Today in Soap Opera History (June 8)

On this date in...

1942: CLARA, LU, AND EM, one of radio's first network soap operas in 1930 (first on WGN then NBC Blue), was brought back by CBS Radio.  CBS aired the show for 15 minutes three days a week at 11 a.m.

1948: Actress Linda Cook, known for her roles in many daytime soaps including LOVING, THE EDGE OF NIGHT, and AS THE WORLD TURNS, was born. She died much too soon last year at age 63.

1981: AS THE WORLD TURNS returned to the 1:30 p.m. ET timeslot where it had been for many years (until February 1980 when CBS expanded THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS to 60 minutes and pushed ATWT back a half hour). ATWT would remain in the 1:30 slot until March 23, 1987, the day THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL debuted.

1988: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Mike (Michael T. Weiss) and April (Lisa Howard) went out on their first date.



1994: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, Traci (Beth Maitland) brought Colleen to see Brad (Don Diamont) in the hospital.



1995: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, In the hospital Viki (Erika Slezak) began to wake up with Dorian (Robin Strasser) by her side.



1999: Matt Cedeno debuted as Brandon Walker in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

2005: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Jack (Michael Park) rescued Carly (Maura West) from a burning house.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Millicent Martin (ex-Lili, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 79
Alan Scarfe (ex-Leo, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 67
Bonnie Tyler (Singer) - 62
Bernard White (ex-Ric, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Angel, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Chava, KNOTS LANDING) - 54
Frank Grillo (ex-Hart, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Nick, THE GATES) - 50
Julianna Margulies (Alicia, THE GOOD WIFE) - 47
David Sutcliffe (ex-Christopher, GILMORE GIRLS) - 44
Kelli Williams (Jackie, ARMY WIVES) - 43
Michael Strickland (ex-Brad, SUNSET BEACH) - 42
Mark Feuerstein (ex-LOVING) - 42
Eion Bailey (August, ONCE UPON A TIME) - 37
Redaric Williams (Tyler, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 32
Jess Weixler (ex-Caroline, GUIDING LIGHT) - 31
Torrey DeVitto (Maggie, ARMY WIVES; Meredith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES; Melissa, PRETTY LITTLE LIARS) - 29

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a tip on a bit of soap history on this date or future dates, let us know. Send an email to [email protected]