When we trace the lineage of daytime TV icons, Ellen Holly’s name stands as a beacon of pioneering spirit and cultural significance. Her journey through the world of acting is not just a chronicle of personal success, but a narrative that intertwines with the larger story of racial progress in America’s entertainment industry. Let’s explore the reasons behind Ellen Holly’s iconic status in daytime television. Ellen Hollys early acting career Born on January 16, 1931, in Manhattan, Ellen Holly grew up with a passion for the performing arts. After graduating from Hunter College, she treaded the boards in New York...
- 12/25/2023
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Introducing a Pioneer: Ellen Holly When we talk about trailblazers in the entertainment industry, Ellen Holly’s name stands as a beacon of progress. Known for her iconic role in ‘One Life to Live’, Ellen Holly not only graced the screens with her talent but also broke racial barriers that paved the way for future generations of African American actors. As we explore her career milestones, it’s clear that her journey wasn’t just about acting—it was about making history. Setting the Stage for Success Born into a world where the stage was set for change, Ellen Holly’s early career began in...
- 12/24/2023
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Ellen Holly, the first Black actor to have a leading role on a daytime soap opera, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. She was 92.
Photo by Ashley E. Jones
Holly joined ABC’s One Life to Live in 1968, in the role of Carla Benari, an actress of seemingly Italian heritage who found romance with Jim Craig, a white doctor (played by Robert Milli and then Nat Polen). It eventually came out that Carla Benari was actually Carla Gray, an African-American passing as white –and the daughter of Llanview Hospital housekeeping boss Sadie Gray...
Photo by Ashley E. Jones
Holly joined ABC’s One Life to Live in 1968, in the role of Carla Benari, an actress of seemingly Italian heritage who found romance with Jim Craig, a white doctor (played by Robert Milli and then Nat Polen). It eventually came out that Carla Benari was actually Carla Gray, an African-American passing as white –and the daughter of Llanview Hospital housekeeping boss Sadie Gray...
- 12/8/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Ellen Holly, a stage and screen actor who became the first Black star of a daytime television series with her role as Carla Gray in ABC’s soap opera “One Life to Live,” died Wednesday at Cavalry Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. She was 92.
Holly’s death was confirmed by a representative for the actor.
Cast on “One Life to Live” in 1968, Holly stayed with the long-running series through 1980, before returning from 1983 to 1985. Producer Agnes Nixon cast Holly in the role after reading the actor’s New York Times opinion piece “How Black Do You Have To Be?,” in which Holly recounted her personal difficulties in finding acting work as a light-skinned Black woman.
Carla Gray’s main conflict in the series regarded a love triangle between two doctors — one white, one Black. The arc predated storylines on “All My Children” and “General Hospital” that also directly confronted race.
Holly’s death was confirmed by a representative for the actor.
Cast on “One Life to Live” in 1968, Holly stayed with the long-running series through 1980, before returning from 1983 to 1985. Producer Agnes Nixon cast Holly in the role after reading the actor’s New York Times opinion piece “How Black Do You Have To Be?,” in which Holly recounted her personal difficulties in finding acting work as a light-skinned Black woman.
Carla Gray’s main conflict in the series regarded a love triangle between two doctors — one white, one Black. The arc predated storylines on “All My Children” and “General Hospital” that also directly confronted race.
- 12/8/2023
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Ellen Holly, the first Black actress to become a recurring soap star on ABC‘s One Life to Live as Carla Gray-Hall has died. The history-making soap star was 92 years old. According to Holly’s publicist, the daytime TV star died in her sleep on Wednesday, December 6 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. Holly is best known for her role on One Life to Live in which she starred in over 500 episodes from her debut in 1968 to 1985. She went on to feature in another popular soap, Guiding Light between 1988 and 1993, during which time she appeared in just under 60 episodes. (Credit: ABC /Courtesy Everett Collection) At the time of her casting, audiences were led to believe Holly’s character was white until it was revealed she was a light-skinned Black woman passing for white, something Holly had discussed openly in an op-ed for the New York Times, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
- 12/8/2023
- TV Insider
Ellen Holly, the first Black person to star in a soap opera with her lead role on One Life to Live, died Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. She was 92 and died in her sleep.
Her first roles on television included appearances on The Big Story (1957), The Defenders (1963), Sam Benedict (1963), Dr. Kildare (1964) and The Doctors and the Nurses (1963 and 1964).
