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.

Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (Week of September 8-12, 2025)

In last week's Soap of the Week poll, Beyond the Gates was voted favorite soap, while General Hospital's Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) and Rory Gibson (Michael) were favorite actress and actor. This week's poll is now live with voting through Monday at 8am ET.

Daytime Soap of the Week Poll Results (Week of September 1-5, 2025)

Our daytime Soap of the Week poll is back and the results are in for last week's episodes.  Check out our readers favorite soap, actress and actor of the week.

FAVORITE DAYTIME SOAP OF THE WEEK
(September 1-5, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	General Hospital	2	2
2	Beyond the Gates	1	2
3	Days of our Lives	4	1
4	The Bold and the Beautiful	3	-
5	The Young and the Restless	5	-

FAVORITE ACTRESS OF THE WEEK
(August 25-29, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, General Hospital)	1	2
2	Karla Mosley (Dani, Beyond the Gates)	3	2
3	Maura West (Ava, General Hospital)	-	1
4	Deidre Hall (Marlena, Days of our Lives)	-	-
5	Annika Noel (Hope, Bold and the Beautiful)	5	-

FAVORITE ACTOR OF THE WEEK
(August 25-29, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Rory Gibson (Michael, General Hospital)	-	1
2	Sean Freeman (Andre, Beyond the Gates)	2	2
3	Clifton Davis (Vernon, Beyond the Gates)	3	2
4	Josh Swickard (Chase, General Hospital)	4	-
5	Matthew Atkinson (Thomas, Bold and the Beautiful)	-	-

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 9)

1968: Search for Tomorrow and The Guiding Light each expanded to a half hour. 1985: GH's Robert tried to figure out who Robin was. 2009: Andrea died at the carnival on General Hospital.

"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 day in...

1965: On Peyton Place, Stella Chernak (Lee Grant) broke down at Ada Jacks' (Evelyn Scott) bar. Adam made an emergency call to Dr. Michael Rossi (Ed Nelson), who suddenly left the dinner party thrown by David (William Smithers) and Doris (Gail Kobe) Schuster.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 8)

1969: Where the Heart Is premiered. 1983: Paul's fiancée died on The Young and the Restless. 1986: Ilene Kristen returned to Ryan's Hope as Delia. 2009: General Hospital's Edward passed out as his car approached the carnival.

>"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 day in...

1966: Star Trek premiered on NBC. Among the many memorable guest stars in the series that also starred on daytime soaps were Kathryn Hays, Michael Forest, Marj Dusay, Michael Zaslow, Glenn Corbett, Gary Pillar and Mary Linda Rapelye.

1967: On Another World, Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) raked Liz Matthews (Audra Lindley) over the coals for ruining Missy Palmer's life.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 7)

1984: General Hospital's Frisco met Felicia. 1987: Another World's Dawn learned her mother had died. 1988: Santa Barbara's Julia was reunited with Mason. 2007: Passions' Ethan learned he had a son.

"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...

1966: On Peyton Place, Steven Cord (James Douglas) arrived at his mother's (Ruth Warrick) home with a trunk of Ann's (Susan Oliver) childhood belongings and confronted her and Mr. Peyton about their treatment of Ann and the lies regarding her true parentage. They protested that they did what they thought was best, but he argued that they could have helped her after she found out "who she was," but instead abandoned her and contributed to her death.

Daytime Soap of the Week Poll (Week of September 1-5, 2025)

In last week's Soap of the Week poll, Beyond the Gates was voted favorite soap, while General Hospital's Nancy Lee Grahn and Rick Hearst were favorite actress and actor. This week's poll is now live with voting through Monday at 8am ET.

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.

"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...

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.

"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...

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 (September 4)

1987: Santa Barbara's Cruz went to Summerfest with Eden. 1992: GL's Alan-Michael switched out Eleni's birth control pills. 2009: One Life to Live's Nora slapped Tea in court. 2009: General Hospital's carnival began.

"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...

1969: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) told Magda Rakosi (Grayson Hall) what would happen when he used the rods--his body would remain while his spirit traveled into the future. He told her to go to Collinwood and warn Quentin to leave.

1970: On Another World, Pat and John Randolphs's twins, Michael and Marianne Randolph, were born. Pat had become sterile after a botched abortion in 1967 (the first on TV), but was able to get pregnant five years later thanks to a rewrite of her backstory involving a miracle surgery.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 3)

1951: Search for Tomorrow premiered on CBS.
1984: Kathleen McKinnon arrived on Another World.
1985: Santa Barbara's Christy shot and killed Steve.
2010: ATWT's Reid was stalled on a busy train track.

"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 Portia Faces Life, Portia Blake (Lucille Wall) was confused at breakfast when Marie implied it was a "good" day.

1951: Search for Tomorrow premiered on CBS. Created by Roy Winsor, Search for Tomorrow starred Mary Stuart as Joanne Barron for its entire 35-year run. The show was moved from CBS to NBC on March 29, 1982. It continued on NBC until the final episode aired on December 26, 1986.

Daytime Soap of the Week Poll Results (Week of August 25-29, 2025)

Our daytime Soap of the Week poll is back and the results are in for last week's episodes.  Check out our readers favorite soap, actress and actor of the week.

