Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The network, which hadn't premiered a soap in seven years, enlisted Irna Phillips in adapting a serial very loosely from a famous novel and movie. Love is a Many Splendored Thing concerned the in-laws of the book's protagonist Mark Elliot, who intermarried with other surrounding families in San Francisco. A stylish and refreshing story, it was a fabulous stepping stone for David Birney, Donna Mills and Leslie Charleson, all beautiful and talented young performers. Other established serial veterans on the series included Judson Laire, Gloria Hoye, Jane Manning, Albert Stratton and Paula Trueman. Its most popular producer was John Conboy, who brought his special stylish magic to The Young and the Restless.

Its head writer regimes included: Jane and Ira Avery, Don Ettinger, James Lipton, and finally Ann Marcus. After numerous cast changes alienated viewers, it was canceled and the series finale aired on March 23, 1973, after five and a half years. In its final months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The network, which hadn't premiered a soap in seven years, enlisted Irna Phillips in adapting a serial very loosely from a famous novel and movie. Love is a Many Splendored Thing concerned the in-laws of the book's protagonist Mark Elliot, who intermarried with other surrounding families in San Francisco. A stylish and refreshing story, it was a fabulous stepping stone for David Birney, Donna Mills and Leslie Charleson, all beautiful and talented young performers. Other established serial veterans on the series included Judson Laire, Gloria Hoye, Jane Manning, Albert Stratton and Paula Trueman. Its most popular producer was John Conboy, who brought his special stylish magic to The Young and the Restless.

Its head writer regimes included: Jane and Ira Avery, Don Ettinger, James Lipton, and finally Ann Marcus. After numerous cast changes alienated viewers, it was canceled and the series finale aired on March 23, 1973, after five and a half years. In its final months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

Lisa Rinna Returning to 'Days of our Lives' as Billie Reed in Early 2018

Lisa Rinna is returning to NBC soap opera Days of our Lives as Billie Reed, according to a new report by Entertainment Weekly.

Rinna first joined the NBC daytime drama in 1992. She left a few years later, came back for a short time in the early 2000s, and then came back again in 2012.

Rinna began taping her episodes this week, and will show up in Salem in early 2018.

'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Returns on December 6, Two New Cast Members Join Eileen Davidson, Lisa Rinna & Company

Eileen Davidson

The glittering ladies of Bravo Media's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills are back for season seven on Tuesday, December 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with extravagant trips, outlandish fun and unimaginable indiscretions as Erika Girardi, Lisa Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, Lisa Rinna, and Eileen Davidson are joined by new housewife Dorit Kemsley and friend Eden Sassoon. Lisa Vanderpump's friend Dorit is the glamorous and charming wife of Paul "PK" Kemsley, a wealthy English businessman turned high powered talent manager representing the likes of '80s icon Boy George and soccer superstar Pelé. A mother of two young children, Dorit balances the demands of overseeing her husband's company while parenting alongside her many nannies. Eden Sassoon, a friend of Lisa Rinna and the daughter of late style icon Vidal Sassoon, is expanding her own salon and Pilates business in an effort to continue her father's legacy. Having overcome a battle with alcoholism, the free-spirited and outspoken Eden is committed to having fun and looking for love when she is not fulfilling her parenting duties as a single mother.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The network, which hadn't premiered a soap in seven years, enlisted Irna Phillips in adapting a serial very loosely from a famous novel and movie. Love is a Many Splendored Thing concerned the in-laws of the book's protagonist Mark Elliot, who intermarried with other surrounding families in San Francisco. A stylish and refreshing story, it was a fabulous stepping stone for David Birney, Donna Mills and Leslie Charleson, all beautiful and talented young performers. Other established serial veterans on the series included Judson Laire, Gloria Hoye, Jane Manning, Albert Stratton and Paula Trueman. Its most popular producer was John Conboy, who brought his special stylish magic to The Young and the Restless.

Its head writer regimes included: Jane and Ira Avery, Don Ettinger, James Lipton, and finally Ann Marcus. After numerous cast changes alienated viewers, it was canceled and the series finale aired on March 23, 1973, after five and a half years. In its final months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

Will a New Talk Show Hosted by 'Days of our Lives' Alum Lisa Rinna Fill Meredith Vieira's Slot? Will NBC Renew 'Days' This Week?

Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna has landed a job as the host of an upcoming NBC talk show, which sources tell Page Six could ultimately be a replacement for recently-canceled The Meredith Vieira Show. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star and Days of our Lives alum will reportedly star in the new talker with Scott Wolf (Party of Five), R&B singer ­Kelis and comedian Al Jackson.

Apparently, Rinna leaked the news that she got the role — along with the rest of the cast — during a ­December interview with another Bravo star, Heather Dubrow, on her podcast, Heather Dubrow’s World. Her revelation went ­unnoticed, however, until now.

“I got a talk show,” Rinna exclaimed to Dubrow. “I auditioned my little tush off six times.” She added of the panel, “We are a motley crew . . . You would not pick us for a jury, us four. It’s just going to be fun, because you know I love to talk. What do I love more than fashion? Pop culture. Are you kidding me? I, like, died and went to heaven. I tested for this thing with so many different people, and it was the most fun.”

On Tuesday, Vieira's NBC-produced syndicated show confirmed it would not return for a third season.

Sources tell Page Six the Rinna project “could be a Meredith replacement. They were considering a panel format for Meredith’s show, but it didn’t work. They could always move the news.”

But a source close to NBC said of the new show, “Nothing has been green-lit or sold to a launch station group . . . Saying any rumored development project will launch as a replacement for Meredith is simply untrue.”

An NBC rep said, “We cannot comment on development projects.”

In New York City, Days of our Lives currently airs at 1 p.m. and serves as a lead-in to The Meredith Vieira Show. The shows air back-to-back in other markets as well, sometimes flip-flopped. But regardless of where the shows are arranged on the TV schedule, a Rinna show paired with Days could create opportunities for daytime synergy at NBC. Rinna originated the role of Billie Reed on Days in 1993, leaving two years later but returning in 2002–2003 and 2012–2013. Perhaps she could make a brief visit to Days as Billie in an effort to promote both series. CBS has featured their soap actors in episodes of The Talk and The Price is Right, which has helped created a stronger daytime programming block.

As for Days of our Lives, the iconic soap opera could use some increased effort from NBC, who has only renewed the show through September 2016. Many viewers expected (or at least hoped) NBC would announce a renewal during the show's recent 50th anniversary celebration. When that didn't happen, speculation began that the network would reveal Days' fate during NBCUniversal's upcoming presentation at the Winter 2016 Television Critics Association (TCA) tour, scheduled for January 13 and 14. If not then, when? The show tapes six months ahead and time is running out. Days brought back a number of fan favorite actors for its 50th, which lead to increased buzz and, more importantly, higher Nielsen ratings. But was it enough to convince NBC renew the show for another year, or more? The answer may be just a few days away.

'Days of our Lives' Alum Lisa Rinna: "I Hated Robert Kelker-Kelly"

Lisa Rinna doesn't mince words about her former co-star.

In a new behind-the-scenes video released by Bravo, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills stars Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna talk share "secrets" from the world of soaps, including sometimes not getting along with co-stars. While Davidson was more tactful about her relationship on The Young and the Restless (where she has played Ashley Abbott on and off since 1982), Rinna came right out and said she hated former Days of our Lives co-star Robert Kelker-Kelly (she played Billie Reed opposite his Bo Brady).

"I hated Robert Kelker-Kelly," Rinna said. "Hated him with a passion. He hated me with a passion. We were a volatile combination, and it looked like love and sexual chemistry on camera. That was some darn good acting right there."

Watch the video below:

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The network, which hadn't premiered a soap in seven years, enlisted Irna Phillips in adapting a serial very loosely from a famous novel and movie. Love is a Many Splendored Thing concerned the in-laws of the book's protagonist Mark Elliot, who intermarried with other surrounding families in San Francisco. A stylish and refreshing story, it was a fabulous stepping stone for David Birney, Donna Mills and Leslie Charleson, all beautiful and talented young performers. Other established serial veterans on the series included Judson Laire, Gloria Hoye, Jane Manning, Albert Stratton and Paula Trueman. Its most popular producer was John Conboy, who brought his special stylish magic to The Young and the Restless.

Its head writer regimes included: Jane and Ira Avery, Don Ettinger, James Lipton, and finally Ann Marcus. After numerous cast changes alienated viewers, it was canceled and the series finale aired on March 23, 1973, after five and a half years. In its final months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

NEWS: Ken Corday, Karla Mosley, Lisa Rinna, 'Empire' Ad Rates, New 'PLL' Intro

Days of our Lives viewers saw Bo Brady's face on Tuesday.

Ken Corday happy to have Peter Reckell back as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives
“Peter Reckell is part of the fabric and history of Days of our Lives and we are thrilled to have him back," says executive producer Ken Corday. "What we think has been happening with Bo hasn’t been. It’s a huge mystery, where he is and what he’s doing. That has to be solved.”

The Bold and the Beautiful star Karla Mosley: "Diversity helps everyone"
"We can look at Misty Copeland becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer for ABT. People are beginning to understand that diversity helps everyone," says Mosley. "It enriches our creative thinking, our marketing, and the more people you have with various life experiences the broader your scope is. As a businessperson it’s a smart decision."