Holly played the groundbreaking character Carla Gray on the hit ABC show One Life to Live from 1968 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985. She was personally chosen for the role by television producer Agnes Nixon after she saw a New York Times opinion piece that Holly wrote, called “How Black Do You Have To Be?” about the difficulty of finding roles as a light-skinned Black woman.
Holly was born on January 16, 1931, in Manhattan to parents William Garnet Holly, a chemical engineer, and Grayce Holly, a housewife and writer.
A graduate of Hunter College,...
Her first roles on television included appearances on The Big Story (1957), The Defenders (1963), Sam Benedict (1963), Dr. Kildare (1964) and The Doctors and the Nurses (1963 and 1964).
Holly played the groundbreaking character Carla Gray on the hit ABC show One Life to Live from 1968 to 1980 and 1983 to 1985. She was personally chosen for the role by television producer Agnes Nixon after she saw a New York Times opinion piece that Holly wrote, called “How Black Do You Have To Be?” about the difficulty of finding roles as a light-skinned Black woman.
Holly was born on January 16, 1931, in Manhattan to parents William Garnet Holly, a chemical engineer, and Grayce Holly, a housewife and writer.
A graduate of Hunter College,...
- 12/7/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Ellen Holly, whose long-running turn as Carla on ABC’s One Life to Live made her the first Black actress to gain stardom on a daytime soap opera, has died. She was 92.
Holly died in her sleep Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, publicist Cheryl L. Duncan announced.
A member of The Actors Studio who did Shakespeare for Joseph Papp and was mentored by the same woman who discovered Julie Harris and Kim Stanley, Holly appeared four times on Broadway, beginning with her acclaimed performance in 1956 as the female lead in Too Late the Phalarope.
She appeared in a handful of films as well, from Take a Giant Step (1959), starring Johnny Nash, Estelle Hemsley and Ruby Dee, to School Daze (1988), directed by Spike Lee.
Holly, however, did not work as often as her talents suggested she should have, because as a light-skinned African American, she had difficulty being hired...
Holly died in her sleep Wednesday at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, publicist Cheryl L. Duncan announced.
A member of The Actors Studio who did Shakespeare for Joseph Papp and was mentored by the same woman who discovered Julie Harris and Kim Stanley, Holly appeared four times on Broadway, beginning with her acclaimed performance in 1956 as the female lead in Too Late the Phalarope.
She appeared in a handful of films as well, from Take a Giant Step (1959), starring Johnny Nash, Estelle Hemsley and Ruby Dee, to School Daze (1988), directed by Spike Lee.
Holly, however, did not work as often as her talents suggested she should have, because as a light-skinned African American, she had difficulty being hired...
- 12/7/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Micki Grant, who wrote and starred in Broadway’s groundbreaking 1972 Black musical revue Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope, died Sunday at the age of 80.
With Don’t Bother Me, Grant became the first woman to write both the music and lyrics to a Broadway musical, and her collaborator Vinnette Carroll entered the history books as the first Black woman to direct on Broadway.
Grant, whose death was first reported by the Broadway World website and confirmed by licensing and publishing company Concord Theatricals, returned to Broadway in 1976 by contributing additional music and lyrics for Alex Bradford’s musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, a retelling of the Book of Matthew directed by Carroll.
Described by Broadway director Kenny Leon as “a brilliant, passionate writer who gave everything to our industry,” Grant had already broken new ground on television by the time she made her seminal stand on Broadway,...
With Don’t Bother Me, Grant became the first woman to write both the music and lyrics to a Broadway musical, and her collaborator Vinnette Carroll entered the history books as the first Black woman to direct on Broadway.
Grant, whose death was first reported by the Broadway World website and confirmed by licensing and publishing company Concord Theatricals, returned to Broadway in 1976 by contributing additional music and lyrics for Alex Bradford’s musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God, a retelling of the Book of Matthew directed by Carroll.
Described by Broadway director Kenny Leon as “a brilliant, passionate writer who gave everything to our industry,” Grant had already broken new ground on television by the time she made her seminal stand on Broadway,...
- 8/23/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC."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...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be,...
― 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...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we are also able to say yes. And yet it seems so strange that so many times what we will to be,...
- 7/15/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1974: The first Daytime Emmys ceremony was held in New York.
1980: All My Children's Benny tried to get Estelle help.
1990: General Hospital's Shep Casey looked familiar to Anna.
2013: The Young and the Restless aired a special Jeanne Cooper tribute episode."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...
1968: On The Doctors, Liz (Pamela Toll) reassured Penny (Jami Fields) when they talked about feeling different.
