Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.

The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be, and what the facts strictly are contrary one to the other."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

1984: Days of our Lives' Alex didn't believe Stefano was dead.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden left a trail of notes for Cruz.
1997: As the World Turns' David met James Stenbeck.
2001: Tamara Braun debuted as Carly on General Hospital.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her as Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: Edge of Night's Elliot testified at Draper's trial.
1986: Days' Savannah was stabbed.
1996: AMC's Jason had a memory from the day Laurel was shot.
2006: GH's Courtney died.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A Woman to Remember premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1968: "I am an unmarried woman and became pregnant..." So began Dr Althea Davis's (Elizabeth Hubbard) testimony to the board of directors at Hope Memorial Hospital on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.

The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be, and what the facts strictly are contrary one to the other."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

1984: Days of our Lives' Alex didn't believe Stefano was dead.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden left a trail of notes for Cruz.
1997: As the World Turns' David met James Stenbeck.
2001: Tamara Braun debuted as Carly on General Hospital.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her as Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: Edge of Night's Elliot testified at Draper's trial.
1986: Days' Savannah was stabbed.
1996: AMC's Jason had a memory from the day Laurel was shot.
2006: GH's Courtney died.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A Woman to Remember premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1968: "I am an unmarried woman and became pregnant..." So began Dr Althea Davis's (Elizabeth Hubbard) testimony to the board of directors at Hope Memorial Hospital on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.

The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be, and what the facts strictly are contrary one to the other."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

1984: Days of our Lives' Alex didn't believe Stefano was dead.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden left a trail of notes for Cruz.
1997: As the World Turns' David met James Stenbeck.
2001: Tamara Braun debuted as Carly on General Hospital.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her as Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: Edge of Night's Elliot testified at Draper's trial. 1986: Days'
Savannah was stabbed. 1996: AMC's Jason had a memory
from the day Laurel was shot. 2006: GH's Courtney died.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A Woman to Remember premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1968: "I am an unmarried woman and became pregnant..." So began Dr Althea Davis's (Elizabeth Hubbard) testimony to the board of directors at Hope Memorial Hospital on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: The final episode of John Haggart's A Woman to Remember aired on the DuMont Television Network.

1966: On Dark Shadows, the Collins family learned Roger had been in an accident.

1968: The Agnes Nixon daytime soap opera One Life to Live premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the series was Between Heaven and Hell. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer.

The original cast included Ernest Graves as Victor Lord, Paul Tulley as Dr. Larry Wolek, Trish Van Devere as Meredith Lord, Gillian Spencer as Victoria Lord, Antony Ponzini as Vince Wolek, Doris Belack as Anna Wolek, Ellen Holly as Carla Benari (Gray), Lee Patterson as Joe Riley, Niki Flacks as Karen Martin, Terry Logan as Dr. Ted Hale, Allan Miller as Dave Siegel, Lillian Hayman as Sadie Gray, Donald Moffat as Dr. Marcus Polk, Thalmus Rasulala as Lt. Jack Neal, Patricia Roe as Eileen Siegel, and Thurman Scott as Dr. Price Trainor.

One Life to Live aired on ABC until January 13, 2012. It premiered online via Prospect Park's The OnLine Network on April 29, 2013, and ran for one season before being canceled again.

Check out a montage of OLTL opening sequences during the ABC years below.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

1984: Days of our Lives' Alex didn't believe Stefano was dead.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden left a trail of notes for Cruz.
1997: As the World Turns' David met James Stenbeck.
2001: Tamara Braun debuted as Carly on General Hospital.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her as Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: Edge of Night's Elliot testified at Draper's trial. 1986: Days'
Savannah was stabbed. 1996: AMC's Jason had a memory
from the day Laurel was shot. 2006: GH's Courtney died.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A Woman to Remember premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1968: "I am an unmarried woman and became pregnant..." So began Dr Althea Davis's (Elizabeth Hubbard) testimony to the board of directors at Hope Memorial Hospital on The Doctors.

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 1)

Search for Tomorrow's John Sylvester White (Keith) talks with Cliff
Hall (Victor), as Sara Anderson, Lynn Loring (Patti), Bess
Johnson (Irene), and Mary Stuart (Joanne) look on.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

The Soap Box
Vol. III No. 10 September 1978
by John Genovese

The history of daytime television series is too long and varied to be fully detailed in an article of this size. However, in this issue we are proud to present a survey of every network serial that appeared on television. This is one of the most comprehensive studies of broadcasting flops (as well as successes) available.

1947
Remember the old DuMont network from the early days of television? Although it's long gone, it gave us the first considerable effort in the visual medium on a network basis. It was A Woman to Remember, which bumped along for about two years and starred Patricia Wheel as--oddly enough--a soap opera star. Supporting cast members included Joan Castle, John Raby, Frank Thomas Jr., and Ruth McDevitt. The writer was John Haggart and the producer was Bob Steele.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The exact dates A Woman to Remember aired are not clear, with inconsistency among the various research sources. Most list the show as airing for two months in 1949.  Faraway Hill had premiered on the DuMont network in 1946.

