September 1979 Soap Summaries (Part Two)

Courtesy of French Fan at SON.

Guiding Light

Written by: Bridget & Jerome Dobson
Produced by: Allen Potter

Rita's old flame Greg Fairbanks arrived and sexually tempted her. Lucille reminded Brandon that he dropped her after she agreed to raise Amanda, who is actually Alan's daughter, although Alan doesn't know it. Amanda snared Ben in a Washington motel, but assured him it's a no-strings relationship. The French patient's bullet wounds healed. Alan and Hope grew closer to each other on the island. Ross handled Jackie's legal affairs and showed a physical interest in her, and in Amanda. Floyd was a bit jealous that Mark seems smitten with Lainie. Rita realized she has problems with Ed. Lucille refused to tell Ben and Amanda why she visited Brandon, bat approved of their joint trip together.

Holly slugged Gail, who insisted Holly be her prison "slave' after Peter nixed having an affair with Gail. Alan softened under Hope's influence and they made love on the island. The mysterious French patient is undeniably Roger, who had flashbacks of Holly shooting him and of arranging with Dr. Moreno for a “fake death”. Rita resisted Greg and consulted with Sara about handling her sexual problems with Ed. Lucille admitted to Amanda that she and Brandon once had an affair, but didn't tell her the rest of the story. Mike gave up the search for Hope. Floyd felt "haunted" in Roger's old apartment. Brandon refused to tell Lucille who Amanda's real mother was.

Roger was released from the French hospital with his “new” face. Alan and Hope were rescued. Alan learned that Jackie had miscarried. Jackie and Mike were suspicious of what transpired on the island between Alan and Hope. Holly refused to be Gail’s prison slave, and Peter feared for Holly’s safety. Lainie canceled a date with Mark after Katie returned and admitted she’s crazy for Mark. Ross snatched a kiss from Jackie while inspecting the Wexler property. Eve and Rita argued about Rita being tempted by Greg, and Rita was stailed from admitting her sexyal inadequacies to Ed. Moreno and Alan refused to help Ralph financially.

Lucille refused to summon help for Brandon who passed away after whispering the name of Amanda’s mother in Lucille’s ear. Alan suspected Lucille knew something about Brandon’s death. Hope told Mike she was leaving town to avoid further contact with Alan. Mike made Ross a partner in his law firm. Katie realized Mark may have been spending time with Lainie. Justin and Elizabeth made plans to marry next week. Alan learned Dr. Moreno had moved leaving no forwarding adress.

Alan followed Hope to London. Jackie was upset to see Alan and Hope's photo in a London newspaper. Roger also saw the photo. Ross learned Amanda will inherit valuable stocks from Brandon and made a play for her. Lainie's become very attracted to Ed.

Love Of Life

Written by: Jean Holloway / Ann Marcus
Produced by: Cathy Abbi

Steve noticed that Vanessa had the blahs after a trip with Bruce. She realized Steve is interested in her. Kim told Tony that he fathered a child that she gave to a priest in order to get the baby, Tron, out of Vietnam. Wes agreed to marry Gina if he can ditch her once the baby's born. Bambi was upset by Tony's strange behavior but Paul consoled her. Mia kept Betsy's messages from Ben.

Gina went into convulsions after taking a home remedy to induce abortion that Christie gave her. Tony and Kim couldn't find anyone to help locate Tron. Kim stood in the shadows and wept during Bambi's wedding rehearsal. Wes had the guilts for reneging on marrying Gina.

Bambi went into a trance and Paul hospitalized her after Tony ran from the wedding. Tony ran to revive Kim who tried to gas herself to death. Ben and Mia succumbed to their desires. Betsy showed pregnancy symptoms. Amy got sweet with Steve.

Tom and Meg spent a night togethen while Liane resisted Andrew’s advances. Elliott and Betsy’s divorce hearing is set for next week. Paul saw Tony with Kim. Van sensed Steve’s attraction to her while Amy moved in on Bruce. Ray said he’d see Wes before pressing statutory rape charges against him on Gina’s behalf.

Paul told Bambi that Tony and Kim Soo Ling left town together. Bambi remembered that Tony had loved a Vietnamese woman who saved his life. Kim and Tony searched San Francisco for their child.

One Life To Live

Written by: Gordon Russell & Sam Hall
Produced by: Joseph Stuart

Brad went after Karen but she didn't report the rape because of Jenny. Samantha and Mick got along famously, but Tina decided she wants a piece of Mick's action. Karen drowned her sorrows at the River Rat, then injured a stranger’s lecherous paws. Katrina guessed that Karen was raped and Brad hustled to keep Katrina quiet. Dorian had Gretel take over Pat's tv show since Pat's ill. Maggie teased Adam that she had a scheme to reunite him and Pat, but Maggie intended to snatch Adam for herself. Ed convinced Edwina not to write a yellow story on Karen, who refused to confide in anyone, especially Will.

Joe learned he's deathly ill after asking Becky and Richard to return from Paris. Maggie acted nicey-nice to Pat but fantasized stealing Adam. Joe rehired Edwina who realized that Gretel is her competition for Herb's affections. Dorian hired Ellen, Mario's former fiancee, who noticed that Mario didn't remember where they planned to spend their honeymoon. Fran was upset that Mick is breaking training because of Samantha. Mick reluctantly agreed to do a health spa commercial for Dorian. Mario questioned Brad about Karen who retreated from everyone.

Joe tried to tell Viki that he’s terminally ill but was stymied because of their anniversary. Tina complained to Joe that she lost Mick to Samantha. Matt realized the game Maggie was playing with Adam. Tina made a date with Jamie, who’s in cahoots with Judd who is vengeful since Tina once jilted her. Ivan comforted Faith that hed never allow “them” to take her away. Brad laid into Peter for getting too close to Jenny. Karen slipped that she had reason to despise Brad. Brad’s pawnbroker informed Brad that Jenny’s ring and pearls have been sold.

Mario beat up Brad after realizing that Brad raped Karen. Adam caught onto Maggie’s schemes to win his affections and moved back to New York after bidding Pat farewell. Becky Lee arrived in town but Richard’s still in Europe. After Kevin’s third birthday party, Joe told Viki that he had but a few months to live.

Dorian returned from a cruise. Joe lost his vision. Clint Buchanan agreed to take over Joe's editorship at the Banner.

Ryan’s Hope

Written by: Claire Labine & Paul Avila Mayer
Produced by: Claire Labine & Paul Avila Mayer

Jill and Frank overheard Rae and Seneca discuss their schemes to keep Jill and Frank apart. Roger flared at Dee for interfering in Nancy's and Pat's relationship. Pat got drunk over Nancy and Adam. Joe introduced Siobhan to a godfather-type pal, Mr. Novotny. Jill cancelled her San Francisco trip, now that she and Frank are reunited, but Rae swore vengeance.

Rae pretended to give up Frank to Jill gracefully, but secretly convinced Seneca not to file an alienation of affection suit until Rae comes up with a better scheme. Adam admitted his love for Nancy who ran to Pat. But Pat is convinced he and Nancy are washed up unless they marry immediately. Johnny questioned Joe about his reputed crime-lord uncle, and Jack investigated.

Johnny warned Dee to button up for taking credit for Pat and Nancy’s bust up. Rae arranged with reporter Lewis to take compromising photos of Jill and Frank. Roger was arguing with Dee about neglecting their home when he was called to tend Tom who fell and had an attack. Joe’s Uncle Tom told Jack the crime reputation has been manufactured by the press.

Tom checked into the graveyard while Roger feared his wrong diagnosis of Tom’s head injuries caused his death. Delia’s commodites broke. Dan Fox informed her taht her stocks are on a downhill slide. Rae sent Jack a list of her contacts who nominated Frank to the Senate planting another copy in Jill’s files. Johnny worried Siobhan and Joe’s affair would reflect badly on Frank’s career.

Frank told Jack he knew nothing about illegal campaign contributions and such, then confronted Rae who denied sending Jack the letter. Joe told a bewildered Siobhan that he had to stop seeing her.

Search For Tomorrow

Written by: Joyce & John William Corrington
Produced by: Mary-Ellis Bunim

Travis went running to Italy after David told him something mysterious about Renata. John overheard Stephanie chew out Ted for not keeping Todd away from Wendy. Janet refused John's request to call a board meeting about Ted gambling stockholder's money on oil deals. Tony (Antonio) led David to a village where David found Renata’s birth records. Helene plotted to take advantage of Carolyn's blindness. Lee urged Sunny to have more fun in her life and that be can provide it.

Helene used sleeping potions and voodoo dolls to bring Marc and Carolyn together and thereby ruin Marc because of Gary. David found Renata working at a Catholic hospital and convinced her to meet with Travis about her "secret." Jo maintained separate bedrooms with Martin in New Orleans. Eric returned and cautioned Wendy about rushing into sex with Todd. Ted refused to sell his oil leases to Lee and Janet warned Ted about using company money without her approval.

Mignon’s detective photographed Travis having a suggestive “reunion” with Renata. Helene convinced Mignon she could use her psychic powers to keep Liza away from Travis. Todd returned to college after Wendy insisted they couldn’t sneak around and they split. Jo admitted to Martin that theur vacation together was a thrill. Lee made it clear to Sunny that he wants an affair. Travis had David take Renata to Henderson and keep her presence a secret until she can claim the “name that’s rightfully hers”.

John demanded Stephanie call for Ted’s resignation after telling her Ted’s oil investments with Collins money could go bad. Tante Helene gave Carolyn hallucinogenic drugs. Liza was convinced Travis wanted to marry Renata after she saw Renata in his arms.

Travis told Liza that Renata was his sister. He said that Mignon would be destroyed if she knew his father had stayed in Europe with Renata s mother, letting Mignon think he'd died during the war.

The Young And The Restless

Written by: William J. Bell
Produced by: William J. Bell & John Conboy

Lorie accused Lucas of trying to kill Lance by sending him to revolutionary Santo Domingo. Derek thought Suzanne is drinking heavily and ran to tell Jill he'll always love Jill. Kay finally "appeared" in front of Brock and admitted she's pretending to be dead to uncover Suzanne's schemes. Nikki fretted that Greg doesn't want to start a family immediately once they're married. Leslie returned and Lorie realized she's concerned for Lance's welfare.

Kay admitted to Brock that she's so grateful to Liz for showing her a different way of life since living "undercover” Stu thought she should give Derek his freedom to run to Jill. Nikki was so moved that Liz accepted her as a future daughter-in-law that she told Paul she couldn't see him again, even though he admitted his love. Lorie convinced Leslie to stay with Lucas so that he won't have reason to feel antagonistic toward Lance.

Greg and Nikki honeymooned in their new apartment but she fretted about their finances.

Chris kept her pregnancy to herself after learning she'd come in contact with one of Snapper's patients who had German measles. Chris hasn't had the childhood disease. Jill demanded the house and half of everything Stu owns as a divorce settlement.

Derek told Lorie that he was remarrying Suzanne. Chris left town to think but didn't tell Snapper she's pregnant and has no immunity to German measles.

Daniel Cosgrove in tighty whities

Daniel Cosgrove in White Briefs




(Guiding Light; Dirty Sexy Money; Beverly Hills 90210; All My Children)

from Van Wilder (2002)

Lynda Hirsh on Soaps -- Q&A

Source: Creators.com

Q: It took me awhile, but I have grown very fond of the actress who plays Heather on "Young and Restless." When did she begin her acting career? — Robyn, Point Clear, Ala.

A: Vail Bloom, who plays Paul's daughter, Heather, and the girlfriend of the very confused Adam, has just gone from contract to recurring. Bloom, who has a degree in architecture from Princeton University, admits she is a latecomer to acting. "I was interested in acting, but I never really thought about it as a full-time career. My parents knew I had flirted with acting. They were insistent that I get a degree in a career that was not as risky. While I was in college and working toward my degree, I did get to do a lot of theater. When I made my choice to pursue acting full time, my parents were very supportive."

Q: How is Frank Dicopoulos dealing with the cancellation of "Guiding Light?" — Rene, Pittsburgh

A: He is crushed. Having been with show for almost 24 years, he really thought he would be with the show forever. The actor told us: "Even when other acting offers were on the horizon, I always chose to stay with 'Guiding Light.' I come from a working-class family. It was important that I stay in one place with my wife and children. The show has given me that chance throughout the years.

Because of 'Guiding Light,' I was able to be involved with a variety of charities. Through the years, the show listened to my ideas and used them in the show. Not all of them — some of my ideas weren't very good. One of my ideas was great. I suggested that Frank's dad come back from the dead. I felt it was important for the character to connect with his dad. So Buzz was created. To add to the luck, Justin Deas was cast to play my dad. What an honor and what fun to work with him all these years." Until the very end, he did think the show would survive in one form or the other. "Yes, there were times that the show lost its way. In the last year, it was back to where it belonged. I know some of the stories they had for the future. It is a shame the viewers are not going to get to see them."

Q: I am going crazy. Where have I seen the actor who is playing Mason on "As the World Turns"? — Janet, Toronto

A: Forbes March played Scott on "All My Children" several years back. He also played the tragic Nash on "One Life to Live." Nash, the one-time love of Jessica's life, died while having an argument with Jared. His current character, Mason, may create trouble for Noah and Luke. It appears that Mason, who is Noah's college adviser, plans to give his protege advice in his private life.

