Today in Soap Opera History (February 2)

1977: David Hasselhoff performs the Y&R theme song. 1979: RH's Roger
updated Jill's family and friends on her condition.   1993: DAYS' Lexie
debuted. 1995: OLTL's Dorian and Viki had an emotional confrontation.

"Maybe if people started to listen, history would stop repeating itself."
- Lily Tomlin

"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...

1955: On THE ROAD OF LIFE, Conrad (Charles Dingle) asked Byron if his daughter had a claim on the estate.



1967: On ANOTHER WORLD, Lee squirmed when John told Mike (Gary Pillar) he could always come back to work for him if things don't work out. This was Pillar's final appearance on ANOTHER WORLD as Mike. The character would later return to Springfield and GUIDING LIGHT played by Robert Pickering then Don Stewart. Pillar (now using his birth name Gary Carpenter) returned to ANOTHER WORLD in 1977 replacing Ted Shackelford in the role of Ray Gordon.

1977: While appearing as a guest on THE MERV GRIFFIN SHOW David Hasselhoff, who was then starring as "Snapper Foster" on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, launched his new singing career with his rendition of the Y&R theme song.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

1979: On RYAN'S HOPE, when Rae (Louise Shaffer) learned that Jill may have on-going medical problems, she was convinced that this would do nothing but serve as a constant reminder of the tragedy for Frank.



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1993: Renee Jones made her first appearance as Lexie Carver in DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Also debuting that day was Thyme Lewis as Jonah Carver.

1995: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Dorian (Robin Strasser) and Viki (Erika Slezak) had an emotional confrontation.



1998: On GUIDING LIGHT, Vanessa (Maeve Kinkead) gave birth to Maureen Bauer Reardon.

1998: Australian soap BREAKERS premiered. It ran for a year on Network Ten.

2006: Elena Goode made her first appearance in AS THE WORLD TURNS as Jade Taylor.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Elaine Stritch (ex-Wilma, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 88
Robert Mandan (ex-Sam, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW; ex-David, FROM THESE ROOTS; ex-Nathan, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Maxwell, SANTA BARBARA; ex-Jonesy, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) - 82
Bo Hopkins (ex-Matthew, DYNASTY) - 72
Jean Rogers (ex-Dolly, EMMERDALE) - 72
Geoffrey Hughes (ex-Eddie, CORONATION STREET) - 70
Kim Zimmer (ex-Echo, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Reva, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Nola, THE DOCTORS; ex-Jodie, SANTA BARBARA) - 59
Michael T. Weiss (ex-Mike, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Peter, DARK SHADOWS) - 52
Cady Huffman (ex-Paige, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 49
Jennifer Westfeldt (ex-Jen, GREY'S ANATOMY) - 44
Emily Rose (ex-Lena, BROTHERS & SISTERS) - 33
Chris J Handley (Lance, EMPIRE) - 31
Evan Alex Cole (ex-Hunter, AS THE WORLD TURNS) - 29

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].