8th Daytime Emmy Awards
The 8th Daytime Emmy Awards were held on Thursday, May 21, 1981, to commemorate excellence in daytime programming from March 6, 1980 to March 5, 1981. The eighth awards did not include the cameo category from the previous year, so only five awards were given, like in previous years.
The ceremony was telecast from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on ABC, preempting General Hospital and The Edge of Night.
Winners in each category are in bold.
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
- Elizabeth Lawrence,
- Lois Kibbee,
- Jane Elliot
- Randall Edwards
- Jacklyn Zeman
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Writing
Guiding Light: Douglas Marland, Robert Dwywer, Nancy Franklin & Harding LemayAll My Children: Agnes Nixon, Wisner Washam, Jack WoodGeneral Hospital- ''One Life to Live''
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Directing
All My ChildrenGeneral Hospital- ''One Life to Live''
Outstanding Game Show
- The $20,000 Pyramid – A Bob Stewart Production for ABC
- Family Feud – A Mark Goodson-Bill Todman Production for ABC
- The Hollywood Squares – A Heatter-Quigley Production for NBC