For the first time in Daytime Emmys history, the Outstanding Writing Team had a whopping six nominees. In addition to the four broadcast soaps, The Bay and Beyond Salem: Chapter Two received nods in the category.
The Young and the Restless picked up its tenth Daytime Emmy in the category. The CBS soap now has twice as many wins as its nearest competitor, sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful. Y&R has won this category every other year dating back to 2017. The show won its first Emmy in this category in 1992.
Y&R's Emmy was accepted by head writer and executive producer Josh Griffith. Somewhat ironically, Griffith made headlines earlier this year for dismissing much of the show's writing team. "It was a creative decision that we felt would streamline the process and give us more efficiency," he told the Los Angeles Times at the time.
For its writing reel, The Young and the Restless submitted an episode revolving around a mental health crisis storyline focused on Chelsea Lawson, played by Emmy nominee Melissa Claire Egan, who was contemplating suicide.
Asked backstage about the storyline, Griffith shared that "the biggest challenge was making sure that we were honest and true" to the character and the story.
On a night where the phrase "the streak is over" loomed large, this was also a night on which streaks continued -- particularly for General Hospital. The show picked up its fourth consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Directing Team
While all television programs have seen their budgets slashed over the years, soaps have found ways to push the limits of what viewers see on-screen. The Bold and the Beautiful has found unique ways to film episodes abroad. General Hospital, meanwhile, has seamlessly incorporated outdoor scenes and created sets from previously unused areas of the GH studio.
"In a year where we faced division and challenges, we stand united tonight, celebrating the return of our writers," Phideaux Xavier said in accepting the award for General Hospital. "As the directors of General Hospital, we bring these narratives to life, guided by our executive producer, Frank Valentini, and bolstered by our exceptional team. This includes our phenomenal cast, our intrepid crew and producers, our skilled engineering department, our imaginative production designers, and the artists in our makeup, hair, and costume teams, all supported by our diligent production staff."
"The Emmy is not just an award; it is a symbol of our shared passion and dedication to storytelling that resonates and unites," Xavier concluded.
General Hospital's Directing Team has now won 14 Emmys for directing, dating back to its first win in 1981.
»PART FIVE: LEAD ACTOR AND LEAD ACTRESS
