Thursday, February 27, 2014

Today in Soap Opera History (February 27)

1968: DS' Victoria was found guilty of witchcraft. 1973: GL's
Bauer family at Papa Bauer's memorial service. 1986: SFT's Jo
was rescued after the Henderson flood. 2008: DAYS' Caroline
said goodbye to Shawn.
"There is no present or future, only the past happening over and over again - now."
- Eugene O'Neill

"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...

1968: On DARK SHADOWS, the judges found Victoria Winters (Alexandra Moltke) guilty of witchcraft and sentenced her to be hanged until dead. Victoria collapsed.

1973: On THE GUIDING LIGHT, Bauer family and freinds attended a moving memorial service for the recently deceased Papa Bauer. Ed (Mart Hulswitt) eulogized his beloved grandfather, and Papa's grandson Mike (Don Stewart) sang one of Papa's favorite songs.



1975: NBC announced it was canceling daytime soap opera HOW TO SURVIVE A MARRIAGE in order to expand DAYS OF OUR LIVES to an hour.

1976: On ANOTHER WORLD, having terrible abdominal pains, Rachel (Victoria Wyndham) called Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) and begged to speak with Mac. Iris refused at first and then Rachel collapsed followed by one of Iris's famous lines: "Rachel? Oh, really, Rachel... that girl has no manners."

1979: Melody Thomas debuted on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS as Nikki Reed. Erica Hope had originated the role in 1978. Below are some early highlights from the actress' (now Meloday Thomas Scott) run as Nikki:



1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, April (Terry Davis) realized that Detective Sam Dwyer was the mystery man in her dreams. Later, she went into premature labor.



1986: On SEARCH FOR TOMORROW, the residents of Henderson, including Joanne (Mary Stuart), fought for their lives after a devastating flood.



2001: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, Ben (Mark Derwin) tried to comfort Skye (Robin Christopher), who was upset after learning she was Rae Cummings' (Linda Dano) daughter.

2008: On DAYS OF OUR LIVES, the Brady family attended patriarch Shawn's funeral.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Lieux Dressler (ex-Alice, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 84
Tracey Ross (ex-Eve, PASSIONS; ex-Diana, RYAN'S HOPE) - 55
Grant Show (ex-Archer, PRIVATE PRACTICE; ex-Tom, SWINGTOWN; ex-Jake, MELROSE PLACE; ex-Rick, RYAN'S HOPE) - 52
David Gail (ex-Joe, PORT CHARLES; ex-Dean, SAVANNAH; ex-Stuart, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210) - 49
Brandon Beemer (ex-Owen, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL; ex-Shawn, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Lucas, UNDRESSED; ex-Seth, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 34
Kate Mara (Hayden, AMERICAN HORROR STORY; ex-Katie, JACK & BOBBY) - 31
Nick Mathews (Dalton, IN BETWEEN MEN)
Lindsey Morgan (ex-Kristina, GENERAL HOSPITAL)

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].

1 comment:

  1. I've got to say, seeing Papa Bauer's memorial service brought back so many memories. I'd forgotten that young actress who played little Hope. Don Stewart's voice was amazing. And seeing Barbara Rodell as Leslie, what a treat. Many thanks to you.

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