Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: Radio soap opera The Archers premiered. It continues to run to this day.
1968: Dark Shadows' Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive.
1981: Knots Landing's Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Miss Ellie received tragic news on Dallas.

"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...

1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

1971: On The Doctors, Mike Powers recalled the mistakes he made in 1970 and decided his New Year's resolution was to never be young again. Maggie encouraged Mike to find a new romance, while Matt hoped his relationship with Mike would improve in the new year.



1973: On Another World, Gil (Dolph Sweet) reminded Lenore (Susan Sullivan) that Wayne Addison's murder, for which she was acquitted, was never solved

1976: On Ryan's Hope, Jack (Michael Levin) told Sister Mary Joel (Sylvia Sidney) that he felt he would hurt Mary in the long run.



Note: In 1988, Sister Mary Joel (played by Rosemary Prinz) was revealed to be Jack's biological mother.

1981: On Another World, Amanda returned alone from her walk outside with Rachel and told Mac that Rachel was "gone." Mac, Jamie and Brian then heard car tires screeching outside.



1981: On Knots Landing, Diana (Claudia Lonow) had difficulty with her new boyfriend as felt pressured to sleep with him. Meanwhile, Karen (Michele Lee), Diana, Val (Joan Van Ark) and Ginger (Kim Lankford) performed in an ERA benefit. Val asked Gary (Ted Shackelford) to help, but he was too preoccupied helping Earl Trent (Paul Rudd). Diana needed Karen's support but she was too busy rehearsing. In frustration, Diana pulled out of the benefit. Meanwhile, with Laura (Constance McCashin) preoccupied with work, Richard (John Pleshette) spent his time with Abby (Donna Mills) and they ended up in the hot tub. Karen and Diana later made up and sang "Put on a Happy Face" at the show.



1982: On General Hospital, the residents of Port Charles felt the after effects of New Year's Eve the next morning.



1982: On Dallas, Donna’s success as an author irritated Ray (Steve Kanaly). Photographer Roger Larson encouraged Lucy (Charlene Tilton) to resume modeling. Sue Ellen and John Ross moved into a Dallas townhouse. At the Ewing barbecue, Sue Ellen and Cliff got reacquainted and Miss Ellie (Barbara Bel Geddes) learned Jock was presumed dead after a helicopter crash in South America.



1982: On Falcon Crest, Julia's (Abby Dalton) husband, Tony, who deserted her and Lance twelve years earlier, suddenly reappeared.

Robert Desiderio and Judith Light

1985: Former One Life to Live co-stars Robert Desiderio and Judith Light were married.

1991: Actor Ted Demers, who briefly played Dan Wolek on One Life to Live, passed away at age 42. He died after a hypoglycemic seizure due to the Type 1 diabetes he suffered throughout his life.

2002: Actress Meg Wyllie passed away at age 84. She played Doris Roach on General Hospital in 1975, the nurse who was involved with switching Lesley's baby (Laura) years earlier. In 1994, she subbed for Anna Lee in the role of Lila Quartermaine.

2007: On Days of our Lives, passion ignited between Nick Fallon (Blake Berris) and Billie Reed (Julie Pinson).

2010: On EastEnders, an angered Zainab Masood (Nina Wadia) confronted her business partner, Christian Clarke (John Partridge), about how he was ruining her son Syed's wedding day with his "reckless infatuation." But when Zainab went one step too far and referred to Christian's feelings as "his perverted obsession," he snapped, leaving the mother of the groom with a shocking revelation of his own. A horrified Zainab would then confront Syed (Marc Elliott) over Christian's claims, resulting in his emotional confession that he's gay and loves Christian.





Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Sheila Mercier (ex-Annie, Emmerdale) - 100
Morris Chestnut (ex-Luke, American Horror Story) - 50
Neil Billingsley (ex-Danny, Search for Tomorrow) - 49
Alexia Robinson (ex-Alex, The Young and the Restless; ex-Claudia, Rituals; ex-Meg, General Hospital) - 49
Kimberly Page (ex-Kimberly, WCW) - 48
Nina Bott (Julia, Verbotene Liebe; ex-Celine, Alles was zählt) - 40
Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca, All My Children; ex-Heather, The Young and the Restless) - 38
Colin Morgan (ex-Merlin, Merlin) - 33

Former As the World Turns actor Michael David Morrison, the original Caleb Snyder, was born on this day in 1960. He died on February 18, 1993, at age 33.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email editor@welovesoaps.com.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: The Archers premiered.
1968: Dark Shadows' Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive.
1981: Knots Landing's Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.

"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...

1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: The Archers premiered. 1968: Dark Shadows'
Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive. 1981: Knots Landing's
Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.

"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...

1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

Alan Devereux Dead at 75

Alan Devereux

Alan Devereux, who played the role of Sid Perks in British radio soap opera The Archers for nearly 47 years, died on May 29. He was 75.

Devereux landed the role of teenage tearaway Sid in September 1963, and the character later went on to become the landlord of The Bull pub.

He remained on the show until the Sid’s death in 2010.

The Archers editor Sean O’Connor said, "Alan’s voice as Sid had a genuine sense of authenticity to it - instantly recognizable and full of rich character. He arrived in the village just as the sixties took off and when Archers writer Edward J. Mason observed that the program should reflect the real world ‘that does include vulgarity, that does include sex, that does include strong language and that does include violence…a world in which values are constantly changing, in which the youth culture is dominating and in which coziness plays no part.’ Sid – and his wife Polly- were very much part of this agenda for the program to keep up with the rapid social changes of the times.

Former editor Vanessa Whitburn added: “Alan was a consummate and brilliant radio actor. Always a delight to work with, his versatility as publican Sid Perks meant that he created superb partnerships with the actresses who played all three of his wives. A modest man, I don’t think he knew just how talented he was.”

Devereux's character was involved in one of the show’s most controversial moments, when Sid had sex in the shower with Jolene in 2000, with the pair later going on to marry.

Devereux's real-life daughter, Tracy Jane White, also appeared on The Archers, playing Sid’s offspring Lucy for over 10 years.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: The Archers premiered. 1968: Dark Shadows'
Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive. 1981: Knots Landing's
Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.

"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...

1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

NEWS: June Spencer, Jade Harlow, Twitter Trolls, Jimmy & Hazel, Cord Cutting

The Archers star June Spencer has been with the British radio soap opera
since its debut in 1950.

Actress June Spencer: "The creator of The Archers thought he was God"
As the Radio 4 soap opera celebrates its 65th anniversary, June Spencer, the actress who plays Peggy Woolley, spoke to Telegraph about the first ever episodes in 1950.

“We doubled like mad in those days,” recalls Spencer. “As well as Peggy, I played the Irish Rita Flynn, using an accent I borrowed from my landlady.”

Spencer, now 96, doesn’t hold back on The Archers' creator Godfrey Baseley. “I can’t say he was greatly loved. He was a very abrupt man and he could be very dictatorial. He thought he was God. He wasn’t very popular but he knew what he was doing when he invented The Archers.”

The show, originally billed as “an everyday story of country folk” but now described as “a contemporary drama in a rural setting”, has become a national institution and the world’s longest-running active soap opera (second only to Guiding Light for total longevity), with more than 17,800 episodes in the bank.

Downton Abbey series finale wins Christmas Day ratings battle in the UK
The final episode of Downton Abbey beat Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas Special to win the battle of the Christmas Day ratings, as 6.6 million tuned in to wish a fond farewell to the Crawleys. Downton went head-to-head with an hour-long special of EastEnders in the 8:45 p.m. time slot, but even a shock car crash involving the Mitchell and Beale families only captured the attention of 5.7 million fans. It still triumphed in the war between the soaps, with Coronation Street pulling in an average of 5.6 million and Emmerdale 4.3 million.

