'General Hospital' has 18 Daytime Emmy nominations

NEW YORK - With 13 Daytime Emmy nominations, the soap opera "As the World Turns" has the potential for a trophy-filled going-away party on an awards show being broadcast by the network that pulled the plug on it.

"General Hospital" led with 18 nominations Wednesday. "The Young and the Restless" had 16, "Sesame Street" had 14 and "One Life to Live" had 13. CBS will air the annual awards show from Las Vegas on June 27.

"As the World Turns" will air for the final time in September. It's the second daytime drama CBS has canceled in two years, after "Guiding Light," as the genre does a slow fade in popularity.

"As the World Turns" was not nominated for best daytime drama. Two of its actors - Jon Lindstrom and Michael Park - were among the five nominees for best lead actor in a soap. Maura West was nominated for best actress.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences will give a lifetime achievement award to Agnes Nixon, a creative force behind many soap operas. One was "All My Children," whose star Susan Lucci said Nixon helped create the very fabric of daytime TV.

Besides Lindstrom and Park, best actor nominees were: Peter Bergman and Doug Davidson of "The Young and the Restless," and James Scott of "Days of Our Lives."

Joining West as top actress nominees were Crystal Chappell of "Guiding Light," Michelle Stafford of "The Young and the Restless," Sarah Brown of "General Hospital" and Bobbie Eakes of "All My Children."

The ladies of "The View" have a chance to repeat last year's win as best talk show hosts. Their competition includes Rachael Ray, Bonnie Hunt, Dr. Mehmet Oz and the team of Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

PBS dominated the children's categories. Eight of the 10 shows nominated in the categories of best children's series, best children's animated program and best preschool children's series were on public broadcasting.