We Love Soaps

GH's Finola Hughes (Anna) and Robb Derringer (Sloane).

ABC soap opera General Hospital has recast Agent Kyle Sloane again. Actually, the show is bringing back the original Sloane, Robb Derringer, who was replaced by As the World Turns alum Grayson McCouch earlier this year.

Since leaving GH, Derringer has guest-starred in primetime series Castle, The Odd Couple and, just last week, TNT's Murder in the First.

According to Soaps in Depth, Derringer will reappear in early September for a short story arc.

Check out a clip of Derringer's Sloane with Anne Devane (Finola Hughes) below:

RELATED:
- 'General Hospital' Recasts Agent Sloane with 'As the World Turns' Alum Grayson McCouch

Britney Spears to guest star on The CW's Jane the Virgin
"We are so thrilled that Rogelio's 'nemesis'—Britney Spears—has agreed to appear on Jane the Virgin in Episode 205," says Jane the Virgin showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman. "Personally, after hearing about their longstanding feud (from Rogelio's point of view), we are eager to hear Ms. Spears' side of the story, which we assume is quite different. #TeamBritney”

Vanessa Ray as PLL's CeCe Drake.

As the World Turns alum Vanessa Ray on how she found out she was Pretty Little Liars'"A"
"We normally don’t get scripts until we get on set, but they couriered this one over to me. I was like, 'That’s weird.' I figured not at a lot was revealed, which is why they sent it around. Marlene texted me right away, 'Did you get it? I’m really excited for you to read it!' So I read it casually in my apartment, and when I got to Page 4, it says, 'It’s CeCe effing Drake,' or whatever word they used. I screamed and I threw the script across the room. My soon-to-be-husband came out to see if I was OK, and I was like, 'You’re not going to believe what’s in that!' It was the Neverending Story book all of a sudden. The script had power, I thought light was going to beam out of it."

Co-head writer Dena Higley takes leave of absence from Days of our Lives
Higley, co-head writer of Days with Josh Griffith, has taken a leave of absence from the soap opera citing personal reasons. There's no word on when Higley is set to resume her duties.

Scott Turner Schofield talks to Perez Hilton about The Bold and the Beautiful's historic wedding involving a transgender character
"Everybody knows a gay or lesbian or bisexual person. Even if it's only Ellen DeGeneres. Now people know a transgender person — Caitlyn Jenner, Laverne Cox, Maya, even maybe me. But in reality, everybody knows a person in their own small town now who is LGBT. People want to see their brother's, classmate's, colleague's lives told well. They demand it with us and for us with their voices and their remote controls and their dollars."

The Bold and the Beautiful casting bisexual character
B&B is looking for a white male between the ages of 25-28 to play the role of "Christian". The character, who works in fashion, is described as being sophisticated, professional, having a great sense of style and possibly a comic side to him.

George R.R. Martin: I'm planning a "bittersweet" ending for Game of Thrones
Martin says the ending, which he hasn’t written, will be in the vein of the Lord of the Rings ending. "I’ve said before that the tone of the ending that I’m going for is bittersweet,” he says.

Antenna TV to show full episodes of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Starting January 1, Antenna TV will show Carson reruns from 1972 to 1992 at 11 p.m. each night. The scheduling of episodes will be carefully curated to run as themed weeks or months, as well as episodes that coincide with notable anniversaries, holidays and other milestones.

The Secret Behind Old Soap Opera Plot Twists
In the mid-20th-century glory days of radio and TV soap operas, audiences—and advertisers—expected new episodes virtually non-stop. But that created a dilemma for cast members. The solution, as TIME explained exactly 75 years ago, in the August 12, 1940, issue, led to some of the plot twists that became central to the drama-heavy genre.

Nicki Minaj originally wanted to be a soap opera actress
Last week, Minaj paid a visit to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in conjunction with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. She spoke to children about important topics like art, education, and her journey from unknown rapper to platinum-selling superstar. She told everyone that she originally aspired to be a soap opera actress so she could buy her mom a house.

Homeland Season 5 will tackle ISIS, Edward Snowden, Vladimir Putin and Charlie Hebdo
“The first episode’s going to deal with Russia — what’s Putin up to? What’s going on with this tricky relationship there?” says Showtime president David Nevins. “It deals with ISIS. Charlie Hebdo. (Edward) Snowden, cyber terrorism, surveillance. These are interesting elements to the season, which brings a lot of things together.”

Showtime renews Ray Donovan and Masters of Sex
Both shows will return with 12-episode seasons in 2016.

Brook Byron starred as Althea Dennis in The Brighter Day.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

The Soap Box
Vol. III No. 10 September 1978
by John Genovese

(continued from Part 1)

1954
An unprecedented year for serial premieres, the first was another radio hit which ran almost nine years on television: The Brighter Day, which was televised from January 4, 1954 to September 28, 1962. An Irna Phillips creation which went through several writers, including Doris Frankel (now of All My Children), Sam Hall (now of One Life to Live) and Eileen and Robert Mason Pollock (later of Love of Life, The Doctors and General Hospital), it revolved around kindly minister Rev. Richard Dennis and his five children who moved to New Hope, Pennsylvania, after their home in Three Rivers (from the radio soap) was washed away by a flood. Bill Smith was soon replaced by Blair Davies as the Reverend, Mona Bruns joined shortly after its debut as Aunt Emily Potter, and the supporting cast over the years included such top draws as Hal Holbrook, Anne Meacham, James Noble, Mary K. Wells, June Dayton, Paul Langton, Murial Williams, Herb Nelson, Forrest Compton, Lois Nettleton and Patty Duke. A Procter & Gamble Production, it eventually succumbed to too many writing upheavals.

Peter Hobbs played Peter Ames on The Secret Storm.

One show which died the same death, however, became the longest running TV soap ever to face cancellation. That was The Secret Storm, another product of the great Roy Winsor, who created it for American Home Products--the same people who sponsored Love of Life. Storm ran from February 1, 1954 to February 8, 1974, and centered on the inner and out conflicts of the Ames family in Woodbridge, New York.

Premiering on CBS the same day was Woman With a Past, which should have been called Woman Without a Future. Burning out the following July 2, its supporting players included Jean Stapleton, Mary Sinclair and Gene Lyons. The star: Constance Ford in the role of Lynn Sherwood. Her role today: Ada McGowan on Another World.

One Man's Family starred James Lee as Cliff Barbour,
Eva Marie Saint as Claudia Barbour Roberts, Bert Lytell
as Henry Barbour, and Marjorie Gateson as Fanny Barbour.

NBC, not to be outdone, tried televising old radio episodes of One Man's Family by Carlton E. Morse. Helping to recreate the old magic were Theodore von Eltz as Henry Barbour, Mary Adams as Fanny Barbour, and Russell Thorson as Paul Barbour. It bombed as a TV series and ended April 1, 1955.

Another radio transplant was CBS's Portia Faces Life, which was later renamed The Inner Flame but still could not hack it. Sponsored by General Foods and featuring Tony Mottola as its guitar-playing musical accompanist, it starred current Days of our Lives lead Frances Reid as housewife and attorney Portia Blake Manning, with screen actor Donald Woods as Walter Manning. The roles were later assumed by Fran Carlon and Karl Swenson. Supporting cast included Mary Fickett (Ruth Martin, All My Children) and Sally Gracie (Ina Hopkins, One Life to Live). It lasted April 5, 1954 to July 1, 1955.

Another big disappointment for CBS was The Seeking Heart, with Scott Forbes as crime doctor John Adam and Dorothy Lovett as his powerful wife, Grace. Audrey Christie, Flora Campbell and Judith Braun were also in the cast. It started on July 5 and just made it to December 10.

On that July 5, NBC began four new serials! Needless to report, none of them are kicking around today.

There was A Time to Live created by Adrian Samish, centering on newspaper reporter Julie Byron, played by Pat Sully. Larry Kerr, Viola Berwick, Len Wyland, Dort Clark and Dana Elcar played other roles in the Chicago soaper. It died the following December 31.

Patricia Barry and Val Dufour starred in First Love as
Lauri and Zack James.

Samish also had claim to First Love sponsored by Jergens and credited for giving three soap superstars their daytime debuts: Patricia Barry (now Viola Brewster on For Richer, For Poorer) starred as Lauri Kennedy James; Val Dufour (John Wyatt on Search) co-starred as her husband, Zack James; and Rosemary Prinz (Penny on As the World Turns for ten years) played Amy. Other supporters included Frederic Downs, Henrietta Moore, Melville Ruick, Dean Harens and Peggy Allenby. It played its last on December 30, 1955.

There was also Procter & Gamble's Golden Windows, with Leila Martin as young, aspiring singer Juliet Goodwin, backed up by such powerhouses as Ethel Remey, Eric Dressler, Harriet McGibbon, Barbara Cook, Ralph Camargo and Walter Kinsella. The "windows" were shattered on April 1, 1955.

Then there was Concerning Miss Marlowe, a unique offering which starred Louise Albritton as aging actress Maggie Marlowe who longed to marry and find a stable home life. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (in his pre-FBI days) played Jim Gavin, and a good many of the other cast members--Helen Shields, John Gibson, Lauren Gilbert, Sarah Burton and Byron Sanders--went on to The Edge of Night. Marlowe closed on July 1, 1955.

From August 30, 1954 to July 1, 1955, another Adrian Samish creation known as The Greatest Gift struggled on NBC. Anne Burr (later Claire Lowell on As the World Turns) played Dr. Eve Allen, the not-so-proud new owner of an underprivileged neighborhood clinic which she inherited. Jack Klugman, Anne Meara, Martin Balsam and Frank Maxwell were among the cast.

The Road of Life starred Don MacLaughlin, Virginia
Dwyer and Barbara Becker.

On October 4, NBC began Modern Romances, an anthology serial enacting stories from the famous magazine. Martha Scott and Mel Brandt narrated, scripters included Harry Junkin and Bob Corcoran, producers included Jerry Layton and Wilbur Stark, and among the directors was H. Wesley Kenney (now of Days of our Lives). It ended in 1958.

The last desperate soap act of 1954 was still another radio transplant: Irna Phillips' famous Road of Life with Don MacLaughlin in his radio role of Dr. Jim Brent, Virginia Dwyer as his wife Jocelyn, and John Larkin as Brent's best friend, newsman Frank Dana. Jack Lemmon also had a part in the proceedings, which lasted from December 13, 1954 to July 1, 1955. The writer was Charles Gussman and the director was Walter Gorman, the late husband of Virginia Dwyer, who went on to star in As the World Turns and The Guiding Light. Sponsor was Procter & Gamble.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Check back soon for Part 3 of A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977.

Kyler Pettis

Kyler Pettis has joined the cast of Days of our Lives, according to fan site Jason47.com, and will debut this fall.

Earlie this year, Days put out a casting call for the contract role of sweet Elijah, a "16-year-old, gorgeous, African American male" who is a high functioning autistic. The show has not confirmed Elijah is an aged Theo Carver (played until recently by Terrell Ransom, Jr.), but that seems likely.

Pettis' film credits include Crowe's Valley, Horizons, Demented, Final Human, The Tutor and Warehouse 1. Theater credits include "Autobahn,""Heaven's North of Here" and "Honk." He has also appeared on Ray Donovan and the web series Old Dogs & New Tricks. Pettis has studied at Margie Haber Studios in Los Angeles, and Saddleback College.

1982: Days of our Lives' Jessica and Joshua were married.
1984: A Martinez made his first appearance as Cruz on Santa Barbara.
1993: Maurice Benard debuted as Sonny on General Hospital.
2001: Bold and the Beautiful's Tony told Kristen he was HIV+.

Photo Credit: © Carnival Film & Television Ltd

Downton Abbey Season Six first-look photos released
The cast of Julian Fellowes's period drama are back for a sixth and final series, which will air on ITV in September 2015. The series will pick up six months after the end of Series five, in 1925, and follow with the years 1926, and 1927. The final episode ends on Christmas day, 1927.

Alfonso Herrera lands lead role in FOX's Urban Cowboy
Mexican actor/singer Alfonso Herrera will take on the role played by John Travolta in the 1980 film of the same name. According to Deadline, he’ll play "an extremely popular rodeo circuit rider who is a puppet for the drug cartel, forced to flee Mexico after ticking off the wrong people. Now, with a price on his head, he and his sister make their way to Houston, given sanctuary by his Uncle Al, also an illegal immigrant who has made a life for himself in the United States."

The Bold and the Beautiful Alum Constantine Maroulis Charged with Domestic Violence
Maroulis, who played "Constantine" on B&B, allegedly kicked Angel Reed, his girlfriend and the mother of his 4-year-old daughter, in the groin after throwing her on the ground, according to TMZ. Police responded to a 911 call from Reed and arrested Maroulis at the scene. He was later released on bail.

Pretty Little Liars Actually Revealed A's Identity Two Years Ago
The episode, which aired on July 23, 2013, dealt with the fallout from the crash in the season three finale, with King explaining, "It's after the big fire at the lodge and they think they see Ali and someone flew in that plane—and now we know it was Sara Harvey—but we literally say in an episode that the plane was rented by Cece Drake."

Connie Britton’s favorite part of Amy Schumer’s Friday Night Lights sketch was the ever-expanding wine glass
Britton tells Seth Meyers she was "flattered and honored” by the tribute.

A Dexter musical is coming to New York City
As part of the FringeNYC Festival, "Dex! A Killer Musical" promises to tackle all eight seasons of the Showtime series.

Sesame Street to air on HBO before PBS as part of a deal to boost the number of episodes
For the next five years, the number of Sesame Street episodes will soar from 18 to 35 per year. The new episodes will be shown on HBO at first. After nine months, they’ll air on PBS. “Sesame Workshop’s new partnership does not change the fundamental role PBS and stations play in the lives of families,” says an HBO spokesperson.

The Live + Same Day daytime ratings are in for the week of August 3-7, 2015. General Hospital hit another new all-time low in Women 18-49 viewers (404K), and finished last among the four soap operas in W18-49, W18-34 and W25-54.

Below is a breakdown of the daytime soap opera Nielsen ratings by category:

Total Viewers (versus previous week/versus same week last year)
1. The Young and the Restless 4,740,000 (-168,000/+261,000)
2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3,499,000 (-227,000/-43,000)
3. General Hospital 2,544,000 (-48,000/-224,000)
4. Days of our Lives 2,402,000 (+47,000/-23,000)

Women 18-49 Viewers
1. The Young and the Restless 731,000 (-75,000/+55,000)
2. The Bold and the Beautiful 545,000 (-62,000/-49,000)
3. Days of our Lives 473,000 (+15,000/-76,000)
4. General Hospital 404,000 (-41,000/-193,000)*

* New all-time low for GH.

Women 18-34 Viewers
1. The Young and the Restless 196,000 (-16,000/+15,000)
2. Days of our Lives 136,000 (+5,000/-11,000)
3. The Bold and the Beautiful 131,000 (+6,000/-38,000)
4. General Hospital 130,000 (-8,000/-47,000)

Women 25-54 Viewers
1. The Young and the Restless 1,021,000 (-67,000/-19,000)
2. The Bold and the Beautiful 790,000 (-66,000/-63,000)
3. Days of our Lives 604,000 (+48,000/-86,000)
4. General Hospital 558,000 (+2,000/-234,000)

(via SON)

RELATED:
- 'Days of our Lives' 50th Anniversary Spoiler: Major Story Begins in Late August
- Michael Easton Leaving 'General Hospital'
- 'South Beach' Premieres July 29 on Hulu, Cast Includes Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Jordi Vilasuso
- 'The Young and the Restless' Actress Alyvia Lind To Play Young Dolly Parton on 'Coat of Many Colors'
- Obba Babatundé & Anna Maria Horsford Are Fantastic New Additions to 'The Bold and the Beautiful'
- Remembering Woodbridge: A History of the Late, Great 'Secret Storm'
- Tamara Braun Returning to 'Days of our Lives' in December as Ava Vitali
- 'General Hospital' Stars Kelly Monaco & Billy Miller Hit the Beach in Malibu
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meg Kelly and Michael O'Leary on SudsvilleTV, and Their Love of the Daytime Soap Audience
- 'General Hospital' Stars Bryan Craig & Kelly Thiebaud Engaged

As word spread about the end of World War II, listeners were
glued to the radio for updates.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1945: President Harry S. Truman announced that Japan had surrendered to the Allies (World War II). Thousands thronged into the streets throughout the United States to celebrate V-J Day. The official ratification of the surrender didn’t take place until September 2, in Tokyo Bay aboard the USS Missouri.

1945: On Pepper Young's Family, Harry, Betty, Pepper (Mason Adams) and Mrs. Green discussed Harry and Betty's upcoming marriage. Since the kids didn't want to wait, they went off once they received Pepper and Mrs. Green's permission.

1945: On Ma Perkins, Mathilda Pendleton (Beverly Younger) dropped by Ma's (Virginia Payne) and wanted to know all about Jeff and Stella Carlon (Marilou Neumayer). Gary Curtis (Rye Pillsbury) confronted Stella, wanting to know what had been troubling her recently.

1945: On The Right to Happiness, Ed (Jerry Macy) wanted an explanation about why some of Emily's (Alice Yourman) dresses were missing.

1945: On Barry Cameron, ;Barry (Spencer Bentley) greeted his wife, Anna (Florence Williams), at the airport, and they rushed to the hospital to see Warren Johnson, who had been recovering from a serious car accident.

1945: On Woman in White, Dr. Jonathan McNeil was visited by a student nurse who revealed that she was secretly married, and pregnant.

1945: On The Guiding Light, after being censured for wrongdoing, Peter Manno (Jay Novello) decided not to run for office and handed in his resignation as assistant state attorney.

Announcer: "While all the world waits for news from Japan, life still goes on, as it does today for Pete Manno."

1967: On Dark Shadows, Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) and Julia (Grayson Hall) argued over what to do about Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott). Barnabas decided she must die.

1975: On Another World, Mac (Douglass Watson) threw Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) out of the house.

1984: On Santa Barbara, Cruz (A Martinez) collapsed after kissing Santana's (Ava Lazar) hand. Meanwhile, Jade (Melissa Reeves), Danny (Rupert Ravens) and Ted (Todd McKee) met Helen aka movie star Peaches DeLight (Virginia Mayo). Note: You can hear Michael Jackson's "Thriller" during the Jade/Danny/Ted scenes, an example of why it would be very difficult to ever re-air Santa Barbara without a huge music rights cost.

1986: Kristen Marie debuted as Cheryl McKinnon in Another World.

1986: On The Young and the Restless, Andy Richards and Farren Connor (Colleen Casey) were married in an impromptu ceremony at Paul's apartment. Unaware of the wedding, Lauren plotted with Diane to reveal Farren's identity in the newspaper. Diane was waiting in Andy's bed when he arrived home with his new wife.

1989: On All My Children, Marissa (Nancy Addison) held Natalie (Kate Collins) at gunpoint. Jeremy (Jeremy LeClerc) attempted to get the gun away from Marissa but accidentally shot her instead.

1989: On As the World Turns, a returned James Stenbeck (Anthony Herrera) threatened Sierra's life in order to get Lucinda Walsh (Elizabeth Hubbard) to cooperate with him. Lucinda demanded proof that Sierra was alive.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

2003: On The Bold and the Beautiful, after Sally (Darlene Conley) and Clarke gave Macy, Deacon, and Little Eric a proper send-off, Sally proclaimed this was the Spectras moment of triumph over the Forresters.

2004: On Days of our Lives, Will (Christopher Gerse) asked Sami (Alison Sweeney) and Lucas (Bryan Dattilo) when they were going to get married.

2006: On General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) made love.

2009: On One Life to Live, Layla (Tika Sumpter) told Cristian (David Fumero) to stay out of her relationship with Fish (Scott Evans). Amanda Setton debuted as Kimberly Andrews in the episode.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Fran Bennett (ex-Flora, General Hospital; ex-Mrs. Matson, Guiding Light) - 78
Cathi Peyton Erman (ex-Nurse Christine, Days of our Lives) - 64
Jackée Harry (ex-Lily, Another World) - 59
Susan Olsen (ex-Liza, The Young and the Restless; ex-Cindy, The Bradys) - 54
David Aaron Baker (Mr. Kozinski, One Life to Live) - 52
Halle Berry (ex-Debbie, Knots Landing) - 49
Catherine Bell (ex-Denise, Army Wives) - 47
Rhonda Ross Kendrick (ex-Toni, Another World) - 44
Christopher Gorham (ex-Henry, Ugly Betty) - 41
Jill Bennett (ex-Michelle, Dante's Cove) - 40
Shawn Batten (ex-Sarah, Sunset Beach; ex-Natalia, Spyder Games) - 40
Mila Kunis (ex-Ashley, 7th Heaven) - 32
Cassi Thomson (ex-Nikki, Switched at Birth) - 22
Garrett Ryan (ex-Kyle, The Young and the Restless) - 16

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email kevin@welovesoaps.com.

Go behind the scenes of hit web series Shades of Bad.

In July, we told you about British dark comedy soap opera Shades of Bad--created by Stuart St Paul--which tells the story of Doris Shades (Jean Heard) and her very complicated life. So far we've seen Doris confront her neighbor, Wilma Mulholland (Lynn Beaumont), over Wilma's affair with Doris' husband, and met Doris' mother-in-law Elsie Tenner (Donna Flinn) and daughter, Susie (Rachel Morgan). Doris has decided to murder her cheating husband, but things never seem to work out exactly as she has planned. The show will keep you guessing about what twist is coming next.

The ongoing Shades of Bad saga has shot episodes well into the future so if you're looking for an online continuing serial to invest in, this might be the one. There are a number of exciting plans in the works as the series improves and expands.

We Love Soaps was given an exclusive a behind-the scenes look at Shades of Bad. Get the know the cast and find out more about the show in the clip below:

You can catch up on the show's first 12 episodes (currently around 3 minutes each but scheduled to get longer) on the Shades of Bad YouTube Channel.

Our new Soap of the Week reader poll is live. Vote for the daytime drama, actor, actress and couple that were your favorites this week. Last week, Days of our Lives was voted the favorite show by our readers for the 27th week in a row. Days of our Lives' Drake Hogestyn (John) and Deidre Hall (Marlena) were favorite actor and actress, and Days' John & Marlena were favorite couple.

You can vote for your favorites below (one vote per person per day). This week's poll closes on Monday, August 17 at 4 p.m. ET.

RELATED:
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- Obba Babatundé & Anna Maria Horsford Are Fantastic New Additions to 'The Bold and the Beautiful'
- FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977
- Tamara Braun Returning to 'Days of our Lives' in December as Ava Vitali
- Former 'Days of our Lives' and 'Bright Promise' Actress Coleen Gray Dead at 92
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Meg Kelly and Michael O'Leary on SudsvilleTV, and Their Love of the Daytime Soap Audience
- 'Ryan's Hope' and 'Dark Shadows' Director Lela Swift Dead at 96

Nathan Varni joined ABC eight and a half years ago in current programming. Two years ago, he began overseeing General Hospital for ABC, in addition to working with primetime series The Middle and Once Upon a Time. On Thursday, Varni was a guest on podcast Daytime After Dark, where he talked about his career and previewed what's ahead on GH, whose new head writers Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante started at work this week.

Varni addressed the online discussion, good and bad, of GH in recent weeks.

"It proves that General Hospital fans are very passionate," Varni said. "My boss (Vicki Dummer) said the same thing recently in an interview. Regardless of whether they're people are hating or loving it, at least people are talking about the show, and that gives us a lot of exposure."

"We're trying to get back to the emotional storytelling for the show ," Varni added. "Just a lot more romance, and really kind of honing in on our core characters, and making it the show everybody has loved over the years. I feel like we got off course just a little bit over the last year or so, but we're really trying to bring the focus back to our core central characters. We do have a lot of characters but I think you can tell stories in a way that characters are coming and going, and the stories are relevant. I think you'll miss people as much as fans have missed people in recent months. Our goal is not to tell stories then drop stories. Our goal is to tell really detail emotional type stories with our main characters, and bring the families together. Shelly [Altman] and Jean [Passanante] have a lot of work to do."

Varni said there is a story in the works to bring the entire Corinthos family together.

"September is going to be a really great," he said. "We have a central Sonny and Carly story coming up. They're going to be picking out a [wedding] date pretty soon. It's about bringing that Corinthos family together."

Anthony Geary may be back as Luke Spencer at some point.

"I don't think it would happen anytime soon, but that character is very important to the history of General Hospital," Varni said. "The door would remain open for Tony to come back. Sometime down the road, in the next year or two, it would be feasible for him to come back."

There are no plans for Kristen Alderson to return as Kiki Jerome at this point.

"I have a lot of faith in the role of Kiki moving forward," Varni revealed. "I think Hayley [Erin] is doing a fantastic, admirable job as Kiki. I hope the character becomes more layered, and perhaps gets a job, and becomes more involved."

Varni chalked up Robb Derringer returning to Agent Kyle Sloane to Grayson McCouch's "scheduling issues" with no mention of the rumor that McCouch didn't want to return because the character was about to be killed off.

Could the Jake is Jason reveal finally be about to happen?

"I know we've angered a lot people over the past year because we've had a couple of very slow moving stories, one being with Luke and the next one with Jason," acknowledges Varni. "But if you can stick a little longer, all that reveal will be coming soon. We are addressing it, and the wait is getting close to being over. I'm really excited because I love Billy [Miller] as an actor and I think he is going to knock it out of the park when that reveal is finally made."

Varni also explained why we're seeing less of GH's child actors.

"The kids are wonderful and they're so talented, and Nicolas [Bechtel] who plays Spencer is one of the smartest, most articulate kids I've ever met. What was happening is we were giving too much weight to child actors on the show. this is an adult show and kids are mean to be ancillary characters and not center stage, so we took a little break from the kids. But Spencer is going to be back; he shot some scenes recently. I think it's all about using the kids sparingly so you don't get sick of them and appreciate the days they're on."

Listen to Varni's complete interview below:

After his fight with Will, Sonny rushes off to see Paul.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on Days of our Lives during the week of August 17th. Sonny Kiriakis says goodbye, and Aiden Jennings is attacked.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 17
Hope (Kristian Alfonso) fears she's put Aiden (Daniel Cosgrove) in danger; Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) asks Abigail Kate Mansi) to give Chad another chance; after his fight with Will (Guy Wilson), Sonny (Freddie Smith) rushes off to see Paul (Christopher Sean).

Tuesday, August 18
Sonny makes a decision that leaves Will and Paul heartbroken; danger threatens Aiden and Hope's evening; Chad (Billy Flynn) and Abigail have a tense encounter; J.J. (Casey Moss) takes a big risk to get the goods on Kyle (Michael Cardelle).

Aiden is attacked, then lies about it.

Wednesday, August 19
Rafe (Galen Gering) contemplates another career change which would put him back in Hope's orbit; Aiden and Clyde (James Read) have a confrontation; Marlena (Deidre Hall) learns John has been keeping a secret; Paige (True O'Brien) holds J.J.'s fate in her hands.

Thursday, August 20
Aiden lies to Hope about seeing his assailant; Marlena confronts John (Drake Hogestyn); someone picks up on Rafe's feelings for Hope; J.J. tells Paige he still loves her.

Friday, August 21
Eve (Kassie DePaiva) vows to destroy J.J.'s plans; Clyde threatens Aiden; John (Drake Hogestyn) tries to move along his reconciliation plans with Marlena; Caroline (Peggy McCay) and Victor (John Aniston) bond when he pays her a late night visit at the hospital.

"What are you doing here?" Harding asks Kevin when he arrives at the
Abbott cabin.

Check out the day-to-day spoilers below to find out what's happening on The Young and the Restless during the week of August 17th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 17
Neil (Kristoff) forgives Devon (Bryton James) and Hilary (Mishael Morgan); Devon and Hillary get married; Colin (Tristan Rogers) erases the incriminating video; Kevin (Greg Rikaart) finds Harding (Chris L. McKenna) at the cabin; Dylan (Steve Burton) tells Sharon (Sharon Case) that he's always thought about being a cop.

Tuesday, August 18
Ashley (Eileen Davidson) tells Billy (Burgess Jenkins) that she knows Jack (Peter Bergman) is hiding something; Phyllis (Gina Tognoni) wonders if she and Jack (Peter Bergman) should tell Paul (Doug Davidson) the truth.; Phyllis and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) have a confrontation; Marisa (Sofia Pernas) decides to take matters into her own hands.

Wednesday, August 19
Victor (Eric Braeden) shares news that surprises members of his family; Lily (Christel Khalil) and Cane (Daniel Goddard) come to a decision about their marriage.

Thursday, August 20
Marco and Jack face off; Noah (Robert Adamson) wants justice for Courtney; Hilary's world is upturned.

Friday, August 21
A deadly showdown occurs; Sharon decides to confront Summer (Hunter King) and Mariah (Camryn Grimes); Phyllis determines to seeks revenge.

RELATED:
- Soap of the Week Poll (August 10-14, 2015)
- 'The Young and the Restless' Actress Alyvia Lind To Play Young Dolly Parton on 'Coat of Many Colors'
- Ron Carlivati Fired From 'General Hospital' as Head Writer, Replaced by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante
- 'The Young and the Restless' Star Jessica Collins: Disappointed With "Story and the Direction and Integrity of My Character"
- 'The Young and the Restless' Head Writer Chuck Pratt: "I Never Want to Plan Things Out Too Carefully"
- Departing 'The Young and the Restless' Star Jessica Collins Lands Movie Role
- 'The Young and the Restless' Star Misheal Morgan Is Pregnant, Baby Due in August
- 'The Young and the Restless' Star Greg Rikaart Marries Robert Sudduth

"I'm here about your daughter's case, and her role in the death
of Alexandria Forrester," says Lt. Bradley Baker (Dan Martin).

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and a sneak peek video below to find out what's happening on The Bold and the Beautiful during the week of August 17th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 17
Ivy (Ashleigh Brewer) catches Wyatt (Darin Brooks) in an act of betrayal; Caroline (Linsey Godfrey) and Ridge (Thorsten Kaye) discuss a serious business matter.

Tuesday, August 18
Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) decides to stick with her story as Lt. Baker (Dan Martin) asks tough questions about Aly's (Ashlyn Pearce) death; Ivy uses seduction to make sure Wyatt remains loyal.

Wednesday, August 19
Thomas (Pierson Fode) struggles with his feelings for Caroline; Ivy and Liam (Scott Clifton) have an honest talk about love and murder.

Thursday, August 20
Liam demands answers regarding Ivy's accusations; Katie (Heather Tom) and Ridge reminisce about the past and offer each other advice.

Friday, August 21
Steffy must defend herself when Ivy shares her side of the story; Caroline talks with Thomas about her dreams for the future.

RELATED:
- Soap of the Week Poll (August 10-14, 2015)
- Sneak Peek: Rick and Maya's Wedding on 'The Bold and the Beautiful'
- Obba Babatundé & Anna Maria Horsford Are Fantastic New Additions to 'The Bold and the Beautiful'
- Adrienne Frantz Pregnant and Losing it Over Heartwarming Commercial (Video)

Can Nikolas resist Hayden (Rebecca Budig)?

Check out the day-to-day spoilers and two sneak peek videos below to find out what's happening on General Hospital during the week of August 17th.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Monday, August 17
Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) continues to confide in Nikolas (Tyler Christopher) in order to protect their secret; Brad (Parry Shen) shares details of his past with Lucas (Ryan Carnes); Jordan (Vinessa Antoine) asks Sonny (Maurice Benard) about the recent mob violence; Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) gives updates to Lulu (Emme Rylan) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna).

Tuesday, August 18
Olivia feels the need to tell the truth; Julian (William deVry) maintains his innocence; Lucas tries to accept Brad's past; Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Valerie (Brytni Sarpy) find common ground.

Brad explains his past to Lucas.

Wednesday, August 19
Ava (Maura West) decides to come clean with Julian; Carly (Laura Wright) and Sonny become more concerned about Morgan (Bryan Craig); Olivia frets about revealing the truth.

Thursday, August 20
Ava asks Julian for assistance; Carly solicits Michael's (Chad Duell) opinion about Morgan; Nina (Michelle Stafford) comes to a realization.

Friday, August 21
Scott (Kin Shriner) reveals the truth about Ava; Nina decides to confide in Nathan (Ryan Paevey); Madeline (Donna Mills) and Carly talk about their kids' problems; Sonny and Olivia share suspicions about Julian.

