Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: Search for Tomorrow's Eunice died after Jennifer shot her.
1978: Dallas' Sue Ellen told J.R. she was pregnant.
1981: Sid Fairgate died on Knots Landing.
2009: James Franco debuted on General Hospital.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) Mike convinced DA Thompson to withhold the Harper's involvement with Clayton Pike, so that Mary and Roger Harper could make peace first.

1974: On Another World, Alice Matthews Frame (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after Rachel arrived at the Matthews' home insisting theythey talk.

1976: On Search for Tomorrow, Eunice Wyatt (Ann Williams) died from wounds inflicted when Jennifer Pace (Morgan Fairchild) shot her (see clip below).

Morgan Fairchild Leads All-Star Lineup for 'Mélange'

Morgan Fairchild has been tapped to play the vindictive Vivian King in the new serialized half hour drama, Mélange. Using NYC as its backdrop, the show will center round the fight of ownership for a historic gay bar, Mélange, after its proprietor has suddenly and mysteriously died. The series will emulate the grand storytelling flair of 80’s primetime decadent dramas that pitted good vs. evil but in a contemporary, fast-paced style; exploring modern themes of sexuality, immigration, addiction, power, and inclusion. The ensemble cast of 17, lead by Morgan Fairchild, includes a roster of talent from television, Broadway, reality, and social media. Shooting for Mélange kicked off August 4th in New York City.

Scott Evans (One Life to Live) stars as Ryann Parker, the strikingly handsome young man whose once Utopian workplace has become infested with betrayal, corruption, and revenge. He fights to keep Mélange out of the claws of Vivian and into the hands of the employees and patrons who genuinely love the historic bar.

Through flashbacks and archival footage, Robert Newman (Guiding Light, Santa Barbra, General Hospital) plays Syd Winchester, the deceased patriarch of Mélange who, in life, was a pioneer and hero of the gay rights movement. Rounding out the ensemble cast: Emmy winner Darnell Williams (All My Children, The Young and the Restless, Loving ), Emmy winner Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live, General Hospital,), Ilene Kristen (One Life to Live, Ryan’s Hope, General Hospital), David A. Gregory (One Life to Live), Jessica Leccia (Guiding Light, One Life to Live, Venice The Series), Diana DeGarmo (The Young and the Restless, American Idol) ), gossip blogger Perez Hilton (Bold and the Beautiful), Anne Ramsay (Mad About You,The L Word), Alex Newell (Glee, Broadway’s Once On This Island), Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty, Dead of Summer ), Laith Ashley (Strut), Maya Days (Damages, Broadway’s Aida), Omar Sharif Jr., Pamela Winslow Kashani (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Mélange was created and is being executive produced by multi-award winning theatrical producer and political activist Tom D’Angora. It is being directed by Emmy Award winner Gary Donatelli (One Life to Live) and Tony Award winning producer Tim Kashani.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: Search for Tomorrow's Eunice died after Jennifer shot her.
1978: Dallas' Sue Ellen told J.R. she was pregnant.
1981: Sid Fairgate died on Knots Landing.
2009: James Franco debuted on General Hospital.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) Mike convinced DA Thompson to withhold the Harper's involvement with Clayton Pike, so that Mary and Roger Harper could make peace first.

1974: On Another World, Alice Matthews Frame (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after Rachel arrived at the Matthews' home insisting theythey talk.

1976: On Search for Tomorrow, Eunice Wyatt (Ann Williams) died from wounds inflicted when Jennifer Pace (Morgan Fairchild) shot her (see clip below).

Morgan Fairchild Joins 'Days of our Lives' as Anjelica Deveraux

Actress Morgan Fairchild has joined the cast of NBC soap opera Days of our Lives as Anjelica Deveraux. The role was previously played by Jane Elliot (1987-1989), Shelley Taylor Morgan (1989) and Judith Chapman (1989-1991).

