Marlena says: Back in the summer of 1983, when soaps were hot and the networks were trying to attract young viewers on school vacations, ABC devised a five-episode soap called The Hamptons, set on Long Island. Its executive producer was Gloria Monty. This was her reward for executive-producing General Hospital in the hot Luke and Laura days. … [Read more...]
Soap Opera Natural Disaster Stories Revisited
June 9, 2026 by 8 Comments
Marlena says: Before Beyond the Gates’ current tornado, other daytime soaps were visited by all manner of disasters. Here’s a vivid history of some of the memorable ones by soap historian Michael Poirier. By Michael Poirier How did the writers and producers shake up a soap opera in the early days of the genre? For many years, it was car … [Read more...]
Movie Stars on Soaps, Part Two
June 6, 2026 by 1 Comment
When I wrote the previous piece about established movie stars appearing on soaps, I knew that despite its considerable length, I was only scratching the surface. Thanks to a few knowledgeable readers and my renewed research into the subject, here are some additions. Please understand that there are many other such performers who graced the big … [Read more...]
Movie Stars Who Appeared on Soaps — A Complete History
May 17, 2026 by 18 Comments
Marlena says: Who knows more about daytime soap opera than John K. Read, formerly known as John Kelly Genovese? I met John in 1978 when I was an intern to the late editor/columnist Jon-Michael Reed. John and I discovered a mutual interest in soaps and became fast friends. He invited me frequently to his home In Connecticut to watch kinescopes of … [Read more...]
Jeanne Cooper (1928 – 2013): An Appreciation
May 10, 2026 by 5 Comments
We soap fans love our performers because they come into our homes as our favorite characters for years. In short, fan favorites become members of our own families. When a member of our family passes away, we feel it deeply. Last week I reprinted a memorial column for Beverlee McKinsey (Iris, “Another World” and “Texas,” Alexandra, “Guiding … [Read more...]
Behind the Scenes: “They Care as Much About Soaps as We Do”
April 13, 2026 by 13 Comments
Marlena says: When I first started writing the “Critical Condition” column in Soap Opera Weekly in 1989, I hoped reader reactions to my opinions would be strong, and I wasn’t disappointed. So early on I decided to make anybody who wrote to me my friend, either by personal reply or later by making you my Facebooks friends. I’ve made many, many … [Read more...]
Marlena Asks, What Was Your First Soap, Part Two
March 23, 2026 by 8 Comments
Marlena says: Two weeks ago, I asked all of you to send me recollections of your first soap. These memories typically go back a long way. In the first installment, I described my introduction to “The Doctors.” A colleague spoke fondly of “Another World” and the interlocking rings on its colorful logo. Another went way back, to the days when the … [Read more...]
What Was Your First Soap? A New Marlena Interactive Series
March 15, 2026 by 21 Comments
Way before there was an Internet, Marlena loved being interactive with her readers. Today I am going to tell you all about my very first soap, which led me to a lifetime of soap fandom (otherwise known as addiction). What was yours? I have also asked the same question of some of my soap journalist colleague friends who were kind enough to send … [Read more...]
What It’s All About, Erica, Redux
February 3, 2026 by 2 Comments
Marlena says: Susan Lucci’s new autobiography “La Lucci” (Ballantine Books) is everywhere this week as she does a media blitz, launched with a cover story in this week’s People magazine. I will review the book here as soon as I receive my copy. But I just can’t wait until then to revisit one of my favorite subjects. I’ve been a staunch fan of … [Read more...]
“GH”‘s Anthony Geary, 1947-2025: He Changed Our Soap World
December 21, 2025 by 10 Comments
I started watching “General Hospital” in 1978, at the beginning of my career as a soap journalist. That was the year that Anthony Geary made his debut on “GH” as Luke Spencer. I liked Luke immediately. He was charming, funny, and true. And Geary was a terrific actor who won over his already approving audience with his character’s warmth and … [Read more...]
