For the first time since 1979, a single soap won Outstanding Drama Series and trophies for Writing and Directing. In 1979, it was Ryan's Hope. In 2018, it was NBC's Days of our Lives. It should, perhaps, be noted that when Ryan's Hope accomplished the feat, the Writing and Directing categories were given to individuals and not to entire teams. So, to that end, it could be said that this is the first time that a soap was honored for Drama Series, Writing Team, and Directing Team.
"Wow. Wow, wow, wow," Ken Corday said as he walked to the stage to accept the Emmy.
"Thank you to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for bestowing this on all of us," Corday said as his DAYS cast and crew assembled on stage.
"Congratulations to General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless," Corday added. "We four keep moving into the future with hope and with fearlessness. And may we all live many more years to come."
Nearly 30 minutes later in the press room, Corday appeared to still be wrapping his head around DAYS' incredible accomplishments.
"I think we're going to go to Las Vegas this week! This is just great," Corday beamed. "What a night, to be able to win for Writing and Directing and Supporting Actor and Lead Actor and Bill and Susan getting the Lifetime Achievement Award... This is the cherry on top."
Asked what seemed to be so magical about DAYS' Emmy submission this year, Corday countered that the show just presented what it has always done well.
"We didn't pull any stunts or plant any wildfires," Corday explained. "We just did what is our bread and butter. It was stuff from the heart. There were no buildings blowing up. I think we did a wedding, but it was a botched wedding. Though nine out of ten weddings in Salem are botched, right?"
