Today in Soap Opera History (February 15)

1967: DS' Burke wanted Sam to stay away from Guthrie.
1980: AMC's Palmer toasted Nina on her 19th birthday.
1980: EON's Derek figured out what was wrong with Miles.
2010: AMC's Greenlee revealed herself to be alive at her wedding.

"Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself."
- Lily Tomlin

"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...

1952: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Jim and Sam received photos of Keith kissing another woman. Louise told Joanne (Mary Stuart) that Irene (Bess Johnson) planned to destroy Joanne's reputation by leaking information of her affairs and shady business activities. Irene told Jim that she wanted to initiate divorce proceedings between Keith and Joanne, without either of them knowing.

1966: On an historic episode of PEYTON PLACE, Mia Farrow shocked the nation, as well as the show's cast and crew by cutting her hair. Longtime ALL MY CHILDREN star David Canary played the doctor.



1967: On DARK SHADOWS, Burke (Mitchell Ryan) angrily ordered Sam (David Ford) not to talk to Peter Guthrie (John Lasell) anymore.



1979: On ABC's hit primetime comedy series TAXI, soap opera fever hit the garage when Bobby auditioned for the part of "Skip," the long-lost beau of "Olivia" on the popular daytime serial "For Better, For Worse." When Bobby was offered a recurring role, he tore up his hack license and confidently vowed never to return to his job as a cabbie, but Louie knew he would be back. Several weeks later, the character of Skip was suddenly killed off in a horrible accident, and Bobby's lifelong dream of being a professional actor was again put on hold. Despite sympathy from the gang, he hesitated to ask for his old job back, knowing he would have to face Louie's gloating.

1980: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Palmer (James Mitchell) threw a masquerade party on Nina's (Taylor Miller) 19th birthday.



1980: Eileen Barnett aired for the final time as Stephanie Woodruff on DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Derek put two and two together regarding the strange behavior Miles (Joel Crothers) had displayed of late: Miles was overdosing on amphetamines.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1988: On LOVING, Ava (Roya Megnot) tried to find out about her financial standing after learning that Clay wasn't really Clay.



2010: On ALL MY CHILDREN, during her wedding to David (Vincent Irizarry), Greenlee (Rebecca Budig) revealed that she was alive to her family and friends.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Katherine Kamhi (ex-Pamela, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 50
Kelley Menighan Hensley (Veronica, TAINTED DREAMS; ex-Emily, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 47
Michael Easton (Silas/ex-John, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-John, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Caleb, PORT CHARLES; ex-Tanner, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 47
Sarah Wynter (ex-Kate, 24) - 41
Amber Riley (Mercedes, GLEE) - 28
Bonnie Dennison (ex-Daisy, GUIDING LIGHT) - 25

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].