Drake posted a photo on Instagram of his reunion with Degrassi
co-star Andrea Lewis with the caption, "Forever my ting..

Drake can’t stop smiling after reunited with his Degrassi girlfriend, Andrea Lewis
Jimmy and Hazel, together again. On Thursday, Drake reunited with his former Degrassi co-starm Andrea Lewis, who played Hazel Aden on the show. Jimmy and Hazel started dating in Season 3, and lasted until Season 5. They met in detention, and were dating when Jimmy was infamously shot, which ultimately caused tension in their relationship. Things ended because of Jimmy’s attraction to Ellie.

Cord cutting is gonna suck in 2016, but it’ll get better
If you’re willing to break the law, you could supplement a meager streaming video service by torrenting pirated copies of your favorite shows. But with the feds cracking down on torrent trackers, that might not be an option for long, even if you’re willing to risk it. Or you could try staggering your subscriptions. Subscribe to HBO Now for for the few months that Game of Thrones is on the air, and then cancel and switch to Hulu. Subscribe to Sling TV in the fall for Monday Night Football, then cancel when football season is over. But that sounds like a hassle.

Such is the plight of the cord cutting couch potato in 2016. It will probably get better. The Federal Communications Commission is looking into Comcast’s data rates. Eventually, the advantage of exclusive deals with specific streaming providers may not be worth it for studios. For example, instead of going exclusive with Netflix, Marvel might make its superhero shows available on Netflix, Hulu and YouTube simultaneously, so you won’t need so many subscriptions.

Twitter says new measures "have tackled trolls"
Twitter has clamped down on internet trolls by introducing a series of measures over the past year, its European head Bruce Daisley has said. Speaking to The Independent ahead of Twitter's 10th birthday, Daisley said more effort had been put into user safety than any other issue.

"The measures we've taken correlate directly with a reduction in the amount of bad behavior," he said.

A series of high-profile users have quit Twitter, citing online abuse.

The newspaper reports that the site has been targeting suspected so-called internet trolls - people who use social media accounts to abuse others - by asking more users that they identify themselves through phone verification.

Days of our Lives alum Jade Harlow stars in movie inspired by real tragedy filmed in Massachusetts town
A feature film inspired by details of the Christa Worthington murder is planned for release this summer following a month of filming this fall in Provincetown. Harlow (Sheryl on Days) will star in Denton Harbor as a character meant to resemble Worthington.

NEWS: Samantha Womack, Nolan North, Nathan Fillion, Manu Bennett, 'Nashville' Season 4 Poster

Nashville Season 4 premieres September 23 on ABC.

Nashville Season 4 Poster Hints at Deacon's Fate
Although Rayna (Connie Britton) is front and center in the new poster for the returning ABC drama, all eyes are on Deacon (Charles Esten), who looks alive and well in the wake of season three's heart-stopping – pun intended – season three cliffhanger.

In the finale, Rayna's main man went under the knife to receive a liver transplant from his sister Beverly (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson). A flat line popped up during their joint surgery, but viewers were left wondering who died.

Study Says Women Are Still Underrepresented on TV in Front of the Cameras and Behind the Scenes
In the 2014-2015 television season, women accounted for 40 percent of the speaking characters in broadcast, cable and Netflix programs. (For the cable figures, Ms. Lauzen studied A&E, AMC, FX, HBO, History, Showtime, TNT and USA.) This is the same percentage from the 2013-2014 season, and down slightly from 2012-2013 (42 percent).

Behind the scenes, women collectively comprise just 25 percent of television’s creators, producers, directors, writers, editors and directors of photography. While the proportion of female series creators is up — 22 percent, compared with 19 percent last year — the percentage of female writers and directors has gone down slightly.

EastEnders star Samantha Womack is being terrorized by ‘obsessed oddball stalker’
Womack, who plays Ronnie Mitchell on the soap, has apparently contacted the police and stepped up her home security after a fan camped outside of her house and sent her a "sinister love letter." Speaking about the terrifying ordeal, a source told The Sun newspaper: “This stalker has been completely obsessed with her and has been sleeping outside her house so that he can spy on her.

The family are terrified that he will try to get into the grounds of the property or even the house.

BBC chief Tony Hall apologizes after suggesting radio soap The Archers – made in Birmingham – had become “EastEnders in a field”
The Archers' editor Sean O’Connor revealed that director general Lord Hall called him directly to say he was sorry for comments in an article in the Radio Times. Lord Hall warned the radio soap’s executives not to “lose what is precious” from the show during an interview earlier this year.

O’Connor said: “I was a bit annoyed, but he rang me at 7.30 in the morning and said that he was terribly sorry. And I said: ‘You do know it’s getting an extra 3.5 million listeners on the podcast? That it’s doing as well as it did in the 50s?’ And he said he apologized and we were doing a wonderful job.”

Where Are They Now: Port Charles alum Nolan North is the Biggest Voice in Video Games
After Port Charles (he played Chris Ramsey), other actors told North to try cartoons, which offered residuals. But compared to what he was used to, games were good money. “You have a wife and two kids, and they say there’s $800 across town,” he says. “‘Go over there and yell like a zombie or a monster or a soldier, do you wanna do it?’ I started on the soap opera for $700 a show. And you’re like, ‘I used to work 14 hours for 700 bucks. Now you want me for two hours?’”

Nathan Fillion beat out Neil Patrick Harris for One Life to Live role
Three months short of graduation, Fillion was invited to New York to do a screen test for the role of Joey Buchanan on soap opera One Life to Live. The then-21-year-old beat out Neil Patrick Harris for the role.

FOX remaking Behind Enemy Lines as a TV drama
The 2001 action thriller starring Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson is set to become a TV series described “as a high-octane military thriller about an American flight crew that is shot down while on a secret mission over the jungles of Latin America.”

Arrow's Manu Bennett arrested for allegedly punching a guy
Bennett is accused of knocking a man out at a party while attending San Antonio’s Comic-Con.

NEWS: Jessica Collins Leaving 'The Young and the Restless'; Plus, Kristoff St. John, Nicholas Rodriguez, Chrystee Pharris, Louise Shaffer, Jake Wood

Jessica Collins - © 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC Alexx Henry
Studios, LLC / Jeremy Lee

Jessica Collins Leaving 'The Young and the Restless'
Collins is leaving the role of Avery Clark on Y&R. Reports Jamey Giddens: "What Chuck [Pratt] originally planned for Avery would have been the worst thing the soap had ever done," said a set side source. "It would have been Armageddon."

The status of Collins and co-star Scott Elrod (Joe) have rumored in recent weeks but Y&R has only confirmed the exit of Collins this summer.

Mental health facility bosses respond to Kristoff St. John lawsuit
St. John is suing executives at La Casa and its sister company Telecare for negligence, negligent supervision, negligent retention and wrongful death, and he is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. on Wednesday, bosses at La Casa fired back and denied being served with papers from St. John.

A statement issued to Entertainment Tonight reads: "The staff and management of La Casa Mental Health Rehabilitation Center want to express their deepest sympathies to the family of Julian St. John following his tragic suicide in November 2014. La Casa has not been served with the lawsuit by the St. John family. We believe it is important to state that the California Department of Health Care Services reviewed the case and on May 5, 2015 found that La Casa was in compliance with all applicable licensing laws and regulations. Similarly, the Los Angeles Department of Mental Health concluded that Mr. St. John's treatment and care at La Casa was reasonable and in line with clinical procedures, given his mental condition. For over 30 years our staff has provided excellent, compassionate care to those suffering from mental illness in the Los Angeles area, and we are proud of the dedication and hard work of our team of professional care-givers. We agree with the public comments of the family of Mr. St. John that the nation would be better served by focusing more attention on the issues affecting the mentally ill."

