Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband.
1989: GL's Will fatally injured Rose.
1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said goodbye to B.J.
2012: Days' Lucas and Sami reacted to Will coming out.

"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...

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1979: On Another World, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) called Ada (Constance Ford) to tell her what she was doing in New York.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband. 1989: GL's
Will fatally injured Rose. 1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said
goodbye to their daughter, B.J. 2012: Days' Lucas and Sami
reacted to the revelation that their son, Will, was gay.

"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...

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On Another World, Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe) had Russ (David Baile) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) over for dinner.

1983: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband. 1989: GL's
Will fatally injured Rose. 1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said
goodbye to their daughter, B.J. 2012: Days' Lucas and Sami
reacted to the revelation that their son, Will, was gay.

"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...

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On Another World, Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe) had Russ (David Baile) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) over for dinner.

1983: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband. 1989: GL's
Will fatally injured Rose. 1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said
goodbye to their daughter, B.J. 2012: Days' Lucas and Sami
reacted to the revelation that their son, Will, was gay.

"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...

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On Another World, Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe) had Russ (David Baile) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) over for dinner.

1983: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

1989: ATWT's Ellen was unhappy with her husband. 1989: GL's
Will fatally injured Rose. 1994: GH's Bobbie and Tony said
goodbye to their daughter, B.J. 2012: Days' Lucas and Sami
reacted to the revelation that their son, Will, was gay.

"The whole past is the procession of the present."
- Thomas Carlyle

"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...

1967: On Days of our Lives, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On Another World, Jim Matthews (Hugh Marlowe), who was now a widower, had Russ (David Baile) and Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) over for dinner.

1983: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).

Today in Soap Opera History (May 16)

On this date in...

1967: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Tom (Macdonald Carey) told Susan (Denise Alexander) that Dickie didn't have any fractures but had not regained consciousness.

1975: On ANOTHER WORLD, Jim (Hugh Marlowe), who was now a widower, had Russ and Iris over to dinner.

1983: On RYAN'S HOPE, Jack (Michael Levin) did a segment on Channel 8 about the free clinic closing, thanks to Rae (Louise Shaffer).

INTERVIEW: Rebecca Herbst On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Scott Reeves, Liason Fans & Smile Train

GENERAL HOSPITAL star Rebecca Herbst

When she was six, Rebecca Herbst told her mother that she wanted to be on television so that she could play with the toys. Since then she has appeared in over sixty national commercials, and guest-starred in many television series including L.A. LAW, BEVERLY HILLS 90210 and BOY MEETS WORLD. She starred with Jaclyn Smith in the television movie Kaleidoscope, and with Christopher Lloyd in the feature film Why Me? She also played series regular Suzee in SPACE CASES.

In August 1997, Ms. Herbst originated the role of Elizabeth Webber on GENERAL HOSPITAL. She's been honored with three Daytime Emmy® nominations for her work on the soap, including one nomination earlier this year. She met her husband, Michael Saucedo, on the show, and the happy couple now has three children: Ethan, Ella and Emerson.

We Love Soaps caught up with the talented and generous Ms. Herbst to talk about GENERAL HOSPITAL and to find out what makes Smile Train's Season of Smiles campaign so important.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You've been through several transitions behind the scenes at GENERAL HOSPITAL. This year we've seen some people come and go, and a lot of familiar faces return, either short-term or long-term.
REBECCA HERBST: I'm an easy going person and just go with the flow. But I'm excited to see so many familiar faces, and to see where the stories are going. Frank [Valentini, executive producer] and Ron [Carlivati, head writer] are doing the best they can to keep our feet on the ground and to keep GENERAL HOSPITAL going.

Scott Reeves Leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL

On Wednesday evening Scott Reeves tweeted the news of his upcoming exit from ABC's GENERAL HOSPITAL.

"Hey guys, u know how much u mean 2 me and I wanted u 2 hear it from me," Reeves wrote. "I was let go from GH today and my last day should b in Feb sometime."

Reeves has played Dr. Steven "Steve" Lars Webber on GENERAL HOSPITAL since December 2009. There's no word yet on how the Reeves will be written out of the show, or if there are any plans to recast the role.

GENERAL HOSPITAL will celebrate its 50th anniversary in April.

UPDATE:
On Thursday, We Love Soaps spoke with Rebecca Herbst, who plays Steve's sister, Elizabeth, about a number of topics including Reeves leaving GH. Read our interview here.

NEWS ROUNDUP: DAYS Production Staffers In Limbo; Jon Lindstrom & Cady McClain Engaged, Gillian Anderson Joins HANNIBAL

GENERAL HOSPITAL's Scott Reeves: "Love you all! Looking forward to seeing what God has next!!"
A Wednesday afternoon tweet by Reeves made fans think he is leaving GH. Stay tuned!

