Today in Soap Opera History (September 26)

1986: Bobby was alive and well on Dallas; his death was a dream.
1994: All My Children's Erica visited her mother's grave.
1995: Another World's Grant shot his brother, Ryan, in the back.
1997: Days of our Lives recast the role of Jack...in a shower.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Houseboat Hannah premiered on the NBC Red Network. Hard working Dan O'Leary, who lost an arm in a factory accident, moved his financially strapped family aboard a house boat in Shanty Fish Row on San Francisco Bay. Resourceful and resolute Hannah O'Leary became a mother figure to most of the Row. The theme song for Houseboat Hannah was Harry Revel and Mack Gordo's "Laugh Your Way Through Life."

1979: On As the World Turns, John Dixon (Larry Bryggman) told David Stewart (Henderson Forsythe) he thought his ex-wife, Kim (Kathryn Hays), was falling apart inside after Dan's death.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 15)

1964: Primetime soap opera Peyton Place premiered on ABC.
1988: Santa Barbara's Eden Capwell was raped.
2009: Guiding Light's Alan Spaulding died.
2010: As the World Turns' Carly and Jack married one last time.

"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...

1964: Primetime soap opera Peyton Place premiered on ABC. Based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Grace Metalious, the series was preceded by a 1957 film adaptation. Peyton Place ran for 514 total episodes with the series finale airing on June 2, 1969.

In the first episode, Dr. Michael Rossi (Ed Nelson) arrived from New York City to set up practice in town. Newspaper editor Matthew Swain (Warner Anderson) told him people usually tried to get away from towns like Peyton Place, not move to them. Matthew's cousin Allison MacKenzie (Mia Farrow), a close friend of classmate Norman Harrington (Christopher Connelly), fell in love with his older brother, Rodney (Ryan O'Neal) as they shared their first kiss. At the end of the episode, Allison's mother, Constance (Dorothy Malone), made it clear she disapproved of her daughter's relationship with Rodney.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 13)

1977: ABC's serialized comedy series Soap premiered.
1979: The Edge of Night's Raven clashed with Elliot.
1985: Days of our Lives' Marlena & Richard made love.
1985: GH's Anna told Robert that Robin was his daughter.

"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...

1969: Susan Lucci and Helmet Huber were married. Lucci joined All My Children for its debut a few months later playing ambitious teenager Erica Kane. The Hubers are celebrating their 46th anniversary today.

1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) visited her mother, who was recovering from a stroke.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 12)

1966: Days of our Lives' Tony prepared to leave town.
1985: General Hospital's Josh Clayton was killed.
1994: One Life to Live's paralyzed Luna took her first steps.
1994: All My Children's Hayley and Alec plotted revenge.

"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: On Days of our Lives, Tony Merritt (Richard Colla) told Marie Horton (Maree Cheatham) he was leaving Salem.

1966: On Dark Shadows, news of Bill Malloy's death spread around Collinsport.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 11)

1975: Ryan's Hope's Jack visited Sister Mary Joel.
1984: Santa Barbara's Jade ran into David Hasselhoff.
1986: Another World's Reginald had a fire started to stop a story.
2003: The Young and the Restless' John punched Victor.

"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...

1941: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, "Chichi" Conrad (Alice Reinheart) coped with heartbreaking news.

1967: CBS aired the first color broadcast of The Secret Storm.

1972: The Edge of Night began airing at 2:30 p.m. ET, moving from its usual 3:30 p.m. timeslot where it had been performing well in the ratings. CBS and Procter & Gamble made the decision to move the show to create blocks of P&G soaps that would not compete against each other on CBS and NBC. Edge of Night's ratings took a nose dive, and was eventually moved to ABC on December 1, 1975, to make room for the As the World Turns expansion to one hour. We Love Soaps included this timeslot change on the 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list back in 2011.

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) took Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) to see Sister Mary Joel (Sylvia Sidney), who told Jack she needed his help.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 5)

1960: Search for Tomorrow's Alison dealt with her mother-in-law.
1980: General Hospital's Monica faced a divorce decision.
1989: As the World Turns Paul shot his father, James Stenbeck.
2008: Hollyoaks' John Paul found Kieron's body.

"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...

