Under Review - Depth of Bolts Makes Squad Most Intriguing In NHL

By Allan Brown

If you're a Tampa Bay Lightning fan, Christmas has come early this year. 

With the best record to date in the National Hockey League, the Lightning have looked as good as any NHL club has since the 1976-77 Montreal Canadians.

Of course, for Bolts fans December 25th might as well be the Fourth of July, as the only Christmas gift they want won't get unwrapped until mid-June.

And that's only if the Lightning turn another regular-season success into a Stanley Cup championship.

Having made appearances in three out of the last four Eastern Conference Final rounds, the club has yet to turn regular season success into a second Lord Stanley Cup win in their 26-year history.

This year's franchise seems different from the past ones, though.

With extreme depth on paper and a league-leading offense on ice, no lead by an opposing team is safe.

The 2018 incarnation is that deep and that resilient.

And that makes choosing my Top Five Most Intriguing Bolts of the year more difficult this year than in any of the past three times I've written such a column . 

I'm up for the challenge, though, as I zero in on my original criteria for such a column which is to annually pick the five Lightning team members who I'd most like to invite to Christmas dinner.

In the past, Steven Stamkos, Head Coach Jon Cooper and former netminder Ben Bishop have topped my list.

Both Stammer and Coop were seriously considered for top five honors this time around.

To date, Stamkos looks to have regained that spark that has in the past propelled the team to playoff dominance and won him two Maurice Rocket Richard trophies for most goals scored by an NHL player in a single season. 

As for Cooper, he has lead the team to a playoff berth in all but one of his five full seasons as Bolts head coach.

So both are worthy of inclusion on my list this season 

As is defending Norris Trophy winner, Victor Hedman, who continues to dominate the squad's already deep and improving defense.

His D-man counterpart, Ryan McDonagh, came thisclose to making the top five on the list. He currently leads the team in plus/minus at 19, good for sixth place in the NHL.

McDonagh has been invaluable to the squad's defense, especially in the absence of injured teammate, Anton Stralman. 

The genius of  former general manager Steve Yzerman's hockey brilliance once again is evident in having traded for him and winger J.T. Miller with the Rangers late last season.

Tyler Johnson, who is looking to, perhaps, have his best season ever as a Bolt, was also worthy of inclusion on my top five list. In fact, to date, Johnny's 13 goals this season are only eight shy of his production for the entire 2017-18 season  Also considered for the list was promising center Anthony Cirelli, who in his first full season in a Bolts blue sweater already has scored nine goals and has 13 points for the good guys.

However, ultimately I went in a different direction this year and my top five are all new to my list and, some even
relatively new to the team.

And that I have listed so many who could have been top five on my list - and left off many others who I could make a strong argument for inclusion on it - is a testament to just how strong this squad - actually is.

As is customary for me, I publish an annual list of who I consider to be the Most Intriguing Sports Figures of the year and in a previous column, I selected Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield for that honor.

However, any of the five I'm about to list in this column could easily be on my overall sports list, too.

Coming in at number five is 

Nikita Kucherov.

Formerly included on my list two years ago as part of the 'Triplets' trio with Johnson and Ondrej Palat, Kuch makes it all on his own this year.

Kucherov can score goals, but his value this season has been in getting assists. Fourth in the League in that statistic, with 34, his 47 points put him in that same spot in that stat, too.

Whatever line Cooper puts him on suddenly produces and that is a sign of a true MVP.

Having recorded a first and only hat trick on a 3-on-3 in last year's NHL All-Star game, Kucherov is well on his way to making another appearance in the league's annual classic.

4. Mathieu Joseph, The rookie winger took a while to score, but once he did, it is as if the floodgates suddenly opened. Already at nine goals and 13 points for the season, he is a serious Calder Trophy candidate.

What makes Joseph even more special is that he also does all the little things that boost a team to victory exceptionally well for someone his age and is a born leader, which is evident from his pressers or post game clips.

Having met Joseph when he was a member of the Bolts AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, I can say, firsthand, that he is also humble. That quiet humbleness, mixed with confidence he displays both on the ice indicate a promising career in Tampa Bay and the NHL.

Joseph is certainly high on my list of Bolts to interview in 2019.

3. Louis Domingue - A veteran goaltender in his own right, Domingue has come of age this season as backup to Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Traded to the Lightning from the Arizona Coyotes last season, he has proven his worth this year in relief of Vasilevskiy, who broke his foot last month and was sidelined until Thursday night's win versus Toronto.

The trade came last season following Domingue's disastrous stint in relief of Coyotes' netminder, Antti Raanta, in which he went 0-7.

Domingue has more than proven that slump was a mere fluke by posting 14 wins this season, good for a third-place tie in the league, and going 10-2 in Vasy's absence.

In fact, just last week, he was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week.

What's particularly impressive with the Quebec native's play this season is he has gotten progressively better and more confident between the pipes.

If Vasilevskiy should go down again, the Bolts should stand in good stead with Domingue.


2. Brayden Point - In his third season with the Lightning, the center has improved nicely each year.

And in this 2018-19 season, he is soaring.

Point leads the team in goals with 21, good for fourth place in the League, and is a legitimate Rocket Richard contender. His 41 points tie him for 11th in the NHL and put him behind only Kucherov for that team statistic.

With a killer instinct to improve that he has shown since he started playing for the Bolts, he may, in actuality, be the squad's biggest asset come playoff time.


