Today in Soap Opera History (July 23)

Ted Corday

"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...

1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of Days of our Lives, Paradise Bay and Morning Star. Days continues to this day while the other two shows were went off the air July 1, 1966, three weeks before Corday's death.

1968: On Another World, as he sat on the porch drinking lemonade with Jim and Mary, Steve (George Reinholt) remembered how he had run five lemonade stands when he was eight, then said he probably bought the Bay City Bengals to compensate for never having had time for games.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 23)

On this date in...

1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at THE GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, PARADISE BAY and MORNING STAR. DAYS continues to this day while the other two shows were went off the air July 1, 1966, three weeks before Corday's death.

1979: On ANOTHER WORLD, Cecile (Susan Keith) forgave Elena but would not take Dennis back.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 23)

On this date in...

1966: Legendary producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58.  Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing THE GUIDING LIGHT and AS THE WORLD TURNS.  In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, PARADISE BAY and MORNING STAR.    DAYS continues to this day while the other two shows were went off the air July 1, three weeks before Corday's death.

1979: On ANOTHER WORLD, Cecile (Susan Keith) forgave Elena but would not take Dennis back. 

Travis Marsh Debuts New Video On The SFN; Features Jillian Clare

The SFN, the online television network, today announced the exclusive, world premiere of multi-talented singer/songwriter Travis Marsh’s new music video, "Love Take Over Me." Watch it at sfntv.com.

“We’re elated to feature Travis’ debut music video on the network,” said Todd Fisher, co-founder of The SFN. “He’s an extremely gifted musician, and we believe one hundred percent in his talent. Travis is part of The SFN family, and we think our fans are going to love his music.”

RESULTS: Indie Soap & Couple of the Week Poll (February 12-18, 2012); RIVER RIDGE/Avery & Reese No. 1

Below are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of February 12-18, 2012. RIVER RIDGE finished its first season at the top of the poll followed by DEVANITY, GOSSIP BOY and the return of THURSTON.

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	RIVER RIDGE	3	3
2	DEVANITY	2	11
3	GOSSIP BOY	4	3
4	THURSTON	-	1
5	ANACOSTIA	-	12
6	TWO DOORS DOWN	-	0
7	IN THE MOMENT	-	0
8	HOW I SEIZE IT	9	0
9	AVE 43	-	0
10	NICK NICKY	6	0
11	THE STEPS	11	1
12	SOCIAL ANXIETY	-	0
13	TIGHTS AND FIGHTS: ASHES	-	0
14	OBLIVION	-	0
15	AS THE CORN GROWS	-	11

We also asked readers which web series couple was their favorite last week.  RIVER RIDGE's Avery and Reese finished on top followed by Maggie & Nate on THURSTON.   Check out the Top 5 below:

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, February 17, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, February 17, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)

RESULTS: Indie Soap & Couple of the Week Poll (February 5-11, 2012); VENICE/Gina & Ani No. 1

Below are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of February 5-11, 2012. VENICE returned to the top spot with its season finale followed by DEVANITY. RIVER RIDGE moved up to third for the week.



We also asked readers which web series couple was their favorite last week.  VENICE's Ani and Gina came out on top this week.   Check out the Top 5 below:

RANK	COUPLE	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Gina & Ani, VENICE	1	8
2	Jason & Lara, DEVANITY	3	2
3	Lara & Ani, VENICE	2	6
4	Jairus & Devin, GOSSIP BOY	5	1
5	Avery & Reese, RIVER RIDGE	-	0

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- DEVANITY Season 2 Episode 5
- GOSSIP BOY Episode 8
- HEY GIRL Episode 16 "Sunbathing Sleepover"
- HOW I SEIZE IT Episode 46 "Celebrity Crushes"
- NICK NICKY Episodes 3 & 4
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOPS GARDEN Season 5 Episode 5 "Signed, Sealed & Delivered"
- PRETTY Season 3 Finale
- RIVER RIDGE Episode 5 "Irreparable"
- THE STEPS Season 2 Episode 1 "The Pick-Up"
- THE SYNDICATE Episode 6
- TIGHTS AND FIGHTS: ASHES Episode 132 "Straight Up"
- VENICE Season 3 Episode 12 (Subscription) Season Finale
- VENUS SPA Episode 3.10 "SHOWDOWN!"

