Today in Soap Opera History (July 22)

1968: Peyton Place's Rodney and Norman had a motorcycle crash.
1986: Y&R's Who's The Daddy story was featured in Mr. Mom.
2008: A car crashed into GH on General Hospital: Night Shift.
2013: All My Children's Cassandra wanted an abortion.

"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...

1946: On radio soap opera Rosemary, Rosemary Dawson (Betty Winkler) and her artist friend, Brad, took a train to Penn Station in New York City.

1965: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) remembered her days in Bedfordtown.

'Always Young and Restless': Melody Thomas Scott Memoir Coming Summer 2020

Longtime The Young and the Restless star Melody Thomas Scott has written a memoir, Always Young and Restless, which will be released next summer. The book, written with Dana L. Davis, covers her career and life struggles from a child actress (i.e. Hitchcock's Marnie) to becoming the longest-serving actress on daytime's top-rated drama series (she's played Nikki Newman on Y&R since 1979). Stay tuned!

Today in Soap Opera History (April 18)

1961: As the World Turns Lisa clashed with Ellen.
1967: Jonathan Frid debuted as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows.
1990: General Hospital's Robin tried to save Casey.
1991: Another World's Jake wanted another chance with Marley.

"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...

1961: On As the World Turns, Lisa Hughes (Eileen Fulton) told her in-laws, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Nancy (Helen Wagner), she was convinced they were having a boy. Lisa told Chris she would love to name the baby after him. Later, Lisa complained to Penny (Rosemary Prinz) that they weren't close enough but upset Penny when she complained about Ellen.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 27)

1968: Dark Shadow' Victoria was found guilty of witchcraft.
1973: Guiding Light's Bauer family attended Papa Bauer's funeral.
1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo was rescued from a flood.
2008: Days of our Lives' Caroline said goodbye to Shawn.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) collapsed after the judges found her guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to be hanged until dead.

'The Young and the Restless' Celebrates 40 Years of Melody Thomas Scott

The Young and the Restless is celebrating Melody Thomas Scott's 40th anniversary in the role of Nikki Newman on Wednesday's episode.

"It's going to be an incredible walk down memory lane," the actress promised in a video on social media.

Check out a preview below.

The Glamour! The Drama! The Hairstyles! Don't miss or special episode today celebrating all things @MelodyThomasSco and Nikki Reed Newman! #YR @CBSDaytime pic.twitter.com/lz5ug2iu6b

— Young & The Restless (@YRInsider) February 20, 2019

Today in Soap Opera History (October 12)

1953: Valiant Lady premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa was spooked
1981: David Canary debuted on Another World as Steve Frame.
1993: Days of our Lives' Jack Deveraux left Salem.

"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...

1950: NBC aired the final primetime episode of Hawkins Falls, one of network television's first successful soap operas. The show premiered in June 1950 as an hour-long weekly nighttime drama in a summer replacement slot but was cut back to a half-hour in August until the end of its run. Hawkins Falls returned to the air in April 1951 as a fifteen-minute weekday soap for NBC.

1953: Daytime soap opera Valiant Lady premiered on CBS-TV. The series--created by Allan Chase, produced by Leonard Blair, and directed by Ted Corday, Herb Kenwith and Ira Cirker--was sponsored by Toni and General Mills. Nancy Coleman (later Flora Campbell) starred as Helen Emerson, widow of an inventor and mother of three children, who found a source of income in the lock washer her husband had devised. The prestigious cast included James Kirkwood Jr., Sue Randall, Earl Hammond, Dolores Sutton, Helen Wagner, Jerome Cowan, Martin Balsam, Margaret Hamilton, Abby Lewis, and Lawrence Weber.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 22)

1968: Peyton Place's Rodney and Norman had a motorcycle crash.
1986: Y&R's Who's The Daddy story was featured in Mr. Mom.
2008: A car crashed into GH on General Hospital: Night Shift.
2013: All My Children's Cassandra wanted an abortion.

"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...

1946: On radio soap opera Rosemary, Rosemary Dawson (Betty Winkler) and her artist friend, Brad, took a train to Penn Station in New York City.

1965: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) remembered her days in Bedfordtown.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 18)

1961: As the World Turns Lisa clashed with Ellen.
1967: Jonathan Frid debuted as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows.
1990: General Hospital's Robin tried to save Casey.
1991: Another World's Jake wanted another chance with Marley.

"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...

1961: On As the World Turns, Lisa Hughes (Eileen Fulton) told her in-laws, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Nancy (Helen Wagner), she was convinced they were having a boy. Lisa told Chris she would love to name the baby after him. Later, Lisa complained to Penny (Rosemary Prinz) that they weren't close enough but upset Penny when she complained about Ellen.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 27)

1968: Dark Shadow' Victoria was found guilty of witchcraft.
1973: Guiding Light's Bauer family attended Papa Bauer's funeral.
1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo was rescued from a flood.
2008: Days of our Lives' Caroline said goodbye to Shawn.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) collapsed after the judges found her guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to be hanged until dead.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 12)

1953: Valiant Lady premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa was spooked
1981: David Canary debuted on Another World as Steve Frame.
1993: Days of our Lives' Jack Deveraux left Salem.

"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...

1950: NBC aired the final primetime episode of Hawkins Falls, one of network television's first successful soap operas. The show premiered in June 1950 as an hour-long weekly nighttime drama in a summer replacement slot but was cut back to a half-hour in August until the end of its run. Hawkins Falls returned to the air in April 1951 as a fifteen-minute weekday soap for NBC.

1953: Daytime soap opera Valiant Lady premiered on CBS-TV. The series--created by Allan Chase, produced by Leonard Blair, and directed by Ted Corday, Herb Kenwith and Ira Cirker--was sponsored by Toni and General Mills. Nancy Coleman (later Flora Campbell) starred as Helen Emerson, widow of an inventor and mother of three children, who found a source of income in the lock washer her husband had devised. The prestigious cast included James Kirkwood Jr., Sue Randall, Earl Hammond, Dolores Sutton, Helen Wagner, Jerome Cowan, Martin Balsam, Margaret Hamilton, Abby Lewis, and Lawrence Weber.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 22)

1968: Peyton Place's Rodney and Norman had a motorcycle crash.
1986: Y&R's Who's The Daddy story was featured in Mr. Mom.
2008: A car crashed into GH on General Hospital: Night Shift.
2013: All My Children's Cassandra wanted an abortion.

"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...

1946: On radio soap opera Rosemary, Rosemary Dawson (Betty Winkler) and her artist friend, Brad, took a train to Penn Station in New York City.

1965: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) remembered her days in Bedfordtown.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 18)

1961: As the World Turns Lisa clashed with Ellen.
1967: Jonathan Frid debuted as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows.
1990: General Hospital's Robin tried to save Casey.
1991: Another World's Jake wanted another chance with Marley.

"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...

1961: On As the World Turns, Lisa Hughes (Eileen Fulton) told her in-laws, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Nancy (Helen Wagner), she was convinced they were having a boy. Lisa told Chris she would love to name the baby after him. Later, Lisa complained to Penny (Rosemary Prinz) that they weren't close enough but upset Penny when she complained about Ellen.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 27)

1968: Dark Shadow' Victoria was found guilty of witchcraft.
1973: Guiding Light's Bauer family attended Papa Bauer's funeral.
1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo was rescued from a flood.
2008: Days of our Lives' Caroline said goodbye to Shawn.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) collapsed after the judges found her guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to be hanged until dead.

An Iconic Episode of 'The Young and the Restless' Airs on Friday! CBS Returns to the "Classics" with Victor & Nikki's First Wedding

Eric Braeden and Melody Thomas Scott star as Victor and Nikki Newman
on The Young and the Restless.

When encore episodes of our daytime soap operas first started airing during the holidays years ago, fans missed having a new original episode to watch those days but were happy to see some true classics once again. With most of the daytime drama episode archive unavailable to watch online or for purchase, it was a real treat to see these blast from the past memories that had remained tucked away for a long time. In recent years, the networks moved away from classics, choosing to air fairly (or very) recently aired episodes instead. Friday's repeat of The Bold and the Beautiful was first broadcast in July. A November episode of General Hospital was chosen by ABC for another viewing. CBS will buck that annoying trend on Friday, December 30, when the network replays Victor and Nikki's iconic first wedding on The Young and the Restless, which aired back in 1984 and achieved record ratings (reportedly 20+ million) that no network has matched since.

Note: Y&R will air at 10 a.m. PT for viewers on the West Coast.

A favorite of many viewers to this day, the wedding episode brought back beloved former cast members, included flashbacks from Victor and Nikki's love story, and was a pure delight to watch for the show's expanding audience. Returnees included Jaime Lyn Bauer, Victoria Mallory, Trish Stewart and Pamela Peters Solow, who played Lorie, Leslie, Chris and Peggy Brooks; Roberta Leighton, who was Dr. Casey Reed; Hank Underwood, who was Leroy; Beau Kayzer, who was Brock Reynolds; Joe LaDue, who played Derek Thurston; and Karl Bruck, who was known simply as the Maestro.

In the episode, Casey is helping Nikki, a nervous, but ecstatically happy bride, get ready for her wedding. Victor is equally nervous, but for other reasons. He just found out that Eve Howard has escaped from the mental institution and will most likely try to disrupt the wedding. In fact, unbeknownst to everyone, Eve is in the house and circulating amongst the guests, in disguise as one of the waitstaff. The wedding itself is an extravagant affair that leaves all the guests in awe. However, the wedding holds different meanings for several guests: Julia is reluctant to go see her ex-husband and his new bride; Ashley and Eric celebrate Victor and Nikki's union while looking forward to their own upcoming wedding; Lorie uses the party as a networking opportunity; and Eve skulks around the mansion, plotting Nikki's murder. As it turns out, the wedding is perfect, from Nikki's elaborate dress, and the couple's personal wedding vows, to Gina Roma's rendition of "Through the Eyes of Love." Eve continues to go unnoticed, but she remains determined in her mission.

