Today in Soap Opera History (June 12)

1981: General Hospital's Luke had a calling.
1984: Jack Boyd arrived in Edge of Night's Monticello.
1990: A topless Carly impressed Justin on Days of our Lives.
2000: Bold and the Beautiful's Brooke played footsie with Thorne.

"History is a vast early warning system."
― Norman Cousins

"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...

1936: Popular serial Just Plain Bill aired on CBS Radio for the final time. The show returned in September on NBC, where it remained until 1954.

1941: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) remained after hours with her boss, Jack Felzer, to compensate for the time she took to attend Ned and Mary's wedding. Jack asked about the nuptials, which led to a discussion of how Rose, Ned, and Mary all grew up in Five Points. Rose realized why Jack knew so much about her background: He had read about her in the newspapers during her recent court appearance. Jack told her that he admired her conduct under such trying circumstances. She admitted that she wanted to escape her former life. Implying that he was romantically interested in her, Jack counseled Rose to simply accept her destiny.

1981: On General Hospital, Luke (Anthony Geary) wasn't so sure he had a calling for missionary work.



1984: On The Edge of Night, Jody's (Karrie Emmerson) from from Wellington College, Jack Boyd (John Allen Nelson), arrived in Monticello



1990: Crystal Chappell debuted as Carly Manning debuted in Days of our Lives.



1992: CBS aired a Guiding Light 40th TV anniversary special in primetime.



2000: On The Young and the Restless, Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) accused Ashley (Eileen Davidson) of sneaking around behind her back with Victor. Ashley told her she was going too far with her accusations, and Nikki walked toward her saying it was Ashley that had gone too far.

2000: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang) seduced Thorne (Winsor Harmon).

2003: On Days of our Lives, Bart (Steve Blackwood) said goodbye to a dead Rolf.

2006: Mary Beth Evans returned to Days of our Lives as Kayla Brady Johnson after 14 years away.



2007: On Passions, while Fancy waits for a DNA match in Eve's office, the blackmailer approaches her with a rope in hand.



2013: On All My Children, Brooke English (Julia Barr) caught up with the newly returned Dimitri Marick (Michael Nader).



Celebrating a birthday today are:
Roger Aaron Brown (ex-Danny, Days of our Lives; ex-Senator Fuller, General Hospital) - 68
Timothy Busfield (ex-Danny, The West Wing; ex-Elliot, thirtysomething) - 60
Rebecca Holden (ex-Elena, General Hospital) - 59
Jenilee Harrison (ex-Jamie, Dallas) - 59
Felicia M. Bell (ex-Simone, General Hospital; ex-Glynnis, Days of our Lives) - 57
John Enos III (ex-Newscaster, Days of our Lives; ex-Bobby, The Young and the Restless; ex-Bobby, Melrose Place) - 55
Eamonn Walker (ex-Kareem, Oz) - 55
Nadine Stenovitch (ex-Josie, Another World)
Frances O'Connor (ex-Zoe, Cashmere Mafia) - 50
Michael Muhney (ex-Adam, The Young and the Restless; ex-Don, Veronica Mars) - 42
Dave Franco (ex-Zachary, Privileged; ex-Gonzo, Greek) - 32
Valentina de Angelis (ex-Faith, As the World Turns; ex-Carmen, Gossip Girl) - 28

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