Today in Soap Opera History (February 3)

1950: Charita Bauer debuted as Guiding Light's new Bert.
1977: Ryan's Hope's Delia told Pat she was pregnant with his baby.
1986: Days of our Lives' Bo confessed to treason.
1987: Santa Barbara's Richard left a bomb with Cruz.

"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...

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.

1977: On Ryan's Hope, Delia (Ilene Kristen) told a stunned Pat (Malcolm Groome) that she was pregnant with his child. Pat tried to deny it, claiming Roger (Ron Hale) was the father.



1986: On Days of our Lives, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) confessed to being a spy during Shane's hearing. He later felt terrible for lying to his wife, Hope (Kristian Alfonso).



1987: On Santa Barbara, a bomb inside the briefcase Richard Matthews (J.A. Preston) left with Cruz Castillo (A Martinez) exploded.



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 his life with Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott). Elsewhere, a tearful Drucilla (Victoria Rowell) returned to ask Madame Chauvin (Mary Anne McGarry) for help.

1993: As the World Turns debuted its new theme song, "Jelinda's Theme" (a.k.a."As the World Turns Theme").



1995: On All My Children, Hayley (Kelly Ripa) thought she recognized James Patrick Stuart's Will.



2005: On Passions, Gwen (Liza Huber) kidnapped Jane. As she was driving away with the baby, she called her "Ashley" and told her that she would never have to worry about Theresa (Lindsay Hartley) again.



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 Ted Corday on ATWT and he brought her to Days.  Watch Reid's Archive of American Television interview here.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Blythe Danner (ex-Hillary, Tattingers) - 72
Brenda Dickson (ex-Jill, The Young and the Restless) - 66
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) - 65
Thomas Calabro (ex-Michael, Melrose Place; ex-Ken, Greek) - 56
Isla Fisher (ex-Shannon, Home and Away) - 39
Maitland Ward (ex-Jessica, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 38
Kelly Sullivan (Sage, The Young and the Restless; ex-Kate/Connie, General Hospital) - 37

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