Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

1970: The Doctors' Julie stirred up trouble at Hope Memorial.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Faith realized what Kenneth was up to.
1981: Another World's Mac pleaded with Mitch for help.
2006: General Hospital's Bobbie threatened Tracy.

"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: Time magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On Another World, Mitchell Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played the character on both As the World Turns and The Brighter Day) advised Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between her brother, Russ (Sam Groom), and his new wife, Rachel (Robin Strasser).

1970: On The Doctors, when Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) helped nurse Amanda Buckley (Esther Benson) break into a lock box at the hospital, they found a coded list of illegal abortions.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

1970: The Doctors' Julie stirred up trouble at Hope Memorial.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Faith realized what Kenneth was up to.
1981: Another World's Mac pleaded with Mitch for help.
2006: General Hospital's Bobbie threatened Tracy.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"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: Time magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On Another World, Mitchell Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played the character on both As the World Turns and The Brighter Day) advised Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between her brother, Russ (Sam Groom), and his new wife, Rachel (Robin Strasser).

1970: On The Doctors, when Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) helped nurse Amanda Buckley (Esther Benson) break into a lock box at the hospital, they found a coded list of illegal abortions.

FLASHBACK: Last Days of 'Search for Tomorrow' at Reeves Teletape Studio (1985)

On February 21-22, 1985, Search for Tomorrow shot for the final time at Reeves Teletape Studio on Broadway and West 81st Street in New York City. The show was about to move to EUE/Screen Gems Video Studio (222 East 44th Street) following the cancellation of another Procter & Gamble soap opera, The Edge of Night. On Monday, YouTube user JoeVideo66 posted a fascinating piece of history, pieced together from video he shot during those last two days at Reeeves, including behind the scenes chats with the legendary Mary Stuart (Jo) and beloved Sherry Mathis (Liza).

For two and a half years we cranked out a half hour of taped drama every single day. It was fun/work. Alas, all good things must come to an end, and the client decided to move the show to another studio which became vacant with the demise of their show "Edge of Night" (remember that one?). They still had a lease on that studio so it made sense for them to move Search there.

This left us without a show, and without jobs. I did, however, think it would be cool to film behind the scenes for the last two days, and with my friend Bryan's blessing( he was the Technical Director of the crew ) I roamed the entire studio poking into every department and getting some amazing footage. But then it was over.... a fleeting memory preserved here thru the magic of video..... enjoy.

Watch the video below.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

1970: The Doctors' Julie stirred up trouble at Hope Memorial.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Faith realized what Kenneth was up to.
1981: Another World's Mac pleaded with Mitch for help.
2006: General Hospital's Bobbie threatened Tracy.

"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...

1939: Time magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On Another World, Mitchell Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played the character on both As the World Turns and The Brighter Day) advised Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between her brother, Russ (Sam Groom), and his new wife, Rachel (Robin Strasser).

1970: On The Doctors, when Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) helped nurse Amanda Buckley (Esther Benson) break into a lock box at the hospital, they found a coded list of illegal abortions.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

1970: The Doctors' Julie stirred up trouble at Hope Memorial.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Faith realized what Kenneth was up to.
1981: Another World's Mac pleaded with Mitch for help.
2006: General Hospital's Bobbie threatened Tracy.

"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...

1939: Time magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On Another World, Mitchell Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played the character on both As the World Turns and The Brighter Day) advised Alice Matthews (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between her brother, Russ (Sam Groom), and his new wife, Rachel (Robin Strasser).

1970: On The Doctors, when Julie Forrest (Ginger Gerlach) helped nurse Amanda Buckley (Esther Benson) break into a lock box at the hospital, they found a coded list of illegal abortions.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

"A page of history is worth a pound of logic."
― Oliver Wendell Holmes

"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: Time magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On The Doctors, the Hope Memorial Hospital board met to discuss Bunker's allegations against the hospital published in the morning newspaper.

1968: On Another World, Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played Mitchell Dru on both As the World Turns and The Brighter Day) advised Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between Russ and Rachel.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

"Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself."
- Lily Tomlin

"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: TIME magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played Mitchell Dru on both AS THE WORLD TURNS and THE BRIGHTER DAY) advised Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) not to conjure up trouble between Russ and Rachel.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

On this date in...

1939: TIME magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played Mitchell Dru on both AS THE WORLD TURNS and THE BRIGHTER DAY) advised Alice not to conjure up trouble between Russ and Rachel.

CLASSIC CLIP: HOLLYWOOD SQUARES Soap Star Week 1979

1979 DAYS OF OUR LIVES stars Richard Guthrie and
Tracey Bregman (now Lauren on THE YOUNG AND
THE RESTLESS).

In early December 1979 NBC's HOLLYWOOD SQUARES are a Soap Stars special week featuring many of the stars of the day (a few of which are still starring in daytime today).

The panel consisted of the following pairs:
* Nancy Pinkerton & Franc Luz (THE DOCTORS)
* Susan Keith & Paul Stevens (ANOTHER WORLD)
* Richard Guthrie & Tracey Bregman (DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
* Dennis Cooney & Kelly Wood (AS THE WORLD TURNS)
* Sherry Mathis & Rod Arrants (SEARCH FOR TOMORROW)
* Brenda Dickson & Bob Colbert (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS)
* Bill & Susan Hayes (DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
* Quinn Redeker & Brenda Benet (DAYS OF OUR LIVES)
* Wayland & Madame (center square)

Watch the December 4, 1979 episode of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Travis & Liza in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW 1983

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW's Travis frantically searched for his wife, Liza, in 1983. Watch the March 7, 1983 below in which Liza shoots Rusty:

CLASSIC CLIP: Travis & Liza in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW 1979

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW's Liza and Travis fell in love and became of the most popular couples in daytime during their run from 1978-1984. Watch some scenes from their first year in the clips below:

Today in Soap Opera History (January 23)

On this date in...

1939: TIME magazine published a story about radio soap creators, Frank and Anne Hummert, explaining their prolific serial production operation (Blackett-Sample-Hummert Inc.). "By hiring dialogue writers, and not creators, the Hummerts save lots of money. Most serial writers in radio command $200 to $400 a week. For The Goldbergs, Gertrude Berg gets about $2,000. The Hummerts pay a minimum $25 per 15-minute script. Since most Hummert ghosts are glad to add caviar to bread-&-butter from other jobs, they have seldom squawked." Read the entire article here.

1968: On ANOTHER WORLD, Dru (Geoffrey Lumb, who also played Mitchell Dru on both AS THE WORLD TURNS and THE BRIGHTER DAY) advised Alice not to conjure up trouble between Russ and Rachel.

CLASSIC CLIP: Travis & Liza in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW 1980

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW's Liza and Travis had adventures all over the world including Rome in 1980. Watch an episode from 1980 below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Travis & Liza in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW 1981

SEARCH FOR TOMORROW's Liza and Travis lost baby Roger Lee in 1981. They tried to patch things up on a cruise to England. Watch some clips from 1981 below: