Today in Soap Opera History (April 29)

1980: Edge of Night's Raven finally arrived to see her sick son.
2009: Days of our Lives' Mia met Will's friend, Tad.
2013: The online versions of All My Children and One Life to Live premiered on Hulu.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"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...

1932: Radio soap opera One Man's Family premiered on Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco stations. The popular series went nationwide a year later and ran until 1959.

1940: Young Doctor Malone aired for the first time on CBS Radio, having moved from the Blue Network.

1974: Radio soap opera Sounds of the City premiered. Quaker Oats sponsored Sounds of the City, and was so happy with the initial three-month cycle of five-times a week 15-minute episodes, it ordered more. By September, the show aired on 27 stations in the largest markets in the United States via the Mutual Black Network. Sounds of the City was created by Byron Lewis and Raymond League of Uniworld Group, Inc. Lewis was inspired by his mother's love for the old radio soap Stella Dallas. Writer and Shaunneille Perry served as writer and director. Sounds of the City ran for a total of 39 weeks, and starred Robert Guillaume and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in the story of a southern black family that had moved to a northern city and faced the typical urban problems of unemployment, drugs, and crime. Ruby Dee, Robert hooks and other famous players made occasional guest appearances.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 24)

1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat called Delia on her miscarriage deception.
1987: Days of our Lives' Patch made chili.
2007: All My Children's Zoe performed.
2009: Drew Garrett debuted as Michael on General Hospital.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"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...

1959: NBC Radio soap The Woman in My House aired its final episode after an eight year run. One Man's Family creator Carlton E. Morse produced WIMH about the Carter family of Miami.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 7)

1979: EON's "Mrs. Corey" kept an eye on Deborah's condition.
1979: ATWT's Lisa & Bob danced while Bennett fumed.
1984: Days' Salem mourned Roman at his wake.
1998: GH's Alan found Tammy next to his dead drug dealer.

"History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer

"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...

1941: On The Story of Mary Marlin, Davey's intended destination was exposed further. An NBC News bulletin, one of the first known casualty reports to come from Pearl Harbor, arrived just before the day's episode of this popular radio soap opera.

1941: On Vic & Sade, Vic (Art Van Harvey), Rush (Bill Idelson), and Uncle Fletcher (Clarence Hartzell) arrive home all at once...just in time to handle a peculiar storage problem.

1941: On One Man's Family, everyone was keeping their feelings about Irene Franklin to themselves.

1956: On The Edge of Night, Larry (Bill Zuckert) attempted to murder Mike Karr (John Larkin).

Today in Soap Opera History (June 21)

1976: Deidre Hall debuted on Days of our Lives.
1984: Guiding Light's Billy was out to destroy Reva.
1993: Days' Lucas and Sami went on their first date.
All My Children's Erica got emotional with her friends.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1952: The first television version of One Man's Family aired for the final time. The once-a-week primetime take-off of the popular radio soap opera was brought back to TV in 1954 as a daily afternoon serial.

1966: Edward Mallory debuted as Bill Horton on Days of our Lives.

1976: Deidre Hall debuted as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives. In the episode, Mickey Horton (John Clarke) was in a sanitarium and Marlena as the psychiatrist that treated him.

The closing credits in the clip below are from an episode shortly after Hall's arrival.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1974: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) went on a picnic.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 29)

1980: Edge of Night's Raven finally arrived to see her sick son.
2009: Days of our Lives' Mia met Will's friend, Tad.
2013: The online versions of All My Children and One Life to Live
premiered on Hulu.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1932: Radio soap opera One Man's Family premiered on Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco stations. The popular series went nationwide a year later and ran until 1959.

1940: Young Doctor Malone aired for the first time on CBS Radio, having moved from the Blue Network.

1974: Radio soap opera Sounds of the City premiered. Quaker Oats sponsored Sounds of the City, and was so happy with the initial three-month cycle of five-times a week 15-minute episodes, it ordered more. By September, the show aired on 27 stations in the largest markets in the United States via the Mutual Black Network. Sounds of the City was created by Byron Lewis and Raymond League of Uniworld Group, Inc. Lewis was inspired by his mother's love for the old radio soap Stella Dallas. Writer and Shaunneille Perry served as writer and director. Sounds of the City ran for a total of 39 weeks, and starred Robert Guillaume and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in the story of a southern black family that had moved to a northern city and faced the typical urban problems of unemployment, drugs, and crime. Ruby Dee, Robert hooks and other famous players made occasional guest appearances.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 24)

1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat called Delia on her miscarriage deception.
1987: Days of our Lives' Patch made chili.
2007: All My Children's Zoe performed.
2009: Drew Garrett debuted as Michael on GH.