RELATED:
- Soap of the Week Poll (August 10-14, 2015)
- ABC Exec Nathan Varni Previews What's Ahead on 'General Hospital'
- Ron Carlivati Fired From 'General Hospital' as Head Writer, Replaced by Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante
- FLASHBACK: 'General Hospital' - Proving That Miracle Cures Really Do Exist!
- 'General Hospital' Stars Kelly Monaco & Billy Miller Hit the Beach in Malibu
- Anthony Geary Talks Leaving 'General Hospital,' Working with Genie Francis

1984: Guiding Light's Springfield celebrated Founders Day.
1985: General Hospital's Anna & Robert plotted to get the Aztec jewels.
1986: Another World's Felicia spoke at Zane's funeral.
1991: Days of our Lives'"Roman" reunited with Marlena.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1977: On Guiding Light, Eve (Janet Grey) was released from Cedars. She would later go blind.

1979: On The Edge of Night, Elliott couldn't (Lee Godart) resist Raven (Sharon Gabet) even though he was aghast she left the baby alone.

1980: On Guiding Light, Nola (Lisa Brown) gave Morgan (Kristen Vigard) someone else's I.D. in order assist Morgan with obtainining birth control pills.

Thanks to Jennifer for sending in the clip above.

1980: On Texas, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) asked her husband, Brian Bancroft, in Bay City to come to Houston.

1984: On Guiding Light, H.B. (Larry Gates) announced the merger of Lewis Oil and LTA at the Springfield Founders Day celebration.

1985: On General Hospital, Robert (Tristan Rogers) and Anna (Finola Hughes) plotted to get the Aztec jewels.

1986: On Another World, Reginald Love (John Considine) interrupted the funeral of Zane Lindquist. This episode was Nancy Frangione's last appearance as Cecile DePoulignac until October 31, 1989. The teenage King of Tanquir arrived to take Cecile away. She left, but not before calling Kathleen McKinnon (Julie Osburn) a "frowzy sack of potatoes."

1989: Elinor Donahue guest-starred on Generations as Sylvia Furth, a daytime television network executive who wanted to see her friend Jessica Gardner (Barbara Rhoades) return to her role on the fictional soap opera Tomorrow's Another Day.

1990: On Another World, gossip columnist Shana Barr (played by real life gossip reporter Claudia Cohen) tried to badger Sharlene (Anna Holbrook) and Josie (Alexandra Wilson) for the scoop about her affair with Grant but Vicky (Anne Heche) intervened.

1991: On Days of our Lives, back from the dead Marlena (Deidre Hall) reunited with Roman (Drake Hogestyn at the time) on the pier.

1994: On All My Children, Erica (Susan Lucci) held on to Mona's casket and begged her mother not to leave her (continued from Friday, August 12). Later, Erica asked Mona's picture for advice while lying in bed.

1995: Actor Robert Pickering, whose soap roles included Mike Bauer on The Guiding Light and Dr. Goddard in Days of our Lives, died at age 57.

2000: On Passions, Julian Crane (Ben Masters) stole Ivy's attaché case from Pilar's house, and worked to break into it.

2006:Passions became the first daytime soap opera to make full episodes available for download and purchase from iTunes.

2007: Bob Hiltermann made his first appearance on All My Children as Walter Novak, Annie Lavery's (Melissa Claire Egan) estranged father.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Rose Marie (Herself, The Young and the Restless) - 92
Georgann Johnson (ex-Eugenia, All My Children; ex-Jane, As the World Turns; ex-Ellen, Somerset; ex-Ellen, Another World) - 89
Abby Dalton (ex-Julia, Falcon Crest; ex-Lydia, The Young and the Restless) - 80
Mike Henry (ex-Rudolph, General Hospital) - 79
Lucille Soong (ex-Yao, Desperate Housewives; ex-Sally, Passions; ex-Jasmine, Coronation Street) - 77
Betsy Franco (ex-Karen, General Hospital) - 68
Tess Harper (ex-Karen, Jack & Bobby; ex-Mrs. Pinkman, Breaking Bad) - 65
Zeljko Ivanek (ex-Sammy, The Edge of Night; ex-Emile, Heroes) - 58
Nicole Gian (ex-Alice, The Young and the Restless) - 54
Peter Hermann (ex-Davis, Cashmere Mafia; ex-Michael, Guiding Light) - 48
Debra Messing (ex-Julia, Smash; ex-Sloan, Prey) - 47
Vince Poletto (ex-Tanner, All My Children) - 43
Marc Bannerman (ex-Gianni, EastEnders) - 42
Natasha Henstridge (ex-Dawn, The Secret Circle) - 41
Cassidy Hinkle (ex-Faith, As the World Turns) - 18

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email kevin@welovesoaps.com.

1957: CBS aired the last episode of daytime soap Valiant Lady.
1985: General Hospital's Celia and Jimmy Lee married.
2007: Guiding Light's Olivia ran into Reva during Josh's wedding.
2007: One Life to Live's Asa Buchanan died.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again."
― Maya Angelou

"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...

1957: The final episode of daytime soap opera Valiant Lady aired on CBS radio and television. The show, which debuted in 1953, was a follow up to the radio soap opera of the same name that ran from 1938 to 1952. Flora Campbell starred as Helen Emerson during the show's final three years.

1976: On Another World, Iris (Beverlee McKinsey) complained about Rachel to Therese. "Daddy always loved me until Rachel trapped him," Iris said.

1977: Iconic singer Elvis Presley died. His ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, later starred for several seasons as Jenna Wade in Dallas. Former Loving star Susan Walters played Priscilla in the 1988 television movie Elvis and Me.

1979: On The Edge of Night, Miles (Joel Crothers) tried to soothe a dying Louise.

1984: On Days of our Lives, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) helped Bo (Peter Reckell) steal the prism.

1985: On General Hospital, Celia Quartermaine (Sherilyn Wolter) and Jimmy Lee Holt (Steve Bond) were married. Meanwhile, Prescott Harrell (Robert Newman) held Holly Sutton (Emma Samms) hostage.

1985: Diana Webster made her first apperance as Lavinia Peach in Days of our Lives.

1989: On As the World Turns, Duncan (Michael Swan) pulled Jessica (Tamara Tunie) into a kiss.

1989: Actress Amanda Blake died at age 60. Best known as Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke, she played Dr. Julianna Stanhower in The Edge of Night in 1984.

1991: Jensen Buchanan played the role of Marley (Love) Hudson on ANOTHER WORLD for the first time. She had debuted as Vicky on July 25, 1991.

1993: Actor Tom Fuccello died at age 56. He played Dave Culver on Dallas, Paul Kendall in One Life to Live, and Mark Elliott on Love is a Many Splendored Things, and also appeared in Knots Landing and Falcon Crest. His final role was Randall Kirby in The Young and the Restless.

1999: On One Life to Live, Dorian (Robin Strasser) found a crying doll on her doorstep.

1999: On As the World Turns, Lily (Martha Byrne) and Holden (Jon Hensley) decided "Faith" was the perfect name for their switched at birth baby, and Lisa (Eileen Fulton) offered Carly (Maura West) a job as the Mona Lisa's Ladies Room Attendant.

