Today in Soap Opera History (March 25)

1953: The Guiding Light's Bert pestered her husband, Bill.
1969: Dark Shadows' Barnabas found a strange doll's head.
1987: B&B's Ridge & Caroline revealed their engagement.
1988: General Hospital's Simone had a miscarriage.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent 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...

1953: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) tried to convince her husband, Bill (Lyle Sudrow), he had to spend money to make money.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 21)

1979: Guiding Light's Jackie wanted Alan to keep her secret.
1980: J.R. Ewing was shot on the third season finale of Dallas.
2005: Amelia Heinle debuted as Victoria on Young and the Restless.
2011: Jake Spencer died on General Hospital.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent 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...

1952: On Search for Tomorrow, Irene wanted to visit her son, Keith Barron (John Sylvester White), who was in critical condition at the hospital. But her husband, Victor (Cliff Hall), felt that Irene had better not see Keith just yet. Meanwhile, Joanne (Mary Stuart) learned that another blood transfusion would be necessary in order to stabilize Keith. When Victor finally updated Irene on Keith's condition, she felt bitter because Jo had the power to make all of the medical decisions for Keith.

1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey (James Kirkwood Jr.) read the letters Bonnie write to him that had never been mailed.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 28)

1980: ATWT's Barbara told Tom about the son she gave away (Paul).
1980: The Edge of Night's Margo needed surgery to survive.
1994: All My Children's Brooke had a nightmare.
2004: Original cast member John Clarke ended his run on Days of our Lives.

"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...

1965: On Peyton Place, Michael (Ed Nelson) told Constance (Dorothy Malone) that Elliot belonged in the past. "Michael, he's here now," Connie told him in an effort to make him see it wasn't that easy. "So am I," Mike replied.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 4)

1954: The Brighter Day made its television premiere.
1979: Alice Horton performed in a hospital benefit on Days of our Lives.
1983: General Hospital's Edward learned Jimmy Lee was his son.
1985: Santa Barbara's Lionel learned Dominic's identify.

"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...

1954: Daytime soap opera The Brighter Day premiered on CBS-TV. Set in New Hope, Wisconsin, the series revolved around Reverend Richard Dennis (Blair Davies) and his four children: Althea (Brook Byron), Patsy (Lois Nettleton), Babby (Mary Linn Beller) and Grayling (Hal Holbrook). The Brighter Day was based on Irna Phillips' NBC Radio serial of the same name that premiered in 1948. The television and radio versions of the show ran simultaneously from 1954-1956. The TV version ran until September 28, 1962.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Nancy (Ann Flood) met and instantly disliked Fred Burns (William Kiehl).

Cast of Return to Peyton Place 

1974: NBC aired the final episode of daytime soap opera Return to Peyton Place. In April 1972, writer James Lipton and executive producer Don Wallace (both of The Best of Everything) performed the same chores to get Peyton off the ground in the daytime. Patricia Morrow (Rita Harrington), Evelyn Scott (as tavern owner Ada Jacks) and Frank Ferguson (as general store operator Eli Carson) repeated their nighttime roles, with other important roles filled by Guy Stockwell, Bettye Ackerman, Warren Stevens, Julie Parrish and Katherine Glass. The story sagged, and the series was canceled less than two years after its premiere.

1979: On Days of our Lives, the hospital held a variety show to raise money with performers including Alice (Frances Reid) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 17)

2010: CBS aired the final episode of As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: On The Right to Happiness, Carolyn Allen's (Claudia Morgan) husband Lee needed (Les Damon) to make a sudden business trip to New York, which fed into her insecurity that Lee's priority was his beautiful widowed client, Sharon (Claire Niesen).

1962: Rex Ingram became the first African American featured on a daytime soap opera in a contract role when he appeared as an ordained minister named Victor Graham in The Brighter Day. Sadly, the soap aired its final episode 11 days later on September 28.

Peter Donat Dead at 90

Peter Donat, who played roles in both daytime and primetime soap operas, died on September 7 at his home in California. He was 90.

His wife, Maria, confirmed the news to The New York Times, citing the cause of death as complications with diabetes.

Born Pierre Collingwood Donat on January 20, 1928, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, Donat's primtime television credits included Flamingo Road (as Elmo Tyson), Dallas (Dr. Miles Pearson) and Hill Street Blues (as Schuster). Donat played William Mulder, father of David Duchovny’s Fox Mulder, on six episodes of The X-Files opposite Rebecca Toolan as Teena Mulder.

On the big screen, he appeared in The Godfather Part II, War of the Roses, The Game, and Tucker: The Man and His Dream.

