Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Today in Soap Opera History (November 6)

1979: EON's Nola was surprised Deborah knew she was the
mystery caller.  1981: Tony DiMera arrived in Salem on DAYS.
2008: Multiple births on OLTL.
"History is a vast early warning system."
― J. Norman Cousins

"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...

1950: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Meta (Jone Allison) shot and killed Ted after their son, Chuckie, died. Listen to the episode here. Bill and Papa Bauer were shocked to hear the news and Bill vowed to get his sister, Meta, out of jail.

1957: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Mike (John Larkin) became suspicious when Roger commented that he needed the car to meet with the new owners of the Retreat Nursing Home, the place where Billy was born.

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, when Nola (Kim Hunter) called Deborah (Frances Fisher) to anonymously torment her, Deborah revealed she knew it was Nola.



1979: On AS THE WORLD TURNS, Tom (Tom Tammi) worried about his mother, Lisa (Eileen Fulton), after she called to tell him Derek Bickford had been killed.



1981: Thaao Penghlis debuted as Tony DiMera in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.

1985: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, Hogan (David Forsyth) broke into Lloyd's condo but Ryder came in before Hogan could get to the desk.

1985: Actor Joel Crothers passed away at age 44. He played roles on numerous soap operas including SANTA BARBARA, THE EDGE OF NIGHT, SOMERSET, THE SECRET STORM and DARK SHADOWS.

1985: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Shane's (Charles Shaughnessy) plan to find the book in Miami was thwarted.



1986: On SANTA BARBARA, thinking she was Eden, Cruz (A Martinez) began making love with Tori.



1989: On GUIDING LIGHT, after Reva (Kim Zimmer) hit Dylan (Morgan Englund) with her car she realized he was the son she gave up years earlier.



1990: On THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, John Silva (John Castellanos) defended Danny (Michael Damian) at his cocaine trial.

2006: NBC.com began streaming daytime soap opera PASSIONS.

2008: Popular Indian soap opera KYUNKI SAAS BHI KABHI BAHU THI (Because a Mother-in-law was once a Daughter-in-law too) finished its run after 8 years (1,830 episodes).

2008: On ALL MY CHILDREN, Zach, Erica and Bianca said goodbye to Kendall (Alicia Minshew) before she went to Canada for further treatment.



2008: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Starr (Kristen Alderson) gave birth to a baby girl (Hope), and so did Tess (Bree Williamson). Meanwhile, Tina's David Vickers gave birth to three puppies. Meanwhile, "Todd" and Marty had sex.



2009: Sarah Brown aired for the last time as Claudia on GENERAL HOSPITAL.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
John Lasell (ex-Michael, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Peter, DARK SHADOWS) - 85
Judi Rolin (ex-Barbara, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Didi, THE SECRET STORM) - 67
Jeanne Ruskin (ex-Laurie Ann, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Lois, WHERE THE HEART IS) - 67
Sally Field (ex-Nora, BROTHERS & SISTERS) - 67
Franchelle Stewart Dorn (ex-Rita, ANOTHER WORLD) - 64
Ernest Thompson (ex-Tony, SOMERSET) - 64
Jonna Lee (ex-Julia, ANOTHER WORLD) - 50
Lisa Fuller (ex-Dawn, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 47
Kelly Rutherford (ex-Lily, GOSSIP GIRL; ex-Sam, GENERATIONS) - 45
Rebecca Romijn (ex-Alexis, UGLY BETTY) - 41
Thandie Newton (Grace, ROGUE) - 41
Josh Holland (ex-Zack, PORT CHARLES) - 39
Taryn Manning (Pennsatucky, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK) - 35
Ben Hogestyn (ex-Harry, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Lucas, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 32
Patina Renea Miller (ex-Pam, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 29
Shayne Lamas (ex-Carly, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 28
Katie Leclerc (Daphne, SWITCHED AT BIRTH; ex-Sara, FASHION HOUSE) - 27
Mercedes Kastner (ex-Erin, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 24

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].

5 comments:

  1. Roger, here's the youtube video link to Tony DiMera's intro commercial from 1981: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBfRqGygGtw

    And here is another youtube video link for Sarah J. Brown's final episode as Claudia Zacchara on GH back in 11/6/09: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=menXlqfZY80

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  2. In my current rewatch of Dark Shadows it is early 1967 and Dr. Peter Guthrie is trying to save David, Liz - and the entire Collins family! - from Laura the Phoenix. Always loved the style John Lasell brought to the role...just tremendous. Wish I remembered him from ATWT, but at the moment I can't make that connection. Happy Birthday, Mr. Lasell !!

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  3. Seeing Kim Hunter on Edge of Night reminds me that at one time former movie stars or theater legends would join soaps for either short or long periods. With the deaths of people like Ruth Warrick, Anna Lee and finally the great Jeanne Cooper. show that time is probably over.

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    1. I've been tweeting recently about watching old shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents late at night and so many stars later on moved to daytime soaps like Connie Ford, Macdonald Carey, Phil Carey, etc. Not only did daytime have a lot of great former film and primetime actors, there so many great older character actors that added depth to the stories. We've also gone from all and mostly NYC soaps to four LA daytime soaps losing that Broadway actor dynamic as well.

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  4. Roger
    Its interesting you mention this. I have been watching the old Perry Mason shows and recently saw Constance Ford showing again what a powerful and talented actress she was. So many other actors like on Hitchcock could be found on a show like Mason who later worked on daytime.

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