Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"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...

1970: Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron

"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...

1970: Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"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...

1970: More than two years after her departure, Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

Blake Berris Joins 'General Hospital' as Spinelli

Blake Berris brilliantly played the multi-faceted complexities of Days of our
Live character, Nick Fallon.

Former Days of our Lives actor Blake Berris is taking over the role of Spinelli on ABC soap opera General Hospital, when the character returns for multiple episodes in January.

Berris was recruited to fill in for Bradford Anderson, who had committed to return to backed out at the last minute in order to shoot a couple of episodes of hit Showtime drama Homeland.

"I put GH in a very difficult position and for that I am incredibly sorry," Anderson said in a Facebook post on Monday.

"GH took whatever steps they needed to proceed without me," he explained. "My plea to you is to be compassionate, understanding, and appreciative of whatever decisions they made. If anything looks or sounds different than you’re used to, understand that it’s because of a decision that I made. The situation was created by ME."

Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"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...

1970: More than two years after her departure, Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1970: More than two years after her departure, Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

NEWS: Teresa Castillo Pregnant! Plus, Anthony Geary, Brad Maule, Josh Henderson, Blake Berris

Teresa Castillo with her husband and daughter.

General Hospital star Teresa Castillo pregnant with second child
Castillo, who plays Sabrina Santiago on GH, tweeted the news on Monday morning along with a family photo: "Someone's getting a little brother...👶💙"

Anthony Geary reflects on his career at General Hospital
"Genie was only 17 at the time, and I was 32," Geary said. "They had Luke become obsessed with her, which led to the rape, which was then romanticized to my great regret through the years. Ironically, the audience had as much sympathy for the rapist as they did for the victim, which nobody quite understood. I certainly didn't. After that, Luke became more of a focal point."

Brad Maule on his General Hospital days and new life as acting teacher
On why he was let go from GH: "You never really understand the mechanics of it all. But if you were over 30 and had been on the show for awhile they began to use you less and less. Also, when a new producer comes in, they try and put their stamp on things by getting rid of the old regime. It’s the same everywhere. But I’m happy to say I survived eight producers."

On Anthony Geary, whose final episode of GH airs today: "Tony is a wonderful guy. He never fell for the hype of being the most famous soap opera actor. He burns hot and loves his work and has a passion for it."

Ashley Benson and Blake Berris

Days of our Lives alum Blake Berris to guest star on Pretty Little Liars
Berris, who played Nick Fallon on Days, will appear on an upcoming episode of PLL but details about his character have not been revealed. Berris' former Days co-star, Ashley Benson, now stars in Pretty Little Liars and posted a photo of the two of them with the caption: "Sooooo excited this guy is here @blakeberris haven't worked with him since I was 17 ❤️❤️❤️ #friends."

Broadcasting & Cable's annual TCA-eve poll reveals early fall favorites
Based on B&C's very informal annual survey of TV critics, ABC's The Muppets is the most anticipated new fall show, closely followed by CBS' Supergirl and The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Least anticipated—and this doesn’t hold true for everyone—are Fox’s Rosewood and Grandfathered, with shows such as Fox’s The Grinder falling somewhere in the middle.

Dallas star Josh Henderson cast as male lead in E!'s The Arrangement pilot
Henderson, most recently known for his role as John Ross Ewing on the Dallas reboot, has been cast as Kyle West, a guy "poised to become and A-list international movie star" as long as he can keep up appearances and keep his secrets from getting out.

'Days of our Lives' Spoilers (May 19-23, 2014): A New #1 Suspect

Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) lands in hot water when Hope (Kristian
Alfonso) catches him in a lie. Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on Days of our Lives during the week of May 19th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, May 19
Nicole (Arianne Zucker) and Eric (Greg Vaughan) get intimate; Sami (Alison Sweeney) and E.J. (James Scott) get unexpected news; Hope (Kristian Alfonso) catches Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) in a lie; Theresa (Jen Lilley) affects J.J.'s (Casey Moss) first date with Paige (True O'Brien).

SPOTLIGHT: 'Days of our Lives' Star Susan Seaforth Hayes Shines In Poignant Scenes With Blake Berris

On November 8, 1965, the very first episode of Days of Our Lives aired. It featured a teenage Julie Olson (originally played by Charla Doherty), who had been arrested for shoplifting.

Julie believed her Grandfather Tom and Uncle Mickey weren't helping her, and she accused them of ganging up on her. She declared that no one cared about her in the entire world and she broke into tears.

On the May 9, 2014 episode, a loving, wise and protective Julie Olson Williams (played by Susan Seaforth Hayes since 1968) counseled her cousin Nick Fallon (Blake Berris) as he shared his deep feelings of isolation. Nick worried that everyone was out to get him, and it turned out he was right. As the episode came to close, Nick had been shot.

Before Monday arrives, and we segue into the “Who killed Nick Fallon?” story, I can’t let the beautiful performance of Susan Seaforth Hayes go without recognition, as well as the importance of the Julie character to Days of Our Lives.

'Days of our Lives' Spoilers (May 12-16, 2014)

Nick's loved ones say a tearful farewell. Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on Days of our Lives during the week of May 12th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Who really killed Nick Fallon?

Monday, May 12
A dramatic murder makes suspects out of half the town; relationships are tested as accusations fly.

