Today in Soap Opera History (January 18)

1980: As the World Turns' Nick met Lisa. 1985: Santa Barbara's
Peter kidnapped Eden.  1987: Brenda Dickson won an award one
month after being fired from The Young and the Restless.
2007: Guiding Light's Tammy and Jonathan were married.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1937: Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories premiered on CBS Radio. The popular radio soap opera ran until November 16, 1956.

1968: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser) gave Ada (Constance Ford) some money and told her to take Mary (Virginia Dwyer) out to lunch instead of bringing her to their shabby apartment.

1980: On General Hospital, Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary) acted out when he became jealous while watching Laura (Genie Francis) and Scott (Kin Shriner) dancing.



1980: On As the World Turns, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) met Nick Andropoulos (Michael Forest).



1980: On The Edge of Night, Nicole (Jayne Bentzen) was knocked unconscious during a struggle with an out of control Miles (Joel Crothers).



1982: Joseph Mascolo debuted as Stefano DiMera in Days of our Lives. Two other actors made their first appearances on the same day: John de Lancie as Eugene Bradford and Catherine Mary Stewart as Kayla Brady. Stefano would go on to become an all-time great soap opera villain over the next 34 years, dying numerous times over the years and rising again like "The Phoenix". The character was recently killed, presumably for real this time. We Love Soaps has interviewed the great Mr. Mascolo many times over the years, including the fun conversation below that took place in his dressing room back in 2011.



1984: On One Life to Live, Carla (Ellen Holly) had a heart to heart talk with Sadie (Lillian Hayman).



1985: On Santa Barbara, Eden (Marcy Walker) was knocked out and kidnapped by Peter Flint (Stephen Meadows), who turned out to be the Carnation Killer.



1988: At the 4th Annual Soap Opera Digest Awards, actress Brenda Dickson won top honors as Outstanding Daytime Villainess for her role as Jill Foster Abbott on The Young and the Restless. More than seven months prior to winning the award, Dickson had been fired by Y&R producers and was no longer on the show.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above. He adds: All in all, Dickson appeared rather gracious and had kind words for co-star, Jeanne Cooper, whom she crossed the stage to greet (at the 0:50 mark) before taking the podium to give her acceptance speech.

1989: On Knots Landing, Paige (Nicolette Sheridan) looked on as Abby (Donna Mills) walk down the aisle to marry Greg Sumner (William Devane).

1996: On All My Children, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) had a meltdown at the Woman of the Year banquet, while under the influence of painkillers. Erica learned that Adam nominated her and got into an argument with him and Brooke. Elise Flynn captured Erica and Dimitri breaking up on camera, also Liza accidentally spilled red wine on Erica's white dress. When Dr. Jonathan Kinder arrived, Erica went on a tirade about how everyone was against her. Erica headed to the bathroom to put on another dress, where Maria saw her drop some pills. Thee two women were arguing when Myrtle returned with another dress. The ceremony began and Erica was named the winner.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

2006: Adrianne Leon debuted as Colleen Carlton in The Young and the Restless.

2008: Debbi Morgan returned to All My Children as Dr. Angie Hubbard.

2007: On Guiding Light, Jonathan (Tom Pelphrey) and Tammy (Stephanie Gatschet) were married.



2008: Actress Lois Nettleton died at age 80. She played Virginia Benson in General Hospital, Carly's adoptive mother.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Peter Looney (ex-Buster, General Hospital) - 79
Paul Freeman (ex-Terry, Coronation Street) - 73
Mark Rylance (ex-Charlie, Loving) - 56
Jim Davidson (ex-Alonzo, Guiding Light) - 53
Jesse L. Martin (Joe, The Flash; ex-Scott, Smash; ex-Quincy, One Life to Live) - 47
Dave Bautista (Former WWE Star) - 47
Brandy Brown (ex-Angela, Another World) - 40
David Lago (ex-Raul, The Young and the Restless) - 37
Matt Kane (ex-John, Once Upon A Time; ex-Jace, Switched at Birth) - 25

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