Today in Soap Opera History (April 28)

1978: Delia started talking to her dead mother on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Another World's Rachel chose to be with Mitch.
1986: Santa Barbara's Minx shot CC when he tried to evict her family.
1994: One Life to Live's Joey returned to Llanview.

"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...

1967: Erik Howell debuted as Johnny Fletcher on The Guiding Light, replacing Don Scardino in the role.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Roger (Louis Edmonds) demanded Willie (John Karlen) leave Collinwood immediately.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 28)

1978: Delia started talking to her dead mother on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Another World's Rachel chose to be with Mitch.
1986: Santa Barbara's Minx shot CC when he tried to evict her family.
1994: One Life to Live's Joey returned to Llanview.

"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...

1967: Erik Howell debuted as Johnny Fletcher on The Guiding Light, replacing Don Scardino in the role.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Roger (Louis Edmonds) demanded Willie (John Karlen) leave Collinwood immediately.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 28)

1978: Delia started talking to her dead mother on Ryan's Hope.
1981: Another World's Rachel chose to be with Mitch.
1986: Santa Barbara's Minx shot CC when he tried to evict her family.
1994: One Life to Live's Joey returned to Llanview.

"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...

1967: Erik Howell debuted as Johnny Fletcher on The Guiding Light, replacing Don Scardino in the role.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Roger (Louis Edmonds) demanded Willie (John Karlen) leave Collinwood immediately.

THE NEWSROOM "Election Night, Part II" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

HBO airs the final new episode of THE NEWSROOM for 2013 on Sunday, September 15th at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

In "Election Night, Part II," as election night 2012 winds down, Will and Charlie await a decision from Reese (Chris Messina) that may impact their future at ACN, and that of the entire senior staff. Sloan learns the identity of the anonymous winning bidder for her book; Don discusses a countersuit against Jerry (Hamish Linklater) with Rebecca (Marcia Gay Harden); Neal turns to Hallie (Grace Gummer) for help giving Mac a parting gift; Jim tries to make peace with Lisa (Kelen Coleman), encouraging Maggie (Alison Pill) to do the same; Will has a revelation while Charlie is sharing his.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM "Election Night, Part I" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, September 8th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, "Election Night, Part I," in the wake of Leona’s (Jane Fonda) refusal to accept the resignations of three top ACN talents, “News Night” goes forward with its 2012 election night coverage, featuring Will (Jeff Daniels) in the unlikely role of director of morale. Sloan (Olivia Munn) is perturbed that her book was auctioned off with a forged signature, while Mac (Emily Mortimer) tasks Neal (Dev Patel) to fix a faulty Wikipedia page. Mindful that Charlie (Sam Waterston) wants a screw-up-free evening, Jim (John Gallagher, Jr.) weighs the cons of retracting a call he made too soon. The team deliberates whether to hold off on a story that might affect a tight Senate race.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM "Red Team III" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, August 25th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, "Red Team III," through depositions with the newsroom staff, Rebecca pieces together the events that led to ACN's fateful decision to go forward with Jerry's special report on Operation Genoa - as well as the post-air revelations that undermined its credibility. The repercussions threaten to ruin "News Night" while eclipsing breaking news during another 9/11 anniversary.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM "One Step Too Many" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, August 18th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, "One Step Too Many," Mac and Charlie score a key witness, a retired Marine general, in their attempt to corroborate Jerry's Operation Genoa story. Will follows Nina's (Hope Davis) lead to soften his image by making an impromptu appearance on a morning talk show. Jim gets unexpected company during his reunion with Hallie, who's in town to cover a Romney rally.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM "News Night with Will McAvoy" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, August 11th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, titled "News Night with Will McAvoy," Will is distracted during his telecast by a phone call and an unflattering Twitter post. Charlie (Sam Waterson) gets a visit from a longtime friend at the Office of Naval Intelligence, who has knowledge of Operation Genoa. Sloan (Olivia Munn) phases from humiliation to rage following a revenge posting. The newsroom traverses the slippery slope separating fact from fiction.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM "Unintended Consequences" Preview

Photo Credit: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, August 4th at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, titled "Unintended Consequences," Maggie (Alison Pill) tries to convince Rebecca (Marcia Gay Harden) that she’s fine following her shattering trip to Africa with Gary (Chris Chalk). An Occupy Wall Street protester with a Black Op lead refuses to cooperate with Neal (Dev Patel) and Jerry (Hamish Linklater) after an on-air interview with Will (Jeff Daniels) goes poorly. Jim (John Gallagher, Jr.) lands Hallie (Grace Gummer) a one-on-one, but gets heat from Mac (Emily Mortimer) as a result.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM Preview: "Willie Pete"

Photo: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, July 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, titled "Willie Pete," Will continues his mission to civilize by telling Nina Howard (Hope Davis) the truth. A new witness to the Genoa story emerges on Twitter, and in New Hampshire, Jim's efforts to have his questions answered continue to fall on deaf ears.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM Preview: "The Genoa Tip"

Photo: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM continues on Sunday, July 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

In the episode, titled "The Genoa Tip," a tip on a story that will ultimately cripple the network starts to become more real. Mackenzie (Emily Mortimer) and Sloan (Olivia Munn) continue to push Will on drones as Don (Thomas Sadoski) urges Will to advocate for Troy Davis. Maggie (Alison Pill) is un-friended by her roommate, but gets the assignment she's been begging for. Neal gets arrested on Wall Street.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

THE NEWSROOM Season 2 Kicks Off July 14

Photo: HBO

The second season of THE NEWSROOM kicks off on Sunday, July 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.

Episode #11: "First Thing We Do, Let's Kill All the Lawyers"

Will (Jeff Daniels) and the "News Night" staff are questioned by their lawyer about a story they've aired that's become a network crisis. An on-air remark by Will has him pulled from 9/11 anniversary coverage. Jim (John Gallagher, Jr.) volunteers to cover for an embed reporter on the Romney campaign and Neal (Dev Patel) investigates the beginnings of Occupy Wall Street.

THE NEWSROOM Season 2 Desert Trailer

The second season of THE NEWSROOM kicks off Sunday, July 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Check out the Season 2 Desert Trailer below:

THE NEWSROOM Season 2 Premieres July 14

The second season of THE NEWSROOM kicks off Sunday, July 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. In the new season, the staff of "News Night" chases a mysterious tip, which leads to a story that ultimately spins out of control.

Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Sam Waterston, John Gallagher, Jr., Alison Pill, Thomas Sadoski, Olivia Munn and Dev Patel star. Series creator Aaron Sorkin executive produces along with Scott Rudin and Alan Poul.

UPDATED:
Check out a new teaser video from HBO below: