Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1977: Ryan's Hope's Jack and Mary were locked in a storeroom.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa wanted Hester to be fired.
1990: Guiding Light's Holly revisited the past with Roger.
2009: One Live to Live's Kyle called off his wedding to Nick.

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1977: Ryan's Hope's Jack and Mary were locked in a storeroom.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa wanted Hester to be fired.
1990: Guiding Light's Holly revisited the past with Roger.
2009: One Live to Live's Kyle called off his wedding to Nick.

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947. You can listen to the very first 1931 episode here.

1964: British soap Crossroads premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1977: Ryan's Hope's Jack and Mary were locked in a storeroom.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa wanted Hester to be fired.
1990: Guiding Light's Holly revisited the past with Roger.
2009: One Live to Live's Kyle called off his wedding to Nick.

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947. You can listen to the very first 1931 episode here.

1964: British soap Crossroads premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1977: Ryan's Hope's Jack and Mary were locked in a storeroom.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa wanted Hester to be fired.
1990: Guiding Light's Holly revisited the past with Roger.
2009: One Live to Live's Kyle called off his wedding to Nick.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947. You can listen to the very first 1931 episode here.

1964: British soap Crossroads premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

FLASHBACK: You Are Cordially Invited to A (Soap) Wedding (Part 2)

Ryan's Hope producers sent Mary (Kate Mulgrew) and Jack Fenelli
(Michael Levin) to Ireland when they reconciled and remarried. The
cameras followed, and viewers were treated to weeks of on-location filming.

You Are Cordially Invited to A (Soap) Wedding

The Soap Box
Vol. IV No. 2 February 1979
by Linda Susman

(continued from Part 1)

Not all of Pine Valley's weddings have been so traditional or well-attended. The unorthodox "wedding" of Tara Martin and Phil Brent was the basis for a major AMC storyline that continues to complicate the lives of many Pine Valley residents even today.

Tara and Phil had been high school sweethearts; but after Phil ran away to New York when he found out he was adopted, Tara became engaged to Chuck Tyler, Phil's best friend. Although Phoebe Tyler, the boy's grandmother, wanted a huge, fancy affair, Tara chose a simpler wedding in her grandmother's garden. During the ceremony, Chuck fainted, suffering from a serious kidney disease. While he was in the hospital, Phil and Tara realized they were still in love, but they didn't want to upset Chuck until he had fully recovered. Meantime, Phil was drafted and they decided to marry secretly the night before he was to leave for Vietnam.

Although the young lovers made careful plans, they didn't count on a blizzard that would prevent them from reaching a justice of the peace. Desperate to take their vows before morning, they found a tiny, deserted chapel and performed a ceremony themselves they considered binding. Tara became pregnant that night, and when Phil was listed as missing-in-action, she finally told Chuck the whole story. He still loved her, and she agreed to marry him so her child would have a father.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1979: ATWT's Lisa wanted Hester fired. 1979: Lucille continued
to obsess over Amanda's life on GL. 2000: Peggy publicly
shamed her husband on EastEnders. 2009: OLTL's Dorian
arranged a mass same-sex wedding event.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947. You can listen to the very first 1931 episode here.

1964: British soap Crossroads premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1979: ATWT's Lisa wanted Hester fired. 1979: Lucille continued
to obsess over Amanda's life on GL. 2000: Peggy publicly
shamed her husband on EASTENDERS. 2009: OLTL's Dorian
arranged a mass same-sex wedding event.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― J. 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...

1931: MYRT AND MARGE premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. MYRT AND MARGE became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before THE GUIDING LIGHT premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived MYRT AND MARGE as a syndicated series from 1946-1947. You can listen to the very first 1931 episode here.

1964: British soap CROSSROADS premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

THE EDGE OF NIGHT Ended 28 Years Ago Today

ABC aired the final episode of THE EDGE OF NIGHT 28 years ago today (December 28, 1984). There were discussions about continuing the show in syndication but it never panned out and the beloved P&G soap became television history. Below are some of our favorite EDGE OF NIGHT articles, features, photos and interviews from over the years:

- CLASSIC CLIPS: Daytime Soap Opera Finales
- CLASSIC PHOTO: ATWT/EDGE Celebrate 1,000!

