Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days.
1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.
2008: Molly Burnett made her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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...

1967: On Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia hypnotized Maggie, who then forgot everything that happened while she was missing.

1979: On Another World, Elena (Christina Pickles) was devastated that her May-December love affair had ended and told Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) she was going to France.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of ATWT was interrupted by JFK news.
1984: Days of our Lives' Tony battled lookalike Andre.
1985: General Hospital's Anna and Robin reunited.
2007: A turkey dealt with two witches on Passions.

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of As the World Turns at 1:40 p.m. ET to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The news came too quickly for cameras to be ready. The third interruption of that day's As the World Turns episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days.
1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.
2008: Molly Burnett made her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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...

1967: On Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia hypnotized Maggie, who then forgot everything that happened while she was missing.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of ATWT was interrupted by JFK news.
1984: Days of our Lives' Tony battled lookalike Andre.
1985: General Hospital's Anna and Robin reunited.
2010: All My Children's David was revealed to be alive.

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of As the World Turns at 1:40 p.m. ET to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The news came too quickly for cameras to be ready. The third interruption of that day's As the World Turns episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days.
1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.
2008: Molly Burnett made her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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 Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia hypnotized Maggie, who then forgot everything that happened while she was missing.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of ATWT was interrupted by JFK news.
1984: Days of our Lives' Tony battled lookalike Andre.
1985: General Hospital's Anna and Robin reunited.
2010: All My Children's David was revealed to be alive.

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of As the World Turns at 1:40 p.m. ET to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The news came too quickly for cameras to be ready. The third interruption of that day's As the World Turns episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days 
of our Lives.   1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.  2008: Molly Burnett made
her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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 Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Willie admitted to Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) he was trying to tell Victoria the truth about him.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of ATWT was interrupted by JFK news.
1984: Days of our Lives' Tony battled lookalike Andre.
1985: General Hospital's Anna and Robin reunited.
2010: All My Children's David was revealed to be alive.

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of As the World Turns at 1:40 p.m. ET to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The news came too quickly for cameras to be ready. The third interruption of that day's As the World Turns episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days 
of our Lives.   1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.  2008: Molly Burnett made
her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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 Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Willie admitted to Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) he was trying to tell Victoria the truth about him.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of top-rated soap opera As the World Turns
was interrupted at 1:40 p.m. by a CBS News Bulletin
from Walter Cronkite telling viewers President John F. Kennedy
had been shot and seriously wounded in Dallas.

"Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years."
― Will Durant

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of As the World Turns at 1:40 p.m. to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The third interruption of that day's As the World Turns episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

1984: Charles Shaughnessy debuted as Shane Donovan on Days 
of our Lives.   1990: Another World's Frankie and Cass married.
2003: Guiding Light's Ben Reade died.  2008: Molly Burnett made
her first appearance as Melanie on Days.

"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...

1967: On Another World, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Willie admitted to Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) he was trying to tell Victoria the truth about him.

Susan Flannery & More to Join Lung Cancer Foundation of America's 'Day at the Races'

Actress Susan Flannery, NFL Linebacker Chris Draft, talk show host Tim Conway, Jr. and other special guests will join lung cancer advocates and supporters at the Lung Cancer Foundation of America's (LCFA) unique "Day at the Races" event at Del Mar Race Track, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 on Sunday, July 27, 2014 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Ms. Flannery, a longtime star on The Bold and The Beautiful, participated in a lung cancer storyline on the series, which was recognized for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of lung cancer. Her character was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and underwent treatments. On Feb. 7, 2011, during the 6,000th episode, the show featured several real-life lung cancer survivors, including LCFA advocate and lung cancer Survivor Dr. Michael Weitz. Ms. Flannery, Mr. Draft, whose wife died of the disease at the age of 38, Mr. Conway, a longtime friend of LCFA, along with other special guests will help to bring attention to lung cancer, which remains the most under-funded and under-researched cancer despite being the USA's number one cancer killer for both men and women.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

1963: A live episode of top-rated soap opera AS THE WORLD
TURNS was interrupted at 1:40 p.m. by a CBS News Bulletin
from Walter Cronkite telling viewers President John F. Kennedy
had been shot and seriously wounded in Dallas.

