Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, when Willie (James Hall) made unwanted advances at Carolyn (Nancy Barrett), she pulled a gun on him.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

On this date in...

1951: Agnes Eckhardt married Robert "Bob" H.A. Nixon.

1970: On DARK SHADOWS, Quentin (David Selby) entered Angelique's room and found Alexis (Lara Parker) crying and playing the piano.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, talking with Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) and Scott (Michael Goodwin), Mac (Douglass Watson) wondered if Iris married Robert so quickly because she knew Clarice was pregnant.

1987: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Shawn Douglas Brady was born.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

On this date in...

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Liz's reasons for inviting Willie and Jason to live at Collinwood were questioned.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, Mac wondered to Rachel and Scott if Iris married Robert so quickly because she knew Clarice was pregnant.

1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Lauren was stunned when Scott told her that Sheila came back from Michigan the day after she gave birth to Scotty.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 28)

On this date in...

1944: Tom O'Rourke was born. He would go on to play roles on SANTA BARBARA and ONE LIFE TO LIVE but is best known for his run as Justin Marler on GUIDING LIGHT. He died in September 2009, a few days before the GUIDING LIGHT finale. (O'Rourke appears on the new "Phillip Spaulding Collection" DVD set from SoapClassics in a 1977 episode where he is credited as Thomas O'Rourke.)

1969: On DARK SHADOWS, Barnabas discovered Dirk outside, and claimed that Jamison was missing.

1989: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Shannon received a disturbing phone call.

INDIE SOAP BEAT: ANACOSTIA Season 3 Continues... Plus Other Indie Soap News

It's The Year of the Soap, and one of our favorites, ANACOSTIA, is back with an all-new episode. And a whole episode where Mia gets to be happy is something you can't miss! Who shows up unexpectedly? Find out below.



In other indie soap news, the latest episode of OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS features the debut of Thom Bierdz, while THROWING STONES has released its four episode of Season 2. GOSSIP BOY is all new this week as well. Meanwhile, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM is now on sale at Wal*mart and other online outlets.

RELATED:
- Most Fascinating People of 2011
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More

SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards to be Held on February 21, 2012 in Manhattan

The Third Annual Indie Soap Awards are coming, and they are going to be more exciting than ever!!  This year's event is scheduled on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012, in The Theater District of Manhattan.  Indie Soap stars from all over the globe will be coming to this unique and prestigious annual event.

Nominees will be announced here on the We Love Soaps homepage on Monday, December 19th.  On that day information will additionally be posted about the location, purchasing tickets, and more.

To see last year's ceremony hosted by Martha Byrne, with dozens of Indie Soap presenters including Kim Zimmer and Tina Sloan, as well as award winners Hillary B. Smith and Jordan Clarke, press here.

NEWS ROUNDUP: J.R. Martinez at the Pentagon, VAMPIRE DIARIES French Controversy, GREY'S Alternate Reality

J.R. Martinez in D.C.: Former ALL MY CHILDREN actor gets hero's welcome at Pentagon
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta rolled out the red carpet for the former infantryman, badly burned in Iraq. Gen. Ray Odierno and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey were among the brass who turned out to greet him. “They’ve got stars on their uniforms, and they’re looking at me like I’m the star,” Martinez mused later.

FLASHBACK: Hollywood, the Internet and the Poor: No Disconnect Necessary (By Robert Townsend)

Hollywood, the Internet and the Poor: No Disconnect Necessary

By Robert Townsend
Huffington Post
August 13, 2009

First and foremost, the entertainment industry's job is to entertain. That's why we call it entertainment.

What many people don't realize is that those of us in television and films have addressed a wide range of issues -- education, family planning, health, safety, emergency response, and so on. When we get it right, people receive critical information while being entertained. As an industry, we should be proud of that, but there's more we can do. And right now, resources are available to do it while also seizing the moment to improve lives.

