Categories: SHOWS

Victor, Traci & Why BTG Is Taking Over

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The 53rd Daytime Emmys stream Friday night, & after nine days of counting down the Young & the Restless nominees, it’s time for my final ballot. My people know I watch both Y&R & Beyond the Gates, so this one is fair: every category with a Y&R or BTG nominee, plus who I think should take it home.

Drama Series: Beyond the Gates

Out of nowhere, Beyond the Gates became the first new network daytime soap in about 25 years, & the first Black-led daytime soap ever. It’s owning daytime television. The fashion, the sets & the drama don’t stop, & there’s no end in sight now that CBS has renewed it for seasons 3 & 4. If it’s not BTG, it’s Y&R for sure.

Lead Actress: A Three-Way Race

Where do I even start? BTG’s Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) & Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley) vs. the one & only Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). It’s rock paper scissors between Anita & Dani, & Phyllis is my backup, hands down. (My full Phyllis take is here.)

Lead Actor: The Almighty Victor Newman

Hands freaking down, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden). I love me some Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc), but somebody checked the wrong box. He belongs in the Supporting Actor category.

Yes, The Mustache has spent the last couple of years screaming, scheming & being grumpy to friends, family & every Genoa City resident he openly doesn’t like. He should still win. It’s his time. A Lifetime Achievement award would have fit him better, but that honor goes to Genie Francis this year.

Supporting Actress: Traci Abbott

Hands down, all around: Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland). Sorry, Mariah Copeland (Camryn Grimes). You survived everything Josh Griffith threw at you, but this one belongs to Aunt Traci.

Supporting Actor: This One Is Messed Up

Hands down, BTG’s Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). If not him, Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). If The Town Hobo, Daniel Romalotti (Michael Graziadei), wins, I will scream at my TV. Sorry, Nate Hastings (Sean Dominic). I’m still asking what for.

Guest Performer: June

Hands down, BTG’s June (Jasmine Burke). Total character development, & I don’t understand how she’s a guest nominee. She’s on the show regularly, & she isn’t going anywhere. Meanwhile, Y&R’s Ian Ward (Ray Wise) is washed up. Not dead, but washed up, & he should actually be dead.

Emerging Talent: Rock Paper Scissors

BTG’s Naomi (Arielle Prepetit) & Eva (Ambyr Michelle) both irritate me, in very different ways. Rock paper scissors. Let’s put a bow on this category & move on…

Writing Team: Beyond the Gates, 1000%

As much as I love Y&R, I’m so glad not to see it in this category. Remember when Young & the Restless won for writing & nobody got it? Josh Griffith is finally out, & Y&R fans will be celebrating on 11/11 like it’s 1999. BTG moves. Forget fast-forward. Soap fans need a rewind button to catch what they missed: wait, what did who just say to who?

Directing Team: Y&R

Obviously Y&R. I’m in the Elizabeth Hendrickson fan club. She used to play Chloe Mitchell, & now she’s behind the camera directing. Well done. I have my sandwich board & pom-poms out for this one for her.