1977: Delia left a suicide note for Pat on Ryan's Hope.
1984: All My Children's Erica and Adam were married.
1984: Knots Landing's Abby and Val mourned Gary.
2006: Passions' Miguel returned just as Kay accepted Fox's proposal.
"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...
1966: On Another World, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) begged social worker Ann Fuller (Olga Bellin) to tell him the real reason Missy Palmer didn't want to marry him.
1977: On Ryan's Hope, after writing a suicide note and taking Jack's pills, Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) fantasized about Pat (Malcolm Groome) just before collapsing onto the floor.
"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...
1970: On Dark Shadows, Megan (Marie Wallace) reported to Nicholas about the burning of Paul Stoddard's grave. She threatened to kill Nicholas if he hurt Jeb, whom Nicholas accused her of loving. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Megan and told her that Jeb punished his betrayal by turning him back into a vampire. In revenge, Barnabas bit Megan and got her under his control. Megan then told Barnabas that Schuyler Rumson -- Angelique's new husband -- was the man who turned him in. Barnabas tracked down Angelique on Long Island and informed her that Sky was a leviathan, a charge she refused to believe. However, Sky then introduced her to his mentor, Nicholas Blair. Though Angelique and Nicholas pretended to be strangers in front of Sky, the old arch-enemies reverted to form. Realizing that she truly couldn't escape her past as a witch, Angelique decided to embrace it anew. As the episode ends, Nicholas ordered Sky to burn Angelique, which he set out to do.
1980: On All My Children, Palmer (James Mitchell) threatened to turned an attack dog loose on Daisy (Gillian Spencer), who wanted to reveal herself to Nina (Taylor Miller).
1951: Radio soap opera The Archers premiered. It continues to run to this day.
1968: Dark Shadows' Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive.
1981: Knots Landing's Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Miss Ellie received tragic news on Dallas.
"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...
1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."
The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.
The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.
1971: On The Doctors, Mike Powers recalled the mistakes he made in 1970 and decided his New Year's resolution was to never be young again. Maggie encouraged Mike to find a new romance, while Matt hoped his relationship with Mike would improve in the new year.
1973: On Another World, Gil (Dolph Sweet) reminded Lenore (Susan Sullivan) that Wayne Addison's murder, for which she was acquitted, was never solved
1976: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) told Sister Mary Joel (Sylvia Sidney) that he felt he would hurt Mary in the long run.
Note: In 1988, Sister Mary Joel (played by Rosemary Prinz) was revealed to be Jack's biological mother.
1981: On Another World, Amanda returned alone from her walk outside with Rachel and told Mac that Rachel was "gone." Mac, Jamie and Brian then heard car tires screeching outside.
1981: On Knots Landing, Diana (Claudia Lonow) had difficulty with her new boyfriend as felt pressured to sleep with him. Meanwhile, Karen (Michele Lee), Diana, Val (Joan Van Ark) and Ginger (Kim Lankford) performed in an ERA benefit. Val asked Gary (Ted Shackelford) to help, but he was too preoccupied helping Earl Trent (Paul Rudd). Diana needed Karen's support but she was too busy rehearsing. In frustration, Diana pulled out of the benefit. Meanwhile, with Laura (Constance McCashin) preoccupied with work, Richard (John Pleshette) spent his time with Abby (Donna Mills) and they ended up in the hot tub. Karen and Diana later made up and sang "Put on a Happy Face" at the show.
1982: On General Hospital, the residents of Port Charles felt the after effects of New Year's Eve the next morning.
1982: On Dallas, Donna’s success as an author irritated Ray (Steve Kanaly). Photographer Roger Larson encouraged Lucy (Charlene Tilton) to resume modeling. Sue Ellen and John Ross moved into a Dallas townhouse. At the Ewing barbecue, Sue Ellen and Cliff got reacquainted and Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) learned Jock was presumed dead after a helicopter crash in South America.
1982: On Falcon Crest, Julia's (Abby Dalton) husband, Tony, who deserted her and Lance twelve years earlier, suddenly reappeared.
Robert Desiderio and Judith Light
1985: Former One Life to Live co-stars Robert Desiderio and Judith Light were married.