If you can't watch live on Friday, I highly recommend setting your DVRs for this one. Thank you, CBS!   If we can't have new episodes during the holidays, please give fans true classics like Victor and Nikki's first wedding.  Many in the soaps' loyal audience have watched their stories for decades. Revisiting special days like this one is a nice way for networks show their appreciation.

RELATED:
- 50 Greatest Soap Couples: #3 Victor & Nikki From 'The Young and the Restless'

Watch 'The Young and the Restless' Cast Read The Show's First Script at Paley Center Event

As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 23, 1987. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.

Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973, and aired 11 days later.

You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.

Watch 'The Young and the Restless' Cast Read The Show's First Script at Paley Center Event

As part of the CBS Daytime "#1 for 30 Years" celebration, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles is currently running an interactive exhibit of one-of-a kind memorabilia and original set pieces from the network's daytime series. The exhibit honors the five current shows, as well as beloved classic soap operas As the World Turns and Guiding Light. Special programming has also been added to help pay homage to the CBS lineup. On November 9, the current cast of The Young and the Restless gathered for a reading of the show's very first script, which was broadcast on March 26, 1973. Like sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful, Y&R was co-created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell.

Y&R star Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) played patriarch Stuart Brooks (originally Robert Colbert), owner of the Genoa City Chronicle and father to four daughters. Sharon Case (Sharon Newman) read the role of Leslie Brooks (Janice Lynde), while Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman) took on the part of Chris Brooks (Trish Stewart). Greg Rikaart played Snapper Foster (William Gray Espy), a med student and the oldest of the working class Foster siblings. Lauralee Bell (Christine Blair Williams), daughter of the show's creators, read the role of waitress Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford). Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) played the mysterious Brad Eliot (Tom Hallick). Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) read the roles of the truck driver who picked Brad up, and a police officer. Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) played Barbara Anderson (Deidre Hall). Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) played Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary). Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott) narrated, reading the stage directors for the episode, which was taped on March 12, 1973.

You can watch the reading for yourself in the video below.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 18)

1961: As the World Turns Lisa clashed with Ellen.
1967: Jonathan Frid debuted as Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows.
1990: General Hospital's Robin tried to save Casey.
1991: Another World's Jake wanted another chance with Marley.

"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...

1961: On As the World Turns, Lisa Hughes (Eileen Fulton) told her in-laws, Chris (Don MacLaughlin) and Nancy (Helen Wagner), she was convinced they were having a boy. Lisa told Chris she would love to name the baby after him. Later, Lisa complained to Penny (Rosemary Prinz) that they weren't close enough but upset Penny when she complained about Ellen.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 27)

1968: Dark Shadow' Victoria was found guilty of witchcraft.
1973: Guiding Light's Bauer family attended Papa Bauer's funeral.
1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo was rescued from a flood.
2008: Days of our Lives' Caroline said goodbye to Shawn.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) collapsed after the judges found her guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to be hanged until dead.

'The Young and the Restless' Star Melody Thomas Scott Revisits Spirits From the Past on 'The Haunting Of'

Melody Thomas Scott

LMN's The Haunting Of returned on Thursday night with back-to-back episodes, including one featuring The Young and the Restless actress Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), who came back to the home in Sherman Oaks, California she fled more than three decades ago after a face to face meeting with a desperate spirit.

It turns out the spirit was of a mother who was killed by her daughter's lover, who also murdered the daughter.

During the hour, host Kim Russo--a psychic medium--kept hearing the voice of Thomas Scott's grandmother--the woman who raised her--and it led to a revelation from her childhood.

"I was selling lemonade at the corner one day and a white four-door sedan pulled up," Thomas Scott described. "Four men got out and tried to kidnap me and throw me in the back of the car."

Thomas Scott's grandmother, who was dealing with a number of issues including hoarding, did not want to call the police. Instead, she wanted to go after the men. They weren't able to find them. Russo told the Y&R star that her grandmother kept saying she was "sorry" for what happened.

Watch the complete episode here.

'The Young and the Restless' Star Melody Thomas Scott To Be Featured on 'The Haunting Of' October 22

Melody Thomas Scott shares her story October 22 on The Haunting Of on LMN.

Melody Thomas Scott, who plays Nikki Newman on CBS daytime drama The Young and the Restless, will be featured on the LMN (Lifetime Movie Network) docuseries The Haunting Of on the Thursday, October 22 episode, airing at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT.

The Haunting Of follows world-renowned psychic-medium, Kim Russo, as she shares the experiences of celebrities who have had their lives changed by paranormal events. Each episode of The Haunting Of features celebrities' real life encounters with the paranormal as they return to the site of their experience. During these gripping journeys, Russo unlocks the secrets that haunted each celebrity and attempts to explain the unexplained. Russo also unveils shocking psychic moments and surprising personal revelations as she connects with their loved ones who have crossed over.

In her episode, Thomas Scott returns to a home in Sherman Oaks, California, she fled decades ago after a face-to-face meeting with a desperate spirit.

Watch a sneak peek below: