Today in Soap Opera History (June 26)

1978: Days of our Lives' Steve arrived in Salem.
1983: Loving premiered in primetime on ABC.
1992: Guiding Light's Bridget had bad news for Roger.
2007: Passions' blackmailer wanted Theresa murdered.

"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...

1939: NBC Blue aired the final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Orphans of Divorce. Margaret Anglin starred as Nora Kelly Worthington.

1946: On radio soap Rosemary, Rosemary (Betty Winkler) stopped at a drug store to use the telephone to call Dr. Jim (Bill Adams) about Bill's memory return.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Ben (Michael Ryan) cross-examined the witness.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: On Another World, Sam (Jordan Charney) was suspicious of his niece, the social climbimg Rachel (Robin Strasser). He smiled when she said they could be friends now that they were traveling in the same high-class circles (Rachel married Russ earlier in 1968 on January 3). Sam moved to Somerset in 1970 with his wife, Lahoma.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 26)

1978: Days of our Lives' Steve arrived in Salem.
1983: Loving premiered in primetime on ABC.
1992: Guiding Light's Bridget had bad news for Roger.
2007: Passions' blackmailer wanted Theresa murdered.

"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...

1939: NBC Blue aired the final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Orphans of Divorce. Margaret Anglin starred as Nora Kelly Worthington.

1946: On radio soap Rosemary, Rosemary (Betty Winkler) stopped at a drug store to use the telephone to call Dr. Jim (Bill Adams) about Bill's memory return.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Ben (Michael Ryan) cross-examined the witness.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: On Another World, Sam (Jordan Charney) was suspicious of his niece, the social climbimg Rachel (Robin Strasser). He smiled when she said they could be friends now that they were traveling in the same high-class circles (Rachel married Russ earlier in 1968 on January 3). Sam moved to Somerset in 1970 with his wife, Lahoma.

Rebecca Budig Leaving 'General Hospital' as Hayden Barnes (Updated)

Rebecca Budig is leaving the role of Hayden Barnes on General Hospital. Budig, who signed a four-year contract with GH last summer, has been let go from the ABC soap opera.

According to Soap Opera Digest, Budig was informed of the show’s decision last month and will tape her final scenes this week, before the show begins a three-week summer hiatus.

The ouster "was viewed as a storyline necessity," according a Digest source.

UPDATE:
Budig spoke out about her ouster on Twitter, writing, “First of all, I want to thank all the fans of #GH who have supported me and been so kind. You guys are amazing. Unfortunately, Hayden is being written off the canvas. I have to thank @valentinifrank and @ABCNetwork for giving me this opportunity.”

Budig is shooting her final scenes at the soap this week, and will continue to air for several more weeks.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 26)

1978: Days of our Lives' Steve arrived in Salem.
1983: Loving premiered in primetime on ABC.
1992: Guiding Light's Bridget had bad news for Roger.
2007: Passions' blackmailer wanted Theresa murdered.

"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...

1939: NBC Blue aired the final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Orphans of Divorce. Margaret Anglin starred as Nora Kelly Worthington.

1946: On radio soap Rosemary, Rosemary (Betty Winkler) stopped at a drug store to use the telephone to call Dr. Jim (Bill Adams) about Bill's memory return.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Ben (Michael Ryan) cross-examined the witness.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: On Another World, Sam (Jordan Charney) was suspicious of his niece, the social climbimg Rachel (Robin Strasser). He smiled when she said they could be friends now that they were traveling in the same high-class circles (Rachel married Russ earlier in 1968 on January 3). Sam moved to Somerset in 1970 with his wife, Lahoma.

'General Hospital' Stars Rebecca Herbst & Rebecca Budig Dish Real-Life Friendship

Rebecca Herbst and Rebecca Budig

On-screen, Rebecca Budig and Rebecca Herbst play bitterest enemies on ABC soap opera General Hospital. They exchange icy glares, resounding slaps, and cutting insults. However, off-screen these two have been close friends for over ten years.

During ABC’s 2004 Super Soap Weekend, Budig danced the night away with Herbst’s son, Ethan, for hours. That set the stage for solid two-member girl squad, the pair told Soap Opera Digest in its latest issue.

“She’s just a perfect partner,” Herbst said of Budig. There’s no doubt she meant this as a thespian and as a gal pal.

Both actresses expressed great satisfaction that they have consistently worked together since Budig's arrival in Port Charles as Hayden.

“I would have been annoyed if she were working with other people,” Herbst said with a laugh.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 26)

1978: Days of our Lives' Steve arrived in Salem.
1983: Loving premiered in primetime on ABC.
1992: Guiding Light's Bridget had bad news for Roger.
2007: Passions' blackmailer wanted Theresa murdered.