Soap Summaries: Week of August 2 through the 7th

Source: Creators.com

ALL MY CHILDREN: Jake and Amanda put their plan in motion by convincing David that Amanda can't have any more children. Amanda and Jake look forward to being a family once they "adopt" a baby and are able to bring Trevor home. Tad, Taylor and Amanda come clean with Opal after she spots baby Trevor at the house. Opal agrees everyone did the right thing in keeping David away from the baby but thinks Jake's plan has flaws. Taylor realizes that Krystal still loves Tad, but Krystal states she just wants him to be happy. After asking Scott to move into the mansion, Adam proposes to Annie. JR struggles to contain his anger and disgust when Adam announces Annie agreed to marry him. In front of Liza and Jesse, Kendall unburdens herself by confessing to having killed Stuart in a taped statement. Stuart's ghost appears in front of Kendall, telling her they can all be at peace. Zach gives an impassioned plea for leniency at Kendall's sentencing hearing. Scott also makes a statement at the hearing, invoking Stuart's memory as he tells the judge his father wasn't a vindictive man. At Annie's urging, Adam asks the judge to go easy on Kendall. Marian lays into Kendall and wants her to pay dearly for killing Stuart. Marissa is the unintended victim of Marian's quest for revenge against Kendall. Liza's heart breaks for Marian as she's led off to a psychiatric facility. Colby makes it perfectly clear she wants nothing to do with either Annie or Adam.

SNEAK PEEK: Liza rejects David.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Damian offers Meg a consulting job. Meg and Lily shoot insults at each other over their love lives. Accepting the job, Meg falls into Damian's arms. Barbara's upset when she discovers Paul's been giving his fortune away — specifically, she's horrified that he would finance Emily's new paper. Paul invites Emily and Hunter to work on the paper from Fairwinds and to move in. Paul and Emily wake up in each other's arms. When Emily takes off for work, Paul is greeted by two men in white coats. Paul quickly learns that Barbara has had him committed for his strange behavior and is taken to the hospital. Emily sneaks Paul out of the hospital in a dog crate. Paul, hiding in the Fairwinds wine cellar, discovers James' old wine-tasting journal. Henry looks through Audrey's suitcase to find an envelope with obituaries and a journal entry that mentions the name Jay Stanhope. Henry becomes convinced his mother is a serial killer. Jay and Audrey are in cahoots. When Teri turns him down, Brad asks Janet to work on "Oakdale Now." Alison tells Casey she's concerned about Bob, and thinks he's having occasional memory loss. Bob instructs Alison to administer a specific dosage of a medication to Riley, which turns out to be too high. Unaware that Riley is really Adam, Tom asks him to move out.

SNEAK PEAK: A baby is missing.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Still in shock from Brooke's appearance and her explanation of the recent events that took place, Ridge is torn about how to handle the situation. Stephanie and Donna go head to head when they each take opposite sides on Ridge's choices. Ridge takes the blame for the fiasco at his and Taylor's wedding. Stephanie confronts Brooke about the scene she had caused at the beach house, while Brooke has a few harsh words in return. Brooke returns from her leave of absence in order to begin a new chapter in her life. Taylor attempts to stay confident that Ridge will not succumb to Brooke's persuasiveness now that they are working together. Katie comes up with a new publicity campaign that she feels will save Forrester Creations. Unfortunately, Eric will have to make a few substantial sacrifices to proceed with the campaign, allowing Donna to become an object of male desire. Owen becomes territorial with Jackie when he notices some chemistry between her and Whip.

SNEAK PEAK: Bill is up to no good.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Daniel tells Lucas when Chloe wakes up, she and Daniel will be together. Lucas is unable to forgive Chloe. Victor pays Daniel's sky-high bail and tells Daniel why he thinks Kate tried to kill Chloe. Chloe has a slight beep of brain function as she whispers "Daniel." Arianna completes a drug deal with Troy. Philip learns one of his men has been shot. Bo and Philip go to the hospital where Carlo dies. Stephanie tells Philip he is not a bad man. Stephanie tells Roman she was right to break up with Philip but misses being in love. Roman assures her the right man is out there; she just has to let him in. Stephanie decides to give Nathan a chance, unaware that he is interested in Melanie.

EJ visits Grace's grave for the first time on her and Sydney's 6-month birthday and is infuriated when he sees the name "Brady" on her headstone. Nicole watches unseen as EJ smashes the old headstone and damns Sami. Chad and Kinsey reset their plan to break up Will and Mia, while Will confides in Mia he's upset about Chloe cheating on his father. Mia painfully admits to Will she's not a virgin and that Chad was her first lover. Will professes his love for her.

SNEAK PEAK: Sami and Rafe call it quits.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Sam easily fall back into their comfortable, familiar pattern as they head south in their search for Michael and Kristina. Kristina remains consumed with guilt as she and Michael make their way to the Mexican border. Jerry informs Claudia he has no intention of calling off his search for Michael because he wants to use the boy as bait to get to Jason. Jerry comes to Michael and Kristina's rescue. Sam closes in on Michael and Kristina. Jax supports Carly's decision to have Michael move back in with them once he comes home. Sonny tells Claudia he wants her to come home. Dominic is shocked when he walks in on Olivia and Johnny in a compromising position. Alexis is arrested for the murder of Brianna Hughes. Robin sets out to prove her innocence. Ethan tells Rebecca he needs her in his life but she rebuffs his advances, stating she wants to see where things might lead with Nikolas. Spinelli shows up at the Scorpio family dinner to ask Mac for Maxie's hand in marriage.

NEXT WEEK: Maxie says yes.

GUIDING LIGHT: Phillip reveals to Alan that the owner of the cafe they've arrived at is the widow of the man who took his place in Vietnam. Alan goes into the diner and tells the man's son he knew his father. Phillip tells Alan he has a progressive and incurable disease. Phillip tells Ed that if he can't help him, he'll find help somewhere else. Shayne and Dinah wed. Dinah tells Mallet he can't turn Marina in because Dinah is the one who killed the man. Mallet warns Dinah that Frank knows she's the killer and says she's not safe. Dinah stops Shayne from planning the spontaneous honeymoon and admits the cops are after her because she killed the man she thought was Edmund. In the woods, Jeffrey, feverish and weak, talks to Reva's photo to keep himself going. Jeffrey collapses just before reaching a remote cabin. A man walks over to Jeffrey's lifeless body — it's Jonathan. Jeffrey comes to and warns Jonathan that Edmund wants to destroy everyone Reva loves. He explains that he needs to let Edmund think he's dead so he can get an advantage on him. Jeffrey tells Jonathan that he's doing a good job with Sarah. Jonathan gets a menacing call from Edmund.

SNEAK PEAKS: Edmund strikes.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: Rex warns Schuyler to stay away from Gigi. Gigi offers Stacy money to get an abortion. Stacy accuses Gigi of being afraid that Rex will end up leaving her once the baby is born. Alone, Stacy collapses in pain after her and Gigi's heated confrontation. Realizing the baby is the only chance she has to hold onto Rex, Stacy decides not to tell him she suffered a miscarriage. Rex is furious when Gigi confesses she offered Stacy money to have an abortion. The tension mounts between Rex and Gigi when he admits he won't abandon his child, but they eventually end up in each other's arms, resolved to the fact they have a long road ahead of them. In front of Blair, Todd declares that he wants to be with Tea and only Tea. Nora locks eyes with Bo while sharing a last dance with Clint. Viki's thrown for a loop when Charlie suggests expanding their family. Asher and his boss, Serge, surprise Cole in his apartment. Serge plants a listening device in the apartment. John later tells Starr that she and Cole can't see or talk to each other until this assignment is completed. Layla defends Fish when Cristian wonders if he's gay.

SNEAK PEAK: Blair searches for Tea's secret.

YOUNG AND RESTLESS: Ashley tells Victor to give her some space because she needs to work out how he could be so cruel to her and her family and then say it was for her benefit. Paul is crushed when Nikki says she cannot marry him. Nikki admits to Victor that she is still in love with him; that he is the only man she has ever truly loved. Alone, Victor admits that he does still love Nikki. While waiting in the road at the ranch in the rain, Nikki is a deer in the headlights as Ashley's car comes barreling down the road and skids off the road. Adam admits to Heather he had a one-night stand with Rafe. Mary Jane is stricken when she realizes that Zapato ate her stuffed cat. Mary Jane drugs Jack's drink. Drunk and delirious, Jack makes love to Mary Jane, who he believes is Sharon. Daniel tells Amber that the reason they are breaking isn't because she slept with Deacon but because he can't take her constant lying. Billy tells Chloe that he can never forgive Jill for choosing Cane, a con artist, over him, her own son. Kay tells Jill that spoke to Billy on her behalf and asked him to forgive her. Kay also admits that she should have forgiven Jill years ago for everything that happened with Phillip because the truth was that her relationship with him was never as strong as Kay believed. Sharon is arrested for grand theft after she steals a ring that is identical to the one Nick gave to Phyllis.

SNEAK PEAK: A death in the family occurs.

Where Are They Now: Edward Villella

Edward Villella (Eddie, Guiding Light)

Source: Vail Daily

Vail dance: Up Close with Edward Villella

Villella is an American dance icon and artistic director of the Miami City Ballet,

Vail Daily staff report
newsroom@vaildaily.com
Vail, CO Colorado
Sunday, August 2, 2009

BEAVER CREEK — For all of us who think that ESPN's SportsCenter is the epicenter of world news and events, the idea of cross training is nothing new. Football players take ballet classes to help improve their footwork for routes over the middle.

But what about an aspiring ballet dancer that not only letters in baseball, but enters the boxing ring and becomes a Golden Gloves welterweight champion before heading back to the barre? Would this be considered cross training?

Such is part of the story of Edward Villella, one of America's greatest dance heroes, whose career will be celebrated Monday in a special UpClose evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek.

The UpClose evening will not only examine his career, but will include performances and on stage rehearsal looks at the many works created for and made famous by Villella, including masterpieces by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.

Joining Villella and Dance Festival Director Damian Woetzel for this special evening will be members of Villella's Miami City Ballet, along with special guest stars Ethan Stiefel and Robert Fairchild. Performance pieces will include an excerpt from Balanchine's “Rubies,” along with a behind-the-scenes look at selections from the company's debut performance, which took place Saturday evening at the Ford Amphitheater.

Following his college years at the New York Maritime Academy, as well as his time on the diamond and in the ring, Villella was destined to prove that a tough brash kid out of Bayside, New York could turn into a major artist, and in doing so, change the way men danced in America as well as the way male dancers were perceived.

Villella danced at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, and also performed for Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. In 1975, he won an Emmy Award for his CBS television production of “Harlequinade.” He also used his many television appearances to bring ballet to a more mainstream audience, including star turns on the “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Odd Couple” and even the soap opera “Guiding Light.”

In 1997, he was named a Kennedy Center Honors recipient and was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.

While boxing may not necessarily be the cross training method of choice for all aspiring dancers, it's probably a safe bet that you shouldn't mess with Villella.

Tickets for the Monday's UpClose evening with Villella are priced at $45 and $55 at the Vilar Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for all performances of the 2009 Vail International Dance Festival are available online at www.vaildance.org or by phone at either 970-845-TIXS (8497) or 888-920-ARTS (2787).

If you go ...

What: UpClose with Edward Villella
Where: Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek
When: 6:30 p.m. Monday
Cost: $45/$55 depending on seating
More information: www.vaildance.org or call 970-845-TIXS

Lynda Hirsch Summaries: Week of July 27 to July 31, 2009

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/lynda-hirsch-on-soaps/lynda-hirsch-on-soaps-summary-2009-08-01.html

ALL MY CHILDREN: Frankie, Angie and Jesse are devastated when Randi loses the baby. Zach sets Annie up to make it look as though she fired a shot at Adam and then slips off into the night unseen. Adam has Annie arrested, but Scott thinks she might be telling the truth when she claims someone set her up. Kendall is certain that she was the one who killed Stuart and has been repressing the memory. Jesse knows Zach framed Annie to protect Kendall and the two men tacitly agree to keep each other's secrets. Kendall tells Ryan she killed Stuart and confirms that Zach set Annie up to take the fall for her. Jake warns Amanda she can't keep running to Taylor's to see Trevor or else David might get suspicious. Taylor and Tad's talk about finding the right person to be with leads to a kiss. Krystal admits to Tad that she's bothered by the fact he's seeing Taylor but says she's happy for him.

SNEAK PEEK: Kendall is sentenced.

AS THE WORLD TURNS: Janet's little sister, Teri, comes to town, becoming Sage and Parker's nanny. Liberty returns from Chicago, claiming the internship program ran out of money. She admits to Parker she was fired for making too many mistakes. Brad learns Kim won't employ him without a co-host. He and Henry try to convince Kim to take Vienna back so Brad can work. Kim thinks the audience won't respond to Vienna anymore, but that they will respond to Henry. Henry leaps at the opportunity to co-host, but Brad helps him see that it would ruin any chances of him reuniting with Vienna. Henry dejectedly returns home, only to find a bouquet of flowers with an apology note. Henry's thrilled and thinks Vienna's returning to him, but when he opens the door, he finds it's actually his mother, there to help him recover from the loss of Vienna. Brad and Katie finally get their romantic alone time. Henry finds Audrey rifling through his things, certain she's after his money. He brings her over to Brad and Katie's to stay out of trouble, while he goes and has his account numbers and passwords changed. He gets back to his hotel room and sees it turned inside out, and is furious with Audrey — only it's not Audrey, but Vienna, who has comes back — at Audrey's insistence, no less. Henry makes love to Vienna. Meg admits Paul's been acting the way he did when she fell in love with him. Paul's grateful, but admits he's not going to have surgery to return his memories. Meg returns to Damian, upset over the fact that the new Paul doesn't want her. Damian says that Paul doesn't know what he is missing and the two begin to make love. Lily, Damian, Lucinda and Holden argue over whether Luke should work for Damian or Lucinda. Lily's increasingly uneasy with her feelings for Damian. Tom is worried Riley and Margo are having an affair.

SNEAK PEEK: Noah confronts Mason.

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL: Pam takes a fancy towards Whip and makes a drastic change to show him just how much. Stephanie and Jackie agree to put aside their torrid past and become friends. Taylor asks Stephanie to be her matron of honor. Eric questions Ridge about his feelings for Brooke and his intentions with Taylor. This line of questioning gets Ridge's mind swirling with wonder of where his heart truly lies. A visit from a relentless Brooke makes Thomas and Steffy fear that she may ruin everything between Ridge and Taylor. Unaware that Steffy has been intercepting her messages, Ridge confesses his hurt to Eric that Brooke hasn't tried to talk him out of marrying Taylor. Meanwhile, Brooke waits on the beach for Ridge to arrive for their happy reunion. She takes off on her horse to find him before he marries Taylor.

SNEAK PEEK: A wedding is interrupted.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Daniel is brought to the police station in handcuffs. Lucas learns Daniel and Chloe were lovers. Lucas continues his confrontation in jail with Daniel, refusing to believe Daniel's assertion that Kate poisoned Chloe while also framing Daniel.

Although Victor thinks Katie is the culprit, he does not want to hurt Phillip by painting his son's mother as a murderer. EJ questions Nicole about Sydney. Rafe tells Sami he crashed a car into a tree and the impact killed Emily. Rafe tracks down Meredith and it becomes clear that she feels there is more to the story of Emily's "accident." She insists that Rafe is hiding information and is completely responsible for her death. Rafe states he will not lose Sami because of his past, and goes home to her. Back at the Salem Inn, Meredith opens the door to the person who brought her back to Salem ... Stefano!

SNEAK PEEK: Stephanie comforts Phillip.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sam questions the way Alexis is parenting Kristina. Alexis is stopped short when Sam reveals she thinks it's possible that Kristina might have caused Claudia's accident. Claudia vows revenge on the driver responsible for the crash that caused her to lose the baby. Michael decides he has no choice but to run away in order to spare his family any more anguish. A guilt-ridden Kristina tells Michael she's running away with him. Olivia admits to Johnny that she's known about Claudia's role in Michael's shooting for months and explains why she never told Sonny. Edward keeps Nikolas away from Rebecca. Rebecca rebuffs Ethan when he says he wants another chance with her. Lulu helps Maxie derail Spinelli as he's about to ask Mac for Maxie's hand in marriage.

SNEAK PEEK: Jerry's after Jason.

GUIDING LIGHT: Phillip reveals to Alan that the owner of the cafe they've just walked into is the widow of the man who took his place in Vietnam. Dinah and Shayne wed. Dinah tells Mallet he can't turn Marina in because Dinah is the one who killed the man. Frank tells Mallet he overheard Dinah. Mallet helps Dinah flee the country. Alan confronts Phillip about the fact that he's dying. Phillip admits his disease is progressive and incurable. Suddenly, Alan's demeanor shifts and he accuses Phillip of lying to him. Phillip is desperate to find a cure. In the woods, Jeffrey, feverish and weak, talks to Reva's photo to keep himself going. Jonathan finds a lifeless Jeffrey. Jonathan lays Jeffrey down and reassures Sarah that Jeffrey is a good guy. Jeffrey starts to come to. Jeffrey tells Jonathan he's not going home yet and is going to stay "dead." Jonathan gets a menacing call from Edmund.

SNEAK PEEK: Edmund makes a vow to Lara to make Reva's family suffer.

ONE LIFE TO LIVE: Stacy tells Gigi and Rex she is pregnant. Rex lets out all his anger over the fact Gigi felt she had no other option but to lie to him, despite how noble her intentions were. Gigi takes full responsibility for everything that's happened between her and Rex, even his sleeping with Stacy. Bo and Nora are locked in a kiss, unaware that Matthew is watching them. Matthew tries to blackmail Bo and Nora into signing the consent form for his surgery, threatening to tell Clint if they don't. Nora admits she's confused about her feelings for Bo when Rachel presses her. Nora argues she shouldn't hurt Clint by canceling the wedding when Bo hasn't come right out and said he wants to be with her. Tea tells Todd she won't be used as a pawn in his games with Blair and returns the key he gave her. Cole tells Ashe he is ready to deal drugs. Marty tells John she wants to move forward with him. Jessica thinks she has seen Nash.

SNEAK PEEK: A hellish wedding occurs.

YOUNG AND RESTLESS: Billy and Mac make love for the first time. Cane tells Lily that the oncologist was able to harvest a few eggs during her surgery and Lily is overwhelmed with joy. Cane promises to stay by Lily's side for as long as she wants him there. Jill brings Cane to Chloe's party and asks everyone to accept that Cane is going to be a part of her life. Jack starts to put the pieces together and realizes that Victor may be behind bringing Mary Jane to Genoa City. Nick and Phyllis renew their vows. Sharon admits to Jack that the baby isn't his; its Nick's. Billy reveals to Ashley that Victor set up Colleen so she would have to resign from the Newman board of directors. Ashley has a hallucination of Sabrina telling her that Victor is after her and her baby. Later, Victor finds a frightened Ashley screaming that Sabrina told her she was going to die because of him.

SNEAK PEEK: A tragic accident happens.

Up Close & Person With Brian Gaskill

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LilliBuzz (GL): Now and Forever

Lillian & Buzz (Guiding Light)
Now and Forever



Photo musical tribute to Guiding Light's Lillian and Buzz

Lynda Hirsch on Soaps Q&A

Source: Creators.com
July 25, 2009

Q: When the character of Mallet came to town on "Guiding Light," didn't he have another name and a shady past? — Robert, Port Huron, Ohio

A: Yes to both. When Mallet came to town in the 1990s, he had the name Anthony Camaletti. The mob was after him so he changed his name to A.C. Mallet. The writers were doing a goof on the name M.C. Hammer. As a law enforcement member, he fell in love with police cadet Harley. Harley and A.C. headed to Florida. While in Florida, he had a few affairs. Harley came back to town without her husband. In need of cash in Florida, Mallet became a hit man for Griggs. Mallet wanted to distance himself from the mob so he returned to Springfield. Short on cops, he was rehired by the police. Once again, he fell in love with a trainee. This time, it was Marina.

Q: When Don Diamont first came to "Bold and Beautiful," his character had a very prominent story line. Lately, no one even mentions his name. What is the deal? Also, didn't the actor have a relationship with a well-known singer? — Alicia, Rockford, Ill.

A: "B&B" has a reputation for shoving new characters down your throat. Suddenly, they disappear. Last time Whip was on the air, he was everywhere. Then he married Brooke and he disappeared. Whip is now back.

Massimo, dad of Nick and Ridge, was all over the place; then he disappeared. That worked well for "Days of Our Lives." It allowed Joe Mascolo to return to that show as Stefano.

Back to Diamont's Bill: While he was off the canvas for a while, the show says in the next month or two he will have a powerhouse story line.

Nice news for Don Diamont, who saw his Brad character killed off on "Young and Restless" earlier this year.

For many years, Diamont and Gloria Loring, who co-starred with him on "Days of Our Lives," were an item. Loring played nightclub singer Liz Chandler. Diamont played the lowlife son of her on-screen husband Neil Curtis. Aside from her work on "Days," Loring was a frequent singing guest on Johnny Carson's show. Loring was previously married to Alan Thicke. Their son Robin Thicke is a hot recording star.

Q: Didn't Kim on "As the World Turns" have a son by John Dixon? — Carrie, Waltham, Mass.

A: Indeed. Andy Dixon was the product of that marriage. Andy was a key character on the show for years. Scott DeFreitas, who played Andy since he was a teenager, met and married Maura West (Carly) when they worked on "ATWT." The couple now have five children — one from her first marriage and four from their own. DeFreitas proposed to West in a most unusual and — for some — embarrassing way: He asked her to marry him on the Yankees fan-o-gram. The love of baseball first fueled their friendship. The couple shared the birth of their first child on the cable television show "A Baby's Story." As for Andy, about six years ago, he left town to get over his issues with alcohol. We never understood why the show axed the character or why they never brought him back.

GL: So Far in 2009

December 29, 2008 to January 2, 2009: Alan drops to one knee and asks Beth to marry him again. Beth tells Alan she needs time to think about his proposal. Coop arrives and wants Beth to tell Alan it's over. Daisy tells Cyrus they are running out of money and have to move out of their hotel room. Ashlee asks Daisy and Grady to move in with her. Mallet gets a call and tells Shayne he has to take him in. Mallet pushes Shayne into a room full of people. Doris announces that she's there to honor him, and presents Shayne with a medal for his bravery. Shayne pulls out a worn photo of a beautiful young woman. He takes out his medal and throws it into the water. Shayne pulls Dinah into a hot kiss. Bill and Mel meet with Doris and get shocking news: The evidence against him was burned and the D.A. is dropping all charges. Alan announces to Alexandra that he wants back his power and respect. He vows to take back Springfield, one block at a time. Bill is surprised to see Lizzie at Towers. She tells him she heard the good news and they kiss as they ring in the New Year. Lizzie studies the scar on Bill's chest as he sleeps. He thanks her for never giving up on him. He admits he cannot remember if he did or did not kidnap her.

January 2, 2009 to January 9, 2009: Ashlee is surprised to see Grady's tattoo that covers the scar on his chest where Lizzie slashed him. Daisy tells Grady she found an ad for a hypnotherapist who can possibly unblock Bill's memory. Alan offers the doctor money to keep Bill from regaining his memory. Shayne agrees to volunteer with the troubled youths. Shayne meets a teen named Byron and immediately starts a fight with him. Shayne is unfazed when Byron pulls out a switchblade. Byron starts to advance on Shayne when Dinah walks in. Byron grabs her and holds the switchblade to her neck. Shayne scares Byron and makes him bolt out of there. Shayne tells Josh that it is not Josh's fault he is in the wheelchair. Shayne takes out his well-worn letter and photograph. Alan notices Beth isn't wearing her engagement ring. Beth tells Alan she needs time. Buzz is going to lose Company. Coop and Frank try to console Buzz, but he blames himself. The restaurant was always so important to him because he wanted to have something to give his family. Frank can't believe the Spauldings now own Company. Mallet wants a baby with Marina and thinks there must be medical advancements since his accident that could allow him to have children.

January 12, 2009 to January 16, 2009: Frank tells Olivia that living with Natalia seems to be good for the both of them. Olivia finally admits she is happy living on the farm. She gives Frank advice on how to woo Natalia. Emma presents her paper entitled "My Two Mommies" to her class. Olivia takes in the title and starts to get a bad feeling. Remy decides to mail the financial aid application and stay married to Christina. Christina offers to be Shayne's physical therapist. Shayne describes his love for Lara, the deceased girl in the photo. Mallet wants to find a way to have a baby with Marina, but she tells him she isn't in a rush to have a baby. Alan reveals Phillip's original model of Springfield. Beth admits she's staying with Alan, but she wants to continue the affair. Beth begs Lizzie not to betray her and tell Alan she and Coop are having an affair. Lizzie is leaving for the airport when she turns around and sees Bill, who grabs her. She starts to scream, but he clamps his hand over her mouth. Lizzie is furious when Bill takes her to the warehouse in hopes they will remember what happened the night she was kidnapped.

January 19, 2009 to January 23, 2009: Lizzie decides she can't take care of Roxy. Bill decides to keep Roxy. Beth tells him she's sorry she doubted his innocence and knows he couldn't have kidnapped Lizzie. Coop reveals to Frank and Lizzie that Beth is the woman in his life. Coop tries to talk to her, but she slaps him — twice. Lizzie threatens to destroy him if he doesn't stay away from Beth. Buzz suffers from chest pains and blames them on heartburn. Bill comes home after buying more alcohol and sees a note on his bed that reads: "Phillip." Olivia is exasperated that Natalia's so naive; she doesn't know that everyone at the school thinks they are sexual partners. Olivia asks Natalia what she wants to do for dinner; Natalia tells her she is going out with Frank. Olivia is disappointed and thanks Natalia for straightening things out with Emma's teacher. Frank brings Natalia into Company to surprise her and he kisses her. Jeffrey finds Crenshaw in Shayne's room rifling through his things. Crenshaw admits that he is working for Lara's father, investigating her death. At Lara's memorial Josh announces that the new building at the hospital will be named in her memory. Shayne gets to his feet and speaks of his love for Lara. He addresses each person in the audience and tells them it's been good to be home. Shayne tells Dinah he wasn't injured in the same blast that killed Lara — he purposefully walked into an active mine field after she died. Edmund comes out of his coma and reveals Lara was his daughter. Marina and Mallet decide to adopt.

January 26, 2009 to January 30, 2009: Lizzie refuses to let Alan tear down Company. Olivia tells Christina about the misunderstanding at Emma's school and realizes Christina also thought Natalia and Olivia were lovers. Natalia, horrified by the thought, considers moving. When Olivia calls her to task for being a coward Natalia decides to stay put. Natalia and Frank start to plan their second date. Natalia advises Frank to be himself and kisses him. Later, Beth decides she's not going back to Alan; she wants to be with Coop. Alan vows revenge after he spots Coop and Beth making love. Bill decides he can only re-win Lizzie's love by finding Phillip. Dinah desperately tries to keep Shayne from jumping off the roof. She "slips" off her side to divert him. He grabs her and saves her. Jeffrey and Josh are suspicious of Edmund's claim that he is Lara's father. Edmund shows Shayne a letter from Lara saying how much she loved Shayne.

