Today in Soap Opera History (May 14)

1968: Dark Shadows' Mrs. Johnson had a terrible dream.
1981: John Dixon took a tumble down the stairs on As the World Turns.
2002: All My Children's Bianca called her sister, Kendall, "evil".
2010: It was prom night for One Life to Live's Starr X'd Lovers.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Cassandra (Lara Parker) encouraged Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) to get some sleep but Mrs. Johnson told her she was afraid of having a terrible dream. Once Mrs. Johnson fell asleep she had the dream, which involved David (David Henesy) and some scary bats.

1979: On Another World, Brian (Paul Stevens) shocked Mac (Douglass Watson) and Janice (Christine Jones) when he told them the extortion idea came from Iris. Note: This was first episode with Tom King credited as head writer. He replaced Harding Lemay, who departed after eight years.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 14)

1968: Dark Shadows' Mrs. Johnson had a terrible dream.
1981: ATWT's John Dixon took a tumble.
2002: AMC's Bianca called her sister, Kendall, "evil".
2010: It was prom night for OLTL's Starr X'd Lovers.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Cassandra (Lara Parker) encouraged Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) to get some sleep but Mrs. Johnson told her she was afraid of having a terrible dream. Once Mrs. Johnson fell asleep she had the dream, which involved David (David Henesy) and some scary bats.

1979: On Another World, Brian (Paul Stevens) shocked Mac (Douglass Watson) and Janice (Christine Jones) when he told them the extortion idea came from Iris. Note: This was first episode with Tom King credited as head writer. He replaced Harding Lemay, who departed after eight years.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 14)

1968: Dark Shadows' Mrs. Johnson had a terrible dream.
1981: ATWT's John Dixon took a tumble.
2002: AMC's Bianca called her sister, Kendall, "evil".
2010: It was prom night for OLTL's Starr X'd Lovers.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Cassandra (Lara Parker) encouraged Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) to get some sleep but Mrs. Johnson told her she was afraid of having a terrible dream. Once Mrs. Johnson fell asleep she had the dream, which involved David (David Henesy) and some scary bats.

1979: On Another World, Brian (Paul Stevens) shocked Mac (Douglass Watson) and Janice (Christine Jones) when he told them the extortion idea came from Iris. Note: This was first episode with Tom King credited as head writer. He replaced Harding Lemay, who departed after eight years.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 14)

1968: Dark Shadows' Mrs. Johnson had a terrible dream.
1981: ATWT's John Dixon took a tumble. 2002: AMC's Bianca
called her sister, Kendall, "evil".  2010: It was prom night for
OLTL's Starr X'd Lovers.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Cassandra (Lara Parker) encouraged Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) to get some sleep but Mrs. Johnson told her she was afraid of having a terrible dream. Once Mrs. Johnson fell asleep she had the dream, which involved David (David Henesy) and some scary bats.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 14)

1968: Dark Shadows' Mrs. Johnson had a terrible dream.
1981: ATWT's John Dixon took a tumble. 2002: AMC's Bianca
called her sister, Kendall, "evil".  2010: It was prom night for
OLTL's Starr X'd Lovers.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Cassandra (Lara Parker) encouraged Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) to get some sleep but Mrs. Johnson told her she was afraid of having a terrible dream. Once Mrs. Johnson fell asleep she had the dream, which involved David (David Henesy) and some scary bats.

Amber Tamblyn Celebrates GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th Anniversary: 'Where I Learned Everything About My Craft'

Amber Tamblyn with Stuart Damon, Leslie Charlson and
John Ingle on the set of GENERAL HOSPITAL in 1999.
- Photo: ABC

Amber Tamblyn, who originated the role Emily on GENERAL HOSPITAL and played it for six years, posted a beautiful message on her Facebook page Tuesday in honor of the show's 50th anniversary:

Yesterday was General Hospital's 50th Anniversary and I couldn't be more proud to call myself part of their family. GH is where I learned everything about my craft- the art of emotional intelligence, of listening, of interpreting, of setting a scene on fire. Its where I held Stuart Damon and wept when my real life Grandmother passed away, and where Stuart Damon held me and wept when Anna Lee passed away.

Its where I learned how to be disciplined in what I do. Where I found myself, as an actress, as a woman, and as veteran. Its where I learned what having REAL fans in your corner can do for you: carry you into a confidence that most actresses only dream of.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (1980 Cast)

In honor of GENERAL HOSPITAL's upcoming 50th anniversary (GH50), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Photo of the Day" for the rest of the month. Today's photo was taken in December 1980 and features the large cast the show had during its ratings heyday.

Kneeling: Philip Tanzini (Jeremy), Bradley Green (Tommy)

Front Row: (L-R): Shell Kepler (Amy), Louise Hoven (Beverly), Brooke Bundy (Diana), Genie Francis (Laura), Gail Ramsey (Susan), Susan Pratt (Anne), Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), John Beradino (Steve), Rachem Ames (Audrey), Loanne Bishop (Rose), Denise Alexander (Lesley), Bob Hastings (Burt)

Second Row: Todd Davis, Lisa Lindgren (Kathy), Bianca Ferguson (Claudia), Frank Maxwell (Dan), Lieux Dressler (Alice), Robin Mattson (Heather), Tristan Rogers (Robert), Chris Robinson (Rick), Richard Sarradet (Howard)

Third Row: Rick Moses (Jefferson), Anthony Geary (Luke), Anna Lee (Lila), Norma Connolly (Ruby), Shelby Hiatt (Jane), Richard Dean Anderson (Jeff), Doug Sheehan (Joe), Pat Renella (Dr. Nelson)

Back Row: Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie), Susan Brown (Gail), Stuart Damon (Alan), David Lewis (Edward)

GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (Gloria Monty and the 1981 Cast)

In honor of GENERAL HOSPITAL's upcoming 50th anniversary (GH50), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Photo of the Day" for the rest of the month. Today's photo was taken in September 1981 and features executive producer Gloria Monty surrounded by the cast.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Thanksgiving: In Love Memory Of John Ingle

It was Thanksgiving in Port Charles on Wednesday's episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL which was dedicated to the late John Ingle, who played Edward Quartermaine for many years after assuming the role from David Lewis. In true "Q" fashion, the family was at odds including Ned (Wally Kurth) and Skye (Robin Christophe), who returned after learning of of Edward's death. Skye brought her daughter, Lila Rae, which was a nice treat. The show was full of wonderful flashbacks, Quartermaine infighting, and the ending was absolutely perfect.