BENEDICT CANYON —This year’s Daytime TV’s Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress nominees are an amazing and deserving group. However, two stars stand out from the pack and they are “The Young and the Restless” actor Doug Davidson and “As The World Turns” 2007 Outstanding Lead Actress-winner Maura West, who portrays Carly Snyder on the soap. Doug Davidson happens to portray private investigator Paul Williams on his show. These two put the outstanding in continuing drama on a daily basis and surpass even their own goals and standards as excellent performers.
West has been nominated an amazing six times and each year she’s well deserved. This year the beautiful blonde actress will be going up against a number of worthy adversaries. Sarah Brown, “General Hospital”; Crystal Chappell, “Guiding Light”; Bobbie Eakes, “All My Children,” and Michelle Stafford, “The Young and the Restless.” Each of these actresses has an incredible reel to submit to voters. However, Maura West led by Christopher Goutman, “ATWT’s” head writer and executive producer had a phenomenal year in 2009. Carly went from missing mom, to drunk, to heartbroken ex-wife to business woman. West is nothing short of Bette Davis in her approach to acting and she plays a diva with a big heart. In real life, the actress who has been married to actor Scott Defreitas for 10 years has four children and is much more stable than her alter ego on the soap.
Doug Davidson has only been nominated once in 30 years. However, it’s not for a lack of talent. The handsome superstar that has called “Y&R” his home for as long as fans can remember is not only my choice to win the Outstanding Lead Actor award this year, but also one of Hollywood’s most respected journalists. Michael Logan of TV Guide Magazine tells Canyon News, “I am over the moon that Doug Davidson (Paul) got a nod, too. He’s been so marvelous ”“ and so marvelously real and understated for 31 years and has only one other nomination to show for it. I’m rooting for him!” His competition includes, “Y&R” costar Peter Bergman; Jon Lindstrom, “ATWT”; Michael Park, “ATWT,” and James Scott, “DAYS.”
TV Guide columnist and editor Michael Logan is not the only fan of Doug’s work as an actor. Acclaimed actress, producer and director Lauralee Bell tells Canyon News, “Tommy, I am thrilled that Doug is nominated and not just because he was my on screen hubby for so long, but because he deserves it like nobody else. I know the audience knows how good he is but to be the person who works opposite him is indescribable and such a gift. All you have to do is look in his eyes and react. Plus, the fun factor: he is one of my favorite people in the world. I will be there when he wins.” Another of Davidson’s “Y&R” leading ladies agrees with Lauralee’s sentiments. Tracey Bregman Recht who portrays Lauren Fenmore Baldwin on the soap tells Canyon News, “Doug is an amazing actor and I love to work with him and have worked with him for 27 years. He is also my great friend. He deserves this Emmy so much, not only for this one episode but for every episode that he has given one hundred percent to. Bravo Doug!”
Davidson has millions of fans who feel the same way Logan and I do. In my opinion, it’s also the year for Maura West. With “ATWT” going off the air in the fall after 54 years on the small screen, it would be a very good idea to offer the series’ leading actress her just award once again.
