35th Annual Daytime Emmys: Younger Male

Darin Brooks as Max Brady on Days of our Lives
1st reel: Max comforts Morgan
2nd reel: Max and Stephanie flirt at the bar, then dance.


Hmmm…good tapes. I really like the story in the second one--more of what younger storylines should be about (fun, flirting and romance). However, nothing screams "special" in these reels.


Van Hansis as Luke Snyder on As the World Turns
1st reel: Luke confronts Noah about him acting straight just to please his father
2nd reel: Luke talks to his brother Aaron about Luke's boy problems


I so want Van Hansis to win that it is hard for me to say anything bad about these reels. The first one is very strong, the second one not as much. However, they both show how Van Hansis can make us ache for Luke. Crossing my fingers for him!


Bryton McClure as Devon Winters on Young and the Restless
1st reel: Devon tries to get Lily to leave Daniel who has had problems with a sex addiction, tieing it back to dealing with his mother who had a drug addiction.
2nd reel: Devon argues with Daniel, punching him.


This character is written so bland, it's hard to see the talent in the acting. However, Bryton has won before--so, he has shown he can work past that. But, this reel is shorter than a commercial break. But then again, it's reflective of the screen time for McClure.


Tom Pelphrey as Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light
1st reel: Tammy dies after Alan Spaulding sends someone to kill Jonathan.
2nd reel: Jonathan tries to set fire to Alan's home.


Tom Pelphrey rocks in this sad episode about Tammy's death. Will the fact that he has been gone from the show for over a year affect the voters?


Jesse Lee Soffer as Will Munson on As the World Turns
1st reel: Will reacts strongly and angrily as he is set up to make it appears he doesn't support Gwen or her singining career. 2nd reel: Will tries to calm Gwen who is hysterical thinking she killed Will's brother Adam


Jesse shines in the first reel, but may be overshadowed by Jennifer Landon's performance in the second.


Who Should Win: Tom Pelphrey
Who Will Win: Van Hansis
Don't Count Out: Jesse Lee Soffer