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Susan Lucci Forever
Cocktail Reception
& 1st Emmy Lou Awards
Hosted At The Mint

Friends For Friends, a group of friends, and friends of friends, bound by the premise that life should be celebrated, recently joined forces with Miss Joey and The Mint to produce the first ever Susan Lucci Cocktail Reception and Emmy Lou Awards Show. The movies have the Oscars, the theatre has the Tonys, television has the Emmys, and now New Orleans has Emmy Lou. The name for the award came as a recognition of the fact that the real Susan Lucci has never yet won that prestigious Emmy....Emmy for the award, and Lou for Lucci. As for the rest of that steamy evening in July, it is quite a story.

On July 11, 1998 at the "Sweet 16" Birthday Party at The Phoenix, a historic event took place. Susan Lucci Forever, Smurf, retired after 10 years of holding the title and named Miss Tompson, Susan Lucci II. As the stunned audience erupted into cheers, the official presentation included the awarding of the coveted Susan Lucci Forever pin. Whether Miss Tompson was overwhelmed to the point of being in shock or just in a drunken stupor was not evident. With the awarding of the pin , however, Miss Tompson was caught momentarily speechless...a feat never before accomplished without the use of a sexual device. With cameras flashing and video tape rolling Miss Tompson, now forever to be known as Susan Lucci II, took several minutes to regain her composure. Positioning herself on the edge of the stage and crossing her legs, Susan Lucci II then proceeded to fulfill her first official duty by beginning her acceptance speech with "Love you Blanche, but....". When reminded that cameras were rolling, Ms Lucci II responded with, "Bring them in closer", and continued to "trash" in true Susan Lucci Forever style.

Following that memorable evening, FRIENDS FOR FRIENDS and Miss Joey decided to honor Susan Lucci II at a cocktail reception at The Mint on Tues., July 21, 1998. With 60 hours notice, somehow, the idea snowballed. Before that now memorable evening was finished, there was a dinner, a premiere, a stage show, and the first Emmy Lou Awards Ceremony. Here are a few highlights from the event.

At precisely 7pm, guests began arriving, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the guest of honor, Susan Lucci II. While waiting, many dined on Crawfish and Crabmeat Monica specially prepared for the evening by Miss Joey. It was sumptuous.

Susan Lucci II made her entrance at 7:15pm wearing a stunning black and silver mini dress that clung to every voluptious curve and revealed "Tina Turner" legs that dropped down to 5 inch silver heels. Accenting her dress were a matching diamond and amethyst choker and earrings. Opera length black satin gloves completed the transformation from Miss Tompson, who had been known as "a pretty girl" to a "radiant" Susan Lucci II. She looked every bit the part of a true STAR!!!!! Lucci II was accompanied by her friend and confidant, Miss Little, Hooker of the Year, 1998. Miss Little wore a black and gold halter top gown adorned with black feathers. After spending several minutes with organizers, Susan II quickly acclimated herself to her new duties by graciously autographing 8x10 head shots,(no pun intended), for the specially invited guests. One guest was heard to say, "They even have rubber bands so you can roll the photos." Another replied, "That's so you won't put a crease in her face by folding the picture, GIRL!"

Around 7:30pm, all eyes turned to the premiere of "Sweet 16 at The Phoenix." This was a much anticipated event due to the now infamous acceptance speech. There was rumor that the tape had been edited, but even Ms Lucci II looked a bit concerned as the video presentation unfolded. From beginning to end, non-stop laughter and screams filled the room as party goers were treated to an unforgetable spin of not only some richly talented performers but also all the raunch and rage that everyone has come to know and love at The Phoenix. Some guests were heard to say that to laugh that much after just having eaten was, however, painful.

Immediately following the video, the overture for the first "Not Ready for Prime Time Live Stage Version of All My Children" began. Miss Joey headlined the cast of 7. Appearing in a black body suit and a black tuxedo jacket with tails and performing to the music from "Cabaret", what Miss Joey did to that bar stool she slammed into the floor, upside down, was nothing short of miraculous!! She changed costumes 3 times during the evening while at the same time serving as Mistress of Ceremonies from the wings of the stage at The Mint. Following closely on her heels, performer after performer hit the stage on cue and best of all on time, dancing, dazzling, and delighting everyone in attendance. Was it possible the performers had heard that there was an award for the best performance of the evening? From Chester and Vivian's "Little Egyption" to Maxinne Padd's rendition of "I Am Telling You", the show was fast-paced, diverse, and full of energy. Other notable cast members were: Miss Little, Jo Ann, and of course, Susan Lucci II. Several performers presented well deserved encores.

After the show, the time had finally come for the first Emmy Lou Awards Ceremony. All performers joined organizers on stage as awards were presented in the following three categories:
1st-Best Individual Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Leading Role in a Made for Television Mini Series or Drama. The nominees were: Clorox Bleachman, Jamie Temple, Margaret Thatcher, Smurf-Susan Lucci Forever 1987-1997, Susan Lucci II, John Revolter and Olivia Newtron Bomb.

This award was presented and will be presented in the future for the best performance captured on video. The winner was Margaret Thatcher.

2nd-Best Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Leading Role of a Not Ready for Prime Time Live Stage Version of All My Children. The nominees were: Chester and Vivian, Miss Little-Hooker of the Year '98, Susan Lucci II, Maxinne Padd-Hooker of the Year '96, and JoAnn.

This award was presented for the best performance of the evening. The winner was Miss Little.

The final category was the awarding of the Emmy Lou Statuette. This award, presented to a New Orleans personality of "star" quality, will be handed down from year to year. The winners names will be engraved on the base of the brass statuette which may then be kept by the winner for the entire year. The decision of subsequent winners will be at the sole discretion of the current holder of the Emmy Lou Statuette based on the following category:
3rd-Best Performance by an Actor or Actress in a Re-occurring, Leading or Starring Role in a Musical or Special Event...Stage or Street, Highway or Byway, Garage or Gutter.

The nominees were: Clorox Bleachman for Clorox Bleachman and Friends Sat. evenings at Mother Bob's.

Ms. Fly for her performances as Mistress of Ceremonies in the corner of the Corner Pocket on New Meat Night Fri. evenings.

Susan Lucci II for the Annual Hooker's Ball Mon. evening befor Mardi Gras. Smurf, Susan Lucci Forever for suffering Susan Lucci Forever for 10 years, 1987-97.

Blanche, SDGM XXIII, for enduring physical and mental abuse week after week from all sorts of people for *#!&@#% everything up 1996-98.

The winner was Smurf, Susan Lucci Forever, now dubbed La Lucci by supporters, for Susan Lucci Forever 1987-1997. And so ended the evening with the last award. Two hours and fifteen minutes total. Not bad for only 2 days planning.

Hence, the not-so-brief writing of the brief history of Susan Lucci II and Emmy Lou, who they are, how they came to be, and where they are going from here. Susan Lucci II did not receive an award this year although she was nominated in every category. Before considering her a loser, please know that Ms Lucci did not lose totally. You see, her acceptance speech at The Phoenix was graciously but painfully edited from the broadcast version as a matter of good taste. There are, however, a few uncut versions floating around. Look for Susan Lucci II between now and Labor Day as she will be making personal appearances at select locations around the city. As for La Lucci, she's not stopped serving her community or her fans and supporters regardless of what she is called. Rumor has it that a well-known restaurant is considering naming a signature dish "La Lucci" in her honor. Next year, the middle of July, look for the Second Annual Susan Lucci Cocktail Reception and Emmy Lou Awards Show...a "new" New Orleans tradition!!!

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