Today in Soap Opera History (September 9)

1968: Search for Tomorrow and The Guiding Light each
expanded to a half hour.  1985: GH's Robert tried to figure out who
Robin was.  2009: Andrea died at the carnival on GH.

"To believe what has not occurred in history will not occur at all, is to argue disbelief in the dignity of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"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...

1965: On Peyton Place, Stella Chernak (Lee Grant) broke down at Ada Jacks' (Evelyn Scott) bar. Adam made an emergency call to Dr. Michael Rossi (Ed Nelson), who suddenly left the dinner party thrown by David (William Smithers) and Doris (Gail Kobe) Schuster.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 9)

1968: SEARCH FOR TOMORROW and THE GUIDING LIGHT
expanded to a half hour.  1985: GH's Robert tried to figure out who
Robin was.  2009: Andrea died at the carnival on GH.

"That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach."
― Aldous Huxley

"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...

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, Sam (David Ford) thought Bill Malloy was the one man who could help him until the sheriff (Dana Elcar) told him Malloy's body had been found.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 9)

On this date in...

1948: On radio soap opera CLAUDIA, Bobby had a cold.

1968: GUIDING LIGHT and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW expanded from 15 minutes to a half hour. Watch a promo below.

NEWS ROUNDUP: SMASH Is Broadway’s Big Prime-Time Moment, EASTENDERS Murder, Jesse Metcalfe Engaged

SMASH: Broadway’s Big Prime-Time Moment
SMASH carries huge stakes for both NBC and Mr. Greenblatt. “We’re in a pretty bad situation,” he said of NBC’s last place among the networks. “We desperately need something to catch fire, and we hope this is it.” For Broadway, nothing less than pride is on the line.

SMASH is the theater capital’s best shot to reveal itself to the rest of America. Mr. Greenblatt and the Broadway veterans on the show’s creative team have emphasized authenticity above all else, transplanting their own DNA into the characters and plotlines, and even hiring real-life insiders like the producer Emanuel Azenberg and the theater owner Jordan Roth to play themselves.

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "Yes/No"

The Year of the Soap continues with all-new episode of GLEE, "Yes/No," on Tuesday, January 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FOX.

Will enlists the glee kids to help him surprise Emma (and sweep her off her feet).

Finn makes a surprising announcement about his post-high-school plans.

Meanwhile, Becky sets her sights on Artie.

Watch a video preview below:

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "Extraordinary Merry Christmas" (Four Video Sneak Peeks)

An all-new episode of GLEE, "Extraordinary Merry Christmas," airs Tuesday, December 13 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX.

When New Directions is asked to perform at two different events - on the same day, at the same time - they have a tough decision to make. Will they choose correctly and spread Christmas cheer, or will their ambition get the best of them?

Matthew Morrison directed the episode.

Watch a couple of video previews below including performances of "All I Want For Christmas is You" and "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "Hold on to Sixteen" (with Video Sneak Peeks)

An all-new episode of GLEE, "Hold on to Sixteen," airs Tuesday, December 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX.

In an attempt to recruit a few more members, Finn tracks down former teammate Sam Evans (Chord Overstreet) and convinces him to come back to the glee club.

Tina comes to the defense of Harry and encourages him to pursue his dream while McKinley prepares to host the big sectionals performance.

Watch a couple of video previews below including the full performance of the mash-up of "I Will Suvive/Survivor."

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "I Kissed a Girl" (with Video Sneak Peek)

An all-new episode of GLEE, I Kissed a Girl," airs Tuesday, November 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX.

As the race for McKinley High President comes to an end, someone is caught trying to fix the results.

Meanwhile, Coach Beiste gets up the nerve to challenge Sue Sylvester and things get complicated for Puck and Quinn.

Watch a couple of video previews below including the full performance of "I Kissed a Girl."

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "Mash Off" (with Video Sneak Peek)

An all-new episode of GLEE, "Mash Off," airs Tuesday, November 15 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX.

