October 20, 1930: The Soap Opera Was Born

Originally published on October 20, 2010.

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Painted Dreams premiered October 20, 1930.

80 YEARS AGO TODAY: THE SOAP OPERA WAS BORN
By Rob Wargo

On October 20, 1930, the soap opera was born, with the debut of the first episode of Irna Phillips’ Painted Dreams. Although the series had a relatively brief network run, compared to Ms. Phillips’ other triumphs, it is widely recognized by broadcast historians as the first very soap opera.

One day in 1930, schoolteacher Irna Phillips visited Chicago’s WGN looking for work. Although initially hired as an actress, her interests soon turned to writing, and she created the series Sue and Irene in which she and Ireene Wicker (best known as radio’s “Singing Lady”) provided all of the voices, with Irna playing “Sue” and Ireene playing “Irene.” Scheduled during the daytime, Sue and Irene was sponsored by Lever Brothers’ detergent “Super Suds.” The dialogue was conversational in tone, rather than full-out acting, similar to another early serialized entry Clara, Lu and Em.

Soap Classics Will Hit Store Shelves Soon (AS THE WORLD TURNS & GUIDING LIGHT)

Soap Classics Will Hit Store Shelves Soon
By Tracie Powell

In a sea of negative soap opera news, there is one bright spot: Broadway Video Digital Media Distribution and its release of AS THE WORLD TURNS episodes on DVD.
But wait, there is more good news.

In addition to ordering online through the company’s website or Amazon.com, fans will soon be able to buy episodes right off store shelves.

Classic episodes of AS THE WORLD TURNS and GUIDING LIGHT will hit store shelves next year.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: My Thoughts On The Reboot (Guest Editorial)

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: MY THOUGHTS ON THE REBOOT
By Steve Ungrey

It has been almost two months since the much-anticipated reboot of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, otherwise known as Days 2.0, debuted to great fanfare.

Two months later, I’m still trying to make heads or tails of what I think of this new version.

The appointment of head writers Marlene McPherson and Darrell Ray Thomas Jr. heralded a new era in the direction of DAYS: An era where the writers promised they would listen to the fans, bring back old favorites, and write compelling stories.

OPINION: GOSSIP GIRL's Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford, Ed Westwick & even Leighton Meester Make This Viewer Squeal with Delight

Watching GOSSIP GIRL this week I came to the realization that everything I find interesting about the show so far this season connected back to Dan Humphrey. My interest in Dan has always fluctuated through the years, but never has it been as high as it is now. When did Lonely Boy become the center of my GOSSIP GIRL universe??Before I start gushing over all things Dan and Blair I'll give you a rundown about what our other characters are up to.

OPINION: What DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Could Be Doing (So It Doesn't Feel Like Work To Watch)

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES eighth and final season continued this week. For a show that has so much talent on every level they seem hell bent on serving up just as much drivel as they do quality television. In case they don't realize it over there, the two don't go hand in hand. The set up for this season is a fantastic way to wrap things up and tie it back to the beginning of the show and Mary Alice. There is no reason for filler, but that has been a problem with this show since the second season. What am I referring to specifically? Their tendency to want to turn their main characters(I'm looking at you Susan Delfino) into buffoons.

OPINION: REVENGE Week 2 is SOAPTASTIC!

The second outing of REVENGE did not disappoint. This show should leave every fan of soap operas squealing with delight, but nothing so much as the epic stare downs that Victoria and Emily inflict upon one another. They don't even try to hide the death glares they are hurling at each other but relish in allowing them to last just a few seconds too long .

OPINION: HART OF DIXIE PREMIERE - Rachel Bilson is delightfully appealing!

Rachel Bilson as Zoe Hart + a warm-hearted feel good drama set in a small town with colorful characters + hunky guys to be the object of Zoe Hart’s affections should have been old school WB GOLD. It wasn't, but all hope isn't lost for HART OF DIXIE. Using voice over to establish Zoe’s pre-Bluebell, Alabama life was fine, but once her cardiothorasic fellowship dreams were dashed the narration should have disappeared as we followed her to Bluebell.  I didn't need to know every last thought that was going through Zoe's head.

OPINION: GOSSIP GIRL Season 5 Premiere: Welcome Back Upper Eastsiders

Welcome back Uppereastsiders… except we aren’t on the upper east side just yet. We join our favorite New York City troublemakers wrapping up their summers somewhere other then New York. Serena, Nate, and Chuck are soaking up the sun in LA while Blair and Louis return to New York after a summer in Monaco. Dan was in the Hamptons. The rule is that Dan's summer has to be at least ten times less exciting than any other character on the show(and that includes Eric and Jenny who are thankfully firmly entrenched off screen in London hopefully never to be heard from again)

Brace yourself for what I’m about to say because it may be an unpopular opinion:

OPINION: DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES Season 8 Premiere

I have watched every episode of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. When it’s good it’s on fire. When it’s bad it’s like watching something roll to a slow painful death. What always keeps me coming back is the relationship between Susan, Lynette, Gaby, and Bree.

The four of them driving story together is when the show is at its best, but the writers seem oblivious to that, and they often have them off in separate stories that rarely intersect . Thankfully, this last season has set the stage to go out with a bang as Gaby, Bree, Lynette, Susan, and Carlos work together to cover up the murder of Gaby’s abusive stepfather by Carlos.

OPINION: REVENGE Premiere "Instantly Engrossing"

From its first moments, REVENGE is instantly engrossing. Daniel Grayson, heir apparent to the most powerful family in the Hamptons, and Emily Thorne, mysterious newcomer to their social scene, are celebrating their engagement as the episode begins. Victoria Grayson, Daniel’s mother, puts on a smile and welcomes Emily to the family but with a simple, "Where the hell is my son?" to Emily, it's clear that Victoria's approval is all an illusion. Amidst the speeches and cheers, Daniel Grayson is found on the beach shot. Is he dead? Who shot him? In an instant, we jump back in time five months to Emily's arrival to the Hampton's.

OPINION: Primetime Emmys Get Some Right, Snub Others + Vote For Your Faves

When the Primetime Emmy nominations were revealed on Thursday, there was a mixed bag of reactions from pleasantly surprised to totally ticked off (what else is new?).

THE GOOD
As a huge fan of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, I rejoiced to see the show finally make the Drama Series list for the first time ever. Stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton also were nominated again this year. This is bittersweet since FNL is signing off tonight on NBC for the final time after five brilliant seasons (more on that later).

OPINION: The Good and Mostly Bad of the Daytime Emmy Telecast

WE LOVE SOAPS TV traveled to Las Vegas for the 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards which aired Sunday night on CBS produced by Associated Television International. Our team of Damon L. Jacobs, Roger Newcomb and Kevin Mulcahy Jr. weigh in on this year's telecast below. Look for our interviews in the coming days from both the Creative Emmys on Friday and Sunday's televised event.

Kevin Mulcahy Jr.
My first trip to the Daytime Emmys was a sizzling celebration of rich, soulful, comfort-food TV. It was a gala affair with soap opera temptresses, perky game showmen, and glad-handing talk show hosts. Everyone was dressed to the nines and brimming with enthusiasm for one of the only American institutions we all truly share. It was, in fact, an uplifting event that made me feel good about the future of daytime TV.

Believe it or not, my first trip to the Emmys was just the other day. It was fabulous. So if you saw the televised version, you're probably wondering if we're talking about the same thing. Trust me, what really happened in Vegas, for once, should have been shared with everyone! It was nothing like the sad variety-show themed infomercial CBS cobbled together.

Keep coming back to WE LOVE SOAPS TV for many, many video interviews that offer a far better sense of what the Emmys were about this year, and what the event was really like. We'll post them as fast as we can edit and upload! For now, please let me to vent my top three complaints about the confused, misguided telecast?

1. Oprah Winfrey is not dead (but she wasn't at the Emmys, either).

About a fifth of the show was about an award that wasn't an Emmy, for a show that didn't win anything real this year. No Emmys for the Oprah Winfrey Show this year. So why did they use the Big O to c—k block the actual winners? It was as if someone had changed the channel and we were watching one of those narcissistic final episodes of Oprah. We should have been watching more of the talented (and deserving) professionals who were actually being honored for their achievements that night. Many of them had the added appeal of actually being there.

2. Celine Dion has nothing to do with Daytime Television.

And, to her credit, I think she may have recognized that, since she also declined to appear in person--even though she was only about a mile away, down the Vegas Strip, performing. My goodness, she at least could have sung an original song that had something to do with the Emmys!

