Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: The original Doctor Who premiered.
1970: Dark Shadows' Daphne and Quentin held a seance on.
1984: Days' Stefano shot Roman, who fell off a cliff.
1988: General Hospital's Cheryl was delirious.

"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...

1963: The original Doctor Who series premiered on the BBC. The show depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship.

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) sent a letter to the Baxter family which said she did not kill Tom.

1966: On Dark Shadows, while holding Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) captive in his cottage, Matthew (Thayer David) confessed to the murder of Bill Malloy.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: The original Doctor Who premiered.
1970: Dark Shadows' Daphne and Quentin held a seance on.
1984: Days' Stefano shot Roman, who fell off a cliff.
1988: General Hospital's Cheryl was delirious.

"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...

1963: The original Doctor Who series premiered on the BBC. The show depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship.

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) sent a letter to the Baxter family which said she did not kill Tom.

1966: On Dark Shadows, while holding Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) captive in his cottage, Matthew (Thayer David) confessed to the murder of Bill Malloy.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: The original Doctor Who premiered.
1970: Dark Shadows' Daphne and Quentin held a seance on.
1984: Days' Stefano shot Roman, who fell off a cliff.
1988: General Hospital's Cheryl was delirious.

"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...

1963: The original Doctor Who series premiered on the BBC. The show depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: The original Doctor Who premiered.
1970: Dark Shadows' Daphne and Quentin held a seance on.
1984: Days' Stefano shot Roman, who fell off a cliff.
1988: General Hospital's Cheryl was delirious.

"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...

1963: The original Doctor Who series premiered on the BBC. The show depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: Doctor Who premiered. 1970: Daphne and Quentin
had a seance on Dark Shadows. 1984: Days' Stefano
shot Roman, who fell off a cliff. 1988: GH's Cheryl was delirious.

"Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years."
― Will Durant

"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: The original Doctor Who series premiered on the BBC. The show depicts the adventures of the Doctor, a Time Lord—a time-travelling humanoid alien. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

1963: DOCTOR WHO premiered. 1970: Daphne and Quentin
had a seance on DARK SHADOWS. 1984: DAYS' Stefano
shot Roman, who fell off a cliff. 1988: GH's Cheryl was delirious.

"History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside."
- John F. Kennedy

"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: The original DOCTOR WHO series premiered on the BBC.  Global broadcasters have agreed to simulcast a 3D special honoring DOCTOR WHO's 50th anniversary to avoid plot leaks or spoilers. The special will air on Saturday, November 23 at 7 p.m. on BBC1, 2 p.m. ET, 11 a.m. PT.

Hallmark Channel Tops Cable Ratings on Saturday Thanks To CEDAR COVE & 'Second Chances'

Brought together by an unusual circumstance, single mom Jenny (Alison
Sweeney) must decide if she can let love in again when she falls for
local firefighter Jeff (Greg Vaughn). - Photo: Hallmark Channel

Boosted by the network's original scripted primetime series, DEBBIE MACOMBER'S CEDAR COVE, and the original movie premiere of Second Chances, Hallmark Channel dominated cable on Saturday as the #1 cable network in primetime from 8-11 p.m. on July 27.  CEDAR COVE maintained its ratings momentum from the previous week's movie pilot debut with its first 1-hour episode ranking as the #1 series of the day and #2 program of the day on cable. Following the episode, the premiere of original movie Second Chances ranked as the #1 program on cable for Saturday and #1 movie on cable for the week.

WATCH: "Broken Promises" On DEVANITY

DEVANITY continues its third season this week with "Broken Promises." Jason is awake and has the loving reunion with Lara you might expect. Watch the drama unfold below:

WATCH: "Clash of the Tyrants" On DEVANITY

DEVANITY continues its third season this week with "Clash of the Tyrants." Maxwell Caulfield guest stars as patriarch Richard DeVanity, and Indie Soap Award nominee Robin Riker is back as Angelica Roth. Meanwhile, Kyle Lowder returns as the twisted Andrew Regis. Watch all the drama unfold below:

WATCH: DEVANITY Interviews With Charlene Tilton, Gordon Thompson, Maxwell Caulfield & Robin Riker

DEVANITY was nominated for nine Indie Soap Awards for its phenomenal second season. The hit web series returns on January 10 for Season 3 and have been offering backstage looks at some of the shows biggest guest stars. Watch new interviews with Charlene Tilton (DALLAS), Gordon Thomson (DYNASTY, SANTA BARBARA), ISA nominee Robin Riker (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) and Maxwell Caulfield (THE COLBYS) below:

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

On this date in...

1963: The original DOCTOR WHO series premiered on the BBC.

1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Susan Trustman) sent a letter to the Baxter family which said she did not kill Tom.

1984: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Andre  (Thaao Penghlis) presumably died when he fell into quicksand following a fight with Tony (Thaao Penghlis).

Maxwell Caulfield Joins DEVANITY Cast For Season 3

Maxwell Caulfield, star of DYNASTY spin-off, THE COLBYS, and EMMERDALE, will be guest starring on the upcoming third season of DEVANITY as patriarch Richard DeVanity.

Star of film, television, and stage, Maxwell Caulfield broke out onto the scene playing Michael Carrington in Grease 2, before being cast as infamous jet setter Miles Colby on the THE COLBYS. The actor is also no stranger to the British soap scene having starred on long running series CASUALTY and  EMMERDALE . Caulfield is also an accomplished international stage actor with roles in smash hits "An Inspector Calls," "Chicago," and most recently "Cactus Flower."

Today in Soap Opera History (November 23)

On this date in...

1963: The original DOCTOR WHO series premiered.

1993: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the Abbotts were concerned about John, and Paul was worried about April.