Today in Soap Opera History (July 14)

1986: Another World's Cecile faced the guillotine.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mary died after a "C" fell on her.
1989: Guiding Light's Reva was rowed to her wedding.
2008: The Bold and the Beautiful's Bridget and Nick married.

"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...

1965: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) persuaded his daughter, Lee (Gaye Huston), that going home after her battle with virus pneumonia would be alright.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) met Carolyn Stoddard's (Nancy Barrett) boyfriend, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers), who works at the Collins Cannery.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 8)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas bared his fangs (upside down).
1981: The art auction began on General Hospital.
1987: Days of our Lives' Harper arrived in Salem.
2008: Noelle Beck debuted as the new Lily on As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: CBS aired the 2,000th episode of Search for Tomorrow. The network released a celebratory photo with the following caption: "Mary Stuart, who for nearly eight years has played the stellar role of Joanne Tate on the program, shows off a huge orange cake to makr the 2,000th telecast, May 8, of Search for Tomorrow, the oldest daytime serial in television. Search for Tomorrow is seen on the CBS Television Network Monday through Friday, 12:30-12:45 PM, EDT."

1964: On Another World, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Granny Matthews (Vera Allen) that her parents and Russ drove to Oakdale. Another World was originally planned as a spin-off of CBS' As the World Turns before ending up on NBC.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) entered Maggie's (Kathryn Leigh Scott) bedroom through the french doors. He stalked over to her bed and bared his fangs. Jonathan Frid inserted his fangs upside down, appearing more frightening than originally intended.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 3)

1974: Another World aired a one-hour special.
1983: Peter Reckell debuted on Days of our Lives.
1991: The Dallas series finale aired on CBS.
2013: Jeanne Cooper's final Y&R scene aired.

"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...

1968: On The Doctors, Ralph Anderson (Al Hinckley) held Matt (James Pritchett), Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) and Nick (Gerald Gordon) hostage in Matt's office. As Maggie (Bethel Leslie) banged on the door, a gunshot went off.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 24)

1975: Y&R's Kay begged Phillip not to leave her.
1987: One Life to Live's Viki visited heaven.
1987: B&B's Brooke confided in Stephanie.
2008: Days of our Lives' Shawn & Belle left Salem.

"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...

1955: On The Inner Flame, Walt (Karl Swenson) was unwilling to accept Murray's help.

1955: On Golden Windows, Carl told Charles (Eric Dressler) he would confess his crimes.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 25)

1982: Another World's Buzz Winslow died in Wyoming.
1988: General Hospital's Anna lost her baby.
1990: Another World's Jake raped Marley, then got shot.
2000: All My Children's Vanessa and Arlene were busted.

"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...

1937: Radio soap opera Stella Dallas made its debut as a local show in New York City. The 15-minute drama, with Anne Elstner in the title role, was picked up by the NBC Radio network beginning June 6, 1938, and aired weekdays afternoons through 1955.

1971: Chris Bohn debuted as Dr. Jason Aldrich on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 14)

1986: Another World's Cecile faced the guillotine.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mary died after a "C" fell on her.
1989: Guiding Light's Reva was rowed to her wedding.
2008: The Bold and the Beautiful's Bridget and Nick married.

"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...

1965: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) persuaded his daughter, Lee (Gaye Huston), that going home after her battle with virus pneumonia would be alright.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) met Carolyn Stoddard's (Nancy Barrett) boyfriend, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers), who works at the Collins Cannery.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 8)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas bared his fangs (upside down).
1981: The art auction began on General Hospital.
1987: Days of our Lives' Harper arrived in Salem.
2008: Noelle Beck debuted as the new Lily on As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: CBS aired the 2,000th episode of Search for Tomorrow. The network released a celebratory photo with the following caption: "Mary Stuart, who for nearly eight years has played the stellar role of Joanne Tate on the program, shows off a huge orange cake to makr the 2,000th telecast, May 8, of Search for Tomorrow, the oldest daytime serial in television. Search for Tomorrow is seen on the CBS Television Network Monday through Friday, 12:30-12:45 PM, EDT."

