Today in Soap Opera History (May 3)

1974: Another World aired a one-hour special. 1983: Peter
Reckell debuted on Days of our Lives. 1991: The Dallas series
finale aired on CBS. 2013: Jeanne Cooper's final Y&R scene.

"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature."
― David Hume

"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...

1968: On The Doctors, Ralph Anderson (Al Hinckley) held Matt (James Pritchett), Althea (Elizabeth Hubbard) and Nick (Gerald Gordon) hostage in Matt's office. As Maggie (Bethel Leslie) banged on the door, a gunshot went off.

1974: Another World broadcast for one hour for the first time in honor of its 10th anniversary. Steve (George Reinholt) and Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) were married that day. The show would move to one hour full-time on Monday, January 6, 1975.

1978: Kim Zimmer debuted as escaped fugitive Bonnie Harmer on One Life to Live. Edmund Genest made his first appearance as Bonnie's fellow escapee, Herman Cantrell. Zimmer returned to One Life in 1983 playing Echo DiSavoy. The debut of Zimmer and Genest starts at 22:16 in the video below.



Thanks to Trey for sending in the item above.

1983: Peter Reckell debuted as Bo Brady in Days of our Lives.



1983: On All My Children, Palmer (James Mitchell) begged Donna (Candace Early) not to leave.



1985: On Days of Our Lives, Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) had to go undercover in London.



1986: Actor Robert Alda died at age 72. Alda played Dr. Stuart Whyland on Days of Our Lives in the early 1980s.

1991: CBS aired the final episode of the original Dallas.



1997: Eileen Davidson and Jon Lindstrom were married. They divorced three years later.

2013: Jeanne Cooper's final scene as Katherine Chancellor aired on The Young and the Restless. Cooper passed away 5 days later (on May 8) at age 84.



Thanks to Enrique for sending in the item above.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Frankie Valli (ex-Rusty, The Sopranos) - 81
Chris Mulkey (ex-Frank, Boardwalk Empire; ex-Hank, Twin Peaks) - 67
Kevin Kilner (ex-Alexi, Knots Landing) - 57
Amy Steel (ex-Trudy, Guiding Light; ex-Peggy, All My Children) - 55
P.J. Bloom (Glee Music Supervisor) - 46
Bobby Cannavale (ex-J.J., 100 Centre Street) - 45
Kristin Lehman (Gwen, The Killing) - 43
Christina Hendricks (Joan, Mad Men; ex-Rhiannon, Undressed) - 40
Dulé Hill (ex-Simon, All My Children; ex-Charlie, The West Wing) - 40
Jade Amenta (ex-Melissa, Neighbours) - 40
Charlie Brooks (Janine, EastEnders) - 34
Kenneth Franklin (ex-Dallas, As the World Turns) - 33

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