3. Wayne Brady did show up. But, in his case, that was the problem.

Where to start with Mr. Brady? His clumsy delivery of affable, scripted jibes, and his tacky, unscripted interjections throughout the telecast, embodied the opposite of the intended (and actual) spirit of a black tie awards ceremony. He did not rehearse enough. He did not understand all of the material written for him. And he did not respect (let alone celebrate) the work of the individuals the rest of us were there to honor.

So, we didn't interview him.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV promises that Wayne Brady will not be present for any of the video coverage we'll be sharing with you all, “live” from the 38th Annual Daytime Emmys. Instead, we have the people who deserve to be seen and heard on Emmy Night. CBS, let us show you how it's done...

Damon L. Jacobs
Note to aspiring hosts out there: when you insult Susan Lucci and get booed by your audience within the first five minutes, things are not going to go well. Wayne Brady's retort (and my favorite new catchphrase), "I didn't write this crap," was a sad omen for events to come. What deserved to be a respectful celebratory event was quickly turned into an train wreck of awkward musical numbers, overextended tributes, embarrassing infomercials, and a strange focus on children's illnesses.

What does any of this have to do with daytime television? Not a whole heck of a lot, and that was the main problem with this catastrophe of an awards ceremony. Soaps, as well as game show and talk shows, were treated as pesky distractions that interfered with promoting tourism, and sick kids. Not since Sid and Marty Kroft's THE BRADY BUNCH HOUR have I seen such a bizarre hijacking of a once loved and revered brand.

It's not like I expected soap operas to get the airtime and appreciation they deserved. I am well aware of the business necessity to make the Daytime Emmys appeal to viewers outside the soap community. What did surprise was the flagrant disrespect displayed toward the daytime industry as a whole. From beginning the show with tasteless jokes about ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE's "forced retirement," to Wayne Brady's mocking of celebratory winners while they were still on stage, to foregoing the display of clips from any of the nominated shows, it is clear there is outright contempt and disinterest on behalf of those involved with the planning and executing of this event. To add insult to injury, an attempt to honor Susan Lucci was marred by an awkward and unflattering interaction with Shemar Moore, as well as a mockery made of Erica Kane's weddings by superimposing Regis Philbin, Dr. Phil, and Ellen Degeneres on old clips. The latter three couldn't bother to show up to the ceremony in person, and in retrospect one can hardly fault their choice.

The few positive moments that stood out involved spontaneous and genuine displays of emotions from the talent themselves. CASH CAB'S Ben Bailey's tardy arrival to accept his win, due to the fact he was urinating as the award was announced, was the most human and joyful moment of the evening. Had the presenters and other winners had time to express themselves and thank others, then we would have witnessed a more enjoyable and meaningful event, instead of the "crap" Brady illuminated early on.

Roger Newcomb
Watching the Daytime Emmy telecast backstage, the press could only see certain parts of the show. To be honest, it seemed like a rushed mess and not much of a tribute to Daytime from those look-ins. Having now watched a recording of the entire telecast, it actually played even worse than originally thought. It was not a tribute to daytime television which includes judge shows, talk shows, game shows, children's shows and, dear to our hearts, soap operas.

Judge Judy is the highest rated program on daytime television and courtroom programs were relegated to the Creative Emmys on Friday night. So were children's and lifestyle programming. The shows and stars that were selected to be honored on Sunday night's telecast hardly received any tribute at all. With no clips of their work, and rushed acceptance speeches, it seemed like the actual awards were an afterthought to Las Vegas, charity work, vacation giveaways and bad hosting by Wayne Brady. Brady kicked off the show with a bad "joke" about ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE being forced into retirement. He was deservedly booed and instantly came back with the response, "I didn't write this crap." What a disrespectful slap in the fact the Daytime TV. Who did write it?

With CBS having aired the brilliant Tony Awards only one week before, it was hard not to compare both the show and host. The Tony ceremony was a tribute to Broadway's best. They managed to work in talent that isn't thought of as traditional Broadway stars. Neil Patrick Harris, better known for his television work, hosted. But it all played well because it had heart and Harris truly cared. It paid tribute to Broadway and seemed proud to be doing so. It made you want to see a Broadway show.

