Soap opera fans who grew up watching The Daytime Emmys can expect a return to glory this year when the annual kudos fest returns to CBS tonight in primetime and live. Soap Hub talked to Terry O’Reilly, Chairman, The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), and Adam Chase, President and CEO, NATAS, to preview the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
NATAS Execs Terry O’Reilly, Adam Chase Talk Daytime Emmys
The Daytime Emmys are once again back on CBS however, this year the awards festival is a live broadcast. Get the details on this year’s awards from two of the people who are making the show happen.
Soap Hub: Terry O’Reilly – there was a Boston Bruins player with that name.
Terry O’Reilly: Yes. When I travel to Boston, which I did two weeks ago, I get great hotel rooms. I got an interesting look one time, but I’m not as tall [as the Boston Bruin player] – and I have all my teeth.
Soap Hub: Good one. Congratulations on getting the Daytime Emmys back on broadcast TV, during primetime, and live. What went into making all that happen?
Terry O’Reilly: Thousands and thousands of hours of work by Adam and his staff. Not only putting the show together but all the work that goes into making this happen. We have so much personnel keeping us safe.
Soap Hub: There isn’t as much original programming in June as there is in other months. What is being done to get as many eyeballs tuning into the Daytime Emmys as possible?
Adam Chase: It’s been great to see CBS put a big promotional push behind it. There were promos for the show during the Tony Awards, which has a similar audience to the Daytime Emmys. There’s been heavy rotation [of promos]. Hosts Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner [Entertainment Tonight] have been doing press to promote the show. We’re very happy with our partnership with CBS.
Soap Hub: This year also marks the return of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Can you talk about not only its return but also its recipient, John Aniston?
Adam Chase: We did virtual shows for the last two years [because of COVID]. One element we did not do was the Lifetime Achievement Award. If there was any part of the awards that need to be in person, it’s this particular one. Recipients deserve to have their peers standing up for them. For more than 40 years, John Aniston has been in the role of Victor Kiriakis on Days of our Lives. He has inspired countless young performers who may have never met him. The committee review [board] talked to so many people who have been influenced by John. It’s a well-due honor.
Soap Hub: He has a very famous relative…might we see one of our favorite ‘Friends’ as part of the tribute?
Adam Chase: [Smiling] Tune in to find out!
Terry O’Reilly: At 9 p.m. on CBS!
The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards airs tonight at 9 p.m. on CBS. Also, Soap Hub will be having live coverage of the red carpet, interviews, fashion, and all sorts of fun on our social media platforms throughout the evening. Give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and feel like you’re right there with us.
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