"All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"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...

1959: NBC Radio soap The Woman in My House aired its final episode after an eight year run. One Man's Family creator Carlton E. Morse produced WIMH about the Carter family of Miami.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 7)

1979: EON's "Mrs. Corey" kept an eye on Deborah's condition.
1979: ATWT's Lisa & Bob danced while Bennett fumed.
1984: Days' Salem mourned Roman at his wake.
1998: GH's Alan found Tammy next to his dead drug dealer.

"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...

1941: On The Story of Mary Marlin, Davey's intended destination was exposed further. An NBC News bulletin, one of the first known casualty reports to come from Pearl Harbor, arrived just before the day's episode of this popular radio soap opera.

1941: On Vic & Sade, Vic (Art Van Harvey), Rush (Bill Idelson), and Uncle Fletcher (Clarence Hartzell) arrive home all at once...just in time to handle a peculiar storage problem.

1941: On One Man's Family, everyone was keeping their feelings about Irene Franklin to themselves.

1956: On The Edge of Night, Larry (Bill Zuckert) attempted to murder Mike Karr (John Larkin).

Today in Soap Opera History (June 21)

1976: Deidre Hall debuted on Days of our Lives.
1984: Guiding Light's Billy was out to destroy Reva.
1993: Days' Lucas and Sami went on their first date.
All My Children's Erica got emotional with her friends.

"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...

1952: The first television version of One Man's Family aired for the final time. The once-a-week primetime take-off of the popular radio soap opera was brought back to TV in 1954 as a daily afternoon serial.

1966: Edward Mallory debuted as Bill Horton on Days of our Lives.

1976: Deidre Hall debuted as Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives. In the episode, Mickey Horton (John Clarke) was in a sanitarium and Marlena as the psychiatrist that treated him.

The closing credits in the clip below are from an episode shortly after Hall's arrival.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"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...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 29)

1980: Edge of Night's Raven finally arrived to see her sick son.
2009: Days of our Lives' Mia met Will's friend, Tad.
2013: The online versions of All My Children and One Life to Live
premiered on Hulu.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1932: Radio soap opera One Man's Family premiered on Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco stations. The popular series went nationwide a year later and ran until 1959.

1940: Young Doctor Malone aired for the first time on CBS Radio, having moved from the Blue Network.

1974: Radio soap opera Sounds of the City premiered. Quaker Oats sponsored Sounds of the City, and was so happy with the initial three-month cycle of five-times a week 15-minute episodes, it ordered more. By September, the show aired on 27 stations in the largest markets in the United States via the Mutual Black Network. Sounds of the City was created by Byron Lewis and Raymond League of Uniworld Group, Inc. Lewis was inspired by his mother's love for the old radio soap Stella Dallas. Writer and Shaunneille Perry served as writer and director. Sounds of the City ran for a total of 39 weeks, and starred Robert Guillaume and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in the story of a southern black family that had moved to a northern city and faced the typical urban problems of unemployment, drugs, and crime. Ruby Dee, Robert hooks and other famous players made occasional guest appearances.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 24)

1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat called Delia on her miscarriage deception.
1987: Days of our Lives' Patch made chili.
2007: All My Children's Zoe performed.
2009: Drew Garrett debuted as Michael on GH.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1959: NBC Radio soap The Woman in My House aired its final episode after an eight year run. One Man's Family creator Carlton E. Morse produced WIMH about the Carter family of Miami.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 7)

1979: EON's "Mrs. Corey" kept an eye on Deborah's condition.
1979: ATWT's Lisa & Bob danced while Bennett fumed.
1984: Days' Salem mourned Roman at his wake.
1998: GH's Alan found Tammy next to his dead drug dealer.

"More and more, I tend to read history. I often find it more up to date than the daily newspapers."
― Joe Murray

"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...

1941: On The Story of Mary Marlin, Davey's intended destination was exposed further. An NBC News bulletin, one of the first known casualty reports to come from Pearl Harbor, arrived just before the day's episode of this popular radio soap opera.

1941: On Vic & Sade, Vic (Art Van Harvey), Rush (Bill Idelson), and Uncle Fletcher (Clarence Hartzell) arrive home all at once...just in time to handle a peculiar storage problem.

1941: On One Man's Family, everyone was keeping their feelings about Irene Franklin to themselves.

1956: On The Edge of Night, Larry (Bill Zuckert) attempted to murder Mike Karr (John Larkin).

