Today in Soap Opera History (September 24)

1951: Love of Life premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Doug and Annie declared their love.
1981: General Hospital's Alan proposed to Susan.
1986: Another World's Mitch met his son, Matthew.

"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...

1951: Daytime soap opera Love of Life, created by Roy Winsor, premiered on CBS, three weeks after Search for Tomorrow debuted on the network. Both shows started as 15-minute serials but Love of Life would expand to 30 minutes in 1958, and remain a half hour until its final episode on February 1, 1980. None of the original actors stayed from beginning to end but director Larry Auerbach did. He went on to direct several other New York soaps before retiring the late 1990s. He was among those interviewed by Dustin Hoffman for the soap opera comedy, Tootsie.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 5)

1935: Backstage Wife premiered.
1985: Days of our Lives' Tony and Anna were married.
1994: All My Children's Erica found her mother, Mona, dead.
2002: Passions' Timmy died.

"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...

1935: Radio soap opera Backstage Wife premiered on the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS). The show moved to NBC Blue in 1936, NBC in 1938 and CBS in 1955, where it ran until January 2, 1959. Created by Frank and Anne Hummert, each episode opened with the announcer (Pierre Andre, Roger Krupp, Stuart V. Dawson) explaining:

Now, we present once again, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble, a little Iowa girl who married one of America's most handsome actors, Larry Noble, matinee idol of a million other women — the story of what it means to be the wife of a famous star.

Vivian Fridell had the title role from 1935 until the early 1940s. It was then taken over by Claire Niesen, who continued as Mary Noble until the end of the series. Mary's husband, Larry Noble, was portrayed by Ken Griffin, then James Meighan and finally, Guy Sorel. The music was supplied by organist Chet Kingsbury.

According to "The A to Z of American Radio Soap Operas," this was one of the Hummert's favorite themes - taking a girl from Podunk and wedding her above her social class. The opening was later shorted to:

And now, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble, and what it means to be the wife of a famous star.

1965: On Peyton Place, Vincent Markham (Leslie Nielsen) and his twin brother, Kenneth, were reunited at Doctor's Hospital.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 20)

1984: All My Children's Erica was curious about Adam's first wife.
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding.

"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...

1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation president running away and having a broken back that brought me to the hospital. Pritchett returned to The Doctors on July 9, 1963, as Dr. Matt Powers when the serial was still was still a one-story-a-week show.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Adele Pike's (Jo Helton) plan backfired.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1966: Another World became the first daytime soap opera to make the transition to color broadcasts from black and white.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas gave Maggie a music box.
1984: Guiding Light's Nola wanted help from The Wizard.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden was unhappy after her interrupted wedding.
1996: Victor clashed with Jill in a primetime Y&R episode.

"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...

1952: On Young Widder Brown, after leaving the Tea Room in a black rage, Dr. Anthony Loring drove out to the farm of Uncle Josh for some comforting advice.

1953: On Love of Life, Vanessa Dale (Peggy McCay) attempted to help her nephew, Beanie (Dennis Parnell), but her efforts nearly backfired.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 20)

1953: Love of Life's Vanessa waited for news about Beanie.
1987: ATWT's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital.

"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: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife, after a five and a half year run.

1953: On Love of Life, with Beaning (Dennis Parnell) missing, a tense Meg Harper (Jean McBride) complained that her sister, Vanessa Dale (Peggy McCay), was snapping at her "like a snotty little puppy."

Jed Allan Dead at 84

Jed Allan, known for his roles on soap operas Days of our Lives and Santa Barbara, died Saturday in Palm Desert, CA. He was 84.

His son Rick Brown wrote on Facebook, "so sorry to post the very sad news of my father's passing tonight. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family and loved so much by us and so many others."

Allan spent many years working on daytime dramas, starting with the role of Ace Hubbard on Love of Life in 1964. He then played Paul Britton on The Secret storm from 1964-1965. He joined Days of our Lives in 1971 as attorney Don Craig, and played the role until April 17, 1985.

"My fondest memory is of the time when Marlena and I got together when she first came on the show," Allan said of his Days experience. "We had a great rapport and great comedy sense. Those five years were quite wonderful, and stand out as one of those better times in my career."

Deidre Hall, who still plays Dr. Marlena Evans, poignantly shared her thoughts on Allan's passing.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 8)

1974: CBS aired the final episode of The Secret Storm.
1978: UK serial Grange Hill premiered.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Frank was devastated over Jill.
1995: Days of our Lives' Sami and Lucas had sex.

"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 Love of Life, Ben (David Lewis, who later won a Daytime Emmy Award for his portrayal of Edward Quartermaine on General Hospital) gave Judith (Virginia Robinson) a warning, and Paul (Richard Coogan) received pressure to marry Judith from her father.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 15)

1953: Love of Life's Meg was upset with Vanessa.
1983: Guiding Light's Mike investigated a birth certificate.
1988: General Hospital's Grant tried to kidnap Robin.
1993: NBC aired the final episode of Santa Barbara.

"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...

1953: On Love of Life, Van (Peggy McCay) and Meg (Jean McBride) were at odds over Meg's son, Beanie (Dennis Parnell). Meg later asked Van, "How can you go on being friends with a man who threatened my life?" McCay left Love of Life in 1955 after 4 years. She currently stars as Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives.

Katherine MacGregor Dead at 93

Katherine "Scottie" MacGregor, the actress who portrayed Harriet Oleson on NBC's Little House on the Prairie, has died at the age of 93. MacGregor died Tuesday in Woodland Hills, California, her representative confirmed to NBC News. She was residing at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's retirement home. No cause of death was announced.

MacGregor portrayed the gossipy and mean-spirited Harriet across all nine seasons of Little House on the Prairie on 153 episodes. Her character was the wife of general store owner Nels Oleson, portrayed by Richard Bull.

MacGregor was unable to appear on the final episode of the series in 1983 due to being on a pilgrimage in India. She retired from acting after the show ended and only acted again in the 2014 short film The Lottery.

The actress also appeared in film On the Waterfront and had guest-starring roles on East Side/West Side, Mannix, Emergency!, All in the Family and Ironside. She also appeared on the CBS daytime soap opera Love of Life as Tammy Forrest.

Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie, paid tribute to MacGregor on Instagram.

"This woman taught me so much... about acting... vintage jewelry...life. She was outspoken and hilariously funny. A truly gifted actress as she was able to play a despicable character but with so much heart. Her Harriet Oleson was the woman our fans loved to hate. A perfect antagonist," Gilbert said. "I really loved her and I find great comfort knowing that she is at peace and, per her beliefs, her soul has moved on to its next incarnation. Farewell Scottie. I hope with all my heart we meet again next time."

Today in Soap Opera History (November 13)

1985: Santa Barbara's Brick & Amy were married.
1995: Loving spinoff The City premiered on ABC.
1998: Guiding Light's Danny met Michelle.
2003: One Life to Live's Blair married Walker.

"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...

1942: On Clara, Lu and Em, Emma "Em" Krueger (Helen King) threw a party.

1964: On Another World, Mitchell Dru (Geoffrey Lumb) asked John Randolph to take on Pat Matthew's case. Michael M. Ryan and Gaye Huston made their first appearances as John and Lee Randolph.

Peggy McCay Dead at 90

Peggy McCay, who played Caroline Brady on Days of our Lives for over 30 years, died on October 7 of natural causes. She was 90.

Her Days co-star and close friend Deidre Hall made the announcement on Facebook, writing: "Our dearest Peggy McCay has left us. She was a friend, an activist and a real scrapper!!
I remember meeting her at the bedside of a dear, very ill friend. I backed her up as she ferociously took on doctors and nurses to make sure he had the very best care. She fought that hard for all her causes. Passionate and tireless. And how she loved being 'Caroline'!!"

McCay studied with Lew Strasberg in New York and later assisted in setting up his west coast acting studio, which was attended by such luminaries as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and Paul Newman.

From 1951 to 1955 McCay starred on CBS soap opera Love of Life as Vanessa Dale, whose battles with sister Meg were the center of the show's early years. Her later daytime roles included Susan Garret on The Young Marrieds and Iris Fairchild on General Hospital.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 6)

1986: Capitol's Clarissa found a voodoo doll in her bed.
1994: GH's Bobbie & Tony mourned BJ on her birthday.
2010: The "Train Crash" episode of Emmerdale.
2011: One Life to Live's Cord & Tina revisited the past.

"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...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Burke Devlin (Mitchell Ryan) told Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) that Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) may have kept the expensive fountain pen for himself on the night Bill Malloy died.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 24)

1951: Love of Life premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Doug and Annie declared their love.
1981: General Hospital's Alan proposed to Susan.
1986: Another World's Mitch met his son, Matthew.

"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...

1951: Daytime soap opera Love of Life, created by Roy Winsor, premiered on CBS, three weeks after Search for Tomorrow debuted on the network. Both shows started as 15-minute serials but Love of Life would expand to 30 minutes in 1958, and remain a half hour until its final episode on February 1, 1980. None of the original actors stayed from beginning to end but director Larry Auerbach did. He went on to direct several other New York soaps before retiring the late 1990s. He was among those interviewed by Dustin Hoffman for the soap opera comedy, Tootsie.

Virginia Robinson Dead at 99

Virginia Robinson in Broad City

Virginia Robinson died peacefully in her home in New York City on June 8. She was 99.

Robinson was a New York City resident for over sixty years and a working actress from ages 19 to 98. She was born Virginia Routh on March 27, 1919, in Newark, New Jersey. She trained in London, and was acting and modeling professionally by the age of 19.

During World War II, Robinson was a member of the USO, entertaining troops in Africa and Italy. After the war she worked for the Dupont Radio Hour, and began a serious acting career.

