Today in Soap Opera History (October 9)

"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...

1957: On The Right to Happiness, Nurse Helen Mason (Ruth Newton) reported overhearing a racketeer's confession of drugging her patient which broke the defense of the fraudulent insurance claim case.

1967: On Dark Shadows, Dave Woodard (Peter Turgeon) told Julia Hoffman (Grayson Hall) that he discovered the "original" Barnabas Collins had a sister named Sarah. He then revealed he met and walked with Sarah (Sharon Smyth) in the mausoleum.

Liza Huber and Susan Lucci Work To Shine Light on Cerebral Palsy

Liza Huber and Susan Lucci

Former Passions star Liza Huber recently had a life-changing moment, watching her 7-year-old son, Brendan, walk after intense surgery.

"Brendan can now walk up the stairs, what we call reciprocal motion," Huber described. "I was sobbing the first time I saw it."

Brendan has cerebral palsy, a neurological disease that affects muscle movement.

"He is thriving, the decision that Liza made on Brendan's behalf will give him such an improved quality of life," said Huber's mother, All My Children legend and Devious Maids star Susan Lucci.

Both women are passionate about their support of United Cerebral Palsy of New York.

"United Cerebral Palsy of New York provides critical services and programs for people with disabilities in New York City and as a mother of a little boy that has Cerebral Palsy I really know first hand how important these services are," Huber said.

"There is so little known about CP, that’s why Liza and I wanted to step up to the plate and shine a light on it and the amazing work UCP is doing," Lucci explained. "It's to give them the technology, the whole world is about technology now, and the simple things to brush their teeth, to put on their shoes, the things you take for granted."

Huber and Lucci are teaming up to host this year's 'Women Who Care' luncheon, to honor female role models, who are caregivers, philanthropists and business leaders in the community.

Huber and Lucci spoke to WPIX in New York this week about their dedication to the cause. Watch their segment below.

Lindsay Hartley Previews Her New Lifetime Movie, 'Dying to be Loved'

Lindsay Hartley

Lindsay Hartley shot to daytime fame as Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald on Passions, a role she played from 1999-2008. In 2000, she was not only nominated for the Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Female Newcomer, she wrote the song "Kiss Me" for her character, which she performed that year on the show.

In 2009, Hartley joined the cast of another NBC soap opera, Days of our Lives, in the role of Arianna Hernandez. The following year, Hartley signed on to play the new character of Cara Castillo on ABC's All My Children. After landing her first lead in a movie entitled, Perfect on Paper, for Hallmark Channel, Hartley joined the cast of Pop TV's Queens of Drama. Most recently, Hartley starred in Nightmare Nurse, for Lifetime.

Her latest project is another Lifetime Movie, Dying to be Loved, which premieres Saturday, April 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. She plays Jill Yates, a successful lawyer, engaged to Connor (Dan Payne), a self-made business man. Jill’s 18-year-old daughter, Emily (Paloma Kwiatkowsk), is a freshman in college. Extremely introverted and suffering from bouts of depression, Jill is thrilled when Emily asks if she can invite a young man to dinner. But Gary proves to be more dangerous than anyone thought when he is involved in a road rage incident while out with Emily and he ends up killing a man. Emily is also charged with the crime because she handled the gun – even though she was trying to keep Gary from using it.

Gary is convicted of manslaughter but released into the custody of his brother, a policeman, before going to prison. He convinces Emily to run away with him. She leaves a note for her mother saying life is not worth living if they can’t be together.

Lindsay Hartley as Jill in Dying to be loved

When a video camera appears to show the two jumping to their deaths in a “double suicide,” Jill is devastated and guilty. However, she believes Gary killed her daughter and faked his own death. She uses all her resources to discover the truth – her daughter is indeed alive. Now both mother and daughter must find a way to save themselves.

Serial Scoop recently spoke with Hartley about her time on Passions, Days of our Lives and Queens of Drama, and got a preview of Dying to be Loved. Read our exclusive interview below.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Days of our Lives' Star Eric Martsolf to Host 6th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 1

Eric Martsolf at the 41st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Serial Scoop is thrilled to announce that Days of our Lives star Eric Martsolf will host the 6th Annual Indie Series Awards on Wednesday, April 1 at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. The awards show celebrates the best in independently produced, scripted entertainment created for the Web.

"We are thrilled to have a multi-talented artist like Eric Martsolf on board," said Indie Series Awards founder Roger Newcomb. "He has won rave reviews for his work on stage, television and the web, and we think he's the perfect person to host this year's ceremony. It's going to be a night to remember."

"Anything can happen at the ISAs," said producer Susan Bernhardt. "Having Eric as host ensures the Indie Series Awards will once again be one of the most entertaining awards celebrations of the year."

With over 3000 episodes of television under his belt, Mr. Martsolf has been providing "love in the afternoon" with NBC Daytime for the past 13 years. His portrayals of Ethan Winthrop on Passions and currently Brady Black on Days of our Lives have resulted in numerous industry accolades-the zenith being his Emmy win in 2014.

His television credits expand into primetime (Extant, Smallville, NCIS, Rizzoli & Isles), and his musical theater repertoire consists of over 40 productions, including his critically acclaimed role as the Pharaoh in the Osmond Broadway Tour of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He has also starred in the hit web series Acting Dead, The Bay, Venice and Miss Behave.

Mr. Martsolf resides happily with his wife Lisa and energetic twin boys in California.

The Indie Series Network will once again be the charity sponsor for the Indie Series Awards. Nominations for the 6th Annual ISAs will be announced on Wednesday, February 4 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on a special episode of Serial Scoop Now.

For more information on the Indie Series Awards, visit IndieSeriesAwards.com.

RELATED:
* Eric Martsolf and Sean Kanan Present Indie Series Award for Best Drama to 'Hustling'
* 'Days of our Lives' Stars Jen Lilley & Eric Martsolf Perform 'Baby It's Cold Outside' on 'Home & Family'
* Eric Martsolf: Accepts the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Video)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jade Harlow on 'Youthful Daze,' Jen Lilley and 'Lush'

Jade Harlow.

Actress Jade Harlow first came to our attention in 2000 when she played Jessica Bennett on the delightfully campy NBC daytime soap opera Passions. The past few years she has starred in the Emmy-nominated web series The Bay as the troubled young Lianna Ramos. In January 2014, she debuted as Sheryl Connors on Days of our Lives, and quickly became a fan favorite. Viewers were dealt a blow when her good-natured character was written off the show after four months, ending Sheryl's popular romance with Bryan Dattilo's Lucas Horton (affectionately dubbed "Lush" by fans). Harlow recently joined the cast of another soapy drama, Youthful Daze, for its third season, which premieres August 31. She will play Monica Reynolds, and share scenes with former Days castmate Jen Lilley.

Serial Scoop caught up with the vivacious actress to discuss "Lush" and her departure from Days, the awkward first encounter with Jen Lilley which led to a great friendship, and her brand new role on Youthful Daze. What can we expect from Monica Reynolds? Read on to find out!

SERIAL SCOOP: When you were cast as Sheryl on Days, were you aware it was intended to be a short-term role?

Justin Hartley Joins 'The Young and the Restless' as New Adam Newman

Justin Hartley is the new Adam on The Young and the Restless.

Justin Hartley has joined the cast of CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless as the new Adam Newman.

"I'm so pumped about joining Y&R — I watch it all the time and can't wait to get in there and get my hands dirty!" says Hartley, the 37-year-old actor who kicked off his career in 2002 as Fox Crane on Passions, and is currently appearing in ABC primetime soap Mistresses. "I have great respect for daytime drama. I love the branding. I love the style. What can I say? I love good soap!"

"It's all about story and character with me and I don't care if the job is on daytime or primetime or the web. Hey, give me a good character and someone to listen and I'll do my acting on a street corner."

Ryan McPartlin Joins NBC’s 'Bad Judge'

Passions and Chuck alum Ryan McPartlin has will guest star opposite Kate Walsh on NBC's Bad Judge. The single-camera comedy centers on Rebecca (Walsh), a hard-living, sexually unapologetic woman whose life on the edge is constantly in balance because she also happens to be a judge in the criminal court system. McPartlin will play Billy the Fireman, a love interest for Rebecca, during the arc.