ALLISON J. WALDMAN
In addition to being a regular Two Scoops columnist and recapper with Soap Central, Allison J. Waldman is a longtime soap fan and journalist. She was managing editor of Soap Opera Update and has written for Soap Opera Weekly, Soaps In Depth, and many other daytime publications. She is currently a TV blogger with TVSquad.com, writes the Speaking of Soaps syndicated column in newspapers around the country, and contributes to TVWeek.com. She is the author of The Barbra Streisand Scrapbook and The Bette Midler Scrapbook.
Previous Predictions
This is the first time that Allison has "officially" made predictions.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES
All My Children
Conventional wisdom tells you that the West Coast glamour soaps - The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of our Lives - are underdogs in this category. They are. AMC and DAYS' reels are heavy on adventure more than drama, which should help B&B. However, Emmy voters, who are not regular soap watchers like we are, will give this most important Emmy to All My Children. It's not the show I would pick; B&B was the best show. However, prediction wise, it's going to be All My Children based more on reputation than content.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Christian J LeBlanc
Michael Baldwin
Will GH's Anthony Geary snag a record-breaking 7th Emmy as Luke Spencer? There's a really good chance because if there's one thing executive producer Jill Farren Phelps knows how to do well, it's put together an Emmy reel. (Phelps has six Emmys to her credit as EP for Santa Barbara and GH.) The all-Luke fantasy reel is a good entry, so, wouldn't I be shocked if Tony's name was called again. Still, I think another former Emmy-winner is going to take the prize in 2009 -- Christian LeBlanc. He has a Christmas themed special episode that'll do the trick.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Debbi Morgan
Angie Hubbard
Last year's winner Jeanne Cooper was considered a surprise because it was her first win after eight nominations. It won't be a surprise if she wins again. Her reel shows her as both Marge and Kay, which is always a plus. I would have bet on Susan Flannery, but after reading what they chose for her submission, I'm doubtful. Debbie Morgan's submission, the big emotional reunion with Jesse, will be the winner, in my estimation.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR
Jeff Branson
Shayne Lewis
If you were sitting on an Emmy panel and saw these five nominees, only one would really stand out as something different. That would be Bradford Anderson as Spinelli. However, out of context, it's hard to appreciate exactly what Bradford does. He's completely different from other soap actors. But, he won't win. Van Hansis should have won last year for As the World Turns, and Vincent Irizarry doesn't even seem like he's in the right category because he's 20 years older than the other nominees. Jeff Branson has a stellar reel all about clearing the mines in Iraq and losing Lara. Guiding Light may be going off the air, but it'll still win a couple of Emmys, including this one.
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Bree Williamson
Jessica Buchanan
This is a solid group of actresses, all with good roles, good storylines and a good chance to win the Emmy. However, while I think Melissa and Alicia will have the most angst-filled clips, which I'm convinced don't play well when you're not in the flow of the story. However, the angst that Bree shows in the Nash death scenes does work. I'm convinced that Bree's work will dazzle the Emmy panel and she'll win.
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR
Bryton McClure
Devon Hamilton
I'm not overwhelmed with any of these nominees. Do I have to give one of them an Emmy? No offense, I just don't think any of them were that special in their storylines. Was EJ Bonilla even on GL that much? I'm going with the previous Emmy winner here to win again - Bryton McClure as Devon on Y&R.
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS
Kirsten Storms
Maxie Jones
This is a two-lady race in my estimation -- Kirsten Storms vs. Julie Berman. Julie should have won last year, so my prediction is that Kirsten will take the Emmy. Her clips will show both comedy and drama. Meredith had some good moments, as did the now departed Rachel, but I can't figure out what Emily did to warrant a nomination. Did Jana have a storyline?
OUTSTANDING WRITING IN A DRAMA SERIES
General Hospital
The nominations here should align with the Outstanding Drama Series choices...but they don't. There's no way that The Bold and the Beautiful and All My Children have had the best writing. As the World Turns wasn't even nominated! General Hospital wasn't consistent and had some bizarre storytelling that infuriated the fans - Luke's illegitimate son, Ethan - but GH has entered the one episode that could blow out the competition, Michael's shooting. I wish One Life to Live's writing team had not chosen the Rex/gameshow episode, especially when there were so many great stories to highlight. I think B&B's Storm suicide is powerful, as was the AMC tornado. Ultimately, I see Bob Guza's team winning again for GH.
PICKS AT A CLICK (Check an overview of all our panelists' picks)
DAN J KROLL (Soap Central Founder)
TONY S (Soap Central DAYS Two Scoops columnist)
LIZ M (Soap Central Message Board Moderator)
B&B and Y&R Two Scoops columnist) --->
LISA SVENSON (Non-soap viewer)
