Today in Soap Opera History (March 23)

On this date in...

1955: On VALIANT LADY, Mickey wanted an explanation from Bonny.

1955: On THE INNER FLAME, Portia's former law partner offered her bail money for Walter.

1955: On THE BRIGHTER DAY, Charlie Garrett told Reverend Dennis how the Garrett Bakery was losing business as a result of Ralston's murder.

1973: CBS aired the final episode of WHERE THE HEART IS. The daytime soap opera, created by Lou Scofield and Margaret DePriest, premiered on September 8, 1969. Among the shows stars were James Mitchell, Diana van der Vlis and Louise Shaffer.



1973: CBS aired the final episode of LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING, which had run since September 18, 1967. Below is a 1970 episode of the Irna Phillips-created soap which features Michael Zaslow and Beverlee McKinsey.





1973: NBC aired the final episode of the original CONCENTRATION game show.



1977: On ANOTHER WORLD, Sharlene left town and Laurie Heineman left the show. Sharlene would return in June 1988 played by Anna Holbrook. Both actresses won an Emmy for the role.

1979: On DALLAS, J.R put Sue Ellen in a sanitarium, against her wishes.

1987: THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL premiered on CBS Daytime replacing CAPITOL.



1987: AS THE WORLD TURNS moved to the 2 p.m. ET time slot where it would stay until it ended its run in 2010.

2011: Elizabeth Taylor, who made guest appearances in both GENERAL HOSPITAL and ALL MY CHILDREN, died at age 79.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Mark Rydell (ex-Jeff, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Walt, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) - 79
David Milch (Writer/Producer, DEADWOOD; LUCK) - 68
Barbara Rhoades (ex-Irene, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Jessica, GENERATIONS) - 66
Anthony De Longis (ex-Irving, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 63
Marc Cherry (Creator, DEVIOUS MAIDS; DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) - 51
Sarah Buxton (ex-Morgan, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Annie, SUNSET BEACH; ex-Crystal, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 48
Richard Grieco (ex-Rick, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 48
Sandra Robinson (Christine, THE BAY; ex-Charlotte, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Felicia, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Amanda, ANOTHER WORLD) - 46
Keri Russell (Elizabeth, THE AMERICANS; ex-Chloe, MALIBU SHORES) - 37
Nicholle Tom (ex-Sue, BEVERLY HILLS 90210) - 35
David Tom (ex-Paul, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Billy, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 35
Grant Landry (Mark, THE CAVANAUGHS)

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].