She performed in fifteen Broadway plays, working with such directors as Elia Kazan, Franco Zefferelli, John Gielgud and George S. Kaufman. She was a standby for Vivien Leigh in "Duel of Angels." She also worked Off-Broadway and in Regional Theatre.

She appeared in numerous films, including Diary of a Mad Housewife, and spent many years in daytime drama, where she had long-term roles on Love of Life and Loving. From 1954 to 1957 she starred on Love of Life as Judith Lodge Raven, the ex-wife of Paul Raven, who was now in love with Vanessa Dale.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 8)

1969: Where the Heart Is premiered. 1983: Paul's fiancée
died on The Young and the Restless.  1986: Ilene Kristen
returned to Ryan's Hope as Delia.  2009: General 
Hospital's Edward passed out at the wheel of his car as it
approached the carnival.

"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 day in...

1966: Star Trek premiered on NBC. Among the many memorable guest stars in the series that also starred on daytime soaps were Kathryn Hays, Michael Forest, Marj Dusay, Michael Zaslow, Glenn Corbett, Gary Pillar and Mary Linda Rapelye.

1967: On Another World, Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) raked Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) over the coals for ruining Missy Palmer's life.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 5)

1935: Backstage Wife premiered.
1985: Days of our Lives' Tony and Anna were married.
1994: All My Children's Erica found her mother, Mona, dead.
2002: Passions' Timmy died.

"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...

1935: Radio soap opera Backstage Wife premiered on the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS). The show moved to NBC Blue in 1936, NBC in 1938 and CBS in 1955, where it ran until January 2, 1959. Created by Frank and Anne Hummert, each episode opened with the announcer (Pierre Andre, Roger Krupp, Stuart V. Dawson) explaining:

Now, we present once again, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble, a little Iowa girl who married one of America's most handsome actors, Larry Noble, matinee idol of a million other women — the story of what it means to be the wife of a famous star.

Vivian Fridell had the title role from 1935 until the early 1940s. It was then taken over by Claire Niesen, who continued as Mary Noble until the end of the series. Mary's husband, Larry Noble, was portrayed by Ken Griffin, then James Meighan and finally, Guy Sorel. The music was supplied by organist Chet Kingsbury.

According to "The A to Z of American Radio Soap Operas," this was one of the Hummert's favorite themes - taking a girl from Podunk and wedding her above her social class. The opening was later shorted to:

And now, Backstage Wife, the story of Mary Noble, and what it means to be the wife of a famous star.

1965: On Peyton Place, Vincent Markham (Leslie Nielsen) and his twin brother, Kenneth, were reunited at Doctor's Hospital.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 20)

1984: All My Children's Erica was curious about Adam's first wife.
1990: General Hospital's Frisco planned a surprise for Felicia.
1994: Days of our Lives' Alice found Tom dead in their bedroom.
2003: The Young and the Restless' Jill tried to stop a wedding.

"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...

1963: James Pritchett made his first appearance on NBC soap opera The Doctors. He played a corporation president running away and having a broken back that brought me to the hospital. Pritchett returned to The Doctors on July 9, 1963, as Dr. Matt Powers when the serial was still was still a one-story-a-week show.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Adele Pike's (Jo Helton) plan backfired.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1966: Another World became the first daytime soap opera to make the transition to color broadcasts from black and white.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 22)

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas gave Maggie a music box.
1984: Guiding Light's Nola wanted help from The Wizard.
1985: Santa Barbara's Eden was unhappy after her interrupted wedding.
1996: Victor clashed with Jill in a primetime Y&R episode.

"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...

1952: On Young Widder Brown, after leaving the Tea Room in a black rage, Dr. Anthony Loring drove out to the farm of Uncle Josh for some comforting advice.

1953: On Love of Life, Vanessa Dale (Peggy McCay) attempted to help her nephew, Beanie (Dennis Parnell), but her efforts nearly backfired.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 20)

1953: Love of Life's Vaness waited for news about Beanie.
1987: ATWT's John pulled Lucinda into a hot tub, then married her.
1987: CBS aired the final episode of Capitol.
1990: General Hospital's Lucy resigned from the hospital.

"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...

1942: NBC's Blue Network aired the final episode of radio soap opera John's Other Wife, after a five and a half year run.

1953: On Love of Life, with Beaning (Dennis Parnell) missing, a tense Meg Harper (Jean McBride) complained that her sister, Vanessa Dale (Peggy McCay), was snapping at her "like a snotty little puppy."

Today in Soap Opera History (February 8)

1974: CBS aired the final episode of The Secret Storm.
1978: UK serial Grange Hill premiered.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Frank was devastated over Jill. 
1995: Days of our Lives' Sami and Lucas had sex.

"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 Love of Life, Ben (David Lewis, who later won a Daytime Emmy Award for his portrayal of Edward Quartermaine on General Hospital) gave Judith (Virginia Robinson) a warning, and Paul (Richard Coogan) received pressure to marry Judith from her father.