Today in Soap Opera History (September 11)

1972: CBS moved The Edge of Night to a new time. 1986: Santa
Barbara's Amy faced a bomb. 1997: B&B's Lauren was
slapped during a confrontation with Stephanie. 2001: Former
Guiding Light actor T.J. Hargrave was killed in the
terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

"Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11."
- President Barack Obama

"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...

1941: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, Chichi (Alice Reinheart) coped with heartbreaking news.

1967: CBS aired the first color broadcasts of The Edge of Night, The Secret Storm and Captain Kangaroo.

1972: The Edge of Night began airing at 2:30 p.m. ET, moving from its usual 3:30 p.m. timeslot where it had been performing well in the ratings. CBS and Procter & Gamble made the decision to move the show to create blocks of P&G soaps that would not compete against each other on CBS and NBC. Edge of Night's ratings took a nose dive, and was eventually moved to ABC on December 1, 1975, to make room for the As the World Turns expansion to one hour. We Love Soaps included this timeslot change on the 25 Biggest Blunders in Daytime Soap Opera History list back in 2011.

1984: On General Hospital, Frisco (Jack Wagner) wanted honesty from Felicia (Kristina Wagner, then Malandro). Felicia tried to run away but broke her leg.



1986: On Santa Barbara, the protesters against the casino showed up at Buzz's place. Not aware of that the can contained a bomb, Hayley threw it into Buzz's, and it exploded with Amy and Buzz inside. Amy Perkins (Kerry Sherman) was found dead in the next episode.



1989: On As the World Turns, the investigation into the murder of James Stenbeck continued.



1990: Michael Sabatino debuted as Lawrence Alamain in Days of our Lives.

1996: On Another World, Felicia (Linda Dano) and Morgan (Grayson McCouch) worried about the way Cass was dealing with Frankie’s death.

1997: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Stephanie (Susan Flannery) angrily confronted a perplexed Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman) over the scandalous photo that was found in the minister's Bible during Stephanie's now-aborted wedding to Eric. The photo, which showed Lauren and Eric naked in bed had actually been planted by Stephanie's nemesis, Sally Spectra. SLAP ALERT!



Thanks to Na'Vell for the clip, and FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

2001: Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon. Former Guiding Light child actor T.J. Hargrave, who played Tim (T.J.) Werner, was working as a vice president of Cantor Fitzgerald at the time of the attacks on the World Trade Center, and lost his life that day. He was only 38.

2003: On The Young and the Restless, John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) finally got to do what others have only dreamed about when he punched Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) smack, dab right in the kisser! "Raging Bull" John was out for blood that day, because he felt Victor's recent machinations were what led to John's grandson, Robert Carlton, being stillborn.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

2010: Actor Kevin McCarthy, whose primetime soap roles included Lucas Carter in The Colbys and Claude Weldon on Flamingo Road, died at age 96.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Jenny Gago (ex-Connie, General Hospital; ex-Maria, Knots Landing) - 61
Reed Birney (ex-Walter, Another World) - 60
Roxann Dawson (ex-Adrienne, Another World) - 56
John Hawkes (ex-Sol, Deadwood) - 55
Susan Gibney (ex-Grace, One Life to Live) - 53
Virginia Madsen (ex-Catherine, The Event) - 53
Joey Dedio (ex-Raul, Another World) - 51
Laura Wright (Carly, General Hospital; ex-Cassie, Guiding Light; ex-Ally, The City; ex-Ally, Loving) - 44
Gibson Frazier (Martin, Wallflowers) - 43
Tyler Hoechlin (ex-Martin, 7th Heaven) - 27

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have a tip on a bit of soap history on this date or future dates, let us know. Send an email to [email protected]