Layoffs scheduled to hit local entertainment industry - DAYS OF OUR LIVES possibly impacted
NBCUniversal issued 50 layoff notices effective Dec. 31, according to the state.

The employees — who primarily fill technical and operations positions — are represented by the National Assn. of Broadcast Employees and Technicians - Communications Workers of America, Local 53.

Union president Steve Ross said NBCUniversal officials are saying the workers aren’t needed because the company no longer owns the studio lot in Burbank, which it sold in 2007.

Some of the air-conditioning and building-services workers have been hired by the lot’s new owner, Ross said. However, production staffers who work on DAYS OF OUR LIVES are still in limbo, he added.

NEWS ROUNDUP: J.R. Martinez, Bobbie Eakes, Steve Burton, Terri Conn, Jennifer Hudson

J.R. Martinez returns to Fort Campbell
Martinez will be at the post on the Tennessee-Kentucky state line Friday to sign copies of his new book, "Full of Heart," his personal story of survival and recovery after being injured in Iraq. He once served in the 101st Airborne Division.

ALL MY CHILDREN alum Bobbie Eakes participating in "SPARKLE: An All-Star Holiday Concert"
The holiday season kicks off Wednesday, December 5 with the return of "SPARKLE: An All-Star Holiday Concert" benefiting Desert AIDS Project at the Annenberg Theater in the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Springs, CA. An all-star cast brings together performers from the worlds of film, television, Broadway and the music industry to get you in to the spirit of the season as they perform your favorite holiday songs at this one night only "cavalcade of stars" extravaganza.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Female TV Stars Step Off the Scale; Scott Reeves Early Career; Susan Sarandon Casting Couch Treatment

Women On TV Female Stars Step Off the Scale
There was always room in comedy for a fat friend, but it’s only recently that overweight women started being cast as romantic heroines or sexual temptresses. Donna on PARKS AND RECREATION, who is played by the actress and comedian Retta, has an active love life and a naughty streak. (She reads “50 Shades of Grey” at the office.)

Society is beginning to be more honest about the price some women pay to stay thin, helped along by celebrities who almost daily confess to eating disorders like bulimia, most recently Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls.

GENERAL HOSPITAL actor Scott Reeves to head to W.Va. for Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival Oct. 20
His first TV appearance was in 1984 when he was on the game show PRESS YOUR LUCK. He was 18.

NEWS ROUNDUP: B&B's Linsey Godfrey Is Cancer Survivor & Heroine; Televisa USA Launching; Scott Reeves At Stars & Stripes Festival

Soap opera actress Linsey Godfrey from Stuart is cancer survivor, heroine
During the filming of Surface, she was fatigued. She went to several doctors, who prescribed antibiotics, vitamins and B12 shots. When the series wrapped up, Linsey came home to Tallahassee, where the family was living at the time. She still was exhausted.

After fainting three times in one week, the 17-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. The diagnosis came just a day after Linsey got her first movie role.

But the movie had to wait. Instead of filming, Linsey started chemotherapy.

PREVIEW: Two Hours of GCB on ABC Sunday Night (Scott Reeves Guest Stars)

ABC is trying GCB out in DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES timeslot on Sunday, April 8, and then will air a second all-new episode afterward making it a two-hour block. Ratings could go a long way toward securing GCB a spot on the network's fall schedule.

In "Turn the Other Cheek" (9:01-10:00 p.m., ET), when Luke convinces Carlene to take the Matron of Honor duties away from Sharon and give the honor to Amanda for her "Gone with the Wind"-themed renewal of marriage vows, Sharon is out for blood. Carlene tries to turn the other cheek and accept Amanda, while Amanda is overwhelmed with her new duties.

Meanwhile, Heather seeks forgiveness from the GCBs, and Blake surprises Cricket with a special request.

Port Chuck Spring Tour Dates

Port Chuck is hitting the road on the East Coast in late April/early May. Fans can check out the band which is made up of GENERAL HOSPITAL stars Steve Burton, Scott Reeves, Brandon Barash and Bradford Anderson.

GENERAL HOSPITAL has been on the upswing and this is a chance to support four of its stars.

Anderson is also a nominee in the 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards. You can watch the telecast of the ISAs on The SFN on Sunday, March 18 at 9 p.m.

RELATED:
- INTERVIEW: The Further Adventures Of Bradford Anderson Part One; Working with Frank Valenti, the future of GENERAL HOSPITAL & Golden Handcuffs
- INTERVIEW: The Further Adventures Of Bradford Anderson Part Two - Nielsens, Mad Men, and Maxies