What Daytime needed was an awards ceremony that had that same type of heart, that made you want to watch, and that doesn't come from multiple charity segments that were hard to distinguish from some of the telecast's commercials. Oprah Winfrey has been a huge daytime star since the '80s, but she has been honored over and over for the past year. She already has a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Emmys. The tribute she received on Sunday was complete overkill. And after all that time spent she wasn't even in attendance.

Speaking of attendees, many of daytime's biggest stars did not bother to show up. Perhaps this is why producers chose to go completely off the daytime map. Ellen, Regis, Barbara, etc were not there. In their place were Gladys Knight, Marie Osmond, Jabbawockeez, Viva Elvis, and Penn & Teller. Celine Dion performed--from a different location.

The Alex Trebek/Pat Sajak tribute was a bit more interesting and the popular hosts actually showed up.

Producing any show involves dealing with a number of factors--sponsors, the network, available talent, budget, and much more. Presenters Carol Burnett and Genie Francis bailed at the last minute. But at the core, you have to make your vision work with whatever budget and limitations you have. The vision for this telecast clearly missed the mark. The lack of a tribute in recent years to legendary soap operas leaving the air is shocking and disappointing. The opening AMC/OLTL joke drove this point home even more. The mini-"tribute" to Susan Lucci with Shemar Moore was awkward and uncomfortable. The best moment of the night happened only because CASH CAB winner Ben Bailey had to go to the bathroom minutes before his category was announced.

I left the Indie Soap Awards in February feeling so positive about the future of web series and the serialized programming on the web. The Daytime Emmys did their best to convince us that daytime is dead. The Creative Emmys on Friday had no pomp and circumstance but at least it felt like a community was being honored.

What else can be said? Daytime can be hard to represent because it involves so many different types of shows and personalities. But at least this year's telecast could have tried.

Even if you do not like what I have said here, I own it. I did write this crap.

RELATED:
- PHOTOS: Daytime Emmy Awards Red Carpet
- PHOTOS: Daytime Emmy Awards Press Room
- WINNERS: 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Awards
- PHOTOS: Daytime Emmy Creative Arts Awards
- WINNERS: 38th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.73 Caroll Spinney & Oscar the Grouch
- WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.74 Crystal Chappell & Kim Turrisi

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The Tweeting Of Blame

"We are always paid for our suspicion by finding what we suspect."
- David Henry Thoreau

"If you point out the errors of your brother's ego you must be seeing through yours"

-A Course In Miracles

You may succeed in making another feel guilty about
something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it
is about you that is making you unhappy. "

-Wayne Dyer

There has been a profound amount of finger pointing and guilt seeking online this week. From Congressman Anthony Weiner to daytime soap star Crystal Chappell, I have seen online boards flooded with pages and pages devoted to seeking fault and perceived moral deficit in other people.  Twitter offers a unique and effective way to complain and blame, given that 140 characters hardly allows you to experience a rich discussion or get a sense of complexity or depth that fuel people actions.  

To review: people have been up in arms because New York Congressman Anthony Weiner sent out a series of PG-13 pictures of his body to various females, and lied about it publicly (though more details are unfolding as this is being written).  Emmy-winning Crystal Chappell has been taken to task because she opted not to defend a cast mate who was cruelly bullied by a media figure on Twitter.  This past week most people I know have been commenting/blogging/posting/tweeting and forming judgments about the choices of these public figures with inflated superiority. 

There is a special type of adrenaline reserved for moral indignation. As far as I can see, millions of people are getting high right now off their sense of righteousness. 

To be clear: you cannot find guilt in others that you do not perceive within yourself. This is just as true for bullies in schools as it is for judgmental religious leaders, as it is for soap fans on Twitter.  You can only condemn in others parts of yourself you don't like.  Twitter, and American culture at large, enable and encourage you to perceive guilt and fault in someone or something outside of yourself.  But finger wagging and blame won't change the feelings and desires you are uncomfortable with.

This is most evident in the example of gay bullying.  The only reason one would choose to focus on another person's sexual orientation is if they were uncomfortable with their own.  It is only closeted gay teens who violently seek out and pursue attention from other (perceived) gay teens in the form of bullying.  When someone has comfort within themselves about who they are, they have no reason to fear and condemn the actions and desires of others.