'Y&R' Showrunner Jill Farren Phelps Set to Begin Contract Negotiations
Her contract isn't up until fall, but Phelps is set to begin negotiating with Sony and CBS Daytime shortly.

Roger Crew, husband of 'Ryan's Hope' star Louise Shaffer, has passed away
Shaffer shared thanks on Facebook for the outpouring of support: "Thank you for the love and the support and the prayers. I guess one of the sadder things about this is, how much Roger would have enjoyed this outpouring. He and I were married for thirty five years. He was funny, smart -- I don't know too many people who consider Faulkner light bedtime reading -- talented in more ways than he ever knew, and his heart was huge. He was the only man I ever could have loved and the only man I ever could have married. He kept me from being lonely for over three decades."

Jake Wood taking a a year-long break from 'EastEnders'
"I have been at EastEnders for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max [Branning] a break. It won't be for too long as I shall be back next year to see Max face another chapter of drama."

'Coronation Street' stars are reportedly furious that they've been banned from performing in the theater
Bosses are said to have told actors they can't sign up for festive plays until they've left the ITV soap, despite stars from rival dramas securing six-figure sums for roles.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper : "People think it's unfair. Stars can make as much for three or four weeks' work over Christmas than in an entire year. People were saying, 'If they can do it, why can't we?' Some of the younger cast aren't on a lot of money so to be able to boost their income would be a dream come true. It's not a happy ship."

'Passions' Actress Chrystee Pharris Turns Career Into Ministry; Recalls Praying for Wiccan On Set
Pharris is currently starring in Queens of Drama on Pop.

"It was one of those things I remember telling my friend, 'I want a reality show based around soap opera people.' She was like 'sure enough you're going to get it,'" Pharris recalled. "One week later I got the call like 'here you go.' She was like ' you prayed about it I knew you were going to get it! You always have so much favor."

It's so sad Nigel was killed off, says 'Archers' boss: Show's editor suggest team regret death of much-loved character that prompted 450 complaints
At the time editor Vanessa Whitburn was in charge of the program and responsible for a number of controversial plots, which helped to boost ratings and transformed The Archers from a sedate tale of rural life to a serial of sensational storylines, including an arson attack and a torrid extra-marital affair.

Sean O’Connor took over in 2013 and when asked by an audience member if he regretted the decision, Mr O’Connor said after a pause: "I think it was very sad that Nigel died. That is what I think. I wasn’t there, I’ve been there for over two years, but I wasn’t there. So I think it was very sad that he died."

Listen to Soulful New Tracks from 'One Life to Life' Alum Nicholas Rodriguez's Solo Debut Album
Rodriguez, who made his Broadway debut in "Tarzan" and played Nick Chavez on One Life to Live, will release his debut solo album "The First Time..." on the PS Classics label next month. In anticipation of the release, Playbill.com shared two of the tracks.

The album, which will be released digitally June 2 and in stores June 19, will include songs by Stephen Sondheim, Frank Loesser, and Rodgers & Hammerstein, Joni Mitchell and Sara Bareilles. Also featured will be Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart" from "Tarzan."

Listen to "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'" and "Conversation" below:

NEWS: Corbin Bleu, Colleen Zenk, Randy Brooks, Jeffrey Christopher Todd, James Scott, 'Dark Shadows' Binge, 'The Archers'

Corbin Bleu and Collee Zenk

Review of "Family Shots" play starring Corbin Bleu, Collen Zenk and Randy Brooks
"Overall, without resorting to flashiness or melodrama, [Bleu, One Life to Live] delivers a terrifically sharp, effortlessly magnetic performance solidifying his mature evolution as one of the most skilled actors of his generation. Zenk, a three-time Emmy nominee as villainous Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, is a flustered, worrisome joy brilliantly conveying the nervous agitation derived from accepting and embracing the unknown. Brooks (The Young and the Restless, Another World) is basically confined to a bed throughout, but his down-to-earth presence and plain spoken insightfulness appealingly resonates."