"The LGBT community has been extremely supportive. People are seeing their story on TV or a story very similar to theirs. People love the fact that Rick and Maya are staying together. People say that’s not realistic or that would never really happen but in this situation we can say it does happen and that it happens everyday."

Lisa Rinna grateful for the foundation she received on Days of our Lives
"When I started, you'd have 20 to 40 pages of dialogue to memorize every single day," Rinna says. "You had to learn so fast. It was sink or swim… [It's] some of the hardest work you'll ever have to do."

The pressure was so great, in fact, that Rinna often broke down when she came home after an intense day of filming.

"I would come home and I would get in the bathtub and I would cry. I would have a really good cry," she admits. "It was all-consuming."

Though difficult to go through at the time, Rinna now looks back on her soap opera days as the training ground that honed her skill and gave her a strong foundation for the rest of her career.

"It prepared me for anything else," she says. "I really am grateful for that."

Bob Harper replacing Alison Sweeney as host of The Biggest Loser
"I'm super excited about taking the position of host on The Biggest Loser," Harper said in a press release about the news. "I've been with the show since Season 1, so I know all of the ins and outs, and let me tell you, the weigh-in room is going to be a completely different ballgame with me at the steering wheel."

FOX orders a drama pilot about the first female pitcher in pro baseball
The show is from The Neighbors and Galavant creator Dan Fogelman. The untitled project follows a young female pitcher who defies the odds to become the first woman to compete in professional baseball.

Pretty Little Liars is getting a new intro
"Everyone gets a turn to shhh,” says creator Marlene King.

Advertising on Empire will cost $500.000 per 30-second spot in Season 2
The last non-sports show to demand that much money was American Idol during its heyday.

'Oprah: Where Are They Now?' Season 7 Will Feature Lisa Rinna, Danny Pintauro, Debbi Morgan

Lisa Rinna, Danny Pintauro, Debbi Morgan

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will premiere an all-new season of Oprah: Where Are They Now? Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with award-winning Selma actor David Oyelowo and former Oprah show guest Ashley Smith, who was held hostage by courthouse shooter Brian Nichols 10 years ago. Days of our Lives alum Lisa Rinna will also be featured. As the World Turns child actor Danny Pintauro and All My Children star Debbi Morgan appear in following weeks.

Blow is the schedule for the first five episodes of the new season:

Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
Oprah sits down former Oprah show guest Ashley Smith and actor David Oyelowo (Selma), star of new thriller Captive based on Smith’s miraculous story of survival. Celebrity updates include “Real Housewives” star Lisa Rinna (Billie Reed on Days of our Lives) and actress Debi Mazar, plus one of the women widowed by the 9/11 attacks.

Andy Cohen: 'The Housewives Have Replaced the Modern Soap Opera in a Way for a Lot of People'

Watch What Happens: Live host and Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen appeared on CBS This Morning yesterday to promote his latest book, "The Andy Cohen Diaries."

Working as a programming executive at Bravo, Cohen became the brainchild behind one of the most talked-about reality shows on television, The Real Housewives franchise. Inspired by scripted soap operas of yesteryear, the Housewives series has become the modern-day serial broadcast drama.

"I think the Housewives have replaced the modern soap opera in a way for a lot of people," Cohen said. "Scripted soap operas, there's only a couple on the air now, and truth is stranger than fiction, which is part of the reason that I love my book, actually."

There's a grain of truth in what he says but "a couple" of soaps left? Eileen Davidson and Wally Kurth star in a couple of daytime soaps, each.

Daytime dramas have become too reliant on cliched stories from the past, like "Who's the Daddy?" tales that can also be found on trashy talk shows like Maury Povich or Bill Cunningham. There is a unique and fascinating level of depth that can be achieved with five dramatic hours a week but daytime writers mostly just scratch the surface of stories these days, taking away what makes the genre unique, and it's most powerful tool to draw in viewers.

Speaking of Davidson, she finally makes her Real Housewives of Beverly Hills debut tonight. Will there be more drama in this hour than Ashley Abbott has seen on The Young and the Restless since her full-time return in September? Sadly for Y&R fans, that's possible.

Check out a RHOBH sneak peek below of Davidson's lunch with former Days of our Lives co-star Lisa Rinna. There's a Peter Barton reference (without mentioning his name) and a brief but great 1994 Days flashback.

'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Adds Lisa Rinna & Eileen Davidson to Season 5 Cast, Watch the Trailer

Bravo's The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills premieres another season of over-the-top glamour and underhanded drama on Tuesday, November 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Yolanda Foster, Brandi Glanville, Kim Richards, Kyle Richards and Lisa Vanderpump are joined for season five by new housewives and soap stars, Lisa Rinna and Eileen Davidson. Lisa Rinna, a longtime friend of both Kyle and Lisa Vanderpump, brings her playfulness and outspokenness to the group. The entertainer, whose credits span Days Of our Lives and Melrose Place, introduces fellow newcomer, 2014 Emmy-winning Days Of our Lives compatriot Eileen Davidson.

