We Weigh In: Our 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards Picks (Part Two)

Raise your hand if you’re excited about this year’s Daytime Emmys!? The 48th Annual awards show takes place Friday, June 25th (EST) on CBS. 

Like many other industries, soap operas experienced their fair share of challenges in 2020. The 2021 Daytime Emmys offer an opportunity to celebrate the best-of-the-best in daytime during a year like no other in recent memory. It also allows time to reflect on the achievements of nominees and winners, alike. 

Earlier this week, we provided our predictions and picks for the Outstanding Guest Performer, Younger Performer, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress. In this edition of We Weigh In, Fame 10 highlights the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards by offering predictions and picks in the high-level categories of Outstanding Lead Actress, Outstanding Lead Actor, and Outstanding Drama Series. 

Want Y&R plotline predictions? Check out Young And The Restless Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees:

Melissa Claire Egan, as Chelsea Lawson, The Young and the Restless – CBS

Genie Francis as Laura Collins, General Hospital – ABC

Nancy Lee Grahn as Alexis Davis, General Hospital – ABC

Finola Hughes as Anna Devane/Alex Marick, General Hospital – ABC

Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, as Steffy Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS

Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Finola Hughes as Anna Devane/Alex Marick, General Hospital – ABC

This was a tough one to call, as all five ladies had a stellar year in daytime. As well, all five characters evolved considerably in 2020, with storylines which transformed them all (in one way or another). Actress Finola Hughes always shines bright on GH. She’s had her hand in many storyline pots last year, but pulling double duty as not only Anna but her evil twin Alex, has slightly edged her ahead of the pack. Sure, at times it can feel as if most everyone in the land of soaps has a twin, and the entire concept seems overdone. Having said that, there was a nice twist on Anna’s arc for 2020, as Finola not only played Alex but played her impersonating Anna. Hughes captivated audiences with her portrayal of both twins, and the evolution Devane went through as she struggled to protect Peter, keep the romance alive with Finn, and fight the sparks between her and Valentin.

Want GH plotline predictions? Check out General Hospital Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees:

Maurice Benard as Sonny Corinthos, General Hospital – ABC

Steve Burton as Jason Morgan, General Hospital – ABC

Thorsten Kaye as Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS

Wally Kurth as Justin Kiriakis, Days of Our Lives – NBC

Dominic Zamprogna as Dante Falconeri, General Hospital – ABC

Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Dominic Zamprogna as Dante Falconeri, General Hospital – ABC

The men of Port Charles kept viewers glued to the television in 2020, and honorable mentions go to actors Steve Burton and Maurice Benard for consistently bringing their A-game. However, Dante’s official return to GH was undeniably one of the biggest moments for the soap last year. Actor Dominic Zamprogna, portraying a (slightly) brainwashed Dante, was incredible. Mix in his feelings of wanting Lulu back but pushing her away, plus losing her *literally* moments after they officially professed feelings for each other, and it’s clear Dante had viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. It’s for these reasons, and many more, that there’s a good chance actor Dominic Zamprogna walks away with Emmy gold on June 25th.

Want DOOL plotline predictions? Check out Days Of Our Lives Plotline Predictions For Summer 2021

Outstanding Drama Series

Nominees:

The Bold and the Beautiful – CBS

Days of Our Lives – NBC

General Hospital – ABC

The Young and the Restless – CBS

Fame10 Prediction/Pick: Days of Our Lives, NBC

Days of Our Lives can feel over-the-top at times (most times), with storylines that certainly have viewers questioning if anything that happens in Salem could be remotely plausible in “real life”. With that said, Days was the only soap that didn’t skip a beat – or offer a rerun – during the pandemic when COVID-19 restrictions shut filming down for all three of the other shows. That’s because they filmed episodes six months ahead. Who knew all this preplanning would work to their advantage in 2020?

In many ways, the larger-than-life shenanigans that occurred in the little town offered refuge and comedic escape from the unbelievable turn of events that were occurring in our everyday lives last year. With so much bad news and doom-scrolling on social media, DOOL provided a much-needed distraction. The cast and crew are stellar, with incredible talents on all fronts, and the writing team offered plenty of unexpected events, plot twists, and drama. Sure, ideas like Stefano DiMera’s “essence” taking form in Steve Johnson’s body, or Kristen parading around as multiple characters in Salem without question, are unrealistic; however, sometimes “unrealistic” is entertaining and engaging, which is what DOOL more than accomplished last year.

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