Similarly, Anthony Weiner's behaviors have set off a maelstrom of insecurities about the structure of the traditional heterosexual dyad.  His actions have challenged the foundation of "monogamy" and "cheating."  Instead of people looking at the issues he brings up, and their own interest and stimulation by his activities, they are resolving to handle this internal stress by blaming him and calling for his resignation.  If he does quit, it will do nothing to further resolve the fundamental problems in people's relationships, and will only enable people to blame others the next time a political scandal breaks (and there will be a next time!). 

Crystal Chappell's Twitter activities have also provoked thousands of thousands of comments and opinions regarding what she "should" have done when a colleague was verbally attacked.  Once again, people can narrowly focus on the "shoulds" of others, and gain adrenaline-fueled momentum on their search for finding fault and assigning guilt.  But doing so won't make their lives any happier.

Responsibility and integrity are essential ingredients in the recipe of mental health.  This starts when you decide to focus on the person in the mirror instead of public figures.  Ask yourself, "In what ways have I have behaved outside of my integrity? Have I ever been tempted to engage in a relationship outside of a monogamous dyad? Is Anthony Weiner really bad, or does it just piss me off that he almost got away with doing something I really wanted to do?" Or ask yourself, "In what ways have I not stood up for someone in my life? How have my actions contradicted my intentions? Is Crystal Chappell really wrong, or does she just remind me of times in my life when I have fallen short by not being there for someone else?"

Focusing on the errors of others is a great way to avoid responsibility within yourself, feel high off superiority, and gain community with others who are doing the same thing.  But it won't help you sleep at night, and it won't enable you to have more authentic feelings of pleasure, enjoyment, and serenity.  Instead of seeking fault in others, try noticing what uncomfortable feelings are aroused.  You may be surprised at what you find!

**NOTE: Since the writing of this piece, more details have been learned about Weiner's involvement with underage women.  I do not condone or agree with this behavior, but still maintain that it is serves individuals and couples to discuss their reactions and thoughts about his actions instead of perceiving him solely as the "problem."  

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Psychotherapist seeing individuals and couples in New York City. He specializes in issues related to addiction, ageism, bullying, caretaking fatigue, body image, grief and loss, gay/lesbian issues, stress management, depression, as well as couples in non-traditional arrangements. He is the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve." To have him speak with your group, or to schedule a counseling visit, call 347-227-7707, or email at Shouldless@gmail.com

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The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same...

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same...
By Nelson Aspen

I work in International TV news. I don't always get to choose the stories I report... I take assignments and pitch others. But over the course of the last two weeks, the dominant coverage has not been the tornadoes in the midwest nor President Obama's declaration about MidEast borders. It hasn't even been Kim Kardashian's engagement! It has been, almost nonstop, the end of Oprah Winfrey's 25 year run on Daytime.

Many don't seem to realize that with OWN, her eponymous network, she's not really saying goodbye at all. In fact, she's increasing her omnipotence from 1 hour in the afternoon to 24 hours a day. Still, we can't help but wax nostalgic because of the very real "end of an era."

In My Own Words

In My Own Words
By Don Lemon

Today I chose to step out on faith and begin openly living my own truth. And let me say right up front that I hope many of you will be inspired to do the same thing in your daily lives. Some of the things I’ve chosen to reveal in my book "Transparent" were very difficult to share with even those closest to me.

There was a time when I was terrified of revealing these things to the person I love most in this world - my own mother. But when I finally mustered the courage to tell her that I had been molested as a child and that I was born gay, my life began to change in positive ways that I never imagined possible. Yet I still chose to keep those secrets hidden from the world. I, like most gay people, lived a life of fear. Fear that if some employers, co-workers, friends, neighbors and family members learned of my sexuality, I would be shunned, mocked and ostracized. It is a burden that millions of people carry with them every single day. And sadly, while the mockery and ostracizing are realized by millions of people every day, I truly believe it doesn’t have to happen and that’s why I feel compelled to share what I’ve written in Transparent.

About Fan Fiction and Original Shows

FAN FICTION/ORIGINAL SHOWS
By Steve Ungrey

When I was just about six years old in February 1974, I had my first taste with a soap opera being canceled. That was the month CBS axed the long-running show THE SECRET STORM following a 20-year run.

Over 35 years have passed and you can’t count on two hands how many beloved soaps have bitten the dust. SOMERSET. LOVE OF LIFE. THE DOCTORS. TEXAS. SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. RYAN’S HOPE. SANTA BARBARA. And who can forget the demise of my all-time favorite show, the long-running mystery thriller THE EDGE OF NIGHT?

