laurisa

First, congrats to the hardworking people who make our show great but rarely get the credit they deserve! DAYS garnered nominations for music direction & composition and technical direction/electronic camera/video control. DAYS is one of the most stylishly produces soaps. It doesn’t “look like a soap opera” but it looks like “every other show on NBC”.

Since we’re all friends here, I’ll be honest and say that the nod for Outstanding Writing Team made me laugh the same way I do when my team gets away with a call, despite the instant replay clearly showing that my catcher didn’t tag the runner.

Then, The Lady Sweeney spoke quite eloquently to this point in this interview and I am ashamed to say that I never thought of this point. Sure, some storylines are terrible. Wimpy Sami and Ejaylor have as much appeal as zit on prom night. BUT, the writers, more than anyone else, have to make the most of the budgets restraints and if they have a hand in keeping my soap on the air, I can’t thank them enough.

Finally, let’s talk a little hunks. James Scott and Chandler Massey are excellent choices to represent Team DAYS at the Emmys because they are the kings of consistency. The dirty little secret about the Emmys is that it only takes one good episode to win one. That seems ridiculous considering that these actors turn in hundreds of performances each year. Imagine if your entire work evaluation was based on one single email you sent over the course of a year. (Note to self: Suggest this at the next staff meeting.)

We’ve seen more than our fair share of winners who’s one death scene, court room drama, or evil twin confrontation just isn’t reflective of their body of work. That would not be the case with Chandler and James. They are as advertised.

James has been consistently good as EJ. Even people who hate EJ like James. James’ reel was the aftermath of Sami finding out that EJ kidnapped Sydney- complete with a drunken EJ threatening Nicole, screaming at Stefano, and contemplating suicide. It’s chocked full of classic soap nuggets and it certainly celebrates the grand tradition of soaps. And it ends with him getting shot in the head- for the win.

On the other end, Chandler Massey, who has impressed me so much that I completely forgot to hate Will Horton, picked a reel that celebrated his mastery of nuance acting. His episode is the one where Will assures Sami that she is a good mother, despite the fact that he’s currently trying to help her cover up her crime. Chandler’s subtle acting choices sneak up on me and make me think, “Wow, this kid is good.” Chandler certainly doesn’t have an easy task since he’s up against Chad Duell, who’s Michal Corinthos over at GH has been ba-rilliant. But their reels are surprisingly similar in that they both deal with the child reassuring their respective parents that despite Sonny and Sami’s best efforts, Michael and Will are just fine. It will be interesting to see which pair wins out.