Best & Worst: Daytime Emmy Awards 2009

Much has been made of the ratings troubles soap operas have had in recent years, and they probably need all the exposure they can get to survive. So what does the CW do during the pre-show? Spend time exposing its prime-time audience to its own prime-time stars and shows, like Jennie Garth from “90210” (pictured). Ian Somerhalder wasn’t even on the red carpet, but somehow they found time to have him introduce a clip from the upcoming series “Vampire Diaries.” Nothing says daytime like vampires!  (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images)

For sheer subversive weirdness, the Daytime Emmys gave those trying-too-hard rockers on MTV a run for their money. Not only did we get muppets, but “Young and the Restless” star Stacy Haiduk showed up sporting her prop cat. That’s creepier than anything Marilyn Manson has pulled at the VMAs in years.  (Matt Sayles / Associated Press)

If you’re watching a TV awards show in the early part of the 21st century, chances are good -- no, great -- that you’ll see the host cleverly edited into various clips from nominated programs. We said this at the CMT Awards, and we’ll say it here too: Please, please, please stop this gimmick. People do it on YouTube these days, so we don’t need to see it on a big-time awards show. Besides, seeing Vanessa Williams edited into “Sesame Street” isn’t clever -- because she’s actually been a guest on “Sesame Street.”  (John Shearer/ Getty Images)

Talk about weird juxtapositions: Just after a spectacularly vapid fashion show designed to spotlight the costumes on daytime TV’s soap operas, Montel Williams and Susan Lucci came out to present a video report on daytime soap stars’ work with the charity group Feed the Children. We’re not saying the cause isn’t worthy or that the actors’ participation in this organization wasn’t genuine, but its appearance in a show all about self-congratulations seemed out of place.  (John Shearer / Getty Images)

The 40th anniversary of “Sesame Street” brought the crowd to its feet for a rousing sing-along of some classic songs. And Cookie Monster got to eat part of an Emmy. If only “Sesame Street” could be nominated for every award. Seriously. “Bold and the Beautiful” could use a dose of sexy muppets.  (John Shearer / Getty Images)

Darin Brooks was so excited to win outstanding younger actor in a drama series for “Days of Our Lives” that he blurted out a swear word in the middle of the otherwise extremely G-rated broadcast. The word was bleeped on the broadcast, but poor Brooks must have seen an off-camera production person give him a withering look. “Did I just swear?” he said before being played off the stage.  (John Shearer / Getty Images)