Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

1953: Valiant Lady's Helen dished about her new pilot friend.
1981: Roman Brady first appeared on Days of our Lives.
1998: OLTL's Viki was not happy with Clint's plan.
1988: GH's Alan was in jail.

"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...

1953: On Valiant Lady, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with her new pilot friend, Capt. Chris Kendall. Said Jane: "That's a pilot for you...here today, gone today. But at least he was attentive while it lasted."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

1953: Valiant Lady's Helen dished about her new pilot friend.
1981: Roman Brady first appeared on Days of our Lives.
1998: OLTL's Viki was not happy with Clint's plan.
1988: GH's Alan was in jail.

"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...

1953: On Valiant Lady, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with her new pilot friend, Capt. Chris Kendall. Said Jane: "That's a pilot for you...here today, gone today. But at least he was attentive while it lasted."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

1953: VL's Helen dished with Jane about her new pilot friend.
1981: Days' Roman Brady first appeared. 1998: OLTL's Viki
was not happy with Clint's plan.  1988: GH's Alan was in jail.

"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...

1953: On Valiant Lady, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with her new pilot friend, Capt. Chris Kendall. Said Jane: "That's a pilot for you...here today, gone today. But at least he was attentive while it lasted."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice Horton (Frances Reid) told her granddaughter, Julie (Susan Seaforth), that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks in Search for Tomorrow.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

1953: VL's Helen dished with Jane about her new pilot friend.
1981: Days' Roman Brady first appeared. 1998: OLTL's Viki
was not happy with Clint's plan.  1988: GH's Alan was in jail.

"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...

1953: On Valiant Lady, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with her new pilot friend, Capt. Chris Kendall. Said Jane: "That's a pilot for you...here today, gone today. But at least he was attentive while it lasted."

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

1969: Days of our Lives' Julie thanked Alice for her support.
1981: Dallas' Cliff found a dead woman in the Southfork pool.
1992: Robert Flack performed on Guiding Light.
2002: As the World Turns' Jake McKinnon died.

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"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...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera Los Jasmines Del '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On Days of our Lives, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

1953: VL's Helen dished with Jane about her new pilot friend.
1981: DAYS' Roman Brady first appeared. 1998: OLTL's Viki
was not happy with Clint's plan.  1988: GH's Alan was in jail.

"That is the supreme value of history. The study of it is the best guarantee against repeating it."
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir

"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 VALIANT LADY, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with her new pilot friend, Capt. Chris Kendall. Said Jane: "That's a pilot for you...here today, gone today. But at least he was attentive while it lasted."

CLASSIC CLIP: Helen Wagner

Legendary actress Helen Wagner died three years ago today. Below is a rare classic clip of Wagner playing Nancy Hughes in 1979 in a scene with Barbara Rodell's Joyce and Don MacLaughlin's Chris.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

On this date in...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist, created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera LOS JASMINES DEL '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1969: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Alice (Frances Reid) told Julie (Susan Seaforth) that it's what we do after making a mistake that counts.

Happy 57th Anniversary, AS THE WORLD TURNS! (Rare Classic Scenes)

AS THE WORLD TURNS premiered 57 years ago today on April 2, 1956. To celebrate the occasion, We Love Soaps presents four rare classic scenes featuring some of the most beloved characters in the show's history. Check them out below:

Today in Soap Opera History (December 8)

On this date in...

1953: On VALIANT LADY, Helen (Nancy Coleman) told Jane (Helen Wagner) about her experience with the pilot. Watch the episode below.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Helen Wagner

Helen Wagner came in at #46 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses of All Time list in 2010. The beloved late actress would have been celebrating her 94th birthday today. Here are some classic clips of Wagner including her work on AS THE WORLD TURNS and VALIANT LADY.

TV Legends: The life and times of Helen Wagner from the Archive of American Television four-part interview in October 2004. This is fascinating and not to be missed.

Lifetime Achievement: Wagner was honored by the Daytime Emmys in 2004.
1953: Wagner appears as Trudy on VALIANT LADY

1963: Nancy's scene is interrupted by a CBS News bulletin about the shooting of President Kennedy.
1979: Nancy receives word that Dan Stewart has died.

