Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #36 Greg & Jenny From ALL MY CHILDREN

COUPLE: Greg Nelson & Jenny Gardner
SHOW: ALL MY CHILDREN
RANK: 36
PLAYED BY:
Greg: Laurence Lau
Jenny: Kim Delaney
YEARS: 1981-1984

STORY:
Greg and Jenny met in 1981 when Jenny came to Pine Valley with her mother, Opal (Dorothy Lyman).   They faced numerous obstacles on the slow road to love including class conflict instigated by Greg's snobby mother, Enid (Natalie Ross), interference caused by Greg's ex-girlfriend, Liza (Marcy Walker), revelations about Jenny's father, Ray (Gil Rogers), and Greg's paralysis.  In 1984 they were finally married but Jenny was killed in a jet ski explosion soon after.

NEWS ROUNDUP: GCB's White Marriage, Kristin Responds To Newt, HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS, TRIC Awards

'GCB' introduces concept of 'a white marriage'
The premiere episode of "GCB" clued viewers in that Blake is gay and Sunday night's episode revealed Blake's wife, Cricket (Miriam Shor), signed on to the marriage with the understanding that he'd be having sex with men on the side. The couple even share opposite sides of an extra-wide bed.

Kristin Chenoweth Defends GCB from Newt Gingrich Attacks: ‘Don’t Talk About My Show!’
Chenoweth was shocked by Gingrich’s comments, considering the actress is a Christian herself. “I was like, 'No, Newt, don’t talk about my show!'” Chenoweth told Broadway.com. “I would never do anything that would make fun of my own religion! I don’t think [GCB] does that.”

CLASSIC CLIP: Paralyzed Greg Remembers Happier Times With Jenny On ALL MY CHILDREN

Greg became paralyzed on ALL MY CHILDREN in 1983. His mother, Enid, took care of him, but he longed for Jenny. Watch the clip below:

NEWS ROUNDUP: Susan Lucci Back To HOT IN CLEVELAND, Laurence Lau Shooting Pilot, GLEE

Susan Lucci reveals more about ARMY WIVES role, will also return to HOT IN CLEVELAND
“I am going to be joining the cast of ARMY WIVES. I am playing the wife of a two star general who is also the daughter of a general. I will only be there for a few weeks. I will also be going back to LA to do some work on the show HOT IN CLEVELAND, the Betty White show. They have asked me to come back.”

Laurence Lau shooting new TV pilot, UPSTATE
UPSTATE is a television sitcom that will be based on the vagaries of life in a place called Syracuse, New York. The show is being shot this week in various locations around the city.

WATCH: ALL MY CHILDREN's "Greg" and "Jenny" Reunite On THE VIEW

Laurence Lau and Kim Delaney reunited on THE VIEW in 2011. Watch the clip below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Jennifer Considers Breaking Up With Greg on ALL MY CHILDREN

Jenny considers breaking off her engagement to Greg after learning about all the terrible things her father has done. Watch the clip below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Jenny's Jet Ski Explodes on ALL MY CHILDREN

The death of Jenny Gardner was one of the most tragic in ALL MY CHILDREN history. Watch how it happened in the clip below: