Today in Soap Opera History (June 16)

1930: Clara, Lu & Em premiered.
1989: Another World's Rachel said goodbye to Mac.
1992: One Life to Live's Asa married Blair.
2006: Days of our Lives' EJ and Sami danced the tango.

"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...

1930: Clara, Lu and Em, radio's first network daytime soap opera, premiered on WGN-AM in Chicago. It continued through the 1930s and early 1940s on the NBC Blue Network and CBS, finally airing as a syndicated series in 1945.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 15)

1981: Edge of Night's Raven planned on becoming Mrs. Whitney.
1983: All My Children's Opal held a press conference.
1984: Guiding Light's Beth and Lujack hit the beach on horseback.
1999: Another World's Tyrone told Marley he loved her.

"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: Antony Ponzini debuted as Danny Fargo on Another World. Danny hit Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) with his car. He helped her into the car with her wallet left behind on the street. She passed out and woke up at his place where she told him her name was Ann Summers.

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bill Bauer (Ed Bryce) lamented the failed relationship with his son, Ed (Robert Gentry).

Eileen Davidson Looks Back at Her 'Young and the Restless' Run, Final Episode Airs October 29

Emmy-winning actress Eileen Davidson, who has played Ashley Abbott on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless off and on since 1982, ends her run on Monday, October 29. Davidson looks back at some classic Y&R scenes in the video below, including the reveal that Brent Davis (Bert Kramer) is Ashley's biological father.

Ashley Abbott will always have a place in our hearts. ❤️ Join @eileen_davidson on a walk down #YR memory lane as her time in Genoa City comes to a close. Make sure to tune in to her final episodes now through next Monday. pic.twitter.com/X0pVrOurr8

— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) October 22, 2018

1980s Horror Cult Classic 'The House on Sorority Row' Starring Eileen Davidson Hits Theaters for One Night Only September 27

Before she was one of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or ruling daytime soaps on The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives, Eileen Davidson starred as a sexy sorority sister with a sinister secret. She may be leaving the small screen soon as she exits Y&R, but here’s a chance to see her early work on the big screen and see she's as fierce (and ageless) as she ever was! '80s cult horror classic The House on Sorority Row is coming to theaters nationwide for just one night only (September 27th) as the opening event for the "Bloody Disgusting Presents Retro Nightmares" Cinema Series.

After a seemingly innocent prank goes horribly wrong, a group of sorority sisters are stalked and murdered one by one in their sorority house while throwing a party to celebrate their graduation.

"I am beyond excited to have The House of Sorority Row back in theaters for ONE night on September 27," said Davidson. "Filming this movie was one of my very first jobs as an actress, and it holds a very special place in my heart. Plus it's really good!"

Eileen Davidson Leaving 'The Young and the Restless' as Ashley Abbott

Is Emmy winner Eileen Davidson about to leave CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as Ashley Abbott? According to multiple outlets, including Daytime Confidential, the actress is quitting her longtime role because she wants to spend more time with her family.

Davidson has been playing the role of Ashley Abbott on and off since 1982. Brenda Epperson and Shari Shattuck have also played Ashley during that time.

Davidson's potential exit comes on the heals of Mishael Morgan's (Hilary) departure, which was precipitated by production company Sony's "no raise" policy. The actress has yet to comment on the story, but has been actively promoting Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month on social media in honor of her mother.

Join me and the @alzassociation in going purple to #ENDALZ in honor of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Together, we can make a difference! pic.twitter.com/dHYuUnWIm2

— Eileen Davidson (@eileen_davidson) June 16, 2018

UPDATE:
Davidson confirmed her Y&R exit in a tweet: "Yes I am leaving my second home @YandR_CBS in September. I’ve been so blessed to be able to play Ashley Abbott and work with the amazing people on the show and have nothing but gratitude and love for all!!! Time for a little more control over my day to day!"

Today in Soap Opera History (June 16)

1930: Clara, Lu & Em premiered.
1989: Another World's Rachel said goodbye to Mac.
1992: One Life to Live's Asa married Blair.
2006: Days of our Lives' EJ and Sami danced the tango.

"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...

1930: Clara, Lu and Em, radio's first network daytime soap opera, premiered on WGN-AM in Chicago. It continued through the 1930s and early 1940s on the NBC Blue Network and CBS, finally airing as a syndicated series in 1945.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 15)

1981: Edge of Night's Raven planned on becoming Mrs. Whitney.
1983: All My Children's Opal held a press conference.
1984: Guiding Light's Beth and Lujack hit the beach on horseback.
1999: Another World's Tyrone told Marley he loved her.

"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: Antony Ponzini debuted as Danny Fargo on Another World. Danny hit Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) with his car. He helped her into the car with her wallet left behind on the street. She passed out and woke up at his place where she told him her name was Ann Summers.

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bill Bauer (Ed Bryce) lamented the failed relationship with his son, Ed (Robert Gentry).

