Today in Soap Opera History (March 23)

1973: CBS aired the final episodes of Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for a baby switch storyline.

"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 Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 1)

1967: Love is a Many Splendored Thing's Iris crashed her car.
1975: As the World Turns expanded to an hour.
1975: The Edge of Night premieres on a new network, ABC.
1994: One Life to Live's Viki and Sloan were ready to marry.

"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...

1967: On As the World Turns, after receiving a call from his ex-wife, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), who sounded very sick, Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) prepared to go to her apartment and check on her. He convinced his father, Chris, not to mention anything to Bob's mother, Nancy, because it was probably nothing and Bob didn't want Nancy worrying. Arriving at Lisa's apartment, Bob was perplexed by her serious cough and did a routine examination on her which indicated she had pneumonia. Bob said it was imperative that Lisa get to the hospital for a thorough examination but she refused to leave the apartment. He couldn't understand why she refused to go to the hospital, but the reason became clear when Lisa told him she was pregnant. Bob was shocked by Lisa's news and couldn't understand why she would let herself become pregnant again. Bob arranged for Lisa to have a private room at the hospital and she reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Chris and Pa talked about the mystery behind Sandy's disappearance and whether she would show up for the holiday season.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 10)

1975: One Live to Live's Tony and Pat got reacquainted.
1984: Guiding Light's Lillian and Phillip mourned Beth.
1995: Y&R's Victor vowed to prove Nick didn't shoot Matt.
2003: "Death" came for Sheridan Crane on Passions.

"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...

1932: General Mills-sponsored Betty and Bob debuted on NBC Blue radio. It was the first daytime show to be produced by Frank Hummert and Anne Ashenhurst. Married in 1935, the Hummerts became known as the "King & Queen of Soaps". Betty and Bob was the first true network soap opera on the air, using melodrama at its core.

1972: Victoria Thompson debuted as Janice Frame on Another World.

1975: On One Life to Live, Tony Lord (George Reinholt) got reacquainted with his ex-girlfriend and new editor of The Banner, as Pat Ashley. Pat was played by Jacqueline Courtney, who had departed Another World in July after playing Alice Matthews for 11 years. Reinholt played Steve Frame on Another World for seven years, and his pairing with Courtney as Steve and Alice was one of the most popular in soap opera history.

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 (March 23)

1973: CBS aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"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 Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.

John Conboy Dead at 83

John Conboy, an executive producer known for his work on soap operas The Young and the Restless, Santa Barbara, Guiding Light and Capitol, died Friday in Palm Desert, California. He was 83.

Conboy won four Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the soap operas: his first for The ABC Afternoon Playbreak, two for The Young and the Restless and one for Santa Barbara.

After beginning his television career as an actor, he made the switch to producing in 1970 on Love is a Many Splendored Thing. He then moved to The Young and the Restless in 1973, winning Emmys in 1975 and 1983 for outstanding daytime drama. In 1982, he left the show to executive produce Capitol, which ran for five years.

Conboy went on to executive produce Santa Barbara, winning his fourth Emmy in 1990 for daytime drama. He returned to CBS to produce Guiding Light.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 1)

1967: Love is a Many Splendored Thing's Iris crashed her car.
1975: As the World Turns expanded to an hour.
1975: The Edge of Night premieres on a new network, ABC.
1994: One Life to Live's Viki and Sloan were ready to marry.

