Thursday, September 18, 2014

Today in Soap Opera History (September 18)

2009: CBS aired the final episode of GUIDING LIGHT.
"History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future."
― Robert Penn Warren

"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...

1967: Love is a Many Splendored Thing premiered on CBS. The show, created by Irna Phillips, ran until March 23, 1973. In its finale months, Linda Fidler Wendell took over as executive producer.

1968: On Peyton Place, a confused Tom (Robert Hogan) returned home and announced he was divorcing Susan.



1974: On Another World, Rachel (Victoria Wyhdham) told Ada (Constance Ford) that John Randolph was the only one who treated her like a human being.

1979: On As the World Turns, Lisa (Eileen Fulton) discovered a mysterious painting.



1989: Irish soap opera Fair City premiered.



1992: Vanessa Marcil debuted as Brenda Barrett in General Hospital.



1992: Lisa Rinna debuted as Billie Reed in Days of our Lives.

1994: On All My Children, Erica (Susan Lucci) told Del (Winsor Harmon) that Kendall (Sarah Michelle Gellar) should come with a warning label.



2009: CBS aired the final episode of Guiding Light after a 72 year run on radio and television.



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Patricia Roe (ex-Eileen, One Life to Live; ex-Sara, Guiding Light) - 86
David Forsyth (ex-John, Another World; ex-Burke, As the World Turns; ex-TJ, Texas, ex-Hogan, Search for Tomorrow; ex-Jim, All My Children; ex-Priest, One Life to Live) - 66
Beth Grant (ex-Sissy, Sordid Lives) - 65
Anna Deavere Smith (ex-Hazel, All My Children) - 64
Aisha Tyler (Lana, Archer) - 44
Travis Schuldt (ex-Ethan, Passions) - 40
Barrett Foa (ex-Craig, My Synthesized Life) - 37
Alison Lohman (ex-Lily, Pasadena) - 35

Dark Shadows and One Life to Live actress Grayson Hall was born 92 years ago today.

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]

3 comments:

  1. Kevin, here's the video clip of Lisa Rinna's debut as Billie eed on DAYS on this date back in 1992!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JrmHB6asCI

    ReplyDelete
  2. And Kevin, that's the wrong date & episode of AMC!

    ReplyDelete