Alec Baldwin to Write Memoir ‘Nevertheless’
Baldwin will pen the book himself and include stories about his childhood in New York, his early career as a soap opera star on The Doctors, his marriage and acrimonious divorce from actress Kim Basinger, and his second marriage to yoga instructor Hilaria Thomas in 2012.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: The Archers premiered. 1968: Dark Shadows'
Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive. 1981: Knots Landing's
Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: Dallas' Miss Ellie received tragic news.

"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...

1951: British radio soap opera The Archers premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

The Archers is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running "active" soap opera in any format with the cancellation of Guiding Light in 2009.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

NEWS: Ben Hardy, Mark Deklin, Georgia May Foote, Ron Raines, 'The Archers'

Is that really Peter Beale? 'EastEnders' actor Ben Hardy strips half-naked for magazine photo shoot
Hardy will grace the cover of Attitude magazine. Pictured in a variety of saucy shots, the 23-year-old got wet and wild and he posed seductively in and out of the swimming pool.

Witness in murder trial time-stamped alleged killer's arrival based on Y&R viewing
John Russell Giles is on trial in Crossville for murdering Kimberly Ann Batty. One key witness was 85-year-old Joy Miller of Bridgeport, WV, and a former resident and neighbor of Batty. She testified that she saw Giles drive up to the residence shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 in his white van. They briefly spoke — the first and only time they spoke — before Giles entered Batty’s house.

She was certain of the time because her favorite soap opera, The Young and the Restless, was on television from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. She walked to the mailbox after that day’s episode ended.

How 'The Archers' became a Shakespearean saga of fate, betrayal and family ambition
Radio soap opera The Archers is Shakespearean in its breadth and drama, according to the radio show's new editor, Sean O'Connor. In the middle of one of the most sensational storylines in its recent history, he is using Shakespeare as a template, with a few borrowings from Thomas Hardy and Henrik Ibsen thrown in.

"The story of the Archer family is like the Plantagenets. The model really is Shakespearean," said O'Connor, who has returned to the program he once produced via Channel 4's Hollyoaks and the BBC's EastEnders. "Unlike the other major soaps, EastEnders and Coronation Street, which are based on places, The Archers is about a family. Its social range is like Shakespeare's Henry IV plays too. It covers labourers, tenant farmers and land barons."

How 'Mad Men' became the most controversial show on TV
Assessing the series’ quality becomes an exercise in distinguishing where Mad Men is pandering to its audience versus where, if at all, it has anything of substance to say about the period and the people who populated it. And it's exactly this split personality — the desire to have it both ways, as dark antihero drama and glossy commodity — that has made the show so culturally divisive.

'Coronation Street' star Georgia May Foote to exit soap
The actress, who has played Katy Armstrong since 2010, will leave Weatherfield at the end of the year.

Malin Akerman is dating 'All My Children' alum Colin Egglesfield, and worries he's "too hot for her"
"They're taking it slow," a source tells Us.

Mark Deklin Is 'Devious Maids' Awesome New Mystery Man
"The main thing for Nicholas, there's so many secrets and lies that he's telling [that] I said to the producers, 'There are a few things I have to know. I have to in order to play it.' One is what really happened in the past. The other thing is am I really in love with Marisol or is that some sort of long con? And they said, 'No. That's the one thing that is true. You are madly in love with Marisol and she's madly in love with you.'"

'Guiding Light' alum and 'Beacon Hill' star Ron Raines stops by KETK
Texas native Ron Raines stopped by KETK with Richard Lee, the cCnductor of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra.