Today in Soap Opera History (June 21)

1976: Deidre Hall debuted on Days of our Lives. 1984: Guiding
Light's Billy was out to destroy Reva.   1993: Days' Lucas
and Sami went on their first date.  1999: All My Children's
Erica got emotional with her friends.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1952: The first television version of One Man's Family aired for the final time. The once-a-week primetime take-off of the popular radio soap opera was brought back to TV in 1954 as a daily afternoon serial.

1966: Edward Mallory debuted as Bill Horton on Days of our Lives.

1976: Deidre Hall debuted as Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives. In the episode, Mickey Horton (John Clarke) was in a sanitarium and Marlena as the psychiatrist that treated him.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
― Michael Crichton

"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...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 29)

1980: Edge of Night's Raven finally arrived to see her sick son.
2009: Days of our Lives' Mia met Will's friend, Tad.
2013: The online versions of All My Children and One Life to Live
premiered on Hulu.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1932: Radio soap opera One Man's Family premiered on Los Angeles, Seattle and San Francisco stations. The popular series went nationwide a year later and ran until 1959.

1940: Young Doctor Malone aired for the first time on CBS Radio, having moved from the Blue Network.

1974: Radio soap opera Sounds of the City premiered. Quaker Oats sponsored Sounds of the City, and was so happy with the initial three-month cycle of five-times a week 15-minute episodes, it ordered more. By September, the show aired on 27 stations in the largest markets in the United States via the Mutual Black Network. Sounds of the City was created by Byron Lewis and Raymond League of Uniworld Group, Inc. Lewis was inspired by his mother's love for the old radio soap Stella Dallas. Writer and Shaunneille Perry served as writer and director. Sounds of the City ran for a total of 39 weeks, and starred Robert Guillaume and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in the story of a southern black family that had moved to a northern city and faced the typical urban problems of unemployment, drugs, and crime. Ruby Dee, Robert hooks and other famous players made occasional guest appearances.

Today in Soap Opera History (April 24)

1978: Ryan's Hope's Pat called Delia on her miscarriage deception.
1987: Days of our Lives' Patch made chili.
2007: All My Children's Zoe performed.
2009: Drew Garrett debuted as Michael on GH.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1959: NBC Radio soap The Woman in My House aired its final episode after an eight year run. One Man's Family creator Carlton E. Morse produced WIMH about the Carter family of Miami.

Today in Soap Opera History (December 7)

1979: EON's "Mrs. Corey" kept an eye on Deborah's condition.
1979: ATWT's Lisa & Bob danced while Bennett fumed.
1984: Days' Salem mourned Roman at his wake.
1998: GH's Alan found Tammy next to his dead drug dealer.

"The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect is already in the cause."
― Henri Louis Bergson

"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...

1941: On The Story of Mary Marlin, Davey's intended destination was exposed further. An NBC News bulletin, one of the first known casualty reports to come from Pearl Harbor, arrives just before the day's episode of this popular soap opera.

1941: On Vic & Sade, Vic (Art Van Harvey), Rush (Bill Idelson), and Uncle Fletcher (Clarence Hartzell) arrive home all at once...just in time to handle a peculiar storage problem.

1941: On One Man's Family, everyone was keeping their feelings about Irene Franklin to themselves.

1956: On The Edge of Night, Larry (Bill Zuckert) attempted to murder Mike Karr (John Larkin).

Today in Soap Opera History (June 21)

1976: Deidre Hall debuted on Days of our Lives. 1984: Guiding
Light's Billy was out to destroy Reva.   1993: Days' Lucas
and Sami went on their first date.  1999: All My Children's
Erica got emotional with her friends.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1952: The first television version of One Man's Family aired for the final time. The once-a-week primetime take-off of the popular radio soap opera was brought back to TV in 1954 as a daily afternoon serial.

1966: Edward Mallory debuted as Bill Horton on Days of our Lives.

1976: Deidre Hall debuted as Marlena Evans on Days of our Lives. In the episode, Mickey Horton (John Clarke) was in a sanitarium and Marlena as the psychiatrist that treated him.

Today in Soap Opera History (May 17)

1933: One Man's Family expanded to a national audience.
1979: Delia loaned Johnny money on Ryan's Hope. 1988: ATWT's
Hal and Barbara celebrated on the night before their wedding.
1994: GH's Felicia learned Maxie would get B.J.'s heart.

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
― John W. Gardner

"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...

1933: Radio soap opera One Man's Family expanded from being broadcast on the west coast only to the full nationwide NBC network. Created by Carlton E. Morse, the popular series ran until 1959.

1967: On Days of our Lives, Susan (Denise Alexander) continued to blame David for Dickie's accident.

1976: NBC aired the 3,000th episode of Another World.