"History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside."
- John F. Kennedy

"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...

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of AS THE WORLD TURNS at 1:40 p.m. to deliver the news that shots had been fired at President John F. Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas, with first reports indicating the president was seriously wounded. The third interruption of that day's AS THE WORLD TURNS episode was when the non-stop CBS News coverage began.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

On this date in...

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Susan Trustman) admitted to Mary (Virginia Dwyer) that she had kissed Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) in the park before he left Bay City.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Logan (Joe Lambie) questioned Emily (Margo McKenna) about the night of the train crash.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 20)

On this date in...

1966: On ANOTHER WORLD, Bill joked about Missy being a heiress, but she didn't care about the money she inherited from her mother.

1969: On DARK SHADOWS, Angelique threatened to destroy Laura.

1975: At the 2nd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, winners included THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (Drama Series, Writing), Macdonald Carey and Susan Flannery.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

On this date in...

1933: Radio soap opera ONE MAN'S FAMILY expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the show ran until 1959.

1967: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of ANOTHER WORLD.

1984: On GUIDING LIGHT, Tony's (Greg Beecroft) bachelor party was held.

Stephanie Forrester: "The Last Thing I'm Ever Going To Ask Of You"

In a new CBS promo for THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, it looks like Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery) serves up one final surprise.  "You probably thought you'd seen the last of me... It's the last thing I'm ever going to ask of you," she says on a DVD message she leaves for her family. Watch the sneak peek below:

We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Susan Flannery

Susan Flannery came in at #1 on the We Love Soaps countdown of the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses Of All Time. The talented and generous Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress spoke with us in 2009 for an in-depth interview offering insights into her career on television, films, as well as her participation in helping other actors get the benefits and residuals they deserve.  In case you missed it, please enjoy this inspiring interview with a true daytime legend.

In Part One - The talented actress reflects on her early acting career, and her role as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

In Part Two - Ms. Flannery shares how she got the time off from her soap role to do The Towering Inferno, and how the sixty minute format changed Days of our Lives.

In Part Three - The Emmy winner shares her decision to join The Bold and the Beautiful, as well as her off-screen activism.

In Part Four - Ms. Flannery reflects more on her proactive role in advocating for actors' rights, and shares thoughts about Stephanie Forrester's psychological problems.

RELATED:
- Susan Flannery Surprise Salute Video
- Susan Flannery Surprise Salute Video
- 50 Greatest Soap Actresses: #1 Susan Flannery
- 30 DYNAMIC DUOS OF DAYTIME: #27 B&B's Stephanie & Sally, #7 Stephanie & Brooke
- Susan Flannery Leaving THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Exit Plan Revealed For Stephanie Forrester

Today in Soap Opera History (November 22)

On this date in...

1958: Soap star and writer Ann Flood married TV executive Herbert A. Granath. She was working as an NBC tour guide at Radio City Music Hall when they met.

1963: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The clip below features Walter Cronkite breaking into the live broadcast of AS THE WORLD TURNS at 1:40 p.m. to deliver the news shots had been fired at President Kennedy's motorcade in Dallas and that first reports indicated the president was seriously wounded.

Stephanie's Goodbye on THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Has Been Heartbreaking

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL has pulled out all the stops to tell one final story for Stephanie Forrester. Well, most of them since Ridge (Ronn Moss) never returned, but even that was explained in Wednesday's episode.

With one moving performance by Susan Flannery after another, and the cast shining at every opportunity, the return of Stephanie's cancer and Stephanie dying has been thoughtful, poignant and, at times, even comical. Even Celtic Woman was part of the action.

The end was near on Wednesday as Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) took care of Stephanie while Eric (John McCook) went to a Forrester Creations meeting with the family.