1938: Radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful premiered on CBS, starting a successful 16-year run. Life Can Be Beautiful quickly became known to radio insiders by its initials, and widely referred to as "Elsie Beebe." It was the story of Carol Conrad (Alice Reinheart, and later Teri Keane), a disadvantaged child who--still in her teens--ran into the Slightly Read Bookshop seeking shelter and a hiding place from Gyp Mendoza (Waldemar Kappel, and later Paul Stewart), the town racketeer. The kindly old book dealer, Papa David Solomon (Ralph Locke), would soon become one of the great philosophers of daytime radio. Carol became "Chichi" and was installed on a pallet in the back room as the old man's ward. Fifteen years later, she was still there. The show was billed as "an inspiring message of faith drawn from life."

1960: On Search for Tomorrow, after talking things over with Joanne (Mary Stuart), Alison (Anne Pearson) endured an uncomfortable evening with her in-laws, the Metcalfs, who came over for dinner.

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 24)

1979: General Hospital's Laura wanted a job at the disco.
1987: Lizzie demanded answers on Ryan's Hope.
1989: As the World Turns' Shannon lost her baby.
2007: One Life to Live's John arrive to arrest Lindsay.

"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...

1970: Murial Williams returned to Another World as Lenore's (Judith Barcroft) mother, Helen Moore. Williams remained with the show until April 8, 1976.

1976: Rosemary Forsyth debuted as Laura Horton on Days of our Lives.

1977: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) listened in through the intercom as Dave (David Ackroyd) told Pat (Beverly Penberthy) he had always been in love with Rachel. Mac shut off the intercom before Dave told her that Rachel still loved Mac. Dave left Bay City to live in Boston on the next episode.

1978: On All My Children, Tara Martin Brent (Nancy Frangione) told Chuck Tyler (Richard Van Vleet) that she hadn't heard from Philip.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 21)

1975: Mary and Jack shared their first kiss on Ryan's Hope.
1979: The identity of Edge of Night's "Tobias" was revealed.
1979: Guiding Light's Alan bonded with hope on a deserted island.
1995: One Life to Live's Max told hospitalized Luna to hold on.

"The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron

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

On this date in...

1967: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) introduced Rachel Davis (Robin Strasser) to her Aunt Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley).

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mary Ryan (Kate Mulgrew) declined when Bob Reid (Earl Hindman) asked her out, but accepted an invitation from Jack Fenelli (Michael Levin) to join him for coffee. Later, Jack and Mary shared their first kiss.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie on Days of our Lives.
1996: Days' John & Kristen learned she had lost their baby.
2001: As the World Turns' Carly was rescued from quicksand.
2009: One Life to Live's Clint refused to be on reality television.

"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...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Simmons in Days of our Lives. In the episode, amnesiac Mickey Horton (John Clarke) stumbled onto Maggie's farm. Rogers, a former Radio City Music Hall Rockette, won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1979 for her work on Days. She is the longest running cast member still on contract the show today (Susan Seaforth Hayes and Bill Hayes debuted on Days before Rogers and still recur--and apparently with a little more frequency this fall).

In a 2011 interview with We Love Soaps, Rogers spoke about winning the Emmy, and how the process changes have made a big difference in who wins the awards these days.

"When I won my Emmy in 1979, all the producers and directors were allowed to vote for the categories because technically the producers and most of the directors see everybody's work," she explained. "I think the minute they limited it for actors just voting for actors, it got to be a very political system. That's not really what it's all about. It's about the work, what's being put up on the screen."

1976: On Another World, Clarice Hobson, pregnant with Robert Delaney's (Nicholas Coster) baby, was threatened by Robert's estranged wife, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey), who ordered her to leave town. While trying to flee her boarding house, Clarice went into labor. End credits rolled during her hospital labor. The unmarried Clarice delivered a son, Cory, on August 23.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 15)

1984: Guiding Light's Springfield celebrated Founders Day.
1985: GH's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives' "Roman" reunited with Marlena.

"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...

1977: On Guiding Light, Eve Stapleton (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars Hospital.

1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 14)

1945: As word spread about the end of World War II, listeners were glued to the radio for updates.

"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...

1945: President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered to the Allies (World War II). Thousands thronged into the streets throughout the United States to celebrate V-J Day. The official ratification of the surrender didn’t take place until September 2, in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.

1945: On Pepper Young's Family, Harry, Betty, Pepper (Mason Adams) and Mrs. Green discussed Harry and Betty's upcoming marriage. Since the kids didn't want to wait, they went off once they received Pepper and Mrs. Green's permission.

1945: On Ma Perkins, Mathilda Pendleton (Beverly Younger) dropped by Ma's (Virginia Payne) and wanted to know all about Jeff and Stella Carlon (Marilou Neumayer). Gary Curtis (Rye Pillsbury) confronted Stella, wanting to know what had been troubling her recently.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 13)

1982: Days of our Lives' Jessica and Joshua were married.
1984: A Martinez debuted as Cruz on Santa Barbara.
1993: Maurice Benard debuted as Sonny on General Hospital.
2001: Bold and the Beautiful's Tony told Kristen he was HIV+.

"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 Dark Shadows, Adam (Robert Rodan) vowed to kill Victoria, the woman Barnabas loved, unless Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) made someone for him to love.

1980: On The Edge of Night, April (Terry Davis) confronted Emily (Margo McKenna) with the fact that "Kirk Michaels" was dead.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 10)

1979: The Edge of Night's Steve saved Paige's life.
1981: General Hospital's Mikkos hosted a dinner party.
1984: Santa Barbara's Joe broke into the Capwell estate.
2004: Martha Madison debuted as Belle 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...

1945: On radio soap opera Portia Faces Life, Kathie was shocked to see Portia's late husband, Walter (Bartlett Robinson), alive and well!

1967: On Dark Shadows, Maggie (Kathryn Leigh Scott) returned to the Blue Whale Café -- and ran into her former tormentor, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid).

1972: On Another World, Pat Randolph (Beverly Penberthy) brought her twins, Michael (Tom Ruger) and Marianne (Loriann Ruger), over for a visit with their grandpa Jim.

1976: On Ryan's Hope, Maeve (Helen Gallagher) and Johnny (Bernard Barrow) decided to ask Delia and LJ to stay with them.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 2)

1984: As part of an effort to counter-program ABC's Olympic coverage, As the World Turns featured guest stars Phyllis Diller, Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

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

On this date in...

1967: On Another World, Ada (Constance Ford) pleaded with Rachel (Robin Strasser) to understand that her salary at Pierre's was all they had, but Rachel threatened to leave the hospital despite the health risk if she lost her pricey private room. Rachel railed at Ada for lying to her that her father was dead. "Everybody lies when they have to," Rachel said. "I know I do."

1968: On Dark Shadows, a distraught Adam (Robert Rodan) stabbed himself.

1968: On Peyton Place, Steven Cord (James Douglas) and Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) reconciled.

1971: On The Doctors, Dr. Dan Allison asked his wife, Carolee, to promise she would stay with him, telling her it was the only thing that would give him the strength to fight his heart condition.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 31)

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

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

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

On this date in...

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

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

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

Today in Soap Opera History (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 22)

1968: Peyton Place's Rodney and Norman had a motorcycle crash.
1986: Y&R's Who's The Daddy story was featured in Mr. Mom.
2008: A car crashed into GH on General Hospital: Night Shift.
2013: All My Children's Cassandra wanted an abortion.

"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...

1946: On radio soap opera Rosemary, Rosemary Dawson (Betty Winkler) and her artist friend, Brad, took a train to Penn Station in New York City.

1965: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) remembered her days in Bedfordtown.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 20)

1966: Dark Shadows' David was angry with his father.
1984: Guiding Light's Josh and Reva got heated in the hot tub.
1988: Days of our Lives' Salemites through Kayla a surprise shower.
2010: One Life to Live's Viki plotted to reunite David and Dorian.

"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 General Hospital, Angie Weeks (Jana Taylor) asked Nurse Jessie Brewer (Emily McLaughlin) for advice.

1966: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) told Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) that he hated his father, Roger (Louis Edmonds).

Today in Soap Opera History (July 14)

1986: Another World's Cecile faced the guillotine.
1986: Santa Barbara's Mary died after a "C" fell on her.
1989: Guiding Light's Reva was rowed to her wedding.
2008: The Bold and the Beautiful's Bridget and Nick 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...

1965: On Another World, John Randolph (Michael M. Ryan) persuaded his daughter, Lee (Gaye Huston), that going home after her battle with virus pneumonia would be alright.

1966: On Dark Shadows, Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) met Carolyn Stoddard's (Nancy Barrett) boyfriend, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers), who works at the Collins Cannery.