While having one goaltender in my top five, is good, naming two to it is exceptional.

My number one selection as Most Intriguing (and Valuable) Lightning Player of 2018 is also a netminder
and is testament to just how strong the Bolts are in goal - and in virtually every other aspect of the game - this season.

And, ultimately, that could be the difference between the Bolts settling for also-ran status again this season or actually finally hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup next June.

If you're a Lightning fan, I'm sure you've guessed by now who my ultimate choice is.

Coming in at number one this year for My Most Intriguing (not to mention most Valuable) Bolt is the team's aforementioned number one guy between the pipes, Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Vasy, a finalist last season for the Vezina Trophy, awarded annually to the goaltender deemed best in net, has only gotten better with another year of NHL experience under his belt.

His .933 save percentage leads the league and he ranks third among netminders in goals against average at 2.20.

And upon returning from his four-week recovery, he didn't miss a beat. In fact, his cat-like reflexes in net looked even more refined and, if possible, he looked even better in goal than before his injury.

Not even having hit his prime as a goaltender, at 24, Vasilevskiy can only get better, which for Bolts' fans should ensure the team's dominance in goal for many seasons to come.

Whether these honored
Bolts - and of course the entire Lightning Hockey Club - can ultimately succeed where their past teams could not has yet to be determined.

One thing is for certain, though.

If they do, it will be better than any gift any Lightning fan finds under their Christmas tree next week.

Under Review: Why Good Morning Football Has Changed How NFL Fans Wake Up In The A.M.

By Allan Brown

Good Morning Football is the best three hours of television on television.

Period.

End of Story.

Ok, it's not actually the end of this story. However, as a young journalism student at The University of Toledo many moons ago, I was always told not to bury the lead.

Therefore, I'm letting you know upfront what the crux of this column is about.

And, in the rest of this piece, I'm going to let you know why the NFL Network's current foray into early morning television (seen weekdays at 7 a.m. EST with a repeat broadcast starting at 10 a.m. EST) is succeeding and its predecessors did not.

It's not just the previous incarnations of this programming idea were based out of Los Angeles, where it was 4 a.m. when the anchors were live. You see, the Network's perception was that the shows lacked the energy - and the anchors certainly even lacked the sleep - required to do a live broadcast at that ungodly hour.

Although being based live out of New York City certainly helps bring a different energy to GMFB, the real key to its success is actually much more simple than that.

In one word, the show succeeds because of chemistry.

The four regulars have chemistry in excess.

Actually, there's enough chemistry between Kay Adams, Kyle Brandt, Nate Burleson and Peter Schrager for the show to probably go six hours a day during football season.

The quartet is that good, that knowledgeable and that passionate about the NFL to sustain a show of such magnitude.

Although with three nights of primetime NFL games, they may actually lack just as much sleep as any of their predecessors, it never shows on screen.

From the Lead Block, where the group discusses the top stories or games at the start of each hour, until the concluding segment just a few minutes before 10 a.m., the show is entertaining, informative and extremely watchable.

That's because the team not only knows football, they love the sport.

And their love of football is contagious.

Already a huge NFL fan, if anything, my love for the game has actually increased tenfold from watching how this quartet loves the sport.

As for the team, each brings their own unique perspective to the breakfast table.

Starting with Kay Adams, who guides the trio of men at the table with discussion and insight, she clearly has the chutzpah to carefully balance the stories with the often-zany - though always highly entertaining - antics the men present her with.

Having vast experience in fantasy football programming (among other shows, she previously hosted the highly entertaining Fantasy Football Live on NBCSN before this latest gig, which premiered in August 2016) she rarely steers you wrong in balancing your own squads. Her knowledge is unparalleled.

Every panel discussion show needs that one person to guide and navigate and Adams does that and then some.

As for Brandt, his seven years as executive producer of the Jim Rome radio show serves him well in his breakdown of games and analysis of all stories pertinent to the NFL.

And the energy he possesses at such an early hour is definitely contagious. You might not even need your cup of Joe in the morning as he is that good, that animated.

Brandt is good, though I have to confess even his abundant energy at that hour is not quite enough to keep me from having my cup - or sometimes multiple cups - of Java each day.

Slightly off topic, but certainly of note, Brandt also has a Friday evening show on the Network, The Kyle Brandt Football Experience, which is 'Must See TV' in its own right.

Part up-to-the-minute predictions and discussion and part a trip down memory lane, as Brandt also soundly utilizes the NFL Films vaults that are housed in the Network's possession.

Before the show debuted, it was said the show was partly inspired by the old George Michael Sports Machine. And it does not disappoint, as it might be the best and most unique show since the former last dominated the weekend airwaves two decades ago.

Back to GMFB, clearly, the four feed off of one another.

Nate Burleson, a former third round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings and who also played in Seattle and Detroit in his 11 seasons in the League, gives the crew a unique perspective that only a former player can provide.

Active on social media and co-host of CBS' NFL Today, Burleson is the perfect person to give a player's view to the table.

And, as an aside, Burleson is also perfect for this gig, as he genuinely cares about lifting this sport and its players up. Whereas, many current and former athletes aren't necessarily the best role models for our youth, he definitely is one.

Finally, Peter Schrager rounds out the quartet.

A veteran sports analyst, best-selling author and contributor to both Fox Sports.Com and a sideline NFL reporter for Fox Sports his journalistic expertise and integrity is second to none in the industry. He can often be the voice of reason when discussing a particularly controversial topic.


And none of the four back away or shy away from giving their candid opinions on not only the games, but the breaking news - including negative stories - that affect the game, too.

All have their favorite players and teams and openly discuss that, though not in a biased way that turns a viewer off.

Also a part of the team - albeit stationed in Los Angeles - is sports anchor Will Selva, who brings us updates throughout the three hours and clicks with the other four even if it is only on a split screen.

The only thing that a viewer might wish is that Selva actually was in New York with the others, as he is as clearly a part of the GMFB family as the other four teammates.

Perhaps that last paragraph best sums up why GMFB succeeds - the team actually is like a family to both the viewers and each other.

Sure, they sometimes disagree on a topic, though that just makes for better TV. Even in their differences of opinion, viewers can see they have each others backs.

And that's definitely a key to the show's ever growing popularity.


Back in the late 90s, TV Guide used to honor a series with an award called the Best Show You're Not Watching.

While I'm certainly not saying this is the case with GMFB (in fact viewership has increased by double-digit percentages both in total viewers and in the key 18-54 demo since last year) all I'm noting is that not everyone has or can subscribe to the NFL Network and, perhaps, some who do, have never watched the program.

Shame on you.


There is absolutely no morning show out there that possesses the same energy and enthusiasm.

So if you don't have the NFL Network or have not ever watched GMFB, I highly suggest you subscribe to it, as you really don't know what you're missing.

My lead really says it all.

GMFB is the best morning show in a crowded field of sports - and even news - shows competing for your attention in the early morning

Trust me, once you join the team at their breakfast table, you will partake of the show each weekday.

Under Review - The Most Intriguing Sports Figures of 2018 Run The Gamut

By Allan Brown

As the year comes to a close, 2018 will be remembered in the sports world as one of extremes.

From the euphoric joy of a Philadelphia Eagles fan base that finally saw their beloved football team hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, to a Red Sox Nation that saw its squad win its fourth World Series Championship of this century, the year had its highs and lows.

For every feel good story (like the Washington Capitols winning their first Stanley Cup) there was a negative story looming right around the corner. (Think the Kareem Hunt or Urban Meyer scandals.)

For this column, however, I choose to focus on the positive the year brought in the wonderful world of sports.

So without further ado, here is my annual list of the Most Intriguing People in Sports.

This year with a twist.

Instead of ranking them 1-10, this year, I'm Only giving one #1, one gold star. The rest of the list won't be in any particular order.

So grab a cup of egg nog and enjoy.

First up, sports journalists are - for good or for bad - as much in the sports pages as the actual athletes they cover.

With that in mind, I'm first giving out an honor for someone who reports, analyzes and comments on the games.

Someone who is intriguing to me and, as is my customary criteria for my annual list, a person I would most like to interview.

And in the case of Laura Rutledge, I have already had the privilege of writing about.

As host of SEC Nation, Laura has parlayed that success into a semi-regular gig on ESPN's suddenly resurging Get Up show.

It can't be a coincidence that the show's numbers have spiked considerably since she has begun appearing on it.

To be honest and in full disclosure, I have known Laura for many years as she was our Miss Florida 2012, though I can honestly say I'm unbiased in my opinion of her - one that so many in the industry obviously share.

She moved from the ranks of reporter for the Tampa Bay Rays to covering the San Diego Padres - with a few other stops in between - before becoming a household name at the SEC Network.

What's particularly remarkable about Laura is her ability to cover ANYTHING. From college football to the NFL, from MLB to the College World Series, Rutledge is a virtual encyclopedia of sports knowledge that is unparalleled on the network. And in a sea of Greenys, Stephen As and Hannah Storms, she might just be ESPN's greatest asset.

She is relatable and down to earth. With Laura, what you see is what you get, especially when talking to her in person.

Her star is burning brightly

And is still on the rise.

Count on it.

Now on to the NHL.

And my choice of Alex Ovechkin as most intriguing in his sport is a no-brainer.

From the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Award, given to the goal leader to the Hart Memorial - or MVP Trophy, Ovi has won virtually every award his sport has to offer.

Except one.

The Stanley Cup.

So when Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals team finally we're able to house that Cup this spring, it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the Russian-born winger.

And he made the most of it.

Ovi was seen taking the Cup all around the District of Columbia and his native Russia.

And a growing fan base who rooted for him along the way delighted in Ovechkin's well-earned trek, even if it meant some of his teammates got less time with Lord Stanley's Cup.


Always a great player, Ovechkin learned to be a great leader on and off the ice. While he might not be as great as Wayne Gretzky, like Gretzky, Ovi has endured the sport to a new generation.

As for others who intrigued us - or at least me- this past year, the list is many.

However, before unveiling my number one choice, I've narrowed it to several others who deserve mebtion.

University of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa may have been runner-up for the Heisman Trophy this year, but no doubt his time will come.

His numbers this season, including passing for 3,353 yards and 37 touchdowns and leading the Crimson Tide to a perfect regular-season record, have excited college football fans and, no doubt, have made NFL scouts take notice, too.

For Alex Cora, he was denied the American League Manager of the Year honor, though he has a World Series Championship in his first season as skipper of the Boston Red Sox to keep him comfort.

