Today in Soap Opera History (March 10)

1961: Finale of daytime soap opera Full Circle aired on CBS.
1981: GH's Susan was shocked to learn PJ was Steven Lars.
1994: Another World's "Kate" introduced herself to John.
1997: B&B's Stephanie and Eric made love.

"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...

1961: CBS aired the final episode of daytime soap opera FULL CIRCLE. The half-hour series starred Dyan Cannon and Jean Byron, and was the first soap opera to be broadcast live from Hollywood. The opening credits below are from the July 1, 1960 episode.



1980: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Draper Scott (Tony Craig) dealt with the aftermath of the train crash.



1981: On GENERAL HOSPITAL, Susan (Gail Ramsey) was shocked when Alan (Stuart Damon) confirmed that PJ was really Steven Lars.



1994: On ANOTHER WORLD, Kate Baker (Anna Holbrook), one of Sharlene's personalities, introduced herself to John (David Forsyth).



Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the item above.

1995: On ONE LIFE TO LIVE, a drunk Todd (Roger Howarth) called Blair (Kassie DePaiva) and told her to forget she ever knew him.



1997: On THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, Eric (John McCook) checked out the house after Stephanie (Susan Flannery0 heard a strange noise. The two of them reminisced about old times and ended up making love.



1997: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER premiered on The WB network. Sarah Michelle Gellar starred as Buffy Summers.

2004: Brock Cuchna last aired as Paul Cramer on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Alice Hirson (Mimsy, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER; ex-Stephanie, THE EDGE OF NIGHT; ex-Marsha, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Marsha, SOMERSET; ex-Eileen, ONE LIFE TO LIVE; ex-Mrs. Van Gelder, GENERAL HOSPITAL; ex-Mavis, DALLAS) - 85
Richard Gant (ex-Russell, GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT) - 70
Shannon Tweed (ex-Savannah, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Diana, FALCON CREST) - 57
Ariane Munker (ex-Marianne, ANOTHER WORLD; ex-Melinda, AS THE WORLD TURNS; ex-Kim, DAYS OF OUR LIVES; ex-Christie, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Amanda, RYAN'S HOPE) - 54
Jasmine Guy (Sheila, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES) - 52
Maria Arena Bell (Former Executive Producer/Head Writer, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) - 51
Senait Ashenafi (ex-Keesha, GENERAL HOSPITAL) - 48
Jon Hamm (Don, MAD MEN) - 43
Cristián de la Fuente (ex-Daniel, AMOR BRAVIO; ex-Eric, PRIVATE PRACTICE) - 40
Kathy Brier (ex-Marcie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 39
Jeff Branson (Ronan, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS; ex-Shayne, GUIDING LIGHT; ex-Jonathan, ALL MY CHILDREN) - 37
Bree Turner (ex-Tina, UNDRESSED) - 37
Jay Wilkinson (ex-Riley, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) - 36
Ben Crowley (ex-Leo, UNDRESSED) - 34
Olivia Wilde (ex-Jewel, SKIN; ex-Alex, THE O.C.) - 30
Erika Schaefer (ex-Lexi, FASHION HOUSE) - 30

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].