Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968, then assumed by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC, and one additional season when show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Patrick Duffy: 'Dallas' is "Finally and Ultimately Laid to Rest"

Patrick Duffy (right) believes ABC's new primetime oil soap fills
the Dallas void in the primetime TV landscape.

Patrick Duffy belives iconic drama Dallas may have vanished from TV screens forever. Duffy revisited his most famous role as Bobby Ewing when the legendary sex-and-scandal drama was resurrected by TNT in 2012, but it was cancelled last year after three seasons.

Despite an online campaign from fans to save the beloved series, Duffy has now accepted it will likely never return now that ABC is preparing to launch new primetime soap opera Blood and Oil, which features Don Johnson as the head of a Ewing-style clan.

Duffy tells Periscope.tv, "Dallas ,I think, is finally and ultimately laid to rest. I think the indication of that is, oddly enough, there's a new show and I believe it's on ABC and it's called Blood and Oil, and when Dallas was cancelled and ABC picked up that show... they decided there needs to be a Dallas-type show on air and there can really be only one of them so they are re-tooling Blood and Oil to be exactly like Dallas used to be, and I think that's an indication that nobody will resurrect Dallas again. Dallas is gone."

Does this logic even make sense?  When Dallas was at its height, there was another huge primetime "oil" soap on the air, Dynasty.  The working title for Dynasty was even Oil, the same name ABC's new show was using when it was announced in May.  It was later changed to Blood and Oil.

Blood and Oil premieres on Sunday, September 27 on ABC. Watch the trailer below:

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live. The role had been originated by Gillian Spencer in 1968 then played by Joanne Dorian starting in 1970. Slezak played the role for 41 years on ABC and the one season the show aired online in 2013.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become Guiding Light's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on Search for Tomorrow. Read about it here.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

Watch a Deleted Scene From the Upcoming 'Dallas: The Complete Third and Final Season' DVD

Patrick Duffy as Bobby, Brenda Strong as Ann and Linda Gray as Sue Ellen.

"Dallas: The Complete Third and Final Season" will be released on DVD January 13, bringing Dallas back for more backstabbing, feuding and passion - and at the end of the season, a Ewing will die! This three-disc DVD collector's set features all 15 episodes from the third season, including deleted scenes.

In the deleted scene below, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) tells Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) and Ann (Brenda Strong) about the plans John Ross is making to remodel Southfork.

Effort to Save 'Dallas' Officially Ends with Statement from Producers Cynthia Cidre and Michael Robin

An effort by fans and producers of the television show Dallas to save the canceled series have come to an end. The executive producers of the show announced Wednesday they are halting efforts to find a new home for the show.

"We have come to the end," said Cynthia Cidre and Michael Robin in a statement released today. "After a 6-week attempt to try and land our beloved Dallas at another network, we have to inform you that we have not succeeded. Warner Horizon has attempted, in a Herculean way, to try and find us a new home, but at the end of the day it did not work out."

After news of the cancellation hit the web, the #SaveDallas campaign launched with the full support of cast members including Linda Gray (Sue Ellen) and Patrick Duffy (Bobby). Fans sent approximately 1 million #SaveDallas tweets and added more than 84,000 signatures to an online petition calling for another network to pick up the show.

Cidre and Robin thanked the fans for their efforts, stating, "We so appreciate the outpouring of support by all of you, and the #SaveDallas campaign was a truly remarkable undertaking. We cannot fully express how much we loved making this show for you and with you. We had 3 wonderful years together, and we had the times of our lives bringing this iconic show back to television. Thank you for your support; thank you for your loyalty to our wonderful characters; and thank you for watching our show."

RELATED:
- 36 Years Ago Today, J.R. Slapped Pregnant Sue Ellen

A Ewing Will Die on Tonight's 'Dallas' Season Finale

A Ewing will die tonight! But which one? Dallas wraps up its third season on TNT with two new episodes on Monday, September 22, starting at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

"Endgame" – 9 p.m. ET/PT
While Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) races to find Elena (Jordana Brewster), Bobby (Patrick Duffy) is double-crossed by the cartel. No longer able to sit by, John Ross (Josh Henderson) puts his own life on the line to attempt a rescue. Meanwhile, Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace) tries to prove himself to Elena by making a deal with the authorities that puts him on a collision course with John Ross' plan and places both their lives in jeopardy.