1970: On Dark Shadows, Maggie Collins was trying to preserve her marriage to Quentin (David Selby) unaware his first wife, Angelique, had...
1980: All My Children's Benny tried to get Estelle help.
1990: General Hospital's Shep Casey looked familiar to Anna.
2013: The Young and the Restless aired a special Jeanne Cooper tribute episode."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...
1968: On The Doctors, Liz (Pamela Toll) reassured Penny (Jami Fields) when they talked about feeling different.
1970: On Dark Shadows, Maggie Collins was trying to preserve her marriage to Quentin (David Selby) unaware his first wife, Angelique, had...
- 5/28/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1980: As the World Turns' Nick met Lisa.
1985: Santa Barbara's Peter kidnapped Eden.
1987: Brenda Dickson was honored.
2007: Guiding Light's Tammy and Jonathan were married."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...
1937: Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories premiered on CBS Radio. The popular radio soap opera ran until November 16, 1956.
1968: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser) gave Ada (Constance Ford) some money and told her to take Mary (Virginia Dwyer) out to lunch instead of bringing her to their shabby apartment.
1973: On The Doctors, Martha Allen (Sally Gracie) visited her friend,...
1985: Santa Barbara's Peter kidnapped Eden.
1987: Brenda Dickson was honored.
2007: Guiding Light's Tammy and Jonathan were married."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...
1937: Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories premiered on CBS Radio. The popular radio soap opera ran until November 16, 1956.
1968: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser) gave Ada (Constance Ford) some money and told her to take Mary (Virginia Dwyer) out to lunch instead of bringing her to their shabby apartment.
1973: On The Doctors, Martha Allen (Sally Gracie) visited her friend,...
- 1/18/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1978: One Life to Live and General Hospital each expanded to an hour."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...
1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) warned Toni Fescina of the danger if she tried to get hush money from Roy Benson.
1967: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) woke up and tried to put out the fire, burning his hands in the process. Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott ) came in and put the fire out, as Sam frantically claimed that Laura Collins (Diana Millay) burned his hands.
― 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...
1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) warned Toni Fescina of the danger if she tried to get hush money from Roy Benson.
1967: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) woke up and tried to put out the fire, burning his hands in the process. Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott ) came in and put the fire out, as Sam frantically claimed that Laura Collins (Diana Millay) burned his hands.
- 1/15/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1964: Another World's Pat murdered Tom Baxter.
1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas charmed Julia.
1995: Loving's Neil proposed to Kate.
2004: Gh's Jason begged Sam to live after they lost their baby."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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...
1962: Joseph Allen, who played roles in CBS soap operas Love of Life (Miles Pardee) and The Edge of Night, died at age 44.
1964: On Another World, Frank Andrews (Peter Brandon) arrived home and found Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) standing over the dead body of his roommate, Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).
1965: On Days of our Lives second episode, Marie Horton...
1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas charmed Julia.
1995: Loving's Neil proposed to Kate.
2004: Gh's Jason begged Sam to live after they lost their baby."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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...
1962: Joseph Allen, who played roles in CBS soap operas Love of Life (Miles Pardee) and The Edge of Night, died at age 44.
1964: On Another World, Frank Andrews (Peter Brandon) arrived home and found Pat Matthews (Susan Trustman) standing over the dead body of his roommate, Tom Baxter (Nicholas Pryor).
1965: On Days of our Lives second episode, Marie Horton...
- 11/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Oltl's Jim asked Price to assist with Carla's case.
1980: The Edge of Night's Geraldine interrupted Raven's plans.
1985: Days of our Lives' Patch attacked Hope.
2010: General Hospital's Mike appeared for the final time."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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: Joan Crawford made the second of four appearances on The Secret Storm as Joan Borman Kane, substituting for her sick daughter Christina Crawford.
1968: On One Life to Live, Joe (Lee Patterson) told Anna (Doris Belack) about his feelings for her, which went beyond the boundaries of friendship. Meredith (Trish Van Devere) had left...
1980: The Edge of Night's Geraldine interrupted Raven's plans.
1985: Days of our Lives' Patch attacked Hope.
2010: General Hospital's Mike appeared for the final time."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"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: Joan Crawford made the second of four appearances on The Secret Storm as Joan Borman Kane, substituting for her sick daughter Christina Crawford.
1968: On One Life to Live, Joe (Lee Patterson) told Anna (Doris Belack) about his feelings for her, which went beyond the boundaries of friendship. Meredith (Trish Van Devere) had left...