1991: Actor Ted Demers, who briefly played Dan Wolek on One Life to Live, passed away at age 42. He died after a hypoglycemic seizure due to the Type 1 diabetes he suffered throughout his life.
2002: Actress Meg Wyllie passed away at age 84. She played Doris Roach on General Hospital in 1975, the nurse who was involved with switching Lesley's baby (Laura) years earlier. In 1994, she subbed for Anna Lee in the role of Lila Quartermaine.
2007: On Days of our Lives, passion ignited between Nick Fallon (Blake Berris) and Billie Reed (Julie Pinson).
2010: On EastEnders, an angered Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) confronted her business partner, Christian Clarke (John Partridge), about how he was ruining her son Syed's wedding day with his "reckless infatuation." But when Zainab went one step too far and referred to Christian's feelings as "his perverted obsession," he snapped, leaving the mother of the groom with a shocking revelation of his own. A horrified Zainab would then confront Syed (Marc Elliott) over Christian's claims, resulting in his emotional confession that he's gay and loves Christian.
Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.
Celebrating a birthday today are: Sheila Mercier (ex-Annie, Emmerdale) - 100 Morris Chestnut (ex-Luke, American Horror Story) - 50 Neil Billingsley (ex-Danny, Search for Tomorrow) - 49 Alexia Robinson (ex-Alex, The Young and the Restless; ex-Claudia, Rituals; ex-Meg, General Hospital) - 49 Kimberly Page (ex-Kimberly, WCW) - 48 Nina Bott (Julia, Verbotene Liebe; ex-Celine, Alles was zählt) - 40 Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca, All My Children; ex-Heather, The Young and the Restless) - 38 Colin Morgan (ex-Merlin, Merlin) - 33
Former As the World Turns actor Michael David Morrison, the original Caleb Snyder, was born on this day in 1960. He died on February 18, 1993, at age 33.
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email editor@welovesoaps.com.
Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors (1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981), EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986), All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995), Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).
"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...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's Christmas morning birth was accompanied by caroling from a nearby church.
1967: On The Doctors, Matt Powers (James Pritchett) talked the Hope Memorial janitor, Sam Kringle (Paul Price), into playing Santa Claus instead of him.
1973: On Search for Tomorrow, Joanne (Mary Stuart) sang "The Bells of Christmas."
1973: On Days of our Lives, "Marty Hanson" aka Mickey Horton (John Clarke) and Maggie Simmons (Suzanne Rogers) shared their first Christmas together.
1973: On As the World Turns, Jennifer Hughes (Gillian Spencer) gave birth to a baby girl, Frannie.
1974: On The Edge of Night, the citizens of Monticello celebrated Christmas, and Danny Micelli (Lou Criscuolo) continued to mourn his beloved wife Babs.
1981: James Reynolds debuted as Abe on Days of our Lives.
1993: Luke & Laura returned to General Hospital, with Lucky!
1996: Guiding Light's Annie vowed to get clean.
2007: Jack Branning arrived in EastEnders' Albert Square.
"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...
1965: The Days of our Lives pilot was re-shot with Frances Reid replacing Mary Jackson as Alice Horton.
1965: On Another World, Tony Douglas (Alex Canaan) was unhappy with Alice Matthews' (Jacqueline Courtney) timid attitude about intimacy.
1969: NBC aired the 1,000th episode of Days of our Lives.
1979: On As the World Turns, the mystery at The Willows deepened the closer Lisa Colman (Eileen Fulton) got to marrying Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).
1966: A ghost emerged from Josette's portrait on Dark Shadows.
1978: Lucy was devastated when Gary & Val left Dallas again.
1982: Karen Fairgate met Mack Mackenzie in Knots Landing.
1985: General Hospital's Frisco was determined to go undercover.
"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...
1955: Actor James Dean died in a car crash at age 24. The Rebel Without a Cause star had connections to a number of people who would one day work in the world of soap operas, including director Lela Swift (Ryan's Hope, Dark Shadows) and writer William Bast (co-creator of The Colbys).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) took Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) to the Old House to show her the ghosts. After they left, a ghost emerged from the portrait of Josette Collins.
1967: Dark Shadows' Jason discovered bite marks on Willie's arm.
