Today in Soap Opera History (October 29)

1981: Abe first appeared on Days. 1993: Luke & Laura
returned on GH, with Lucky! 1996: GL's Annie vowed to get
clean. 2007: Jack Branning arrived in EastEnders' Albert Square.

"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...

1965: The Days of our Lives pilot was re-shot with Frances Reid replacing Mary Jackson as Alice Horton.

1965: On Another World, Tony Douglas (Alex Canaan) was unhappy with Alice's (Jacqueline Courtney) timid attitude about intimacy.

1969: NBC aired the 1,000th episode of Days of our Lives.

1979: On As the World Turns, the mystery at The Willows deepened the closer Lisa (Eileen Fulton) got to marrying Bennett.



1980: On The Edge of Night, Logan (Joe Lambie) was able to get Jamey back from Raven (Sharon Gabet) thanks to Geraldine.



1981: James Reynolds debuted as Abe Carver in Days of our Lives. Mickey Horton went to see Assistant Homicide Detective Carver about the David Banning case. Diane Sommerfield debuted in the same episode as Valerie Grant.

1991: On The Young and the Restless, Paul (Doug Davidson) and Lauren (Tracey E. Bregman) had Scott and Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) over for dinner.

1993: Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) returned to General Hospital. Jonathan Jackson debuted as Luke & Laura's son, Lucky Spencer.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

1993: Marcy Walker debuted as Tangie Hill on Guiding Light.

1995: Richard Guthrie, best known for his six-year run as David Banning in Days of our Lives, died at age 45.

1996: On Guiding Light, Josh (Robert Newman) was worried about Annie's (Cynthia Watros) whereabouts and her state of mind, after she was last seen leaving a bar. While Josh was at the police station, he received a call from Philip, who explained that he was trying to help Annie get clean and sober. Later, Josh and Reva shared a moment filled with tension, considering the mutual feelings for one another that remain hidden; and Annie vowed to get clean for Josh's sake and to save their marriage.

1997: On The Bold and the Beautiful, the Forresters presented the fashion designs that could make or break their business. Tensions were high as they prepared to display their spring collection at the fashion show in Italy (shot on location. The family faced an extra challenge since other fashion houses had launched their shows and most large buyers had already made their purchases for the season. Eric (John McCook) invested all his energy in this last effort to rebuild the Forresters' fashion empire, but he was nonetheless prepared for possible failure. When the show started off on a bad note, both Stephanie (Susan Flannery) and Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) reaffirmed their love for their husbands in the face of adversity while keeping the situation in perspective. And two audience members who eagerly anticipated the Forresters' downfall were disappointed when the fashion show took a turn for the better.

2001: On One Life to Live, Jessica (Erin Torpey) did not want to accept Natalie (Melissa Archer) as her sister.



2002: On The Young and the Restless, Katherine (Jeanne Cooper) learned the truth about Jill (Jess Walton) and Larry.

2005: Actor Lloyd Bochner died at age 81.  He starred as Cecil Colby in Dynasty and Nicholas Lacey in One Man's Family. He almost played C.C. Capwell in Santa Barbara, but a heart attack caused his departure from the series.



2007: On EastEnders, the character of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) arrived in Albert Square. With Maslen set to leave the show now, it's fun to look back and see the first, big "splash" Jack made with future love interest, Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack), back when he started. And even if one isn't familiar with the soap or these characters, this short clip provides a jolly good laugh, Walford style.



Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Kate Jackson (ex-Daphne, Dark Shadows) - 66
Scott Jaeck (ex-Cain, Santa Barbara) - 60
Dan Castellaneta (ex-Milton, Greek) - 57
Finola Hughes (Anna, General Hospital; ex-Anna, General Hospital: Night Shift; ex-Alex/Anna, All My Children; ex-Helena, Sunset Beach; ex-Kate, Pacific Palisades) - 55
Laura Bonarrigo (ex-Rebecca, All My Children; ex-Cassie, One Life to Live; ex-Lindsay, Another World) - 50
Joely Fisher (ex-Nina, Desperate Housewives) - 47
Grayson McCouch (Thomas, Gotham; ex-Don, Hollywood Heights; ex-Dusty, As the World Turns; ex-Morgan, Another World) - 46
Tracee Ellis Ross (ex-Ellen, Private Practice) - 42
Gabrielle Union (Mary Jane, Being Mary Jane; ex-Gina, Army Wives; ex-Renee, Ugly Betty) - 42
Ben Foster (ex-Russell, Six Feet Under) - 34
Italia Ricci (April, Chasing Life) - 28
Cherilyn Wilson (ex-Morgan, 90210) - 26
India Eisley (ex-Ashley, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) - 21
Ashley Greiner (ex-Faith, As the World Turns)

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].