Talk Show Tie At Daytime Emmys

Rosie O'Donnell and Oprah Winfrey finished in a dead heat for best talk show host and embraced as they accepted their awards Friday during the 25th annual Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies.

A sobbing O'Donnell had already accepted her first award for best talk show -- and used her acceptance speech to salute Winfrey.

And, yes, daytime TV's longest losing streak continued: Susan Lucci went home empty-handed again in her 18th try as best actress in a soap opera. Cynthia Watros of "Guiding Light" won.

Three actors from ABC's venerable "General Hospital" took home awards, but its three-year winning streak as best drama series was broken by "All My Children."

It was the first time there had been a tie in the category of talk show host. Winfrey, who earlier had been given a lifetime achievement award, had won the Emmy six times on her own. Winfrey's show has won best talk show nine times, including the past four years in a row.

"We both feel that this is God's work," Winfrey said. "We thank you for allowing us to have this calling."

An emotional O'Donnell said she hoped her award would be an inspiration for children. "I just want to say to every kid out there who has a life that's not that great right now, hold on," she said. "Hold on, because it gets better, I promise you."

"Sesame Street" won the award for best pre-school children's series. The PBS series has won 71 Emmys since it went on the air in 1969. It has been named best series 18 times, the most in Emmy history, breaking a tie with ABC's "Wide World of Sports."

Two stars of "General Hospital" each won their second Emmy as younger actor and actress. Jonathan Jackson plays Lucky, who had a traumatic year learning that his soap dad raped his mother. A pregnant Sarah Brown, who plays Carly, accepted her award with a mischievous smile.

"I think my water broke," she said. "I'm just kidding."

Steve Burton, who plays Jason on "General Hospital," won his first Emmy Award for best supporting actor.

Julia Barr, who has played Brooke on "All My Children" since 1976, broke "General Hospital's" winning streak by winning best supporting actress. It's her second Emmy.

Eric Braeden of "The Young and the Restless" won his first Emmy as outstanding soap actor.

"Jeopardy," the quiz show where winning contestants answer with questions, won its seventh Emmy Award.

"Science rules," shouted Bill Nye after he accepted his first Emmy Award for best performer in a children's series. He is the host of the syndicated educational series, "Bill Nye The Science Guy."

Daytime television's biggest sensation, talk show ringmaster Jerry Springer, was snubbed by the television academies. The winners are selected by members of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Academy of Telvision Arts & Sciences.

Written by David Bauder
©1998 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed