On this date in...1972: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Liz phoned Jim to say she was on her way back to Monticello with Orin.
1975: ANOTHER WORLD expanded to an hour full-time, the first daytime soap opera to go to 60 minutes daily. Liz told Alice it was all over between her and Mac thanks to Rachel. Iris promised Mac to do everything she could to make Rachel feel comfortable. Rachel agreed to let Mac handle Jamie's visits with Steve. Robert and Lenore spied on them from across the restaurant as Mac told Rachel that after many lonely years he had found in her something to look forward to.
On May 3, 1974, the show had aired a one hour special featuring Steve and Alice's wedding. It did well in the ratings leading to the decision to go to 60 minutes full-time.
1987: On GUIDING LIGHT, Alexandra (Beverlee McKinsey) remembered good and bad times with Simon.
1988: Actor Brent Collins died at age 46. He was playing the role of Wallingford on ANOTHER WORLD at the time of his passing. He previously played Mr. Big in AS THE WORLD TURNS.
1997: Actor Vince Williams died at age 39. He was best known for his work as Hampton Speakes in GUIDING LIGHT. He also played Lamar Griffin on AS THE WORLD TURNS and Joe Morgan on LOVING. His final role was Dustin Carter on ANOTHER WORLD.
1997: Aaron Spelling's SUNSET BEACH premiered on NBC. The show ran until December 31, 1999.
2009: Taylor Spreitler debuted as Mia McCormick in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
Celebrating a birthday today are:
Bonnie Franklin (ex-Sister Celeste, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 69
Michael Wilding Jr. (ex-Jackson, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Alex, DALLAS) - 60
Scott Bryce (Frank, DECEPTION; ex-Craig, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Dr. Crosby, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 55
Andrea Thompson (ex-Genele, FALCON CREST) - 53
Greg Lauren (ex-Brett, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 43
Dick Billingsley (ex-Phillip, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Scotty, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 38
Danny Pintauro (ex-Paul, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 37
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