NEWS: Kristoff St. John, 'The Archers', Meg Ryan, 'Game of Thrones' Workout, Teri Polo, 'EastSiders', Matt Bomer

'The Young and the Restless' Star Kristoff St. John & His Documentary 'A Man Called God' (Video)
Kristoff's father is famed actor Christopher St. John who starred in the original 1971 feature film Shaft. Kristoff began acting at a young age holding roles on ‘The Bad News Bears’ and ‘Happy Days’. As a teenager, his step mother Maria St. John (also an actress) convinced his father to travel to India and live in the ashran of Sai Baba, an Indian Avatar (a deliberate descent of a deity to Earth, a reincarnation of God) Sai Baba, personally commissioned the St. John family to film a documentary about him and his teachings. The footage in the film is more than 30 years old and is the personal experience of Kristoff and his family.

The documentary Recently won 2014 Best American Feature Documentary at the AmDocs Festival in Palm Springs.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 1)

1951: THE ARCHERS premiered. 1968: DARK SHADOWS'
Jeremiah tried to bury Angelique alive. 1981: KNOTS
LANDING's Diana and Karen "Put on a Happy Face".
1982: DALLAS' Miss Ellie received tragic news.

"The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."
- Winston Churchill

"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...

1951: UK radio soap opera THE ARCHERS premiered. The show was created by Godfrey Baseley, and originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk."

The opening line was by Dan Archer who said: "And a happy New Year to all!" His wife Doris responded with: "A very happy New Year, Dan." During the episode, Dan’s son Philip shared a kiss with a nearby farmer’s daughter, Grace, as he drove her home from a party and they discussed his job interview for the next day. The episode ended with Philip being angry at brother Jack for not returning his car, which made him late for his job interview.

THE ARCHERS is not only the world's longest-running radio soap opera but became the world's longest-running soap opera in any format with the cancellation of GUIDING LIGHT in 2009.

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, Angelique (Lara Parker) woke up just as Jeremiah (Tim Gordon) started to bury her alive.

NEWS: Social Networking No. 1 Online Activity; Roku Beats Apple TV; Chris Fountain Controversy; Paula Garces Baby Show; Is THE NEWSROOM the Best Bad Show Ever?

10 Online Activities That Dominate Americans' Days
Social networking was the most time-consuming online activity for Americans in 2012, followed by checking email, watching online video and using search engines.

Internet users in the United States between the ages of 13 and 64 spent an average of 37 minutes on social networks out of just over three hours online per day.

Roku Beats Apple TV In Homes With Streaming Media Devices
About 14% of all households have a streaming media device, twice the number that had one two years ago, research firm Parks Associates says. But the most interesting finding in its new report on trends in connected TV is that relatively tiny Roku handily beats the mighty Apple among people who own a streaming video media device. Some 37% go with Roku vs 24% who “primarily use” Apple TV, the company found in a survey of 10,000 U.S. broadband households early this year.

NEWS: Chandler Massey, Crystal Chappell, Jason Priestley, New ARCHERS Editor Sean O'Connor

Chandler Massey on leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES once his contract expires
"It began at the Emmys, where I commented that I want to go back to school, which I do, and everyone just assumed I’m leaving," Massey explains. “This is what I meant! My contract is up in December. Right now, I will tell you that no decision has been made. I will weigh all my options and hopefully work it all out. I will tell you, I love the show. I love the story and Will. No matter what decision I make, Will is always going to be a part of my life. But at this moment, nothing is official."

NEWS: Chris Carmack & Stella Sisters Become NASHVILLE Series Regulars; Suzanne Rogers' 40th; Zach Roerig Custody Battle; Victoria Rowell

Chris Carmack and the Stella Sisters promoted to NASHVILLE series regulars
Carmack — who recurred in Season 1 as Gunnar’s closeted gay pal Will — has been upgraded to a full-fledged series regular ahead of Season 2. Additionally, siblings Lennon and Maisy Stella (who play Rayna and Teddy’s daughters Maddie and Daphne, respectively) have also been bumped up to regulars. (In the finale, Maddie learned that Deacon is actually her biological father.)