I have seen far too many shows get canceled over the years. I’ve also seen a rise in popularity of so-called “fan fiction”, where budding or established writers put their own spin on the soap genre. I don't even want to call this fan fiction and deride the genre, because some of this is actually excellent to read.

This is America: Why is our Television Trending Fascist?

I never watched an entire episode of ONE LIFE TO LIVE or ALL MY CHILDREN in my entire life. But after a week of analysis and outcry following the cancellations, I'm angry. And I think this is a Network moment. “I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore.” Here's why:

They didn't do their homework.

From the beginning, the argument that there weren't enough viewers to be profitable didn't pass the smell test. After massive community outcry and mobilization, it's just plain as day that there is, in fact, an audience out there. A passionate, educated, diverse, and very loyal audience. Is it possible that Corporate missed this? If so, it might be because they glanced at the broadcast Nielsens and called it a day.

The Inspiration Behind Japan Calls (And What You Can Do)

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND JAPAN CALLS
By Tanya Meyers and Michelle "Moey" Mariano

After the travesties that hit Japan earlier this month, many were left wondering what they could do. Texting 90999 to the Red Cross was one way, or donating to a separate charity or even flying out to help directly… But for a lot of us, there wasn’ t much money to give, and anything more direct was near impossible, so all there was left to do was brainstorm.

Thus the idea for Japan Calls came about.

It started out as a very simple idea, inspired greatly by TwitChange. But many entertainers weren't on Twitter, or were already more accessible than huge names like Eva Longoria and Justin Bieber. So what more could celebrities give that people would be willing to donate toward? What would be a step above a simple text on the screen of an individual’ s computer?

A voice message.

But would any stars actually agree? How could we get their attention while simultaneously proving to be legitimate? It was a long shot, but it was worth making an effort. Armed with a group of highly motivated friends who simply wanted to help in whatever way they could, we began a net wide process of - well, pleading. Logging onto Twitter, Facebook, and any other social networking site that would give us access to entertainers of all kinds, we asked for their help in whatever eye-catching way we could. “ 15 seconds to help Japan” was the simple, but striking, phrase.

The response was outstanding. Celebrity names such as: The Veronicas, Mark Ruffalo, Sia, Jeremy Piven, Jenna Ushkowitz, Eliza Dushku, and Olympic Silver Medalist Sasha Cohen agreed enthusiastically on the spot. As the “ voices” grew, so did the crew of people wanting to help. Together with our team of friends, we signed 82 names onto the project in just two weeks.

With great anticipation, we finally opened up the auction for bidding on March 28th. (It will remain open through April 4th ). Donations are not required until after the auction has ended.) This is where you come in. The goal of this project isn’ t to garner fans to get personalized voice recordings from their favorite actor or singer, it's to provide a fun incentive FOR donating to an important cause. We have a list of charitable organizations for bidders to donate to directly. All we ask is to receive a validation of that donation before the entertainer is contacted. This is to ensure that every penny (depending on which charity one chooses) goes to where you intended. While the basic prize is a voice message, some entertainers have vowed to go beyond that. Matt Marshak wants to record an original song while Nia Vardalos promises a phone call! So what are you waiting for?

A great many soap stars have placed their voices up for auction, including: Agim Kaba (ex-Aaron, ATWT), Aiden Turner (ex-Aidan, AMC), Brad Rowe (ex-Murphy, GH), Davida Williams (ex-Jade, ATWT), Jake Silbermann (ATWT), Jennifer Finnigan (ex-Bridget, B& B), Karl Girolamo (ex-Kevin ATWT), Kelli Barrett (ex-Maddie, ATWT), Lexi Ainsworth (Kristina, GH), Marnie Schulenburg (ex-Alison, ATWT), Ricky Paull Goldin (Jake, AMC), Scott Clifton (Liam, B& B), Stacy Haiduk (ex-Patty/Emily, Y& R) and Van Hansis (ex-Luke, ATWT).

There are only a few days left… so reach out and help a country who needs us.  And who knows, you could have Winnie Cooper as your personal answering machine.

Go "like" Japan Calls on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @japan_calls.

For information on how to bid (Please read BEFORE Bidding!) click How To Bid and to place your bids click OFFICIAL AUCTION POST: Bid on Your Favorite Entertainers.

