Can We Brag About Something Else, Please?

A DAY AFTER delivering his solemn statement to the 9/11 Commission last week, Mayor Bloomberg was back to work on the important stuff. No, not crafting a strategy to wring those missing anti-terror funds out of Washington, but bending a ceremonial pinstriped knee to the local entertainment industry.

We know what you're thinking: Time for Elf Day 2 already? No, no. This time, it's Soap Opera Appreciation Day at Gracie Mansion. Last Thursday, Bloomberg hosted a private gala celebration in honor of the 31st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, in recognition of, yes, excellence within New York City's daytime television community.

"I am pleased to pay tribute to the outstanding [daytime] television programming produced in New York City," said the mayor with a straight face. "The number of Emmy nominations received by television shows produced in New York City this year is a testament to our leadership in the daytime television industry."

If all great cities must strive for leadership in something, then let us strive for this. Bloomberg went on to honor nine New Yorkers scheduled to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 31st Annual Emmy Awards at Radio City Music Hall. The hometown heroes included Eileen Fulton (As the World Turns since 1960), John Clarke (original cast of Days of Our Lives) and Anna Lee (Lila on General Hospital beginning 1978).

Since Lee passed away on May 14, 2004, she was unable to attend the ceremony. No word on whether she departed for the big soundstage in the sky by way of North General on Madison Ave.