"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...

1939: NBC Blue aired the final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Orphans of Divorce. Margaret Anglin starred as Nora Kelly Worthington.

1946: On radio soap Rosemary, Rosemary (Betty Winkler) stopped at a drug store to use the telephone to call Dr. Jim (Bill Adams) about Bill's memory return.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Ben (Michael Ryan) cross-examined the witness.

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: On Another World, Sam (Jordan Charney) was suspicious of his niece, the social climbimg Rachel (Robin Strasser). He smiled when she said they could be friends now that they were traveling in the same high-class circles (Rachel married Russ earlier in 1968 on January 3). Sam moved to Somerset in 1970 with his wife, Lahoma.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (March 28-April 1, 2016)

"He has convinced himself he's in love with her," Laura tells Liz about
Nikolas after they discover Hayden's true identity.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of March 28-April 1, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 28
Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) brings Sam (Kelly Monaco) up to date; Tracy (Jane Elliot) has a plan for ELQ that involves her secret weapon; Ava (Maura West) asks for help from an unlikely person.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (March 21-25, 2016)

"Please, dont' ask me to do that," Monica tells Tracy.  "You want me to
pull the plug if you're incapable of doing it."

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of March 21-25, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 21
Carly's (Laura Wright) hostile persuasion gets results; Nina (Michelle Stafford) sets the wheels in motion to flush out Crimson's saboteur; Tracy's (Jane Elliot) lab results come in.

'ET' Sends Cameron Mathison to Interview Soap Opera Stars at the Soap Opera Digest 40th Anniversary Party (Video)

"I had the most preposterous, early '90s hair," Alison Sweeney told
ET's Cameron Mathison.

Earlier this week, ET reporter Cameron Mathison (ex-Ryan Lavery, All My Children) chatted with daytime stars at Soap Opera Digest's 40th anniversary celebration at the Argyle Hollywood on Wednesday. A few of the actors reminisced about their first time being featured on the cover of the magazine.

"My first cover was Marissa Tomei and I," said Christian Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin, The Young and the Restless; ex-Kirk McColl, As the World Turns). "Marissa Tomei was my girlfriend on As the World Turns. Julianne Moore was my second girlfriend!"

Mathison was able to catch up with some of his on-screen hookups at the party.

"We were married, like, twice," Melissa Claire Egan told Mathison, about Ryan and her All My Children character, Annie Lavery.

"I think we were married twice," Rebecca Budig, who played Greenlee Smythe on AMC, said.

"Engaged 18 times," Mathison quipped.

Watch the ET segment below, which also includes Eva LaRue (Maria Santos, All My Children), Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos, General Hospital), Finola Hughes (Anna Devane, General Hospital) and Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami Brady, Days of our Lives).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (February 15-19, 2016)

Jason receives a disturbing phone call.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of February 15-19, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 15
Jason (Billy Miller) gets a troubling call; Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) gets closer to discovering Hayden's (Rebecca Budig) secret past; Maxie (Kirsten Storms) comes to incorrect conclusions.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (February 8-12, 2016)

Jason calls out for Sam but is it too late?

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of February 8-12, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 8
Jason (Billy Miller) tries to reach Sam (Kelly Monaco) before it's too late; Anna (Finola Hughes) surprises Paul (Richard Burgi) with a visit; Carly (Laura Wright) and Sonny (Maurice Benard) offer Michael (Chad Duell) advice about Sabrina (Teresa Castillo).

'General Hospital' Spoilers (February 1-5, 2016)

Sam's plight becomes life threatening

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of February 1-5, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, February 1
Jake's actions have serious consequences for more than one person; Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (Emme Rylan) come to a mutual agreement; Nina (Michelle Stafford) finds inspiration in Olivia's (Lisa LoCicero) battle.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (January 25-29, 2016)

"This is a huge step," Hayden says to Nikolas after he asks her to marry him.
Will she say, "yes"?

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on ABC soap opera General Hospital during the week of January 25-29, 2016.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, January 25
Tracy (Jane Elliot) runs into a familiar face while on vacation; Jason (Billy Miller) reconsiders his decision regarding recovering his memories; Hayden (Rebecca Budig) takes a leap of faith.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (August 3-7, 2015)

Who killed Dr. Silas Clay?

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of August 3rd.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 3
Franco (Roger Howarth) finds Nina (Michelle Stafford) kneeling beside Silas' (Michael Easton) lifeless body holding a bloody knife; Morgan (Bryan Craig) confides in Sonny (Maurice Benard); Laura (Genie Francis) makes a decision on what to do regarding Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) and Elizabeth's (Rebecca Herbst) secret; Hayden (Rebecca Budig) is awake.