- 10/29/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
The Archive of American Television is now The Interviews: An Oral History of Television. The latest addition to the archive is a five-hour masterpiece with One Life to Live legend Ellen Holly, who played Carla Gray from the show's beginning in 1985 until the mid-1980s.
Watch the fascinating interview below.
Related:
- We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Ellen Holly (January 2012)...
Watch the fascinating interview below.
Related:
- We Love Soaps Interview Archive: Ellen Holly (January 2012)...
- 9/8/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Agnes Nixon's One Life to Live premiered on ABC."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...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we...
― 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...
1940: On The Guiding Light, Rose Kransky (Ruth Bailey) and Charles Cunningham had dinner together after a chance meeting on the street.
The episode opened with the following narration: "Where we are free to act, we are also free to refrain from acting. And where we are able to say no, we...
- 7/15/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1974: The first Daytime Emmys ceremony was held in New York.
1980: All My Children's Benny tried to get Estelle help.
1990: General Hospital's Shep Casey looked familiar to Anna.
2013: The Young and the Restless aired a special Jeanne
Cooper episode."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...
1968: On The Doctors, Liz (Pamela Toll) reassured Penny (Jami Fields) when they talked about feeling different.
1970: On Dark Shadows,...
1980: All My Children's Benny tried to get Estelle help.
1990: General Hospital's Shep Casey looked familiar to Anna.
2013: The Young and the Restless aired a special Jeanne
Cooper episode."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...
1968: On The Doctors, Liz (Pamela Toll) reassured Penny (Jami Fields) when they talked about feeling different.
1970: On Dark Shadows,...
- 5/30/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1980: As the World Turns' Nick met Lisa.
1985: Santa Barbara's Peter kidnapped Eden.
1987: Brenda Dickson was honored.
2007: Guiding Light's Tammy and Jonathan were married."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― 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...
1937: Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories premiered on CBS Radio. The popular radio soap opera ran until November 16, 1956.
1968: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser...
1985: Santa Barbara's Peter kidnapped Eden.
1987: Brenda Dickson was honored.
2007: Guiding Light's Tammy and Jonathan were married."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― 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...
1937: Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories premiered on CBS Radio. The popular radio soap opera ran until November 16, 1956.
1968: On Another World, Rachel (Robin Strasser...
- 1/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1978: One Life to Live and General Hospital each
expanded to an hour."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...
1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) warned Toni Fescina of the danger if she tried to get hush money from Roy Benson.
1967: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) woke up and tried to put out the fire, burning his hands in the process. Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott ) came in and put the fire out, as Sam frantically claimed that Laura Collins (Diana Millay) burned his hands. Roger (Louis Edmonds) believed booze to be the culprit in Sam's accident.
expanded to an hour."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...
1958: On The Edge of Night, Mike Karr (John Larkin) warned Toni Fescina of the danger if she tried to get hush money from Roy Benson.
1967: On Dark Shadows, Sam Evans (David Ford) woke up and tried to put out the fire, burning his hands in the process. Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott ) came in and put the fire out, as Sam frantically claimed that Laura Collins (Diana Millay) burned his hands. Roger (Louis Edmonds) believed booze to be the culprit in Sam's accident.
- 1/16/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
In August 1973 Daytime TV magazine continued their series "The Complete Story of..." with Days Of Our Lives.
The 12-page feature told the story of Days up until that point and included information about the original cast, photos from the beginning and behind the scenes details. It also talked about the origins of the show and how it became a success. ("We make every effort to do a first-rate show, one whose standards match that of nighttime programming. One of the main factors to which we can attribute its longevity is the level of writing maintained by William Bell, our head writer since 1966.")
Other details include an explanation of "How It's Written," Days romances, and a look at the show's "woman producer" Betty Corday.
(click to expand)
Related:
- Flashback: August 1973, 1974, 1975 - What Was Popular In The Soap World
- Flashback: The Story of General Hospital, Part 1
- Flashback: The Story of General Hospital,...
The 12-page feature told the story of Days up until that point and included information about the original cast, photos from the beginning and behind the scenes details. It also talked about the origins of the show and how it became a success. ("We make every effort to do a first-rate show, one whose standards match that of nighttime programming. One of the main factors to which we can attribute its longevity is the level of writing maintained by William Bell, our head writer since 1966.")
Other details include an explanation of "How It's Written," Days romances, and a look at the show's "woman producer" Betty Corday.
(click to expand)
Related:
- Flashback: August 1973, 1974, 1975 - What Was Popular In The Soap World
- Flashback: The Story of General Hospital, Part 1
- Flashback: The Story of General Hospital,...
