Jerry Dobson Looks Back at Wife Bridget’s 1988 Daytime Emmys Speech

Santa Barbara faced some tough competition at the 1988 Daytime Emmys. The show had only picked up one acting award, but series creator Jerry Dobson, who is set to appear on tonight’s broadcast as a Gold Circle honoree, tells Soap Hub his wife was confident that the show would win Best Drama Series.

A Whole New World Television

It wasn’t totally unheard of for a newer soap opera to win Best Drama Series at the Daytime Emmys. Young and the Restless picked up the honor in 1975 despite having debuted in 1973. However, the victory for Bridget Dobson, executive producer, was especially sweet as she and Jerry were embroiled in a lawsuit with both NBC and the show’s distributors New World Television at the time of the awards.

If folks didn’t know about the conflict, they surely learned about it during Bridget’s acceptance speech. “I speak for all of us when I say it’s been a long road and we are thrilled and proud to be here,” began Bridget, hastening to add, “And I speak personally when I say that though New World Television locked me out of the studio, they couldn’t lock me out of the Emmys!

“I have to say that all of us share this with a fantastic cast and crew and staff, associate writers — all work together to win this award today,” Bridget continued. “I want to thank particularly the man who is the creative genius behind the concept and the original characters and stories — my husband, Jerry Dobson (read our interview with him here). I want to thank the associate writers and particularly the story editors who have done so much to be the show, what it is and how and how good it is.

“And I want to thank some kids, Mary and Andy Dobson participants, supporters — the best,” Bridget added. “Thank you all.”

Jerry Dobson tells Soap Hub that he and Bridget were seated at table with the “major players” involving their lawsuit that afternoon at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. “Santa Barbara wasn’t winning [many] awards,” Jerry recalls. (Justin Deas did take home the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as combative Keith Timmons.)

Still, Bridget had a good feeling about the show being honored with the top prize. “Bridgie said, ‘We’re going to win Best Show,'” says Jerry, adding, Bridget told people at the table, “I bet you $50 million that we’re going to win.”

Then, presenters Kim Zimmer (Reva, Guiding Light) and Larry Bryggman (John, As the World Turns) announced Santa Barbara as the winner!

“And then, she got up there and said what she said,” Jerry recalls. “That was a great moment.”

Don’t miss the 51st Daytime Emmys tonight on CBS at 8 p.m. ET and on Paramount+ to see Dobson honored with a Gold Circle Award and to find out who will take home this year’s awards.