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, February 10, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, February 10, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)

RESULTS: Indie Soap & Couple of the Week Poll (January 29-February 4, 2012); DEVANITY/Gina & Ani No. 1

Below are the results from the WE LOVE SOAPS TV "Indie Soap of the Week" poll for the week of January 29-February 4, 2012. DEVANITY celebrated Christmas and moved up to first place for the week. VENICE finished in second followed by GOSSIP BOY.



We also asked readers which web series couple was their favorite last week.  VENICE's Ani and Gina came out on top this week.   Check out the Top 5 below:

RANK	COUPLE	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Gina & Ani, VENICE	1	7
2	Lara & Ani, VENICE	2	5
3	Jason & Lara, DEVANITY	-	1
4	Brad & Kenzie, RIVER RIDGE	-	0
5	Jairus & Devin, GOSSIP BOY	3	1

Watch last week's indie soaps below:
- BLOOD LIES Episode 5 "Making Choices"
- DEVANITY Season 2 Episode 2
- GOSSIP BOY Episode 5 "The Mysterious Man"
- HOW I SEIZE IT Episode 43 "Gender Identity"
- HUSTLING Episode 8 "The Flow" (Season 1 Finale)
- INTERRACIAL Episode 2
- OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS Episode 4 "Stuck in a Jam"
- ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOPS GARDEN Season 5 Episode 2 "The Audition"
- PRETTY Season 3 Episode 6
- RIVER RIDGE Episode 2 “Tell My Stories To The One’s I Love, Hide My Fears From Those I Don’t”
- SOCIAL ANXIETY Episode 1 Part 2 "Poe"
- THROWING STONES Season 2 Episodes 6 & 7
- TWO DOORS DOWN Episode 11 "Baby Blues"
- VENICE Season 3 Episode 9 (Subscription)

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, February 3, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, February 3, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)

INDIE SOAP BEAT: Season Finales of THE VARIANTS & OLD DOGS, New RIVER RIDGE, VENICE, DEVANITY, TURKISH SOAP & More!

Here's the latest news and episodes from the world of indie soaps:

* VENICE aired its latest Season 3 episode on Wednesday. Richard is upset that Gina kept the secret of their daughter to herself for so long. Where else can you see Indie Soap Award winner Hillary B. Smith sniffing Tina Sloan? Subscribers can watch VENICE here.

* On the first season finale of OLD DOGS & NEW TRICKS, Brad gets revenge on his latest hook-up (Felipe Encherri), Ross receives some provocative marriage advice, Muscles tries to get Bobby (Thom Bierdz) to discuss their dilemma, and a cryptic session with his shrink (Patrick Bristow) leads Nathan to a mind-blowing encounter. Watch it below:

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, January 27, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, January 27, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
		WWE SMACKDOWN (Syfy)
9 p.m.		RIVER RIDGE (SFN)
		FRINGE (FOX)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
		SPARTACUS : VENGEANCE (Starz)
10 p.m.		RELACIONES PELIGROSAS (Telemundo)
		MERLIN (Syfy)

NBC is airing the two-hour series finale of CHUCK starting at 8 p.m. ET.

The CW is airing repeats of NIKITA and SUPERNATURAL.

Remember to use #yearofthesoap on Twitter to promote your favorite serialized shows.

RELATED: 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, January 20, 2012 (New Episodes)

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, January 20, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m. THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS) 1 p.m. DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC) 1:30 p.m. THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS) 3 p.m. GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC) 8 p.m. UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo) 9 p.m. GRIMM (NBC) RIVER RIDGE (SFN) FRINGE (FOX) FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo) 10 p.m. LA CASA DE AL LADO (Telemundo) MERLIN (Syfy)

Remember to use #yearofthesoap on Twitter to promote your favorite serialized shows.

RELATED: 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More

INDIE SOAP BEAT: RIVER RIDGE Premieres Online, VENICE TV Commercial, IAWTV Awards

We Love Soaps sponsored the New York premiere of Tyler Ford's RIVER RIDGE back in November. It has now hit the web for all to see on The SFN. Signy Coleman, Beth Ehlers and Julie Pinson lead an all-star cast.

VENICE The Series has been running a new commercial in four cities (Portland, Nashville, Cleveland and Indianapolis) all week. You can now watch it online below:

WHAT TO WATCH: Friday, January 13, 2012 (New Episodes)

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new episodes airing on Friday, January 13, 2012.  Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

11 a.m.		THE VIEW (ABC)
		(ONE LIFE TO L IVE Special)
12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
2 p.m.		ONE LIFE TO LIVE (ABC)
		(Series Finale)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
		NIKITA (CW)
9 p.m.		SUPERNATURAL (CW)
		RIVER RIDGE (SFN)
		(Series Premiere)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
10 p.m.		LA CASA DE AL LADO (Telemundo)
		Merlin (Syfy)

Web series ORANGE JUICE IN BISHOPS GARDEN returns to kick off its fifth season on Friday. Watch it here.

Remember to use #yearofthesoap on Twitter to promote your favorite serialized shows.

And today use #OLTL to promote the finale of ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

RELATED: 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More

INDIE SOAP BEAT: Season Premiere of DEVANITY, New HUSTLING, RIVER RIDGE Preview, New Joan Collins Web Soap?

The much-anticipated second season premiere of DEVANITY is now here. Jason and Lara revisit the events of season one six months later as Lara tries once again to manipulate Jason during a time of tragedy. Tiffany Michelle guest stars. You can watch it on The SFN.

Another SFN drama, RIVER RIDGE, will premiere on Friday at 9 p.m. ET. Read a feature on the show and creator Tyler Ford at DelawareOnline.com. Ford and cast members Signy Coleman, Beth Ehlers, and Christina Jackson were also featured on SPOTLIGHT NJ offering a preview. Watch it below.



HUSTLING is back with an all-new episode this week, the last one before the season finale. Ryan (Sebastian La Cause), works as an apprentice to an established personal chef (Gerald McCullouch) but gets a little more than he bargained for in the arrangement. Watch it below.

PROMO: Emmy Winner Julie Pinson Stars In RIVER RIDGE Jan. 13

"The Year of the Soap" rolls on with the much-anticipated premiere of Tyler Ford's RIVER RIDGE. We Love Soaps hosted a New York premiere event in December and love the passion and commitment to telling human stories this series has. Julie Pinson offers a preview of the show which debuts on Friday, Jan. 13 at 9 p.m. ET on The SFN: "It'll keep you watching."

Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1)

We Love Soaps refuses to accept the doom and gloom trumpeted by the mainstream media about our beloved genre. Serialized stories have always been popular, all over the world. There are examples in every culture: the ancient Greeks had Homer, the ancient Chinese had their wuxia, and in Victorian times, New Yorkers mobbed the docks of lower Manhattan every time the next installment of the latest Dickensian novel came ashore. But now, they'll have us believe (probably to try and trick us into watching cheap, tacky talk shows) that all of a sudden, human nature has changed? That's absurd.

In fact, we contend that the soap genre is more popular than ever, and we have plenty of evidence to back it up. Just look at all the wonderful soapy goodness in store for us in 2012! That's why we predict that - despite what the mainstream media says - 2012 will be "The Year of the Soap". After reading our 2012 soap opera highlights, below, we think you'll agree with us: the genre is not dying, but (true to form) it's simply preparing for a dramatic, triumphant return. After all, who doesn't love a good comeback story? In 2012, the soap opera itself is poised for just that.

RIVER RIDGE Set To Premiere Online On The SFN January 13 (Press Release)

The SFN, the online television network recently launched by online pioneers and television veterans Stewart St. John and Todd Fisher, have announced its groundbreaking, appointment-viewing programming block featuring a slate of original, serialized content rolling out in television network style beginning with the second season of addictive soap DEVANITY and exclusive distribution of original drama series RIVER RIDGE.

With the unprecedented, history-making move of establishing designated viewing times for original online content, The SFN boldly goes where no other online web network has gone, becoming the first to create a familiar yet unique experience for visitors and fans alike. ”It’s just the beginning of our roll out and we couldn’t be happier about the exciting shows in the lineup,” said Todd Fisher, co-founder of The SFN. “DeVanity will return for its second season, premiering Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. PT and air on Thursdays. River Ridge will premiere Friday, January 13 at 7 p.m. PT and continue its run on Friday nights.”

WE LOVE SOAPS TV 3.25 RIVER RIDGE Post-Premiere Q&A Session

On Episode 3.25, Roger Newcomb and Kevin Mulcahy Jr. traveled to the Tribeca Film Center where WE LOVE SOAPS TV hosted the RIVER RIDGE premiere event. In the Q&A session following the screening, we spoke with Signy Coleman, Tyler Ford Beth Ehlers, Danielle DiLorenzo, Jon Prescott, Mark Doherty, Carrie Watt, Christina Jackson, Isabella Nolan and Seth Ford.

Watch the red carpet event below and let us know what you think.