Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938: Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas and Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 3)

1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin visited David.
1988: Days of our Lives' Roman and Abe were promoted.
1998: Y&R's Cole and Victoria ended their marriage.
2009: As the World Turns' Hughes family mourned Adam.

"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...

1938: Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera Stella Dallas aired on New York local station WEAF for the final time before going national on NBC with the following episode. The popular series ran on NBC until December 23, 1955.

1969: On Dark Shadows, Quentin's (David Selby) ghost revealed to David that if any one of three things could have been changed, he might have been saved: first there was the discovery of a silver bullet at Collinwood; then the one person who could have helped him was murdered and he claimed he could not tell David everything; third, the one person who loved him turned against him.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 3)

1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin visited David.
1988: Days of our Lives' Roman and Abe were promoted.
1998: Y&R's Cole and Victoria ended their marriage.
2009: As the World Turns' Hughes family mourned Adam.

"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...

1938: Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera Stella Dallas aired on New York local station WEAF for the final time before going national on NBC with the following episode. The popular series ran on NBC until December 23, 1955.

1969: On Dark Shadows, Quentin's (David Selby) ghost revealed to David that if any one of three things could have been changed, he might have been saved: first there was the discovery of a silver bullet at Collinwood; then the one person who could have helped him was murdered and he claimed he could not tell David everything; third, the one person who loved him turned against him.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 3)

1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin visited David. 1988: Days of
our Lives' Roman and Abe were promoted. 1998: The Young
and the Restless' Cole and Victoria ended their marriage.
2009: As the World Turns' Hughes family mourned Adam.

"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...

1938: Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera Stella Dallas aired on New York local station WEAF for the final time before going national on NBC with the following episode. The popular series ran on NBC until December 23, 1955.

1969: On Dark Shadows, Quentin's (David Selby) ghost revealed to David that if any one of three things could have been changed, he might have been saved: first there was the discovery of a silver bullet at Collinwood; then the one person who could have helped him was murdered and he claimed he could not tell David everything; third, the one person who loved him turned against him.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

1979: Ryan's Hope's Poppy caused trouble for Tom and Faith.
1988: Another World's Amanda gave birth to Alli.
1988: Days of our Lives' Tom was secretly a poet.
2002: Guiding Light's Reva sang to Josh.

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio.

1938:  Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio. Stella Dallas ad Young Widder Brown became key components of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady (General Mills) - Joan and Tubby were suspected of smuggling.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 3)

1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin visited David. 1988: Days of
our Lives' Roman and Abe were promoted. 1998: The Young
and the Restless' Cole and Victoria ended their marriage.
2009: As the World Turns' Hughes family mourned Adam.

"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...

1938: Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera Stella Dallas aired on New York local station WEAF for the final time before going national on NBC with the following episode. The popular series ran on NBC until December 23, 1955.

1969: On Dark Shadows, Quentin's (David Selby) ghost revealed to David that if any one of three things could have been changed, he might have been saved: first there was the discovery of a silver bullet at Collinwood; then the one person who could have helped him was murdered and he claimed he could not tell David everything; third, the one person who loved him turned against him.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

"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...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera Stella Dallas began airing nationwide on NBC Radio. Young Widder Brown premiered on NBC Radio as well. Both were part of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. Valiant Lady. General Mills. Joan and Tubby are suspected of smuggling.
10:30 a.m. The Open Door. Royal Puddings and Gelatins. John and Rennie Merrick quarreled over whether their parents should re-marry. Listen below.

10:45 a.m. Bachelor's Children. Wonder Bread. Ruth Ann cried over "Joan Gray," a fictitious ex-girlfriend of Dr. Bob's.
11:00 a.m. Amanda of Honeymoon Hill. Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Jeanette regretted mailing a letter to her husband.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 3)

1969: Dark Shadows' Quentin visited David. 1988: Days of
our Lives' Roman and Abe were promoted. 1998: The Young
and the Restless' Cole and Victoria ended their marriage.
2009: As the World Turns' Hughes family mourned Adam.

"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...

1938: Frank and Anne Hummert radio soap opera Stella Dallas aired on New York local station WEAF, the final time before the show went national on NBC with the following episode. The popular series ran on NBC until December 23, 1955.