In leading the Red Sox to a franchise-best- ever 108 regular season wins, maybe Manager of the Year voters thought he made it look too easy or that he already had the tools in place to succeed to begin with, Cora, however, still did something his predecessor couldn't.

Like Jon Gruden in the NFL when he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Lombardi Trophy with talent mentored by Tony Dungy, Cora was snubbed for year-ending honors. I'm pretty sure, though, he's content with the hardware he helped his Red Sox win.

Chicago Bears fans haven't had much of anything - or anyone - to cheer for since the Monsters of the Midway dominated the game in the mid-1980s.

Enter Matt Nagy, who in his first year as coach of the formerly down and out Bears has led his team to defensive dominance and a first-place record in the NFL's North Division.

The addition of defensive juggernaut, Kahlil Mack hasn't hurt, either.

Both are intriguing and promise to make gridiron action in the Windy City interesting and exciting for years to come.

For LeBron James, he really doesn't need any more accolades to prove his worth.

However, that hasn't stopped him from continuing to rewrite the NBA record books or to move around the League in quest of another World Championship.

His second departure from Cleveland was without the drama and negative reaction from Cavs fans that his first exit caused back in 2010.

Since then, he helped Cleveland win a World Championship and had endured himself to his hometown community via the opening of a school for at-risk children in Northeast Ohio.

He is intriguing for not only his spectacular play on the court, but for the man he has become off it.

In a world filled with sports idols who have fallen from grace or fallen short of being a positive role model for our youth, The King has proven that there are still some exemplary athletes who can overachieve both on and off the athletic stage.

As for who Cleveland sports fans have to idolize in James' absence, the answer to that question is an easy one.

Just as easy as who my choice for Most Intriguing Sports Figure of 2018 should be.

That top honor goes to rookie Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Many - including this writer - questioned the Browns' choice of Mayfield as their number one draft pick this spring.

Boy, were we wrong.

Mayfield has not only looked sharp and promising since he took over the reins at QB from Tyrod Taylor in a spectacular game-winning series in Week Three of the NFL season, he has only gotten better and more confident in his leadership role as the season has progressed.

He clearly enjoys being in Cleveland, enjoys interacting with the fans and enjoys playing his heart out each week in a season where the Browns are still in the playoff hunt as the waning weeks of the NFL season play out.

When's the last time Browns fans could say that?

Putting past personal transgressions aside, Mayfield has shown that unlike another former Browns' draft pick, Johnny Manziel, he has learned from his mistakes and his football talent wasn't just limited to the collegiate field, where he was last year's winner of the Heisman Trophy.

Mayfield is just a little dangerous both on the field and in his post-game pressers and that's good.

Dangerous can be exciting and sometimes even good.

In Mayfield's case, good enough to be named the Most Intriguing Sports Figure of 2018.

And that choice may be a little dangerous on my part, as he still has much to prove in his future with the Browns.

Mayfield, however, is worth the risk.

Miss USA 2017 More Than Just A Beauty Pageant

Another Miss USA Pageant has come and gone.

And, with it, emotions run high and opinions are varied.

So, in keeping with my annual tradition, here are my thoughts on the Good, the Bad and the Indifferent surrounding the annual competition.

I use the word competition because the term beauty pageant has long been eliminated from references to Miss USA.

It's passe.

It may not even be politically correct anymore.

Still, beauty is at the core of any pageant and this year's contestants did not disappoint.

Beauty is subjective, but all 51 contestants were beautiful in their own right.

Only one, though, can win the crown.

And, this year, the judges chose Miss District of Columbia, Kara McCullough, to be the holder of the title and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Kara is not only beautiful, she is also smart, ambitious and qualified to represent our nation at Miss Universe.

The pageant often reinvents itself, as was the case when Donald Trump took it over following the crowning of Ali Landry in 1996.

Beauty was pushed to the forefront - and rightfully so - however, many of the women crowned during his era weren't necessarily the best speakers.

IMG is now emphasizing brains, speaking skills and that something extra.

And, I, for one don't have a problem with that.

There should be no reason we can't crown a Miss USA that embodies both beauty and brains.

One who can hold her own with the media and one who can guarantee getting more bookings during her reign with a combination of arresting beauty and strong intellect.

I think we got that in Kara last night.

She will represent us well and I think is even the frontrunner for the Miss Universe title, but that's just my opinion, as is the rest of this blog.

Keeping in mind that whenever you assemble a panel of judges, differences will arise and opinions will vary. No one is ever going to agree 100% on everything and that's OK. We just have to learn to respect the varied opinions of others and accept the decision of the judges, whether we agree with it or not.

Did I agree with everything that took place last night on the stage?

Hell, no, however, I really didn't have a problem with any of the top 10. Nine of them were on my extended Top 15 list to begin with and any would have made a tremendous Miss USA.

The only contestant I really hadn't noticed was Missouri, the rest I had kept alternating on my list. Just wish the pageant had allowed a Top 15 to compete, as it allows more states to stay tuned and stay involved in the proceedings and it also provides these young women an extra chance to impress the judges and to proudly represent their state on national television.

Don't eliminate the up close and personal videos, but show only the top 5, as true pageant fans can find their way to the Miss USA website or YouTube to view them.

Let 15 compete in gown, as that has proven to be the most popular one for pageant fans whenever they are asked to vote in an unscientific poll regarding their favorite part of the competition. Then let 12 compete in swimsuit and, then, do the short interview they did with each of the top 10 delegates when the group is cut to 10 following swimsuit.

