News

In light of the news that All My Children is potentially being rebooted as a holiday movie on Lifetime, Soap Hub reached out to a few of your favorite Guiding Light alums to see their thoughts about the potential to bring their show back.

Gl History

Gl aired on CBS from June 30, 1952, to September 18, 2009. Before that it was broadcast on the radio from January 25, 1937, and June 29, 1956. It aired on both CBS and on the radio from 1952-1956. Keep reading to see what they had to say!

Beth Chamberlin (Beth)

How would you feel about Gl being rebooted as a movie? I would love it. There is the selfish reason that I would get to see and work with my wonderful friends on the show. There is also the knowledge of the joy that would bring to long-time viewers. People rarely understand the unique aspect of these long-running series. They provided a touch point between generations.

Michael E. Knight joined “General Hospital” in 2019 as attorney Martin Grey, who represented imprisoned villainess Nelle (Chloe Lanier) as she tried to win her freedom from prison, and also Franco (Roger Howarth) whose mental competence was questioned after he was implanted with the memories of Drew Cain. Now Knight is nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Best Guest Performer. And that’s actually a historic achievement. He is now the first actor ever nominated at every level over the course of his career: younger, supporting, lead and now guest acting.

SEE2020 Daytime Emmy nominations list: Full list of 47th Daytime Emmy nominees

It took decades for anyone to be nominated at the three acting levels that existed for most of the Daytime Emmys’ history. Howarth was the first, nominated as a younger and supporting actor for “One Life to Live” in the 1990s and then as a lead in 2004 for “As the World Turns.

1966: Days of our Lives creator Ted Corday died.

1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.

1993: Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead, on Days of our Lives.

2009: Y&r's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."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...

1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the...

This year Jacqueline MacInnes Wood earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Best Actress for her role as Steffy Forrester on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” It’s her fourth nomination overall but her first as a leading lady, which puts her in elite company. It makes her only the fifth woman to achieve the triple crown of nominations as a younger, supporting and lead actress. But she still hasn’t won. Is this her year?

MacInnes Wood achieved all of her nominations in the span of just seven years. She picked up a pair of Best Younger Actress bids (2012-2013), which she lost to Christel Khalil (“The Young and the Restless”) and Kristen Alderson (“General Hospital”), respectively. When she returned to the Emmy lineup in 2018 she had aged out of the younger category (the cutoff is 26), so she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, but lost to Camryn Grimes (“Y...

1961: Edge of Night's Sara Karr died.

1989: Guiding Light's Harley married Alan-Michael.

1996: John's life was spared on Days of our Lives.

2011: Brenda and Sonny's wedding was interrupted on Gh, but the couple was married after Brenda's confession."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...

1949: On Lorenzo Jones, Belle (Lucille Wall) got the results of her aptitude test and learned that she has musical talent. But Lorenzo (Lucille Wall) became angry, believing she was neglecting her household chores in order to take piano lessons.

1961: On The Edge of Night,...

The Guiding Light premiered on NBC Radio on January 25, 1937. Pictured above, the cast in 1937 at the NBC studio in Chicago."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: Irna Phillips' The Guiding Light premiered on NBC Radio. The show ran on radio (NBC then CBS) until 1956. In 1952, the series transitioned to CBS-tv, airing both on TV and radio until 1956. The show ran on TV until September 18, 2009, making it the longest running scripted series in broadcast history.

1953: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) complained to Papa Bauer...

1980: As the World Turns' Wade Bookstore caught on fire.

1988: Another World's Mary and Jason were caught in an explosion.

1988: General Hospital's Anna was held hostage.

1997: Sunset Beach's Annie held a gun on Ben."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...

1966: On Another World, an argument between John and Lee led to a devastating car crash.

1967: Actress Ann Sheridan died at age 51. She played Kathryn Corning in Another World.

1972: On The Edge of Night, Kate Sloan (Jan Farrand) told Cookie Pollock (Fran Sharon) that...

1967: Dark Shadows' Barnabas choked, thanks to Angelique.

1987: Santa Barbara's Mason and Julie had sex in a cave.

1989: Another World's Rachel spent Thanksgiving without Mac.

1999: Chloe Lane first appeared on Days of our Lives."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...

1967: On Dark Shadows, Angelique Bouchard (Lara Parker) put a handkerchief around the toy soldier's neck. As she tightened it, Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) began to choke, and he eventually collapsed on the floor.

1975: On Ryan's Hope, Mrs. Huber (Martha Greenhouse) complained to Frank Ryan (Michael Hawkins) about her apartment building possibly being sold without the tenant's approval.

1980: Larkin Malloy made his Edge of Night debut.

1980: Gh's Laura didn't leave after saying goodbye to Luke.

1985: Oltl's Tina figured out Viki was Niki Smith.

2001: Degrassi: The Next Generation premiered."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...

1970: On Another World, after being jilted by the man she loved, Wayne Addison (Robert Milli), Liz (Nancy Wickwire) was convinced she had no life. "I have nothing," she told her daughter, Susan (Lisa Cameron). "Nothing that matters."

1980: Larkin Malloy made his first appearance on The Edge of Night as "Schuyler Whitney."

1980: On General Hospital, Jennifer Smith...

1972: Search for Tomorrow's Jo and Tony were married.

1977: Days of our Lives' Marlena was locked in a sanitarium.

1997: General Hospital's Brenda was left at the altar.

1998: Y&R's Drucilla surprised Neil and Victoria."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...

1955: On British radio soap opera The Archers, Grace died in the Brookfield stables.

1972: On Search for Tomorrow, Joanne Tate (Mary Stuart) married Dr. Tony Vincente (Anthony George).

Thanks to Susan for sending in the item above.

1977: On Days of our Lives, Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall) was trapped in the sanitarium, mistaken for her twin sister,...

1979: Word of Dan Stewart's death spread on As the World Turns.

1984: Days of our Lives' Eugene had a vibe about a plane crash.

1988: Guiding Light's Harley dreamed about the good life.

2008: Lisa Locicero debuted as Olivia on General Hospital."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...

1948: The Associated Press published a story about the role television might play in the soap opera. Below is an excerpt:

Some uncertainties in the situation were outlined by Adrian Samish, youthful president of Show Productions, Inc. The firm is the producing subsidiary of the Dancer-Fitzgerald-Sample agency,...

1966: Days of our Lives creator Ted Corday died.

1983: Edge of Night's Raven and Sky were thrown in jail.

1993: Days' Salem mourned Carly, who wasn't actually dead.

2009: Y&R's Victor gave Adam his acceptance."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...

1966: Producer and director Ted Corday died at age 58. Corday moved from Broadway to radio dramas to television directing at The Guiding Light and As the World Turns. In 1965 NBC asked Corday to create three new daytime soap operas leading to the premieres of Days of our Lives, Paradise Bay and Morning Star. Days continues to...

1961: Edge of Night's Sara Karr died.

1989: Guiding Light's Harley married Alan-Michael.

1996: John's life was spared on Days of our Lives.

2011: Brenda and Sonny's wedding was interrupted on Gh, but

the couple was married after Brenda's confession."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...

1949: On Lorenzo Jones, Belle (Lucille Wall) got the results of her...

The Guiding Light premiered on NBC radio on January 25, 1937.

The show ended its run on CBS TV on September 18, 2009."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: Irna Phillips' The Guiding Light premiered on NBC Radio. The show ran on radio (NBC then CBS) until 1956. In 1952, the series transitioned to CBS-tv, airing both on TV and radio until...

1980: As the World Turns' Wade Bookstore caught on fire.

1988: Another World's Mary and Jason were caught in an explosion.

1988: General Hospital's Anna was held hostage.

1997: Sunset Beach's Annie held a gun on Ben."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...

1966: On Another World, an argument between John and Lee led to a devastating car crash.

Filed under: Dancing With The Stars, Features, TV News

J. R. Martinez might be familiar to daytime TV fans, but chances are the rest of the world doesn't know much about the 28-year-old actor, who has signed on to compete during Season 13 of 'Dancing With the Stars.'

Martinez currently plays Brot Monroe, the presumed dead love of Lt. Taylor Thompson (Beth Ehlers), on ABC's soon-to-end soap opera 'All My Children.' (Good timing for the new gig, right?)

But before his life as a famous actor, Martinez served as a U.S. Army infantryman in Iraq, where he sustained burns over 40 percent of his body in 2003. After almost three years spent recovering from his injuries, the Louisiana native, who also grew up in Arizona and Georgia, began working as a motivational speaker.

 

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On this date in...

1908: Future radio soap star (Lorenzo James; Our Gal Sunday) was born.

1984: Eileen Fulton returned to As The World Turns and taped her first episode which would air on August 3.

Celebrating a birthday today are:

Terry Davis (ex-Stacey, Another World; ex-Hillary, Sunset Beach; ex-April, The Edge Of Night) - 60

Beth Ehlers (Coryn, River Ridge; ex-Taylor, All My Children; ex-Harley, Guiding Light) - 43

Stephen Martines (ex-Tony, Guiding Light; ex-Nikolas, General Hospital) - 36

Kalup Linzy (ex-Kalup, General Hospital) - 34

Paul (Wasilewski) Wesley (Stefan, Vampire Diaries; ex-Logan, Army Wives; ex-Max, Guiding Light; ex-Sean, Another World) - 28

Editor's Note: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to [email protected].

The interwoven kaleidoscope of the residents of a small east coast town and their familiar and relatable circumstances are explored in the socially conscious drama series River Ridge.

The fictional town of River Ridge serves as the landscape for a pleathora of tales, exploring the foundations of a community and its citizens. Distant sisters (Signy Coleman, Julie Pinson) confronting their dysfunctional past, lovers (Jon Prescott, Danielle Dilorenzo) who have lost their way, an economically plauged mother (Beth Ehlers) battling the unraveling affects of mental illness and the damaging influence it has on her children (Carrie Watt, Seth Ford), a couple (Shannon Sturges, Mark Doherty) threatened by their baggage attempt to keep their blossoming relationship intact, a star athlete (Matthew Daniell) struggling to define his indentity, and two teenagers (Matt McAbee, Christina Jackson) navigating unexpected love in the midst of intolerance and predjudice, create a patchwork of interconnected stories in this hyper-cinematic drama.

Ever since the announcement that All My Children was leaving New York, moving from the studios where it's been shot since the premiere in 1970, the big question among fans has been who will be staying with All My Children when it moves west... and who won't.

The good news is that Susan Lucci has decided to stay with the show, even if she's not giving up her New York home. Susan, as well as costar Vincert Irizarry, have decided to commute to Los Angeles, with AMC arranging the schedule to make it more convenient for the veterans.

There's bad news, however, and it involves three big AMC stars. Thorsten Kaye, who plays Zach, has decided not to relocate. In addition, Beth Ehlers (Taylor) and Aiden Turner (Aidan) have been let go. In other words, they have not been invited to go west.

Continue reading All My Children fallout: who's in...

Beth Ehlers is the latest actor to get the axe from All My Children, following in the recently-fired footsteps of Aiden Turner.

However, the show's casting door is also swinging the other way: On November 6, BethAnn Bonner - best known for her run as Talia on One Life to Live - has joined the show.

She'll make her All My Children debut in the recurring role of Kat, a character that will figure into Kendall and Aidan's storyline, later this fall.

An unexpected casting development has revived decades-old U.S. TV soap All My Children - after the show signed on a real war hero to play a wounded soldier on the series.

Iraq war veteran J.R. Martinez is set to make his TV debut next month as a wounded soldier on the daytime show after winning a casting search.

Martinez, 25, was severely burned when his Humvee hit a land mine in 2003.

His new co-star, actress Beth Ehlers tells Us Weekly, "I'll teach him to act, and he'll teach me to be a better person."...