Monday, October 21, 2013

Today in Soap Opera History (October 21)

"The man for whom history is bunk is almost invariably as obtuse to the future as he is blind to the past."
― J. Frank Dobie

"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...

1953: On HAWKINS FALLS, May (Vivian Lasswell) came to Floyd (Maurice Copeland) with a problem. Meanwhile, Sue (Toni Gilman) tore into Mitch (Jim Bannon). Hugh Downs was the Announcer for the show at this time. Watch the episode below:



1982: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Bryan (Todd Davis) and Claudia (Bianca Ferguson) kissed and made up, and Brian paid a visit to his father, Eddie (Sammy Davis Jr.).



1986: On RYAN'S HOPE, Rick (Grant Show) helped Lizzie buy time with John Reid.



1988: On GUIDING LIGHT, as Rick (Michael O'Leary) and Meredith's (Nicolette Goulet) wedding began, Rick started to put two and two together about the baby Meredith was carrying, which he later learned was Phillip's.



1991: On ANOTHER WORLD, John (David Forsyth) and Frankie (Alice Barrett) worried about Sharlene, who was missing.

1994: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Opal (Jill Larson) told Tad and Dixie she thought Palmer was gone for good this time.



1996: Italian soap opera UN POSTO AL SOLE premiered. It's still on the air today.

1997: Connie Passalaqua interviewed Agnes Nixon in New York for the Archive of American Television. Below is Part 3 of 5. You can watch the entire interview at emmytvlegends.org.



1999: Brandon Tyler began a two month run as Philip Kiriakis in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

2008: SOAPnet aired the final episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT after two seasons.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Rhoda Gemignani (ex-Aunt Grace, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 73
Everett McGill (ex-Big Ed, TWIN PEAKS; ex-Chad, GUIDING LIGHT) - 68
Dick Christie (ex-Stanley, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 65
Patti Davis (ex-Marissa, RITUALS; ex-Marla, THE EDGE OF NIGHT) - 61
Jim Fitzpatrick (Sound Department, MAD MEN; MELROSE PLACE; BUFFY; MODELS INC.; BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 61
Carrie Fisher (ex-Madison, JACK & BOBBY) - 57
Tony Rhodes (ex-Jesse, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 43
Jonathan Sharp (ex-Sergei, ANOTHER WORLD; LOVING) - 42
Sasha Roiz (Marcus, WAREHOUSE 13; Sean, GRIMM; ex-Stephen, PLAYMAKERS) - 40
Michael McMillian (Steve, TRUE BLOOD) - 35
Will Estes (ex-Brandon, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Will, REUNION; ex-Andrew, 7TH HEAVEN) - 35
Matt Dallas (ex-Chad, EASTWICK; ex-Kyle, KYLE XY) - 31
Aaron Tveit (ex-Trip, GOSSIP GIRL) - 30
Charlotte Sullivan (ex-Mandy, M.V.P.) - 30
Rachael Hip-Flores (ex-Vivian, ANYONE BUT ME)

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].

2 comments:

  1. I kind of lost track of the Meredith character (Fletcher's sister). What happened to her? How did she exit Springfield?

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    1. She left town after finding out she couldn't have more children, even though Rick had forgiven her for the affair with Phillip. Or something along those lines. :)

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