Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

November 25, 1960: "The Day Radio Drama Died"

"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...

1960: Often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died" or "the day the radio soap opera died," this day has been identified as a watershed moment in broadcasting. CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: Ma Perkins, Young Doctor Malone (which also aired on NBC-TV), The Right to Happiness (a spin-off of The Guiding Light), The Second Mrs. Burton, The Couple Next Door, Whispering Secrets and Best Seller.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

November 25, 1960: "The Day Radio Drama Died"

"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...

1960: Often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died" or "the day the radio soap opera died," this day has been identified as a watershed moment in broadcasting. CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: Ma Perkins, Young Doctor Malone (which also aired on NBC-TV), The Right to Happiness (a spin-off of The Guiding Light), The Second Mrs. Burton, The Couple Next Door, Whispering Secrets and Best Seller.

New Head Writer Ron Carlivati Previews What's Ahead on 'Days of our Lives'

New Days of our Lives head writer Ron Carlivati previews what's ahead on the iconic NBC soap opera in the new issue of Soap Opera Digest. Carlivati's first episode airs on Wednesday, July 19.

"There will be focus on the vets because I love writing for vets," he tells the magazine. "I came in with a goal at the beginning to not bring in anybody new, to write for the people I had, so you'll see at the outset and for several months that there's some familiar faces returning, but nobody new."

Carlivati also teases the return of Chandler Massey to the cast.

"I think the assumption is that that means that's Will," he says, "but in a world of evil twins and doppelgangers and look-alikes, you never know. I'm an outsider, so I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong, but it seemed like the death of Will Horton was not a popular decision and was viewed as a mistake."

Days will find out early in 2018 whether NBC will renew the show for another year.

"We just wrote Christimas and New Year's, and that's stuff will be airing next January into February sweeps, which is right around when that decision gets made," Carlivati reveals. "I want this show to be really good because I want them to say, 'Of course we're picking it up!'"

Check out Carlivati's entire interview in the new Soap Opera Digest.

New 'Days of our Lives' Head Writer Ron Carlivati Reveals First Episode Date

Emmy winner Ron Carlivati revealed Wednesday on Twitter that we are a month away from his first episode as new head writer of NBC soap opera Days of our Lives.

4 weeks from today... #days #myfirstepisode #incaseyouwerewondering #excited pic.twitter.com/MJT5BMovBL

— Ron Carlivati (@carlivatiron) June 21, 2017

My first @nbcdays scene... #days #teaser #whathappenedtomarlena pic.twitter.com/hFEfr9327d

— Ron Carlivati (@carlivatiron) June 21, 2017

Ken Corday: Shooting 'Days of our Lives' So Far Ahead is Only Way to "Make Our Nut" + Fans Must Wait Till Fall For Carlivati to Wiggle Out of Summer Stories

Ken Corday is excited about fall storylines on Days of our Lives.
But what about the next six months?

In his recently interview with Soap Opera Digest, Days of our Lives executive producer Ken Corday explained why the iconic NBC soap opera shoots episodes six months in advance.

"Because the money that we’re getting to produce the show is not what it was two years ago, four years ago, six years ago. So we have to contract the production of the show, and we’re doing eight shows a week as opposed to five shows a week. So we get way far ahead and we’re not using the studio, we don’t have to pay studio overhead, and et cetera, et cetera for 13 out of 52 weeks. That’s the only way we can make our nut."

It seems like the current production schedule may be the only way financially to keep Days going at this point. But it certainly can't be good news for viewers to hear the show's executive producer warn fans for the second time in three years that the next six months will not be very enjoyable. This time around, fans must wait until fall to see the impact of new head writer, Ron Carlivati.

"That’s the thing we’ll be getting away from the most is the onerous, 'I can’t watch this anymore' kind of darkness," Corday tells the magazine. "I’ll just say at a time when there’s enough bad news on the air, we don’t need to see it reflected on Days of our Lives. We don’t need to see people doing the wrong things with the wrong people. People want to come to this show for a safe haven. They want to be entertained and warmed and, you know, cuddle up with Days again. The shift will take about two months for him to kind of resolidify, wiggle out of what was there in the summer, and give us a fall that’s much more in keeping with what I’m talking about."

Ron Carlivati Wants 'Days of our Lives' Fans to Laugh, Cry and Yearn for Couples

It may not be the latest "Plan to Save Days of our Lives" but in the current issue of Soap Opera Digest, executive producer Ken Corday previews what to expect under new head writer Ron Carlivati.

"He will bring to the show things that the show hasn't had for quite a while," says Corday. "What he said to me is that he wants the show to make you laugh again and he wants the show to make you cry again and he wants the show to make you yearn for certain couples again as opposed to, ‘Why are they doing this? Why are they doing that?’ So he will resolidify shortly after his tenure starts. We will see couples that I’m a big fan of and that I think viewers are big fans of, as well."

Opinion
Carlivati was able to deliver wonderful humor as head writer for both One Life to Live and General Hospital, so we can expect the same on Days. It will honestly be a nice change from the current state of the show.

Ron Carlivati In as 'Days of our Lives' Head Writer, Dena Higley Out, Sheri Anderson Thomas Returns as Consultant

Ron Carlivati has been named the new head writer of Days of our Lives.

Daytime Emmy and WGA Award winning former One Life to Live and General Hospital head writer Ron Carlivati has been named the new head writer of NBC daytime soap opera Days of our Lives, replacing the current team of Dena Higley and Ryan Quan.

According to Soap Opera Digest, Quan will remain at Days with a new title, Creative Consultant. Sheri Anderson Thomas, who served on the Days of our Lives writing team in various capacities, including head writer and co-head writer in the 1980s and 1990s, will also hold the Creative Consultant title.

"We look forward to the fresh and compelling stories these changes will bring to Salem," Days of our Lives said in a statement.

“Like Sands Through the Hourglass,” Carlivati tweeted tonight, a reference to Days' famous intro.

Anderson Thomas shared her excited in a message on Facebook.

"I was a huge fan of the show before I met my mentor, Pat Falken Smith, and was lucky enough to also be mentored by the phenomenal Betty Corday," she wrote. "I am am thrilled, and honored, to be returning, and especially with Ron who's a brilliant storyteller and great guy. Upwards!"

The staff changes come as Days of our Lives faces an indefinite future. As Deadline recently reported, discussions are underway for a 52nd, and possibly final, season. NBC's hire of Fox News' Megyn Kelly brought speculation of a morning talk show that could shake-up the network's daytime schedule.

At the recent Television Critics' Association press tour, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt told Deadline about Days, "We haven't made decisions, but we like that show. I think we will know more in couple of months. As they age, these shows diminish, there is a lot of delayed viewing and very little linear viewing anymore, you have to keep looking at that."

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

November 25, 1960: "The Day Radio Drama Died"

"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...

1960: Often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died" or "the day the radio soap opera died," this day has been identified as a watershed moment in broadcasting. CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: Ma Perkins, Young Doctor Malone (which also aired on NBC-TV), The Right to Happiness (a spin-off of The Guiding Light), The Second Mrs. Burton, The Couple Next Door, Whispering Secrets and Best Seller.

Watch Ron Carlivati Accept the 2016 WGA Award for 'General Hospital'

Ron Carlivati and the winning writing team from General Hospital.

On Saturday, February 13, the writing team from ABC soap opera General Hospital took home its second consecutive WGA Award, led by former head writer Ron Carlivati, who had plenty to say in his acceptance speech. The winning episode was from GH's 52nd anniversary last April revolving around Anthony Geary's iconic character, Luke Spencer.

"We told an original story about one of the most popular characters on daytime television," Carlivati explained. "At the time the actor who played him told me it was his favorite story line of his entire thirty-seven-year run on the show. Shortly after this, however, he became disenchanted with my writing, and for some strange reason refused to acknowledge that we ever even met, referring to me in interviews as only as 'the writer'. Apparently this is supposed to be some kind of insult but I'm sure my fellow writers standing on the stage, and probably most you in this room, would agree I consider being called a writer to be a badge of honor. So thank you to him for that, and thank you the Writers Guild for this."

Watch Carlivati's speech below.

'General Hospital' Writing Team Wins at 68th WGA Awards

General Hospital won in the Daytime Drama category at the 68th annual Writers Guild Awards on Saturday night. The ABC soap opera won for the second year in a row, this year beating one other nominee, The Bold and the Beautiful.

GH was nominated for the episode celebrating the soap's 52nd anniversary that aired on April 1, 2015. Current cast members took on past roles to recreate scenes from the show's very first episode that aired on that day in 1963.

The winning GH team included: Writers: Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, Andrea Archer Compton, Suzanne Flynn, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O’Connor, Elizabeth Page, Jean Passanante, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles, Chris Van Etten; ABC

The ceremony took place simultaneously in New York and Los Angeles. Below is a complete list of winners in other categories:

DRAMA SERIES
Mad Men, Written by Lisa Albert, Semi Chellas, Jonathan Igla, Janet Leahy, Erin Levy, Tom Smuts, Robert Towne, Matthew Weiner, Carly Wray; AMC

EPISODIC DRAMA
“Uno” (Better Call Saul), Written by Vince Gilligan & Peter Gould; AMC

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

November 25, 1960: "The Day Radio Drama Died"

"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...

1960: Often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died" or "the day the radio soap opera died," this day has been identified as a watershed moment in broadcasting. CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: Ma Perkins, Young Doctor Malone (which also aired on NBC-TV), The Right to Happiness (a spin-off of The Guiding Light), The Second Mrs. Burton, The Couple Next Door, Whispering Secrets and Best Seller.

'General Hospital' Star Maurice Benard Jokes "We Got Rid of the Writer"

Maurice Benard speaking to fans during the GH Fan Club Weekend event
he co-hosted with Chad Duell and Bryan Craig.

Over the past few days, General Hospital has been celebrating its loyal viewers during the show's annual Fan Club Weekend, with a luncheon and wall-to-wall events featuring much of the cast. While addressing a group of fans at the "Sonny & Sons" event, Emmy winner Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) shared his feelings about the recent departure of head writer Ron Carlivati, who was replaced by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante, and offered new enthusiasm for what's coming up.

"We got rid of the writer," Benard said jokingly to the audience.

"I'm not one to bash," Benard continued, "but the thing with him was, obviously, he wasn't a fan of mine...and that's a stupid thing..."

The crowd laughed and cheered him on as he continued talking.

"The good news is, moving forward...there's been some great stuff," he teased. "So if you guys have any doubt about what's going to happen, I can tell you right now that the future looks so promising. This is the first time in I can't tell you how long that I can't wait to go to work, and work."

NEWS: Ron Carlivati, Eva La Rue, Ally Walker, Will Packer

Ron Carlivati

Ron Carlivati tweets first comments since being fired as head writer of General Hospital
Carlivati tweeted his appreciation on Monday night: "Thanks to everyone @GeneralHospital for 4 wonderful years. And thanks to the #GH fans for all your love & support. It means the world to me."

Former All My Children actress Eva La Rue joins cast of Fuller House
La Rue (ex-Dr. Maria Santos, All My Children) has been cast as Teri, the new wife of Bob Saget’s clean freak Danny, in Netflix's Full House spinoff.

Aly is dead on The Bold and the Beautiful! Killing off soap-opera legacy characters for shock value
Writes Alina Adams: "Soap-opera fans are notorious for hating newbies—new actors, and especially new characters. They want their shows to focus on the core characters already onscreen, or, at the very least, the children of characters they already know and love. Aly was all of those things. And now she’s (presumably) dead."

Will Packer to produce Atlanta-set drama Buckhead For NBC
Written and executive produced by David McMillan, Buckhead is described as a drama about ambition, sex, and revenge set in the extravagant, high-stakes world of Atlanta politics, entertainment, churches and strip clubs. Atlanta native Packer also is executive producing, with Korin Huggins, head of Television for Will Packer Prods., co-executive producing.

Longmire will premiere Thursday, September 10 on Netflix
Season 4 “picks up moments after Season 3’s exciting finale” — which suggested that Branch had been shot by his father or vice versa — and finds Walt succumbing to his darker impulses after learning who was behind the murder of his wife.

On the casting front, Netflix confirms that Ally Walker (ex-Andrea Bedford, Santa Barbara) will recur in an unspecified role, joining returning regulars Robert Taylor, Bailey Chase (ex-Chris Hughes, As the World Turns), Katee Sackhoff, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cassidy Freeman and Adam Bartley. Gerald McRaney will also reprise his role as Barlow Connally for an arc.

ITV ready for soap battle with BBC after ratings fall
ITV has pledged to pump resources into Coronation Street and Emmerdale to reverse a ratings decline.

Ron Carlivati Fired From 'General Hospital' as Head Writer, Replaced by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante

Ron Carlivati

Ron Carlivati has been fired as head writer of General Hospital, after winning the WGA Award earlier this year for writing in a daytime drama.

Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante have been named new co-head writers of GH, taking over on August 10.

“We are pleased to welcome back two esteemed writers to our General Hospital family,” said Vicki Dummer, Executive Vice President Current Series Programming, in a statement. "Shelly and Jean’s combined talents and experiences promise to continue the show’s legacy of compelling storytelling that will resonate with our impassioned viewers. We’re delighted with what they have in store for the show as they continue honoring the rich, diverse environs of Port Charles.”

