Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie on Days of our Lives.
1996: General Hospital's Robin & Jason were happy in Montauk.
1987: John Reid was left at the altar on Ryan's Hope.
2001: As the World Turns' Jack rescued Carly from quicksand.

"To believe what has not occurred in history will not occur at all, is to argue disbelief in the dignity of man."
- Mahatma Gandhi

"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...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Simmons in Days of our Lives. Amnesiac Mickey Horton (John Clarke) stumbled onto Maggie's farm.

1976: On Another World, Clarice Hobson, pregnant with Robert Delaney's (Nicholas Coster) baby, was threatened by Robert's estranged wife, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey), who ordered her to leave town. While trying to flee her boarding house, Clarice went into labor. End credits rolled during her hospital labor. The unmarried Clarice delivered a son, Cory, on August 23.

Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie on DAYS. 1996: GH's
Robin & Jason were happy in Montauk.  1987: John Reid was
left at the altar on RYAN'S HOPE. 2001: Jack rescued Carly
from quicksand on ATWT.

"Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times."
-Machiavelli

"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...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Simmons in DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Amnesiac Mickey Horton (John Clarke) stumbled onto Maggie's farm.

1974: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice (Jacqueline Courtney) told Steve (George Reinholt) she was freeing him from their marriage.

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Paige (Margaret Colin) encountered a masked man with a gun.

PREVIEW: THE GOOD WIFE ("The Seven Day Rule")

Photo: CBS

Season 4 of THE GOOD WIFE continues on Sunday, January 27 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

In "The Seven Day Rule," Alicia is conflicted when she’s presented with a career-changing offer which carries a large financial risk.

Meanwhile, Will and Diane face off against their creditors, and Jordan and Eli disagree over a possible attack on Maddie Hayward’s campaign.

Margaret Colin and Larry Pine are among the guest stars.

Watch a sneak peek video below:

Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

On this date in...

1973: Suzanne Rogers debuted as Maggie Horton in DAYS OF OUR LIVES.  Amnesiac Mickey Horton stumbled onto Maggie's farm that day.

1974: On ANOTHER WORLD, Alice told Steve she was freeing him from their marriage.

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Tobias was the talk of the town, and Paige encountered a masked man with a gun.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #12 Tom & Margo From AS THE WORLD TURNS

COUPLE: Tom Hughes & Margo Montgomery
SHOW: AS THE WORLD TURNS
RANK: 12
PLAYED BY:
Tom: Justin Deas, Jason Kincaid, Gregg, Marx, Scott Holmes
Margo: Margaret Colin, Hillary B. Smith, Ellen Dolan, Glynnis O'Connor
YEARS: 1980-2010

STORY:
Margo was a nurse when she arrived in Oakdale.  She quickly became involved with the newly married James Stenbeck.  Tom had moved to Sweden to investigate Stenbeck (Anthony Herrera) after Barbara Ryan (Colleen Zenk) dumped him at the altar to be with James.  When Tom returned he became entangled in Margo's life in many ways, including forcing her mother, Lyla, to reveal that John Dixon was Margo's biological father.  Tom began dating Margo's aunt, Maggie, but his attraction to Margo would soon become strong.  Margo eventually freed herself from the clutches of James and got to know Tom better while working at his family's law firm.   It wasn't long before they began a series of adventures around the world while investigating the notorious Mr. Big (Brent Collins) and his connection to James.  On June 1, 1983, Tom and Margo called their friends and family to the park for an impromptu, come-as-you-are wedding which was both funny and poignant.

CLASSIC CLIPS: Tom & Margo in AS THE WORLD TURNS

One of the most memorable stories in the history of AS THE WORLD TURNS supercouple Tom and Margo was their many adventures involving Mr. Big. Watch some clips from 1982 below:

Today in Soap Opera History (August 20)

On this date in...

1979: On THE EDGE OF NIGHT, Tobias was the talk of the town, and Paige encountered a masked man with a gun.