CBS Dominates; Bob Barker Honored At Daytime Emmys

First Published: June 16, 2007 3:39 PM EDT Credit: AP

Caption As does Bob Barker, in his final year!

-- “I want to thank the television viewers across the country for inviting me into their homes for 50 years,” he said, before concluding with his signature signoff. “And remember, help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.”

Barker earned his 18th trophy at Thursday night’s ceremony for craft categories as executive producer of “The Price Is Right.”

“It’s quite emotional for me. This whole evening, I’ve loved it,” Barker said backstage at the Kodak Theatre. “I told a friend of mine, `I wish they’d done this every year.”’

Barker’s early victory keyed a big night for CBS, which won nine trophies to go with its seven creative arts awards Thursday, giving the network a leading 16 wins.

“Guiding Light,” which came into the night with a leading 17 nominations, tied another CBS soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” for drama series honors. It was the first tie in the drama category.

PBS was second with 15 awards, including 13 creative arts trophies. Syndicated shows earned 11 trophies, including six by DeGeneres and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” ABC was fourth with nine wins, while NBC earned five.

DeGeneres scored her fourth consecutive victory for talk show and third win in a row for talk show host, keeping “The View” co-hosts Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and the recently departed Rosie O’Donnell winless.

“I really am shocked,” DeGeneres said before acknowledging “The View” ladies and O’Donnell’s controversial yearlong stint. “I thought Rosie brought a lot of new viewers to daytime television and it was interesting.”

DeGeneres joked that she planned to take a page from “The View” on her show.

“And I want to just start with something controversial right now to kick it off and I know this might not be popular and I don’t care because that’s what I’m doing,” she said. “I just want to say it — I think Bob Barker is a quitter.”

Barker laughed along with the rest of the audience.

CBS also swept the lead acting categories, with victories for Maura West of “As the World Turns” and Christian LeBlanc of “The Young and the Restless,” daytime’s No. 1 rated show.

West picked up her first Daytime Emmy trophy for playing Carly, whose emotional breakup with husband Jack was a major storyline.

“It’s so much heavier than I thought,” said West, who began watching the soap opera in high school and met her real-life husband on the show. “I feel like I’m going to throw up. I’m just thrilled to bits and pieces.”

Genie Francis of “General Hospital” claimed her first Daytime Emmy for supporting actress in a drama series. Francis returned to the soap opera last year as Laura Spencer, a role she began playing at age 14.

“I’ve waited 31 years for this moment,” she said.

Francis’ “General Hospital” co-star, Rick Hearst, won supporting actor honors.

Jennifer Landon of “As the World Turns” and Bryton McClure of “The Young and the Restless” won younger actress and actor honors.

There was a tie for performer in a children’s series between “Sesame Street’s” Kevin Clash, who plays Elmo, and Caroll Spinney, who plays Oscar the Grouch.

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