Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: Search for Tomorrow's Jo tried to help a mystery patient.
1979: Ryan's Hope's Rae wanted to make Frank jealous.
1989: Daytime soap opera Generations premiered on NBC.
2001: Passions aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"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...

1939: Primetime radio soap opera Those We Love was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

'Guiding Light' Cast Reunites for 'Breathing Under Dirt' Staged Reading

From left to right: Tina Sloan, Michael O'eary, Beth Chamberlin, Grant Aleksander and Yvonna Kopacz Wright. Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

On May 12, cast members from iconic soap opera Guiding Light reunited for a stage reading of "Breathing Under Dirt," an award-winning play by Michael O'Leary, at The Ward Museum in Salisbury, Maryland.

Joining Leary (who played Rick Bauer on Guiding Light) were former soap co-stars Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spaulding), Tina Sloan (Lillian Raines), Beth Chamberlin (Beth Raines) and Yvonna Kopacz Wright (Mel Boudreau Bauer).

"Breathing Under Dirt," set in the 1950s, explores the expression of forgiveness and reconciliation while we still have life.

Check out more photos below.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: Search for Tomorrow's Jo tried to help a mystery patient.
1979: Ryan's Hope's Rae wanted to make Frank jealous.
1989: Daytime soap opera Generations premiered on NBC.
2001: Passions aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"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...

1939: Primetime radio soap opera Those We Love was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: Search for Tomorrow's Jo tried to help a mystery patient.
1979: Ryan's Hope's Rae wanted to make Frank jealous.
1989: Daytime soap opera Generations premiered on NBC.
2001: Passions aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"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...

1939: Primetime radio soap opera Those We Love was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

PHOTOS: 'Guiding Light' Stars Reunite For 'Breathing Under Dirt' Premiere

Cynthia Watros, Michael O'Leary, Grant Aleksander and Tina Sloan stared in "Breathing Under Dirt" at the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center. Photo Credit: Sue Coflin/Max Photos

Guiding Light stars reunited over the weekend for the premiere of Michael O'Leary's "Breathing Under Dirt." The Lower Shore Performing Arts Company teamed up with the Guiding Light alum to present the new play at the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center on Saturday and Sunday.

In addition to O'Leary (Rick Bauer on GL), the cast featured Guiding Light actors Cynthia Watros (Annie Dutton), Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spauling) and Tina Sloan (Lillian Raines).

Check out more "Breathing Under Dirt" photos below.

'Guiding Light' Stars Reunite For New Project

The Lower Shore Performing Arts Company teams up with Guiding Light alum Michael O’Leary (ex-Rick) to present his original play Breathing Under Dirt, at the Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center on August 13 and 14, 2016.  The Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center is on the campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, located in Princess Anne, Maryland.

The cast features Emmy Winning and Nominated Guiding Light actors- Cynthia Watros (ex-Annie), Grant Aleksander (ex-Phillip) and Tina Sloan (ex-Lillian).

O’Leary will also lead an Actor’s Workshop on August 14. In addition to the show, there is an exclusive Meet and Greet opportunity after each performance.

Tickets are $40 and $75. The $75 ticket includes an exclusive Meet and Greet opportunity with the cast after the performance for autographs and photographs.

To purchase tickets, call (443) 614-0830 or (757) 894-0833 or visit www.lowershorepac.com.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: Search for Tomorrow's Jo tried to help a mystery patient.
1979: Ryan's Hope's Rae wanted to make Frank jealous.
1989: Daytime soap opera Generations premiered on NBC.
2001: Passions aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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: Primetime radio soap opera Those We Love was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

'Guiding Light' Stars Beth Chamberlin and Tina Sloan Reunite for Michael O'Leary Play, Directed by Grant Aleksander

Longtime Guiding Light actor Michael O'Leary (Dr. Rick Bauer) will be reuniting with a a few beloved former co-stars in his new one act play, "Breathing Under Dirt," next month. "Breathing Under Dirt" will premiere at the Manhattan Repertory Theater in mid-March.

The One Act festival production will feature Leary, along with Beth Chamberlin (Beth Raines) and Tina Sloan (Lillian Raines) in lead roles. Sloan and Chamberlin play mother and daughter once again in the period piece, set in the 1950s, with a relationship full of resentment.

The play will be directed another veteran Guiding Light star, Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spaulding).

