Today in Soap Opera History (July 21)

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

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

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

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

Today in Soap Opera History (July 19)

1966: Dark Shadows' Roger crashed due to a missing bleeder valve.
1985: John Aniston debuted as Victor on Days of our Lives.
1990: General Hospital's Wendy was murdered.
2010: Scott Clifton debuted as Liam on Bold and the Beautiful.

"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...

1940: The first episode of radio soap opera The Carters of Elm Street, written by Mona Kent, aired on the Mutual Network.

Daytime Soap Opera Grades June 2025

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

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

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

Today in Soap Opera History (June 29)

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

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

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

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

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

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

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

Today in Soap Opera History (June 28)

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

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

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

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

Daytime Soap Opera Grades May 2025

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

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

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

Daytime Soap Opera Grades April 2025

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

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

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

Best of Daytime Soap Operas in 2024

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

BEST SOAP
General Hospital

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

MOST CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT SOAP
The Bold and the Beautiful

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

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

Today in Soap Opera History (September 25)

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

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Dark Shadows, while Willie Loomis remained in a coma, Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) attempted to hypnotize David Collins (David Henesy) to stop his prying into Barnabas' (Jonathan Frid) affairs.

Today in Soap Opera History (September 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 (September 12)

1966: Days of our Lives' Tony prepared to leave town.
1985: General Hospital's Josh Clayton was killed.
1994: One Life to Live's paralyzed Luna took her first steps.
1994: All My Children's Hayley and Alec plotted revenge.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On Days of our Lives, Tony Merritt (Richard Colla) told Marie Horton (Maree Cheatham) he was leaving Salem.

1966: On Dark Shadows, news of Bill Malloy's death spread around Collinsport.

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 (August 28)

1986: Another World's "Marissa" made her way to Bay City.
1991: Santa Barbara's Dash and Katrina grew closer.
1998: All My Children's Junior was locked in a cage.
2009: One Life to Live's Fish didn't remember his night with Stacy.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1967: On Another World, Liz (Audra Lindley) was happy to hear that Bill (Joseph Gallison) suspected Madge of Danny's murder.

1967: Australian Broadcasting Corporation soap Bellbird premiered. It remained on the air until December 1977.

1968: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) protected Tom Jennings (Don Briscoe) from a gun-toting Barnabas (Jonathan Frid). After Tom vanished, Barnabas went to the window to look for him. When he turned around Julia had escaped.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 26)

1968: The Doctors' Nick proposed to Althea.
1980: Texas' Justin rescued Rikki from a burning race car.
1981: Edge of Night's Sky plotted with Gunther against Gavin.
1991: Young and the Restless' Traci helped Brad with a Jabot ad.

"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: Prolific radio soap opera writer Elaine Sterne Carrington (Pepper Young's Family; Rosemary) was featured in TIME magazine.

1968: On The Doctors, while at dinner, Dr. Nick Bellini (Gerald Gordon) asked Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) to marry him.

Thanks to Scott for sending in the item above.

1980: On Texas, Terry Dekker (Shanna Reed), Nita Wright (Ellen Maxted), Billy Joe, and Elena Dekker (Caryn Richman) watched Rikki Dekker (Randy Hamilton) in a car race. After getting into an accident. Rikki's car caught fire. He was rescued by Justin Marshall (Jerry Lanning).

Today in Soap Opera History (August 23)

1960: Alan was unhappy with Susan on The Secret Storm.
1984: Jonathan had 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'.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 22)

1960: As the World Turns' Grace wanted to help her son.
1979: Guiding Light's Holly received a marriage proposal.
1986: Young and Restless aired the "It's OK to Say No" concert.
1986: Days of our Lives' Marlena and "Roman" were remarried.

"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...

1955: On The Brighter Day, Lydia's (Murial Williams) romantic life suffered as she became more stressed over her desire to confess that she had taken the silver clock.

1960: On As the World Turns, Dr. Cassen (Nat Polen) explained to Penny Hughes Baker (Rosemary Prinz) that he couldn't keep her husband, Jeff, at the hospital against his will. Meanwhile, Jeff's mother, Grace Baker (Frances Reid), was upset that she wasn't allowed to see her son, and wasn't convinced Jeff needed to be hospitalized, but Chris Hughes (Don MacLaughlin) put her in her place.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 19)

1996: Nathan Hastings died on The Young and the Restless.
1996: Frankie Frame was murdered on Another World.
1996: GH's Jason and Robin arrived in Montauk on Stone's birthday.
2013: The series finale of One Life to Live aired online.

"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...

1929: NBC Blue network broadcast Amos 'n' Andy, starring Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll, for the first time. The show ran as a nightly radio serial from 1928 (starting at local WMAQ) until 1943, then as a weekly situation comedy from 1943 to 1955.

1953: On Search for Tomorrow, Arthur Tate (Terry O'Sullivan) told Nathan Walsh he planned on leaving Henderson and forgetting all about Joanne Baron (Mary Stuart).  Later, Stu Bergman (Larry Haines) asked Nathan what kind of troubles Arthur was having.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 17)

1977: Leslie Charleson assumed the role of Monica on GH.
1992: Elizabeth Keifer debuted as Blake on Guiding Light.
2007: The 10,000th episode of One Life to Live aired on ABC.
2007: As the World Turns' Luke and Noah shared an historic kiss.

"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...

1933: On radio soap opera Ma Perkins, Ma (Virginia Payne) has found out about Cousin Sylvester's marriage proposal to Penny, and she wondered what kind of men the cousins were.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Julia (Grayson Hall) warned Victoria (Alexandra Moltke) not to become too chummy with Barnabas (Jonathan Frid).

Today in Soap Opera History (August 16)

1957: CBS aired the last episode of daytime soap Valiant Lady.
1985: General Hospital's Celia and Jimmy Lee married.
2007: Guiding Light's Olivia ran into Reva during Josh's wedding.
2007: One Life to Live's Asa Buchanan died.

"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...

1957: The final episode of daytime soap opera Valiant Lady aired on CBS radio and television. The show, which debuted in 1953, was a follow up to the radio soap opera of the same name that ran from 1938 to 1952. Flora Campbell starred as Helen Emerson during the show's final three years.