Family and friends gather to celebrate Christmas on As the World Turns (1965), Guiding Light (1979), General Hospital (1982) and The Young and the Restless (1992). |
― Will Durant
"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: On As the World Turns, Ellen (Patricia Bruder) told David (Henderson Forsythe) about a Christmas long ago when she was pregnant. Their conversation was interrupted by Paul (Edmund Gaynes) and Dan (Jeffrey Rowland), who opened a gift from his grandmother. Later, David told Ellen he already knew about her child.
1968: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) found Joe (Joel Crothers) had been attacked by the werewolf and took him back to Collinwood. Later, Chris turned into a werewolf in front of Joe. Joe shot the werewolf with a gun, but it did not kill him.
1971: On Another World, in their kitchen, Jim and Mary Matthews prepared for the holidays. While Jim marveled at how how Mary was able to organize everything for large family parties, she reminded him that she had 30 years of experience doing so. They discussed how much it meant to them to have their family over for Christmas Eve. Later, when the guests arrived, Jim advised John not to let his growing work responsibilities take priority over
Pat and the twins. Russ' date, Dr. Paula McCray, told everyone that she grew up in boarding schools and
always missed out on family gatherings like this one. Steven and Alice discussed her pregnancy, their relationship, and Steve's seeing Jamie...and Rachel. Everyone gathered to sing Christmas carols.
1976: On Ryan's Hope, the Ryan's celebrated Christmas. Mary (Kate Mulgrew) placed the star on the tree while the family sang "We Three Kings." Meanwhile, a wheelchair-bound Jack (Michael Levin) had a meltdown leading Johnny to blurt out, "Dammit, Jack. You ought to get down on your knees and thank God Mary is carrying this child, because it's the only one you'll ever have!"
1979: On Guiding Light, Ed Bauer (Mart Hulswitt) read the story of the first Christmas to the children at Cedars Hospital. Later, family and friends gathered at church where Mike Bauer (Don Stewart) sang "O Come All Ye Faithful," "Joy To The World" and "The First Noel."
1979: On The Edge of Night, it was Christmas Eve in Monticello. Miles (Joel Crothers) realized that Mrs Corey was Nola Madisson.
1982: On Search for Tomorrow, Keith wondered why Andy was so remorseful and unhappy on Christmas Eve. Andy's mood grew worse when Wendy (Lisa Peluso) dropped by and gave him a book of poetry as a present. At Stephanie's (Maree Cheatham) Christmas Eve party, Brian and Martin (John Aniston) discussed Brian's new job at the television station. And at Joanne's (Mary Stuart) party, everyone was rehearsing Christmas carols until Joanne lead everyone in a special, traditional Christmas song. In the meantime, Stephanie listed her New Year's resolutions to Martin as her party began to thin out. Later in the night, Andy caught Stu (Larry Haines) bringing over presents to the house, and he read from the book of poetry Andy just received.
1982: Helene Udy debuted as Frannie on As the World Turns, just in time for Frannie's birthday. Elsewhere, David and Ellen were remarried and Dee was suspected in the "death" of John Dixon.
1982: On Another World, Mac read a Christmas story to Amanda, and then he and Rachel reminisced about their first Christmas on the estate.
1982: On General Hospital, Dr. Steve Hardy read the annual Christmas story to the kids.
1985: On As the World Turns, the Hughes family and close friends celebrated Christmas Eve and Frannie's (Julianne Moore) birthday. Even a mysterious gift could not dampen the mood as carolers arrived to serenade the group.
1992: On The Young and the Restless, Nicholas (John Nelson-Alden) was excited to receive a soccer ball and a battery-operated car for Christmas. Victor (Eric Braeden) watched his family celebrate the holiday from outside the window.
1992: On As the World Turns, Margo (Ellen Dolan) got the results of her HIV test. Lily (Heather Rattray) left town.
1996: On One Life to Live, Todd (Roger Howarth) wanted to see Blair (Kassie DePaiva) and baby Starr at Christmas.
1999: The Young and the Restless added actor names to its opening theme sequence.
2002: Paul Rauch's final episode as executive producer of Guiding Light aired.
2002: On As the World Turns, Natalie Snyder was born.
2003: On Guiding Light, Blake (Elizabeth Keifer) threw a Christmas Eve party for Mel, Rick, Holly and Edmund, during which she and Ross (Jerry verDorn) were married.
2004: On Guiding Light, Zach received a present -- a butterfly -- which his father had arranged for delivery before his death. The insect escaped from its case and set "the butterfly effect" in motion: a series of events where the fate of one character directly affects a stranger, and then another. The chain resulted in a reunion between estranged sisters Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Cassie (Laura Wright); Bill found the victimized Olivia (Crystal Chappell) in Ravenwood Asylum; Harley had a romantic rendezvous with old flame Gus; and a one-of-a-kind moment between Lizzie, Coop and Lizzie's antler-clad dog, Roxie.
2012: Actor Charles Durning, who originated the role of Gil McGowan on Another World in 1972, died at age 89.
Celebrating a birthday today are:
Loretta Fury (ex-Amelia, Days of our Lives) - 92
Neil Vipond (ex-Henry, Days of our Lives) - 85
Sharon Farrell (ex-Geraldine, Broken at Love; ex-Flo, The Young and the Restless; ex-Cherry, Rituals) - 73
Peter Galman (ex-Tom, As the World Turns; ex-Lou, One Life to Live; ex-Douglas, Another World) - 69
Arlene Banas (ex-Chelsea, Days of our Lives; ex-Sharen, The Colbys) - 68
Patrice Chanel (ex-Gail/Joan, Days of our Lives) - 64
Eva Tamargo (Celene, The Haves and the Have Nots; ex-Arianna, Más Sabe el Diablo; ex-Pilar, Passions) - 53
Mark Valley (ex-Jack, Days of our Lives; ex-Father Pete, Another World; ex-Robert, Pasadena; ex-John, Fringe) - 49
Ricky Martin (ex-Miguel, General Hospital) - 43
Michael Raymond-James (Neal, Once Upon A Time; ex-Rene, True Blood) - 37
Ana Brenda Contreras (Maricruz, Corazón Indomable; ex-Ana Paula, La Que No Podia Amar; ex-Aurora, Teresa; ex-Maura, Sortilegio) - 28
EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email [email protected].
What ever happened to Nina Webster's mom Flo anyway?
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