Today in Soap Opera History (August 30)

1968: The Doctors' Mike returned home.
1991: Wayne Northrop returned to Days of our Lives as Roman.
2004: General Hospital debuted a new opening.
2010: ATWT's Bob revealed Nancy Hughes had passed away.

"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...

1968: On The Doctors, Mike Powers (Peter Burnell in his debut) returned home, much to the delight of his father, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett).

1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) and Willie Loomis (John Karlen) went to the crypt where Tom Jennings (Donald Briscoe) kept his coffin, but when Barnabas opened the coffin, it was empty. Jennings arrived and tried to bite him.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 27)

1976: Ryan's Hope's Frank realized his campaign was over.
1992: All My Children's Nick returned.
1996: Another World's Fax was ready to kill again.
2010: As the World Turns' Henry and Barbara married.

"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...

1968: On The Doctors, Dr. Nick Bellini (Gerald Gordon) and Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) talked about marrying. Both spoke of the changing times-Nick the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy; Althea the 1967 death of her son, Buddy Davis. Meanwhile, Steve (David O'Brien) and Karen (Laryssa Lauret) also headed towards marriage, if not a romantic one.

Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1974: On Another World, Steve (George Reinholt) talked Janice (Victoria Thompson) into staying in Bay City.

1976: On Ryan's Hope, Frank Ryan's family tried to console him with his campaign likely in shambles.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 23)

1966: Days of our Lives creator Ted Corday died.
1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.
1993: Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead, on Days of our Lives.
2009: Y&R's Victor gave Adam his acceptance.

"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...

1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of Days of our Lives, Paradise Bay and Morning Star. Days continues to this day while the other two shows were went off the air July 1, 1966, three weeks before Corday's death.

1968: On Another World, as he sat on the porch drinking lemonade with Jim and Mary Matthews, Steve Frame (George Reinholt) remembered how he had run five lemonade stands when he was eight, then said he probably bought the Bay City Bengals football team to compensate for never having had time for games.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 8)

1966: Dark Shadows' Burke gave Carolyn false info on his return.
1991: Another World's Cass saved Kathleen, then took her on a caper.
1992: Aaron Spelling primetime soap Melrose Place premiered.
2002: Days of our Lives' Gemini Twins were rescued.

"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...

1935: Radio soap opera Girl Alone premiered. Betty Winkler starred as Patricia Rogers. The cast included future Days of our Lives patriarch Macdonald Carey.

1949: The radio version of The Brighter Day, which premiered on October 11, 1948, aired on NBC for the final time. The show moved to CBS Radio the following Monday.

1957: On The Edge of Night, Liz slapped Clayton and threatened to send him back to jail.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Carolyn (Nancy Barrett) visited (Mitchell Ryan) Burke Devlin's hotel suite in an attempt to learn what happened between him and Roger (Louis Edmonds). Later, Carolyn invited the family enemy into the mansion, re-introducing Devlin to her aunt, Elizabeth.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 25)

1967: Dark Shadows' Maggie struggled to retain her identity.
1981: Another World's Cecile told Rachel that Mac had a son.
2004: Days of our Lives' Alice was very much alive.
2005: The truth about One Life to Live's Daniel was exposed.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Mary (Virginia Dwyer) pleaded with Pat (Susan Trustman) to get a chaperone for her weekend with Tom.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) accused Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott), dressed in Josette's wedding dress, of trying to leave him.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 7)

1966: Peyton Place's Steven prepared for his weddding.
1981: Another World's Sandy took care of Mac after an explosion.
1986: Santa Barbara's Kelly confessed to Nick before their wedding.
1989: Days of our Lives' Steve and Kayla became Gideon and Emily.

"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...

1966: On Peyton Place, Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) and Steven Cord (James Douglas) prepared for their wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 1)

1963: The Doctors premiered on NBC, while General Hospital
made its debut on ABC.

"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...

1963: NBC premiered a new daytime drama, The Doctors, created by the Orin Tovrov. The Doctors did not start as a serial; it began as a "half-hour anthology series of medical dramas, set in the large metropolitan Hope Memorial Hospital, and with the four principals alternating daily in the lead role, according to NBC's original announcement. The roles were Dr. William Scott (played by Jock Gaynor), Dr. Jerry Chandler (portrayed by Richard Roat), Dr. Elizabeth Hayes (played by Margot Moser) and Rev. Samuel Shafer, a hospital chaplain (played by Fred J. Scollay).

Later in the first season, Herb Kenwith and Paul Lammers became the directors. After nine months, The Doctors shifted to a continuing story line, and by 1965, James Pritchett was portraying Dr. Matt Powers, chief of staff at Hope Hospital, and Elizabeth Hubbard was playing Dr. Althea Davis, chief of the Outpatient Clinic. Pritchett did a single performance during The Doctors' one-story-a-week phase, on June 20, 1963. "I played a corporation president running away and having a broken back that brought me to the hospital." He returned to The Doctors on July 9, 1963 as Dr. Matt Powers when the serial was still was still a one-story-a-week show.

The Doctors would remain on the air until December 31, 1982. Repeats from 1971 are currently airing on Retro TV.

1963: General Hospital, created by Frank and Doris Hursley, premiered on ABC. Read a flashback article recapping the first 12 years of stories here. Original cast members John Beradino (Dr. Steve Hardy) and Emily McLaughlin (Nurse Jessie Brewer) remained with the show for decades. GH was scheduled in the 1 p.m. ET timeslot which was a half hour that CBS gave to local affiliates (a break between The Guiding Light and top-rated As the World Turns).

Beverley Owen Dead at 81

Beverley Owen, the actress best known for originating the character Marilyn on the sitcom The Munsters, died of ovarian cancer at her Vermont home on February 21 while surrounded by friends and family. The actress was reportedly diagnosed in January 2017, but did not disclose her illness to the public. She was 81.

Her co-star Butch Patrick, who played Eddie Munster on the beloved 1960s comedy, paid tribute to the late actress on Facebook.

"Beautiful Beverly (sic) Owen has left us. What a sweet soul," he wrote. "I had the biggest crush on her. RIP Bev and thanks for your 13 memorable Marilyn Munster episodes."

The Iowa native appeared on 13 episodes of The Munsters, which centered on a sweet family of lovable monsters, including versions of Frankenstein's monster, Dracula and the Wolfman — or, in that case, Wolfboy.

Owen left the show to marry writer and producer Jon Stone. (They were married from 1966 to 1974.) She was replaced by actress Pat Priest.

Owen's first television role was as Linda Elliot on daytime soap opera As the World Turns. She went on to appear on The Doctors and Another World (as Paula McCrea).

She is survived by two daughters daughters, Polly and Kate.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 16)

1968: Dark Shadows' Josette shocked Barnabas.
1981: GH's Heather escaped from the sanitarium.
2009: ATWT aired a special fairy tales episode.
2009: AMC's Reese and Bianca were officially married,

"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...

1966: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) tried to convince his doubtful wife, Pat (Susan Trustman), that Mike Bauer (Gary Pillar) was the type of person he needed in his firm.

1968: On The Doctors, a sympathetic social worker (Margaret DePriest, who went on to a soap opera writing career, including The Doctors in 1974) offered a desolate Ruth Winters (Ann Whiteside) support. Later, an alcoholic Ruth buckled under pressure and came close to drinking.

Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) went to Josette's (Kathryn Leigh Scott) grave and commanded her to listen to him. He told Josette he wanted her to return to him and then heard her sobbing voice. Josette told him that the dead must rest. Barnabas went to the Old House to wait for Josette in her room and continued to call for her to come to him. A figure in a white gown walked slowly through the cemetery, into the Old House, and upstairs into the bedroom where Barnabas was waiting. Barnabas was pleased to see her but Josette wanted to return to her grave. He refused to let her go back so she lifted her veil to show him what she had become in death. Barnabas was frightened and repulsed by her horribly disfigured face.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 9)

1968: Dark Shadows' Josette jumped off Widows' Hill.
1984: Days of our Lives' Roman convinced Abe he was innocent.
1989: Another World featured the single women of Bay City.
1996: All My Children's Laurel was shot and killed.

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Angelique (Lara Parker) tried to fool Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) using Josette's voice to go to Widows' Hill. Barnabas guessed what her plan was and left to save Josette. Josette climbed to Widows' Hill where Angelique showed her a vision of what she would become if she stayed with Barnabas. Barnabas arrived but Josette was frightened by him. He grabbed her to save her from the cliff but Josette pulled away and jumped to her death.

Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on The Guiding Light radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On Another World, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1975: On The Doctors, once he found out how disappointed Toni Ferra (Anna Stuart) was about waiting to meet his mother, Dr. Alan Stewart (Gil Gerard) agreed to go to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 31)

Four NBC daytime soap operas aired for the final time on December 31st: 
Somerset (1976), Texas (1982), The Doctors (1982) and Sunset Beach (1999).

"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 Scarlett Hill, Kate (Beth Lockerbie) and Pearl discussed their fears that Ruth was only marrying Mr. Quill for his money. Sheila became extremely rude to Pearl when Pearl tried to show her pictures of the five-year-old she was about to adopt. Sheila revealed a bit of her tragic life to Stan. Ruth openly admitted to Kate that she was only getting married for the money, knowing there was nothing Kate could do to stop her, and Ruth discovered the recording device Pearl planted in the hopes of catching the avaricious woman's plans on tape.

Note: Scarlett Hill, a daytime serial about the residents of a hotel in Scarlett Hill, New York, originally ran in Canada from 1962-1964. This episode is from the show's first syndicated run in the United States.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Adam Drake (Don May) ran through the streets of Manhattan in an attempt to find and propose marriage to Nicole Travis (Maeve McGuire) by midnight.

1976: NBC aired the final episode of the Another World spin-off Somerset after a six year run. The show was canceled to make room for another P&G soap, Lovers & Friends.

1980: On Another World, as the party guests counted down to the New Year, an intoxicated Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) collapsed just as Philip Lyons (Robert Gentry) proposed. The Brady Bunch star Christopher Knight made his first appearance as Leigh Hobson.



Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

Interview Archive: Elizabeth Hubbard

Happy 85th birthday to the legendary Emmy-winning actress Elizabeth Hubbard!

We Love Soaps TV traveled to the As the World Turns studio in Brooklyn on the second to last day of shooting in June 2010 to speak with Hubbard about her storied career. Watch the interview below.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 22)

1955: Love of Life's Van wanted to adopt Carol.
1986: Search for Tomorrow's Jo had a dream.
2000: All My Children's Bianca came out to Erica.
2008: ATWT's Lucinda didn't know Brian had a thing for her grandson.

"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...

1939: On Bachelor's Children, Sam and Ruth Ann kept an anxious vigil at the hospital as Sam's wife, Janet, delivered their first child. Complications ensued during the birth, and the ordeal stretched late into the night. Sam tried to rest in the deserted waiting room and fitfully dozed as memories spanning the breadth of his relationship with Janet flickered through his semi-conscious mind. Ruth Ann shattered his reverie as she excitedly burst into the room with urgent news.

1939: The final episode of short-lived radio soap opera Career Wife, starring Ann Thomas, aired on NBC Blue.

1955: On Love of Life, Vanessa Raven (Bonnie Bartlett) and her husband, Paul (Richard Coogan), filled out the paperwork required to adopt Carol.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 20)

1982: The Doctors' Kit and Mike were stranded during a snow storm.
1985: Lujack's spirit visited Beth on Guiding Light.
1996: All My Children's Adam and Liza were married.
2007: General Hospital's Dillon returned and found out about Georgie's death.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Bebe Spode (Renne Jarrett) came back home and told her father, Martin Spode (Eric Dressler), how much she loved him.

1965: On Peyton Place, Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) met Martin Peyton (George Macready).

Today in Soap Opera History (December 17)

1975: Frank told Delia he was leaving her on Ryan's Hope.
1993: A new Blair debuted on One Life to Live.
2007: The paternity of Victoria's baby was revealed on Y&R.
2007: General Hospital's Georgie was murdered.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Virginia Dalton (Cathleen Cordell) interrupted her husband Peter's (Stephen Elliot) call with the governor, insisting he fire Sybil Gordon (Priscilla Gillette). She later became furious when Peter ignored her warnings about associating with Bruce Thompson's people.

1968: On Dark Shadows, David (David Henesy) felt guilty for causing Roger's "accident."

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Pat Ryan (Malcolm Groome) tried to comfort his sister-in-law, Delia (Ilene Kristen), after his brother, Frank (Michael Hawkins), told her that he was leaving her.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 11)

1968: It was Nick and Althea's wedding day on The Doctors.
1983: Guiding Light's Eli Sims wanted revenge.
1998: Paul Anthony Stewart debuted as Danny on Guiding Light.
2003: All My Children's Erica made an unwelcome discovery.

"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...

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike (John Larkin) realized Billy's blood type was not a match with Roger or Mary.

1964: Geoffrey Lumb made his first appearance in Another World as Mitchell Dru in a crossover from P&G's As the World Turns. He had previously played the character on The Brighter Day before joining ATWT and AW. Lumb remained on Another World until 1971. He died in 1990 at age 85.

1965: On Days of our Lives, after Ben disciplined her for Julie shoplifting, Julie (Charla Doherty) tried to borrow money from Steve.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 5)

1985: Santa Barbara's Eden broke off her engagement to Cruz.
1985: DJ agreed to do a favor for Ryan on Ryan's Hope.
1990: Maxie Jones was born on General Hospital.
1998: Bethany Joy Lenz debuted as Michelle on Guiding Light.

"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...

1945: On radio soap opera Doctor Paul, "radio's wonderful story of adult love," Victoria reflected on how she once knew Dr. Paul (Russell Thorson) after taking an old photograph Dr. Paul when he was a child.

1957: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) received a telephone call from an Arizona medical examiner that confirmed the real Clayton Pike had been murdered. That meant the man living in Monticello named "Clayton Pike" was an imposter.

1964: On Peyton Place, Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) and Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) returned to Peyton Place as husband and wife.

Today in Soap Opera History (November 2)

1977: Ryan's Hope's Jack and Mary were locked in a storeroom.
1979: As the World Turns' Lisa wanted Hester to be fired.
1990: Guiding Light's Holly revisited the past with Roger.
2009: One Live to Live's Kyle called off his wedding to Nick.

"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...

1931: Myrt and Marge premiered as a primetime soap opera that followed the lives and escapades of two chorus girls. Creator Myrtle Vail (Damerel) pitched the idea to the Wrigley chewing gum makers, naming her lead characters Myrtle Spear and Marge Minter. Myrt and Marge became the first radio series Wrigley sponsored. The show moved to daytime in January 1937 (a few weeks before The Guiding Light premiered) and ran until 1942. Vail revived Myrt and Marge as a syndicated series from 1946-1947.

Former Star Kathleen Turner Says 'The Doctors' "No Longer Exists, For Which We Can All Be Thankful"

Oscar-nominated actress does not mince words about her days acting on NBC soap opera The Doctors in her new book, "Kathleen Turner on Acting: Conversations about Film, Television, and Theater," co-written with Dustin Morrow.

In a long exchange with Morrow about her time on the soap Turner explained, "I was a regular on The Doctors. Which no longer exists, for which we can all be thankful. It was just a very run-of-the-mill soap opera. My character was so incredibly dumb that at a certain point I just couldn’t figure out how to justify the words that came out of her mouth, so I just asked the writers to make her a drunk."

Turner revealed the last straw for her with the soap.

"I'll tell you the breaking point for me on The Doctors," she wrote. "I remember this like it was yesterday. I was doing a scene where I was giving birth, after a four-month pregnancy of course, and I had researched the process and learned lamaze breathing and everything. After the first take the director, who was a man of course, came up and said, 'You're doing great, I can really feel what you're going through. But can you just be a little more . . . ummm . . . attractive?' 'Attractive.' While giving birth. That was it for me."