VAMPIRE DIARIES star Zach Roerig involved in custody battle
Roerig, who also played Casey Hughes in AS THE WORLD TURNS, is locked in a legal battle with a woman named Alanna Turner for full custody of their 2-year-old daughter. According to documents obtained by TMZ, now that Turner has been sentenced to Federal prison for "various crimes," Roerig is seeking full custody of their child.

Arnold Peters Dead at 87

Arnold Peters

Veteran actor Arnold Peters, best-known for his role as Jack Woolley in THE ARCHERS for more than 30 years, has died at age 87. His family said he had died on Saturday at a home in Northamptonshire.

His appearances on the BBC Radio 4 show spanned almost 60 years. He was first featured in the cast in 1953 and turned up as two other characters before Jack.

Peters died after suffering from Alzheimer's, a disease that also affected his character – although he continued to perform until July 2011 despite the condition.

NEWS: Daytime Celebrates, Hugh Bonneville, Cameron Mathison, Larry Bryggman, Vanessa Whitburn, Amber Tamblyn, Shonda Rhimes, Luke Grimes, Jon Hamm

Daytime Soap Operas Have Reason to Celebrate: THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Turns 40 and GENERAL HOSPITAL Turns 50
According to Karen Herman, Director of the Archive of American Television, the Archive seeks to showcase shows and people that will leave “an indelible mark on generations of audiences.” Herman continued, “Television has been at the center of American lives and living rooms for decades, and what is on our screens has mirrored and influenced the history of this country.”

DOWNTON ABBEY's Hugh Bonneville would 'never say never' to EASTENDERS role
Bonneville plays the Earl of Grantham in ITV's hit drama Downton Abbey, but he might be propping up the bar of EastEnders' Queen Vic in the future. The actor made a brief appearance as a headmaster in a single episode the east London-based soap in 1995, but says he would consider returning to Albert Square after DOWNTON. Bonneville told The Mirror: "I might go back. I am a jobbing actor and I will take whatever comes along, thank you very much. I would never say never."

BBC Has 'Regret' About ARCHERS Abortion Poll

Rachel Atkins plays Vicky Tucker on THE ARCHERS

Recently THE ARCHERS aired a storyline featuring a middle-aged couple, Mike and Vicky Tucker, who discovered that they were expecting a baby with Down syndrome. Producers decided to post a poll online asking fans if the couple should abort the baby or not.

After a massive outcry for the poll to be removed, the BBC capitulated and released a statement:

“THE ARCHERS storyline on Mike and Vicky’s pregnancy has been well-received by the audience and raises a number of important issues about Down’s Syndrome, informed by the advice and expertise of the Down’s Syndrome Association. However this issue is too complex and sensitive for an online poll and we regret any offense the poll may have caused.”

NEWS ROUNDUP: SOAPnet Ratings, Maurice Benard on Changes in Sonny, Tika Sumpter in Sparkle

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS same day repeats top SOAPnet ratings
For the week of July 30, 2012 (viewers in thousands):

RANK	PROGRAM	DAY	TIME	Viewers
1	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Mon	7:00PM- 8:00PM	443
2	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Thu	7:00PM- 8:00PM	434
3	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Tue	7:00PM- 8:00PM	421
4	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Fri	7:00PM- 8:00PM	365
5	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Wed	7:00PM- 8:00PM	334
6	GENERAL HOSPITAL	Wed	9:00PM-10:00PM	214
7	GENERAL HOSPITAL	Thu	9:00PM-10:00PM	192
8	YOUNG & THE RESTLESS	Wed	10:00PM-11:00PM	176
9	BEVERLY HILLS 90210	Sat	11:00AM-12:00PM	159
10	GENERAL HOSPITAL	Mon	9:00PM-10:00PM	158