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

On this date in...

1964: British soap CROSSROADS premiered on ITV.  Set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, the show was originally broadcast between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #17 Sky & Raven From THE EDGE OF NIGHT

COUPLE: Schuyler Whitney & Raven Swift
SHOW: THE EDGE OF NIGHT
RANK: 17
PLAYED BY:
Sky: Larkin Malloy
Raven: Sharon Gabet
YEARS: 1980-1984 (including Jefferson Brown)

STORY:
Sky and Raven were an explosive duo that met in 1980 after Sky had survived a plane crash and moved to Monticello.  Sky was Geraldine Whitney's nephew who won Raven's heart, ultimately leading to their wedding.  But it wasn't happily ever after for the couple as Raven realized Sky had been a patient of plastic surgeon, Dr. Kenneth Bryson, and was actually an impostor named Jefferson Brown!

CLASSIC CLIPS: Sky & Raven in THE EDGE OF NIGHT

Sky and Raven were one of the most popular couples in the history of THE EDGE OF NIGHT. Below are some clips featuring the characters:

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

On this date in...

1964: British CROSSROADS, set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England, premiered. ITV network originally broadcast the series between 1964 and 1988. The series was revived in a glossier version by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again axed in 2003.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Sharon Gabet

Sharon Gabet came in at #42 on the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses of All Time list. Here are some classic clips of Alexander including her work on THE EDGE OF NIGHT, ANOTHER WORLD and ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

1980: Raven prepares to go to court. (EON)
1981: Raven asks Derek to get her a gun. (EON)

1983: Raven and Sky are unable to escape the CEA. (EON)
1984: EDGE OF NIGHT ends with Sky and Raven (and a sword). (EON)

1985: An ANOTHER WORLD promo for early Brittany scenes.
1986: Brittany tells Catlin she's in big trouble (this clip also features a nice Ellen Wheeler and Tom Eplin scene as Marley and Jake). (AW)

1987: Melinda demands to know whose baby Lena is holding. (OLTL)
1988: Jon breaks up with Melinda. (OLTL)

1988: Cassie tries to talk sense into Melinda about Jon. (OLTL)

FLASHBACK: Sharon Gabet 1985

Sharon Gabet Plays deaf-mute In New Role

By Connie Passalacqua
The Dispatch
April 24, 1985

When EDGE OF NIGHT was canceled last December, one of daytime's most scintillating couples, Sky and Raven Whitney, was cast into soap oblivion. But actors Larkin Malloy and Sharon Gabet, who portrayed them, became "hot properties." Malloy was snapped up immediately by GUIDING LIGHT, where he now portrays snidely Kyle Sampson, a role much like the villainous Sky. Barely two months later, Miss Gabet surfaced on ANOTHER WORLD in a role drastically different from fiery Raven.

FLASHBACK: Sharon Gabet 1978

Raven's Not Me, Actress Declares

By Jon-Michael Reed
Los Angeles Times
November 8, 1978

NEW YORK - It's not easy being a daytime TV villainess, as actress Sharon Gabet has discovered.

Gabet, who portrays Raven Alexander Jamison on The Edge of Night has received death threats and anonymous obscene phone calls from fans who took her portrait of Raven as reality.

50 Greatest Soap Actresses: #42 Sharon Gabet

NAME: Sharon Gabet
RANK: 42
SOAP ROLES: Melinda Cramer, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1987-1989); Brittany Peterson, ANOTHER WORLD (1985-1987); Raven Alexander, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1977-1984)

AWARDS:
1984 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1982 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Roger Newcomb: Gabet was such a powerful actress. Her Raven on EDGE OF NIGHT was one of my favorite soap opera characters. It would have been wonderful if she and Sky (Larkin Malloy) could have played their characters on another soap after EDGE went off the air. It took a while to find her footing on ANOTHER WORLD but she eventually did and was wonderful. How ironic I attended a press lunch for the Cramer Women the day before Gabet appears in this countdown.