Erika Girardi Returning to 'The Young and the Restless'

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi will be making another guest appearance on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Girardi be featured in two June episodes as Genoa City real estate agent Farrah Dubose.

This time around, Farrah will be tasked with finding a new bachelor pad for a major character. She will also encounter Ashley, played by Eileen Davidson, who spent two seasons on RHOBH.

Girardi's Y&R episodes are scheduled to air on June 4 and 6.

Soap Opera Stars Visit 'The Talk' for Daytime Emmy After Party

On Monday, The Talk aired its annual Daytime Emmy After Party, featuring winners from Sunday night's 45th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Guests included acting winners Eileen Davidson (Ashley, The Young and the Restless), James Reynolds (Abe, Days of our Lives),  Rome Flynn (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), Chloe Lanier (Nelle, General Hospital), Greg Vaughan (Eric, Days of our Lives) and Camryn Grimes (Mariah, The Young and the Restless).

Check out video highlights from the special episode below.

Eileen Davidson Leaving 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills'

Emmy winning actress Eileen Davidson announced on Friday that she’s leaving the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after three seasons.

"After a lot of careful thought, I've decided because of my crazy schedules at The Young and The Restless, as well as Days of our Lives, it's best for me and my family if I step away from being a Housewife for now,” she told E! News. "But you never know, I might be popping in from time to time just to see what the ladies are up to! Thanks for your love and support guys!!!"

Davidson joined the Bravo show during season five along with Days of our Lives alum Lisa Rinna. During her time on the hit reality show, the actress has faced off against Brandi Glanville, Kim Richards and Kyle Richards, who pried into her marriage to Vincent Van Patten. She also butted heads with newcomer Dorit Kemsley in season 7. But the soap star did bond with Erika Girardi, who joined the show in season 6, and even gave her a cameo on The Young and The Restless for her birthday.

After E! posted her statement, Davidson took to Twitter to spread the news.

“TRUE! Bcuz of my crazy sched @ yr & days I must step away from hw 4 now. But I might b popping in 2 see what the chix r up 2 Thx 4 the ❤️,” she tweeted on Friday.

Bravo has yet to confirm the returning cast for season 8.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 16)

1930: Clara, Lu & Em premiered.
1989: Another World's Rachel said goodbye to Mac.
1992: One Life to Live's Asa married Blair.
2006: Days of our Lives' EJ and Sami danced the tango.

"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...

1930: Clara, Lu and Em, radio's first network daytime soap opera, premiered on WGN-AM in Chicago. It continued through the 1930s and early 1940s on the NBC Blue Network and CBS, finally airing as a syndicated series in 1945.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 15)

1981: Edge of Night's Raven planned on becoming Mrs. Whitney.
1983: All My Children's Opal held a press conference.
1984: Guiding Light's Beth and Lujack hit the beach on horseback.
1999: Another World's Tyrone told Marley he loved her.

"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...

1966: Antony Ponzini debuted as Danny Fargo on Another World. Danny hit Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) with his car. He helped her into the car with her wallet left behind on the street. She passed out and woke up at his place where she told him her name was Ann Summers.

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bill Bauer (Ed Bryce) lamented the failed relationship with his son, Ed (Robert Gentry).

Eileen Davidson Returning to 'Days of our Lives' in November

Emmy winning actress Eileen Davidson is returning to NBC soap opera Days of our Lives, according to TV Insider.

Davidson began filming June 5, and will be seen on-air during November sweeps.

Will Davidson be reprising the role Kristen DiMera on Days? A rep tells TV Insider that "the exact role—or roles—Eileen will be playing this time around is strictly under wraps. It’s all a big surprise for the audience."

Working at Days will not affect Davidson's ongoing role as Ashley Abbott on CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless.

Watch 'The Young and the Restless' Cast Read The Show's First Script at Paley Center Event

As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 23, 1987. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.

Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973, and aired 11 days later.

You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.

Watch 'The Young and the Restless' Cast Read The Show's First Script at Paley Center Event

As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 26, 1973. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.

Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973.

You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Star Erika Girardi Visits 'The Young and the Restless' on December 15

Erika Girardi and Eileen Davidson on Y&R.
Photo Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com

Erika Girardi, who appears on Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, will make a guest appearance on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, according to Entertainment Weekly. Giradi will star opposite Eileen Davidson, her fellow RHOBH star, who has starred in the daytime drama as Ashley Abbott on and off since 1982.

In the episode, slated for December 15, Girardi will play Farrah Dubose, a no-nonsense businesswoman who will interact with Genoa City's movers and shakers – like Ashley.

Girardi and Davidson working together on Y&R will also be featured on the next season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The seventh season of RHOBH begins December 6 on Bravo.