Rebecca Budig Back on 'General Hospital' as Hayden

What does Hayden remember?

Rebecca Budig is not only back at General Hospital as Hayden Barnes, she's on contract! The character will emerge from the coma she's been languishing in since May, when she was shot in the head on orders from Nikolas.

When executive producer Frank Valentini called to invite her back, "I was surprised!" she tells Soap Opera Digest. "I thought I came in and I did my job, and that was all that I was meant to do — come in, cause some trouble and leave." She's thrilled to have been wrong, saying, "I love being there and I am working with a great bunch of people."

Hayden was about to tell Jake that he was really Jason when she was shot. But what will she remember now?

On Friday's episode of GH, Patrick (Jason Thompson) told Jake (Billy Miller) and Sam (Kelly Monaco) that Hayden was waking up. Watch a sneak peek scene below from Monday's episode featuring the now awake Hayden.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 26)

1978: Days of our Lives' Steve arrived in Salem.
1983: Loving premiered in primetime on ABC.
1992: Guiding Light's Bridget had bad news for Roger.
2007: Passions' blackmailer wanted Theresa murdered.

"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...

1939: NBC Blue aired the final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Orphans of Divorce. Margaret Anglin starred as Nora Kelly Worthington.

1946: On radio soap Rosemary, Rosemary (Betty Winkler) stopped at a drug store to use the telephone to call Dr. Jim (Bill Adams) about Bill's memory return. Listen below.

1968: On Another World, Sam (Jordan Charney) was suspicious of his niece, the social climbimg Rachel (Robin Strasser). He smiled when she said they could be friends now that they were traveling in the same high-class circles (Rachel married Russ earlier in 1968 on January 3). Sam moved to Somerset in 1970 with his wife, Lahoma.

1978: On One Life to Live, Brad (Jameson Parker) told Jenny (Katherine Glass) the truth about the night Lana died including his mother's ring and all he did to get it from Cathy. Cathy (Jennifer Harmon) informed Will (Anthony George) she was leaving Llanview because of her love for Larry. Viki (Erika Slezak) told Joe (Lee Patterson) that Irene Clayton was dying and wanted them to adopt her daughter, Tina.

Rebecca Budig Ends Run as Hayden on 'General Hospital'

Rebecca Budig

Rebecca Budig finished her run as Hayden Barnes on General Hospital this week after her character was shot in the head by Nikolas' hitman, and went into a coma following surgery.

"I really enjoyed being a part of the cast," Budig says in the new issue of Soap Opera Digest. "It was supposed to only be two weeks and it turned out to be a little bit more, which I was very happy about.”

“When I had the baby [Charlotte, born September 8, 2014], I really wasn't sure if I wanted to work. But now I feel like, ‘Wow, I loved being on GENERAL HOSPITAL and I really do want to work.’ I would absolutely do another soap. I loved being back in front of the daytime audience again.”

'General Hospital' Actress Rebecca Budig Visits 'Home & Family' (Video)

Mark Steines, Cristina Ferrare, Rebecca Budig and her dog Woody. Photo Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media Family Networks/Photographer: Jeremy Lee

Rebecca Budig, who recently joined the cast of ABC soap opera General Hospital, appeared on Tuesday's episode of Home & Family. Watch below:

'General Hospital' Spoilers (March 30-April 3, 2015)

Tracy, Bobbie and Patricia comfort Luke.

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of March 30th. Dee Wallace debuts as Patricia Spencer, and GH celebrates its 52nd anniversary.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 30
Bobbie (Jacklyn Zeman) and Tracy (Jane Elliot) make a shocking discovery; Franco (Roger Howarth) and Nina (Michelle Stafford) blackmail Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) for a room in exchange for keeping quiet about Julian (William deVry) fathering Olivia's baby; Carly (Laura Wright) comes face to face with an enemy.

'General Hospital' Spoilers (March 23-27, 2015)

Elizabeth has her suspicions about the woman claiming to be Jake’s wife.

Check out day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of March 23rd. An unexpected visitor turns Port Charles upside down.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, March 23
Jake (Billy Miller) is flabbergasted when Hayden Barns (Rebecca) arrives at Elizabeth's (Rebecca Herbst) saying she's his wife; Maxie (Kirsten Stormsis appalled by Nathan's (Ryan Paevey) boxing match with Spinelli (Bradford Anderson); Ava (Maura West) wants Silas (Michael Easton) to end her life.