ABCWhether it's General Hospital, Ellen DeGeneres or Jeopardy!—admit it—we all have a favorite daytime TV show.
And tonight was the night to honor the best daytime programming at the 39th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, which recognize outstanding achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to individuals and programs broadcast from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Anderson Cooper brought the charm while Oscar the Grouch brought the grump as they hosted the show and that's just the beginning of the all daytime action that went down:
"What's so great about daytime?" Oscar the Grouch grumbled as he and Anderson Cooper kicked off the show.
Despite the daytime drama deaths of last year (RIP All My Children and One Life to Live), the show began on a positive note and immediately started handing out the awards.
Anthony Geary nabbed the first Emmy of the night for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Luke Spencer on General Hospital. The win marks Geary's seventh Daytime Emmy award—he made history as the only daytime actor to win that many.
Speaking of winning a lot, Jeopardy! then took home its 29th (!) Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation show. Last Shot with Judge Gunn had a lucky first shot at the Emmy for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom program after being on the air for just one season.
Jonathon Jackson looked handsome onstage as he accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role on General Hospital. "It's been 19-years since I started as Lucky Spencer and I feel the same as I did at 11-years old," he gushed.
Cooking maven extraordinaire Rachael Ray then took the stage to present the award for Outstanding Culinary/Lifestyle Host. "Four of our nominees could cook up any food ya like, and the fifth nominee could certainly make your place look absolutely spectacular!" she exclaimed. Sandra Lee from Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee snagged the award.
Rachael also presented the award for Outstanding Culinary Program to Bobby Flay's Barbecue Addiction. Bobby thanked his family, the "village of women" who work on his show and food—"I dropped out of high school in tenth grade. Food saved my life."
Barbara Walters donned a sparkly black dress as she presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to executive producer of The View Bill Geddie and reminisced over their many successful years together. ""Bill thought The View would maybe last two years. In two months, we start season 16," Walters said proudly.
And the love didn't stop there. When Bill accepted the award, he said, "To the two Barbaras…to Barbara Walters, thank you for this wonderful career and to Barbara Geddie, thank you for this wonderful life." So sweet!
Despite the ratings dip and rumors of Ann Curry's departure, the Today Show still nabbed the award for Outstanding Morning Show program. It's the third Emmy for Today, breaking the tie with Good Morning America. The competition continues!
Next up, Live with Regis and Kelly nabbed the award for Outstanding Talk Show/IEntertainment and The Dr. Oz Show took home the award for Outstanding Talk Show/Informative for the second consecutive year.
Things got crazy when Debbie Gibson and Jack Hanna took the stage to present the Emmy for Outstanding Children's Animated program with a mini zoo in tow. "Does this marmoset go with my dress?" Gibson joked. Porcupines, marmosets, scorpions (and even an alligator!) were crawling across the stage as Penguins of Madagascar nabbed the award.
Bethenny Frankel followed the alligator act and presented the first ever AOL Best Viral Video award to Kids React, but a technical glitch left the skinny-gal star at a loss for words. "Is someone playing a joke on me right now with the alligator and the blank screen?" she quipped. Luckily, the prompter started rolling again a few moments later. Hey, we're live, people!
Next it was time for Susan Lucci to take the stage in a stunning red silk gown. "There's been a lot of stars in daytime but there's only been one queen. And that queen for us is Susan Lucci," Ricky Paull Goldin said, by way of introduction. Lucci then paid tribute to All My Children, her famous role as Erica Kane and One Life to Live. Erika Slezak and Cameron Mathison joined Lucci on the stage to honor the daytime dramas we lost last year.
After General Hospital won the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team and Christel Khalil snagged the Emmy for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series, Susan Lucci took the stage once again to present the Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series to General Hospital. Congratulations to the big winner of the night!
What a special evening in honor of Daytime TV! Check out the list of major winners from the 39th Annual Daytime Emmys:
Outstanding Drama Series: General Hospital
Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Anthony Geary, General Hospital
Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Heather Tom, The Bold and the Beautiful
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Jonathan Jackson, General Hospital
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Nancy Lee Grahn, General Hospital
Younger Actor in a Drama Series: Chandler Massey, Days of Our Lives
Younger Actress in a Drama Series: Christel Khalil, The Young and the Restless
Culinary Program: Bobby Flay's Barbeque Addiction
Culinary/Lifestyle Host: Sandra Lee, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
Entertainment Talk Show: Live With Regis and Kelly
Informative Talk Show: The Dr. Oz Show
Lifestyle Program: Cars.TV
Talk Show Host: Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa
Morning Program: Today, NBC
Legal/Courtroom Program: Last Shot with Judge Gunn
Game/Audience Participation Show: Jeopardy!
Game Show Host: Todd Newton, Family Game Night
Children's Animated Program: Penguins of Madagascar, Nickelodeon
Performance in a Children's Series: Kevin Clash, as Elmo on Sesame Street
AOL Viral Video: Kids React