Have all scores combined to then get a top five and have each of them then answer the same question. No need to have two rounds of questions that cut to a final three. Just make the top 10 interview have a little more depth to it and then you're fine.

But, that's just fine tuning the pageant, as I had no real problem with the way the eliminations were done last night except for the initial cut to 10.

Since Miss USA started as a swimsuit pageant, have all 51 contestants appear in swimsuits in the opening number and that will be a good compromise that would allow for more gowns in the semi-final competition.

As for last night's opening number, I loved it, with one MAJOR exception.

The upbeat dance number was great, not allowing each young woman to introduce herself and her hometown was not.

These ladies work long and hard to get on the national stage and they deserve their moment to shine before the eliminations begin.

As for the emcees, Terrence J and Julianne Hough were terrific, both seemed thrilled to be there and moved the show along nicely. My only complaint there was Julianne's hair looked a hot mess all evening long!

As for color commentator, Ashley Graham, if you're going to have that position, use it and provide some juicy commentary. Her presence there just sort of seemed useless to me. I long for the days when Helen O'Connell sat above the stage and gave us insight into the pageant or Ali Landry and Julie Moran actually gave us some dish on the contestants and the competition. That's a much-needed part I think she be brought back.

As for providing dish, here's mine.

TOP 10 - From the moment they were announced and spoke, DC dominated and proved she would be the frontrunner all evening. She did not disappoint in swimsuit, where I ranked her second, behind Minnesota, who impressed in my favorite swimsuit of the evening. Other strong swimsuits were South Carolina, Alaska (did you look at the abs on her?) New York and Tennessee.

Coming out of preliminary competition my top three were NY, Tennessee and DC, only DC advanced to the final five. Part of that was I thought NY could have come right out of the gate in top 10 question and shown a little more of herself, like what Illinois did to endear herself to me and get her a spot in the five. Tennessee dominated prelims, but seemed a little off last night, and while I liked her gown, it was a little safe to me.

At least it was not disastrous like Minnesota's gown, which was way too busy for my taste, tho apparently it didn't hurt her, as she advanced to the 10, also.

My favorite gowns were DC, especially how she worked the gown,  Alaska, who seemed a little too nervous to advance to the five, and New York. I also love when a girl buys a gown off the rack and that propelled New Jersey into my five at that point (of course her great personality and top 10 quick interview didn't hurt, either.)

My top five would have been DC, SC, Illinois (wearing a similar gown to Deshauna Barber, last year's Miss USA wasn't a great decision, but I didn't mind it), New Jersey and really any of the others, as I didn't have a particularly strong opinion either way. I had hoped Tennessee or NY would make it, but wasn't sure at that point. I thought Minnesota's gown choice would be her undoing, though, it wasn't.

Minnesota could clearly speak, which then propelled her into the top three along with both DC and New Jersey. DC seemed a little nervous, but a little nerves made her more relatable. Minnesota's answers seemed a little too canned and robotic to me, but that was just my opinion. Illinois continued to impress me and I loved her top five answer and would have actually placed her in the three instead of Minnesota. But, again, everyone has different opinions and that's why there are seven judges and not just one.

I did think the difficulty of the top five questions weren't necessarily all equal, but they were all good questions and none of the contestants had an embarrassing YouTube moment.

Perhaps my biggest complaint with Sunday's pageant was that it was never made clear as to how the People's Choice preliminary vote influenced the top 10 - if it influenced it at all - and the online final night voting which cut off before the allotted time limit in at least two instances and before the top 5 had entirely completed the answer to the question.

There were many pre-pageant favorites who didn't make the cut and I was disappointed. I loved Massachusetts and Utah going in and came to love Colorado, Nebraska and New Hampshire as the pageant week progressed. Despite strong preliminary performances, Massachusetts, Colorado and Nebraska did not advance. Neither did Utah nor NH, but neither wowed me in the prelims anyway.

But, again, my opinions are just that, mine and I can't mandate that six or seven other people are going to have the same views that I do.

With only 10 advancing to finals night, there were bound to be disappointments, that's just a given.

In the end, I agreed with the judges final decision and while many are debating the pageant and its new image, all I can say is that I don't like sob stories or personal tragedies to influence the judging and for the most part it did not. I would place a little less emphasis on that angle, which did take up a little too much time during the broadcast and replace it with a top 15.

Clearly, Miss USA is more than just a beauty pageant, and I really don't have a problem with that as long as the winner chosen is not only well spoken, but beautiful, too.

I think we got that with Kara.

And, in the end, beauty is in the eye of the beholder anyway.

Heartbreaking Lead Actress and Actor Submissions Get My Vote

It's time now for my observations on the big guns of daytime - the Lead Actress and Actor Emmy categories.

And, after watching all 10 Lead reels, I can honestly say that it will all come down to a difference of opinion as four ladies and three men have spectacular reels.

With 12 Emmys already won among the Lead Actress nominees, alone, this looks to be the toughest and most intense category of all.



OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS -


Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, General Hospital.) With a killer alcoholism story that was the talk of the industry last year, I expected more from this two-time Emmy winner, but all I got was a lot of histrionics that don't play out well in a 18-minute reel. The reel starts out promising with Alexis confronting Julian and letting him know she will never let him near their unborn child. Voters never find out what happens next as the next two episodes she choose deal with her alcoholism, yet even they don't provide a satisfying ending. The reel ends with a possibly now sober - tho maybe not - Alexis confronting Julian about his killing Carlos. Too much going on here and Grahn's true greatness as an actress, unfortunately, doesn't show. Very poor choices of reel and an example of where taking advantage of the new four-episode rule is actually a disadvantage. If she wins, it's based on the popularity of the storyline and her work as an actress, not on the contents of the reel.

GINA TOGNONI (Phyllis, The Young and the Restless.) Perfect example of how an Emmy reel should flow. First up was Phyllis' testimony against Victor at his trial, which screamed Emmy reel to me when I first saw it. She then puts in a short moment between her and Billy that sets up the final part of the reel, where Jack finds out Phyllis and Billy slept together. Peter Bergman is outstanding - and even a little dominant - in that part of the reel, however, the emotions Tognoni conjurs up are real and true. The only con on this reel is that Tognoni is so brilliant that you want to see more than the just-under eight minutes she submitted.


HEATHER TOM ( Katie, The Bold and the Beautiful.) Going for a record-tying sixth performance Daytime Emmy, Tom certainly has the reel that could do it. She seemlessly goes through the realization that her husband and sister are in love with one another and even while liquored up still makes sense. Then, she breaks down, while drunk, to try and get her life back together, only to discover at the end of her reel, that all of her suspicions were actually true, as she confronts Brooke one last time and walks out on her. In the battle of alcoholics, Tom vs. Grahn, Tom wins by a mile, with a controlled, yet nuanced performance. The writing of these scenes screams Emmy bait, but Tom's flawless performance screams Emmy worthy. And, of note, in the battle of alcoholics, Tom's reel has much more substance, relatability and flow to it in comparison to Grahn's. Another example of what a great Emmy reel should look like.

JESS WALTON (Jill, The Young and the Restless.) A supporting year put in the lead category, Walton's reel is, nonetheless, spectacular and voters may not know that Jill wasn't front and center on the Y&R canvas last year. And even if they do know that, it might not matter. Her first part of her reel deals with bailing Billy out of jail and confronting him about his mistakes. She then has great scenes with Phyllis confronting them about their affair. Then, the reel shifts to Jill dealing with the possibility of Billy dying and confronting everyone about them giving up on him while the subtext clearly is there that she blames herself just as much. This is clearly the strongest part of her very diverse submission. While she may have been a supporting character even in the reel, Walton shines with venom, despair and guilt. She doesn't have two Emmys already for nothing. Tho the reel plays out of chronological order, story wise, the final part packs the greatest punch. Walton's always Emmy worthy, no matter what the material is.

LAURA WRIGHT (Carly, General Hospital.) Wright clearly sets out to tell a story. The first part of reel is sentimental as Carly gives Morgan a necklace and is letting him know how proud she is of him. This part may seem odd to voters, but it sets up the rest of the reel as it ends up being one of the last good memories she has of her son. Following a brief scene with Sonny that ends up foreshadowing everything she fears, the next time we see Carly, we learn Morgan was killed in a car explosion. Raw, brutal and honest, Wright breaks your heart when listening to her last voicemail to her son and then tears into Sonny for his role in the death. Never over the top in this reel, Wright takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from peace at the beginning of the reel to utter devastation at the end of it. The only reel that reduced me to tears. Wright did some work here. Wright clearly set out to show a complete arc and the only downside to that may be the first scene with Morgan, but by the end of the 20 minutes, you realize why she included it.

A plethora of tremendous reels makes it extremely difficult to rank 2-3-4, tho my 1 and 5 are in stone.

MY RANKINGS -

1. Laura Wright
2. Heather Tom
3. Jess Walton
4. Gina Tognoni
5. Nancy Lee Grahn


And, finally, let's look at the nominees for Best Actor.

Four of the five have Emmy wins under their belt, tho Peter Bergman is the only one to have won in this particular category. Still, with 8 wins between them, the caliber of acting talent proves this category will be every bit as strong as the Lead Actress one.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR -

PETER BERGMAN (Jack, The Young and the Restless.) A three-time winner in the lead category, Bergman has to be considered the front-runner in this year's race. And his reel doesn't disappoint, as he runs the gamut of emotions following the discovery that his wife slept with his brother. From disbelief, to rage to devastation, Bergman displays all the emotions and doesn't hold back. It was the first reel I viewed and it's going to be hard to beat.


SCOTT CLIFTON (Liam, The Bold and the Beautiful.) Fine display of acting if you like way over-the-top and screaming for a 11-minute span. He confronts Quinn about her kidnapping him in two parts of the reel, throws stuff around and then screams at Bill over his betrayal of Katie during the last 2 minutes or so. Took a Tylenol after watching that one.

BILLY FLYNN (Chad, Days of Our Lives.) A first-time nominee and the only one of the five without an Emmy, Flynn proves he deserves to be here. His reel contains his final heartbreaking scenes with Joe Mascolo's Stefano and Flynn is perfection. He continues to mesmerize in dealing with Abigail's breakdown and reported death. The youngest of all the leads in this category, Flynn is more than worthy of the nomination and possibly a win. His scenes with Mascolo, in particular, were brilliant and his breakdown at end palpable.

