Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

"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...

Generations included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The Peyton Place episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, Generations became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On Another World, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

"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...

Generations included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The Peyton Place episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, Generations became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On Another World, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

"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...

Generations included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The Peyton Place episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, Generations became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On Another World, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

"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...

GENERATIONS included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The PEYTON PLACE episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, GENERATIONS became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

"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...

GENERATIONS included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The PEYTON PLACE episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, GENERATIONS became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

Alan Coleman Dead at 76

Alan Coleman, who was executive producer of Australia's NEIGHBOURS and also worked on PRISONER and THE YOUNG DOCTORS, has died at age 76.

Coleman died on December 9 on the NSW Central Coast, his agent Darren Gray said.

Considered a pioneer of Australian soap opera, Coleman was born in Birmingham, England and worked as the first director on CROSSROADS, the UK's first ever five nights a week serial.

Richard Thorp Dead at 81

Richard Thorp, the veteran actor who played Alan Turner in UK soap opera EMMERDALE for more than 30 years, has died aged 81.

Thorp, who first appeared on the show in 1982, was filming until recently and fans saw him in Thursday's episode.

"Richard''s death is a sad loss to Emmerdale, of which he was at the heart for so many wonderful years," series producer Kate Oates said. "Richard had a brilliant sense of humor and he will be missed by every single member of our production team whose lives he touched."

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

On this date in...

GENERATIONS included Martin Luther King Jr.
in its opening sequence.

1968: Just after 6 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The civil rights leader was in Memphis to support a sanitation workers' strike and was on his way to dinner when a bullet struck him in the jaw and severed his spinal cord. King was pronounced dead after his arrival at a Memphis hospital. He was 39 years old.

The PEYTON PLACE episode scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET that night was preempted.

21 years later, in 1989, GENERATIONS became the first daytime soap opera to premiere with an African-American core family. The show's opening sequence included a shot of Dr. King.

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dennis (Mike Hammett) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) came over for the first dinner with Mac (Douglass Watson) and Rachel (Victoria Wydham) at the Cory mansion.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Indie Soap Awards, MISTRESSES, Jesse Lee Soffer, Erin Hershey Presley

Reston Duo Earns Kudos for Online Western
Restonians Kathryn O’Sullivan and Paul Awad recently returned from the 4th Annual Indie Soap Awards in New York with honors for their web series, THURSTON. O’Sullivan won for Best Costume Design and Awad won for Best Cinematography. Her husband, Awad, was also nominated for Best Director (Drama).

The series films in Wytheville, Va., where an out-of-business Western theme park stands as the town exteriors.

"When you see peeling paint, it is really peeling paint," says O'Sullivan.

DAYPLAYER DISH recaps the 4th Annual Indie Soap Awards
Listen to last night's ISA4-themed show.

GUIDING LIGHT alum Cynthia Watros at the 4th Annual Indie Soap Awards


Baby No. 3 For Brian And Erin Presley
Brian Presley (ex-Jack, PORTCHARLES) and his wife, Erin Hershey Presley (ex-Alison, GENERAL HOSPITAL/PORT CHARLES), already parents to Jack, 6, and Emma, 3, are expecting their third child, the actor announced on his Facebook page. "I would like to take the time to share with everyone that my wife and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our 3rd child. We are having another little girl (Ruby Rose Presley) who is due to enter the world sometime around June 15th," he wrote. "Children are the greatest gift from God and we are very blessed to be having another child."

PaleyFest 2013 To Stream Most Panels Online
Here’s the full live-streaming schedule of events:

* Saturday, March 2: REVOLUTION (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Sunday, March 3: ONCE UPON A TIME (Live streaming begins at 1:30 PT / 4:30 ET)
* Sunday, March 3: THE NEWSROOM (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Tuesday, March 5: COMMUNITY (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Wednesday, March 6: THE NEW NORMAL (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Thursday, March 7: PARENTHOOD (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Friday, March 8: THE MINDY PROJECT (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Saturday, March 9: NASHVILLE (Live streaming begins at 1:30 PT / 4:30 ET)
* Saturday, March 9: ARROW (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Sunday, March 10: DALLAS (Live streaming begins at 1:30 PT / 4:30 ET)
* Monday, March 11: NEW GIRL (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Thursday, March 14: 2 BROKE GIRLS (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)
* Friday, March 15: Closing Night Presentation: AMERICAN HORROR STORY: ASYLUM (Live streaming begins at 7:30 PT / 10:30 ET)

ABC's MISTRESSES to premiere May 27
The show stars Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan.

AS THE WORLD TURNS alum Jesse Lee Soffer Joins NBC's HATFIELDS & MCCOYS Pilot
Soffer will play Patrick McCoy in the pilot, which is being executive produced by Charlize Theron, among others. The show re-sets the legendary family feud in modern-day Pittsburgh, when a startling death re-ignites the quarrel between the blue-collar McCoys and the wealthy, powerful Hatfields.

Ten years on and CROSSROADS lives on for TV soap fans
CROSSROADS – famed for its wobbly scenery – ran for an initial 24 years from 1964 to 1988 and was revamped for the 21st century in 2001. But this year marks the tenth anniversary of the show - which attracted nine million viewers at its height - being laid to rest for good.

Now fans are preparing to commemorate the landmark, which falls in May, while next year marks the 50th anniversary of the first episode’s broadcast. A spokesman for the Crossroads Appreciation Society, the show’s official fan club, said a number of special events were being planned.

Sue Hanson Joins CORONATION STREET

Longtime CROSSROADS actress Sue Hanson, who played hotel manager Diane Parker, is returning to soaps with a new role in ITV's CORONATION STREET.

Hanson will first appear on screens in October, but details are scarce other than the character's name, Penny. CORRIE execs are keeping her role in the show a closely guarded secret.

Hanson quit showbiz in 1987 to concentrate on her family.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 4)

On this date in...

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dennis and Iris came over for the first dinner with Mac and Rachel at the Cory mansion.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Logan and Raven had it out over Jaimey.

Jenny Tomasin Has Passed Away

Jenny Tomasin, a British actress forever known to hundreds of millions of television viewers as the clumsy, disheveled, Valentino-obsessed kitchen maid Ruby Finch in UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS, has died at her home in London. She is also known for her three roles in popular British soap operas, as well as a brief but memorable arc the 80s in DOCTOR WHO.

Sue Lloyd Has Died At Age 72

Legendary actress Sue Lloyd passed away on October 20 at the age of 72.

The actress was best known for her role as Barbara Hunter in hit ITV soap, CROSSROADS.

“My initial reaction was to be a bit sniffy about it – it was renowned for bizarre storylines and wobbly scenery,” but just 12 months after being approached later she finally made her CROSSROADS debut. She was introduced to viewers of the infamous Birmingham-produced soap in 1979, playing Barbara Brady, a doctor’s housekeeper who was really a romantic novelist carrying out research.

Her niece, Joanna Mitchell told the Telegraph: 'Sue suffered with her health in recent years, but she never complained.

DYNASTY's Joan Collins took to her Twitter page to pay tribute to the star, with whom she worked with in the seventies.

"Sad 2 hear of death of Sue Lloyd. Worked with her on Stud & Bitch. Had 2 get drunk to do nude pool scene in Stud - almost drowned laughing"