Donat's soap opera roles included Stephen Markley in The Brighter Day (1958), Bert Stanton on As the World Turns (1959) and Vince Conway in Moment of Truth (1965).

He also performed through organizations like the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where he would get to know director Francis Ford Coppola, and the Stratford Festival in Canada.

In addition to Maria, Donat is survived by sons Caleb, Christopher, and Lucas; stepdaughters Barbara Park Shapiro and Marina Park Sutton; stepson Malcolm Park; 11 grandchildren; and brother Richard.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 25)

1953: The Guiding Light's Bert pestered her husband, Bill.
1969: Dark Shadows' Barnabas found a strange doll's head.
1987: B&B's Ridge & Caroline revealed their engagement.
1988: General Hospital's Simone had a miscarriage.

"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...

1953: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) tried to convince her husband, Bill (Lyle Sudrow), he had to spend money to make money.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 21)

1979: Guiding Light's Jackie wanted Alan to keep her secret.
1980: J.R. Ewing was shot on the third season finale of Dallas.
2005: Amelia Heinle debuted as Victoria on Young and the Restless.
2011: Jake Spencer died on General Hospital.

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

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1952: On Search for Tomorrow, Irene wanted to visit her son, Keith Barron (John Sylvester White), who was in critical condition at the hospital. But her husband, Victor (Cliff Hall), felt that Irene had better not see Keith just yet. Meanwhile, Joanne (Mary Stuart) learned that another blood transfusion would be necessary in order to stabilize Keith. When Victor finally updated Irene on Keith's condition, she felt bitter because Jo had the power to make all of the medical decisions for Keith.

1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey (James Kirkwood Jr.) read the letters Bonnie write to him that had never been mailed.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 28)

1980: ATWT's Barbara told Tom about the son she gave away (Paul).
1980: The Edge of Night's Margo needed surgery to survive.
1994: All My Children's Brooke had a nightmare.
2004: John Clarke ended his run on Days of our Lives.

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

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1965: On Peyton Place, Michael (Ed Nelson) told Constance (Dorothy Malone) that Elliot belonged in the past. "Michael, he's here now," Connie told him in an effort to make him see it wasn't that easy. "So am I," Mike replied.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 4)

1954: The Brighter Day made its television premiere.
1979: Alice Horton performed in a hospital benefit on Days.
1983: GH's Edward learned Jimmy Lee was his son.
1985: Santa Barbara's Lionel learned Dominic's identify.

"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...

1954: Daytime soap opera The Brighter Day premiered on CBS-TV. Set in New Hope, Wisconsin, the series revolved around Reverend Richard Dennis (Blair Davies) and his four children: Althea (Brook Byron), Patsy (Lois Nettleton), Babby (Mary Linn Beller) and Grayling (Hal Holbrook). The Brighter Day was based on Irna Phillips' NBC Radio serial of the same name that premiered in 1948. The television and radio versions of the show ran simultaneously from 1954-1956. The TV version ran until September 28, 1962.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Nancy (Ann Flood) met and instantly disliked Fred Burns (William Kiehl).

Cast of Return to Peyton Place 

1974: NBC aired the final episode of daytime soap opera Return to Peyton Place. In April 1972, writer James Lipton and executive producer Don Wallace (both of The Best of Everything) performed the same chores to get Peyton off the ground in the daytime. Patricia Morrow (Rita Harrington), Evelyn Scott (as tavern owner Ada Jacks) and Frank Ferguson (as general store operator Eli Carson) repeated their nighttime roles, with other important roles filled by Guy Stockwell, Bettye Ackerman, Warren Stevens, Julie Parrish and Katherine Glass. The story sagged, and the series was canceled less than two years after its premiere.

1979: On Days of our Lives, the hospital held a variety show to raise money with performers including Alice (Frances Reid) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.
1981: General Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 17)

2010: CBS aired the final episode of As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: On The Right to Happiness, Carolyn Allen's (Claudia Morgan) husband Lee needed (Les Damon) to make a sudden business trip to New York, which fed into her insecurity that Lee's priority was his beautiful widowed client, Sharon (Claire Niesen).

1962: Rex Ingram became the first African American featured on a daytime soap opera in a contract role when he appeared as an ordained minister named Victor Graham in The Brighter Day. Sadly, the soap aired its final episode 11 days later on September 28.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 25)

1953: The Guiding Light's Bert pestered her husband, Bill.
1969: Dark Shadows' Barnabas found a strange doll's head.
1987: B&B's Ridge & Caroline revealed their engagement.
1988: General Hospital's Simone had a miscarriage.

"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...

1953: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) tried to convince her husband, Bill (Lyle Sudrow), he had to spend money to make money.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 21)

1979: Guiding Light's Jackie wanted Alan to keep her secret.
1980: J.R. Ewing was shot on the third season finale of Dallas.
2005: Amelia Heinle debuted as Victoria on Young and the Restless.
2011: Jake Spencer died on General Hospital.

"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...

1952: On Search for Tomorrow, Irene wanted to visit her son, Keith Barron (John Sylvester White), who was in critical condition at the hospital. But her husband, Victor (Cliff Hall), felt that Irene had better not see Keith just yet. Meanwhile, Joanne (Mary Stuart) learned that another blood transfusion would be necessary in order to stabilize Keith. When Victor finally updated Irene on Keith's condition, she felt bitter because Jo had the power to make all of the medical decisions for Keith.

1955: On Valiant Lady, Mickey (James Kirkwood Jr.) read the letters Bonnie write to him that had never been mailed.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 28)

1980: ATWT's Barbara told Tom about the son she gave away (Paul).
1980: The Edge of Night's Margo needed surgery to survive.
1994: All My Children's Brooke had a nightmare.
2004: John Clarke ended his run on Days of our Lives.

"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...

1965: On Peyton Place, Michael (Ed Nelson) told Constance (Dorothy Malone) that Elliot belonged in the past. "Michael, he's here now," Connie told him in an effort to make him see it wasn't that easy. "So am I," Mike replied.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 4)

1954: The Brighter Day made its television premiere. 1979: Alice
Horton performed in a hospital benefit on Days. 1983: GH's Edward
learned Jimmy Lee was his son. 1985: Santa Barbara's Lionel
learned Dominic's identify.

"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...

1954: Daytime soap opera The Brighter Day premiered on CBS-TV. Set in New Hope, Wisconsin, the series revolved around Reverend Richard Dennis (Blair Davies) and his four children: Althea (Brook Byron), Patsy (Lois Nettleton), Babby (Mary Linn Beller) and Grayling (Hal Holbrook). The Brighter Day was based on Irna Phillips' NBC Radio serial of the same name that premiered in 1948. The television and radio versions of the show ran simultaneously from 1954-1956. The TV version ran until September 28, 1962.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Nancy (Ann Flood) met and instantly disliked Fred Burns (William Kiehl).

Cast of Return to Peyton Place 

1974: NBC aired the final episode of daytime soap opera Return to Peyton Place. In April 1972, writer James Lipton and executive producer Don Wallace (both of The Best of Everything) performed the same chores to get Peyton off the ground in the daytime. Patricia Morrow (Rita Harrington), Evelyn Scott (as tavern owner Ada Jacks) and Frank Ferguson (as general store operator Eli Carson) repeated their nighttime roles, with other important roles filled by Guy Stockwell, Bettye Ackerman, Warren Stevens, Julie Parrish and Katherine Glass. The story sagged, and the series was canceled less than two years after its premiere.

1979: On Days of our Lives, the hospital held a variety show to raise money with performers including Alice (Frances Reid) and Maggie (Suzanne Rogers).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: Daytime soap operas The Brighter Day (CBS) and
Our Five Daughters (NBC) aired for the final time.  1981: General
Hospital was featured on the cover of Newsweek.
1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1962: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera The Brighter Day. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. The television version premiered on January 4, 1954, and the episodes ran on both TV and radio for 2 years. The Brighter Day was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of Our Five Daughters, a daytime soap which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as Helen Lee, the mother of five young women including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

Today in Soap Opera History (September 17)

2010: CBS aired the final episode of As the World Turns.

"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...

1959: On The Right to Happiness, Carolyn Allen's (Claudia Morgan) husband Lee needed (Les Damon) to make a sudden business trip to New York, which fed into her insecurity that Lee's priority was his beautiful widowed client, Sharon (Claire Niesen).

1962: Rex Ingram became the first African American featured on a daytime soap opera in a contract role when he appeared as an ordained minister named Victor Graham in The Brighter Day. Sadly, the soap aired its final episode 11 days later on September 28.

Patty Duke Dead at 69

Patty Duke

Patty Duke, the teen who won an Oscar for The Miracle Worker and later played "identical cousins" in her own TV sitcom, died on Tuesday, March 29. She was 69.

Duke's family released a statement through her publicist.

"This morning, our beloved wife, mother and matriarch and the exquisite artist, humanitarian and champion for mental health, Anna Patty Duke Pearce, closed her eyes, quieted her pain and ascended into a beautiful place. We celebrate the infinite love and compassion she shared through her work and throughout her life."

Born Anna Marie Pearce, some of Duke's earliest acting roles were in daytime soap operas. In the late 1950s, she played Ellen Williams Dennis in CBS' The Brighter Day, and appeared as Molly Scharf in NBC's Kitty Foyle.