Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered: Morning 
Star and Paradise Bay on NBC, along with The Nurses and
Never Too Young on ABC.

"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...

1962: Primetime serial The Nurses premiered on CBS. The was titled was changed to The Doctors and The Nurses a year later.

1965: Two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, Morning Star and Paradise Bay, premiered on NBC. Both shows lasted less than a year, with the final episodes airing on July 1, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

Irna Phillips was born 116 years ago today. She is pictured
above dictating stories to her assistant, Rose Cooperman.

"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...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter. She died at age 72 on December 22, 1973. During her life she created or co-created numerous soap operas for radio and television including As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Another World and Days of our Lives, just to name a few. She is considered by many to be the "queen" of the daytime serial genre and was a true pioneer in television.

1955: The final episode of Rosemary aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas Morning Star and Paradise Bay. Both shows were created by Ted Corday and premiered on September 27, 1965, six weeks before Corday's other soap, Days of our Lives, debuted on the network.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered: Morning 
Star and Paradise Bay on NBC, along with The Nurses and
Never Too Young on ABC.

"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...

1962: Primetime serial The Nurses premiered on CBS. The was titled was changed to The Doctors and The Nurses a year later.

1965: Two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, Morning Star and Paradise Bay, premiered on NBC. Both shows lasted less than a year, with the final episodes airing on July 1, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

Irna Phillips was born 116 years ago today. She is pictured
above dictating stories to her assistant, Rose Cooperman.

"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...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter. She died at age 72 on December 22, 1973. During her life she created or co-created numerous soap operas for radio and television including As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Another World and Days of our Lives, just to name a few. She is considered by many to be the "queen" of the daytime serial genre and was a true pioneer in television.

1955: The final episode of Rosemary aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas Morning Star and Paradise Bay. Both shows were created by Ted Corday and premiered on September 27, 1965, six weeks before Corday's other soap, Days of our Lives, debuted on the network.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered: Morning 
Star and Paradise Bay on NBC, along with The Nurses and
Never Too Young on ABC.

"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...

1962: Primetime serial The Nurses premiered on CBS. The was titled was changed to The Doctors and The Nurses a year later.

1965: Two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, Morning Star and Paradise Bay, premiered on NBC. Both shows lasted less than a year, with the final episodes airing on July 1, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

Irna Phillips was born 115 years ago today. Above she
is pictured dictating stories to her assistant,
Rose Cooperman.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter. She died at age 72 on December 22, 1973. During her life she created or co-created numerous soap operas for radio and television including As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Another World and Days of our Lives, just to name a few. She is considered by many to be the "queen" of the daytime serial genre and was a true pioneer in television.

1955: The final episode of Rosemary aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas Morning Star and Paradise Bay. Both shows were created by Ted Corday and premiered on September 27, 1965, six weeks before Corday's other soap, Days of our Lives, debuted on the network.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered: Morning 
Star and Paradise Bay on NBC, along with The Nurses and
Never Too Young on ABC..

"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...

1962: Primetime serial The Nurses premiered on CBS. The was titled was changed to The Doctors and The Nurses a year later.

1965: Two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, Morning Star and Paradise Bay, premiered on NBC. Both shows lasted less than a year, with the final episodes airing on July 1, 1966.

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 5)

Another World starred Jacqueline Courtney, Vera Allen and Susan Trustman
as Alice, Granny and Pat Matthews.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

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

(continued from Part 4)

1964
Another slow-but-sure hit came on May 4 when NBC cashed in on Irna Phillips' knack for family drama. Another World began as the story of the Matthews family following the death of attorney Will Matthews. The role of Will's flighty and domineering widow Liz Matthews was originated by Sarah Cunningham but soon taken over by Audra Lindley. John Beal was Jim, Virginia Dwyer was Mary, Susan Trustman was Pat, and Jacqueline Courtney was Alice. A Procter & Gamble Production, it was the first soap to deal with the subject of abortion and also the first to expand to a full hour on January 6, 1975. William J. Bell originally co-wrote the series.

Alas, this sudden string of success was short-lived. On October 5, 1964, The Young Marrieds made its mark on ABC as another West Coast serial. Created by James Elward (The Secret Storm), it revolved around three married couples in New York City. Peggy McCay, Paul Picerni, Susan Brown (now Dr. Gail Adamson, General Hospital), Mike Mikler, Norma Connolly and Barry Russo starred. Comedy actor and director Charles Grodin, Susan Seaforth, Irene Tedrow and Constance Moore held other roles. It expired March 25, 1966.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

Irna Phillips was born 114 years ago today. Above she
is pictured dictating stories to her assistant,
Rose Cooperman.