2000: On The Bold and the Beautiful, Stephanie (Susan Flannery) plotted to terminate Morgan's (Sarah Buxton) pregnancy by secretly slipping Morgan an abortion drug that she had obtained from Bill Spencer, Sr.

Thanks to FoxCrane for sending in this item.

2001: On The Young and the Restless, Ashley (Eileen Davidson) told Traci (Beth Maitland) that Colleen was becoming a bit too attached to Brad.

2002: On Passions, Tabitha (Juliet Mills) was unable to make a martimmy without Timmy.

2007: On Guiding Light, Josh and Cassie were almost married but Olivia (Crystal Chappell) hit Reva (Kim Zimmer) with her car before they could finish the ceremony.

2007: On One Life to Live, Nigel discovered that Asa Buchanan had died. Clint (Jerry verDorn), Bo (Robert S. Woods) and the rest of Llanview mourned the loss of Asa at a funeral service. This was OLTL's 9,999th episode.

2012: Actor William Windom died at age 88. His soap roles included Amos Krebs in Dallas, Mayor Virgil Mapes on The Yellow Rose, and Charlie Banks in Flamingo Road.

Celebrating a birthday today are:
Anita Gillette (ex-Loretta, Another World; ex-Franki, The Edge of Night) - 79
Carole Shelley (ex-June, All My Children; ex-Iris, Another World) - 76
Paul Hecht (ex-Mark, Loving Friends and Perfect Couples; ex-Alexander, As the World Turns) - 74
Lesley Ann Warren (ex-Sophie, Desperate Housewives) - 69
Reginald VelJohnson (ex-Dash, Hart of Dixie; ex-Reverend Love, General Hospital; ex-Ed, The Bold and the Beautiful) - 63
Dee Hoty (ex-Karen, As the World Turns) - 63
Kathie Lee Gifford (ex-Nurse Callahan, Days of our Lives) - 62
Laura Innes (ex-Nora, Another World) - 58
Angela Bassett (Olivia, American Horror Story; ex-Leonie, Ryan's Hope) - 57
Jonathan Prince (ex-Al, Secrets of Midland Heights) - 57
Tanya Franks (Lucy, Broadchurch; ex-Rainie, EastEnders) - 48
Matt Farnsworth (ex-Brett, 7th Heaven) - 40
Cam Gigandet (ex-Daniel, The Young and the Restless; ex-Randy, Jack & Bobby; ex-Kevin, The O.C.) - 33
Jonathan Bouck (ex-Matt, General Hospital; ex-Dozer, Days of our Lives) - 33
Agnes Bruckner (ex-Bridget, The Bold and the Beautiful; ex-Heather, Private Practice) - 30
Shawn Pyfrom (ex-Andrew, Desperate Housewives) - 29
Trevor Doyle Nelson (ex-Billy, Miss Behave; ex-Riley, Friday Night Lights) - 29
Kevin G. Schmidt (ex-Noah, The Young and the Restless) - 27
Rumer Willis (ex-Gia, 90210) - 27
Cameron Monaghan (ex-Ian, Shameless) - 22

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to submit a soap history entry for this date or a future date, email kevin@welovesoaps.com.

Rosemary Prinz, Helen Wagner and Don MacLaughlin starred in
As the World Turns as Penny, Nancy and Chris Hughes.

A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas

The Soap Box
Vol. III No. 10 September 1978
by John Genovese

(continued from Part 2)

1955
The networks began to take it easy after such a succession of sad cases. The only two serials to begin this year were anthologies sponsored by Borden on NBC, and one succeeded the other. The first, The Way of the World, portrayed disconnected plots taken from womens' magazine stories. The narrator was Gloria Lewis, and its duration was from January 2 to October 7.

Its replacement was A Date With Life (October 10, 1955 to June 29, 1956) which starred Logan Field as Jim Bradley, editor of Bay City News, who narrated the various sagas set in Bay City (later the setting of Another World). Field was later replaced by Mark Roberts as brother Tom Bradley. It was produced by Therese Lewis, who later produced The Brighter Day.

1956
In the daytime serial world, this was the year of the innovations. On April 2, CBS and Procter & Gamble premiered the first two television soaps to air a full thirty minutes daily, rather than the usual fifteen.

As the World Turns, the blockbuster portrait of family life as created by Irna Phillips, was headed up by three sterling performers who remain as the show's tentpole characters: Helen Wagner as Nancy Hughes, Don MacLaughlin as Chris Hughes, and William Johnstone as Judge Lowell. The show's wide array of illegitimate births and long awaited love matches are still made appealing by the show's quiet, naturalistic manner of story unraveling.

The Edge of Night starred John Larkin as Mike Karr
and Don Hastings as Jack Lane.

The Edge of Night, created by Irving Vendig, was obviously daytime TV's answer to Perry Mason and starred John Larkin as crime fighter Mike Karr, then a police lieutenant. Co-starring were Teal Ames as Mike's love interest and eventual first wife, Sara Lane, and Don Hastings as Sara's trouble-prone brother, Jack Lane. The initial adventures concerned Sara and Jack's evil uncle, Harry Lane, who fenced stolen goods and plotted to murder his alcoholic wife, Cora. Lauren Gilbert played this gem of a fellow. On December 1, 1975, Edge moved to ABC, being the first daytime television serial ever to switch networks.

1957
CBS replaced Valiant Lady with Roy Winsor's Hotel Cosmopolitan starring Donald Woods as the narrator of the goings-on in a plush New York hotel. Supporting players included James Pritchett (Dr. Matt Powers, The Doctors), Henderson Forsythe (Dr. David Stewart, As the World Turns), Wesley Lau, Tom Shirley and Walter Brooke. It began airing August 19, 1957 and ended April 11, 1958, when it proved to be "too different" for the traditional soap audiences. Love of Life then expanded to a half-hour.

1958
On January 2, NBC took a crack at a novel and movie classic: Kitty Foyle. Naturally, this version was ill-fated, but it could claim such alumni as Patty Duke, Judy Lewis, William Redfield, Bob Hastings (Don's brother), Arlene Golonka, Teri Keane and Kay Medford. Written by Carlton E. Morse and Sarett Rudley, Kitty was "foiled" on September 26.

On June 30, NBC persevered with two new serials, Today Is Ours and From These Roots.

Today Is Ours concerned Laura Manning, vice principal of a junior high school in the town of Bolton, and her remarried ex-husband, Karl, who had visitation rights to their son, Nicky. Patricia Benoit was Laura, Patrick O'Neal was Karl, and Peter Lazer was Nicky. Others included Joyce Lear, Ernest Graves, Jean Stapleton, Joanna Roos and John McGovern. It was written by David Lesan, but it didn't pan out. So on December 29, it changed formats by involving a young doctor character in a gradual change of format, and on January 30 of 1959 the radio character of Dr. Jerry Malone became the new protagonist. That is how Today Is Ours became the television version of Young Doctor Malone.