1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat wanted a divorce from Delia.
1983: General Hospital's Holly & Robert shared a dance.
2007: Jessica Leccia debuted as Natalia on Guiding Light.
"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...
1938: Radio serial Your Family and Mine premiered. "Share the hopes and fears, the loves and triumphs of the Wilbur family in this thrilling story-Your Family and Mine." The cast included Templeton Fox, Robert K. Adams, William P. Adams and Lucille Wall. The series ran until 1940. It was created by Lillian Laugerty, who also penned the successful series Big Sister.
1941: NBC Radio aired the final episode of soap opera Girl Alone after nearly six years on the air. Betty Winkler starred at Patricia Rogers.
1977: Delia left a suicide note for Pat on Ryan's Hope.
1984: All My Children's Erica and Adam were married.
1984: Knots Landing's Abby and Val mourned Gary.
2006: Passions' Miguel returned just as Kay accepted Fox's proposal.
"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"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 Another World, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) begged social worker Ann Fuller (Olga Bellin) to tell him the real reason Missy Palmer didn't want to marry him.
1977: On Ryan's Hope, after writing a suicide note and taking Jack's pills, Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) fantasized about Pat (Malcolm Groome) just before collapsing onto the floor.
"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"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: On Dark Shadows, Megan (Marie Wallace) reported to Nicholas about the burning of Paul Stoddard's grave. She threatened to kill Nicholas if he hurt Jeb, whom Nicholas accused her of loving. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Megan and told her that Jeb punished his betrayal by turning him back into a vampire. In revenge, Barnabas bit Megan and got her under his control. Megan then told Barnabas that Schuyler Rumson -- Angelique's new husband -- was the man who turned him in. Barnabas tracked down Angelique on Long Island and informed her that Sky was a leviathan, a charge she refused to believe. However, Sky then introduced her to his mentor, Nicholas Blair. Though Angelique and Nicholas pretended to be strangers in front of Sky, the old arch-enemies reverted to form. Realizing that she truly couldn't escape her past as a witch, Angelique decided to embrace it anew. As the episode ends, Nicholas ordered Sky to burn Angelique, which he set out to do.
1980: On All My Children, Palmer (James Mitchell) threatened to turned an attack dog loose on Daisy (Gillian Spencer), who wanted to reveal herself to Nina (Taylor Miller).
1951: The Archers premiered.
1968: Dark Shadows' Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive.
1981: Knots Landing's Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.
"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...
1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."
The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.
The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.
Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors
(1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981), EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986), All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995), Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).
"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...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's Christmas morning birth was accompanied by caroling from a nearby church.
1967: On The Doctors, Matt Powers (James Pritchett) talked the Hope Memorial janitor, Sam Kringle (Paul Price), into playing Santa Claus instead of him.
1973: On Search for Tomorrow, Joanne (Mary Stuart) sang "The Bells of Christmas."
1973: On Days of our Lives, "Marty Hanson" aka Mickey Horton (John Clarke) and Maggie Simmons (Suzanne Rogers) shared their first Christmas together.
1973: On As the World Turns, Jennifer Hughes (Gillian Spencer) gave birth to a baby girl, Frannie.
1974: On The Edge of Night, the citizens of Monticello celebrated Christmas, and Danny Micelli (Lou Criscuolo) continued to mourn his beloved wife Babs.
1981: James Reynolds debuted as Abe on Days of our Lives.
1993: Luke & Laura returned to General Hospital, with Lucky!
1996: Guiding Light's Annie vowed to get clean.
2007: Jack Branning arrived in EastEnders' Albert Square.
"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...
1965: The Days of our Lives pilot was re-shot with Frances Reid replacing Mary Jackson as Alice Horton.
1965: On Another World, Tony Douglas (Alex Canaan) was unhappy with Alice Matthews' (Jacqueline Courtney) timid attitude about intimacy.
1969: NBC aired the 1,000th episode of Days of our Lives.
1979: On As the World Turns, the mystery at The Willows deepened the closer Lisa Colman (Eileen Fulton) got to marrying Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).
1966: A ghost emerged from Josette's portrait on Dark Shadows.
1978: Lucy was devastated when Gary & Val left Dallas again.