Sue starts a smear campaign to take down her biggest competitor for the Congressional seat.

Meanwhile, Puck has a crush, and Will and Shelby Corcoran encourage some friendly competition.

Watch a couple of video previews below.

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "The First Time" (with Video Sneak Peek)

An all-new episode of GLEE, "The First Time," airs Tuesday, November 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on FOX.

Under Artie’s directorial leadership, the kids prepare to perform the school musical “West Side Story.”

Meanwhile, Finn meets with a recruiter and Coach Beiste has an admirer.

Watch a couple of video previews below.

PREVIEW: Fox's Tuesday Night Soap GLEE "Pot O’ Gold" (with Video Sneak Peek)

An all-new episode of GLEE, "Pot O’ Gold," airs Tuesday, November 1 (8:00-9:01 p.m.ET/PT) on FOX.

A new foreign exchange student, Rory Flanagan (guest star Damian McGinty), enrolls at McKinley and crashes with Brittany S. Pierce who thinks he’s a leprechaun.

Meanwhile, Mercedes (Amber Riley) attempts to recruit new members to join Shelby Corcoran’s (guest star Idina Menzel) newly formed Glee club and Sue’s congressional campaign heats up.

VIDEOS: With Four New Damian McGinty Clips (Including Laughing "Rory" on the Set of GLEE 3.04 Pot O'Gold) We Catch Up with the GLEE PROJECT Star

In just a few days, GLEE PROJECT winner Damian McGinty will make his first appearance as Rory in Season 3, Episode 4 of GLEE, entitled, "Pot O'Gold." What has Damian been up to since the episode wrapped at the end of September?

He's been busy! In just the past few weeks, he has created a new rock band, enlisted in the effort to help Haitian children, and, of course, led the official kick-off of the second GLEE PROJECT. But first, before we catch up with Damian, we had to be sure that you saw this fun, silly, behind-the-scenes clip that Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) recently posted to Facebook. In the video below, Harry's playing the "class clown" and getting a big laugh from his castmates--including Damian, in the yellow shirt... also, is that Naya Rivera's laugh we're hearing?

SPOILERS: Damian McGinty Talks About His New Role On GLEE, Debuts Nov. 1

We predicted his win in August and now, after much anticipation, THE GLEE PROJECT co-champion Damian McGinty has revealed some details about his GLEE debut. Rivalries and hi-jinx arise when McGinty’s character, Irish foreign exchange student, Rory Flanagan, arrives at McKinley High.

In an interview with TVGuide.com, McGinty explains how a rivalry may be brewing between his character and Kurt [Chirs Colfer]. “He does a falsetto in his first song,” said McGinty of his character Rory, “and Kurt did not like that because Kurt’s the soprano of the group and doesn’t want that taken from him.”

NEWS ROUNDUP: Alicia Minshew - Not Happily Ever After For Everybody, Nouri to HOUSE, Damian McGinty

Alicia Minshew on the end of ALL MY CHILDEN on ABC: It does not just end happily ever after for everybody
"I think I'm getting mixed." Minshew tells THR about cast mates feelings on the Prospect Park deal. "I know some people, and I'm not obviously saying names. I know some people that are dying to do the online thing. They need the work, they love the people. Some people just started on the show and they are not ready to leave. There are others who are a little bit older and who want to do the online thing. Then, there are others like myself that have had a good run and are ready to move on."

"I don't know if they are going to do a small group or a large group, if they are going to kill some people off. Honestly, we haven't been told much. So, that’s why we are just sort of waiting to see what happens. And that's why in my mind, I'm looking ahead. And, again, even if they do come to me, we'll see what can be worked out. But I'm still looking ahead to do other things."

Today in Soap Opera History (September 9)

On this date in...

1968: GUIDING LIGHT and SEARCH FOR TOMORROW expanded from 15 minutes to a half hour. Watch a promo below.