'Days of our Lives' Spoilers (May 5-9, 2014)

Much of Salem is out to get Nick Fallon. Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on Days of our Lives during the week of May 5th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, May 5
Following a confrontation with Nick (Blake Berris), E.J. (James Scott) decides to take action; Nick's revelation stuns Abigail (Kate Mansi); Jordan (Chrishell Stause) and Kate (Lauren Koslow) get into a huge catfight; Hope (Kristian Alfonso) uncovers Aiden (Daniel Cosgroves) and Ciara's (Lauren Boles) plot.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (March 24-28, 2014)

Rafe punches Ben (Justin Gaston) after finding him with
Jordan (Chrishell Stause).  Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of March 24th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 24
Nick (Blake Berris) learns Kate's (Lauren Koslow) secret; Sami (Alison Sweeney) talks to Kate about Stefano (Joseph Mascolo); John (Drake Hogestyn) tries to get Theresa (Jen Lilley) away from Brady (Eric Martsolf); Rafe (Galen Gering) reacts to finding Jordan (Chrishell Stause) with Ben (Justin Gaston).

NEWS: B&B in the Emirates; Blake Berris Film; Donna Mills; Amanda Seyfried

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL lands in the Emirates
“Many people here come up, say how much they love the show,” Katherine Kelly Lang said. “I didn't know how popular it was here.”

For the Emirates, the three-day shoot is an opportunity to help develop the local entertainment industry. Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the country’s two biggest cities, have each been working to entice filmmakers to the country.

Showrunner Brad Bell hopes the show’s Mideast foray changes viewers’ perceptions of the region.

“I was just struck by how wonderfully open and welcoming everyone was. Just the beauty and extent of all there is to see here in Dubai, it’s something that the world needs to see,” he said.

Dubai One’s B&B connection
“The B&B crew shot a mock scene for us," said THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT host Marwan Parham Al Awadhi. "It was the first time they’d ever done anything like this – it’s basically going to look like an episode of the show. We’ll be screening it at the end of our 27th birthday show.”

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (March 17-21, 2014): A Pregnancy Test That Could Change Everything

EJ (James Scott) is mortified when Sami (Alison Sweeney) suggests she
knows why he was sneaking around.  Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of March 17th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 17
Daniel (Shawn Christian) talks to Nicole (Arianne Zucker) about the evidence he found; Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) tries to figure out who has been harassing her; Sami (Alison Sweeney) suggests to E.J. (James Scott) that she knows why he was sneaking around; Adrienne (Judi Evans) asks Abigail (Kate Mansi) about her secret.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (March 10-14, 2014)

EJ (James Scott) receives stunning news about Abigail (Kate Mansi).
Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of March 10th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 10
EJ (James Scott) gets shocking news about Abigail (Kate Mansi); Eric (Greg Vaughan) refuses to take things further with Nicole (Arianne Zucker); J.J. (Casey Moss) realizes he and the mystery girl have something in common; Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) learns she is the target of a smear campaign.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (March 3-7, 2014): John Black Is Back

John Black (Drake Hogestyn) returns to Salem.
Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of March 3rd.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 3
Nick (Blake Berris) threatens Sonny (Freddie Smith) and blackmails Sami (Alison Sweeney); Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Theresa (Jen Lilley) spoil Eric (Greg Vaughan) and Nicole's (Arianne Zucker) date; Daniel (Shawn Christian) and Jennifer's (Melissa Reeves) reunion has a rocky start; J.J. falls for a beautiful woman.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (February 24-28, 2014)

EJ (James Scott) attempts to end his affair with Abigail (Kate Mansi).
Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of February 24th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 24
Jennifer (Melissa Reeves) wants to get back together with Daniel (Shawn Christian), but feels threatened by Theresa (Jen Lilley); Brady (Eric Martsolf) and Theresa spend time together; E.J. (James Scott) tries to end things with Abigail (Kate Mansi); Sami (Alison Sweeney) attacks Nicole (Arianne Zucker) when she learns Eric (Greg Vaughan) is leaving the priesthood.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (February 17-21, 2014)

Someone catches EJ (James Scott) and Abigail Kate Mansi) having a
private conversation...  Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of February 17th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 17
Theresa (Jen Lilley) demands Daniel (Shawn Christian) sleep with her; someone eavesdrops on a conversation between Abigail (Kate Mansi) and EJ (James Scott); Ciara (Lauren Boles) accidentally makes things worse between Hope (Kristian Alfonso) and Aiden (Daniel Cosgrove).

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (February 10-14, 2014)

Will (Guy Wilson) makes Sonny's (Freddie Smith) Valentine's Day
extra special. Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of February 10th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 10
Abigail (Kate Mansi) finds herself in an awkward situation with Sami (Alison Sweeney) and E.J. (James Scott); Nicole (Arianne Zucker) makes a discovery; Eric (Greg Vaughan) has a sudden realization about the future; Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) helps Kate (Lauren Koslow) out of a tough spot.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES Spoilers (February 3-7, 2014): Kate Makes a Startling Discovery

Kate (Lauren Koslow) breaks into Jordan's apartment and makes a startling discovery.
Photo Credit: NBC

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on DAYS OF OUR LIVES during the week of February 3rd.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 3
Abigail (Kate Mansi) confronts Adrienne (Judi Evans) about gossiping about her and E.J. (James Scott); J.J. (Casey Moss) gets bad news; Brady (Eric Martsolf) goes to Daniel's (Shawn Christian) apartment to drink in peace; Kate (Lauren Koslow) gives E.J. and Gabi (Camila Banus) a heads up about a new problem.