"When Michael died, the press naturally focused on his battle against ALS and the awareness he raised. But in doing so, his extraordinary acting talent sort of fell through the cracks. We want to honor him on both counts -- as a brave fighter and as a great artist." -- Soap Opera Digest Editor Lynn Leahey

The presentation of the Editor’s Award to Michael Zaslow(’s family) was incredibly touching. I was deeply moved by Brynn Thayer’s narrative, managing to hold back the tears until I saw a crew person run out on stage during one of the video clips to hand Ms. Thayer kleenex. That did me in. By the end of Mrs. Zaslow’s acceptance speech, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Especially impressive was the fact that the audience remained on their feet the entire time Mrs. Zaslow was speaking. We were caught up in the moment -- unified, reverent attention our silent memorial to Michael.

Lisa Aileen

I knew that the tribute was coming. But I was unprepared for how much it got to me.

I loved that it was Brynn Thayer introducing it. Not only because I loved her as an actress, but, also because I have read how good friends they were.

The clips from GL had me bawling. I thought Maureen Garrett was wonderful in her assessment of what Zaslow did with Roger Thorpe. How he turned him into one of the most multi-faceted characters on TV. And, that he added layer upon layer.

Watching those GL clips was like a walk down memory lane for this GL viewer.

Zas and Garrett through the years.
With the wonderful late Christopher Bernau.
With Fiona Hutchison.
With the marvelous Beverlee McKinsey.
With Sherry 'Pre-ER' Stringfeld.

The scene with Holly's baby Meg, is one of the best Roger scenes. It summed up his character , literally and emotionally. When Roger said that it had been known that he could fight, I nearly laughed because THAT defined Roger: fighting against the odds. That he would see beauty and become a supporter of Holly's child-- even with another man, a child with Down Syndrome -- only made it more poignant. Meg had Roger's heart and someone who would ALWAYS be in her corner...just because she was Holly's child. Over time. Space. Distance. Some things never changed for Roger - and his love for Holly was just that

.

The bravery and strength that he showed in going to work at OLTL is something that I will never forget. Nor the performances that I was able to enjoy.

Mr. Zaslow was a professional. He was one of the very best at what he did. And I think SOD did right by him tonight.

SIP

NBC, Dick Clark Productions & SOD need to be commended.
... these three, especially ...need to be commended for giving the time necessary during the SOD Awards to have a fitting tribute to Michael Zaslow ...a special actor and human being. It was absolutely wonderful to see that extra time (which equates to $$$'s, in the biz) to let both his professional endeavors and his personal plight be shared.

Having Susan and his two girls accept this special award and share Michael thoughts, hopes and dreams with his legion of fans ...and the entire soap opera community, will always be a special memory for me.

My heart goes out to Susan and the girls ...as well as my gratitude to NBC, Dick Clark Productions and Soap Opera Digest.

Jeannie

Best Part of the SOD Awards- Tribute to Michael Zazlow
Topic Posted by: Onelifer

I just wanted to say that the BEST part of the show was the exceptionally well-done tribute to Michael Zazlow. I particularly enjoyed the scenes they showed throughout his career, especially the "Welcome Home" segments. I must admit that it was hard to watch, and he will be forever remembered. Viewers could tell that Robin Strasser was very close to Michael, and Zazlow's wife gave an incredible speech. I just wished they had more of previous cast members give their say on MZ's accomplishments. But I'm sure that could have gone on for hours. Way to go SOD for picking a great contender for your Editor's Choice!

Posted by: Rosebud1

The MZ tribute was wonderful. It was great seeing Brynn Thayer again. ... the tribute was lovely, well done & definitely well deserved.

Posted by: debs

That was very touching and nice that Brynn was included! And Robin Strasser. They were two of Michael's closest friends. Very apropos!

Posted by: DimWitt

I had the rare opportunity to attend the soap awards last night and I just wanted to say, watching the Editor's Choice live was a very moving experience. At one point in the presentation, the crowd stood up, giving a standing ovation, obviously moved by the emotion in the room. It was indeed heartwarming to see Brynn Thayer and Robin Strasser present the award. ... I commend SOD for a job well done. ...

Posted by: Shawna

I'm glad I caught that part of the show because it was very touching. I regret I never saw him on GL as Roger Thorpe. Robin Strasser looked very nice and everyone did a good job. It was a well done tribute to MZ.

Posted by: Jack66

I thought the MZ tribute was far better than anything JFP could dream up. It was so fitting and I loved that Brynn Thayer was included in this .... Brynn and Robin did such a wonderful job honoring their friend. It was very much a heartfelt tribute by people who truly cared. A job well done, SOD!

