Today in Soap Opera History (October 23)

"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...

1978: On Another World, Rachel Cory (Victoria Wyndham) cut off Jamie's (Tim Holcomb) allowance after finding out he had married Blaine Ewing (Laura Malone).

1981: On General Hospital, the residents of Port Charles wanted Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) to have a big wedding.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 22)

"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...

1968: On Dark Shadows, Joe Haskell (Joel Crothers) stabbed himself with a letter opener after Angelique (Lara Parker) told him that he bored her and wanted him to go.

1973: On The Doctors, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett) reassured Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) while Dr. Nick Bellini (Gerald Gordon) performed surgery on her daughter, Penny.

John Clarke Dead at 88

Veteran Days of our Lives star John "Jack" Clarke has died on October 17 in California from complications of pneumonia. He was 88.

Clarke had previously suffered a stroke in 2007 and has had declining health in the last few years.

Clarke was best known for his 39-year run as Mickey Horton on NBC soap opera Days of our Lives. He was an original cast member of the iconic daytime serial in 1965 and played the role until 2004.

In 1979, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for his work in 2004.

'Chad & Abby in Paris' Sneak Peak: Abby Finds Chad in Juliette's Bed

On the next episode of Days of our Lives: The Digital Series, Juliette (Rachele Schank) and Abigail (Kate Mansi) come to blows as Abigail discovers Chad (Billy Flynn) in Juliette's bed! Check out a sneak peek below.

Nelson Aspen Thrills Packed House with His "Showbiz Scrapbook"

On October 4, I arrived at The Green Room 42 for international entertainment reporter and entertainer Nelson Aspen's sold out debut performance of "A Showbiz Scrapbook." Having seen Nelson multiple times in recent years, I knew he always packed the house so there was no excuse for not buying a ticket before they were all gone but I somehow still managed to end up on the wait list. After being rejected by the ticket booth a few times I made one last attempt to beg my way into the show and secured a bar stool by the door. Lucky for me there are no bad seats in this terrific venue, which I had never visited before. As for the premiere of Nelson's latest show, it was everything I had hoped for and more.

One big new addition for "Showbiz Scrapbook" was the use of audio-visual clips and images to highlight Nelson's prolific television work. During the course of the evening, Nelson recounted everything from how being Princess Diana's fitness trainer launched his broadcasting career to the thousands of celebrity interviews, breaking news stories and red carpet events that led to him becoming known as "Hollywood's Happiest Personality."

The clips featured celebrities such as Betty White, Hugh Jackman, Julie Andrews, Camilla Cabello, Roger Moore (Nelson's favorite James Bond), Carol Lynley and many, many more. The crowd—which featured former daytimers Denise Pence (Guiding Light), Emmy winner Louise Shaffer (Ryan's Hope), Shelly Burch (One Life to Live), producer Richard Schilling, publicist Lee Fryd, Emmy-winning writer Janet Iacobuzio, Marie Brossard and Randy Lein—loved every moment.

The evening also featured the first-ever live performance of Emmy and Murrow award winning journalist Phil Lipof, who killed with his performance of Bruce Springsteen's "Thunder Road."

But since my favorite television show of all-time was the daytime soap opera Another World, I was over the moon when Nelson sang the show's beloved theme song. Check out the iconic chorus below.

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.

'Marvel's Helstrom' Cast Revealed

Marvel Television and HULU have announced casting for MARVEL’S HELSTROM - the live-action series based on the popular Marvel comic book. The series will mark Marvel’s first foray into terror and is slated for debut in 2020.

In MARVEL’S HELSTROM, Daimon and Ana Helstrom are the son and daughter of a mysterious and powerful serial killer. The siblings have a complicated dynamic as they track down the terrorizing worst of humanity — each with their attitude and skills.

Tom Austen (“Grantchester,” “The Borgias”) as Daimon Helstrom - A professor of ethics who moonlights as an exorcist, Daimon has no illusions about saving a world he has no patience for; he just hopes he can help a few of the people closest to him. In his battle against a hidden world, Daimon is determined to root out demons as they arise, and will not stop until they're vanquished.

Today in Soap Opera History (October 8)

"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...

1968: On The Doctors, Congressman Jason Randall (M. Emmet Walsh) arrived at Hope Memorial for a hospital tour with a posse of reporters, flustering Nurse Simpson (Carolee Campbell).

1969: On Dark Shadows, Count Andreas Petofi (David Selby), in Quentin's body, informed Angelique she had to follow his orders in the future. Julia (Grayson Hall) realized that Petofi (Thayer David) was really Quentin but then disappeared back to 1969.

Coming Soon: Today in Soap Opera History!

For years, I have published a daily "Today in Soap Opera History" feature for We Love Soaps. The column will be moving to Serial Scoop in October. Stay tuned!

'Serial Scoop Now' 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show, Part 4

Serial Scoop Now host Michael Taylor Gray interviewed the stars in front of and behind the camera on the red carpet of the 10th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 3, 2019 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California. In the fourth of our multi-part coverage, we chat with the cast and crew of Three Year Letterman ("Coach Letterman"/Caleb Leach, Seth Morton) and The Rich and the Ruthless (Victoria Rowell, Alesha Renee, Irene Roseen, Dawnn Lewis, Richard Brooks, Michael Colyar, Brenda Epperson and more!).

Check it out below.

'Serial Scoop Now' 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show, Part 3

Serial Scoop Now host Michael Taylor Gray interviewed the stars in front of and behind the camera on the red carpet of the 10th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 3, 2019 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California. In the third of our multi-part coverage, we chat with the cast and crew of Conversations in L.A. (Anne Marie Cummings, Sebastian Heinrich, Terra Strong, Lou Diamond Phillips, Gustavo Velasquez), Or Die Trying (Jenny Austin, Chelsea London Lloyd) and Roads to Keystone (Colin Deane, George Barr, Christopher Smith, Brad Ulbrich, Manny Patel).

Check it out below.

'Serial Scoop Now' 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show, Part 2

Serial Scoop Now host Michael Taylor Gray interviewed the stars in front of and behind the camera on the red carpet of the 10th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 3 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California. In the second of our multi-part coverage, we chat with the cast and crew of Awkwardly (Nikki Coble, Jessica Alexandra Green), Wholesome Foods, I Love You...Is That OK? (Krista Hosvepian, Samara Stern), Ladies of the Lake: Return to Avalon (Marie Wilson, Jillian Clare) and Pretty the Series (Dee Freeman).

Check it out below.

'Serial Scoop Now' 10th Annual Indie Series Awards Red Carpet Show, Part 1

Serial Scoop Now host Michael Taylor Gray interviewed the stars in front of and behind the camera on the red carpet of the 10th Annual Indie Series Awards on April 3 at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California. In the first of our multi-part coverage, we chat with hosts Patrika Darbo and Kevin Spirtas, along with nominees from After Forever (Michael Slade, Cady Huffman, Erin Cherry & Scott Michael Salame), Anacostia (Lauren B. Martin), Only Children (Wayne Wilcox, Keylor Leigh, Danny Wascou) and Giants (Joy McElveen, Tanee McCall, Terrence Terrell, Mansa Wakili, KJ Smith, Ashly Williams and Kareem James).

Check it out below.