Young Doctor Malone starred William Prince as Dr. Jerry
Malone and Augusta Dabney as Tracey Malone.

Malone had a fine cast and a solid story, but NBC still not not have much luck. Co-starring William Prince and Augusta Dabney as Jerry and Tracey Malone, it featured John Connell as Dr. David Malone, Lesley Woods as the neurotic Clare Bannister Steele, Martin Blaine as Lionel Steele, and Michael Ingram as Dr. Stefan Koda. Chase Crosley, Joyce Van Patten, Dick Van Patten, Judson Laire, Edmond Ryan and Mary Fickett were also in the large cast. Writers included Charles Gussman, Harry Junkin and Richard Holland; directors included Walter Gorman and Jim Young; Carol Irwin and Doris Quinlan were among its producers. The story setting was Valley Hospital in Denison, Maryland. It finished on March 29, 1963 to be replaced by another hospital drama, The Doctors.

The other NBC premiere of June 30, 1958 was really a "soap of stars."From These Roots concerned the Fraser family in the New England town of Strathfield. Heading up the class group was Ann Flood as Elizabeth Fraser, professional writer and youngest of the three children of widower Ben Fraser (Rod Hendrickson, Joseph Macaulay), editor of the Strathfield Record. Helen Shields and Henderson Forsythe, who had played a married couple on The Edge of Night, were reunited as Emily and Jim Benson on Roots. Millette Alexander, Robert Mandan, Craig Huebing, Vera Allen, Audra Lindley and Sarah Hardy were also in the cast. The show's actor exchange program with Edge was due to their sharing a producer, Don Wallace. Thus, right after From These Roots folded on December 29, 1961, Ann Flood moved right over to Edge as Mike Karr's new love interest, Nancy Pollock--also an editor's daughter! From These Roots was created by John Pickard and Frank Provo and sponsored by Procter & Gamble.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Check back soon for Part 4 of A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977.

Android TV spoke with Days of our Lives stars Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady), Galen Gering (Rafe Hernandez) and Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson) about the show's upcoming 50th anniversary and more.

"Our formula has now been adopted by primetime feature films and able," Alfonso explained. "It's very successful."

"Right now as we go into our 50th, everything is peaking," Gering added. "As actors, you love when the writing you have for your character reflects who you think your character is and, at times, that's now always the case. It is now."

"Absolutely, I'm thrilled to say that I recognize my character," Alfonso continued. "For a few years, it was in and out, uncharacteristic for her to say things and do certain things. I have to say that she's back. Hope is back, and I embrace her and I'm enjoying her. She's completely unpredictable."

"The energy on the show, it's never been like this," Nichols says. "It's electric and exciting."

Watch their interview below:

Longtime Days of our Lives stars Deidre Hall and James Reynolds
visited Pat Sajak and Vanna White on the set of Wheel of Fortune.

Days of our Lives stars Deidre Hall and James Reynolds visit Wheel of Fortune
The official Wheel of Fortune Twitter account tweeted the news: "We had some drama on set today! Deidre Hall & James Reynolds from @nbcdays stopped by to visit Pat & Vanna! #Days50th"

The Young and the Restless actress Mishael Morgan has baby boy
Morgan (Hilary, Y&R) and her husband welcomed a son, Niam, on August 9. "She was supposed to have her boy on my birthday [August 17] but he came early," says her co-star, Bryton James (Devon).

Days of our Lives actor Guy Wilson responds to rumors he's leaving the soap
Despite rumors that Wilson has finished shooting at Days already, Wilson tried to reassured a fan about his status on Saturday: "don't worry I'm not going anywhere!:)"

Susan Lucci among stars that will take on comedic reading of Kardashian tome
All My Children star Susan Lucci and Blondie legend Debbie Harry will each take on the role of one of the Kardashians for a comedic reading of the sisters’ riveting reality tome “Kardashian Konfidential.”

They’ll be joined by Christie Brinkley and Brooke Shields at the Celebrity Autobiography performance on August 21 at Guild Hall in East Hampton.

Johnny Depp Makes Surprise Appearance at Disney’s D23 Expo
The Walt Disney Co. welcomed eight new members to its exclusive club of Disney Legends at the D23 Expo on Friday, including the father of Star Wars George Lucas, Johnny Depp, composer Danny Elfman and longtime All My Children star Susan Lucci.

Depp, making his first public appearance since last year’s Hollywood Awards, joked about being in such good company.

“I don’t know why I’m here,” Depp quipped.

The Pirates of the Caribbean and Alice in Wonderland star added: “I never really liked the word ‘fan.’ It implies that someone is over someone else. I would say that you are actually my employer.”

Former WWE Diva Kelly Kelly Talks (Barbie Blank) Going From WWE to Reality TV, Joining the Cast of WAGS
"They are both very similar, WWE is just like a soap opera but with wrestling, while Reality TV is just like that but the characters are real and the drama is real!"

Robb Derringer Returning to 'General Hospital' as Agent Kyle Sloane; Grayson McCouch Out!

NEWS: Dena Higley, Scott Turner Schofield, Nicki Minaj, Vanessa Ray, Britney Spears

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 2)

Kyler Pettis Joins 'Days of our Lives'

Today in Soap Opera History (August 13)

NEWS: Constantine Maroulis, 'Downton Abbey' First Look, Alfonso Herrera, Connie Britton

Ratings: 'General Hospital' Hits Another New Women 18-49 Low

Today in Soap Opera History (August 14)

Go Behind The Scenes of British Web Series 'Shades of Bad'

Soap of the Week Poll (August 10-14, 2015)

ABC Exec Nathan Varni Previews What's Ahead on 'General Hospital'

'Days of our Lives' Spoilers (August 17-21, 2015)

'The Young and the Restless' Spoilers (August 17-21, 2015)

'The Bold and the Beautiful' Spoilers (August 17-21, 2015)

'General Hospital' Spoilers (August 17-21, 2015)

Today in Soap Opera History (August 15)

Today in Soap Opera History (August 16)

FLASHBACK: A Complete, Concise Yearly History of TV Soap Operas - 1947 to 1977 (Part 3)

'Days of our Lives' Stars Galen Gering, Kristian Alfonso and Stephen Nichols Talk with 'Android TV' About The Soap's 50th Anniversary

NEWS: 'Days' Stars Deidre Hall and James Reynolds Visit 'Wheel of Fortune'; 'Y&R' Actress Mishael Morgan Has Baby Boy; Susan Lucci Goes Kardashian