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 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 (August 29)

1966: Mia Farrow left Peyton Place.
1979: Calvin had a big day on Edge of Night.
1985: Ryan's Hope's D.J. celebrated her 16th birthday.
2006: Sami and Austin's wedding began.

"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 Dark Shadows, Bill Malloy (Frank Schofield) set up a meeting with Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds), Burke (Mitchell Ryan) and Sam Evans (David Ford) to settle the manslaughter case once and for all.

1966: Mia Farrow aired for the final time as Allison Mackenzie in Peyton Place.

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 (May 13)

1993: CBS aired the final episodes of Knots Landing.
1994: GH's Miguel pulled an injured BJ out of a bus crash.
2010: Emmerdale's Aaron revealed he was gay on the witness stand.
2011: Roger Howarth returned to One Life to Live.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) told her mother, Mary (Virginia Dwyer), that her brother, Russ, resented their sister, Alice, for being a honor student when he will be forced to go to summer school.

1982: On The Edge of Night, Smiley Wilson (Frank Gorshin), dressed as a biker, tried to steal money from from Raven Whitney (Frank Gorshin) but she outsmarted him.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 20)

1970: Days of our Lives' Julie married Scott.
1978: Ryan's Hope's Faith prepared to married Tom.
1981: Dynasty's first season ended with the return of Alexis.
1987: Days of our Lives' Bo & Hope left Salem.

"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...

1942: The Second Mrs. Burton premiered on the Blue Network. The radio soap opera had previously aired on CBS Radio, and would return to CBS four months later.

1970: On Days of our Lives, Julie (Susan Seaforth) finally settled the score with former best friend Susan Martin (Denise Alexander) by marrying the man Susan loved, Scott Banning (Mike Farrell).

Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1978: On Ryan's Hope, Pat (Malcolm Groome) arrived in the middle of Faith's (Karen Morris) wedding to Tom Desmond (Thomas MacGreevy).

Today in Soap Opera History (April 11)

1966: Peyton Place's Steven married Betty.
1978: Ryan's Hope's Tom was drunk and angry.
1986: Lynn Herring debuted as Lucy Coe on General Hospital.
2007: All My Children's Krystal gave birth.

"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...

1966: On Peyton Place, Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) married her second husband, Steven Cord (James Douglas). Later, Steven showed Betty their new house. Note: Betty's first marriage to Rodney Harrington was annulled.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 25)

The Guiding Light premiered on NBC Radio on January 25, 1937.  Pictured above, the cast in 1937 at the NBC studio in Chicago.

"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...

1937: Irna Phillips' The Guiding Light premiered on NBC Radio. The show ran on radio (NBC then CBS) until 1956. In 1952, the series transitioned to CBS-TV, airing both on TV and radio until 1956. The show ran on TV until September 18, 2009, making it the longest running scripted series in broadcast history (18,262 episodes on TV and radio).

Today in Soap Opera History (January 14)

1965: Peyton Place's Allison met Elliot.
1974: Days of our Lives' Addie gave birth to Hope.
1983: GH's Bobbie was shocked to learn of Luke's death.
1994: Brookside's Beth and Margaret shared an historic kiss.

"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...

1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) and Peter Dalton (Stephen Elliot) discussed the Nicholson-McGinnis case and determined they would have to be tried separately. Peter would prosecute Commissioner Wheeler Nicholson, while Mike took on newspaperman Mac McGinnis.

1965: On Peyton Place, the newly paroled Elliot Carson (Tim O'Connor) met Allison Mackenzie (Mia Farrow) at the Book Gallery, where they discussed their mutual love for writing. Leslie Harrington (Paul Langton) spotted Elliot talking to Connie and offered him a job at the mill, but Elliot was surly and refused. Leslie declared that Elliot was his own worst enemy.

Today in Soap Opera History (January 9)

1984: One Life to Live's Estelle was full of herself.
1985: Cruz found Eden unconscious and tried to save her on Santa Barbara.
1986: Days of our Lives' Mike met Robin Jacobs.
1989: Delia and Roger were married on Ryan's Hope.

"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...

1958: On The Edge of Night, Virginia (Cathleen Cordell) bumped into John H. Phillips (House Jameson) and identified him as "Mr. X". Phillips told Virginia he wanted to keep his identity confidential to avoid making enemies with any of his clients. He wanted to remain politically neutral in their eyes.

