In one of the most even contests in history, eight out of 11 daytime dramas took home trophies at the 14th Annual Soap Opera Digest Awards. Leeza Gibbons and Drake Hogestyn (John, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) hosted the ceremony, held at Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City on February 27; 60,000 Digest subscribers voted on winners.

GENERAL HOSPITAL took Favorite Show honors for the second year in a row, and John Callahan (Edmund, ALL MY CHILDREN) and Vanessa Marcil (Brenda, GENERAL HOSPITAL) scored Outstanding Lead Actor and Lead Actress trophies.

AS THE WORLD TURNS veterans Don Hastings (Bob) and Kathryn Hays (Kim) were the year's Editor's Award recipients.

Female Scene Stealer Jennifer Bassey (Marian, AMC ) had the audience in stitches when she announced at the podium that she had split her dress just prior to accepting her award. Later she explained, "I love Michael Knight [Tad, AMC] so much, I screamed 'Michael.' when he won, and my zipper [opened]. Then I won and I said, Thank you, God, this is a great joke."

Favorite Show: GENERAL HOSPITAL

Outstanding Lead Actor: John Callahan (Edmund, AMC)

Outstanding Lead Actress: Vanessa Marcil (Brenda, GH)

Hottest Male Star: Ingo Rademacher (Jax, GH)

Hottest Female Star: Sharon Case (Sharon, Y&R)

Hottest Romance: Mateo and Hayley (Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa, AMC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor: Michael E. Knight (Tad, AMC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress: Judi Evans Luciano (Paulina, AW)

Outstanding Younger Lead Actor: Steve Burton (Jason, GH)

Outstanding Younger Lead Actress: Sarah Brown (Carly, GH)

Outstanding Villain: Roger Howarth (Todd, OLTL)

Outstanding Villainess: Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS)

Outstanding Male Newcomer: Jensen Ackles (Eric, DAYS)

Outstanding Female Newcomer: Sabryn Genet (Tricia, Y&R)

Outstanding Male Scene Stealer: John Ingle (Edward, GH)

Outstanding Female Scene Stealer: Jennifer Bassey (Marian, AMC)

Favorite New Couple: Phillip and Harley (Grant Aleksander and Beth Ehlers, GL)

Favorite New Character: Cassie (Laura Wright, GL)

Editor's Award: Don Hastings and Kathryn Hays (Bob and Kim, ATWT)

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