1982: Karen Fairgate met Mack Mackenzie in Knots Landing.
1985: General Hospital's Frisco was determined to go undercover.
"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...
1955: Actor James Dean died in a car crash at age 24. The Rebel Without a Cause star had connections to a number of people who would one day work in the world of soap operas, including director Lela Swift (Ryan's Hope, Dark Shadows) and writer William Bast (co-creator of The Colbys).
1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) took Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) to the Old House to show her the ghosts. After they left, a ghost emerged from the portrait of Josette Collins.
Coronation Street actors attend funeral of superfan killed in Manchester attack
Antony Cotton and Jennie McAlpine were among the stars of the long-running British TV show Coronation Street who attended the funeral for Manchester concert bombing victim Martyn Hett on Friday. The 29-year-old was a self-professed “superfan” of the Manchester-set soap opera. He was one of 22 people killed on May 22 when a suicide bomber struck concertgoers leaving an Ariana Grande show in the city in northwest England. Hett’s Coronation Street-themed coffin was taken to Stockport Town Hall in Greater Manchester by horse-drawn carriage today for his funeral.
CBS scores big increases in ad market for next season
Advertising volume increased by double digits in the daytime and other periods outside of prime time, thanks in large part to higher spending from Proctor & Gamble Co. and pharmaceutical companies. Those big spenders put pressure on other ad buyers, who had to decide whether to buy spots ahead of time or take their chances on inventory available during the season in what’s known as the scatter market.
Judith Light: One Life to Live changed my life
Judith Light is known as one of Broadway’s pre-eminent actors — winning back-to-back Tonys in 2012 and 2013 — but she says that her run on a soap opera was just as important an achievement.
“When I came back to the theater in 1999, I did a play called ‘Wit,’ and that really turned a lot of things around for me,” she told us this past week of her career highlights.
But she added, “As well as appearing on the soap opera One Life to Live in the late ’70s. That changed my life.”
Adrienne Frantz and Scott Bailey are ready to part with Studio City home
Frantz and Bailey have put their home in Studio City on the market for $2.695 million. Recently remodeled, the Spanish-vibe house with a clay-tile roof sits on what was once part of the Hollywood Country Club. The multilevel home has more than 5,600 square feet of interior space that includes an updated kitchen, a living room with a wet bar and a gym with a rock-climbing wall. In the dining room, a bookcase conceals a secret recording studio and wine vault.
Alley Mills, Orson Bean star in premiere at Mark Twain Library
Bean and Mills will perform the world premiere of a one-act play the couple wrote together. "Alright Then" is a true story of two people who fell in love and overcame insurmountable odds to forge a successful marriage. The play will be shown on Thursday, July 13, at 7:30 p.m., and a reception with the stars will be held on the library lawn following the play. Doors open at 7 p.m.
EastEnders boss departs soap in sudden exit The Sun reported that executive producer Sean O'Connor was ‘pushed out’ of his position following a meeting with BBC bosses on June 22nd.
"It is understood that stars on set felt they had been bullied under his regime and other actors and staff were left in tears," the report said. "But in a further twist, 49-year-old O’Connor is now saying he too has felt bullied and is threatening legal action."
1967: Dark Shadows' Jason discovered bite marks on Willie's arm.
1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat wanted a divorce from Delia.
1983: General Hospital's Holly & Robert shared a dance.
2007: Jessica Leccia debuted as Natalia on Guiding Light.
"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...
1938: Radio serial Your Family and Mine premiered. "Share the hopes and fears, the loves and triumphs of the Wilbur family in this thrilling story-Your Family and Mine." The cast included Templeton Fox, Robert K. Adams, William P. Adams and Lucille Wall. The series ran until 1940. It was created by Lillian Laugerty, who also penned the successful series Big Sister.
1941: NBC Radio aired the final episode of soap opera Girl Alone after nearly six years on the air. Betty Winkler starred at Patricia Rogers.
1977: Delia left a suicide note for Pat on Ryan's Hope.
1984: All My Children's Erica and Adam were married.
1984: Knots Landing's Abby and Val mourned Gary.
2006: Passions' Miguel returned just as Kay accepted Fox's marriage proposal.
"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...
1966: On Another World, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) begged social worker Ann Fuller (Olga Bellin) to tell him the real reason Missy Palmer didn't want to marry him.
1977: On Ryan's Hope, after writing a suicide note and taking Jack's pills, Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) fantasized about Pat (Malcolm Groome) just before collapsing onto the floor.
"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...
1970: On Dark Shadows, Megan (Marie Wallace) reported to Nicholas about the burning of Paul Stoddard's grave. She threatened to kill Nicholas if he hurt Jeb, whom Nicholas accused her of loving. Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Megan and told her that Jeb punished his betrayal by turning him back into a vampire. In revenge, Barnabas bit Megan and got her under his control. Megan then told Barnabas that Schuyler Rumson -- Angelique's new husband -- was the man who turned him in. Barnabas tracked down Angelique on Long Island and informed her that Sky was a leviathan, a charge she refused to believe. However, Sky then introduced her to his mentor, Nicholas Blair. Though Angelique and Nicholas pretended to be strangers in front of Sky, the old arch-enemies reverted to form. Realizing that she truly couldn't escape her past as a witch, Angelique decided to embrace it anew. As the episode ends, Nicholas ordered Sky to burn Angelique, which he set out to do.
1980: On All My Children, Palmer (James Mitchell) threatened to turned an attack dog loose on Daisy (Gillian Spencer), who wanted to reveal herself to Nina (Taylor Miller).
1951: The Archers premiered. 1968: Dark Shadows'
Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive. 1981: Knots Landing's
Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.
"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray
"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...
1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."
The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.
The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.
Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on The Doctors
(1967), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1981), EastEnders (1986), Search for Tomorrow (1986), All My Children (1986) As the World Turns (1995), Another World (1996) and Days of our Lives (2001).
"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray
"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...
1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam (Olan Soule) was relieved to learn that Janet had safely given birth to a healthy child after a grueling, perilous labor. Sam's relief was so great that he appeared to be in shock and could only respond to questions with grunts and murmurs. Janet was exhausted but ecstatically happy, and moved by the fact that her baby daughter's Christmas morning birth was accompanied by caroling from a nearby church.
1967: On The Doctors, Matt Powers (James Pritchett) talked the Hope Memorial janitor, Sam Kringle (Paul Price), into playing Santa Claus instead of him.
1973: On Days of our Lives, "Marty Hanson" aka Mickey Horton (John Clarke) and Maggie Simmons (Suzanne Rogers) shared their first Christmas together.
1973: On As the World Turns, Jennifer Hughes (Gillian Spencer) gave birth to a baby girl, Frannie.
1974: On The Edge of Night, the citizens of Monticello celebrated Christmas, and Danny Micelli (Lou Criscuolo) continued to mourn his beloved wife Babs.
BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster, today announced a new joint venture that sees the two British content powerhouses combine forces to launch BritBox, an ad-free subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, in the U.S. during Q1, 2017. AMC Networks, which has a joint venture with BBC Worldwide for cable channel BBC AMERICA, is investing in BritBox with a non-voting minority interest. BBC Worldwide and ITV share an equal majority stake in the joint venture.
This unique streaming service will celebrate the very best of British TV, and offer the most comprehensive SVOD collection of British content in the market today. For decades, BBC and ITV have produced iconic British television series, and for the first time these shows will be combined in a single, curated service allowing fans to find the classic shows they love and discover new hit series.
The BritBox proposition will feature:
* An array of drama premieres never-before-seen in the U.S., including New Blood, from acclaimed novelist Anthony Horowitz, Tutankhamun, The Moonstone, and In The Dark, from BAFTA award-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst (Ordinary Lies). Also, season premieres of drama favorites Cold Feet and Silent Witness.
* The “Now” category will feature an amazing selection of soaps and series that will be available as soon as 24 hours after their UK broadcast, including much-loved titles Eastenders, Emmerdale and Holby City.
* A British classics collection from ITV and the BBC, featuring iconic period dramas Brideshead Revisited, Pride and Prejudice, and Upstairs Downstairs; political thriller State of Play; murder mystery series Inspector Morse and Rosemary and Thyme; favorite sitcoms Keeping Up Appearances and Fawlty Towers; and much more.