Diary Of A Single Indie Soap Award Winner: Monica Calhoun, Part Two

In Part One of our interview with Monica Calhoun, the Indie Soap Award winning actress shared the acceptance speech she would have made at 2011 Indie Soap Awards, described learning about DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, and backstage technical insights about how to put together an Indie Soap Award winning drama in 18 days.  In Part Two, she shares more about her technique as an actress, the future for the show, and ways she is similar and different to character.  Will Ocean ever give Mike a chance? Find out below!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: So much of the success of DIARY depends on how you express emotion on your face.  In the first episode, whether we get hooked into these characters and invest time in them or not, depends on you.  And that continues through season two and three.  If Ocean is afraid, the audience is scared.  If she smiles then we are reassured that everything is going to be okay.  Is that conscious on your part?
Monica Calhoun: The only thing that I’m focused on is what Ocean is feeling in that minute.  I’m not necessarily prepping my mind for what someone else is going to say.  Sure, there is preparation and memorizing dialogue and so on.  But I’m focused on how Ocean is feeling and how she is responding to what her friend Lupe is feeling, what her friend Peggy is feeling, what her children are feeling, what Mike is feeling.

My focus in that moment is how Ocean is going to get through that day.  Outside of that moment, I’m hoping that I was true to feeling what Ocean felt, and then hoping that the audience can connect to it. I am hoping that I gave enough as Ocean so if the journey has permission to continue that the writer will be able to craft a new story that adds to the last couple of episodes.  I am giving just enough so there is more to be added, instead of giving it all, and then not having anything left to give of Ocean. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I think that is the beauty of the continuing story format and the layering of stories that takes place in DIARY.  Are we going to see season four soon?
Monica Calhoun: I don’t know. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: No! Don’t tell me that!
Monica Calhoun: (Laughs) I don’t know. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Part of the reason why we hold the Indie Soap Awards every year is to reward excellence, and also to validate this as a form of entertainment that would be wise for sponsors to get behind.  People watch some of these shows, especially DIARY, over and over and over.  I have seen every episode of DIARY at least four times.  Why wouldn’t an advertiser take advantage of that?
Monica Calhoun: I agree.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Assuming the story will go on, what would you like to see happen for Ocean? Will she ever give Mike a chance?
Monica Calhoun: I think Ocean and Mike’s relationship will continue.  How far they will continue remains to be seen. They have a beautiful relationship.  They have a beautiful friendship.  With all the things she has gone through, we still don’t know if she has been involved with other men besides Senior.  We don’t know how well she adapts in relationships.  That is another roadblock for her to get over and get past.  And then her relationship with her sister and her six other siblings is unknown.  And then there is her Uncle Bo.  He is her Rock of Gibraltar.  He leans and helps her, she leans and helps him.  Those relationships exist around the world.  It is a wonderful opportunity for real life based scripted story that has a healing message, and a thought provoking message.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Everything in her world is complex.  Sometimes I think, “How much more can this one woman take?” She is constantly putting out fires.
Monica Calhoun: But isn’t that life? Like the other day I took my car to the mechanic to get it fixed.  I was happy, I rolled up the window, and broke the glass.  I was so excited to get my car back and I broke the glass.  I was like, “Gosh, I didn’t mean that!” That was just one thing.  It is wonderful in every day life, and that is the beauty of DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM.  I am really curious if we do season four where Ocean is going to go. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: There are a lot of cliffhangers at the end of season three, including Trina’s profound betrayal of Ocean.  We have Lupe’s recovery, Uncle Bo’s relapse, there is just so much that was left for viewers to look forward to.  Some shows like Crystal Chappell's VENICE, are doing a subscription based model where viewers have to pay.
Monica Calhoun: It’s logical.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: I would pay for DIARY, that’s for sure. 
Monica Calhoun: That’s the natural progression in the steps of Capitalism.  It’s just natural.  Many moons ago you had to have a membership to pay for AOL. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Many online have thought that DIARY is a perfect fit for Oprah’s new OWN network, as it is in alignment with so many of her messages of education, empowerment, and changing your life. 
Monica Calhoun: If Oprah decided to adopt DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, it would take the production to a completely different level.  We’d film longer than 18 days, that's for sure.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: It seems to make sense.  It is so consistent with what she has stood for the past 25 years.
Monica Calhoun: It has many subliminal enlightening messages.  If she adopted us we would get a new life.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You’ve been working with legends in this role.  What was it like to work with Billy Dee Williams from the very beginning?
Monica Calhoun: Every project for me is like school.  Each artist plays with a different instrument.  The ability to connect with each artist and each coworker, to really listen to their instrument, and to get that back and forth of their kinetic energy and chemistry, it is a phenomenal.  Then stepping outside of that as a total fan of his, and decompressing at the end of the day saying to myself, “That was Billy Dee Williams, that was Richard Roundtree, that was Diahann Carroll!” I read their memoirs and biographies and get a different understanding of their journey through entertainment. It is a true blessing.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: These are people that have not only been role models to you, but you are playing in scenes where you are in direct confrontation against them.
Monica Calhoun: I prayed I would be able to hold on my own with these legends and give them what they needed to give that energy back.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you think you were successful with that?
Monica Calhoun: I’m hoping I gave them the energy that I needed to give them to fulfill everything those scenes were about.  I’m hoping I will have the opportunity again.  By not giving you the answer I’m saying that I’m feeling I didn't, but hoping that I have the opportunity again to meet that challenge.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Those scenes with Diahann Carroll are electric.  Ocean is respectful of her son’s therapist, but is somewhat horrified by her as well.  She is enraged, but understands the therapist is trying.
Monica Calhoun: It is a wonderful back and forth between those two.  But again at the end of the day I had to decompress and say, “Oh my God that was Diahann Carroll!”

