Today in Soap Opera History (March 3)

1980: EON's Draper was sentenced. 1981: GH's Sarah raised
Jeff's suspicions.  1986: Y&R's John confronted his son, Jack.
1995: AMC's Will shocked a Pine Valley courtroom.

"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1941: Radio soap opera WE ARE ALWAYS YOUNG premiered on the Mutual Network. The show told the story of a serious composer who worked as a cab driver while waiting for his big break. Written by Ashley Buck and Nicholas Consentino, WAAY starred William Janney as Gary Haven and Joe Laurie Jr. as Sniffy.

Also premiering on the same day was EDITH ADAMS' FUTURE: "The story of a woman past thirty five, forced to a rude awakening to a world that had passed her by while she played dutiful wife to a domineering husband. Her story proves that beauty and a courageous zest for life are not to the young alone, but belong eternally to the young in heart."

1970: Phil Sterling debuted as Rafe Carter on ANOTHER WORLD.

1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Draper Scott (Tony Craig) was sentenced to not less than 15 or more than 25 years in prison.



1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Sarah's (Eileen Dietz) comments about Heather (Robin Mattson) and her baby raised Jeff's (Richard Dean Anderson) suspicions.



1986: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) angrily confronted Jack (Terry Lester), and accused his son of what he termed "the ultimate betrayal" of a father during the culmination to what many consider one of Bill Bell's most famous storylines. Viewers had watched and waited more than two years for John to learn that Jack was the man seen making love to John's wife, Jill (Brenda Dickson) in the blackmail photos that had been secretly snapped when the illicit duo had taken refuge in a cabin during a raging blizzard.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

1986: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, John (Drake Hogestyn) and Marlena (Deidre Hall) figured out that Ian Griffith (Darby Hinton) was Melissa's (Lisa Trusel) attacker.



1989: Wortham Krimmer debuted as Cal Winters in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1993: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) was furious with Molly, who was actually trying to protect her from Sheila.

1995: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Jackson Montgomery (Walt Willey) shocked the courtroom when he called Will Cortlandt (James Patrick Stuart) to the witness stand.



1997: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Noah Newman was born.

2001: Actor Louis Edmonds died at age 77. His soap career included multiple roles in DARK SHADOWS, and a long run as Langley Wallingford in ALL MY CHILDREN.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Larry Pine (Bob, HOUSE OF CARDS; ex-Tad, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Roger, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Max, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 69
Darnell Williams (ex-Jesse, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Sarge, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Griggs, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Jacob, THE CITY) - 59
Mary Page Keller (ex-Sally, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Amanda, RYAN'S HOPE) - 53
Denise Pence (ex-Katie, GUIDING LIGHT)
Lauren B. Martin (Detective Bailey, EMPIRE; ex-Camille, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Susan, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Jenkins, ANOTHER WORLD) - 44
Julie Bowen (ex-Sarah, LOST; ex-LOVING) - 44
Carla Bonner (ex-Stephanie, NEIGHBOURS) - 41
Marc Sinoway (Simon, HUSTLING; Tommy, HUNTING SEASON; ex-Nate, ONE LIFE TO LIVE)

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].