- 8/18/2011
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
What was popular in the soap world in the mid-1970s? Daytime TV magazine used to do a fan poll each month and soap fans would check the polls as soon as they got their copies to find where their favorites ranked. They also included a Nielsen ratings update which was always interesting to compare to the fan poll. In the Flashback pages below, we take a look at what shows and actors were popular in August 1973, 1974 and 1975. Fyi: It was a different soap each August.
Some of the actors are now indie soap stars (Janice Lynde, Denise Alexander) while some are still popular on daytime soaps (Susan Flannery, Bill and Susan Hayes). Other has passed away. They all were making an impact with fans at the time.
(click to expand)
August 1973
August 1974
August 1975
Related:
- Flashback: Great Courtroom Trials - All My Children's Jeff Martin
- Flashback: Great...
Some of the actors are now indie soap stars (Janice Lynde, Denise Alexander) while some are still popular on daytime soaps (Susan Flannery, Bill and Susan Hayes). Other has passed away. They all were making an impact with fans at the time.
(click to expand)
August 1973
August 1974
August 1975
Related:
- Flashback: Great Courtroom Trials - All My Children's Jeff Martin
- Flashback: Great...
- 8/16/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Living a White Life -- for a While
By Ellen Holly
New York Times
August 10, 1969
In September of last year I was approached to try out for a part on a brand new ABC soap opera called One Life To Live; the part was a black girl who passes for white. I didn't give it much thought. If you're black you don't get white parts either. But what most people don't realize is that even when there's a part for a "black who looks white," it never goes to a black person but to a white one. Follow? I know . . . I know . . . it's hard for me, too.
Some years ago I was interviewed for the film I Passed For White and the part went to the white Sandra Wilde. Some years later I was seen about the remake of Imitation of Life. Ross Hunter cooed over me, told me I looked like Loretta Young,...
By Ellen Holly
New York Times
August 10, 1969
In September of last year I was approached to try out for a part on a brand new ABC soap opera called One Life To Live; the part was a black girl who passes for white. I didn't give it much thought. If you're black you don't get white parts either. But what most people don't realize is that even when there's a part for a "black who looks white," it never goes to a black person but to a white one. Follow? I know . . . I know . . . it's hard for me, too.
Some years ago I was interviewed for the film I Passed For White and the part went to the white Sandra Wilde. Some years later I was seen about the remake of Imitation of Life. Ross Hunter cooed over me, told me I looked like Loretta Young,...
- 7/15/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
In case you missed them, here are the 15 most popular topics over the past week at We Love Soaps TV:
1. Thorsten Kaye Is Still The "Occupant" Of Our Hearts - Part One
2. Thorsten Kaye Is Still The "Occupant" Of Our Hearts - Part Two
3. Catching Up With Denise Alexander: The Pretty Interview, Part 3
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7. News: Beau Bridges, Leslie Uggams, Michelle Stafford, Joan Collins
8. Terri Conn on Joining One Life To Live
9. News: Mini Glee, Greg Vaughan, Leona Lewis, Nia Long, Cara Buono
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11. For Michael Swan Audition Turns Into 'Old Home Week'
12. We Love Soaps TV 2.13 Aaron & Griffin Kunitz
13. News: Agnes Nixon Honored, Kyle Lowder, Coles Whalen, Silbermann
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15. Flashback: Ellen Holly 1969, Part One...
1. Thorsten Kaye Is Still The "Occupant" Of Our Hearts - Part One
2. Thorsten Kaye Is Still The "Occupant" Of Our Hearts - Part Two
3. Catching Up With Denise Alexander: The Pretty Interview, Part 3
4. Give A Damn Campaign Releases New PSA About Glbt Homelessness
5. News: New Dallas Details, Days Product Placement, Dracula, Sunjata
6. IMDb Starmeter
7. News: Beau Bridges, Leslie Uggams, Michelle Stafford, Joan Collins
8. Terri Conn on Joining One Life To Live
9. News: Mini Glee, Greg Vaughan, Leona Lewis, Nia Long, Cara Buono
10. We Love Soaps TV 2.29 Van Hansis
11. For Michael Swan Audition Turns Into 'Old Home Week'
12. We Love Soaps TV 2.13 Aaron & Griffin Kunitz
13. News: Agnes Nixon Honored, Kyle Lowder, Coles Whalen, Silbermann
14. Photos: Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo Operation Smile Event
15. Flashback: Ellen Holly 1969, Part One...
- 11/22/2010
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
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