This piece appeared in Soap Opera Digest on April 12, 1983.

Glitter, Glamour...
The 6th Annual SOAPY AWARDS!
by Meredith Brown

Outstanding Actress: Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans Brady, "Days of Our Lives")
Outstanding Actor: Tony Geary (Luke Spencer, "General Hospital")
Favorite Soap Opera: "General Hospital"
Exciting New Actor: John Stamos (Blackie Parrish, "General Hospital")
Exciting New Actress: Kim Delaney (Jenny Gardner, "All My Children")
Favorite Villain: Kin Shriner (Scotty Baldwin, "General Hospital")
Favorite Villainess: Robin Mattson (Heather Webber, "General Hospital")
Favorite Woman in a Mature Role: Anna Lee (Lila Quartermaine, "General Hospital")
Favorite Man In a Mature Role: David Lewis (Edward Quartermaine, "General Hospital")

Once again, "The Merv Griffin Show" hosted our annual SOAPY event, and what a commotion of razzle-dazzle it was!

I cannot begin to tell you the excitement, last-minute high-jinx and energy that fed its way from the "green room" to the stage. The GH winners all arrived together, fresh from the set. Robin Mattson looked ravishing in a pink beaded gown. Tony Geary, charming as ever, made everyone feel at ease. Kim Delaney, who could only come in for the day because she was taping AMC the next morning, arrived with some L.A. girlfriends, and Deidre Hall, came lastly, with her beautiful twin sister, Andrea--both the picture of calm elegance.

After Merv and I chatted about the terrific changes at Soap Opera Digest, Tony Geary came on stage. If Tony's popularity is still a mystery to some, they only have to see "The Merv Griffin Show" to note his personal magnetism. Tony talked about his upcoming ABC television movie with Judith Light (former Karen, OLTL), concerning the herpes epidemic. Outstanding Actress Deidre Hall said that of all the awards she'd received in her career, this was her most cherished because it came from the readers. Deidre is sincere--she answers all her fan mail. John Stamos and Kim Delaney charmed the audience with their fresh innocence, humor and fabulous looks. Gloria Monty, executive producer of "General Hospital," accepted the award for her show, and modestly insisted it was her fine actors and writers that made the daytime drama such a hit.

David Lewis never looked more dapper, as he talked to Merv about his third SOAPY! Later, we chatted and he told me how happy he was that Steven Bond was cast as Jimmy Lee Holt, the supposed illegitimate son of Edward. "He just has something!" David said enthusiastically.

Anna Lee, ever the lady, talked about her marriage to writer Robert Nathan, a frequent guest on Merv's show. When Griffin pointed out it was Nathan's seventh marriage, Anna cheerfully retorted, "and hopefully his last!"

It was an elegant evening, which once again showed how far and respectable daytime drama has come, and how important, you, our readers, are in making those talented actors recognized.