What a Kodak moment Friday night, June 15, was on Hollywood Blvd.  Fans and tourists are always used to seeing the constant arrival of limos in front of The famed Kodak Theater.  But they were highly impressed to see stars from both coasts arrive to celebrate daytime television's biggest night - The Daytime Emmy Awards.   What a night Ellen Degeneres and Bob Barker had.   But so did "Guiding Light,"  "As The World Turns" and "The Young and the Restless."  Some people I said in a previous column would win, but as my friend Michael Logan, of TV Guide pointed out in his recent column, look for a night of surprises.  Those who attended or watched at home were not disappointed.

   Best Drama Series was a tie.  "Guiding Light," which has been on for seventy years this week as well as the longest running at number one daytime drama, "The Young & the Restless" tied for that spot.  However, it's a real shame that "As The World Turns" was not nominated.  This was truly the best series of 2006, with "Y&R" at a close second.  

Daytime's most talented Producer, Chris Goutman, has brought "ATWT" back to it's best yet.   The show is a must see for any fans of daytime soaps.   He also had some great nominees from his series, with the ladies carrying the night.  Jennifer Landon, the daughter of the late legendary Michael Landon took home her second Emmy in two years for Best Younger Actress.  Both well deserved and the young actress is improving under the great hand of her Producer Mr. Goutman.   Chris has also brought a once beautiful and talented actress into the work of a legend.  Maura West won for Best Lead Actress in the toughest category in daytime television history.  I must say I was hoping that Jeanne Cooper would finally win for her work of over three decades as Katherine Chancellor on "The Young & the Restless" and of course one of the most brilliant actresses in daytime Michelle Stafford, who was also nominated last year was also nominated for her work as the almost insane Phyllis Somers Abbott Newman.   Beautiful Crystal Chappell as Olivia on "Guiding Light" was up against her co-star on the same show Kim Zimmer, who won last year and had a hell of a storyline again.  But West won out.  As TV Guide recently called her work, "In the realm of the great Bette Davis."  I could not agree more.  But it's Goutman's hands on approach that has turned Maura West into the caliber of star she's become.  

"Include Me Out" the famous Samuel Goldwyn phrase in Hollywood is now a best selling book.    Written by my friends Farley Granger and his life partner Robert Calhoun.   The book chronicles Granger's rise to fame, his contract with Goldwyn and his buying out of his contract to leave Hollywood for his true dream, that of the Broadway stage.   All of this with the backdrop that Granger a gay star in the golden era had to hide his sexuality and make the best of his career.   Granger is very honest in this tome and it's worth a good summer read.

Lee Phillip Bell, the co-creator of both "The Young & the Restless" and "The Bold & the Beautiful" received her honor the night before the Emmy telecast at the Kodak Theater, when she at the Academy accepted her award for her Lifetime Achievement in daytime drama.   Bell who started her career in Chicago well over fifty years ago with the "Lee Phill Show" gave her late husband Bill credit for encouraging her and her work.   She is a true lady in this industry and worthy of this award.

On a somber note, the longtime friend of the Bell family, Bill Glenn died earlier in the week before the Emmy telecast.  Bill started out with Bill and Lee Bell on "The Young & the Restless" and was the first director of "The Bold & the Beautiful" twenty years ago this month.   Bill Glenn left due to creative differences but remained a loyal and devoted friend to the Bell family.   Lee was devastated by the loss of her longtime friend and so were some of the shows stars.  Ronn Moss was particularly close to Glenn and current director Michael Stitch was given his chance to direct under the creative and talented hands of Bill Glenn.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.