Today in Soap Opera History (July 24)

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.
1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.
1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.
1997: OLTL's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork.

"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 11)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Maeve reminisced.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy was rushed to the hospital.
1989: The original Dynasty ended its run.
1990: Dallas' J.R. was double-crossed by James.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) questioned Pat (Susan Trustman) about her date with Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).

1970: On Dark Shadows, William Loomis (John Karlen) continued to interview Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) for his book.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 24)

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.
1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.
1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.
1997: OLTL's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork.

"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 11)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Maeve reminisced.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy was rushed to the hospital.
1989: The original Dynasty ended its run.
1990: Dallas' J.R. was double-crossed by James.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) questioned Pat (Susan Trustman) about her date with Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).

1970: On Dark Shadows, William Loomis (John Karlen) continued to interview Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) for his book.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 30)

1973: Nancy Pinkerton debuted as Dorian Lord on One Life to Live.
1978: Dallas' Pam revealed her pregnancy but later lost the baby.
1996: All My Children's Marian played a revealing tape to hurt Tad.
2001: General Hospital's Skye announced she was a Quartermaine.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Jeff (Roger Davis) dozed off in a chair in the living room of the Evans Cottage and had almost the same dream that Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) had earlier, except when he opened the door of the cottage, he found Dr. Lang (Addison Powell) there beckoning him. He followed him and, like Maggie, was locked in the room with many doors. He heard Lang's voice recite the same poem. He heard Josette's music coming from behind a door and opened it and found a green death's head, as did Maggie. He closed the door. The music started to come from behind a different door. He opened it and found a guillotine in the door frame. The blade fell loudly which awakened a terrified Jeff.

1973: The character of Dr. Dorian Lord debuted on One Life to Live played by Nancy Pinkerton.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 24)

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.
1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.
1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.
1997: OLTL's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork.

"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."
"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 11)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Maeve reminisced.
1984: Guiding Light's Mindy was rushed to the hospital.
1989: The original Dynasty ended its run.
1990: Dallas' J.R. was double-crossed by James.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) questioned Pat (Susan Trustman) about her date with Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).

1970: On Dark Shadows, William Loomis (John Karlen) continued to interview Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) for his book.

1972: NBC aired the 2,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 30)

1973: Nancy Pinkerton debuted as Dorian Lord on One Life to Live.
1978: Dallas' Pam revealed her pregnancy but later lost the baby.
1996: All My Children's Marian played a revealing tape to hurt Tad.
2001: General Hospital's Skye announced she was a Quartermaine.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Jeff (Roger Davis) dozed off in a chair in the living room of the Evans Cottage and had almost the same dream that Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) had earlier, except when he opened the door of the cottage, he found Dr. Lang (Addison Powell) there beckoning him. He followed him and, like Maggie, was locked in the room with many doors. He heard Lang's voice recite the same poem. He heard Josette's music coming from behind a door and opened it and found a green death's head, as did Maggie. He closed the door. The music started to come from behind a different door. He opened it and found a guillotine in the door frame. The blade fell loudly which awakened a terrified Jeff.

1973: The character of Dr. Dorian Lord debuted on One Life to Live played by Nancy Pinkerton.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 24)

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.
1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.
1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.
1997: OLTL's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork.

"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 11)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Maeve reminisced. 1984: Guiding Light's
Mindy was rushed to the hospital. 1989: Dynasty ended its run.
1990: Dallas' JR was double-crossed by James.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) questioned Pat (Susan Trustman) about her date with Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).

1970: On Dark Shadows, William Loomis (John Karlen) continued to interview Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) for his book.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 30)

1973: Nancy Pinkerton debuted as Dorian Lord on One Life to Live.
1978: Dallas' Pam revealed her pregnancy but later lost the baby.
1996: All My Children's Marian played a revealing tape to hurt Tad.
2001: General Hospital's Skye announced she was a Quartermaine.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Jeff (Roger Davis) dozed off in a chair in the living room of the Evans Cottage and had almost the same dream that Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) had earlier, except when he opened the door of the cottage, he found Dr. Lang (Addison Powell) there beckoning him. He followed him and, like Maggie, was locked in the room with many doors. He heard Lang's voice recite the same poem. He heard Josette's music coming from behind a door and opened it and found a green death's head, as did Maggie. He closed the door. The music started to come from behind a different door. He opened it and found a guillotine in the door frame. The blade fell loudly which awakened a terrified Jeff.

1973: The character of Dr. Dorian Lord debuted on One Life to Live played by Nancy Pinkerton.

Patty Duke Dead at 69

Patty Duke

Patty Duke, the teen who won an Oscar for The Miracle Worker and later played "identical cousins" in her own TV sitcom, died on Tuesday, March 29. She was 69.

Duke's family released a statement through her publicist.

"This morning, our beloved wife, mother and matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian and champion for mental health, Anna Patty Duke Pearce, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended into a beautiful place. We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life."

Born Anna Marie Pearce, some of Duke's earliest acting roles were in daytime soap operas. In the late 1950s, she played Ellen Williams Dennis in CBS' The Brighter Day, and appeared as Molly Scharf in NBC's Kitty Foyle.

