Today in Soap Opera History (January 26)

1968: The Doctors' Steve and Carolee bantered before intern night.
1990: GH's Frisco & Felicia were married for the second time.
2006: Days of our Lives' Tony was covered in blood.
2007: All My Children's Dixie ate poisoned pancakes.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli

"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...

1967: Jordan Charney debuted on Another World as Sam Lucas, Ada's brother. Sam married Lahoma Vane (Ann Wedgeworth) in 1969 and the two of them moved to Another World spin-off Somerset in 1970.

1968: On The Doctors, Nurse Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) and newly arrived Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) bantered about Steve's evening plans with his fellow interns. The byplay between the two characters was the beginning of a soap superstar couple whose storyline would include marriage, children (his, hers & theirs), and every possible configuration of domestic drama. The couple was still together at the show's cancellation in 1982.

Thanks to Scott for sending in the above item.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Nancy Karr (Ann Flood) planned an engagement party for Laurie (Emily Prager) and Vic (Ted Tinling).

1973: On The Doctors, Dr. Steve Aldrich (David O'Brien) tried to comfort Carolee Simpson (Carolee Campbell) following the kidnapping of baby Stephanie.

1983: On Another World, Roy Bingham (Morgan Freeman) respected Henrietta Morgan's (Michelle Shay) need to sort out her life before considering romance.



1984: On One Life to Live, David Renaldi (Michael Zaslow) unlocked a treasure while playing piano.



1985: On Berrenger's, Danny tried to help Shane find her daughter, who was kidnapped by her ex-husband five years earlier. Julio made a bargain with a factoryowner to get the Julian Morrell dresses done, but Todd pulled the successful line from the sales floor in an attempt to make Shane look bad.

1988: Betty White made her first appearance on Days of our Lives as part of NBC's "Where's Betty?" contest.

1990: On General Hospital, Frisco (Jack Wagner) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner) were married for the second time.



Thanks to Kellie for sending in the above item.

2006: On Days of our Lives, a garbage bin of blood was poured on Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) just as he was about to announce the name of the killer.



2007: On All My Children, Dixie Cooney Martin (Cady McClain) ingested poisoned pancakes presumably poisoned by the Satin Slayer.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the above item.

2010: On General Hospital, after finding out the truth about Elizabeth's affair, Lulu gave a verbal beating to Nikolas on the docks, then to Elizabeth in front of the entire hospital. Later, Ethan offered to drive Elizabeth home.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the above item.

Today's Birthdays:
Walt Willey (Gregory, Tainted Dreams; ex-Edmund, Thurston; ex-Jackson, All My Children; ex-Joe, Ryan's Hope; ex-Jim, Another World) - 67
Paul Johansson (ex-Dan, One Tree Hill; ex-John, Beverly Hills, 90210; ex-Greg, Santa Barbara) - 54
Allison Hossack (ex-Olivia, Another World) - 53
Michael O'Hearn (ex-Luke, Days of our Lives) - 49
Tracy Middendorf (ex-Babette, Boardwalk Empire; ex-Laura, Beverly Hills, 90210; ex-Carrie, Days of our Lives) - 48
Gilles Marini (Ted, Days of our Lives; ex-Sebastien, Devious Maids; ex-Angelo, Switched at Birth; ex-Luc, Brothers & Sisters; ex-Dr. Gohde/Jean Claude/French Waiter, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 42
Kelly Stables (ex-Teenage Bobbie, General Hospital) - 41
Sara Rue (ex-Penny, Eastwick) - 39
Colin O'Donoghue (Captain Hook, Once Upon a Time; ex-Emmett, Fair City) - 37
Kelli Barrett (ex-Maddie, As the World Turns) - 34
Rebecca Ritters (ex-Hannah, Neighbours; ex-Jules, Coronation Street) - 34
Edwin Hodge (ex-Marcus, Jack & Bobby) - 33
Anthony Turpel (R.J., The Bold and the Beautiful)

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