As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n The 53rd Daytime Emmys stream Friday night, & after nine days of counting down the Young & the Restless<\/a> nominees, it\u2019s time for my final ballot. My people know I watch both Y&R<\/a> & 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s owning daytime television. The fashion, the sets & the drama don\u2019t stop, & there\u2019s no end in sight now that CBS has renewed it for seasons 3 & 4. If it\u2019s not BTG, it\u2019s Y&R for sure.<\/p>\n Where do I even start? BTG\u2019s Anita Dupree<\/strong><\/em> (Tamara Tunie<\/strong><\/em>) & Dani Dupree<\/strong><\/em> (Karla Mosley<\/strong><\/em>) vs. the one & only Phyllis Summers<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Michelle Stafford<\/strong><\/em>). It\u2019s rock paper scissors between Anita & Dani, & Phyllis is my backup, hands down. (My full Phyllis take is here.<\/a>)<\/p>\n Hands freaking down, Victor Newman<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Eric Braeden<\/strong><\/em>). I love me some Michael Baldwin<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Christian LeBlanc<\/strong><\/em>), but somebody checked the wrong box. He belongs in the Supporting Actor category.<\/a><\/p>\n Yes, The Mustache<\/a> has spent the last couple of years screaming, scheming & being grumpy to friends, family & every Genoa City<\/a> resident he openly doesn\u2019t like. He should still win. It\u2019s his time.<\/a> A Lifetime Achievement award would have fit him better, but that honor goes to Genie Francis this year.<\/p>\n Hands down, all around: Traci Abbott<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Beth Maitland<\/strong><\/em>). Sorry, Mariah Copeland<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Camryn Grimes<\/strong><\/em>). You survived everything Josh Griffith threw at you<\/a>, but this one belongs to Aunt Traci.<\/p>\n Hands down, BTG\u2019s Bill Hamilton<\/strong><\/em> (Timon Kyle Durrett<\/strong><\/em>). If not him, Matt Clark<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Roger Howarth<\/strong><\/em>). If The Town Hobo, Daniel Romalotti<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Michael Graziadei<\/strong><\/em>), wins, I will scream at my TV.<\/a> Sorry, Nate Hastings<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (Sean Dominic<\/strong><\/em>). I\u2019m still asking what for.<\/a><\/p>\n Hands down, BTG\u2019s June<\/strong><\/em> (Jasmine Burke<\/strong><\/em>). Total character development, & I don\u2019t understand how she\u2019s a guest nominee. She\u2019s on the show regularly, & she isn\u2019t going anywhere. Meanwhile, Y&R\u2019s Ian Ward<\/strong><\/em> (Ray Wise<\/strong><\/em>) is washed up. Not dead, but washed up, & he should actually be dead.<\/a><\/p>\n BTG\u2019s Naomi<\/strong><\/em> (Arielle Prepetit<\/strong><\/em>) & Eva<\/strong><\/em> (Ambyr Michelle<\/strong><\/em>) both irritate me, in very different ways. Rock paper scissors. Let\u2019s put a bow on this category & move on\u2026<\/p>\n As much as I love Y&R, I\u2019m so glad not to see it in this category. Remember when Young & the Restless<\/a> won for writing & nobody got it? Josh Griffith is finally out, & Y&R fans will be celebrating on 11\/11 like it\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n Obviously Y&R. I\u2019m in the Elizabeth Hendrickson fan club. She used to play Chloe Mitchell, & now she\u2019s behind the camera directing. Well done.\u00a0 I have my sandwich board & pom-poms out for this one for her.<\/p>\n Tomorrow night: the Daytime Emmys stream free on YouTube & the Emmys app, & I\u2019ll be live-tweeting @TheBoldNorthGal.<\/p>\n Who\u2019s on your ballot, & who would make you scream at your TV? It\u2019s not my first day watching Y&R & it isn\u2019t yours either. What\u2019s your take?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nDrama Series: Beyond the Gates<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lead Actress: A Three-Way Race<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Lead Actor: The Almighty Victor Newman<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Supporting Actress: Traci Abbott<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"2026](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/notmyfirstday.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/My-Final-Picks-Ballot-1080-square%401x.png?resize=790%2C790&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSupporting Actor: This One Is Messed Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Guest Performer: June<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Emerging Talent: Rock Paper Scissors<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Writing Team: Beyond the Gates, 1000%<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Directing Team: Y&R<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Related: Y&R Emmy Countdown #1: Find Me One Fan Who Doesn\u2019t Love Traci Abbott<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n