Suds fans bestow kudos

'Hospital' receives top nods

By SUSANNE AULT

Sudser fans saluted their favorite daytime stars at the "Soap Opera Digest," with all winners chosen by the mag's readers.

Kudos went to TV's steamiest stars during last week's NBC telecast hosted by "Days of Our Lives" stars Deidre Hall and Drake Hogestyn in Los Angeles.

Daytime faves getting nods included Anthony Geary, for outstanding lead actor, "General Hospital"; Lynn Herring, outstanding lead actress, "Port Charles"; Ian Buchanan, outstanding supporting actor, "The Bold and the Beautiful"; and Lauralee Bell, outstanding supporting actress, "The Young and the Restless."

"Hospital" was named favorite show.

Other winners included Steve Burton, "Hospital," hottest male star; Kristian Alfonso, "Lives," hottest female star; Cameron Mathison, "All My Children," outstanding male newcomer; Patrika Darbo, "Lives," outstanding female newcomer; Jonathan Jackson, "Hospital," outstanding younger lead actor; and Rebecca Herbst, "Hospital," outstanding lead actress.

In addition, former daytime fixture Michael Zaslow ("Guiding Light," "One Life to Live") was honored posthumously for his contributions to the soap opera genre.

"Digest" show executive producers were Dick Clark, Al Schwartz, Lynn Leahey and Linda Vaughn.