"Brave New World" – 10 p.m. ET/PT
The Ewings and the Rylands finally force the cartel to pay the piper as some lives are saved and others are lost. Bobby and Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) form a new alliance to protect the family, which pits them against John Ross, who is still trying to regain control of Ewing Global and fix his marriage to Pamela (Julie Gonzalo). Elena is pushed to the brink when she finds out the real depths of Nicolas' betrayal. As the season comes to an end, enemies are unmasked, new alliances are formed, and John Ross learns a shocking secret about J.R. that sends him halfway around the globe in search of a surprising new cohort.

Watch the season finale promo below:

'Dallas' Preview: Bobby Ewing To The Rescue

Antonio Jaramillo, Emma Bell and Brenda Strong. Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

In the wake of a devastating family kidnapping, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) puts everything on the line to save the lives of Ann (Brenda Strong) and Emma (Emma) on the next episode of Dallas, airing Monday, September 15 episode at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TNT.

Also in the episode, titled "Boxed In," John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Pamela (Julie Gonzalo) form a truce of sorts. Elena (Jordana Brewster), who's been in hiding with Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace), finally learns the truth about his connections to the cartel, which sends her spiraling. Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) desperately searches for Elena, fearing for her safety. And Bobby is forced to make a choice he never anticipated.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

Melinda Clarke Debuts as Tracey McKay on Tonight's Episode of 'Dallas'

Melinda Clarke (The O.C., Nikita, Days of our Lives) guest stars as Tracey McKay in tonight's episode of Dallas, airing at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TNT.

In "Victims of Love," as Ewing Global goes public, twists and turns abound while everyone scrambles to claim ownership. Pamela (Julie Gonzalo)struggles with what to do now that she knows Cliff (Ken Kercheval) didn't really kill J.R., and Bobby (Patrick Duffy) seeks the aide of an old flame Tracey McKay (guest star Melinda Clarke) to help get back control of the company. Meanwhile, Judith (Judith Light) and Harris (Mitch Pileggi) work to fix their own problems with the cartel, which ends up putting lives in the balance and aligning the Rylands and Ewings in a way no one ever expected.

Check out a sneak peek video below:

'Dallas' Preview: Dead Reckoning

Brenda Strong, Patrick Duffy and Marlene Forte.
Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season TNT's Dallas continues with a new episode ("Dead Reckoning") on Monday, August 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The dark cloud over Southfork continues to grow with the news of a family death (Drew Ramos). Meanwhile, Christopher and Heather's relationship is put to the test as John Ross tries to redeem himself with Pamela, who begins to face the real reasons behind her overdose. Elsewhere, Elena makes a drastic move to get justice for her family, putting John Ross directly in her crosshairs.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

'Dallas' Mid-Season Premiere Preview: After the Fire, Southfork Still Burns

Brenda Strong, Jordana Brewster Jesse Metcalfe and Patrick Duffy in
the August 18 episode of Dallas on TNT.

The Ewing family searches for answers as to who set the fire at Southfork Ranch and who will survive, while John Ross and Emma struggle with their role in Pamela's overdose in the mid-season premiere of Dallas, Monday, August 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Dallas centers on the Ewing family, which has made a fortune in cattle ranching and oil. Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) is now the family patriarch following the death of his older brother, J.R. Ewing. The complicated and often bitter relationship between the two brothers can be seen reflected in the relationship between Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe), Bobby's adopted son, and John Ross III (Josh Henderson), the son of J.R. and former wife Sue Ellen Ewing (Linda Gray).

The summer run of TNT's Dallas opens in the aftermath of a devastating fire at Southfork Ranch and the unexpected overdose of John Ross' wife, Pamela Barnes Ewing (Julie Gonzalo). Each member of the family struggles to understand what's happened, including John Ross, whose two-timing behavior may have finally caught up with him after Pamela discovered him with another woman. To make matters worse, that other woman is Emma Ryland (Emma Bell), the daughter of Bobby's wife, Ann (Brenda Strong).

Christopher continues to reel after his engagement to Elena Ramos (Jordana Brewster) fell through, and the search for his mother ended with news that she died in 1989. He has found some comfort in a new relationship with Heather (AnnaLynne McCord), a 20-something ranch hand and single mother. But Heather's ex-husband has just returned, bringing turmoil back into her life and the life of her 5-year-old son.

