Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Today in Soap Opera History (October 30)

On this date in...

1933: THE ROMANCE OF HELEN TRENT debuted over CBS Radio. The show aired 7,222 episodes during its run until June 24, 1960. Created by the husband-and-wife team of Frank and Anne Hummert, Helen Trent was conceived as the epitome of virtue in a world where behavior was usually judged in black-and-white terms. Helen Trent never smoked, drank, or swore—even her thoughts were pure. Virginia Clark played Helen until 1944, when Julie Stevens assumed the role of "queen of the soaps." The show was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1990.

1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Susan Trustman) learned her infection left her unable to have children.

1967: GENERAL HOSPITAL and LOVE OF LIFE moved from black and white broadcasts to color.

1981: Charles Paul's "Theme for 'As the World Turns'" was used for the final time as the AS THE WORLD TURNS theme song (after more than 25 years). On the following Monday's episode, "The World Turns On and On" debuted.

1981: The Boston Globe published an article, "Will Search Run Out Of Tomorrows?" about the future of the longest running daytime soap:

In a last-ditch effort to save the soap, Brian Frons, CBS manager of daytime programs, is hoping that forthcoming episodes of SEARCH, featuring expensive location footage of Hong Kong, will provide much-needed excitement, along with some adrenalin for the ratings. However, if the numbers fail to improve, there are two scenarios under way: CBS will either move the soap to the 4 p.m. graveyard time slot or simply cancel it altogether.

1986: On SANTA BARBARA, Eden (Marcy Walker) almost drowned.



1987: Matthew Ashford debuted as Jack Deveraux in DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Ashford was the third actor to play Jack. His first scenes are phone calls while Jack was on his honeymoon with Kayla.



2007: ON THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, J.T. (Thad Luckinbill) suspected contractors at Clear Springs were getting kickbacks.



2008: On ALL MY CHILDDREN, Reese (Tamara Braun) and Miranda surprised Bianca on Halloween.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Marilyn Alex (ex-Molly, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Molly, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 82
Trish Hawkins (ex-Mimi, ANOTHER WORLD) - 67
Henry Winkler (ex-Postman/Intern, ANOTHER WORLD) - 67
Professor Chandler (ex-Professor Chandler, ARMY WIVES) - 61
Kathleen Cody (ex-Laurie Ann, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Sally, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Cecilia, THE SECRET STORM; ex-Hallie, DARK SHADOWS)- 58
Gina Gallego (ex-Jane, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Diandra, RITUALS; ex-Santana, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Gina, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Melina, GENERATIONS; ex-Alicia, FLAMINGO ROAD) - 57
Shanna Reed (ex-Terry, TEXAS; ex-Adrienne, THE COLBYS) - 56
Brümilda van Rensburg (ex-Louwna, EGOLI) - 54
Kristina Wagner (ex-Felicia, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 49
Dominique Jennings (ex-Virginia, Sunset Beach) - 47
Nia Long (ex-Kat, GUIDING LIGHT) - 42
Matthew Morrison (Will, GLEE; ex-Adam, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 34
Eva Marcille (ex-Tyra, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 28
Tequan Richmond (T.J., GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 20

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].

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