Today in Soap Opera History (September 14)

1981: GH's Susan was in the hospital after having baby Jason.
1998: The 3rd Annual Soap Opera Hall of Fame Awards. 2009: GL's
Lillian visited Maureen's grave. 2010: OLTL's Dorian threw her
water at Bo and Nora.

"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1936: NBC debuted Frank and Anne Hummert's radio soap opera JOHN'S OTHER WIFE. The story revolved around John Perry (Hanley Stafford), the owner of a department store, his wife Elizabeth, and an assistant secretary named Annette. John got more than he bargained for when Elizabeth started to feel as though Annette had become his "other wife." The show ran until 1942.

1977: On ANOTHER WORLD, Mac (Douglass Watson) kissed Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) and was hurt by the fact she was going to continue with the legal separation.

1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Alice (Lieux Dressler) visited Susan (Gail Ramsey) in New York where she had given birth to baby Jason the day before. Alan (Stuart Damon) later learned Susan had the baby.



1998: Mimi Torchin and Peter Bergman hosted the 3rd Annual Soap Opera Hall of Fame Awards on E! Ruth Warrick, Gloria Monty, Betty Rea and Eileen Fulton were inducted into the Hall of Fame that night.









2000: On THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Bridget (Jennifer Finnigan) agreed to help Kimberly keep Brooke away. Brooke called and asked Bridget to go to Hawaii with her which made Kimberly think it was a perfect opportunity to grab Thorne.

2006: Terry O'Sullivan, who played Arthur Tate in SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, died at age 91. His other soap roles included Richard Hunter in DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Judge Sam Stevens in THE SECRET STORM, and Elliott Norris in VALIANT LADY.

2009: On GUIDING LIGHT, Lillian (Tina Sloan) visited Maureen Bauer's grave before her wedding to Buzz.



2010: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, an upset and hallucinating Dorian (Robin Strasser) threw a glass of water on Bo (Robert S. Woods) and Nora (Hillary B. Smith).



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Carolyn Culliton (Writer, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ANOTHER WORLD; AS THE WORLD TURNS; ALL MY CHILDREN; PORT CHARLES; GENERAL HOSPITAL; SUNSET BEACH; ONE LIFE TO LIVE; LOVING/THECITY) - 65
Mary Crosby (ex-Kristin, DALLAS; ex-Kristin, KNOTS LANDING; ex-Claudia, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 54
Anthony Addabbo (ex-Dimitri, ALL MY CHILDREN; ex-Jim, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Rush, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Jason, GENERATIONS) - 53
Melissa Leo (ex-Linda, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 53
Faith Ford (ex-Julia, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Muffy, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 49
Michelle Stafford (ex-Phyllis, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Joanna, PACIFIC PALISADES; ex-Frankie, TRIBES) - 48
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Peggy, NASHVILLE) - 42
Andrew Lincoln (Rick, THE WALKING DEAD) - 40
Dilshad Vadsaria (Padma, REVENGE; ex-Rebecca, GREEK) - 36
Tanisha Lynn (ex-Vivian, THE BAY; ex-Danielle, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 35
Kristen Renton (ex-Morgan, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 31

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].