1964: On Another World, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Granny Matthews (Vera Allen) that her parents and Russ drove to Oakdale. Another World was originally planned as a spin-off of CBS' As the World Turns before ending up on NBC.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) entered Maggie's (Kathryn Leigh Scott) bedroom through the french doors. He stalked over to her bed and bared his fangs. Jonathan Frid inserted his fangs upside down, appearing more frightening than originally intended.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 3)

1974: Another World aired a one-hour special.
1983: Peter Reckell debuted on Days of our Lives.
1991: The Dallas series finale aired on CBS.
2013: Jeanne Cooper's final Y&R scene aired.

"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 The Doctors, Ralph Anderson (Al Hinckley) held Matt (James Pritchett), Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) and Nick (Gerald Gordon) hostage in Matt's office. As Maggie (Bethel Leslie) banged on the door, a gunshot went off.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 24)

1975: Y&R's Kay begged Phillip not to leave her.
1987: One Life to Live's Viki visited heaven.
1987: B&B's Brooke confided in Stephanie.
2008: Days of our Lives' Shawn & Belle left Salem.

"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...

1955: On The Inner Flame, Walt (Karl Swenson) was unwilling to accept Murray's help.

1955: On Golden Windows, Carl told Charles (Eric Dressler) he would confess his crimes.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 25)

1982: Another World's Buzz Winslow died in Wyoming.
1988: General Hospital's Anna lost her baby.
1990: Another World's Jake raped Marley, then got shot.
2000: All My Children's Vanessa and Arlene were busted.

"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...

1937: Radio soap opera Stella Dallas made its debut as a local show in New York City. The 15-minute drama, with Anne Elstner in the title role, was picked up by the NBC Radio network beginning June 6, 1938, and aired weekdays afternoons through 1955.

1971: Chris Bohn debuted as Dr. Jason Aldrich on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 14)

1986: Another World's Cecile faced the guillotine.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mary died after a "C" fell on her.
1989: Guiding Light's Reva was rowed to her wedding.
2008: The Bold and the Beautiful's Bridget and Nick married.

"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...

1965: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) persuaded his daughter, Lee (Gaye Huston), that going home after her battle with virus pneumonia would be alright.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) met Carolyn Stoddard's (Nancy Barrett) boyfriend, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers), who works at the Collins Cannery.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 8)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas bared his fangs (upside down).
1981: The art auction began on General Hospital.
1987: Days of our Lives' Harper arrived in Salem.
2008: Noelle Beck debuted as the new Lily on As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: CBS aired the 2,000th episode of Search for Tomorrow. The network released a celebratory photo with the following caption: "Mary Stuart, who for nearly eight years has played the stellar role of Joanne Tate on the program, shows off a huge orange cake to makr the 2,000th telecast, May 8, of Search for Tomorrow, the oldest daytime serial in television. Search for Tomorrow is seen on the CBS Television Network Monday through Friday, 12:30-12:45 PM, EDT."

1964: On Another World, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Granny Matthews (Vera Allen) that her parents and Russ drove to Oakdale. Another World was originally planned as a spin-off of CBS' As the World Turns before ending up on NBC.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) entered Maggie's (Kathryn Leigh Scott) bedroom through the french doors. He stalked over to her bed and bared his fangs. Jonathan Frid inserted his fangs upside down, appearing more frightening than originally intended.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 3)

1974: Another World aired a one-hour special. 1983: Peter
Reckell debuted on Days of our Lives. 1991: The Dallas series
finale aired on CBS. 2013: Jeanne Cooper's final Y&R scene.

"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 The Doctors, Ralph Anderson (Al Hinckley) held Matt (James Pritchett), Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) and Nick (Gerald Gordon) hostage in Matt's office. As Maggie (Bethel Leslie) banged on the door, a gunshot went off.

1974: Another World broadcast for one hour for the first time in honor of its 10th anniversary. Steve (George Reinholt) and Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) were married that day. The show would move to one hour full-time on Monday, January 6, 1975.

1978: Kim Zimmer debuted as escaped fugitive Bonnie Harmer on One Life to Live. Edmund Genest made his first appearance as Bonnie's fellow escapee, Herman Cantrell. Zimmer returned to One Life in 1983 playing Echo DiSavoy. The debut of Zimmer and Genest starts at 22:16 in the video below.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 24)

1975: Y&R's Kay begged Phillip not to leave her.
1987: One Life to Live's Viki visited heaven.
1987: B&B's Brooke confided in Stephanie.
2008: Days of our Lives' Shawn & Belle left Salem.

