Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Today in Soap Opera History (October 29)

1981: Abe first appeared on DAYS. 1993: Luke & Laura
returned on GH, with Lucky! 1996: GL's Annie vowed to
get clean. 2007: Jack Branning arrived in Albert Square.
"History is a vast early warning system."
― J. Norman Cousins

"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: The DAYS OF OUR LIVES pilot was re-shot with Frances Reid replacing Mary Jackson as Alice Horton.

1965: On ANOTHER WORLD, Tony Douglas (Alex Canaan) was unhappy with Alice's (Jacqueline Courtney) timid attitude about intimacy.

1969: NBC aired the 1,000th episode of DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, the mystery at The Willows deepened the closer Lisa (Eileen Fulton) got to marrying Bennett.



1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Logan (Joe Lambie) was able to get Jamey back from Raven (Sharon Gabet) thanks to Geraldine.



1981: James Reynolds debuted as Abe Carver in DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Mickey Horton went to see Assistant Homicide Detective Carver about the David Banning case. Diane Sommerfield debuted in the same episode as Valerie Grant.

1991: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Paul (Doug Davidson) and Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman) had Scott and Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) over for dinner.

1993: Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) returned to GENERAL HOSPITAL. Jonathan Jackson debuted as Luke & Laura's son, Lucky Spencer.



1993: Marcy Walker debuted as Tangie Hill on GUIDING LIGHT.

1995: Richard Guthrie, best known for his six-year run as David Banning in DAYS OF OUR LIVES, died at age 45.

1996: On GUIDING LIGHT, Josh was worried about Annie's whereabouts and her state of mind, after she was last seen leaving a bar. While Josh was at the police station, he received a call from Philip, who explained that he was trying to help Annie get clean and sober. Later, Josh and Reva shared a moment filled with tension, considering the mutual feelings for one another that remain hidden; and Annie vowed to get clean for Josh's sake and to save their marriage.

1997: On THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, the Forresters presented the fashion designs that could make or break their business. Tensions were high as they prepared to display their spring collection at the fashion show in Italy (shot on location. The family faced an extra challenge since other fashion houses had launched their shows and most large buyers had already made their purchases for the season. Eric (John McCook) invested all his energy in this last effort to rebuild the Forresters' fashion empire, but he was nonetheless prepared for possible failure. When the show started off on a bad note, both Stephanie (Susan Flannery) and Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) reaffirmed their love for their husbands in the face of adversity while keeping the situation in perspective. And two audience members who eagerly anticipated the Forresters' downfall were disappointed when the fashion show took a turn for the better.

2001: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Jessica (Erin Torpey) didn't want to accept Natalie (Melissa Archer).



2002: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) learned the truth about Jill (Jess Walton) and Larry.

2003: On GUIDING LIGHT, Sandy (Scott Bailey) wouldn't accept Reva's apology.

2005: Actor Lloyd Bochner died at age 81.  He starred as Cecil Colby in DYNASTY and Nicholas Lacey in ONE MAN'S FAMILY.

2007: On EASTENDERS, the character of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) arrived in Albert Square. With Maslen set to leave the show now, it's fun to look back and see the first, big "splash" Jack made with future love interest, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), back when he started. And even if one isn't familiar with the soap or these characters, this short clip provides a jolly good laugh, Walford style.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Kate Jackson (ex-Daphne, DARK SHADOWS) - 65
Scott Jaeck (ex-Cain, SANTA BARBARA) - 59
Dan Castellaneta (ex-Milton, GREEK) - 56
Finola Hughes (Anna, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Anna, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT; ex-Alex/Anna, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Helena, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Kate, PACIFIC PALISADES) - 54
Laura Bonarrigo (ex-Rebecca, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Cassie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Lindsay, ANOTHER WORLD) - 49
Joely Fisher (ex-Nina, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) - 46
Grayson McCouch (ex-Don, HOLLYWOOD HEIGHTS; ex-Dusty, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Morgan, ANOTHER WORLD) - 45
Tracee Ellis Ross (ex-Ellen, PRIVATE PRACTICE) - 41
Gabrielle Union (Mary Jane, BEING MARY JANE) - 41
Ben Foster (ex-Russell, SIX FEET UNDER) - 33
Cherilyn Wilson (ex-Morgan, 90210) - 25
India Eisley (ex-Ashley, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER) - 20
Ashley Greiner (ex-Faith, AS THE WORLD TURNS)

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].

4 comments:

  1. Hey Roger. Do you have any idea who was writing "As the World Turns" at this point?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I believe it was Doug Marland at this point but none of the episodes I have from October to December 1979 have any writing or acting credits on them. The next writers listed are the Dobsons in January 1980.

      Delete
  2. Little bit of an update -- Scott Maslen's last episode has now aired since I submitted that 2007 EASTENDERS clip, and in it, Jack & Ronnie referenced their first scene together in his final scene. In case anyone's interested, from October 15, 2013, starting at the 22-min, 55-sec mark:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6_JQJjH-Wk&feature=youtu.be&t=22m55s

    ReplyDelete
  3. Will & Sonny's Halloween episode part 2 a year ago today.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuYj5-aKsH8 …

    ReplyDelete