We Love Soaps

William J. Bell

The End of Love of Life: How CBS Canceled a Daytime Institution

Network politics, a brutal time-slot change, and a last-minute creative revival couldn't save one of daytime's longest-run…

We Love Soaps • July 20, 2026

William J. Bell

When Daytime Doubled: The Soap Opera Expansion That Changed Everything

In the 1970s, daytime television made a high-stakes move: expanding soap operas from 30 minutes to a full hour. Another World le…

Roger Newcomb • May 05, 2026

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: One Life to Live's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap op…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2026

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: One Life to Live's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap o…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2018

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: One Life to Live's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap o…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2017

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: One Life to Live's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap o…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2016

William J. Bell

FLASHBACK: 'The Young and the Restless' Mistakenly Wins Writing Award at 1986 Daytime Emmys

William J. Bell In one of the epic fails in recent television history, Sunday night Miss Universe's host Steve Harvey named…

We Love Soaps • December 26, 2015

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: One Life to Live's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap o…

We Love Soaps • March 06, 2015

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

1979: OLTL's Karen Wolek confessed her past on the witness stand in one of the most memorable scenes in soap opera history…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2014

William J. Bell

"The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell" Now Out In Paperback

Daytime legend, former talk show host, and co-creator of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Lee Phillip B…

Roger Newcomb • May 30, 2013

YR40

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Classic Photo Of The Day (William J. Bell)

In honor of the upcoming 40th anniversary of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (YR40), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Ph…

Roger Newcomb • March 26, 2013

William J. Bell

Today in Soap Opera History (March 6)

On this date in... 1927: William J. Bell, iconic soap opera writer and producer, was born. He died on April 29, 2005 at age 7…

Roger Newcomb • March 06, 2013

William J. Bell

CLASSIC CLIP: Merry Christmas From The Bell Family

In 1968, Lee Phillip Bell welcomed her husband, Bill, and sons Billy (age 6) and Bradley (age 4 with his tongue out above, now ex…

Roger Newcomb • December 24, 2012

William J. Bell

We Love Soaps TV (3.78) Michael Maloney Discusses 'The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell'

We Love Soaps TV caught up with journalist Michael Maloney in June at the 39th Annual Daytime Entertainment Creative Arts Emmy A…

Roger Newcomb • July 02, 2012

William J. Bell

NEWS ROUNDUP: No SMASH Musical; 5th Hour of Today?; Bill Bell Book June 1; Indie Television

No plans at the moment to bring SMASH to Broadway "Since our creative team has been writing songs and snippets of 'Bomb…

Roger Newcomb • April 09, 2012

William J. Bell

FLASHBACK: He's (Bill Bell) Wed to a Celebrity 1958

He's Wed to a Celebrity She's Lee Phillip--and Their Marriage Is Successful By Norma Lee Browning Chicago Daily Trib…

Roger Newcomb (We Love Soaps) • September 21, 2010

William J. Bell

FLASHBACK: The Teening of the Soaps 1993

THE TEENING OF THE SOAPS By Lynette Rice Los Angeles Daily News July 28, 1993 She's divorced, rich and hates sex. And no…

Roger Newcomb (We Love Soaps) • May 08, 2009

William J. Bell

FLASHBACK: Soaps Maturing in Romantic Way 1986

DAYTIME SOAPS MATURING IN ROMANTIC WAY By Jan DeKnock Chicago Tribune July 13, 1986 The summer of '86 is a time of real …

Roger Newcomb (We Love Soaps) • April 17, 2009

William J. Bell

FLASHBACK: Lee Phillip is a Success in Any Rating (1976)

Lee Phillip is a success in any rating By Mary Daniels Chicago Tribune April 4, 1976 Lee Phillip is not the kind of charact…

Roger Newcomb (We Love Soaps) • March 16, 2009