Lucci Extends Her Streak Of Daytime Emmy Defeats

The wait continues for Susan Lucci.

For the 16th time, the “All My Children” star went home empty-handed Wednesday at the 23rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall. The trophy for outstanding lead actress in a daytime drama went to Erika Slezak of “One Life to Live.”

Slezak, who plays Victoria Lord Carpenter on the ABC daytime drama, became the first to win five times in the lead actress category. Her previous wins were in 1995, 1992, 1986 and 1984.

Lucci’s loss adds to the streak that has become a legend in the industry. She even made a commercial several years ago for an artificial sweetener in which she satirized her annual defeat.

According to the early buzz in the soap business, this was supposed to be Lucci’s year. Her character, Erica Kane, developed a drug problem and went into a recovery program this season. Alcoholism, drug addiction and mental illness have been tickets for Daytime Emmy wins in the past.

But Slezak’s character had her share of personal demons as well. She won last year for a story in which Carpenter suffered from multiple personality disorder. This year the character revealed she was subject to sexual abuse by her father.

ABC’s “General Hospital” won outstanding drama series for the second consecutive year.

In their acceptance of the award, the producers paid tribute to 33-year “GH” cast member John Beradino, who died of cancer Sunday.

CBS won the most awards on the night with five. Combined with the awards given in Saturday’s ceremony, CBS collected 12, followed by PBS with eight and ABC with six. NBC, Fox, Warner Bros. and Disney each won two. CBS’ “Guiding Light” had the most wins of any program with six.

Syndicated talk show host Montel Williams ended Oprah Winfrey’s streak in the outstanding talk show host category. Winfrey had won the award five years in a row. “I’m stunned,” Williams said. “I’m absolutely shocked.”

The “Oprah Winfrey Show” did win for outstanding talk show, its eighth trophy.

Charles Keating, long-time cast member of NBC’s “Another World,” won his first Emmy for outstanding lead actor.

“All My Children” took the prize for outstanding writing in a drama series.