Today in Soap Opera History (October 27)

1982: GH's Luke and Robert searched for Holly in Canada.
1988: GL's Rusty shot Will and tried to save Mindy.
1995: Loving's Gwyneth was revealed as the Corinth Killer.
2009: As the World Turns' Brad Snyder died.

"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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) felt guilty about telling Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to bite Vicky. She instead offered to sacrifice herself to restore Barnabas's appearance. Though touched, he declined, noting that he needed her to continue as his doctor. In the meantime, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) decided -- over David's (David Henesy) protests -- to go to the Old House and investigate his claims. She snuck into the seemingly deserted basement and discovered the coffin but found it empty. Her relief quickly turned to horror as she came face-to-face with her worst nightmare.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 27)

1982: GH's Luke and Robert searched for Holly in Canada.
1988: GL's Rusty shot Will and tried to save Mindy.
1995: Loving's Gwyneth was revealed as the Corinth Killer.
2009: As the World Turns' Brad Snyder died.

"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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) felt guilty about telling Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to bite Vicky. She instead offered to sacrifice herself to restore Barnabas's appearance. Though touched, he declined, noting that he needed her to continue as his doctor. In the meantime, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) decided -- over David's (David Henesy) protests -- to go to the Old House and investigate his claims. She snuck into the seemingly deserted basement and discovered the coffin but found it empty. Her relief quickly turned to horror as she came face-to-face with her worst nightmare.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 27)

1982: GH's Luke and Robert searched for Holly in Canada.
1988: GL's Rusty shot Will and tried to save Mindy.
1995: Loving's Gwyneth was revealed as the Corinth Killer.
2009: As the World Turns' Brad Snyder died.

"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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) felt guilty about telling Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to bite Vicky. She instead offered to sacrifice herself to restore Barnabas's appearance. Though touched, he declined, noting that he needed her to continue as his doctor. In the meantime, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) decided -- over David's (David Henesy) protests -- to go to the Old House and investigate his claims. She snuck into the seemingly deserted basement and discovered the coffin but found it empty. Her relief quickly turned to horror as she came face-to-face with her worst nightmare.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 27)

1982: GH's Luke and Robert searched for Holly in Canada.
1988: GL's Rusty shot Will and tried to save Mindy.
1995: Loving's Gwyneth was revealed as the Corinth Killer.
2009: As the World Turns' Brad Snyder died.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) felt guilty about telling Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to bite Vicky. She instead offered to sacrifice herself to restore Barnabas's appearance. Though touched, he declined, noting that he needed her to continue as his doctor. In the meantime, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) decided -- over David's (David Henesy) protests -- to go to the Old House and investigate his claims. She snuck into the seemingly deserted basement and discovered the coffin but found it empty. Her relief quickly turned to horror as she came face-to-face with her worst nightmare.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 27)

1982: GH's Luke and Robert searched for Holly in Canada.
1988: GL's Rusty shot Will and tried to save Mindy.
1995: Loving's Gwyneth was revealed to be the Corinth
Killer. 2009: ATWT's Brad died.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) felt guilty about telling Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) to bite Vicky. She instead offered to sacrifice herself to restore Barnabas's appearance. Though touched, he declined, noting that he needed her to continue as his doctor. In the meantime, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) decided -- over David's (David Henesy) protests -- to go to the Old House and investigate his claims. She snuck into the seemingly deserted basement and discovered the coffin but found it empty. Her relief quickly turned to horror as she came face-to-face with her worst nightmare.

'The Doctors' Debuts on Retro TV With 2 Episodes Each Weekday Starting Monday

The Doctors, a daytime soap opera that ran on NBC from 1963 to 1982, is back! The show debuts in Retro TV's afternoon lineup starting Monday, September 29th. The network will air two episodes Monday through Friday at 12 p.m. ET/PT, picking up the story in 1967.

Watch a sneak peek clip below:

James Pritchett Dead at 88

James Pritchett, best known to daytime soap opera fans for his Emmy winning portrayal of Dr. Matt Powers on The Doctors, died at age 88 on March 15 in New York.

Pritchett's other soap credits included All My Children, As the World Turns and The Secret Storm. His Bruce Elliott on ATWT had an affair with Lisa Hughes while she was still married to Bob in 1962. He also made an appearance on Guiding Light.

Pritchett played Dr. Matt Powers on NBC's The Doctors during its entire run (1963 to 1982). He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1978 as Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series.

Pritchett was born on October 27, 1922, in Lenoir, North Carolina.

He worked extensively in regional theater throughout his life, and appeared in numerous television commercials and film.

Pritchett served in World War II where he earned a degree in meteorology. He met his wife Cynthia as they starred together in a production of "Guys and Dolls" in her home state of Michigan.

He was a devoted family man, sharing with his family his zeal for travel, and love of nature and sports. He will be remembered by many for his playful nature and sharp wit. He will be deeply missed by his loving family, wife Cynthia, daughter Laura, son-in-law Priest Dimitri, daughter Shelley, son Kyle, daughter-in-law Claudia, and grandchildren Yevgraf, Vassily and Theodora.

Pritchett will be laid to rest in a private service in upstate New York where he and his family enjoyed many happy years.