After a sudden and secret departure from Puerto Rico at the end of last season, Lisa Vanderpump is still wary of her formerly close friends, but is beginning to reconnect with Yolanda and Kyle. She has no interest in making amends with Brandi, who is also struggling to move past her own hurt. The ladies all come face-to-face at Kyle’s annual White Party and the over-the-top event is bigger and better than ever now that Mauricio’s real estate agency is selling houses upwards of $50 million. The social event of the season brings original Beverly Hills housewives Adrienne Maloof, Camille Grammer and Taylor Armstrong back together. As unresolved issues come to the surface, Brandi is faced with making amends with both Lisa and Adrienne at the same event.

Meet the new housewives:

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of GUIDING LIGHT.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The show, created by Irna Phillips, ran until March 23, 1973. In its finale months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

1968: On Peyton Place, a confused Tom (Robert Hogan) returned home and announced he was divorcing Susan.

'Sing Your Face Off' to Premiere May 31: John Barrowman Hosts, Lisa Rinna To Transform into Dolly Parton & Britney Spears

Lisa Rinna as Britney Spears on Sing Your Face Off.  Photo
Credit: Kelsey McNeal/ABC

Sing Your Face Off, a talent variety competition featuring celebrities who are transformed and trained to perform as legendary musical icons, will premiere Saturday, May 31 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Over the course of the series, the 5 celebrities (Lisa Rinna/Days of Our Lives; Sebastian Bach/legendary rock star from the band Skid Row and Indie Series Awards nominee; Landry Fields/NBA's Toronto Raptors; Jon Lovitz/comedian, actor, singer; China Anne McClain/Disney Channel's How to Build a Better Boy) will each take on the identity of a different and iconic music performer -- the celebrities could find themselves transformed into someone far older, younger or even someone of the opposite sex.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of GUIDING LIGHT.

"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: Irna Phillips' soap LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING premiered on CBS. The show ran until March 23, 1973.

1968: On PEYTON PLACE, a confused Tom (Robert Hogan) returned home and announced he was divorcing Susan.

Lisa Rinna Approached To Join REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS

Lisa Rinna with her husband, Harry Hamlin

With cast shakeups happening for THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS, RadarOnline.com is reporting that producers want DAYS OF OUR LIVES alum Lisa Rinna to join the cast to bring on the fights.

RHOBH producers have been having trouble finding women who they think are the right caliber for the show, and the former DAYS star has been in talks to become a new housewife, with credentials that definitely fit the show.

"Lisa already knows people at Bravo and they really like her. She’s funny but she’s got a great sense of humor so she can send zingers," said a source.

Lisa Rinna Joins ALL-STAR CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

Donald Trump, executive producer and star of THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE announced today the cast of the first ever ALL-STAR CELEBRITY APPRENTICE. Favorite competitors of the past five celebrity seasons will compete to raise money for charity and earn the coveted title of “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice.”

This season’s ALL-STAR CELEBRITY APPRENTICE brings back 14 celebrity contestants to compete in business-driven tasks around New York City. Contestants will work grueling hours on mentally challenging tasks that test their ability to work together. This season has all the ingredients to be the most exciting, and interactive yet.

“This season is going to be fantastic! We will have the first ever ALL-STAR CELEBRITY APPRENTICE with 14 of the best contestants from previous seasons. It’s going to be another amazing season!” said Mr. Trump.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

On this date in...

1967: Irna Phillips' soap LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING premiered on CBS.  The show ran until March 23, 1973.

1968: On PEYTON PLACE, a confused Tom (Robert Hogan) has turned home. Watch below.

Lisa Rinna Involved in Car Accident

DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Lisa Rinna is shaken but okay after a scary car accident Friday morning.

toofab spoke with the actressafter the collision. Rinna said she was driving down Mulholland Drive after dropping her daughter Amelia off at school. A driver in the left lane next to her made a sharp right turn into Rinna's Mercedes 400. Her car was pushed off the road.

Lisa Rinna Out At DAYS OF OUR LIVES

DAYS OF OUR LIVES actress Lisa Rinna leaving the soap and the character of Billie Reed once again. She will tape her last episode on Tuesday, October 9.

Back in May Rinna and sex therapist Dr. Ian Kerner gathered at the Museum of Sex in New York City to celebrate the launch of their book, "The Big, Fun, Sexy, Sex Book."

We're sure Rinna will land a new gig very quickly.