1968: On Another World, Rachel Matthews (Robin Strasser) told Walter Curtin (Val Dufour) she no longer had plans for Hollywood.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 3)

1984: Days of our Lives' Carrie decided where to live.
1985: The freedom flag was raised in GH's Asian Quarter.
1998: Guiding Light's Danny and Michelle shared their first kiss.
2001: ATWT's Barbara & James plotted against Carly, Emily & Rose.

"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 Life Can Be Beautiful, Stanley (Ralph Locke) tried to take charge of Chichi's (Alice Reinheart) affairs, but Chichi refused. She had her own ideas.

1964: On Peyton Place, Leslie Harrington (Paul Langton) became incensed when Betty Anderson (Barbara Parkins) insisted she was going to remain Mrs. Rodney Harrington. Leslie asked Betty's father, George Anderson (Henry Beckman), to talk some sense into her.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 26)

1966: Dark Shadows' Barnabas was aged into an old man.
1982: GH's Blackie jammed with Eddie (Sammy Davis Jr.).
1990: Another World's Vicky covered for Marley.
1992: As the World Turns' Holden didn't recognize Lily.

"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...

1965: On Peyton Place, Leslie Harrington (Paul Langton) traveled to Boston to ask Martin Peyton (George Macready) for help in getting Rodney out of jail.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Dr. Julia Hoffman's (Grayson Hall) experiments with Barnabas Collins' (Jonathan Frid) blood went terribly awry and his youthful appearance reverted to that of a 175-year-old vampire. The horribly disfigured Barnabas accused Julia of having taken revenge on him after he rebuffed her romantic overtures. Julia denied the charge, but reveled in the fact that Barnabas had to cancel his pending rendezvous with Vicky.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 13)

1965: Peyton Place's Connie learned of Allison's accident.
1986: Search or Tomorrow's Suzi crashed her car.
1986: Pat proposal was rejected on Ryan's Hope.
2005: Guiding Light's Olivia confessed to Bill.

"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...

1947: On radio soap opera Lora Lawton, Joe visited Lora (Jan Miner) at her London flat. She told him she was going to communicate with Peter through a series of pictures she drew for him.

1965: On Peyton Place, Dr. Michael Rossi (Ed Nelson) called Connie MacKenzie (Dorothy Malone) to tell her that her daughter, Allison, was injured in a hit-and-run accident.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light.

"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: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The network, which hadn't premiered a soap in seven years, enlisted Irna Phillips in adapting a serial very loosely from a famous novel and movie. Love is a Many Splendored Thing concerned the in-laws of the book's protagonist Mark Elliot, who intermarried with other surrounding families in San Francisco. A stylish and refreshing story, it was a fabulous stepping stone for David Birney, Donna Mills and Leslie Charleson, all beautiful and talented young performers. Other established serial veterans on the series included Judson Laire, Gloria Hoye, Jane Manning, Albert Stratton and Paula Trueman. Its most popular producer was John Conboy, who brought his special stylish magic to The Young and the Restless.

Its head writer regimes included: Jane and Ira Avery, Don Ettinger, James Lipton, and finally Ann Marcus. After numerous cast changes alienated viewers, it was canceled and the series finale aired on March 23, 1973, after five and a half years. In its final months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

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.

"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: 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 14)

1966: Constance went into labor on Peyton Place.
1981: GH'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.

"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...

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 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 (August 29)

1966: Mia Farrow left Peyton Place.
1979: Calvin had a big day on Edge of Night.
1985: Ryan's Hope's D.J. celebrated her 16th birthday.
2006: Sami and Austin's wedding 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...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Bill Malloy (Frank Schofield) set up a meeting with Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds), Burke (Mitchell Ryan) and Sam Evans (David Ford) to settle the manslaughter case once and for all.

1966: Mia Farrow aired for the final time as Allison Mackenzie in Peyton Place.

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.

"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...

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 (May 13)

1993: CBS aired the final episodes of Knots Landing.
1994: GH's Miguel pulled an injured BJ out of a bus crash.
2010: Emmerdale's Aaron revealed he was gay on the witness stand.
2011: Roger Howarth returned to One Life to Live.

"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...

1964: On Another World, Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) told her mother, Mary (Virginia Dwyer), that her brother, Russ, resented their sister, Alice, for being a honor student when he will be forced to go to summer school.

1982: On The Edge of Night, Smiley Wilson (Frank Gorshin), dressed as a biker, tried to steal money from from Raven Whitney (Frank Gorshin) but she outsmarted him.