VINCENT IRIZARRY (Deimos, Days of Our Lives.) Maybe it was the awful writing, but Irizarry just leaves me flat in a reel that I kept checking the time on to see when it ended. Another reel that plays out of chronological order, Irizarry goes ballistic on Nicole for not telling him the truth about the baby Chloe was carrying being his, then it reverts to when they were first getting together, which would seem out of context even to a non-Days viewer. It ends​ with him playing the piano, which he does well, but does not do anything for - or belong in - the reel.

KRISTOFF ST. JOHN (Neil, The Young and the Restless.) Not a show or over the top submission, just pure gut-wrenching heartbreak from second one as Neil finally sees his long-lost mother, forgives her, then recounts his life with his family to her before she dies. I forgot how great an actor Kristoff is cuz he makes it seem so simple and because Y&R wastes his immense talent. He had me hooked from beginning to end, in part because I could relate to losing a mother and in part because he was so good. Showier reels might take home the Emmy, but St. John did something to me that the others - even the brilliant Bergman and Flynn - didn't do for me. He made me feel.

Easily, a three-way race and I suspect Flynn may pull a Tyler Christopher from last year and win and I'd be fine with that. However, my vote is this:



MY RANKINGS -

1. Kristoff St. John
2. Peter Bergman
3. Billy Flynn
4. Vincent Irizarry
5. Scott Clifton

In the end, I think both lead categories come down to how the top three (in actress four) end up rankings wise, as any of them would be worthy Emmy winners.

Supporting Actress Race A Dead Heat; Supporting Actor Not So Much

The Supporting categories in the race for the Daytime Emmy are always the toughest to predict, as often times leads with a lot of material go here, however, this year is not the case.

Even Days' Kate Mansi, who was lead on her show, could be justified as going to supporting because of her tenure on the show, tho I still would have gone lead if I were her.

Other than that, the nominees are fair, though many heavy hitters who should be here - think Judi Evans, Suzanne Rogers or Wally Kurth of Days - aren't, the categories are still pretty stacked and fairly good.

Here's my votes in the Supporting categories:

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS -

STACY HAIDUK (Patty, The Young and the Restless.) Long overdue for a nomination, she is so good at being crazy, it literally breaks your heart. In one moment she's childlike and vulnerable, the next she's certifiably scary. Her scenes involve getting returned to the asylum and then confronting Dylan and Sharon. As with the other categories that I've watched in alphabetical order, this first submission is going to be pretty difficult to beat.

ANNA MARIA HORSFORD (Vivian, The Bold and the Beautiful.) A seasoned primetime performer, that may help her gain some votes within the industry, her reel deals with discovering the lies her husband told her and his infidelity and resulting illegitimate child. This confrontation between Vivian and Julius packed a punch, had me in tears and made me wonder why the Avants aren't front and center on B&B. Her reaction was gut wrenching and totally on the mark.

FINOLA HUGHES (Anna, General Hospital.) That Finola is relegated to supporting by her show and that she has only one Emmy win is a damn shame. Perhaps the most complete reel, Hughes was able to show humor in the first part, when she's waiting for a blind date, sadness in her scenes where Robin tells her she's leaving town and then all-out fierce anger in two separate scenes dealing with Carlos, who murdered her husband.

KATE MANSI (Abigail, Days of Our Lives.) Abigail's descent into insanity is depicted in her reels where she sets Ben on fire and then totally loses it with Chad and subsequent scenes in the insane asylum. Strong reel, but if we're comparing psychos, HAIDUK has the stronger reel in my opinion. Still, great scene choices from Mansi.

KELLY SULLIVAN (Sage, The Young and the Restless.) My only question is why didn't Sullivan take advantage of adding another reel dealing with the initial loss of Christian? This 4-minute reel deals with Sage's discovery that Christian is alive and her confrontation with Sharon that Sharon Case totally dominated. It's not until the final minute or so that Sullivan's rage kicks in and she's actually Emmy worthy.

To date, the toughest category to rank, as the first three could all legitimately win the trophy. Actually sat on this one for a while before voting.

MY RANKINGS - Any of my top three choices would be an excellent choice for the Emmy. Pick 'em

1. Horsford
2. Haiduk
3. Hughes
4. Sullivan
5. Mansi

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR -

JOHN ANISTON (Victor, Days of Our Lives.) It's difficult to believe that this is Aniston's first Emmy nomination in his 40+-year Daytime career, but it is. A brief romantic scene with Maggie followed by a confrontation with his brother and discussion with his son shows he can do it all, but lacks the range that would scream Emmy worthy to me.

STEVE BURTON (Dylan, The Young and the Restless.) Unlike last year when Burton's reel was basically a showcase for eventual Supporting Actress winner, Jessica Collins, this year, his reel is right on point as Dylan deals with the revelation that Sully is not his son and confronts Sharon in two separate parts of the reel about her deception. The middle part deals with Dylan returning Sully to Nick and breaks your heart. Strong possibility.


CHAD DUELL (Michael, General Hospital.) The entire reel deals with death, the first of Sabrina and then later, his brother, Morgan, Duell was far stronger in the latter part of the reel where he confronts both Sonny and Kiki and blames them for Morgan's death. A possibility, tho, wanted to see a little more something from this prior Emmy winner.


