So, the 35TH ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMYS are now a thing of the past. They went so fast, didn't they? So I will now humbly offer up a few observations.

First, the pre-show. Well, in the first three minutes I got the message that it was very hot on that red carpet and had that confirmed about every three minutes by the various actors and hosts. Get over it, I felt like saying to the television — stop complaining. The hosts did an adequate job greeting the actors — most of them personal friends, which was a nice touch, but everyone seemed so rushed. There seemed to be some technical difficulty on the part of the production of the pre-show, which meant I occasionally couldn't hear what was said.

I spent the pre-show with a pad in hand, taking notes (although I don't know why, as I was taping on TWO televisions) of dresses I planned to include in this week's Dressed For Success in Soap Opera Weekly. And there were many many beautiful gowns, and some clunkers. I have no idea why Tyra Banks was awarded the Dove Chocolate Award for best dressed. That color did nothing for her, in my opinion. In between the constant mentions of the Dove Chocolate Award and the Dr. Scholl's for Women Shoe Cam, it occasionally seemed like one big promo, but I understand the need for advertisers, so I'll hold those comments. The shoe cam is a cute touch and I loved the fact that Judge Judy stated, "I can't stand on one foot for long. Can I put my foot down?"

Because three of the four hosts were soap actors — Ricky Paull Goldin, Rebecca Budig and Finola Hughes — the red carpet was actually a lovefest. Everyone looked beautiful. Everyone looked handsome. Everyone gushed at everyone else. And of course, complained about the heat.

On with the show... the intro, which showed hosts Cameron Mathison and Sherri Shepherd running back and forth through each other's studios, was adorable. (THE VIEW and ALL MY CHILDREN studios are in the same building.) There were many cute little inside jokes: Joy Behar giving advice to Dr. Phil. The cast of AMC not knowing who Cameron was because they were in character. Barbara Walters' book everywhere. I was hoping for some more surprises with the winners. It seemed a repeat of last year's and I always like some surprises in the winners. I'm always rooting for the surprise winner, the underdog. So in that respect, I was disappointed until the divine Jeanne Cooper won. She seemed genuinely surprised and the audience just delighted for her. Her speech was adorable as she jokingly said they had the worst writers, directors, wardrobe people (most had been nominated, none won) yet she said, "We're still No.1." She's a great lady and deserved this win big time. That made the evening for me.

There were no big gaffes in the evening; Sherri and Cameron did a fine job as hosts. Both have a lot of enthusiasm for the genre and that's always nice. Visiting the various tables and hobnobbing with the actors was cute, and fortunately there were no embarrassing moments there. (Actors and wine bottles can be risky. Note the Golden Globe Awards.) Although it, like the pre-show, seemed so rushed. The winners got maybe two seconds to say something. I don't know why we had to see a tape of the SESAME STREET people winning; that seemed like a waste of precious minutes.

I often find it odd that a show could win the Directing and Writing awards, yet not Best Show. ONE LIFE TO LIVE won the first two, and GENERAL HOSPITAL won best show. But I'm not a voter and I have my personal favorites. The voters probably prefered big explosions to singing teenagers.

So, there you have it. A few observations... now go enjoy your weekend and be sure to pick up issues of Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest to see photos and reports on the Emmys, and the pre- and post-show parties.