FAVORITE DAYTIME SOAP OF THE WEEK
(August 25-29, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Beyond the Gates	-	1
2	General Hospital	-	1
3	The Bold and the Beautiful	-	1
4	Days of our Lives	-	-
5	The Young and the Restless	-	-

FAVORITE ACTRESS OF THE WEEK
(August 25-29, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, General Hospital)	-	1
2	Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates)	-	1
3	Karla Mosley (Dani, Beyond the Gates)	-	1
4	Annika Noel (Hope, Bold and the Beautiful)	-	-
5	RhonniRose Mantilla (Chelsea, Beyond the Gates)	-	-

FAVORITE ACTOR OF THE WEEK
(August 25-29, 2025)

RANK	SHOW	LAST WEEK	TOP 3
1	Rick Hearst (Ric, General Hospital)	-	1
2	Sean Freeman (Andre, Beyond the Gates)	-	1
3	Clifton Davis (Vernon, Beyond the Gates)	-	1
4	Josh Swickard (Chase, General Hospital)	-	-
5	Eric Martsolf (Brady, Days of our Lives)	-	-

Today in Soap Opera History (September 2)

1964: Another World's Pat had TV's first abortion. 1985: Santa Barbara's C.C. collapsed before signing divorce papers. 1989: Guiding Light's Rick proposed to Meredith. 1997: Another World's Kirkland faced an oncoming car.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) had an abortion. This was the first abortion story told in television history. Irna Phillips and William J. Bell were the writers.

We Love Soaps received a message from Ms. Trustman in 2018: "Yes, I am, indeed, alive and well and live in Los Angeles with my husband, film and TV producer, Jerry Leider. I retired from acting long ago and am now an artist specializing in portraits and still life painting in oil. If you would like to see some of my work my website is susanleiderart.com.

1970: On Dark Shadows, David Collins (David Henesy) and Hallie Stokes (Kathy Cody) made a doll and realized that someone would live with them in the dollhouse.

1980: On Another World, Mary Evers (Donna Parsons) told Miranda Bishop (Judith McConnell) she found a tape in the tea canister and Miranda assumed it belonged to Mac Cory (Douglass Watson). Later, Miranda told Mac about the tape. He said it wasn't his, and they agreed she would listen to it to find out who it belonged to, unaware it was a recording of Mitch Blake's (William Gray Espy) confessions about working with Janice Frame to poison Mac.

Soap of the Week Poll (August 25-29, 2025)

The We Love Soaps TV Soap of the Week poll is back! It's time to vote for the daytime drama, actor and actress that were your favorites for the week of August 25-29, 2025.

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 25)

1966: Days of our Lives' Julie wanted to stay in Salem.
1975: Susan Harney debuted as Alice on Another World
1987: As the World Turns' Holden opened up to Lily.
2009: General Hospital's Jason and Sam made love.

"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, Julie Olson (Charla Doherty) told her grandmother, Alice Horton (Frances Reid), that she didn't want to live in Europe.

1971: On The Doctors, Karen tried to convince Matt she wasn't as boring as he thought.

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 23)

1960: Alan was unhappy with Susan on The Secret Storm.
1984: Jonathan had a Nola Star Trek style fantasy on Guiding Light.
2000: Jensen Ackles made his last appearance on Days of our Lives.
2006: Jeffrey Carlson debuted as Zarf on All My Children.

"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...

1960: On The Secret Storm, Bryan Fuller (Carl King) was invited over for dinner with Susan (Mary Foskett) and Alan Dunbar (James Vickery), who was less than thrilled about it.

Find out more about The Secret Storm in Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late, Great 'Secret Storm'.

NEWS: Kroger Soap Opera, Eden McCoy, 'EastEnders' Reunion, 'Corrie' Collapse

Was Cincinnati’s true soap opera innovator Kroger and not P&G?
And what of Kroger? By the 1940s, some daytime audiences were tiring of soap operas and drifting toward music shows instead. Kroger’s Cincinnati ad agency saw the trend and created a hybrid: Hearts in Harmony, the musical soap opera. Steve, the poor composer, loved Penny, the singer from a wealthy family. Oh, the heartbreaking class struggles! Oh, the songs in every episode!

General Hospital's Eden McCoy On Josslyn and Vaughn’s Lovemaking: 'She Wanted Connection'
"For Josslyn, the job is first — she wants to do her job well. And I don’t think she really even understands how she feels towards Vaughn. I think for her, it’s just confusing. He’s, like, this brooding guy that makes fun of her, but then he kisses her and we’re back to square one … I think she’s trying to stay out of [a personal relationship with him], but then, she’s curious at times."

EastEnders confirms "lovely" reunion for two exes 22 years after romance
EastEnders has confirmed a "lovely" reunion for Anthony Trueman and Kat Moon, 22 years after their romance. Anthony, who was last seen in Walford in 2014, will be back on our screens next week when he returns for Patrick and Yolande's wedding. The doctor soon realises that his father is struggling after the recent break-in, and he decides to stick around for longer than planned.

(Spoiler Alert) Coronation Street fan favorite in shock collapse before being rushed to A&E
In tonight's episode: Debbie collapses on the living room floor while Carl hides upstairs.