1969: On Dark Shadows, Quentin's (David Selby) ghost revealed to David that if any one of three things could have been changed, he might have been saved: first there was the discovery of a silver bullet at Collinwood; then the one person who could have helped him was murdered and he claimed he could not tell David everything; third, the one person who loved him turned against him.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 6)

On this date in...

1938: Local New York City radio soap opera STELLA DALLAS began airing nationwide on NBC Radio. YOUNG WIDDER BROWN premiered on NBC Radio as well. Both were part of the network's afternoon lineup.

1944: On the first day of the Invasion of Normandy (D-Day), the CBS Radio lineup of soap operas kept listeners updated on what happened.

10:00 a.m. VALIANT LADY. General Mills. Joan and Tubby are suspected of smuggling.
10:30 a.m. THE OPEN DOOR. Royal Puddings and Gelatins. John and Rennie Merrick quarreled over whether their parents should re-marry. Listen below.

10:45 a.m. BACHELOR'S CHILDREN. Wonder Bread. Ruth Ann cried over "Joan Gray," a fictitious ex-girlfriend of Dr. Bob's.
11:00 a.m. AMANDA OF HONEYMOON HILL. Phillips Milk of Magnesia. Jeanette regretted mailing a letter to her husband.
11:15 a.m. SECOND HUSBAND. Dr. Lyons Tooth Powder. A rebellious Fran has moved in with show producer Elsa King.
11:45 a.m. AUNT JENNY'S REAL LIFE STORIES. Spry All-Vegetable Shortening. Jim Abbott stood to inherit a fortune, but only if he agreed to a very unusual condition.
12:15 p.m. BIG SISTER. Rinso. Beautiful Hollis Travers declared her passionate love for John.
12:30 p.m. THE ROMANCE OF HELEN TRENT. Benefax Multivitamins. Helen delivered an ultimatum to Gil-- marry me now or never.

50 Greatest Soap Actors: #40 Macdonald Carey

NAME: Macdonald Carey
RANK: 40
SOAP ROLES: Tom Horton, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1965-1994); WOMAN IN WHITE (1937), Dick Grosvenor, STELLA DALLAS; Jonathan Hillery, JUST PLAIN BILL; JOHN'S OTHER WIFE (1937); Hickory, YOUNG HICKORY (1937), THE STORY OF ELLEN RANDOLPH

AWARDS:
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
1990 Soap Opera Digest Award Editor's Choice
1985 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Actor in a Mature Role in a Daytime Serial
1984 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Actor in a Mature Role in a Daytime Serial
1979 Soapy Award win for Favorite Actor in a Mature Role
1978 Soapy Award win for Favorite Actor in a Mature Role
1976 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1975 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1974 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
1973 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement by Individuals in Daytime Drama
1968 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Daytime Programming - Individuals

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Damon L. Jacobs:  He played the quintessential grandfather, healer, voice of reason, calm in the storm.  No matter what happened to the residents of Salem, or in the days of my own lives, Macdonald Carey's presence emanated a grounding presence that let us all know that everything would be okay in time.  My mother watched DAYS while pregnant with me, and to this day there are few sounds that soothe me as effectively as Carey's voice reciting, "Like sands through the hourglass..." It is the mark of a profoundly dignified soul, and glacially talented actor, that his spirit remains alive, vital in Salem, and heard five times a week. Daytime would not have been the same without him, and neither would I.

50 Greatest Soap Actresses: #22 Charita Bauer

NAME: Charita Bauer
RANK: 22
SOAP ROLES: Bert Bauer, GUIDING LIGHT (1950-1985); TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (1975-1976); Sarah, ROSE OF MY DREAMS; Fran Cummings, SECOND HUSBAND (1945); YOUNG WIDDER BROWN (1945); Judy, DAVID HARUM (1942); FRONT PAGE FARRELL; Gail Carver Macdonald, LORA LAWTON; ORPHANS OF DIVORCE; Lanette, OUR GAL SUNDAY; Susan Wakefield, THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS; STELLA DALLAS

AWARDS:
1985 Daytime Emmy Special Recognition Award for over 34 years of service

COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Alan Carter: Talk about someone melded to their character...viewers actually thought Charita was Bert...and the similarities in last names didn't hurt. Playing out her own amputation story...which could not have been easy, easily lands her on the list for courage and honesty.