"The daytime serial is destroying itself, eating itself up with rape, abortion, illegitimacy, men falling in love with other men's wives--all of which is often topped by a murder, followed by a long, drawn-out murder trial."
― Irna Phillips (November 1972)

"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...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago, the youngest of ten children. She was educated at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She took graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. Miss Phillips also had an adopted son and daughter. She died at age 72 on December 22, 1973. During her life she created or co-created numerous soap operas for radio and television including As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Another World and Days of our Lives, just to name a few. She is considered by many to be the "queen" of the daytime serial genre and was a true pioneer in television.

1955: The final episode of Rosemary aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the final episodes of daytime soap operas Morning Star and Paradise Bay. Both shows were created by Ted Corday and premiered on September 27, 1965, six weeks before Corday's other soap, Days of our Lives, debuted on the network.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered: Morning 
Star and Paradise Bay on NBC, plus The Nurses and
Never Too Young on ABC..

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1962: Primetime serial The Nurses premiered on CBS. The was titled was changed to The Doctors and The Nurses a year later.

1965: Two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, Morning Star and Paradise Bay, premiered on NBC. Both shows lasted less than a year, with the final episodes airing on July 1, 1966. Watch an episode of each series below:

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

Irna Phillips was born 113 years ago today.

"History is a gallery of pictures in which there are few originals and many copies."
- Alexis de Tocqueville

"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...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago. She died in 1973 at age 72.

1955: The final episode of Rosemary aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the last episodes of daytime soap operas Morning Star and Paradise Bay. Both shows were created by Ted Corday and premiered on September 27, 1965, 6 weeks before Corday's other soap, Days of our Lives, debuted on the network.

1968: On Another World, Walter (Val Dufour) and Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) were married (TRIVIA: Agnes Nixon's daughters were part of the wedding party). The morning of the wedding, the Matthews family had breakfast together (see clip below).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

1965: Four new daytime soap operas premiered - NBC's
MORNING STAR and PARADISE BAY, and ABC's THE
NURSES and NEVER TOO YOUNG.

"In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."
― Edmund Burke

"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...

1962: Primetime serial THE NURSES premiered on CBS.  The was titled was changed to THE DOCTORS AND THE NURSES a year later.

1965: NBC premiered two new Ted Corday daytime soap operas, MORNING STAR and PARADISE BAY. Both shows ran until July 1, 1966. Watch an episode of each below:

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

On this date in...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago. She died in 1973 at age 72.

1923: Future ANOTHER WORLD star Constance Ford (Ada) was born. She died in 1993 at age 69.

1955: The final episode of ROSEMARY aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC aired the last episodes of daytime soap operas MORNING STAR and PARADISE BAY.   The shows were both created by Ted Corday. Watch an episode of MORNING STAR below.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

On this date in...

1965: NBC's MORNING STAR and PARADISE BAY premiered, both created by Ted Corday. The shows ran until July 1, 1966, and were two of the first soap operas to air in color. Watch episodes of PARADISE BAY and MORNING STAR below:

Today in Soap Opera History (July 1)

On this date in...

1901: Legendary soap opera creator Irna Phillips was born in Chicago (111 years ago today!). She died in 1973 at age 72.

1923: Future ANOTHER WORLD star Constance Ford (Ada) was born.  She died in 1993 at age 69.

1955: The final episode of ROSEMARY aired in CBS Radio.

1966: NBC Daytime soap operas MORNING STAR and PARADISE BAY aired their final episodes.   The shows were both created by Ted Corday. Watch an episode of MORNING STAR below.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 27)

On this date in...

1965: NBC's MORNING STAR, created by Ted Corday, premiered. The show ran until July 1, 1966. MORNING STAR was one of the first soap operas to air in color.

1965: THE NURSES premiered on ABC and ran until March 31, 1967. Mary Fickett and Paul Stevens were among the stars.

1965: ABC also premiered on the same day NEVER TOO YOUNG, a soap geared toward a teen audience. Dack Rambo and Tony Dow were among the stars. The series featured several musical guests who performed at The High Dive, including: The Castaways, The Sunrays, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Rivers, Mel Carter, Freddie Cannon, and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.