1975: EON's Serena shot her husband. 1983: OLTL's David was in danger. 1985: DAYS' Shane and Miss Peach search for The Pawn. 2009: It was karaoke night on GH. |
- John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir
"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...
1942: On CLARA, LU AND EM, Lu (Dorothy Day) and Em (Harriet Allyn) discussed Christmas presents.
1964: On ANOTHER WORLD, Pat (Susan Trustman) agreed to see a psychiatrist.
1975: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT's second ABC episode, Serena Faraday (Louise Shaffer) shot her husband Mark on the courthouse steps.
1983: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, David (Michael Zaslow) was in the line of fire.
1983: The cast of ANOTHER WORLD finished a five-day "Battle of the Soap Stars" against the cast of SEARCH FOR TOMORROW on the game show GO.
1985: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, Bo (Peter Reckell), Shane (Charles Shaughnessy) and Miss Peach (Diana Webster) followed a lead on the location of The Pawn.
1999: On GUIDING LIGHT, Drew stood up and screamed at Michelle during Michelle's trial for murdering Ben.
2009: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, it was karaoke night. Diane (Carolyn Hennesy, who was just named host of the 5th Annual Indie Series Awards) belted out "Signed, Sealed, Delivered". Mac (John J. York) and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) performed "Dancing In The Streets". Luke (Anthony Geary) and Ethan (Nathan Parsons) sang "Stray Cat Strut".
Sharon DeBord (front and center) with the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL. Photo courtesy of Rob Wargo. |
Sharon DeBord (ex-Shraon, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 74
Ron Raines (ex-Carl, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Alan, GUIDING LIGHT) - 64
Steven Bauer (ex-Eduado, HACIENDA HEIGHTS) - 57
Dan Gauthier (ex-Kevin, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Jeff, MELROSE PLACE; ex-Dick, BEVERLY HILLS 90210) - 50
Brendan Coyle (John, DOWNTON ABBEY) - 50
Lisa Connor (Writer, GENERAL HOSPITAL; DAYS OF OUR LIVES; THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; AS THE WORLD TURNS; ALL MY CHILDREN) - 50
Rena Sofer (Quinn, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Rocky, LOVING; ex-Lois, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Joyce, ANOTHER WORLD) - 45
Jennifer Bransford (ex-Carly, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Georgie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Pamela, ANOTHER WORLD) - 45
Lucy Liu (ex-Nola, DIRTY SEXY MONEY) - 45
Nelly Furtado (Guest Star, 90210) - 35
Melissa Archer (ex-Natalie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 34
Daniela Ruah (ex-Gigi, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Constanca, FILHA DO MAR; ex-Daniela, TU E EU) - 30
Cassie Steele (ex-Abby, THE L.A. COMPLEX; ex-Manny, DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION) - 24
The late Jonathan Frid (1924) and Julie Harris (1925) were both born on this day.
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].
Thank you so much for the Edge of Night Clip. My first soap memory as a six year old was Edge of Night and the Serena Faraday character. People speak of Judith Light on the witness stand should also see Louise Shaffer give an incredible performance when Serena/Josie testifies. I still remember that pearl necklace falling apart.
ReplyDeleteThat's great vintage GH pic, but the lady on the far right is Pat Breslin as Meg Bentley (Scott's mother), not Sharon Debord
ReplyDeleteRob, I max mixing them up. Do you have a photo of Sharon?
DeleteI miss the time when game shows would do soap week. It was great chance to get to see favorite actors outside their soap.
ReplyDelete