Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

THE GUIDING LIGHT's Charita Bauer debuted
as Bert Bauer on the radio version of the soap.

"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...

1950: Charita Bauer assumed the role of Bert Bauer on THE GUIDING LIGHT radio program (Ann Shepard was the original radio Bert). She would continue to play the character as the show premiered on television two years later and until December 1984, just before her death. More on Charita Bauer here.

1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lenore (Judith Barcroft) declined to consider it when Helen suggested she and Bill wait until to marry so Bill can get over his butterflies.

1992: On GUIDING LIGHT, Fletcher (Jay Hammer) saved Vanessa (Maeve Kinkead) before Jack Kiley could rape her.

1992: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Victor (Eric Braeden) reminisced about Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), and a tearful Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) returns to ask Madame Chauvin (Mary Anne McGarry) for help.

1993: AS THE WORLD TURNS premiered a new theme song, "Jelinda's Theme" (a.k.a."As the World Turns Theme").



1995: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Hayley thought she recognized James Patrick Stuart's Will.



2010: Frances Reid, best known to soap fans as Alice Horton on DAYS OF OUR LIVES, died at age 95. Reid's other daytime roles included Grace Baker AS THE WORLD TURNS, Rose Pollock on THE EDGE OF NIGHT and Portia Manning on PORTIA FACES LIFE. Reid worked with Corday on ATWT and he brought her to DAYS.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Blythe Danner (ex-Hillary, TATTINGERS) - 71
Brenda Dickson (ex-Jill, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 65
Morgan Fairchild (ex-Jennifer, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-Jenna, DALLAS; ex-Constance, FLAMINGO ROAD; ex-Racine, PAPER DOLLS; ex-Jordan, FALCON CREST; ex-Sydney, THE CITY; ex-Sophia, FASHION HOUSE) - 64
Thomas Calabro (ex-Michael, MELROSE PLACE; ex-Ken, GREEK) - 55
Isla Fisher (ex-Shannon, HOME AND AWAY) - 38
Maitland Ward (ex-Jessica, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) - 37
Kelly Sullivan (Kate/Connie, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 36

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].