"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 As the World Turns, after receiving a call from his ex-wife, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), who sounded very sick, Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) prepared to go to her apartment and check on her. He convinced his father, Chris, not to mention anything to Bob's mother, Nancy, because it was probably nothing and Bob didn't want Nancy worrying. Arriving at Lisa's apartment, Bob was perplexed by her serious cough and did a routine examination on her which indicated she had pneumonia. Bob said it was imperative that Lisa get to the hospital for a thorough examination but she refused to leave the apartment. He couldn't understand why she refused to go to the hospital, but the reason became clear when Lisa told him she was pregnant. Bob was shocked by Lisa's news and couldn't understand why she would let herself become pregnant again. Bob arranged for Lisa to have a private room at the hospital and she reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Chris and Pa talked about the mystery behind Sandy's disappearance and whether she would show up for the holiday season.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 10)

1975: One Live to Live's Tony and Pat got reacquainted.
1984: Guiding Light's Lillian and Phillip mourned Beth.
1995: Y&R's Victor vowed to prove Nick didn't shoot Matt.
2003: "Death" came for Sheridan Crane on Passions.

"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...

1932: General Mills-sponsored Betty and Bob debuted on NBC Blue radio. It was the first daytime show to be produced by Frank Hummert and Anne Ashenhurst. Married in 1935, the Hummerts became known as the "King & Queen of Soaps". Betty and Bob was the first true network soap opera on the air, using melodrama at its core.

1972: Victoria Thompson debuted as Janice Frame on Another World.

1975: On One Life to Live, Tony Lord (George Reinholt) got reacquainted with his ex-girlfriend and new editor of The Banner, as Pat Ashley. Pat was played by Jacqueline Courtney, who had departed Another World in July after playing Alice Matthews for 11 years. Reinholt played Steve Frame on Another World for seven years, and his pairing with Courtney as Steve and Alice was one of the most popular in soap opera history.

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.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 23)

1973: CBS aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline.

"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 Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.

Alice Drummond Dead at 88

Alice Drummond

Actress Alice Drummond died on Wednesday at her home in the Bronx due to complications following a fall that she survived two months ago, according to the New York Times. She was 88.

A native of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Drummond graduated from Pembroke College in 1950, which has since merged with Brown University.

Her first break into television came in 1967 when she landed the role of Nurse Jackson on the ABC soap opera Dark Shadows. Drummond later appeared on other soaps including CBS' As the World Turns and Love is a Many Splendored Thing. Her only starring daytime role came on CBS sudser Where the Heart Is. She played Loretta Jardin, Peter's aunt, who was a high school teacher and recovering alcoholic. The series was canceled in 1973 to make room for The Young and the Restless in the network's lineup.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 1)

1967: Love is a Many Splendored Thing's Iris crashed her car.
1975: As the World Turns expanded to an hour.
1975: The Edge of Night premieres on a new network, ABC.
1994: One Life to Live's Viki and Sloan were ready to marry.

"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 As the World Turns, after receiving a call from his ex-wife, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), who sounded very sick, Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) prepared to go to her apartment and check on her. He convinced his father, Chris, not to mention anything to Bob's mother, Nancy, because it was probably nothing and Bob didn't want Nancy worrying. Arriving at Lisa's apartment, Bob was perplexed by her serious cough and did a routine examination on her which indicated she had pneumonia. Bob said it was imperative that Lisa get to the hospital for a thorough examination but she refused to leave the apartment. He couldn't understand why she refused to go to the hospital, but the reason became clear when Lisa told him she was pregnant. Bob was shocked by Lisa's news and couldn't understand why she would let herself become pregnant again. Bob arranged for Lisa to have a private room at the hospital and she reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Chris and Pa talked about the mystery behind Sandy's disappearance and whether she would show up for the holiday season.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 10)

1975: One Live to Live's Tony and Pat got reacquainted.
1984: Guiding Light's Lillian and Phillip mourned Beth.
1995: Y&R's Victor vowed to prove Nick didn't shoot Matt.
2003: "Death" came for Sheridan Crane on Passions.

"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...

1932: General Mills-sponsored Betty and Bob debuted on NBC Blue radio. It was the first daytime show to be produced by Frank Hummert and Anne Ashenhurst. Married in 1935, the Hummerts became known as the "King & Queen of Soaps". Betty and Bob was the first true network soap opera on the air, using melodrama at its core.

1972: Victoria Thompson debuted as Janice Frame on Another World.

