Today in Soap Opera History (January 21)

1980: A fire started at The Wade Bookstore on ATWT.

"A page of history is worth a pound of logic."
― Oliver Wendell Holmes

"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 Another World, an argument between John and Lee led to a devastating car crash.

1967: Actress Ann Sheridan died at age 51. She played Kathryn Corning in Another World.

1974(*): The Young and the Restless produced Episode 0205, shown here in it's entirety:



As the episode opens, Liz Foster (Julianna McCarthy) and two of her children, Jill (Brenda Dickson) and Greg (James Houghton), discussed the family's bleak financial outlook. Afterwards, Jill tried to line-up more work at the beauty salon by making a cold-call to an indignant Mrs. Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper), who later changed her mind. Meanwhile, Sally McGuire (Lee Crawford), now pregnant with Snapper's baby and married to Pierre Roulland (Robert Clary), sought counsel from her confidante, Snapper's mother, Liz. Later, Jill helped an ill Kay Chancellor home and got her first look at the Chancellor Estate.

(*) While not the actual broadcast date of the episode, it probably would have aired on television within two weeks of the production date.)

Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

1980: On As the World Turns, Melinda (Ariane Munker) was trapped in the bookstore as it burned.



1980: On The Edge of Night, a hospitalized Nicole told April that Miles (Joel Crothers) was really sick.



1988: On General Hospital, Grant Putnam (Brian Patrick Clarke) held Anna (Finola Hughes) hostage.



1997: Beth Ehlers returned to Guiding Light after more than three years away.

1997: On Sunset Beach, Annie (Sarah Buxton) pulled a gun on Ben (Clive Robertson).



2005: John Reilly took over the role of Alistair Crane on the NBC soap Passions.



2009: NBC aired the 11,000th episode of Days of our Lives.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Barbara Rodell (ex-Joyce, As the World Turns; ex-Leslie, Guiding Light; ex-Judge Wallace, Loving; ex-Linda, A Flame in the Wind; ex-Girl, Search for Tomorrow; ex-Jill, The Secret Storm; ex-Mrs. Weston, Search for Tomorrow; ex-Realtor, One Life to Live) - 74
Charles Walker (ex-Rev. Phillips, General Hospital) - 70
Robby Benson (ex-Bruce, Search for Tomorrow) - 59
Joe Marinelli (ex-Bunny, Santa Barbara; ex-Sorel, General Hospital; ex-Pauly, Guiding Light) - 58
Charlotte Ross (ex-Oliva, Hit the Floor; ex-Judy, Glee; ex-Eve, Days of our Lives) - 47
Matthew Willig (ex-Tank, The Young and the Restless) - 46
Ken Leung (ex-Miles, Lost) - 45
Jerry Trainor (ex-Eric, Undressed) - 38
Luke Grimes (ex-James, True Blood; ex-Ryan, Brothers & Sisters) - 31
Paige Kettner (ex-Abby, Days of our Lives; ex-Erin, Beverly Hills, 90210) - 24
Ryanne Kettner (ex-Abby, Days of our Lives; ex-Erin, Beverly Hills, 90210) - 24
Logan O'Brien (ex-Lucas, General Hospital) - 23

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