Daytime Emmy Award

A Brief History

It was not until 1973 that daytime television was recognized by the Emmys as an exclusive entity. In fact, prior to this, the only related awards handed out were in 1971 (for top daytime drama series) and in 1972 (for outstanding achievement in a daytime drama). The following year, the Daytime Emmy Awards began. At the time, there were only three categories: top program, top actor and top actress. Today, of course, there are numerous categories that award everything from soap operas to game shows.

Soap Opera Awards

The Emmys recognize many types of daytime programming, several of which relate directly to soap operas. Emmy categories that soaps qualify for include:

• Outstanding Drama Series
• Directing for a Drama Series
• Lead Actor in a Drama Series
• Lead Actress in a Drama Series
• Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• Younger Actor in a Drama Series
• Younger Actress in a Drama Series
• Writing for a Drama Series

Prior to the main Daytime Emmy Award ceremony, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards are distributed. Recognizing technical and other behind-the-scenes achievements in the daytime television industry, these awards include:

• Art Direction – Set Direction – Scenic Design for a Drama Series
• Casting for a Drama Series
• Costume Design for a Drama Series
• Single Camera Editing for a Drama Series
• Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series
• Hairstyling for a Drama Series
• Lighting Direction for a Drama Series
• Main Title Design
• Makeup for a Drama Series
• Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series
• Sound Editing for a Drama Series
• Sound Mixing for a Drama Series
• Technical Direction – Camerawork – Video for a Drama Series

Of course, this list provides just a taste of the numerous awards handed out at both ceremonies.

The Daytime Emmy Award Selection Process

Being nominated for an Emmy Award is no small feat, as anyone who works in such a competitive industry can attest. The daytime television world is full of actors who pour their hearts and souls into each and every scene, so it's no surprise that a sense of rivalry tends to develop between networks and soap operas. The nomination process has changed slightly over the years, but it's safe to say that the desire to be the best has not!

From 1973 to 2003, actors submitted their own names in consideration for nomination by providing the Academy with a videotape of their work from two episodes filmed during the given year. Anyone involved in the daytime television industry could submit one nomination for each category. These were narrowed to five individuals per category, based on who received the most nomination votes. These names were placed on a ballot, which was then submitted to the Academy for final consideration. The winners, of course, received the awards on the day of the ceremony.

Things changed in 2003, however, when each program was allowed to nominate not one, but two names for each category. Now, a group of panelists screens the videotape submissions and votes for the best performer in each category. These names are placed on the ballot for final consideration, and the final winners are recognized with awards on ceremony day.

Trivia

Did you know…

• The Emmy statuette, a winged woman grasping an atom, was designed by Louis McManus, who modeled it after his wife, Dorothy.
• The Emmy was named for the "Immy," which was a nickname for the image orthicon tubes used in early television cameras.
• Sesame Street is the leading Daytime Emmy champion, with 109 awards to its credit.
• The Bold and the Beautiful and Passions are the only soap operas that have never won the Best Drama award.
• Unlike many other awards shows, tickets for the Daytime Emmys are sold to the general public.