It was a beautiful tribute that caught me completely off-guard, and I'm sure I wasn't crying alone the other night. RIP Zas. Thanks again for the class you displayed while personally educating those of us who wanted to learn more about a dreadful disease and what we can do to find a cure for it.

--- Cory

The MZ tribute was the only thing worth seeing. I noticed the slam against P&G, merely by not even mentioning them. It was nice though that they showed scenes from GL with MZ in them. What a nice speech his wife made without losing it.

--- OhioJo

It brought me to tears, of course ...  The tribute was very nicely done, and I loved what his wife had to say. Hope TPTB at GL picked up on the barbs she threw at them!
Good going Susan!!

Linda

I also noticed she didn't mention GL, P&G or CBS. She really took the high road. I don't know if I could have had that spotlight and not screamed about how wrongly MZ was treated. I guess it isn't worth mentioning anymore. There are bigger, more important fights to win...

1iFiona

I started crying the minute Brynn Thayer (I grew up watching her on OLTL) walked on stage cuz I knew what was coming...and it only got sadder after that. Even my husband who doesn't watch GL had to wipe away a tear and he's a manly man <grin>.

I thought the entire tribute was fabulous and I'm getting choked up just thinking about it.

Glyn

.... I know Zaslow would've stayed with GL if he had that choice. But they didn't give it to him. OLTL did. They won him in the end. Lucky them.

Did anyone else cry during the salute to Michael on the Soap Opera Awards tonight? I sure did. I for one never watched Guiding Light or OLTL before, when he was on years ago, but I did watch during his return to OLTL recently and seeing him younger and so vibrant, made me bawl because such a wonderful handsome man is gone. However, his spirit lives on and so does his legacy in ZazAngels. I'm glad they finally gave him the recognition and respect he deserves. Here's to you, Michael and your family...God Bless.

JENNI

"We honor him not for the way he died, but for the way he lived."

So beautiful and fitting.

And Michael Zaslow's daughters are really so beautiful. I remember reading about them way back when he was profiled for Soap Opera Digest. There were photos of his daughter playing the violin. I remember thinking how great it was that he adopted his children. Such a wonderful, wonderful man.

That's enough tribute from me, I suppose.

"Zelda"

I am being brought to tears over the Michael Zaslow piece. I am so glad he is posthumously receiving the editor's award. Maureen Garrett's comments are great. God, I miss him so much. He was such an amazing actor to the end.

So courageous, so bold, so inspirational. I only wish GL would've kept him up to the end and not let him get away to OLTL. I'm jealous that they get to have their people make the speeches. I never watched OLTL or saw him as David Renaldi, so it's unfair for me to say this, but I think he should always be remembered as Roger Thorpe. I hope he's up there smiling right now. Not because he's getting that award ... but because he's so remembered and honored and missed. And his legacy continues to draw more awareness to ALS. What an amazing actor for such a caring, compassionate man to play such a villainous character!

I'm sorry. I tried not to post this, but I have to. GL didn't LET him get away. They threw him away like a piece of useless garbage when he could no longer produce the product they wanted!

And I thank God that TPTB at OLTL had the good sense, courage, and respect to let this fine actor end his career the way he wanted to as a part of their cast. They earned the right to have their representatives up on that stage tonight. They stuck by him after GL bailed out.

Victoria Lee

I agree totally, this was a great tribute to Michael Zazlow, not like that lame two minutes they had on Guiding Light (where he gave so much of himself in the character of Roger). No one in my opinion can play Roger like Michael did. I am so happy his wife, who spoke very eloquently I might add, made the statement of how they deserted him during difficult times. I will always remember him as a fine actor and great person.

Judy

Well, first of all, she thanked ABC and OLTL very conspicuously, and just as conspicuously said absolutely nothing about CBS, P&G, or GL, the network, company, and soap he was on the longest. I applaud her.

Then, in a section of the speech she addressed to the fans, she stated that "YOU did not abandon him," emphasis in the original. Obviously an oblique reference to those who did abandon Michael at the crisis point.

All in all, a very pointed and well-thought out indictment of the current P&G regime, even if she didn't say a word directly to the subject. That is class.

Jim Gray

It was an awesome tribute to an awesome actor and special courageous man. Seeing his fellow actors honor him was so moving.  It breaks my heart that a show he gave 25 years of his life to dumped him in the end - BUT his fans and his peers didn't!

......On a different note, so touching was the tribute to Michael Zaslow. That was such a wonderful thing to recognize this great actor, even if it was posthumously. He was truly a fighter til the end.  We miss you Michael!!!!

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02/16/06 12:52:57 AM