'Glee' Star Mark Salling Arrested for Possession of Child Porn, Out on Bail

Mark Salling

People magazine is reporting that Glee's Mark Salling, an original cast member who played the iconic bully-with-a-heart-of-gold Noah Puckerman, has been arrested. The charges are disturbing.

"He was taken into custody this morning for possession of child porn," Officer Aareon Jefferson of the Los Angeles Police Department told People.

According to TMZ, Salling was booked on possession of child porn, specifically porn involving minors "engaging in or simulating sexual conduct."

Bail was set at $20,000 and Salling's family posted it.

Law enforcement sources now tell us they've already seen more than a thousand images of "child sexual exploitation" on Salling's computer. Cops also seized other electronic devices, including tablets and cellphones. We're also told he lives alone, which will make it hard to argue someone else put the images in the computer.

Sources say when cops arrived to search the home, Salling was "shocked."

The law provides if there are more than 600 images, the maximum punishment is 5 years in prison.

The syndicated TV series Crime Watch Daily first reported the arrest. Billy Jensen, a correspondent for the show, told the CBS-owned news-radio station KNX-AM that police reportedly acted on a tip from a friend or "possibly a girlfriend of his,” adding, “As far as what they found, the number is in the hundreds of images. We haven’t heard anything about videos or anything like that."

Today in Soap Opera History (July 24)

1981: Another World's Hanna and Lenny held Jamie at gunpoint.
1986: As the World Turns celebrated patriarch Chris Hughes.
1992: Reba McEntire guest-starred on One Life to Live.
1997: OLTL's Patrick threatened Todd with a pitchfork.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on the CBS Radio network that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 11)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Maeve reminisced. 1984: Guiding Light's
Mindy was rushed to the hospital. 1989: Dynasty ended its run.
1990: Dallas' JR was double-crossed by James.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1964: On Another World, Jim (Leon Janney) questioned Pat (Susan Trustman) about her date with Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).

1970: On Dark Shadows, William Loomis (John Karlen) continued to interview Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) for his book.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 30)

1973: Nancy Pinkerton debuted as Dorian Lord on One Life to Live.
1978: Dallas' Pam revealed her pregnancy but later lost the baby.
1996: All My Children's Marian played a revealing tape to hurt Tad.
2001: General Hospital's Skye announced she was a Quartermaine.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Jeff (Roger Davis) dozed off in a chair in the living room of the Evans Cottage and had almost the same dream that Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) had earlier, except when he opened the door of the cottage, he found Dr. Lang (Addison Powell) there beckoning him. He followed him and, like Maggie, was locked in the room with many doors. He heard Lang's voice recite the same poem. He heard Josette's music coming from behind a door and opened it and found a green death's head, as did Maggie. He closed the door. The music started to come from behind a different door. He opened it and found a guillotine in the door frame. The blade fell loudly which awakened a terrified Jeff.

1973: The character of Dr. Dorian Lord debuted on One Life to Live played by Nancy Pinkerton.

'Days of our Lives,' 'General Hospital' Nominated for 2015 GLAAD Media Awards

Sonny Kirirakis and Will Horton wedding photo.
Photo Credit: Photo Credit: JPI Studios/ Howard Wise

The nominees for the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were revealed on Wednesday. Days of our Lives and General Hospital received nominations in the Daily Drama category. The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

Outstanding Daily Drama
Days of Our Lives
NBC

General Hospital
ABC

Outstanding Drama Series
Degrassi
TeenNick

The Fosters
ABC Family

Game of Thrones
HBO

Grey's Anatomy
ABC

How to Get Away with Murder
ABC

'Glee' Kicks Off Final Season on January 9 with Two-Hour Premiere

The final season of Glee begins Friday, January 9.

The two-hour season premiere of Glee airs on Friday, January 9 from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT on FOX. The episodes are titled "Loser Like Me" and "Homecoming."

After Rachel's humiliating failure as TV actress, she comes home to Lima to figure out what she wants to do next. Upon discovering that Sue has banished the arts at McKinley, Rachel takes it upon herself to reinstate and lead the Glee Club. Meanwhile, Blaine, no longer in a relationship with Kurt, has moved home to coach the Warblers while Will is coaching rival Vocal Adrenaline, and Sam is the assistant coach for the McKinley football team. Then Puck, Quinn, Santana, Mercedes, Brittany, Artie and Tina all return to McKinley for Homecoming and help Rachel and Kurt recruit for the new glee club.

Watch a sneak peek below:

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 (July 24)

1986: As the World Turns featured the funeral of Chris Hughes.

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"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...

1933: The Romance of Helen Trent premiered regionally in Chicago.  The show began airing on CBS Radio that October and remained on the air until June 24, 1960. During its 27-year run, three actresses played Helen--Virginia Clark and Betty Ruth Smith in Chicago, and later Julie Stevens in New York. The Romance of Helen Trent had a following so intense that at the height of its popularity the show received 1,000 letters a week offering advice on her many problems.