DALLAS Spring Finale Preview: Southfork Will Never Be The Same

Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with the spring finale episode ("Where There's Smoke") on Monday, April 14 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Relationships are jeopardized in the wake of a discovery about John Ross (Josh Henderson) and Emma (Emma Bell). Elsewhere, Bo takes drastic action, impacting Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) and Heather (AnnaLynne McCord); and Drew's (Kuno Becker) arrival in Dallas mars Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace) and Elena's (Jordana Brewster) plans.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DALLAS Preview: Bobby and Ann Work To Get Sue Ellen Released

Linda Gray. Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with a new episode ("Like a Bad Penny") on Monday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Ann (Brenda Strong) work to get Sue Ellen (Linda Gray) released; John Ross (Josh Henderson) enlists the help of one of J.R.'s last business partners; secrets come to light; Elena (Jordana Brewster) makes a decision; Drew (Kuno Becker) returns to Dallas.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DALLAS Preview: Bobby and Sue Ellen Try To Stop John Ross

Steve Kanaly, Charlene Tilton, Linda Gray. Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with a new episode ("D.T.R.") on Monday, March 24 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The honeymoon is over for John Ross, as Bobby and Sue Ellen try to use the Governor (guest star Steven Weber) to stop John Ross from becoming just like his father, J.R.... a move that could divide the family forever. Meanwhile, Christopher discovers surprising details about Heather's (guest star AnnaLynne McCord) past; Cliff (guest star Ken Kercheval) persuades Elena to try a new tact in her quest for justice; and Judith (guest star Judith Light), Ryland and Ann try, with varying degrees of success, to get Emma under control.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

Today in Soap Opera History (March 17)

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1971: Erika Slezak debuted as Victoria Lord on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

1975: Tom O'Rourke (who would later become GUIDING LIGHT's Justin Marler) auditioned for (and landed) a one day gig as a construction boss on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. Read about it here.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, April Cavanaugh (Terry Davis) was devastated after being told Draper had died in a train crash.

DALLAS Preview: Ray, Lucy and Afton Return for the Wedding of John Ross and Pamela

Steve Kanaly, Charlene Tilton, Linda Gray. Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with a new episode ("Lifting the Veil") on Monday, March 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

It’s wedding day at Southfork and Afton (guest star Audrey Landers), Ray (guest star Steve Kanaly) and Lucy (guest star Charlene Tilton) return for the occasion. The only one missing is the groom, John Ross, who’s skipped out to strike a deal with a family adversary. Meanwhile, Christopher returns from Mexico to witness Nicolas and Elena’s relationship deepening, and to his surprise finds a new burgeoning romantic connection. As Pamela wonders what’s keeping John Ross from the nuptials, Sue Ellen fears it's Emma and contemplates stopping the wedding.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DALLAS "Playing Chicken" Preview: Keep Your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer

Emma (Emma Bell) and John Ross (Josh Henderson).
Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with a new episode ("Playing Chicken") on Monday, March 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

The race to secure capital for the impending Arctic Lease auction has Bobby (Patrick Duffy) scrambling to outmaneuver John Ross' (Josh Henderson) efforts to frack on Southfork. While Nicolas (Juan Pablo Di Pace) and Elena's (Jordana Brewster) partnership heats up, Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) makes a startling discovery about Nicolas' past, and Emma's (Emma Bell) games put John Ross and Pamela's (Julie Gonzalo) upcoming wedding in jeopardy.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

DALLAS "Trust Me" Preview: Judith Light Returns

Judith Light and Emma Bell.  Photo Credit: Skip Bolen

The third season of TNT's DALLAS continues with a new episode ("Trust Me") on Monday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

On the heels of Nicolas’ (Juan Pablo Di Pace) arrival, John Ross (Josh Henderson) goes to great lengths to keep his plans for Ewing Global moving forward, locking horns with Bobby (Patrick Duffy) in the process. Meanwhile, Sue Ellen’s (Linda Gray) suspicions of John Ross’ infidelity threaten to derail her alliance with her son. Harris Ryland's (Mitch Pileggi) surprise return creates concern and Emma (Emma Bell) enlists the help of her grandmother (guest star Judith Light). Bobby and Ann’s (Brenda Strong) investigation into Ryland’s release from jail leads to a shocking revelation.

Watch a sneak peek video below: