me about religion, or your stance on homosexuality, or any of that - consider this for a moment: Did you enjoy the Stone/AIDS story on GH? Or Marty overcoming the horrors of what happened to her at Spring Fling on One Life to Live? How about Beth confronting her father on GL, or Erica Kane facing the toughest choice of a woman's life in the 70's (before history was rewritten two years ago with Josh of course, but that's irrelevant to my point)? As long as I've been alive, soaps have always been telling stories that teach, that show all perspectives, that are on the cutting edge of what's going on in YOUR world today. Lately, there seems to be this desire to move further and further into escapism - stories that take place in worlds where silliness reigns, and as such, soaps are starting to be taken much less seriously than they were twenty years ago. Supporting "Nuke", to me at least, is about a lot more than just supporting gays on TV. It's about supporting television that makes you think, that forces you to question your own beliefs, see a different side of the story you might not always agree with - it supports the idea that yes, we watch TV to escape reality sometimes... but we ALSO watch TV to sometimes see realities we might not have any other access to otherwise. We want intelligence in our stories - we want a reflection of what we see in our day-to-day lives. We want to see the human struggle. Please call. And let them know that yes - even if you do disagree with the story, you still support it because sometimes it's okay to be a little uncomfortable. People were uncomfortable when slavery came to an end, they were uncomfortable when women started working full-time, and they were uncomfortable when Maude got an abortion or when Archie Bunker used the N-Word. And you know what? It's OKAY that you're a little uncomfortable with two guys kissing on TV. I applaud TV that makes me squirm a little, because it opens up new worlds to me, and helps me become a more tolerant, more understanding person. This is a society where we are constantly learning and growing - and a genre that once upon a time, prided itself on being a serious learning tool. Don't let it become a joke. Damn the man. Save the empire.

Drama Desk Award Nominees

Nominations for the annual Drama Desk awards were announced Monday and some of the nominees have a soap past (see those categories below). Theh Drama Desks are unique in that Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway compete in the same categories. Outstanding Actor in a Play: Bill Champion, Intimate Exchanges Kevin Kline, Cyrano de Bergerac (ex-Woody, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) Bill Pullman, Peter and Jerry Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing Tobias Segal, From Up Here Rufus Sewell, Rock 'n' Roll Outstanding Actor in a Musical: Daniel Breaker, Passing Strange André De Shields, Black Nativity (ex-Marshall, ANOTHER WORLD) Daniel Evans, Sunday in the Park with George Cheyenne Jackson, Xanadu Matthew Morrison, 10 Million Miles (ex-Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS) Paulo Szot, South Pacific Outstanding Actress in a Musical: Sierra Boggess, The Little Mermaid Patti LuPone, Gypsy Kelli O'Hara, South Pacific (ex-Leslie, ALL MY CHILDREN) Faith Prince, A Catered Affair (ex-Diane, LOVING) Alice Ripley, Next to Normal Jenna Russell, Sunday in the Park with George Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play: John Cullum, The Conscientious Objector (ex-Artie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) Conleth Hill, The Seafarer Francis Jue, Yellow Face Arian Moayed, Masked Jeff Perry, August: Osage County Michael T. Weiss, Scarcity (ex-Mike, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play: Elizabeth Ashley, Dividing the Estate (ex-Emma, ANOTHER WORLD) Johanna Day, Peter and Jerry (ex-Marilyn, ALL MY CHILDREN) Zoe Kazan, 100 Saints You Should Know Linda Lavin, The New Century Rondi Reed, August: Osage County Marisa Tomei, Top Girls (ex-Marcy, AS THE WORLD TURNS) Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical: Danny Burstein, South Pacific Christopher Fitzgerald, Young Frankenstein Boyd Gaines, Gypsy Shuler Hensley, Young Frankenstein Bobby Steggert, The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island (ex-Samual, ALL MY CHILDREN) Tom Wopat, A Catered Affair