Today in Soap Opera History (April 9)

1953: GL's Dick worried about his marriage to Kathy. 1982: GH's
Mike took an important message. 1992: KL's Pierce surprised
Paige.  1996: GH's Lois & Ned helped Jenny during childbirth.

"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...

1953: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Dick (James Lipton) looked for reassurance about his marriage to Kathy from Dr. Keeler. Kathy became sad when Timmy pointed out that her husband had never been to see her.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 26)

On this date in...

1938: YOUNG WIDDER BROWN, from Frank and Anne Hummert, premiered on NBC Radio. It told the story of young Ellen, a 30 year old mother, who struggled to raise her children without the small town mentality that came with living in Simpsonsville.  The popular radio soap opera ran until June 22, 1956.

1976: ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL each expanded to 45 minutes. Up until this point, OLTL aired after GH, but moved to the timeslot before GH and remained there way until OLTL left ABC in 2013.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, Mac (Douglass Watson) accused Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) of neglecting Jamie (Bobby Doran).

Alice Callahan Joins ONE LIFE TO LIVE

GOSSIP GIRL actress Alice Callahan has joined the cast of ONE LIFE TO LIVE as Kate, a summer school teacher for Jack Manning (Andrew Trischitta).

Callahan is set to debut on Tuesday, June 27.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 9)

On this date in...

1953: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Dick (James Lipton) looked for reassurance from Dr. Keeler.

NEWS ROUNDUP: REVENGE Wedding, NASHVILLE Soundtrack, Kat Moon Reveal On EASTENDERS

REVENGE Stars Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann and Nick Wechsler Shoot Seaside White Wedding
Earlier this week, several members of the ABC cast, including Emily VanCamp, Gabriel Mann, Nick Wechsler, Margarita Levieva and Christa B. Allen, were spotted in a sea of wedding white on the Redondo Beach, Calif. set.

Stepping away from their serious characters, the cast took some time to relax and pose for silly pictures in between scenes.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Irna Phillips, Tracey E. Bregman, Ming-Na, Kamar de los Reyes, Wally Kurth

Irna Phillips: Brief life of soap opera’s single mother (1901-1973)
Lynn Liccardo writes in the January-February 2013 issue of Harvard Magazine: "Haunted by her lost pregnancy, in 1972 she created ATWT's beautiful and independent Kim Reynolds, who was meant to have a baby of her own. Of course, to conceive that baby, Kim seduced her sister’s husband. Sponsor Procter & Gamble, unwilling to reward adultery, chose to veto that happy ending; when Phillips—increasingly difficult to work with and unwilling to sensationalize her plots to compete with rival shows—was fired, Kim’s pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. It’s hard to say what caused Phillips more pain—losing the show that was so real to her, or reliving the loss of her baby as Kim lost hers. A few months later, she died of a heart attack, or perhaps of a broken heart."

Ming-Na to guest star in NASHVILLE
Ming-Na will appear in an upcoming episode of NASHVILLE as Calista Reeves, a successful Los Angeles music-label exec with designs on luring Connie Britton’s country superstar away from her Edgehill roost.

Y&R Star Tracey E. Bregman Drives a Fisker Karma (Video)
The attention Bregman (Lauren) gets driving her Karma makes her feel like a rock star.

Watch the video below:

GOSSIP GIRL Finale Gives CW Best Monday In Over A Year

Last night's two-hour series finale of GOSSIP GIRL gave The CW its best Monday night in the Adults 18-34 demo (1.0/3) since 9/26/11, its best A18-49 (0.7/2) since 12/5/11 and its best W18-34 (1.5/4) since 11/28/11.

It was The CW's most watched Monday night(1.41M) since 1/30/12.

At 9 p.m., the second part of the series finale delivered GOSSIP GIRL's most watched (1.51M) episode and best A18-49 rating (0.8/2) since 4/25/11.

It was the series highest W18-34 (1.8/5) since 2/7/11, and best A18-34 (1.1/3) since 9/26/11.

XOXO

PREVIEW: GOSSIP GIRL Series Finale

Photo: The CW

The CW is airing a two-hour GOSSIP GIRL series finale on Monday, December 17 from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT.

In "New York, I Love You XOXO," the Series Finale begins with the stars and executive producers bidding farewell to the Upper East Side in a look back at the show's many unforgettable moments.

Then, in a fashionable farewell to remember, our favorite Upper East Siders join forces for one last soiree, and the shocking identity of Gossip Girl is finally revealed.

Watch a sneak peek below:

The CW Has Best Regularly Scheduled Monday Of Season

As GOSSIP GIRL heads into next week's series finale, it had its most watched (1.03 million viewers) and highest-rated episode in all key demos since last season's finale on May 14. GOSSIP GIRL was up 30% week to week in total viewers, and rose two tenths in Adults 18-34 (0.7/2) and in Adults 18-49 (0.5/1) and rose three tenths in Women 18-34 (1.0/3).

PREVIEW: GOSSIP GIRL ("The Revengers")

Photo: The CW

The final season of GOSSIP GIRL continues on Monday, December 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In "The Revengers," after a run-in with an increasingly paranoid Bart (guest star Robert John Burke), Blair (Leighton Meester) grows alarmingly concerned for Chuck's (Ed Westwick) safety. However, feeling confident that his father will never hurt him, Chuck makes a deal that could change his life. Wanting to make things better for Chuck, Blair devises a plan with the help of Serena (Blake Lively), Georgina (guest star Michelle Trachtenberg) and Sage (guest star Sofia Black-D'Elia) to try and get what they need out of Bart.

PREVIEW: "It's Really Complicated" On GOSSIP GIRL

(L-R): Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf, Kelly Rutherford as Lily
Van Der Woodsen and Zuzanna Szadkowski as Dorota - Photo:
Giovanni Rufino/The CW

The final season of GOSSIP GIRL continues on Monday, December 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In "It's Really Complicated," Serena (Blake Lively) and Dan (Penn Badgley) decide to throw their first Thanksgiving together, inviting only their closest friends, but everyone seems to have their own agenda for attending. Feeling defeated by his father (guest star Robert John Burke), Chuck (Ed Westwick) begins a downward spiral, leaving Blair (Leighton Meester) to find a solution to his problems.

Monday Night Ratings: REVOLUTION, 90210 Up, GOSSIP GIRL Steady

The overnights are in for Monday, November 19. Below is a roundup of Nielsen ratings reports:

From NBC:
At 10:01 p.m. ET, REVOLUTION (2.9/8 in adults 18-49, 8.7 million viewers overall) currently ranks #1 in the time period on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox in adults 18-49 and all other key demographics. REVOLUTION is up 81 percent versus NBC's average in the time period last season in 18-49 rating (2.9 vs. 1.6, L+SD non-sports) and up 70 percent in total viewers (8.704 million vs. 5.106 million).

PREVIEW: "Save the Last Chance" On GOSSIP GIRL

Penn Badgley as Dan Humphrey and Blake Lively as Serena Van Der
Woodsen - Photo: Giovanni Rufino/The CW

The final season of GOSSIP GIRL continues on Monday, November 26 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

In, "Save the Last Chance," Serena (Blake Lively) and Dan (Penn Badgley) realize that they need to make amends with the people they have wronged. Blair (Leighton Meester) has one last chance to prove to her mother her worth as a fashion designer and with Serena's help, comes up with a plan to make her line the "it" look for Sage (guest star Sofia Black-D'Elia) and her friends.

Chuck (Ed Westwick) is close to getting the evidence he needs against his father, until one of his closest allies reveals his plan to Bart (guest star Robert John Burke).

Watch a sneak peek below:

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

On this date in...

1960: Has been identified as a watershed in broadcasting. It's often referred to by aficionados as "the day the radio drama died." YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE (which also aired on NBC-TV), THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS (a spinoff of THE GUIDING LIGHT), THE SECOND MRS. BURTON and MA PERKINS aired their final episodes.

To find out more, check out our 25 Biggest Blunders in Soap Opera History list.

1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Susan Trustman) was indicted for murder in the first degree.

1986: On GUIDING LIGHT, Josh (Robert Newman) found a honeymooning couple when he busted into what he thought was Gerhardt's hotel room.

Monday Night Ratings: REVOLUTION Steady, 90210, GOSSIP GIRL Down

The overnights are in for Monday, November 19. Below is a roundup of Nielsen ratings reports:

From TVBTN:
On the CW, 90210 earned a 0.4, down two tenths from last week's 0.6 adults 18-49 rating (780,000 total viewers). GOSSIP GIRL scored a 0.3, down a tenth from last week's 0.4 adults 18-49 rating (700,000 total viewers).

PREVIEW: Art Takes Center Stage On GOSSIP GIRL

Fictional or not, the Upper East Side–dwelling characters of the stylish drama GOSSIP GIRL — currently in its sixth and final season — have some fabulous and very real art collections. For five seasons, GOSSIP GIRL has partnered with the Art Production Fund (APF) to feature works by artists such as Ryan McGinley, Martin Eder and Kiki Smith in the series. In the "Where the Vile Things Are" episode airing Monday, November 19, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, the art takes center stage.

Monday Night Ratings: 90210 Season High, GOSSIP GIRL Up, REVOLUTION Down

The overnights are in for Monday, November 12. Below is a roundup of Nielsen ratings reports:

From The CW:
Last night's 90210 was the series' most watched (1.24M) and highest rated among A18-34 (0.8/2) and W18-34 (1.2/3) of the season.

It was the series most watched episode and best A18-34 rating since March 27 and its best W18-34 in nearly a year (12/6/11).

PREVIEW: GOSSIP GIRL ("Monstrous Ball")

Photo: CW

The sixth and final season of GOSSIP GIRL continues on Monday, November 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

In "Monstrous Ball," after Eleanor (guest star Margaret Colin) gives Blair (Leighton Meester) an ultimatum, Blair is even more determined to remedy Waldorf Designs' problems by making a splash with a dress at the upcoming Cotillion, but a shocking revelation at the ball affects everyone. Serena (Blake Lively) becomes worried about Steven's (guest star Barry Watson) attitude toward her, but after some investigating she discovers the surprising reason why.

NEWS ROUNDUP: 25 College Classes Based on TV Shows, "She Walks In Beauty" Premiere, Kristen Bell

25 College Classes Based on TV Shows
1. Oberlin Experimental College: Through the Darkness of Future-Past: An Exploration of David Lynch’s TWIN PEAKS
2. University of Minnesota: Television Studies: SIX FEET UNDER
7. University of Kansas: Beyond the BRADY BUNCH: Supporting Blended Families
11. University of Wisconsin: Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles
Analysis of the themes and characters that populate television's daytime serials and investigation of what impact these portrayals have on women's and men's roles in the family and in the work place. The course will compare and contrast prime-time programs with daytime serials for these themes.

GOSSIP GIRL To Feature Frank Ocean Music Next Week

Currently in its sixth and final season, the stylish drama GOSSIP GIRL — which has long featured an eclectic array of contemporary music — will use five songs from Island Def Jam’s artist Frank Ocean in next week’s episode.

This marks the first time that a GOSSIP GIRL episode will feature the music of one artist exclusively, and it also marks the first time that Ocean’s music will be heard in a television series.