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...]
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...]
A Bit of Marlena Soap History: Joan Crawford on The Secret Storm in 1968
April 26, 2023 by 4 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...]
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...]
An Eyewitness History of the Soap Press
September 26, 2022 by 7 Comments
When people meet me for the first time, they invariably ask me two questions: 1) You have an unusual last name. How do you pronounce it? (I say, “Pass-a-lac-qua. Yes, it’s Italian, and it means “over the water.”) 2) You do WHAT for a living??? Yes, I am proud I have been a soap opera journalist for … oh my, 40 years now. Like many of my … [Read more...]