"Breathing Under Dirt" is about reaching forgiveness and reconciliation while we still have life. A heart can be healed when we accept the limitations of ourselves and others

Location:
Manhattan Repertory Theater
303 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

Performance Schedule:
March 16, 17, 18 and 19. 6-9 p.m. Finals for the competition will be March 31 and April 1 at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Tickets:
Tickets can be reserved at mrtreserve@gmail.com and are $20.00 dollars. You pay at the door. The house is small (around 48 seats) so tickets are limited.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meg Kelly and Michael O'Leary on SudsvilleTV, and Their Love of the Daytime Soap Audience

Michael O'Leary

Meg Kelly won three Daytime Emmy Awards as part of the writing team at As the World Turns. She also wrote for One Life to Live and Days of our Lives. Michael O'Leary played Dr. Rick Bauer on Guiding Light for decades, picking up an Emmy nomination along the way. He also won an Indie Series Award in 2012 for his work in the web series world. Both multi-talented artists are part of SudsvilleTV, an exciting new online network that is expected to launch this fall with a lineup that includes the Kelly-penned soap opera Year Rounders, and O'Leary-hosted game show Michael's Amazing Soap Trivia Challenge. We Love Soaps recently spoke with Kelly and O'Leary about SudsvilleTV, and the love they share for the soap opera audience.

Read our exclusive interview below.

WE LOVE SOAPS: Meg, can you tell me about your background? I know you wrote for As the World Turns, One Life to Live and Days of our Lives. Was writing a soap something you aspired to do?
MEG KELLY: It's funny, I was an actress for years. I was with Arena Stage stage at 12 and 13, and toured Russia with them, and then I went to Circle in the Square in New York. I did commercials and Off-Broadway, and a Broadway show. My husband's an actor, Tony Rizzoli, and when we moved to L.A., I didn't really want to act anymore. We had our first child, we had our second one, and somewhere in that I started writing screenplays. I signed with ICM, and was a finalist for the Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, but I just didn't want to go down that path.  Because I had young kids, I went into daytime to be at home with the kids, and hands-on with them. So I did that, and it was great.

What I loved about daytime initially was you had to work at home. They didn't want to see you, so a lot of us were raising children and writing daytime, and it allowed for a certain balance in life. I wound up having a lot of respect for it, and really liking the audience.

My writing partner at the time was Hogan Sheffer. We did a pilot for CBS, then he got hired as head writer at Days, and asked me to come on as co-head. We had a lot of fun with story over there. Hogan had been a script doctor in L.A., and I started out with screenplays. The telenovelas were doing well at the time, and the rest of daytime wasn't doing so well, so we decided to tell our stories in 13-week arcs and use the screenplay mode. It was a really fun way to write, and the audience seemed to like it a lot because it moved quickly. It's a model I'll be using here with Year Rounders, and our other dramatic series will have a beginning, middle and end, and be told in screenplay structure as a soap--dramas driven by families.

WE LOVE SOAPS: That's like what ABC Family does. Actually, everything I watch in primetime I consider to be a soap, even though most don't want to be called that.
MEG KELLY: You're exactly right. The Sopranos was a great soap opera, and Game of Thrones.

WE LOVE SOAPS: I was just reading an article about seasons of 10 episodes being the new 13, which was the new 22.
MEG KELLY: It's fun to tell story in 10 episodes because it's very tight storytelling, and you can really make for a compelling season when you have parameters like that.

Sudsville Network Will Launch This Fall: Meg Kelly to Pen New Soap Opera 'Year Rounders', Michael O'Leary to Host Game Show

Sudsville, a new online network of all-original programming aimed at the soap opera audience, is set to launch in the fall. Daytime Emmy winning writer Meg Kelly has partnered with Joseph Craig and conklin-intracom.com, a global tech company, on the new venture.

“These are broadcast quality shows that will star a mix of daytime, primetime and film actors, written by daytime and prime-time Emmy winners and produced by an award-winning production team,” says Kelly

"Conklin-Intracom approached us about a platform they were developing. We thought it was perfect for daytime fans,” explains Kelly. "There will be one major new soap opera (Year Rounders), 40 total episodes created by Meg,” reveals Craig. "And there will also be 16 ancillary series, a combination of reality and game shows and improvised shows, that are aimed at the same audience, including a three-time weekly soap chat show, A.M. Sudsville.”

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: Search for Tomorrow's Jo tried to help a mystery patient.
1979: Ryan's Hope's Rae wanted to make Frank jealous.
1989: Daytime soap opera Generations premiered on NBC.
2001: Passions aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"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: Primetime radio soap opera Those We Love was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

1953: SFT's Joanne tried to help the mysterious Wilbur. 1979: RH's
Rae plotted to make Frank jealous. 1989: GENERATIONS
premiered on NBC. 2001: PASSIONS aired a Jerry Springer parody.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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: Primetime radio soap opera THOSE WE LOVE was canceled and taken off the air by NBC's Blue Network. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

STEAMBOAT Is Back, New Distribution on Roku and NetTalk Announced

Studio 47 Productions, with ConvergTV's The Venture Channel, announced today distribution of their award-winning and brand-integrated comedy soap spoof, STEAMBOAT, which is now available on Roku and NetTalk. This is phase one of a global roll out for the network and the show.

A NAPTE “Best In Branded Entertainment” nominee, STEAMBOAT is a behind the scenes mockumentary look at the last dying days of a beloved soap.

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

On this date in...

1939: Primetime radio soap opera THOSE WE LOVE was canceled by NBC. It was the story of the Marshall family of Westbridge, Connecticut, and featured Universal starlet Nan Grey. It was canceled so abruptly the story was left in limbo which outraged fans. They responded with a flood of vitriolic mail to NBC, to Ponds Cream, and to such trade journals as Radio Guide. Some suggested boycotting the sponsor; interest was aroused by a "code of rights," to force networks and sponsors to keep faith with the audience; some listeners proposed to appeal to the Federal Communications Commission.

Don Knotts on SEARCH FOR TOMORROW

Nothing came of it until six months later, when the Red Network picked up the story as if there had been no gap at all. Most of the audience returned but the show was canceled again in 1940. Six months later it was picked up by CBS then it went back to NBC and ran another three years.

1953: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Joanne (Mary Stuart) tried to help a mysterious coma patient (played by Don Knotts).  The man would turn out to be Wilbur Peterson, a character Knotts played on SFT for two years.  Knotts would say decades later it was the only serious role he ever played professionally.

EXCLUSIVE: SoapClassics Releases New GUIDING LIGHT DVD - The Bauer Family Story

SoapClassics today has released a brand new, 11-episode GUIDING LIGHT DVD: The Bauer Family Story.

The Bauer family first appeared on the 15-minute radio version of THE GUIDING LIGHT in 1948. The family moved with the show to television in 1952 (also continuing on radio until 1956). They remained central as the show moved its setting to Springfield, expanded to 30 minutes and then 60, and from black and white to color. This collection covers a span of episodes from 1973 to 2009.

The episodes are divided into two discs:
* Disc 1, “Meet the Bauers”, features six pivotal episodes in the history of the family, including a rare “bonus” episode from 1973.
* Disc Two, “Bauer Barbecues” contains five of the family’s traditional Independence Day gatherings (the Barbecues are one of the top requests from GL fans).

Below is a summary of the episodes on the new DVD:

Today in Soap Opera History (March 27)

On this date in...

1953: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Joanne tried to help a patient who is in a coma (played by Don Knotts).

Indie Soap Awards To Be Broadcasted On The SFN

We Love Soaps in conjunction with The SFN proudly present the Indie Soap Awards, to be broadcast exclusively on The SFN! Read all about at SFNtv.com.

If you would like to support your favorite show in person, then register to come to the Indie Soap Award show and party in Manhattan, at New World Stages, on February 21st, 2012. For only $69.99 you can come view the ceremony, meet your favorite stars, and enjoy the open wine and beer bar!  

Register: $69.99. Click the "Add to Cart" button below. You will be prompted for the number of people in your party and method of payment.

RELATED:
To see list of scheduled attendees and presenters, press here
To see complete list of nominees, press here.

We Love Soaps Announces Additional Celebrity Presenters For 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards

WE LOVE SOAPS ANNOUNCES SEBASTIAN LA CAUSE, MICHAEL O'LEARY, RACHAEL HIP-FLORES AND YVONNE PERRY AS ADDITIONAL CELEBRITY PRESENTERS AT THE THIRD ANNUAL INDIE SOAP AWARDS

Winners will be revealed at a live ceremony

on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT

(New York, NY) January 26, 2012 - We Love Soaps reveals second slate of celebrity presenters for the 3rd Annual Indie Soap Awards.  The ISAs honor the best dramas and comedies in scripted serialized web series.  The winners will be announced in a gala award presentation ceremony at New World Stages in New York, NY, on February 21, 2012.

