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.

Today in Soap Opera History (July 21)

1972: Victoria Wyndham debuted as Rachel on Another World.
1980: Edge of Night's Kelly had competition for Jody.
1986: As the World Turns' Nancy mourned her husband.
1987: Days of our Lives' welcomed a new Jack.

"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...

1962: Actor Les Damon died at age 54. His soap roles included Ed Palmerlee in The Edge of Night, Jim Lowell in As the World Turns, and Bruce Banning on The Guiding Light.

1965: On General Hospital, Dr. Steve Hardy (John Beradino) and Nurse Jessie Brewer (Emily McLaughlin) filled Mike Costello in on the latest developments with Angie.

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).

Daytime Soap Opera Grades June 2025

Talk about drama! And tears.  June featured the Michael-Willow custody battle on General Hospital and the memorial service for John Black on Days of our Lives.  

Here are my grades for each show along with a few highlights.  Let me know your thoughts (and grades) in the Comments section.

Beyond the Gates
While it doesn't get hotter than Dani (Karla Mosley) and Andre (Sean Freeman), it was nice to see Dani bond with Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) after his stroke which helps us understand why she was so devastated by his betrayal.  The mystery of what happened to Martin (Brandon Claybon) two years ago heated up and the men involved rallied to keep their secret. Grade: A-

Today in Soap Opera History (June 29)

1966: Dark Shadows' Victoria noticed her letter had moved.
1987: As the World Turns' Margo and Hal shared a kiss.
1994: Days of our Lives' Salem said goodbye to Dr. Tom Horton.
2012: The Young and the Restless' Paul shot his son, Ricky.

"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...

1915: Future soap opera legend Ruth Warrick was born. Her daytime roles included Phoebe on All My Children, ex-Hannah in Peyton Place, Janet on The Guiding Light and Edie in As the World Turns).

1943: Radio soap opera Lonely Women, created by Irna Phillips, debuted on NBC Radio.

1952: CBS aired the final episode of Procter & Gamble soap opera The First Hundred Years, a tale of married life against the backdrop of New York City. James Lydon and Anne Sargent starred as newlyweds Chris and Connie Thayer. Read more here in the Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas.

1956: The Guiding Light aired for the final time on CBS Radio. The show first premiered on the radio (on NBC) in 1937. In 1952, Guiding Light began airing on television, in addition to the radio broadcasts. The series remained on CBS-TV until September 2009.

1956: On the final episode of long-running radio soap opera Young Widder Brown, Dr. Anthony Loring (Ned Weaver) stopped Ellen Brown (Wendy Drew) just before she left Simpsonville for Chicago. He proposed marriage and she accepted.

Today in Soap Opera History (June 28)

1974: The Doctors' Toni learned she had a son.
1991: General Hospital's Anna and Robert were shocked by Faison.
1996: Stephen Nichols made his GH debut as Stefan.
2010: Salem said goodbye to Alice Horton 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...

1963: On Ben Jerrod, as the trial was reaching the conclusion, Ben's (Michael Ryan) strategy was on the verge of collapse.

1966: On the second episode of Dark Shadows, Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) watched as Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) collapsed, then went back back upstairs unseen.

Daytime Soap Opera Grades May 2025

May storylines included the Nurses Ball on General Hospital and the anniversary party for Beyond the Gates couple Ted and Nicole.  

Here are my grades for each show along with a few highlights.  Let me know your thoughts (and grades) in the Comments section.

Beyond the Gates
The anniversary party for Ted (Maurice Johnson) and Nicole (Daphnee Duplaix) was one of the best soap events in years.  Leslia/Dana (Trisha Mann-Grant) revealed the truth about her affair with Ted and that Eva (Ambyr Michelle) was his daughter to the shock of everyone in attendance.  In the aftermath, Anita (Tamara Tunis) singing "Amazing Grace" at her piano was perfection. Grade: A+

Denise Alexander Dead at Age 85, Revisit Her We Love Soaps Interviews

Longtime soap opera star Denise Alexander, best known for her portrayal of Lesley Webber on General Hospital and Susan Hunter Martin on Days of our Lives, died on March 5 at age 85.

Early in her career Alexander voiced characters on multiple radio soaps before making her Broadway debut in “The Children’s Hour”. On primetime television she made appearances on classics Father Knows Best, The Twilight Zone and The Danny Kaye Show. In the early 1960s she moved to daytime TV on the CBS soap The Clear Horizon.

She joined the cast of Days of our Lives in 1966 as Susan, where she rose to stardom during her seven-year run. She left Days in 1973 and joined the cast of ABC's General Hospital as Lesley to help give the ratings-challenged soap a boost. Lesley fell for Rick Webber (Chris Robinson) and became entangled in a triangle with rival Monica Bard (played by the late Leslie Charleson, who died earlier this year). Lesley also confessed to the murder of David Hamilton, a crime her daughter Laura (Genie Francis) committed. Her acting earned Alexander a Emmy nomination for outstanding actress in a Daytime drama series.

When storyline called for Lesley to be killed off in a car accident in 1984, fans became outraged. It wasn’t until 12 years later in 1996 that it was revealed that Lesley was actually alive. In between the two soaps, Alexander appeared on NBC’s Another World as Mary McKinnon, working once again with Robinson during  a portion of her three-year stint.

“I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander’s passing. She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber – one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television – for nearly five decades,” GH executive producer Frank said on social media. “It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. On behalf of the entire General Hospital family, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and longtime fans. May she rest in peace.”

Alexander last appeared on General Hospital in 2021. *** Check out our interviews with Denise Alexander from 2010 and 2013 below.

First published in November 2010

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You were involved in the industry when it was transitioning from radio to TV.
Denise Alexander: At the tail end of it. I got to do a little bit of everything.

Daytime Soap Opera Grades April 2025

April was a good month on our favorite daytime dramas with the new kid on the block, Beyond the Gates, leading the pack as must-watch TV.

Here are my grades for each show along with a few highlights.  Let me know your thoughts (and grades) in the Comments section.

Beyond the Gates
Dani's (Karla Mosley) flirtatious photoshoot with Andre (Sean Freeman) proved they are the hottest couple in daytime at the moment.  Speaking of couples, I could watch Anita (Tamara Tunie) and Vernon (Clifton Davis) all day.  Tunie and Davis have a special chemistry that makes every scene sparkle.  Vernon cheering on The DuPres women singing karaoke with Anita out front was a joy to watch (check out their performance below). More music, please. Ambyr Michelle and Colby Muhammed are terrific as rivals Eva and Kat. Grade: A-

Best of Daytime Soap Operas in 2024

Check out my thoughts below on the Best of Daytime Soap Operas in 2024.

BEST SOAP
General Hospital

The average episode of GH was typically somewhere between good and very good during 2024. From the dramatic and poignant deaths of Spencer, Gregory and Sam to the excellent returns of Lucky, Ric and Lulu, the stories were the most "must-B&B in the genre.

MOST CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT SOAP
The Bold and the Beautiful

B&B continued to revolve around Ridge, Brooke, Steffy and Hope in 2024. The characters were sometimes maddening but mostly consistent with their histories. The stories made us invest in watching the show every day but you never knew when an about-face might happen. Like Luna, the innocent young heroine who we later learned was a mudererer. Or Thomas suddently being over Hope after years of obsessing. The turns felt jarring, and like the writers changed course mid-stream. But tune in any day and it feels like you were watching B&B, your story, and that's a win after 37 years.

BEST PERFORMANCES
Sharon Case (Sharon, The Young and the Restless)
Case delivered one riveting performance after another leading up to Heather's death and then the fallout.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 25)

1970: ABC aired the final episode of The Best of Everything.
1984: All My Children's Tad was celebrated at his bachelor party.
1996: Days of our Lives' Sami and Austin married.
1998: One Life to Live's Bo grieved his son, Drew.

"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 Dark Shadows, while Willie Loomis remained in a coma, Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) attempted to hypnotize David Collins (David Henesy) to stop his prying into Barnabas' (Jonathan Frid) affairs.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 24)

1951: Love of Life premiered on CBS.
1979: As the World Turns' Doug and Annie declared their love.
1981: General Hospital's Alan proposed to Susan.
1986: Another World's Mitch met his son, Matthew.

"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: Daytime soap opera Love of Life, created by Roy Winsor, premiered on CBS, three weeks after Search for Tomorrow debuted on the network. Both shows started as 15-minute serials but Love of Life would expand to 30 minutes in 1958, and remain a half hour until its final episode on February 1, 1980. None of the original actors stayed from beginning to end but director Larry Auerbach did. He went on to direct several other New York soaps before retiring the late 1990s. He was among those interviewed by Dustin Hoffman for the soap opera comedy, Tootsie.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 14)

1966: Constance went into labor on Peyton Place.
1981: General Hospital's Susan was in the hospital after having baby Jason.
2009: Guiding Light's Lillian visited Maureen Bauer's grave.
2010: One Life to Live's Dorian threw water on Bo and Nora.

"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...

1936: NBC debuted Frank and Anne Hummert's radio soap opera John's Other Wife. The story revolved around John Perry (Hanley Stafford), the owner of a department store, his wife Elizabeth, and an assistant secretary named Annette. John got more than he bargained for when Elizabeth started to feel as though Annette had become his "other wife." The show ran until 1942.

1966: On Peyton Place, Constance MacKenzie (Dorothy Malone) was brought to the hospital after she began feeling labor pains.

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.

Tamron Hall Guest Stars on Friday's Episode of 'General Hospital'

Talk show host Tamron Hall will guest star on an all-new episode of General Hospital, airing Friday, September 13. She'll tease the appearance with a behind the scenes clip on Thursday's edition of her new nationally syndicated show, Tamron Hall (check your local listings). Watch a preview clip of Tamron Hall’s meeting with Jasper Jax (Ingo Rademacher) on General Hospital below.

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 6)

1976: Ryan's Hope's Delia searched for evidence against Frank.
1978: All My Children's Erica Kane married Tom Cudahy.
1985: General Hospital's Robin Scorpio arrived in Port Charles.
2011: All My Children's Erica met Verla Grubbs.

"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...

1948: On radio soap opera Claudia, Claudia (Dorothy McGuire) had opening night jitters.

1976: On Ryan's Hope, Delia Ryan (Ilene Kristen) lied to her husband, Frank (Michael Hawkins), when he found her searching through his things

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 31)

1960: Grace was still bitter on The Secret Storm. 1989: Josie
moved in with the Matthews family on Another World.
1994: Erica was in a neckbrace on All My Children.
2010: Oakdale said goodbye to Nancy Hughes on ATWT.

"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...

1948: Radio soap opera The Guiding Light, still almost four years away from making its way to television, introduced the character of Friedrich "Papa" Bauer. Theodore von Eltz originated the role and was replaced by Theo Goetz a year later. Goetz would remain with the show until his death in 1972.

1960: On The Secret Storm, Myra Lake Ames (June Graham) visited Grace Harris Tyrell (Marjorie Gateson), who had something to say about everyone.

1966: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) already regretted her month-old marriage to David Martin (Clive Clerk), who was still in love with Julie (Charla Doherty). Julie turned to her grandfather Tom Horton (Macdonald Carey) and asked him to help her stay in Salem rather than live with her parents, Ben and Addie, in Europe.