Daytime Heroes
- by May 21, 2001
Regis Philbin, of course, was the final answer at the Daytime Emmys, snagging two trophies for best talk show host and best game show host after being nominated 11 times before and never winning.
The host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and his own morning show wasn't there Friday night to receive the awards in person - he was performing at an Atlantic City nightclub with lovable Emmy loser Susan Lucci of "All My Children."
"All these years and now two in one night," Philbin said in a satellite hook-up to Radio City Music Hall, where the show was broadcast on NBC. His former morning show partner, Kathie Lee Gifford, was the awards program's host.
Lucci lost again in the best lead actress category. She's been nominated 20 times but has won just once, in 1999.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" grabbed best game show honors for the second straight year, even though it airs at night. Next year, "Millionaire" will be eligible for a new reality TV category at the primetime Emmys.
The other big winner was CBS' "As the World Turns" with eight Emmys, including best drama series. It ties the record ABC's "General Hospital" set two years ago for most awards in one night.
Rosie O'Donnell shared best talk show host honors with Philbin, the fourth year in a row she's won the award. Her syndicated talk show also won for the fourth year in a row.
Both major soap opera acting awards went to actors who play twins: David Canary of "All My Children" and Martha Byrne of "As the World Turns." It was Canary's fifth Emmy.
Also from "All My Children," Michael E. Knight won for best supporting actor. Lesli Kay from "As the World Turns" won best supporting actress.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences gives out the awards.