We Love Soaps is proud to announce the following celebrity presenters:

• Michael O'Leary, longtime star of Guiding Light; nominated actor from Steamboat

• Yvonne Perry, longtime star of As The World Turns; actress from Empire

• Orlagh Cassidy, star of Guiding Light and Another World; nominated actress from Empire

• Julie Ann Emery of TV's Damages, ER and Commander in Chief; nominated actress and producer from Then We Got Help!

• Karri Bowman of TV's Grounded for Life; nominated actress from Bandwagon

• Sebastian La Cause of Broadway's Rocky Horror Show and Chicago; creator and nominated actor from Hustling

• Kevin Earley of Broadway's Tale of Two Cities and Thoroughly Modern Millie; actor from Then We Got Help!

• Michael Myracle of action films Violent Zone and Delta Force 2; nominated actress from California Heaven

• Catherine Frels of The Academy of Classical Acting at George Washington University; nominated actress from Thurston

• Anthony Anderson, nominated actor and ISA winner from Anacostia

• Rachael Hip-Flores of the new series Good People in Love; nominated actress and ISA winner from Anyone But Me

• Rick Dalton, nominated actor from Ragged Isle

• Jason Leaver, nominated creator of Out With Dad

• Marion Akpan, actress from Anacostia

"We try to keep the focus on their incredible achievements in the web series medium, but it's just impossible to ignore the fact that we're packing the theater with an incredibly talented and accomplished mix of theater stars, indie filmmakers and daytime soap opera (and other!) TV actors," said We Love Soaps founder, Roger Newcomb.  "Moving the show to New World Stages allows us to do something even bigger and better this year.   We even have a surprise or two planned!"

As previously announced, Kristos Andrews (The Bay), Jodi Britton(Sundays), Michael Caruso (DeVanity), John Colella (Vampire Mob), Jillian Clare (Miss Behave), Patrika Darbo (Miss Behave), Dee Freeman (Pretty), Sid Garza-Hillman (Sundays), Michael Taylor Gray (Pretty), Stacy McQueen (Pretty), Forrest Naylor (Sundays) and Alexis Zibolis (DeVanity) will also be presenting awards during the ceremony.

We Love Soaps has been covering the best in serialized programming since 2007 from television to the web.  The Indie Soap Awards, or ISAs, were developed in 2009 to celebrate the best of serialized content developed for the web.   For more information, including all the nominations, visit http://welovesoaps.com/isa

###

Media Contact

Kevin Mulcahy Jr. kevin@welovesoaps.com

212-664-7620

Ellen Wheeler Turns 50: A Look Back at Her Career at ANOTHER WORLD, ALL MY CHILDREN, AS THE WORLD TURNS, GUIDING LIGHT & more

Emmy Award winning actress and producer Ellen Wheeler celebrates her 50th birthday today. We thought we'd take a look back at her accomplished body of work in television by presenting a number of insightful features and revealing interviews that span four decades.

Presented chronologically, our compilation follows Ellen's career, with links to over a dozen primary-source articles, transcripts and videos accompanying a selection of choice excerpts. We know she tends to evoke passionate, and even polarizing, emotions within the soap opera world, but whatever your opinion of her work, we challenge you to take a little time to explore Ellen Wheeler's legacy (so far). You're bound to learn something new about this complex industry personality, and you may even change your mind about her.

What are your thoughts on Ellen Wheeler, her career, and her impact? Please share with us in the Comments section, below.

WLS INTERVIEW ARCHIVE: Michael O' Leary

We Love Soaps had the distinct honor to speak with Michael O' Leary about the creation of  STEAMBOAT THE SERIES, and how he hopes to keep it afloat.  Please enjoy this interview in which the Emmy Nominated Veteran of GL discusses new media, adapting to change, and that pesky weight issue.

In Part One, O'Leary shares his motivation to bring about STEAMBOAT, and revealed how he been able to channel his insecurities and creative energies into this project. 

In Part Two, he shares more about the harsh realities in the entertainment industries, and the changing landscape of media.  Plus who is Kim Zimmer's character based on? Read below to find out!

Michael O' Leary will be performing at our first annual We Love Soaps Fan Weekend.  Press here to find out how you can see him and seven other daytime stars (including Robert Newman) perform.