Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 23)

1978: Gary and Valene Ewing returned to Dallas.
1984: Primetime soap Paper Dolls premiered on ABC.
1986: One Life to Live's Jessica Buchanan was born.
2011: All My Children aired for the final time on ABC.

"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...

1942: On radio soap opera Clara, Lu & Em, Clara (Fran Allison) was sick.

1969: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell) picked up Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) at the train station, and brought her to his parent's home. Julie told Matt (James Pritchett) and Maggie (Lydia Bruce) about her upbringing.

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Jillian Coleridge (Nancy Addision) encountered Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) at Frank's campaign headquarters and refused to give in to Delia's demand that she give up on the campaign.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 23)

1978: Gary and Valene Ewing returned to Dallas.
1984: Primetime soap Paper Dolls premiered on ABC.
1986: One Life to Live's Jessica Buchanan was born.
2011: All My Children aired for the final time on ABC.

"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...

1942: On radio soap opera Clara, Lu & Em, Clara (Fran Allison) was sick.

1969: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell) picked up Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) at the train station, and brought her to his parent's home. Julie told Matt (James Pritchett) and Maggie (Lydia Bruce) about her upbringing.

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Jillian Coleridge (Nancy Addision) encountered Delia Reid Ryan (Ilene Kristen) at Frank's campaign headquarters and refused to give in to Delia's demand that she give up on the campaign.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1966: On PEYTON PLACE, Betty (Barbara Parkins) and Steven prepared for their wedding.

Denise Alexander and Joan Van Ark Guest Star in the Season 4 Finale of 'Pretty'

Denise Alexander as Louise and Stacy McQueen as Annette in the Pretty season finale.

Denise Alexander (General Hospital) and Joan Van Ark (Knots Landing) return for the Pretty season finale. Find out who wins the dance competition, and stay tune for the shocking cliffhanger finish. Watch below:

Alec Baldwin Joins the 'Knots Landing' Reunion on 'Home & Family' (Video)

Alec Baldwin made a surprise appearance during the Knots Landing reunion on Thursday.

To honor the 35th anniversary of Knots Landing, stars Michele Lee (Karen), Joan Van Ark (Val), Donna Mills (Abby), Ted Shackelford (Gary) and Kevin Dobson (Mack) joined Hallmark Channel's Home & Family for a reunion special on Thursday. Alec Baldwin (Joshua) made an appearance as well. Watch clips from the episode below:

Hallmark Channel's 'Home & Famly' Hosting a 'Knots Landing' Reunion on Thursday, December 11

The cast of Knots Landing is reuniting on Thursday, December 11 on Hallmark Channel's Home & Family.

Mark Steines and Cristina Ferrare are hosting the Knots Landing reunion with Donna Mills (Abby), Joan Van Ark (Valene), Michele Lee (Karen), Ted Shackelford (Gary) and Kevin Dobson (Mack) as they share memories, surprises, and music!

Michele Lee performs the holiday favorite "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

Kevin Dobson and Ted Shackelford join Cristina in the kitchen to make a fluffy Angel Food Cake!

Donna Mills shows viewers how to create makeup to make yourself look like a modern day Abby Ewing with Kym Douglas.

Joan Van Ark has her own craft to share, DIY Miniature Christmas Trees.

The episode will also include the following:
* A Christmas House Lantern DIY with Ken Wingard.
* Save money and get your Christmas shopping done with Hollywood Steals with Sandie Newton.
* Get into the holiday spirit with a DIY Candy Monogram Wreath from Tanya Memme.

Home & Family airs Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 23)

1978: Gary (and Val) returned to Dallas.  1984: Paper Dolls
premiered. 1986: OLTL's Jessica Buchanan was born.
2011: All My Children aired for the final time on ABC.

"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...