"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...

1955: On The Inner Flame, Walt (Karl Swenson) was unwilling to accept Murray's help.

1955: On Golden Windows, Carl told Charles (Eric Dressler) he would confess his crimes.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 25)

1982: Another World's Buzz Winslow died in Wyoming.
1988: General Hospital's Anna lost her baby.
1990: Another World's Jake raped Marley, then got shot.
2000: All My Children's Vanessa and Arlene were busted.

"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...

1937: Radio soap opera Stella Dallas made its debut as a local show in New York City. The 15-minute drama, with Anne Elstner in the title role, was picked up by the NBC Radio network beginning June 6, 1938, and aired weekdays afternoons through 1955.

1971: Chris Bohn debuted as Dr. Jason Aldrich on The Doctors.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 14)

1986: Another World's Cecile faced the guillotine.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mary died.
1989: Guiding Light's Reva was rowed to her wedding.
2008: The Bold and the Beautiful's Bridget and Nick married.

"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...

1965: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) persuaded his daughter, Lee (Gaye Huston), that going home after her battle with virus pneumonia would be alright.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) met Carolyn Stoddard's (Nancy Barrett) boyfriend, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers), who works at the Collins Cannery.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 8)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas bared his fangs (upside down).
1981: The art auction began on General Hospital.
1987: Days of our Lives' Harper arrived in Salem.
2008: Noelle Beck debuted as the new Lily on As the World Turns.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Granny Matthews (Vera Allen) that her parents and Russ drove to Oakdale. Another World was originally planned as a spin-off of CBS' As the World Turns before ending up on NBC.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) entered Maggie's (Kathryn Leigh Scott) bedroom through the french doors. He stalked over to her bed and bared his fangs. Jonathan Frid inserted his fangs upside down, appearing more frightening than originally intended.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 3)

1974: Another World aired a one-hour special. 1983: Peter
Reckell debuted on Days of our Lives. 1991: The Dallas series
finale aired on CBS. 2013: Jeanne Cooper's final Y&R scene.

"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 The Doctors, Ralph Anderson (Al Hinckley) held Matt (James Pritchett), Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) and Nick (Gerald Gordon) hostage in Matt's office. As Maggie (Bethel Leslie) banged on the door, a gunshot went off.

1974: Another World broadcast for one hour for the first time in honor of its 10th anniversary. Steve (George Reinholt) and Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) were married that day. The show would move to one hour full-time on Monday, January 6, 1975.

1978: Kim Zimmer debuted as escaped fugitive Bonnie Harmer on One Life to Live. Edmund Genest made his first appearance as Bonnie's fellow escapee, Herman Cantrell. Zimmer returned to One Life in 1983 playing Echo DiSavoy. The debut of Zimmer and Genest starts at 22:16 in the video below.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 24)

1975: Y&R's Kay begged Phillip not to leave her.
1987: One Life to Live's Viki visited heaven.
1987: B&B's Brooke confided in Stephanie.
2008: Days of our Lives' Shawn & Belle left Salem.

"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...

1955: On The Inner Flame, Walt (Karl Swenson) was unwilling to accept Murray's help.

1955: On Golden Windows, Carl told Charles (Eric Dressler) he would confess his crimes.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Jeanne Cooper (Updated)

Jeanne Cooper

Jeanne Cooper was born on October 25, 1928. Long before she joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in 1973, Cooper had a long career on the stage, in film and primetime television. But it was her portrayal of Katherine Chancellor on Y&R that gave us some of her finest work, and some of the best moments in daytime television history.

Below is a collection of classic Jeanne Cooper clips which celebrate her unforgettable work in The Young and the Restless, along with her appearances on The Bold and the Beautiful and Guiding Light.

1974: Jill (Brenda Dickson) takes a drunk Katherine home from the salon and sees the inside of the Chancellor mansion for the first time.



1975: Phillip Chancellor (Donnelly Rhodes) finds Katherine drunk and pleads with her to sign the divorce agreement.
1975: Katherine begs Phillip for one more chance just before his fatal car crash.