1949
Established soap spinner Irna Phillips will certainly not be best remembered for her NBC creation called These Are My Children, which premiered January 31, 1949, and ran a few short months. Alma Platt played the mother of five children, played respectively by Jane Brooksmith, George Kluge, Martha McCain, Joan Alt and Eloise Kummer.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: The final episode of John Haggart's A Woman to Remember aired on the DuMont Television Network.

1966: On Dark Shadows, the Collins family learned Roger had been in an accident.

1968: The Agnes Nixon daytime soap opera One Life to Live premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the series was Between Heaven and Hell. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer.

The original cast included Ernest Graves as Victor Lord, Paul Tulley as Dr. Larry Wolek, Trish Van Devere as Meredith Lord, Gillian Spencer as Victoria Lord, Antony Ponzini as Vince Wolek, Doris Belack as Anna Wolek, Ellen Holly as Carla Benari (Gray), Lee Patterson as Joe Riley, Niki Flacks as Karen Martin, Terry Logan as Dr. Ted Hale, Allan Miller as Dave Siegel, Lillian Hayman as Sadie Gray, Donald Moffat as Dr. Marcus Polk, Thalmus Rasulala as Lt. Jack Neal, Patricia Roe as Eileen Siegel, and Thurman Scott as Dr. Price Trainor.

One Life to Live aired on ABC until January 13, 2012. It premiered online via Prospect Park's The OnLine Network on April 29, 2013, and ran for one season before being canceled again.

Check out a montage of OLTL opening sequences during the ABC years below.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

1984: Days of our Lives' Alex didn't believe Stefano was dead.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden left a trail of notes for Cruz.
1997: As the World Turns' David met James Stenbeck.
2001: Tamara Braun debuted as Carly on General Hospital.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her as Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: Edge of Night's Elliot testified at Draper's trial. 1986: Days'
Savannah was stabbed. 1996: AMC's Jason had a memory
from the day Laurel was shot. 2006: GH's Courtney died.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to Scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A Woman to Remember premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1968: "I am an unmarried woman and became pregnant..." So began Dr Althea Davis's (Elizabeth Hubbard) testimony to the board of directors at Hope Memorial Hospital on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: The final episode of John Haggart's A Woman to Remember aired on the DuMont Television Network.

1966: On Dark Shadows, the Collins family learned Roger had been in an accident.

1968: The Agnes Nixon daytime soap opera One Life to Live premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the series was Between Heaven and Hell. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer. The show aired on ABC until January 13, 2012. It premiered online via The OnLine Network on April 29, 2013, and ran for one season before being canceled again. Check out a montage of ABC opening sequences below.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 2)

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1949: A Woman to Remember debuted in the 7:30-7:45 p.m. timeslot on the DuMont Television Network. The show was an early attempt to bring soap opera to early evening television. The leading character, Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel), was depicted as a radio soap opera queen, engaged to handsome Steve Hammond, but beset by scheming rivals, notably shrewish Carol Winstead.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) behaved oddly as if she were in a trance. She told Joe (Joel Crothers) that she felt as if someone were looking right through her, and Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) appeared with his eyes glowing in the light of a candle.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 21)

1980: EON's Elliot testified at Draper's trial. 1986: DAYS'
Savannah was stabbed. 1996: AMC's Jason had a memory
from the day Laurel was shot. 2006: GH's Courtney died.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1947: On radio soap opera LIFE CAN BE BEAUTIFUL, Hank and Dolly came to visit the downcast Chichi (Alice Reinheart).

1949: John Haggart's television soap opera A WOMAN TO REMEMBER premiered on the Dumont network. The main focus of the soap-within-a-soap series was the backstage drama of a radio serial. Radio soap opera star Christine Baker (Patricia Wheel) was the central heroine who had to spend much of her time dealing with malicious Carol Winstead (Joan Catlin), who fought against her both at work and in Christine's relationship with Steve Hammond (John Raby).

1978: Eddie Moran debuted as Danny Wolek on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 15)

On this date in...

1925: Actor Philip Carey was born. The actor played Asa Buchanan in ONE LIFE TO LIVE for many years. Among his many credits was a memorable first season appearance as Archie's gay friend in ALL IN THE FAMILY, an episode that also featured Anthony Geary. Carey died on February 6, 2009.

1949: The final episode of John Haggart's A WOMAN TO REMEMBER aired on the DuMont Television Network.

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, the Collins family learned Roger had been in an accident.

1968: ONE LIFE TO LIVE premiered on ABC. The original planned title for the Agnes Nixon soap opera was BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL. This was still the plan as of late April, and Don Wallace was expected to be the executive producer. The show aired on ABC until January 13, 2012. It premiered online via The OnLine Network on April 29, 2013. Today the show debuts on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network.  Check out a montage of the show's opening sequences below.