1975: On One Life to Live, Tony Lord (George Reinholt) got reacquainted with his ex-girlfriend and new editor of The Banner, as Pat Ashley. Pat was played by Jacqueline Courtney, who had departed Another World in July after playing Alice Matthews for 11 years. Reinholt played Steve Frame on Another World for seven years, and his pairing with Courtney as Steve and Alice was one of the most popular in soap opera history.

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.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 23)

1973: CBS aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline.

"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 Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 1)

1967: Love is a Many Splendored Thing's Iris crashed her car.
1975: As the World Turns expanded to an hour.
1975: The Edge of Night premieres on a new network, ABC.
1994: One Life to Live's Viki and Sloan were ready to marry.

"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...

1967: On As the World Turns, after receiving a call from his ex-wife, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), who sounded very sick, Bob Hughes (Don Hastings) prepared to go to her apartment and check on her. He convinced his father, Chris, not to mention anything to Bob's mother, Nancy, because it was probably nothing and Bob didn't want Nancy worrying. Arriving at Lisa's apartment, Bob was perplexed by her serious cough and did a routine examination on her which indicated she had pneumonia. Bob said it was imperative that Lisa get to the hospital for a thorough examination but she refused to leave the apartment. He couldn't understand why she refused to go to the hospital, but the reason became clear when Lisa told him she was pregnant. Bob was shocked by Lisa's news and couldn't understand why she would let herself become pregnant again. Bob arranged for Lisa to have a private room at the hospital and she reluctantly agreed. Meanwhile, Chris and Pa talked about the mystery behind Sandy's disappearance and whether she would show up for the holiday season.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 10)

1975: One Live to Live's Tony and Pat got reacquainted.
1984: Guiding Light's Lillian and Phillip mourned Beth.
1995: Y&R's Victor vowed to prove Nick didn't shoot Matt.
2003: "Death" came for Sheridan Crane on Passions.

"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...

1932: General Mills-sponsored Betty and Bob debuted on NBC Blue radio. It was the first daytime show to be produced by Frank Hummert and Anne Ashenhurst. Married in 1935, the Hummerts became known as the "King & Queen of Soaps". Betty and Bob was the first true network soap opera on the air, using melodrama at its core.

1972: Victoria Thompson debuted as Janice Frame on Another World.

1975: On One Life to Live, Tony Lord (George Reinholt) got reacquainted with his ex-girlfriend and new editor of The Banner, as Pat Ashley. Pat was played by Jacqueline Courtney, who had departed Another World in July after playing Alice Matthews for 11 years. Reinholt played Steve Frame on Another World for seven years, and his pairing with Courtney as Steve and Alice was one of the most popular in soap opera history.

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.

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 6)

Dark Shadows starred Louis Edmonds and Joan Bennett as siblings
Roger Collins and Elizabeth Collins Stoddard.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

The Soap Box
Vol. III No. 10 September 1978
by John Genovese

(continued from Part 5)

1966
The final attempt at serial anthology to date was Confidential for Women, which stuck it out a few months on ABC. It involved week-long stories based on cases of co-narrator Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin. Jane Wyatt was the key narrator.

On June 27, 1966, ABC instituted another fad. Fortunately, it was a long-running and commercially successful fad in daytime. It was Dark Shadows, created by Dan Curtis and produced by Robert Costello. The spooky, campy account of ghastly doings in the Collingwood mansion, it made stars out of Jonathan Frid, David Selby, Kate Jackson, Donna McKechnie and Roger Davis, and was graced by such "established" talents as Joan Bennett, Grayson Hall, Clarice Beckham, Anthony George and Jerry Lacy. It ended April 2, 1971, when it was decided the show ran its course.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 23)

1973: CBS aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas
Where the Heart Is and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
1987: The Bold and the Beautiful premiered on CBS.
2004: All My Children and One Life to Live came together for
a baby switch storyline.

"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...

1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On The Inner Flame, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.