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Returns on December 6, Two New Cast Members Join Eileen Davidson, Lisa Rinna & Company

Eileen Davidson

The glittering ladies of Bravo Media's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are back for season seven on Tuesday, December 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with extravagant trips, outlandish fun and unimaginable indiscretions as Erika Girardi, Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, and Eileen Davidson are joined by new housewife Dorit Kemsley and friend Eden Sassoon. Lisa Vanderpump's friend Dorit is the glamorous and charming wife of Paul "PK" Kemsley, a wealthy English businessman turned high powered talent manager representing the likes of '80s icon Boy George and soccer superstar Pelé. A mother of two young children, Dorit balances the demands of overseeing her husband's company while parenting alongside her many nannies. Eden Sassoon, a friend of Lisa Rinna and the daughter of late style icon Vidal Sassoon, is expanding her own salon and Pilates business in an effort to continue her father's legacy. Having overcome a battle with alcoholism, the free-spirited and outspoken Eden is committed to having fun and looking for love when she is not fulfilling her parenting duties as a single mother.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 16)

1930: Clara, Lu & Em premiered. 1989: Another World's Rachel
said goodbye to Mac. 1992: One Life to Live's Asa married Blair.
2006: Days of our Lives' EJ and Sami danced the tango.

"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...

1930: Clara, Lu and Em, radio's first network daytime soap opera, premiered on WGN-AM in Chicago. It continued through the 1930s and early 1940s on the NBC Blue Network and CBS, finally airing as a syndicated series in 1945.

'The Young and the Restless' Spoilers (February 1-5, 2016)

"Suppose you tell me what's really going on," Barton says to Kelly.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless during the week of February 1-5, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 1
Billy (Jason Thompson) makes a decision; Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) makes plans; Jack (Peter Bergman) turns to Adam (Justin Hartley) for assistance; Barton (Terrell Tilford) wants to know what's going on with Sage (Kelly Sullivan).

NEWS: Eileen Davidson, Jason Thompson, Kimberly McCullough, Arianne Zucker, Robert Palmer Watkins

TV Is Hot in Cleveland, Cold in San Francisco
Nielsen released a report showing how much time viewers in the top 25 U.S. markets spend watching live and time-shifted TV. The overall data shows adults 25 to 54 in 24 of those top 25 watch more than three hours of live TV per day.

Cleveland viewers watch the most, with an average of 4 hours and 42 minutes a day, followed by Baltimore (4:38), Detroit (4:37), Pittsburgh (4:31), Philadelphia (4:30) and St. Louis (4:20). The market with the least amount of time watched was San Francisco, where viewers only watched a average of 2:45 minutes of live TV a day.

The Young and the Restless star Eileen Davidson reveals a dark secret no one knew about
On last week's episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Davidson (Ashley on Y&R) revealed that she was in a physically abusive relationship years ago. In her Bravo TV blog, she wrote: "I've been very blessed in my life. I'm a wife, a mother, stepmother, actress, author, and many other things. But these aren't the only labels that define me. I'm also a physical abuse survivor."

The Young and the Restless star Jason Thompson reflects on the past year
"It’s been an amazing year, to be honest, to look back on it," says Thompson (Billy on Y&R). "It feels really smooth, in the best kind of way. There’s been a lot of transition, but...it feels really, really good. To be honest, we got married and I was on General Hospital for 10 years, and that job changed my life in a really big way. And after 10 years, it just felt like the right time to make another change. The person that hired me was Jill Farren Phelps at General Hospital, and she is now the executive producer over at Y&R. So, she changed my life once, and we said – coming up at my 10 years at General Hospital – it just felt like the right thing to do, in order for me and my family to make a change, and artistically to make a change. That’s how I find myself at Y&R right now. So far, it’s been really fantastic."

General Hospital's Kimberly McCullough directs this week's episode of Pretty Little Liars
McCullough (GH's Robin) admits that having to wait six months between being told she had the job and actually getting behind the camera was tough, but it gave her time to do research. “It’s a lot like a soap opera,” she tells Soaps In Depth. “So I started at season one and I watched every single episode. And I would write diaries about the character and what they were going through so I was really clear on the history. It’s a very intertwined, twisty-turny kind of a show.”

Days of our Lives star Arianne Zucker looks back on her time in Salem in new Glamour interview
"I think now that time has gone on, I have infused Ari's personality with Nicole's," says Zucker (Nicole on Days). "Some of my wispy little 'Woos!' you know, one-liners—sometimes I can throw a little bite in there 'cause it's fun. I love Nicole. I always feel bad for her, and I'm in love with her. I think what's happening is myself and her are blending because I want her to do the right thing. She's now so much more emotionally charged, and I'm a very mushy person in real life. I love to laugh, so I try to put some of that in her because there's really no ending to a soap opera. So, my arcs are always, I take two weeks worth of scripts and give myself my own arcs, so I never get bored."

Has NBC already renewed Days of our Lives?
Serial Scoop's Michael Goldberg is hearing the show has been renewed, even though NBC said last week they would begin negotiating with Sony Pictures Television in February.

General Hospital star Robert Palmer Watkins has released a cover of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself"
“My roommates and I are all great friends and love collaborating on creative projects,” Watkins (Dillon on GH) tells Soaps In Depth. “Most of us are actors and musicians."

Watch the video below: