Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on DALLAS. Pam had only
dreamed he was dead. 1994: AMC's Erica had harsh words
for Kendall then visited Mona's grave. 1995: AW's Grant
shot his brother, Ryan, in the back. 1997: DAYS recast the
role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John (Larry Bryggman) told David (Henderson Forsythe) he thought Kim (Kathryn Hays) was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 25)

1988: Kayla and Steve were married on Days of
our Lives.

"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: On Dark Shadows, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) accused Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) of knowing something about her past.

1969: On The Doctors, amnesiac Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) was not happy that Dr. Gellar would only tell her bits and pieces of information about her past.



1979: Oscar nominee Quinn Redeker debuted as Alex Marshall in Days of our Lives. It wasn't long before he was dating DAYS co-star Deidre Hall (Marlena).

1980: Caryn Richman and Randy Hamilton debuted on Another World as their Texas characters Elena and Rikki Dekker. Elena sang at Mike Marshall's funeral. Texas premiered on August 4th.

1984: Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston taped their August guest appearance at the As the World Turns studio in New York.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on DALLAS. Pam had only
dreamed he was dead. 1994: AMC's Erica had harsh words
for Kendall then visited Mona's grave. 1995: AW's Grant
shot his brother, Ryan, in the back. 1997: DAYS recast the
role of Jack...in a shower.

"In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."
― Edmund Burke

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera HOUSEBOAT HANNAH premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, John (Larry Bryggman) told David (Henderson Forsythe) he thought Kim (Kathryn Hays) was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 25)

On this date in...

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) accused Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) of knowing something about her past.

1979: Oscar nominee Quinn Redeker debuted as Alex Marshall in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  It wasn't long before he was dating DAYS co-star Deidre Hall (Marlena).

1980: Caryn Richman and Randy Hamilton debuted on ANOTHER WORLD as their TEXAS characters Elena and Rikki Dekker. Elena sang at Mike Marshall's funeral. TEXAS premiered on August 4th.

1984: Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston taped their August guest appearance at the AS THE WORLD TURNS studio in New York.

Southern Baptist Sissies Launches Fundraising Campaign To Shoot The Play Live For Film

"Southern Baptist Sissies" is the GLAAD Award-winning play by writer/director Del Shores. It is the story of four boys who grew up in the Southern Baptist Church who are gay and how they each deal with the conflict between the church and their sexuality. A campaign just launched to raise the funds to shoot the play live for film.

The film stars Emmy Award-winner Leslie Jordan, Spirit Award-winner Dale Dicke, Rosemary Alexander, Ann Walker, Newell Alexander, Joe Patrick War, Emerson Collins, Matthew Scott Montgomery, Luke Stratte-McClure and Willam Belli.



Be sure to like Southern Baptist Sissies on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

On this date in...

1962: THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES premiered, 50 years ago today.  On March 6, 1938, the show aired an episode titled "The Soap Opera." The Campletts thought Rex Goodbody, a character on A JOURNEY TO MISERY, was a real person and set out to help him.

One of the many guest stars during the show's hugely successful run was Mike Minor, who went onto multiple daytime soap opera roles including Brandon Kingsley in ALL MY CHILDREN.  Meredith MacRae played Billie Jo Bradley on the show, a character that was part of spin-off PETTICOAT JUNCTION.  She went on to play Estelle Cunningham in RITUALS.

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Missy (Carol Roux) suffered an oedema, fluid retention in pressing against her brain.

1986: Actor Hugh Franklin died at age 70.   His soap roles included Charles Tyler Sr. in ALL MY CHILDREN, Ralph Brown in AS THE WORLD TURNS, Ed Bridgeman in LOVE OF LIFE, Fred McNeill in YOUNG DOCTOR MALONE and Richard Garner in DARK SHADOWS.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 25)

On this date in...

1966: On DARK SHADOWS, Vicki accused Liz of knowing something about her past.

1979: Oscar nominee Quinn Redeker debuted as Alex Marshall in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  It wasn't long before he was dating DAYS co-star Deidre Hall (Marlena).

1980: Caryn Richman and Randy Hamilton debuted on ANOTHER WORLD as their TEXAS characters Elena and Rikki Dekker.  TEXAS premiered on August 4th.  Elena sang at Mike Marshall's funeral.

1984: Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston taped their August appearance at the AS THE WORLD TURNS studio at CBS in New York.

1986: Billy Warlock debuted as Frankie in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1988: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) were married.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 26)

On this date in...

1957: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Billy asked Mary and Roger to legally adopt him.

1963: GENERAL HOSPITAL changed its opening sequence for the first time.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat and John clashed over Michael and Molly, then over each other's relationship with Dave and Olive.

NEWS ROUNDUP: B&B In Aspen, Melody Thomas Scott On 'Respect', Charles Napier

Aspen Plays Role in THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Through October 11, 2011, fans of the CBS series will become virtual visitors to Aspen, Colorado, which recently welcomed actors Scott Clifton (Liam Cooper), Kimberly Matula (Hope Logan) and Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy Forrester) for three days of filming. As the suspense unfolds, viewers will watch Hope take a spin in Aspen’s Ultimate Taxi, a sensory experience which has been enjoyed over the years by such famous faces as George Lucas, Pierce Brosnan and Clint Eastwood.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

On this date in...

1995: During an emotional confrontation with Justine, Rachel, and Ryan, Grant (Mark Pinter) ultimately shoots Ryan in the back.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 25)

On this date in...

1984: Jermaine Jackson and Whitney Houston taped their August appearance at the AS THE WORLD TURNS studio at CBS in New York.

1991: Jensen Buchanan debuted as Vicky on ANOTHER WORLD. Watch the episode here.

2006: Singer Rihanna appeared on ALL MY CHILDREN during the grand opening of "ConFusion." She sang both her blockbuster summer hit "S.O.S" and "Kisses Don't Lie" from her album, "A Girl Like Me."

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Marcy Walker (ex-Liza, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Eden, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Tangie, GUIDING LIGHT) - 49
Brandon Buddy (ex-Cole, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 25

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Olivia Newton-John (ex-Bitsy, SORDID LIVES) - 62
Linda Hamilton (ex-Lauren, KING'S CROSSING; ex-Lisa, SECRETS OF MIDLAND HEIGHTS) - 54
Stephen Markle (ex-Mel, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Ted, THE EDGE OF NIGHT)

NEWS: Gilford, Shores, Gareis, Bloom, Watercooler

INTERVIEW: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS star Zach Gilford (Matt)
"It not only got me out there, but being on a TV show that's respected has been helpful. Nothing against them, but there's a lot of shows you kind of end up on which are kind of like high school melodramas. They're great entertainment, but it's cool to have been on a show where you're really making something that's special and not just entertainment."

11 WRITERS LATER: How 20th Exec Alex Young Lost Control Of The A-Team
The final credit now reads: "Written by Joe Carnahan & Brian Bloom (ex-Dusty, AS THE WORLD TURNS) and Skip Woods. Created by Frank Lupo & Stephen J. Cannell." In other words, 11 writers, and in the end, the director and his partner get first position credit.

TV Still Owns Watercooler, but Shares It With the Web
Once, TV was the symbolic water-cooler that drove consumer conversations. It still is. But the tube is being upstaged by the web, which now nearly matches it in terms of influence on conversations, according to a new study from Yahoo and Keller Fay Group. The study found people 13 to 29 drove most of the increase in internet-influenced brand conversations, with those 30 to 39 also playing a role.

Former Soap Star & Golden Girl Rue McClanahan Has Died

Rue McClanahan, the Emmy-winning actress who starred as the saucy Blanche Devereaux in the hit TV series THE GOLDEN GIRLS, died early Thursday morning of a massive stroke, according to multiple reports. She was 76.

"She passed away at 1 a.m.," her manager, Barbara Lawrence, told People.com. "She had a massive stroke."

McClanahan had suffered a minor stroke earlier this year while recovering from triple bypass surgery. McClanahan's rep told the magazine that at the time of her death Thursday, McClanahan "had her family with her. She went in peace."

McClanahan was born on February 21, 1934, in Healdton, Oklahoma. After majoring in theater at the University of Tulsa, began her career as an actress in the mid-1950s, appearing in off-Broadway productions in New York. She made her Broadway debut in 1969, in the role of Sally Weber in the musical "Jimmy Shine," and soon moved from the stage to daytime with her role as nanny Caroline Johnson on ANOTHER WORLD from July 1970 to September 1971. In her storyline, Caroline kidnapped Michael and Marianne Randolph (her own twins had died). On an episode of THE GOLDEN GIRLS many years later, when the ladies were all sick McClanahan's Blanche insisted on watching ANOTHER WORLD.

After AW, she had roles on WHERE THE HEART IS and LOVE OF LIFE.

McClanahan gained more prominence after landing the part of Vivian Harmon in MAUDE with future GOLDEN GIRLS co-star Bea Arthur. In recent years, McClanahan starred as Peggy Ingram on Logo's soap SORDID LIVES: THE SERIES.

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Rue McClanahan (Peggy, SORDID LIVES; ex-Caroline, ANOTHER WORLD) - 76
Tyne Daly (ex-Caroline, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 64
Christine Ebersole (ex-Maxie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Lily, RYAN'S HOPE) - 57
Christopher Atkins (ex-Peter, DALLAS) - 49

Today's Soap World Birthdays

Rue McClanahan (Peggy, SORDID LIVES; ex-Caroline, ANOTHER WORLD) - 75
Marcy Walker (ex-Liza, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Eden, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Tangie, GUIDING LIGHT) - 48
Brandon Buddy (Cole, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 24

INTERVIEW: ALL MY CHILDREN's Bobbie Eakes

We Love Soaps recently caught up with ALL MY CHILDREN star Bobbie Eakes at the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction which was moved indoors because of rain. Eakes talks about her helping others, AMC's move to Los Angeles, and SORDID LIVES.

We Love Soaps: So you saw my FaceBook update that I was on my way here this morning?
Bobbie Eakes: I saw your Facebook update that you were going over here very early. I was still in my pajamas having coffee when you were already over here.

We Love Soaps: I wanted to be in pajamas. But rain, sleet, hail, early morning, we still love soaps and show up, regardless of the weather.
Bobbie Eakes: And this is a really good turn out considering.

We Love Soaps: Now you and I have spoken in the past about the idea that helping others helps us get through a difficult situation. Do you find that coming here and doing this work is beneficial for you?
Bobbie Eakes: Absolutely. It’s amazing how my mood has changed just since I’ve gotten here. The show, ALL MY CHILDREN, is moving to California, and there are just a lot of things that are in flux right now. You start to think about yourself a little bit too much. And then when you do something else and come out and help other people, it helps get your mind off the mundane and the trivial and it puts everything in perspective.

EVENT: Love Out Loud West October 15

POZ is pleased to announce the date of the third annual fundraiser for the 25th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles, Love Out Loud West, on Thursday October 15, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at H-Wood in Hollywood.

Special guests scheduled to appear include:
Ilene Kristen (ONE LIFE TO LIVE)

Anne Walker, Ted Detwiler (SORDID LIVES)

Eileen Davidson, Kate Linder, Sean Kanan, Stacy Haiduk (THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS),

Taylor Spreitler, Nadia Bjorlin, Patrika Darbo (DAYS OF OUR LIVES)

Brandon Beemer (THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL),

David Moretti (THE LAIR)

Andrew Christian, John Pagano, Sherri Lewis

News Round-up: Betty, Phillips, DTV, Emmys

UGLY BETTY: Betty's glam new look under review at ABC
ABC is pretty serious about the extreme makeover its giving UGLY BETTY. According to Michael Ausiello, the network is going so far as to conduct a round of focus groups this week to get feedback on the heroine’s season 4 metamorphosis.

In particular, execs are showing test audiences two scenes from early in the season, both featuring a newly glamorized Betty working at her new job as Mode’s associate features editor. In one, she’s rocking a Chanel-esque pastel pink suit; in the the other, she’s sporting a short-sleeved black dress with a ruffled V-neck. “She looks a lot classier,” says one guinea pig, “but she’s still far from perfect.”

Primetime Emmys cut awards from telecast
Eight of the 28 honors in the Primetime Emmy Awards will be prerecorded and then time-shifted into the main broadcast this year, according to a proposal presented to the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' board on Wednesday night.

According to sources, the categories affected include outstanding movie and miniseries; writing for dramatic series and movies/miniseries; directing for variety, music and comedy and movie/miniseries; and the supporting actor and actress awards in the longform arena.

African-Americans in Nielsen sample rises
Accoring to BET's Debra Lee: "They have increased the size of the African-American sample to 1,200, which is up from 600. We continue to find ways to make it more realistic and more representative."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Nielsen is supposedly a statistically sound sample, but 1,200 African-Americans in the whole country represent everyone?

Nielsen: 98.9% of U.S. Homes Can Get DTV Signal
Little more than 1 million homes are still without set, converter box, cable or satellite.

Joseph C. Phillips in new film
Rehearsals begin next week for the faith-based musical Church in Southern California. Church is a musical comedy-drama based on typical Sunday services at the fictional “Glorious New Life Greater Faith Tabernacle Church of The Living God In Christ Up on the Hill.” The cast includes Joseph C. Phillips, who played Justus on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

McGovern’s MOVING ON gets second season
MOVING ON, the BBC daytime drama executive produced by Jimmy McGovern and broadcast in May this year, has been commissioned for a second season. Liam Keelan, controller of daytime at the BBC, has ordered ten more episodes of the show - twice as many as the first run.

SORDID LIVES: The Series is hitting the UK
The UK premiere of SORDID LIVES will be shown on Film24 (Sky157) starting August 2 at 10pm.

Sweden's QX Magazine: Gays in Soaps
From pages 48-48 (translation by Susi at Big Purple Dreams): "In Sweden only three of the daytime dramas air and none of them feature any gay or lesbian characters. But in spite of the lack of soap gays in our country, QX-readers have still been writing in about the latest super couple of the soap world, Otalia."