1979: Nancy is surprised to see Joyce at her door.
1986: Chris and Nancy celebrate their 50th anniversary by singing "Always" with family and friends.

1988: Nancy tells Bob, Kim and Ellen that Dan asked her to get married.
1990: Nancy asks Kim to forgive Bob.

1993: Nancy prays for Dan when he doesn't show up.
2002: Nancy remembers Chris on Valentine's Day.

2006: Nancy is honored for giving 50 years to the Women's Service League.
2009: Nancy has advice for Katie.

2010: Nancy attends Bob and Kim's anniversary party/wedding.
2010: Helen Wagner's final scene as Nancy.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 3)

On this date in...

1918: Future soap opera legend Helen Wagner was born. She died on May 1, 2010 at the age of 91.

1945: On radio soap opera PORTIA FACES LIFE, Portia was confused at breakfast when Marie implied it was a "good" day.

1951: SEARCH FOR TOMORROW premiered on CBS. It ran 35 years until December 26, 1986. The show moved from CBS to NBC in 1982.  Check out Nelson Aspen's SFT Scrapbook for some wonderful old photos.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 1)

On this date in...

1937: Jackie Ormes, the first African American female cartoonist created her earliest cartoon. It was an action, romance, and soap opera comic featuring a Black heroine named Torchy Brown.

1939: Radio soap opera LOS JASMINES DEL '80 debuted in Argentina.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Joe ordered Willie to stay away from Maggie.

1972: Susan Sarandon debuted as Sarah Fairbanks on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW.

1973: The character of Mackenzie Cory debuted on ANOTHER WORLD.  Mac was played for the first year by Robert Emhardt and then by Douglass Watson (see below).

In Memoriam - Those We Lost in 2010

The soap world lost a number of greats both in front of and behind the camera this year. Here is the annual WE LOVE SOAPS TV tribute to those who passed away in 2010 including Michael Gene Adams, Danny Aiello III, Himan Brown, Dixie Carter, Christopher Cazenove, Jill Clayburgh, Gary Coleman, Jacqueline Courtney, John Forsythe, David Froman, James Gammon, Harold Gould, Carl Gordon, Suzanne Grossman, Park Yong Ha, Peter Haskell, June Havoc, Carol Pfander Henderson, Bernard Kates, Larry Keith, Antonie Kamerling, Mick Lally, Simon MacCorkindale, Nan Martin, Kevin McCarthy, Rue McClanahan, Caroline McWilliams, Werner Michel, James Mitchell, Gordon Mulholland, Roger Newman, Michelle Nicastro, Leslie Nielsen, Vince O'Brien, Niek Pancras, Nancy Pinkerton, Addison Powell, Carla Princi, Bob Rappaport, Frances Reid, Lynn Redgrave, Rosa Rio, Zelda Rubinstein, Paul Ryan Rudd, Jean Simmons and Helen Wagner.



UPDATE:
Domini Blythe (Estelle, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW) also passed away in 2010.

CLASSIC ATWT Photo of the Day: 9th Anniversary

In a photo dated 4/6/65, the cast of AS THE WORLD TURNS celebrates the start of the show's tenth continuous year on TV. Pictured are Grandpa (Santos Ortega), Tom (Frankie Michaels), Doug (Nat Polen), Lisa (Eileen Fulton), Nancy (Helen Wagner), Bob (Don Hastings), Sylvia Hill (Millette Alexander), Neil Wade (Michael Lipton) and David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe).

Millette Alexander later had memorable roles on THE EDGE OF NIGHT and GUIDING LIGHT and is now a concert pianist and piano teacher in Westport, CT.

CLASSIC ATWT Photo of the Day: Helen Wagner

As we begin the countdown on the final month of AS THE WORLD TURNS, We Love Soaps will be bringing you a Classic ATWT Photo of the Day, provided by Rob Wargo, soap historian and frequent WLS contributor.

The first photo is of legendary actress Helen Wagner who first played Nancy Hughes in the 1955 pilot and continued in the role until her death in May of this year.

Look for a new photo each day of some of the most memorable characters and couples in AS THE WORLD TURNS history.