Soap Opera Mourns Recent Losses: It has been a heartbreaking time for those of us who love daytime TV. Five of our beloved actors and three top-rated soap journalists have left us in recent months. We Soap Opera Weekly alumni have lost our beloved managing editor Robert Shorke, 51, and features editor Katie “Caelie” Haines, 54. … [Read more...]
Melted Ice: The Ice Princess Story Revisited
September 5, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Marlena delights in introducing a new contributor, Jeffrey S. Pearlstein. Jeff is a veteran soap journalist and long-time colleague of Marlena’s who has written for many soap magazines. He is an expert in soap history, a wonderful interviewer, and his great passion for soaps shines through in everything he does. He is also a wonderful … [Read more...]
Is there a market for soap nostalgia?
August 24, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Marlena proudly presents the work of new contributor Mike Poirier, who knows everything about soaps, particularly the old ones. Here, Mike writes about early soaps, such as Somerset— which Marlena is old enough to remember. He also presents resources on how you can see episodes from some long-gone shows. He has been a valued supporter of Soaps for … [Read more...]
Kin Shriner Written Off General Hospital? What a Mistake!
May 21, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Who is the funniest, most charming man on daytime television? My choice is Kin Shriner, who has played Scott(y) Baldwin on General Hospital, on and off, for 45 years, and has appeared on plenty of other soaps, too, like GH’s spinoff Port Charles. He’s a beloved veteran star with a huge and richly deserved following. And yet, according to his own … [Read more...]
The Night Susan Lucci Won the Best Actress Emmy on Her 19th Nomination, plus Jacklyn Zeman: In Memorium
May 13, 2023 by 2 Comments
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing three of the most beautiful entertainers in the world: Kim Kardashian, Elizabeth Taylor (by phone) and Susan Lucci (Erica Kane, All My Children), the latter many, many times. Who could ever forget May 21, 1999, the night at Madison Square Garden when Susan won the Best Actress Emmy on her 19th nomination? … [Read more...]
50th Anniversary of the Daytime Emmys — Marlena’s Picks
May 1, 2023 by 3 Comments
The first time I went to the Daytime Emmys was in 1981, when I was the editor of Afternoon TV magazine. I had never seen a soap opera star in the flesh. That year Douglas Watson (Mackenzie Corey on Another World) won for Best Actor and Judith Light (Karen Wolek, One Life to Live) won for Best Actress. Both were brilliant and I was absolutely … [Read more...]
A Bit of Marlena Soap History: Joan Crawford on The Secret Storm in 1968
April 26, 2023 by 3 Comments
With this week’s news that Dick Van Dyke will guest on Days of Our Lives next fall, it’s time to remember other screen stars who have guested on soaps. Yes, real stars, like, for example, Elizabeth Taylor, who played the original Helena Cassadine on General Hospital in 1981. I was fortunate enough to interview her at the time. She was giggly, … [Read more...]
CBS Wisely Puts a Spotlight on Y&R’s 50th Anniversary
April 3, 2023 by 2 Comments
Fifty years ago (March 26, 1973), I was a college newspaper editor at a prestigious state university. At lunchtime, I stopped what I was doing and ran back to my dorm for lunch. I prepared a sandwich and sat down to watch the premiere of the CBS soap The Young and the Restless. (Yes, my classmates thought I was weird for watching soaps. Even … [Read more...]
General Hospital: Holly’s Return — Redux!
March 20, 2023 by Leave a Comment
We’re entering into a special period in soaps. Two of our shows will be celebrating significant anniversaries. General Hospital, the longest running scripted show on all of television, will be 60 years old on April 1. And The Young and the Restless will be 50 on March 26. Both shows plan to celebrate with special appearances by alumni … [Read more...]
Days of Our Lives’ Robert Clary and John Aniston: Warmly Remembered
November 26, 2022 by 1 Comment
Days of Our Lives’ Robert Clary and John Aniston: Warmly Remembered By Patrick Erwin, a contributor to this column for many years on As the World Turns and Guiding Light (Patrick says: I’m honored to be a contributor to Marlena’s column once again.) It’s a bittersweet memory for today’s visit. We’re remembering the sad recent passing of … [Read more...]