Altman is a multiple Emmy award-winner who worked on One Life to Live and The Young and the Restless, as well as GH and Another World. Passanante previously served as head writer and co-head writer for several daytime dramas, including Y&R, All My Children and As the World Turns. She has won four Daytime Emmy awards, six Writer’s Guild awards and five GLAAD media awards.

Carlivati moved to GH in early 2012, along with executive producer Frank Valentini, after ABC canceled One Life to Live. Carlivati won a Daytime Emmy award in 2008 for his work at OLTL.

'General Hospital' Wins WGA Award (Video)

"Soaps are unique, and they're special," GH head writer Ron Carlivati said during his acceptance speech.

On Saturday, February 14, The Writers Guild of America, West and The Writers Guild of America, East held simultaneous awards ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York. Ron Carlivati and the writing team from General Hospital won the award in the Daytime Drama category. Watch Abigail Spencer (ex-Becca, All My Children) present the award below:

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

November 25, 1960: "The Day Radio Drama Died"

"Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years."
― Will Durant

"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...

1960: Often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died," this day has been identified as a watershed moment in broadcasting. CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: Ma Perkins, Young Doctor Malone (which also aired on NBC-TV), The Right to Happiness (a spin-off of The Guiding Light), The Second Mrs. Burton, The Couple Next Door, Whispering Secrets and Best Seller. Audiences still loved radio drama, but many stations around the country wanted that air time for local news and information features.

GH: Is GENERAL HOSPITAL Out Of Control? And Should Twitter Impact Your Enjoyment Of A Show?

GENERAL HOSPITAL has done many things right since executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati took over the reins of the show in early 2012. It can certainly be argued that they saved this long time daytime drama from cancellation. The show was dreary and boring and they quickly revitalized it.

Robin (Kimberly McCullough), slated to die for "real", was saved. Popular actors Finola Hughes, Lynn Herring, Robin Mattson, Kin Shriner, Kristina Wagner, and Tyler Christopher, among others, returned. The events leading up to the 2013 Nurses Ball were magical. I truly believe that Mr. Carlivati is a fan of the show and is trying hard to respect its history. He understands that fans want to see their favorite characters from the past.

Sean Kanan Returning To THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL as Deacon, Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL and the Role of A.J.

Sean Kanan will be leaving his role as "A.J. Quartermaine" on ABC daytime soap opera GENERAL HOSPITAL, and returning to CBS sudser THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL as "Deacon Sharpe."

On GH, A.J. is currently in critical condition after being shot in the chest. Kanan will continue working at GH through March 28, and be seen on the show for few weeks after that.

He reports to B&B mid-April, with his return episode scheduled to air June 13.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 25)

1960: Known as "The Day Radio Drama Died."

"That is the supreme value of history. The study of it is the best guarantee against repeating it."
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir

"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...

1960: Has been identified as a watershed in broadcasting. It's often referred to by aficionados as "the day radio drama died." CBS Radio aired the final episodes of the last network radio soap operas: MA PERKINS, YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE (which also aired on NBC-TV), THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS (a spin-off of THE GUIDING LIGHT), THE SECOND MRS. BURTON, THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR, WHISPERING SECRETS and BEST SELLER. Audiences still loved radio drama, but the local stations wanted all of the air time for local news and information features.

NEWS: GENERAL HOSPITAL, Ron Carlivati, John Stamos, SOAPnet, Melody Thomas Scott, Angelica McDaniel, Corbin Bleu

GENERAL HOSPITAL head writer Ron Carlivati: 'I'm sorry people are disappointed when their favorite is not in story. You can't please everybody.'
On the status of Genie Francis (Laura): "I had to write her character off the show because it's my job, not because I wanted to. I don't make the contracts. I sit in New York and write the show. As I understand it, Genie came back to us on a short-term contract, which is what both she and ABC wanted. I was given her dates and worked with them the best I could."

On being overly sensitive to Twitter criticism: "People have different ideas of what constitutes criticism and, to me, 'This show sucks' is not criticism. I will listen and respond very thoughtfully to someone who says, 'I had a problem with this because of such and such...' That doesn't mean I'll change my plans, but that's completely valid. But, yeah, call me sensitive when someone says, 'You're the worst writer and human being on the planet!' There are some very angry, very hateful people out there and who needs that in your life? I would never talk about people the way some of them talk about me."

Carlivati and John Stamos disagree on Twitter about proposed Blackie return for GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th Anniversary
Stamos responding to a fan asking if he would ever return to GH: "Never! I tried,they wanted me 2 play J.G. on drums with R.S. Legacy too important to me."

Carlivati: "I'm sure I will be shouted down by 1.3M people, but this is a total mischaracterization of what occurred."