Remembering THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, 45 Years Later

REMEMBERING "THE YOUNG MARRIEDS" – 45 YEARS LATER
By Rob Wargo

Forty-five years ago – March 25, 1966, to be exact – ABC aired the 380th and final episode of THE YOUNG MARRIEDS, a companion series of sorts to GENERAL HOSPITAL, launched approximately 18 months prior to TYM’s debut on October 5, 1964. The series was produced in Los Angeles by Selmur Productions, the same in-house production company responsible for producing GENERAL HOSPITAL, and purportedly was set in the same town as GH, although there was no interaction between the characters in the respective series. TYM was created by James Elward and written by him and Frances Rickett. During its 18 months on the air, TYM faced stiff competition from CBS’ THE EDGE OF NIGHT and NBC’s YOU DON'T SAY. Although the show ranked tenth out of seventeen soaps for the 1965-1966 season, ABC still decided to cancel the series. TYM had replaced QUEEN FOR A DAY on the ABC Daytime schedule, and was replaced by the struggling soap THE NURSES in the lineup. THE NURSES would limp along for another year before being canceled, having not improved on TYM’s ratings in the timeslot.

Thom Racina Honors Elizabeth Taylor

We asked We Love Soaps TV friend Thom Racina, and headwriter of GENERAL HOSPITAL from 1981-1983, to share with us his memories and recollections of writing for Elizabeth Taylor's most celebrated scenes as Helena Cassadine.  We thank you Thom for generously taking the time to pay homage to this irreplaceable legend.

HONORING ELIZABETH TAYLOR
By Thom Racina

It was her giggle I recall most.  Elizabeth Taylor being completely disarming, sounding like a little girl (as she did in so many movies!), pulling the rug out from under you, making you believe she was just as human as you were (as Tony Geary said when he went up on a line, the first time facing her in a scene I wrote, "It's fucking Elizabeth Taylor!"), totally self-effacing, warm and generous, and wickedly funny.  As you can see in the bloopers from GENERAL HOSPITAL, she couldn't say her name.  The part I dreamed up when she (a fan of the Luke & Laura Ice Princess saga) told us she wanted to "come to their wedding," was Helena Cassadine, pronounced Cassa-dine, like in having dinner.  She kept saying Cassa-deen, as in Paula.  It happened again and again, and one time she just broke up in a fit of giggles, turned to me and said, "Can't we just change my goddamned name?"  I said nope, it had been played on the air for a long long time (Luke & Laura had killed her nutty husband, the infamous Mikos with the weather machine, thus saving Port Charles), so Elizabeth had to grin and bear it, but thank God she kept having that problem because it made her more human and the cast completely felt at ease being with this goddess, this legend, this superstar who was, really, just one of them, another actor making her way (for the first time) through the wringer that is daytime television.

For me, the most poignant memory is what she did for my mother, whom I took to a benefit performance of the play "The Little Foxes," which she was doing at the Music Center when she taped her stint on our show.  When she gave me the tickets, I told her I'd bring my mom, Esther, as my date, but that was two weeks before the performance, and it was just in passing.  That night, after my mom was already thrilled that Jack Lemmon was sitting next her and that Lucille Ball caught her charm bracelets in her hair when sneaking in late in the row behind us (that's another story altogether), Elizabeth gave a private party with strolling musicians and lamb chops on silver platters served by guys in bow ties and gloves, pretty classy stuff.  When the legend finally entered, looking like a million bucks, she caught my eye and made her way across the room toward me.  I felt shocked and impressed, but she wasn't walking toward me at all, she went to my mother's arms, and she said, after a long hug, "Esther, you must be so proud of him."  Now that's class.  My mom's favorite movie star telling her that she must be proud of me?  It was the most generous thing anyone has ever done in my professional career.  (And the greatest day of my mom's life!)

We are all shocked by Elizabeth's death, I think, even though she'd been ill all her life, and so much so in recent years, because she lived with ferocity, such passion, such joy.  There's a lesson there for us all.  God Bless You, Mrs. Cassadine--or Mrs. Cassadeen, as you'd say it.  You made this world a better place, not only by entertaining us, but for leading the fight against AIDS at a time when no one (including our president) was willing to even speak that word.  I feel honored to have known you, even for such a short time, and will always be touched by your gentle, inspirational, warm and loving hand.