laurisa

Turning out a new episode of scripted drama virtually every weekday of the year is a monumental task, unheard of anywhere else in showbiz. Soap operas production is kind of like Broadway on Red Bull, during finals week, of your hardest semester in school. (For me- 5th grade, pre-Algebra. So hard!)

So, I'd argue that these awards recognize the hardest working people in showbiz. (And, I bet they all know how to solve quadratic equations.) Here's who received 2012 Daytime Emmy nominations and why these Salemites deserved all the credit they can get!

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES- Yup. You read that right. And the episode has to be the Horton Town Square opening, no?

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS- Crystal Chappell (Carly Manning) Good thing we ran this clown out of town! Her chilling, snot-covered drug addiction storyline was not compelling at all, nor was it a poignant way for America to be reminded of an important issue. Nope. Not. At. All.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR- Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux)- See Crystal Chappell and substitute the cabin breakdown scene.

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR- Chandler Massey (Will Horton)- If he doesn’t win, I’m going to have to get ugly with someone. I realize that these awards are given for the 2011 calendar year so none of the Will-coming-out stuff is eligible for this round. But the Will-trashing-Maggie’s-kitchen stuff is totally fair game.

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS- Two for one!

Molly Burnett (Melanie Layton) She’s played supporting roles pretty much all season and none better than Carly’s therapy scene where Mel finally looses it. Plus, another reminder about how great Dame Chappell was in that storyline couldn’t hurt either.

AND

Shelley Hennig (Stephanie Johnson)- Her breakdown over having to wear that ugly wedding dress er... losing Nathan was pretty stellar. She’s one of the best criers in the biz.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES WRITING TEAM- Again, I’m sure the Horton Town Square stuff will get the nod, but I’m hoping that the writers throw a curve ball and submit the final episode of the website bad guys heist. That 24-esque episode was all shades of fun.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN FOR A DRAMA SERIES - The Horton Town Square is pretty amazing. The giant Christmas tree alone gets my vote.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CASTING FOR A DRAMA SERIES- Days of our Lives (Marnie Saitta, Casting Director) She casted Chandler Massey and Kate Mansi. She should be recognized for those finds alone.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN HAIRSTYLING FOR A DRAMA SERIES- Thank you, Alison Sweeney, Lauren Koslow, and Arianne Zucker for being fearless with your locks.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN LIGHTING DIRECTION FOR A DRAMA SERIES- Considering that the multiple camera set-up is a necessity in soap opera filming, the lighting pros have to be the best in the business. Everyone needs to be lit the same from every angle at the same time. That’s a tall order, especially when you have a foot difference in height of screen partners like James Scott/Alison Sweeney or Casey Deidrick/Molly Burnett

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP FOR A DRAMA SERIES- Yes, the ladies and gents always look beautiful. But, James Scott walked around with E.J.’s broken face for the better part of a week after Brady attacked E.J. and it was pretty gruesome to see. By that, I mean awesome make-up job.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MULTIPLE CAMERA EDITING FOR A DRAMA SERIES
and
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN TECHNICAL DIRECTION/ELECTRONIC CAMERA/VIDEO CONTROL FOR A DRAMA SERIES- I’ll admit that I’m not quite sure who gets credit for this, or if it would be a combo of both; but, for a while, there were two Rafe’s on my screen. I’m pretty sure they actually fought each other in one episode. That was neat-o.

OUTSTANDING STUNT COORDINATION- Days of Our Lives (Terry James, Stunt Coordinator) –As “Just Jack!” as it was, Jack Deveraux did fall from the top of the stairs into a cake. That’s something you don’t see on every soap and was quite well done!