JEFFREY VINCENT PARISE ( General Hospital.) Emmy voters love a dual role, but there was nothing distinguishing about the two brothers Parise played except one was pure evil and the other we really don't get to know based on the scenes he submitted. The only scenes that stands out to me is the end ones where Carlos ghost confronts Julian and the middle where Carlos discusses why he wants his baby to be a girl with Sabrina. Guess voters may feel differently, but I didn't see much range in this reel even though there was supposed to be range in the way the scenes were written.


JAMES REYNOLDS (Abe, Days of Our Lives.) The end of his reel where Abe is trying to find out if he's going to die after his shooting and then is comforted by and comforting with Theo are very strong. The first part isn't bad, but the middle part of the reel where Abe, as Mayor of Salem, tries to reassure Salemites following a mass hostage crisis seems like something out of the Old Batman TV series. The last four minutes or so are strong enough for a win, just wonder how distracting the middle was for voters.

MY RANKINGS -

1. Burton
2. Duell
3. Reynolds
4. Aniston
5. Parise

Younger Performers Submit Strongly In Race For Daytime Emmy

Let the Daytime Emmy race begin!

With the National Academy of Arts and Sciences once again putting up the drama performing reels on their Facebook page, it gives soap fans a chance to see what the stars actually submitted for Emmy consideration.

And, it allows me to post my annual totally incorrect predictions on who will win the golden statuettes when they're handed out on April 30.

Emmy rules changed this year, so performers can submit up to 20 minutes from any four shows. For the past several years, they could only select two entire episodes in which they appeared. That often presented a problem, as a reel would contain filler scenes that sometimes diluted the actual strong scene they were submitting.

The new rule sounds good on paper, however, at least in a few of the younger reels, the myriad of episodes don't always make sense when jumping from one dramatic moment to another.

Case in point is the first scene in the first OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS category.

LEXI AINSWORTH (Kristina, General Hospital.) The reel starts out with a brief clip of Kristina being held at gunpoint at Alexis' wedding, which sets a bad tone for the rest of the reel. One would think. Ainsworth ultimately really runs the gammet of emotions in the rest of the reel, admitting to her parents first off that she tried to Exchange sex for good grades and later coming out to her father (Maurice Benard in a bravo performance.) Except for first minute, this reel was strong.

REIGN EDWARDS (Nicole, The Bold and the Beautiful.) A short scene with Nicole laying the hammer down with Zende is followed up with Nicole emotionally explaining to him why she could never be with him. While I would have liked to have seen a little more of the firery Nicole in the reel, you could definitely relate to her emotions. Strong follow up to Ainsworth's reel.

HUNTER KING (Summer, The Young and the Restless.) You can never count out a two-time Emmy winner, and King delivered a solid performance confronting Victor and Luca in her two submissions. Not sure it holds up against the first two performers I watched.

ALYVIA ALYN LIND (Faith, The Young and the Restless.) She took advantage of the entire 20-minute time limit, which could have been a huge detriment, but she reels you in with her reel, as Faith has to face the loss of her stepmother and later her brother in three separate episodes. The range this child has is tremendous, however, the reel gets monotonous by the end and she was definitely stronger in the first part of the reel as opposed to the last part of it.)




CHLOE LANIER (Nelle, General Hospital.) Nothing shouts out Emmy to me in this reel, as she talks to Morgan about losing her kidney, later discusses Morgan's death with Michael and then drugs Sonny's drink to take advantage of him. To her own credit, the reel did end strongly, tho.



MY RANKINGS -

1. Ainsworth
2. Edwards
3. Lind
4. King
5. Lanier

OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR -

BRYAN CRAIG (Morgan, General Hospital.) The first reel I watched in this category and right out of the gate, the defending champion knocked it out of the ballpark in scenes at the hospital confronting his parents who are trying to lock him up to deal with his bipolar disorder. Then the reel ends with Morgan on the ledge wanting to commit suicide. Had me in tears. Going to be hard to beat.

PIERSON FODE ( Thomas, The Bold and the Beautiful.) Fode confronts Caroline with the paternity of his son and is solid, tho Lynsey Godfrey is even better, which could help, but may hurt Fode's chances. As reel progresses, tho, Fode shows all sorts of emotions that bring you in. Rage, disbelief and pure emotion. Very strong and he does take over from Godfrey by the middle of it and makes the reel his own. May not be showy enough to win, but on other hand, the control of his emotions he displays may be the difference that clinches it for him.


JAMES LASTOVIC ( Joey, Days of Our Lives.) A brief six minutes in content, Lastovic, though, uses the most of it in scenes admitting hisrelationship with Ava to his father and then killing Ava in her hospital room and dealing with that aftermath with Patch. May be trying a little too hard in the reel, tho, but is good.

TEQUAN RICHMOND (TJ, General Hospital.) Confrontation between TJ and his mother and later with Curtis about Sean being his real father. Strong submission with lots of fire and emotion, yet a controlled performance. Later he discusses everything with his mother following Morgan's death. Could win, tho a little too understated.

ANTHONY TURPEL (RJ, The Bold and the Beautiful.) In his very first episode, Turpel hit it out of the park and it makes for a strong submission as he confronts his parents over Brooke wanting to marry Bill. The first two minutes are a little slow, and I would have eliminated them from the reel, but other than that, an excellent submission.

MY RANKINGS - (Tough four-way race, but Craig had me so drawn in that think he wins a second-consecutive win.)

1. Craig
2. Fode
3. Richmond
4. Turpel
5. Lastovic