1942: On Clara, Lu & Em, Clara (Fran Allison) was sick. Clara, Lu & Em was the first network radio soap opera in 1930. The drama series began as a Northwestern University sorority sketch by Louise Starkey (Clara), Isobel Carothers (Lu) and Helen King (Em). When Carothers suddenly died January 8, 1937 at age 32, Starkey and King decided not to continue. They started the show again on 1942 with another of their Northwestern University friends, Harriet Allyn, portraying Lu.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

"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...

1942: WE LOVE AND LEARN debuted on CBS Radio. The show was previously titled AS THE TWIG IS BENT when it aired for a year on some Mutual-Don Lee stations.

1967: On DARK SHADOWS, when Willie (James Hall) made unwanted advances at Carolyn (Nancy Barrett), she pulled a gun on him.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 23)

1978: Gary & Val first appeared on DALLAS. 1980: EON's Nicole
diagnosed her own disease. 1984: PAPER DOLLS premiered.
2011: ALL MY CHILDREN ended its run on ABC.

"In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."
― Edmund Burke

"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...

1942: On CLARA, LU & EM, Clara (Fran Allison) was sick. CLARA, LU & EM was the first network radio soap opera in 1930. The drama series began as a Northwestern University sorority sketch by Louise Starkey (Clara), Isobel Carothers (Lu) and Helen King (Em). When Carothers suddenly died January 8, 1937 at age 32, Starkey and King decided not to continue. They started the show again on 1942 with another of their Northwestern University friends, Harriet Allyn, portraying Lu.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 6)

On this date in...

1951: Agnes Eckhardt married Robert "Bob" H.A. Nixon.

1970: On DARK SHADOWS, Quentin (David Selby) entered Angelique's room and found Alexis (Lara Parker) crying and playing the piano.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, talking with Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) and Scott (Michael Goodwin), Mac (Douglass Watson) wondered if Iris married Robert so quickly because she knew Clarice was pregnant.

1987: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Shawn Douglas Brady was born.

PREVIEW: "Ewings Unite!" On DALLAS

Charlene Tilton, Joan Van Ark & Patrick Duffy - Photo: TNT

TNT's DALLAS continues its second season on Monday, March 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Joan Van Ark, Charlene Tilton and Ted Shackelford guest star.

In "Ewings Unite!," as Bobby, Christopher and John Ross get to work on J.R.'s masterpiece, J.R.'s will has lasting ramifications for the family legacy and Southfork. Pamela proves her loyalty to John Ross by giving him information against her father, and Christopher's relationship with Elena is tested when Christopher resorts to a tactic worthy of J.R.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Joan Van Ark, Thorsten Kaye, John McCook, A Martinez, Kyle MacLachlan

Joan Van Ark on her return to DALLAS: 'I felt a huge responsibility to do Valene justice'
"Ted [Shackelford] called me after we had done our scene that first day and he was so dear. He said, 'You still got it. You were great every take.' Ted is brutally honest – and that’s a good thing because I want the truth. So for him to say that meant so much to me."

"And with Charlene [Tilton] – she’s such a pistol! When I see her now, I feel like she’s the parent and I’m the child because she’s got it going on! [Laughs] She calls it like she sees it, and she was so generous and beautiful to me when we were together. And Patrick Duffy and I had a really nice moment [off the set]. It was totally special, and it had to do with Larry [Hagman]. I shared something with Patrick and he returned it right back. It was maybe the most profound, connected moment I had when I was down there."

Valene will not be seen at J.R.'s funeral on next week's episode of DALLAS.

Thorsten Kaye on taping the first scene of the new ALL MY CHILDREN
"Jill Larson (Opal) was supposed to be in the first scene with this guy Peter [Cortlandt, Opal’s son]. Something happened and she wasn’t ready. I was just f—king around at the catering table stuffing bagels in my pocket. All of a sudden, someone comes up to me and says, 'Can you be ready in three minutes?' I said, 'Sure. I’ve got three bagels in a baggie and some bacon, I’m good.' The scene was a [one-way] phone call. When I was done, they said, 'Congratulations, you just finished the first scene of the new ALL MY CHILDREN!' That hadn’t occurred to me. I was just there to work. But it’s kind of cool that I was in the last scene on TV and I taped the first scene on the web."

[SPOILER ALERT]

Next Week On THE TALK: Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark, Donna Mills & Jessica Collins

THE TALK featured Steve Burton on Monday to announce his upcoming role in THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. The show stays soapy next week with its guest lineup.

Monday, January 14
Cooking with soap actress Jessica Collins (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)

Wednesday, January 16
Actor Ted Danson (SOMESET alum)

Thursday, January 17
Actor Rob Lowe (BROTHERS & SISTERS and THE WEST WING alum)

Friday, January 18
KNOTS LANDING 20th Anniversary reunion show with Michele Lee, Joan Van Ark and Donna Mills

PBS' PIONEERS OF TELEVISION Will Feature Primetime Soaps

Emmy Award-winning radio personality, television host and producer Ryan Seacrest has signed on to narrate the third season of PIONEERS OF TELEVISION, PBS’ Emmy-nominated series that brings to life the stories of television’s most beloved stars. PIONEERS OF TELEVISION returns to PBS on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, 8:00 p.m. ET and runs through February 5. The new season’s four episodes are “Funny Ladies” (January 15), “Primetime Soaps” (January 22), “Superheroes” (January 29), and “Miniseries” (February 5).

Stars featured in PIONEERS include Carol Burnett, Lynda Carter, Joan Collins, Diahann Carroll, Richard Chamberlain, Patrick Duffy, Lou Ferrigno, Tina Fey, Louis Gossett Jr., Larry Hagman, Cloris Leachman, Joan Rivers, Leslie Uggams, Rachel Ward, Adam West and Betty White, among many others.

DALLAS Update On The Return Gary, Val, Lucy & Afton; Plus, No Plans For Pam

Joan Van Ark, Ted Sheckelford, Charlene Tilton and Audrey Landers will be bringing their former DALLAS (and KNOTS LANDING) characters to TNT's DALLAS in Season 2. TVGuide.com published new details in an article this week.

Exec producer Cynthia Cidre confirms that Shackelford will pop up as J.R. and Bobby's brother a couple episodes before Val and Lucy. "Gary comes because he is a third owner of the oil under Southfork," says Cidre. "Then Val comes for a big event. We have some really fun stuff with Gary and Val back together with J.R. and Sue Ellen."

Ted Shackelford & Joan Van Ark Set To Appear In DALLAS

Charlene Tilton, Joan Van Ark & Ted Shackelford

Ted Shackelford and Joan Van Ark are bringing their KNOTS LANDING and DALLAS characters, Gary and Valene Ewing, to TNT's DALLAS for a big family reunion set to air in Spring 2013.

According to TV Guide Magazine, Shackelford (currently starring in THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) and Van Ark (winner of an Indie Soap Award earlier this year for her work in PRETTY) will be on for a three-episode arc. No word if their all-grown-up twins, Bobby and Betsy, will be joining them.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 23)

On this date in...

1978: DALLAS aired its first episode as a regular series following a successful five-part mini-series in the spring. In "Reunion, Part 1," Jock and Miss Ellie's middle son, Gary (David Ackroyd), a recovering alcoholic, returned to Southfork after a long absence. Meanwhile, Lucy discovered her mother, Valene (Joan Van Ark), working at a diner outside of town. This was the first appearance of Gary and Val, who were first married in 1961, then reunited and remarried in 1979 (with Gary played by Ted Shackelford). Miss Ellie gave them a house in Knots Landing as a wedding gift.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Miles (Joel Carruthers) was stunned when Nicole revealed she knew she had aplastic anemia. "Which category do I fall under? Am I one of those that recovers without any difficulty? Or am I one of those that dies?"

You'll also notice future AS THE WORLD TURNS executive producer Christopher Goutman as Matt Sharkey in the episode you can below: