Today in Soap Opera History (December 21)

1981: GH's Laura was offered the "Miss Star Eyes" job.
1982: Barrington and Burgess plotted on Capitol.
1987: GL's Johnny saw it snow.  2007: A dollhouse came
to life on ATWT.

"Most of us spend too much time on the last twenty-four hours and too little on the last six thousand years."
― Will Durant

"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...

1966: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) called Roger Collins (Louis Edmonds) and told him to meet him at the Blue Whale because "the worst possible thing that could happen, has happened." At the Inn, Sam gleefully announced that Laura, Roger's wife, had come home.

1966: On Peyton Place, Martin Peyton (George Macready) and Rodney Harrington (Ryan O'Neal) talked about Hannah Cord's testimony in court that Rodney's mother gave away two illegitimate children.



1967: On Days of our Lives, Sandy (Heather North) was full of sarcasm and contempt when Kitty picked her up at the airport, but turned on the charm when she arrived to meet Tom (Macdonald Carey) and Alice (Frances Reid).

1967: On Another World, Bill Matthews (Joseph Gallison) and Missy Palmer (Carol Roux) were married in the Matthews family living room. Rachel (Robin Strasser) caught the bouquet. She married Bill's best man, Russ, two weeks later.

1971: On The Edge of Night, Julie Jamison died (off-screen) in Santa Lucia Hospital.

1978: On Another World, Charlie (Fred J. Scollay) fired Larry (Rick Porter) but wasn't able to convince Clarice (Gail Brown) that Larry was bad news.

1981: On General Hospital, Laura (Genie Francis) was offered a job as Miss Star Eyes.



1982: On Texas, Victoria (Elizabeth Allen) told Reena (Carla Borelli) that Tom Brandon might succeed in shutting down KVIK.

1982: On Capitol, Lawrence Barrington (Jeff Chamberlain) and Frank Burgess (Duncan Gamble) schemed to unite Trey (Nicholas Walker) and Kelly (Jane Daly) in marriage then bleed the Cleggs dry over Kelly's past.



1986: Days of our Lives star James Reynolds (Abe) married Lissa Layng.

1987: On Guiding Light, a very ill Johnny (James Goodwin) was excited to see it snow.



1994: On All My Children, Erica (Susan Lucci) and Bianca ran into Jack (Walt Willey) at the cemetery.



1995: Brenda Epperson aired for the final time as Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2006: BethAnn Bonner debuted as Talia on One Life to Live.



2007: As the World Turns aired a special Christmas episode featuring toys in a dollhouse that came to life.



2007: On General Hospital, Maxie (Kirsten Storms) attacked Felicia (Kristina Wagner) while delivering a eulogy at Georgie's funeral.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Larry Bryggman

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Jane Fonda (ex-Leona, The Newsroom) - 77
Larry Bryggman (ex-John, As the World Turns) - 76
Danielle von Zerneck (ex-Lou, General Hospital) - 49
Kiefer Sutherland (Jack, 24) - 48
Michelle Hurd (ex-Dana, Another World; ex-Laurel, Gossip Girl) - 48
Roy Jackson (ex-Tim, Days of our Lives) - 36
Tamieka Chavis (Mia, Anacostia)

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].