The list of the nominees for the 35th annual Daytime Emmy Awards is a bit weird. Not as weird as "America Idol's" Paula Abdul rating Jason Castro on a song he never sang, but weird nonetheless. It's not such an odd comparison, considering some of the names missing from the list. Perhaps the judges thought they viewed all the submitted tapes, but did not. Here are the acting nominations.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR

David Canary (Adam Chandler/Stuart Chandler, AMC) — A previous winner and good choice.

Thaao Penghlis (Antony DiMera, Days) — First time on the list and well deserved for this year's work.

Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer, GH) — Again, a multi-winner. If he submitted his homage to "My Way," then the Emmy will go his way this year.

Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott, Y&R) — Multi-winner. He was cunning and heartbreaking this year.

Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin, Y&R) — Two wins in a row, and a third would not be an odd choice.

So where is Thorsten Kaye (Zack, AMC), Steve Burton (Jason, GH) and Michael E. Knight (Tad, AMC)? Not on this list — and they should be.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS

Maura West (Carly Tenney, ATWT) — Looks great and did a great job.

Crystal Chappell (Olivia Spencer, GL) — She did amazing, hard-edged work, and then was heartbreaking as she told her version of teenage rape.

Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor, Y&R) — Jeanne had some good stories to tell this year. Give it to her!

Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers, Y&R) — Every actor on the show wants to work with Stafford. Not just because she is gorgeous; she is a well-prepared actress who can turn a character from wonderful to witch in two seconds.

Nicole Forester (Cassie Layne, GL) Quite a coup for an actress who took over for the always perfect Laura Wright.

Speaking of Wright, how can she not be on the list? Her work as GH's Carly was the best work anywhere. When she took over as Carly, who knew she would define the role? Obviously, the casting directors did.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR

Trent Dawson (Henry Coleman, ATWT) — It took forever for the show to give Dawson his own story line. When they did, he pulled off sarcastic and sweet every time.

Daniel Cosgrove (Bill Lewis, GL)

Brian Kerwin (Charlie Banks, OLTL) — What a treat to see Kerwin on the list. He brought in the new character of Charlie and made him seem like an old shoe. A very lovely old shoe, but one that is comfortable and always fits.

Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher, Y&R)

Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters, Y&R)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Kelley Menighan Hensley (Emily Stewart, ATWT)

Heather Tom (Katie Logan, B&B)

Judi Evans (Bonnie Lockhart/Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis, Days) — She played two very different characters. Evans' acting ability was allowed to shine.

Gina Tognoni (Dinah Marler, GL) — From her first scene, Tognoni made you want to see more.

Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin, Y&R) — Bregman is like fine wine: the longer she does this — she started as a teen on Y&R, and before that, "Days" — she gets better and smoother with age.

The most glaring omission this year — maybe any year — is Bradford Anderson (GH's Spinelli). The actor took a three-week role and turned it into a leading character. This guy has to memorize the most outlandish dialogue. Even when playing the fool, he is anything but. Unlike many actors, he does not need to act suave. Even when given the chance to be a hero, Anderson always lets that little "who, me?" edge come through.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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