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you go back and watch the show?
Monica Calhoun: I started to watch it this morning and then I changed my mind.  I don’t know why.  I do often go back and look over it and say, “I could have done that better, I should do that better, I could have connected that way.”  I am always self-critiquing. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Does that serve you?
Monica Calhoun: Yes. Again, it goes back to meeting the challenge of meeting those emotions in those moments and trying to do better the next time.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Do you get recognized on the street?
Monica Calhoun: Some people are afraid to speak to me.  And some people say the wrong things.  It’s weird the way people recognize me.  Some people treat me like an every day person and some people treat me like, “Wow.”  And I feel “wow” that they would treat me like “wow.” It’s hard to describe that.  For me, in order to make sense of it, I brush it off and say, “Hey, I’m just every day people.” I just start talking about every day things like accidentally breaking the glass on my car window (laughs).  That’s the best way for me to deal with it.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: How are you similar to Ocean?
Monica Calhoun: I’m a single parent.  I have trust issues in relationships with starting again.  Those are our similarities.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: How are you different?
Monica Calhoun: I didn’t have to get my GED.  Ocean is not an actress, and I am an actress.  We are different in many ways.  I don’t have two kids and I have not been involved in an abusive relationship.  Maybe some of them were mentally taxing, but I won’t say abusive. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with We Love Soaps today.  Can  I ask you do one of Ocean’s trademark voice overs for me?
Monica Calhoun: “This is Ocean Jackson and this is an interview from the diary of a single mom in a world that is trying to hold her under.”

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:  Beautiful!

If you are in any way upset or enraged by network soaps at this time, do yourself a favor and check out the Indie Soap Award winning drama, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM.  You will not be disappointed! 

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Therapist in New York City who specializes in treating depression, stress management, and grief/loss issues. He is also the author of the popular book "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve," currently available at Amazon.com. For more information about scheduling an appointment or a speaking engagement, please email him at Shouldless@gmail.com.
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Diary Of A Single Indie Soap Award Winner: Monica Calhoun Part One

If soap fans want to enjoy continuing stories that truly entertain, educate, and inspire, then they need look no further than the prolific indie soap opera DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM. I personally challenge anyone upset about the state of daytime television to watch the first episode and try not to get pulled into the lives of Ocean Jackson and her friends and family. A large part of the success of this series lies upon the aforementioned narrator, played with exquisite brilliance by Daytime Emmy-nominated and Indie Soap Award-winning actress, Monica Calhoun. Please enjoy this exclusive new interview with the talented artist, and learn how DIARY came about, what she draws upon creatively, and the fascinating backstage elements that have made this show such a success.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: It is so wonderful to meet you Monica. I would like to start by congratulating you for winning the Outstanding Lead Actress in the 2011 Indie Soap Awards for your role as Ocean Jackson in DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM.
Monica Calhoun: I am grateful. I thought it was a joke when they sent me the text messages but after doing some digging online I said, “Oh, okay, I did win an award. Sweet!”

DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, ANYONE BUT ME & OUT WITH DAD Are Webby Nominees

Indie Soap Award winners DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, ANYONE BUT ME and OUT WITH DAD were all nominated for the Webby People's Voice Award in the Online Film & Video Drama category today.

We Love Soaps highly recommends all three shows.

For a full list of nominees, check out webby.aol.com.

April 6 Birthdays

Billy Dee Williams (Bo, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM; ex-Touissant, GENERAL HOSPITAL/GH: NIGHT SHIFT; ex-Jim, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Brady, DYNASTY) - 74
Judith McConnell (ex-Sophia, SANTA BARBARA, ex-Eva, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Miranda, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Valerie, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Augusta, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 67
Patrika Darbo (Dr. FREED, MISS BEHAVE; ex-Nancy, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 63
Susan Miller (Creator/Producer, ANYONE BUT ME; BESTSELLERS)
Candace Cameron Bure (Summer, MAKE IT OR BREAK IT) - 35

March 28 Birthdays

Ken Howard (ex-Garrett, DYNASTY) - 67
Richard Backus (ex-Ted, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Barry, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Jason, LOVERS AND FRIENDS; Writer for AS THE WORLD TURNS; ONE LIFE TO LIVE; DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 66
Janice Lynde (Peggy, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM; ex-Leslie, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Laurel, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Gloria, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Tracy, ANOTHER WORLD) - 63
Todd Curtis (ex-Jordy, CAPITOL; ex-Skip, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 52
Siena Goines (ex-Callie, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Valerie, PASSIONS) - 42
Annie Wersching (ex-Amelia, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 34

TRIVIA: Also born on this day was the late Tom O'Rourke, who played Justin on GUIDING LIGHT for several years, among many other roles. He died in September 2009, a few days before the GUIDING LIGHT finale.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards (4 of 5)

Photos by Gustavo Monroy 

BEST STORYLINE
Presented by: Cwennen Corral, THE CAVANAUGHS & Pat Rulon, TRAILER MADE

WINNERS: 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards

The 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards were held on Monday night at The Ailey Studios in New York City hosted by the hilarious Martha Byrne and presented by We Love Soaps.  DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM captured the Indie Soap of the Year award.  The show also took home the prize for Outstanding Lead Actress with Monica Calhoun winning her first Indie Soap Award.  Anthony Anderson from ANACOSTIA was named Outstanding Lead Actor giving perhaps the most poignant speech of the night.  The mostly industry crowd praised the new frontier of storytelling on the web in a number of speeches from winners that consisted of former daytime soap favorites and new indie pioneers. 

The complete list of winners are below:

INDIE SOAP OF THE YEAR
DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR
Anthony Anderson, ANACOSTIA

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS
Monica Calhoun, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM

NOMINATIONS: 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards

WE LOVE SOAPS TV announced on Monday the nominees for the 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards, honoring the best in continuing story format web series in 2010.   Last year's winner for Indie Soap of the Year, DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM, received 13 nominations to lead the pack.  In total, 29 web series were nominated for awards, including 15 shows receiving "Fan's Choice" nominations for being one of the Top 15 vote-getters in 2010 in the weekly WLS TV Indie Soap of the Week Poll.

This year's awards show will be a live event in New York City on February 21, hosted by GOTHAM creator and star, Martha Byrne.   You can order tickets here.

The Indie Soap Awards were founded by WE LOVE SOAPS TV in 2009 to celebrate the creative talents of the indie web series world, who are blazing a trail into the future for the continuing story format.  Sometimes on a shoestring budget, these producers, writers, actors, crew manage to develop amazing work and are the inspiration for this event.

See the full list of nominations below:

INDIE SOAP OF THE YEAR

8.13
ANYONE BUT ME

CELESTE BRIGHT
CELL

DIARY OF A SINGLE MOM

MISS BEHAVE
PRETTY

THE BEST FRIEND