History of Soap Opera Digest Awards in Timeline

The Soap Opera Digest Awards, initially called The Soapy Awards in 1977, were presented by Soap Opera Digest magazine to honor achievements in daytime television. The awards recognized various aspects of soap opera production, including acting, writing, and directing. The awards provided recognition within the soap opera industry.

1977: Introduction of The Soapy Awards

In 1977, The Soapy Awards, later known as the Soap Opera Digest Awards, were introduced by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest.

1977: The Soapy Awards Presentation

In 1977, the Soapy Awards, presented by Soap Opera Digest magazine, were given to honor the best work on American soap operas. The award, designed by Janis Rogak, consisted of a tall geometric crystal and was presented during a television show after the winners were announced in the magazine.

1978: 1978 Soapy Awards Presentation

In 1978, the Soapy Awards were presented live during America Alive! from both New York and Hollywood.

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1979: 1979 Soapy Awards on Dinah and Friends

In 1979, the Soapy Awards show was presented on the Thursday, December 27, 1979, episode of Dinah and Friends.

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1980: 1980 Soapy Awards Winners

In 1980, Anthony Geary and Genie Francis, known for their roles as Luke and Laura, won the Soapy Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress. Ruth Warrick from All My Children also received an award for 'Favorite Performer in a Mature Role'.

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1981: 1981 Soapy Awards and General Hospital's Sweep

In 1981, the Soapy Awards incorporated categories such as 'Most Exciting New Actor' (won by Tristan Rogers), 'Favorite Villain' (won by André Landzaat), and 'Favorite Villainess' (won by Robin Mattson). That year, General Hospital dominated the awards.

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1983: End of the Soapy Awards

In 1983, the Soapy Awards, presented by Soap Opera Digest, ceased to exist. Unlike their successors, the Soap Opera Digest Awards, this accolade lacked glamour.

1984: Evolution to The Soap Opera Digest Awards

In 1984, The Soap Opera Digest Awards were created to replace the Soapy Award. The Soap Opera Digest Awards were intended to promote excellence in the soap opera genre and were decided by the fans who read the magazine. The statue itself was made of crystal and in the shape of a heart.

1984: Replacement of Soapy Awards

In 1984, the Soapy Awards were replaced by the Soap Opera Digest Awards.

1984: First Soap Opera Digest Award Show

In 1984, the first Soap Opera Digest Award show aired, featured on national syndicated television, and was hosted by Catherine Hickland and David Hasselhoff. Awards were given to both daytime and prime-time soap operas, reflecting the growing audience for both.

1985: Ballot Stuffing Controversy

In 1985, controversy arose due to ballot stuffing and a voting bloc that led to Days of Our Lives sweeping almost every category at the Soap Opera Digest Awards. As a result, changes were implemented for future awards.

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1987: No Soap Opera Digest Awards Show in 1987

In 1987, there was no Soap Opera Digest Awards show due to a change in the award season, moving it from the end of the year to the beginning.

1992: First Live Broadcast of the Soap Opera Digest Awards

In 1992, the Soap Opera Digest Awards were broadcast live for the first time. Additionally, the award statue, previously a flat crystal heart, was redesigned to be an inch taller.

1998: Fictional start of the awards in Friends

In the 2001 Friends episode "The One with Joey's Award", Joey mentions that the Soap Opera Digest Awards began in 1998. It is likely not meant to be the same award but rather a homage.

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2000: Last Soap Opera Digest Awards on NBC

In 2000, the Soap Opera Digest Awards aired on NBC for the last time, marking the end of the show's run on the network.

2001: Friends Episode Featuring the Award

In 2001, the Soap Opera Digest Award was featured in "The One with Joey's Award" episode of the TV show Friends. In the episode, Joey Tribbiani, played by Matt LeBlanc, was nominated for a Soapy for his fictional role in Days of Our Lives but did not win.

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2001: Online Voting

In 2001, the Soap Opera Digest Awards voting was done entirely online. There was no physical awards ceremony that year.

2002: No Soap Opera Digest Awards

No Soap Opera Digest Awards were given out in 2002.

2003: Soap Opera Digest Awards on SOAPnet

In 2003, the Soap Opera Digest Awards were broadcast on the cable channel SOAPnet. The show was hosted by Lisa Rinna and Ty Treadway.

2004: No Soap Opera Digest Awards

No Soap Opera Digest Awards were given out in 2004.

February 2005: Announcement of the 2005 Soap Opera Digest Awards

In February 2005, the results of the 2005 Soap Opera Digest Awards were announced in the magazine. Fans had found a ballot in a November issue and mailed it to the editors.