Saturday, September 28, 2013

Today in Soap Opera History (September 28)

1962: The final episodes of daytime soap operas THE BRIGHTER
DAY and OUR FIVE DAUGHTERS aired.  1981: GH covered
Newsweek. 1987: Delia had a courtoom fantasy on RYAN'S HOPE.
"In history, a great volume is unrolled for our instruction, drawing the materials of future wisdom from the past errors and infirmities of mankind."
― Edmund Burke

"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: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera THE BRIGHTER DAY. The show was created for NBC Radio by Irna Phillips in 1948. It was originally set in Three Rivers until a move to New Hope in 1953.

1962: NBC aired the final episode of OUR FIVE DAUGHTERS, which starred silent film icon Esther Ralston as the mother of five young women, Helen Lee, including Jacqueline Courtney's Ann (pictured, upper right).

1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Grant (James Douglas) told Lisa (Eileen Fulton) that he changed his mind and was now prepared to give her a quick divorce so she could marry Bennett Hadley (Doug Higgins).

1981: Newsweek's cover called GENERAL HOSPITAL "TV's Hottest Show."

1987: On RYAN'S HOPE, Delia (Ilene Kristen) fantasized about proving Ben was no good in court.



1989: CBS aired the 11th season premiere of KNOTS LANDING. The show debuted a new opening designed by Castle Bryant Johnsen which showcased the cul-de-sac houses and skyscrapers representing Los Angeles as sandcastles. It was the only version of the opening without pictures of the cast.



1990: DAYS OF OUR LIVES' mystery man was revealed to be Lawrence Alamain (Michael Sabatino).



1994: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Kendall (Sarah Michelle Gellar) was brought into the hospital after she overdosed on pills.



2000: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Austin (Austin Peck) and Greta (Julianne Morris) defeated evil in the Garden of Eden.



2006: The U.S. version of UGLY BETTY premiered on ABC starring America Ferrera as Betty.



2006: Brandon Beemer debuted as Shawn Brady in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Robert Hogan (ex-Vince, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Charles, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-DA Stephens, BRIGHT PROMISE; ex-Tom, PEYTON PLACE; ex-Gillespie, THE YOUNG MARRIEDS) - 80
Joel Higgins (ex-Bruce, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Paul, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 70
Matthew Cowles (Billy Clyde, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Eban, LOVING; ex-Chris, A WORLD APART) - 69
Jennifer Leak (ex-Olive, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Blanche, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Nurse Klupper, RYAN'S HOPE; ex-Elaine, BRIGHT PROMISE) - 63
Susan Walters (Mrs. Martin, TEEN WOLF; ex-Diane, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Lorna, LOVING) - 50
Steve Blackman (WWE) - 50
Janeane Garofalo (ex-Louise, THE WEST WING) - 49
Mira Sorvino (ex-Julie, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Sophia, SWANS CROSSING) - 46
Naomi Watts (ex-Julie, HOME AWAY) - 45
Todd Rotondi (ex-Bryant, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 39
Lucas Bryant (Nathan, HAVEN) - 35
Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Annie, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 32
Kirsten Prout (ex-Char, THE LYING GAME) - 23

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].

3 comments:

  1. Jennifer Leak also played Gwen Sherman, a prostitute who fell for Greg Foster, on "The Young and the Restless."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Robert Hogan also played the third Scott Banning (father of David Banning) on Days of Our Lives. He also briefly played Phil Brewer on General Hospital.

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  3. Robert Hogan also played L.J. McDermott on As The World Turns!

    Brian :-)

    ReplyDelete