HOLLYWOOD—This week’s Gold Standard goes to the long running daytime drama “As the World Turns.” With an ensemble too talented to mention, I take the work of three of the shows leading stars and try to explain how they have grown in their craft over the years to become daytime's brightest. It’s always amazing to me that daytime actors and writers are the least sought after in prime time television and in movies. What actor do you know that can learn 30 plus pages of dialog per day and produce at least five episodes of their show per week? Daytime is highly sophisticated and worthy of the acclaim it is starting to receive, with these three extraordinary actors at the top of the list.

Grayson McCouch, Dusty - Courtesy: Telenext, ATWT

Grayson McCouch is one of the most charismatic actors ever. He delivers thought-provoking and gut-wrenching drama as Dusty in every episode he stars. He’s taken Dusty from being a hip and fun guy, to one that is filled with emotion and loss. Whenever Grayson is talking about his little Johnny, it breaks your heart. He’s great with every leading lady on the show and has really been putting 100 percent into this role for months now. Grayson really grew as an actor on the former soap “Another World,” which aired on NBC. But it was when he left daytime and starred in Aaron Spelling’s “All Souls” that I finally saw what he had to offer. His gifts as an actor are boundless. Then, the actor made a turn on the big screen in hits like “Armageddon” and, most recently, in a film I think was highly underrated, “Throttle.”

McCouch is an actor that exudes masculinity and charm. But his piercing blue eyes can be shocking whenever the actor decides to give it his all. Producer Chris Goutman has the ability to see when an actor has a lot more to give and under his direction, McCouch has grown into his own. Fans from here in the U.S.A. to Holland cannot get enough of Grayson’s acting abilities and his character's rise and fall in Oakdale. McCouch should definitely be nominated for an Emmy this year for his return in 2008 to Oakdale.

Julie Pinson, Janet Courtesy: Telenext ATWT

Julie Pinson I’ve known for many years. Back in 1997 when she was a newbie on ABC’s now canceled “Port Charles” series, Julie and her cast mates and I would enjoy lunches on the set and giggling about life and work in various dressing rooms at ABC. Pinson, however, was the shining light of the series and all of her co-stars concurred that she was the “Most Likely to Succeed.” Not only was she beautiful and talented, but Pinson embodies what a star has to have in order to become a breakout star. Guided by super manager Michael Bruno, Pinson, in less than a decade, made her name a household word in shows like “The Young and the Restless” and “Days of our Lives.” It was on “Days” where Julie’s Billie became very well known and popular to a bigger and broader audience. The hit NBC soap has been on air for decades and once Pinson was able to showcase her talents and prove that she could play more than Eve on “Port Charles,” Hollywood took notice.

Since joining “ATWT” Julie’s portrayal of the single mom Janet, who has a heart of gold, has won over the fans of the series and even garnered Pinson notice from her peers both on the show and throughout the industry. Julie Pinson is growing as an actress every day. Working opposite Michael Park, Pinson has been able to hone her craft with one of daytime’s best and most solid performers. Park and Pinson have genuine chemistry and who other than Julie Pinson could compete with the actress known as the twenty first century Bette Davis, Maura West. But Pinson is not second fiddle to West, she’s holding her own with ease and grace. Pinson’s work is improving daily on the show and it’s bound to get even better.

Austin Peck, Brad Courtesy: Telenext ATWT

Then there’s the former model turned actor and devout Christian, Austin Peck. I met Austin many years ago at various soap events and even interviewed him for a magazine feature on his faith. The husband and father just shocked all critics and fans after leaving “Days of our Lives” and showing up on “As the World Turns” in the role of Brad Snyder. Peck seemed like a different man. The actor known as being handsome and sexy on NBC for years is now looked at as the next Cary Grant.

Austin is amazing in his role on the show and working with blond beauty Terri Colombino, who portrays Brad’s wife, Katie. Colombino is one of those underrated actresses who commits to her character fully and gives nothing short of an amazing performance every time she’s on the screen. Peck, however, has made anyone who thought he was just a pretty face stand up and take notice. It’s easy to like Austin, especially since he’s an absolute gentleman, but, now, it’s becoming easier to respect him as an actor and he’s on his way to becoming one of the greatest.

“As the World Turns” gets this week’s gold standard, as it continues to improve from day to day while showcasing these three extraordinary and gifted thespians who make the daytime genre live and breathe. When it comes to Emmy worthiness, Grayson McCouch, Julie Pinson and Austin Peck deserve their due.

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