"I was thrilled to get to work with great folks like Deidre Hall (Marlena) and Judi Evans (Adrienne) on an iconic show like Days of our Lives," she told Soap Opera Digest. "What a joy and what fun to come into work each day! We had a great time, I now have two new best friends and I hope the audience loves our storyline!"

The character was last seen in Salem in 1991, but will reappear this summer with Fairchild in the role. Anjelica shares a son, Alexander, with Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth), and was Jack Deveraux's stepmother.

Fairchild's previous daytime and primetime soap opera stints include Search for Tomorrow (as Jennifer Pace), Dallas (as Jenna Wade), Paper Dolls (as Racine), Flamingo Road (as Constance Weldon Semple Carlyle), Falcon Crest (as Jordan Roberts), The City (as Syndey Chase), Fashion House (as Sophia Blakely) and The Bold and the Beautiful (as Dorothy).

RELATED:
- Morgan Fairchild Tries To Remember Her Previous TV Roles
- Daniel Morgan's new memoir "Last Stage Manager Standing" recounts 50 years in TV, including Search for Tomorrow

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: Search for Tomorrow's Eunice died after Jennifer shot her.
1978: Dallas' Sue Ellen told J.R. she was pregnant.
1981: Sid Fairgate died on Knots Landing.
2009: James Franco debuted on General Hospital.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) Mike convinced DA Thompson to withhold the Harper's involvement with Clayton Pike, so that Mary and Roger Harper could make peace first.

1974: On Another World, Alice Matthews Frame (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after Rachel arrived at the Matthews' home insisting theythey talk.

1976: On Search for Tomorrow, Eunice Wyatt (Ann Williams) died from wounds inflicted when Jennifer Pace (Morgan Fairchild) shot her (see clip below).

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: Search for Tomorrow's Eunice died after Jennifer shot her.
1978: Dallas' Sue Ellen told J.R. she was pregnant.
1981: Sid Fairgate died on Knots Landing.
2009: James Franco debuted on General Hospital.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) Mike convinced DA Thompson to withhold the Harper's involvement with Clayton Pike, so that Mary and Roger Harper could make peace first.

1974: On Another World, Alice Matthews Frame (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after Rachel arrived at the Matthews' home insisting theythey talk.

1976: On Search for Tomorrow, Eunice Wyatt (Ann Williams) died from wounds inflicted when Jennifer Pace (Morgan Fairchild) shot her (see clip below).

NEWS: Guy Wilson, Morgan Fairchild, Debbi Morgan, Ashleigh Brewer, Ryan Paevey, Kelly Rutherford

Is Guy Wilson leaving Days of our Lives?
Is Will Horton going to be one of the victim's in Days' upcoming murder mystery story?

Daniel Morgan's new memoir "Last Stage Manager Standing" recounts 50 years in TV, including Search for Tomorrow
In his half-century working as a stage manager for CBS, ABC and NBC, Daniel Morgan had his share of unusual tasks. While working on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow in the 1970s, a producer told Morgan his job for the day was to make sure the show's star, Morgan Fairchild (who played Jennifer Pace), was wearing a bra.

"I guess the day or week before, she hadn't been wearing one and there were problems with Standards and Practices," Morgan wrote. He then went into her dressing room and started talking to her about cats "as a pretext to look down her blouse.

"She was wearing a sheer something," he wrote. "But she was wearing something."

The Bold and the Beautiful's Ashleigh Brewer on Ivy's failed romance with Liam
"It definitely got to the point where I'd read the script and my heart would break for her a little bit," says the actress of her alter ego's rough go of things with Liam, who, in the eyes of many fans, disrespected the brunette by tossing her aside in favor of her overtly sexy cousin.

General Hospital star Ryan Paevey on the road to recovery
After seriously injuring his hand in a motorcycle accident, Ryan Paevey (Nathan) tells Soaps In Depth that he's well on his way to a full recovery. "My doc is impressed with how quickly my tissue has mended," the actor reports. "All the 'road rash' is gone. The bones have fused, and my body's not fighting the metal. The surgical side is fine."

However, there are still a few obstacles to overcome. "My range of motion is still really limited," he confides. "It'll probably be a while before I'm on the bike or in the gym again."

Generations alum Kelly Rutherford refuses to hand children back to father
The Gossip Girl star spent the summer with her two children - Hermes and Helena - in New York, and was due to fly them back to Monaco on Thursday, but she declared on Friday in a statement that she is refusing.

"These past three years waiting for my children to come home have been very difficult. My children were forced to leave the United states in 2012 when they were only 2 and 5 years old," Rutherford says in a statement. "In May, a judge in California gave me sole custody and brought them home. I am immensely grateful and overjoyed to have them back. Since May, however, the court proceedings have been confusing."

All My Children star Debbi Morgan shines in one-woman show
In her one-woman show, “The Monkey on My Back,” Morgan opens up about her own life’s journey, from fear and abuse to empowerment and self-love.

The proverbial “monkey on my back” refers to the cycle of physical and emotional abuse that her grandmother and her mother went through. That cycle continued in Morgan’s own relationships, starting with the drug-dealing boyfriend of her youth and continuing through four marriages, with her fourth marriage to Jeffrey Winston being the charm.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: SFT's Eunice died after Jennifer shot her.  1978: Dallas'
Sue Ellen told J.R. she was pregnant.  1981: Sid Fairgate
died on Knots Landing.  2009: James Franco debuted on GH.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike (John Larkin) tried to convince a distraught Roger to admire Mary for what she did.

1974: On Another World, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after Rachel insisted they talk.

1976: On Search for Tomorrow, Eunice Wyatt (Ann Williams) died from wounds inflicted when Jennifer Pace (Morgan Fairchild) shot her (see clip below).

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

1976: SFT's Jennifer shot Eunice. 1978: DALLAS' Sue Ellen
told J.R. she was pregnant. 1981: KNOTS LANDING's Sid
died. 1986: GL's Mindy and Reva escaped their captor.

"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...

1957: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Mike (John Larkin) tried to convince a distraught Roger to admire Mary for what she did.

1974: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after she insisted they talk.

1976: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Eunice (Ann Williams) died after shot by Jennifer (Morgan Fairchild). Jennifer had shot Eunice the week before (see clip below).

Today in Soap Opera History (November 19)

On this date in...

1957: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Mike (John Larkin) tried to convince a distraught Roger to admire Mary for what she did.

1974: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) agreed to see Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) after she insisted they talk.

1976: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Eunice (Ann Williams) died after shot by Jennifer (Morgan Fairchild). Jennifer had shot Eunice the week before (see clip below).

WATCH: Morgan Fairchild Tries To Remember Her Previous TV Roles

Soap alum Morgan Fairchild Fairchild and Kate Gosselin battled against the clock on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE last night to name some of Fairchild's most famous TV shows. She missed SEARCH FOR TOMORROW saying, "Without seeing who I'm trying to shoot, it's hard." Watch the video below:

Deidre Hall To Appear in "Grace Notes" July 5-8; Morgan Fairchild, Wes Ramsey In June

"Grace Notes & Anvils" is a gentle, funny and deeply touching guided-tour of a 'place' most Americans go to, but few feel free to talk about. Based on their book "About Grief: Insights, Setbacks, Grace Notes, Taboos," writers Ron Marasco and Brian Shuff use the intimacy of theater to explore the heartbreak, everyday heroism and surprising hilarity of grief. A new guest artist will perform each week. The show is currently running at The Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles and features a rotating series of guest actors including many soap opera stars.

Daytime legend Deidre Hall (Marlena, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) is the latest celebrity to join the show. Hall will appear July 5-8 with the cast.

Below is a list of upcoming guest performers for "Grace Notes":