February 2, 2009 to February 6, 2009: Dinah continues to warn Shayne against telling Edmund details about Lara's death. Edmund suggests to Shayne they build a hospital in Lara's honor. Beth and Alan arrive at Towers — just as Coop gives a reading from his book. Alan is mortified, thinking everyone knows about Beth and Coop already. Blake reveals the book cover and Alan's feeling of humiliation grows. Coop is offered an opportunity to join Stanford University's creative writing department. Coop goes to find Beth and tells her he got her a spot at Stanford's law school and they can leave together. Beth tells Coop she doesn't want to go with him. Beth is unhappy when Alan shows her an invitation for their big public wedding of which Beth was not aware. Beth tries to tell Alan that things are different now, but he wants to have a public wedding to prove to everyone that they belong together. Beth tells him he can't make her love him again and when she says her vows she will be thinking of Coop.

February 9, 2009 to February 13, 2009: Hoping to stop Alan and Beth's wedding, Coop takes Buzz's car. While answering a text message Coop crashes the automobile. Just as the car is about to explode Phillip arrives and pulls him out of the car, takes him to the hospital and then heads off. The wedding guests are stunned when Phillip shows up at the wedding. Phillip tells Alan he understands why he shot him. Later, Phillip tells Beth he is sorry he was away when his family needed him. Seeing Lizzie, Phillip tries to make amends for his past misdeeds. Lizzie cusses him out. Phillip gives her a bear she used to have as a child. At home, a tearful Lizzie cuddles up with the stuffed animal. Bill realizes that Cyrus was responsible for Lizzie's kidnapping. Olivia is unhappy when she learns Frank and Natalia have planned a getaway weekend. Rafe tells his mother Frank is a good man and she should continue to explore their relationship. Reva undergoes her final chemotherapy treatment. Shayne celebrates Lara's last birthday. Dinah warns him to stay away from Edmund. Shayne retorts that he likes talking to Edmund about Lara. Edmund is touched when Shayne shares his memories with him. Jeffrey pays Hoover to track Edmund.

February 16, 2009 to February 20, 2009: Bill tells Frank that his memory is back and that Cyrus kidnapped Lizzie. Olivia tells Bill she has feelings for Natalia and quickly becomes embarrassed. Natalia offers to go with Olivia to see Phillip. At the hospital, Lizzie apologizes to Coop for all the selfish things she's done. Lizzie says Coop should have listened to her about her mom. Coop says he's not sorry — Beth didn't marry Alan. Coop asks Lillian to make sure his dad's okay. Coop thanks Beth for everything she brought into his life. Beth realizes this is it and slips into bed with him. Coop gives her a note to save for later. Beth takes out Coop's note and reads it, laughing and crying. Buzz sits by Coop's side and tells him the story of when Coop first came into his life. Buzz can't let go of his son and tries to hold Coop's attention, but he's slipping. Lillian emerges from Coop's room and tells Buzz and Frank that Coop is brain dead. After much soul searching, a vanquished Buzz holds Coop, then reaches over to the machines to shut them off. The Coopers and Lillian watch from the window as he sings softly and rocks Coop in his arms. Phillip gets a police escort to bring him to Coop's memorial service.

February 23, 2009 to February 27, 2009: Phillip demands that the families must stop fighting. He announces he is giving Company back to Buzz. Buzz tells him he doesn't want the restaurant anymore and will be moving out. Phillip gets a visit from Olivia, who demands to know why he is back. Phillip tells Olivia he wants to make amends and move on. Natalia wants to help Frank in any way she can since he has always been there for her and Rafe. She embraces him. It turns into a kiss and things heat up. Shayne tells Reva that Edmund is part of his family now. Edmund views a recording of Lara talking via webcam. She is eight months pregnant and thinks Shayne will be surprised. Olivia admits to Jeffrey that Natalia makes her happy, but she also thinks she shouldn't be having those feelings. Buzz, feeling lightheaded, reveals to Frank his plan to frame Alan. Buzz says he only wants justice and his son back. Meanwhile, Grady calls Bill and masks his voice to sound like it did when he kidnapped Lizzie. Alan reminds Cyrus he hasn't forgotten what he did to Alex. Cyrus and Grady abduct Bill. Phillip and Beth reminisce about their high school years. Dinah tells Mallet she'll pretend to be his wife so he can adopt a baby in Bosnia.

March 2, 2009 to March 6, 2009: The judge grants Phillip's request for bail. Rick, Mindy, Phillip and Beth attend their 25th high school reunion. Cyrus calls Grady and says Bill is already on the Spaulding jet and Grady needs to make it look like Bill left town. Lizzie plays the kidnapper's message for Daisy and says Bill knows he's not the kidnapper. The argument between Buzz and Alan escalates. They shove each other and both feel a sharp pain in their chests. They struggle for air as they fight. Remy and Christina find Buzz and Alan in bad shape. At the hospital, Alan credits Christina for saving his life. Christina realizes she was meant to become a doctor. Buzz tells Grady he has to admit he drove the car that killed Tammy so Alan can be put away for life. Frank is stunned when Natalia tells him that they must end their relationship.

March 9, 2009 to March 13, 2009: Phillip flings Grady over the cliff. Bill punches Cyrus, and then takes Lizzie in his arms and walks off. Bill tells her she is the only thing in his life that matters. Bill decides they should start over, meet and fall in love again. Phillip returns to the reunion. The four musketeers (Rick, Phillip. Mindy and Beth) walk into the gym and their memories come flooding back. Phillip thanks them for putting aside their fears and anger for what he's done in the past. Frank asks Natalia to marry him. She is about to let him down gently, but he tells her how he wants to make her life better. She says she needs to think about it. Olivia tells Natalia that if she thinks Frank is everything she needs, she should say yes. Olivia runs into Dorian at the bar. Mallet and Dinah are traveling back from Bosnia and have to play married one final time in front of the immigration agent. Marina is delighted to meet her infant son. Shayne tells Dinah he wants to be with her. Colin tells Reva the chemo wasn't enough and she needs an immediate course of radiation. He recommends a C-section in the next few days. Reva tells Jeffrey there's no way she is going to deliver the baby until she knows he's going to be born 100 percent healthy. Jeffrey informs her that he already filled out the papers and has power of attorney. In the end, Jeffrey and Reva decide to wait before making any decisions.

March 16, 2009 to March 20, 2009: Phillip tells Lizzie that Grady admitted he kidnapper her. Phillip says he made sure Grady will never bother her again. Billy suggests to Vanessa they start over just like Lizzie and Bill. Olivia tells Natalia they can get Phillip's trial date moved up by threatening to reveal Doris' secret that she was at the gay bar. Doris agrees to move up Phillip's trial to keep Olivia from revealing her secret. Dinah runs into Phillip. He tells her he's looking for clues to tie Grady to Lizzie's kidnapping and pointedly suggests there were others involved. After Phillip tells her he will never reveal her part in framing Bill for kidnapping, a guilt-ridden Dinah decides to tell about it herself. After revealing her part in Lizzie's kidnapping, Dinah heads for the rooftop at Company. Buzz thinks he sees Jenna in the woods and takes off after her. Buzz searches for Jenna and realizes he's searching for everything he's lost. He wants to stop hating, but he cannot help it. Buzz decides he needs his family and they need him. Edmund shows Shayne the new promotional video of Lara to attract new investors. Shayne meets up with Josh and tells him that he killed Lara. Shayne admits that after Lara died, he walked into a minefield wanting to die.

March 23, 2009 to March 27, 2009: Phillip warns Alan that he'd better leave Daisy alone, or he'll reveal that Alan framed Bill. Lizzie tells Beth she should help Phillip with his trial. Dinah realizes Shayne thinks she's going to jump and she explains she's just there to clear her head. Lizzie decides not to press charges against Dinah. Reva tells Josh the doctor recommended she have a C-section and that they've decided she will have the one as soon as it's safe. Phillip gets the deed to Company. Phillip visits the Coopers and explains he's hoping to repair the damage he has caused. He hands Buzz the deed to Company, but Buzz won't take it back. Marina decides to take over Company. Lizzie is horrified when Phillip admits he didn't mean to kill Grady, but there was no choice — he needed to make sure Lizzie would always be safe. Phillip and Beth see Alan speaking to Doris. Beth can't believe Alan would testify against Phillip, but Phillip says he's not afraid of the truth. Alan looks down at Phillip and Beth when Rick enters, followed by Buzz and Daisy. Doris calls Alan to the stand. Alan testifies that after seeing Phillip shoot the gun at Coop's funeral he realized Phillip might be more dangerous than ever. Lizzie announces she would like to testify. Lizzie says that night she knew Phillip wouldn't hurt her, that he loves all his children and that he was trying to protect them. Natalia accepts Frank's marriage proposal.

March 30, 2009 to April 3, 2009: Olivia tells Phillip she'll let him have visits with Emma until he's behind bars where he belongs. Christina gets a call that the registrar's office learned about the fraudulent scholarship situation and her spot has been taken away. Marina tells Mallet that she resigned from the force. Edmund and Dinah run into each other and decide to have a talk. Dinah realizes that Lara really changed Edmund. Daisy goes to a bar dressed in a sexy outfit and orders a drink with a fake ID. She gets drunk and starts dancing on the table until she gets sick. Reva has a contraction. Jeffrey texts everyone to let them know Reva is in labor. Jeffrey tries to coach Reva as she braves through the contractions. Reva names her newborn son Colin. Edmund finally reveals to Shayne that Lara was pregnant with Shayne's baby when she died. Shayne is still reeling from the news that Lara was pregnant. Edmund tells him that Lara planned on telling him the night she died. Olivia throws a party for the newly engaged Frank and Natalia. Olivia wants to tell Natalia she loves her.

April 6, 2009 to April 10, 2009: Alan finds Grady's garbage bag with a million dollars in it. Beth wants to have a family dinner in case Phillip gets re-arrested. Alan strolls into the dinner party late with "party favors" for everyone. He dumps the money onto the table saying there's enough to go around. Phillip is found guilty on all charges and escorted to the penitentiary. Alan admits to Phillip that he bribed the judge to make sure Phillip went to prison. Alan is shocked when Phillip walks in and says that the governor pardoned him. Bill tells Alan that he must feel irrelevant now that Phillip is back. Daisy is stunned when she figures out the boy she met is James Spaulding. James reveals that he hooked up with the governor's daughter and called in a favor to get Phillip released from prison. Phillip tells James that he wants to make up for lost time, but James does not want anything from Phillip. Shayne tells Edmund that he's the reason Lara is dead. It's unclear whether Edmund is as forgiving as he seems to be. Jeffrey sets up a webcam so Reva can see him and Colin at home. Emma tells Olivia she saw Nat crying and that maybe she doesn't want to marry Frank. Christina walks in on Remy's birthday celebration. Remy is served the divorce papers and is crushed. Remy and Christina argue about why they should get divorced, both wanting the other to admit their true feelings. Mallet gets a call from Child Protective Services to say they are reviewing Henry's adoption papers. Marina hires Blake to manage the restaurant.

April 13, 2009 to April 17, 2009: Frank surprises Natalia with Rafe. Rafe tells Natalia that Frank helped get him out on early release. Rafe suggests that Natalia and Frank get married this week while he's home and before he has to report to the halfway house. Doris tells Olivia she has to stop Frank and Natalia's wedding. Back at home, Natalia tells Olivia she wants to get married today, and asks Olivia to be her maid of honor. Frank asks Buzz to be his best man. Doris is impressed that Olivia told Natalia how she felt about her. Lillian says that the bride is almost ready. Natalia enters and locks eyes with Olivia. As Natalia walks down the aisle towards Frank, her gaze keeps shifting to Olivia. Natalia slowly recites her vows, but can't get herself to finish. She runs out apologetically. Olivia searches for Natalia to no avail, and then rushes away. Outside, Natalia asks God for forgiveness. Frank asks Marina to send everyone home, saying the only person he needs is Natalia. Olivia finds Natalia crying in the gazebo. Natalia finally admits that she loves Olivia. Edmund corners Shayne, angrily calling him a liar about loving Lara and for hiding that he's the reason she's gone. Edmund, dressed as a doctor, picks up baby Colin. A nurse rushes towards Jeffrey and tells him to come quickly. Jeffrey and Josh see that Colin is missing and Reva's bed is empty. At Cross Creek, Reva and Edmund come face to face. Reva tells him to give Colin back to her. Edmund wants to rob Shayne's family the way Shayne robbed his — child for child. To stop Edmund from taking his revenge out on baby Colin, Reva stabs him in the neck with a syringe. Edmund clings to consciousness as Reva takes baby Colin, telling Edmund he could have been the kind of person that gives life instead of taking it. Phillip agrees to take a position on the Spaulding board, and Alan pretends to be pleased. Lizzie wonders if Phillip is ready to be back on the board. Phillip reads the press release Alan has written up stating that Phillip is going to seek psychiatric help. Alan asks him to check into Ravenwood — for his daughter's sake. Phillip agrees to talk to Alan's doctor. Alan tells Alex that Phillip called his bluff — he doesn't have a doctor and has to come up with a plan B. Phillip arrives to meet the doctor, but instead, two orderlies enter and grab him. Alan claims Phillip is out of his control.

April 20, 2009 to April 24, 2009: Phillip is kept inside a locked room. Alan explains to him that the governor decided Phillip needed a full-scale evaluation. Rick tells Alan that Phillip is mentally stable. Alan asks the doctor if he can have a moment alone with Phillip and goes into his room. Alan intentionally provokes Phillip until Phillip punches him. An orderly restrains Phillip. Dr. Mike informs Alan that they're going to keep Phillip for a while. Roc lets Josh step into the room where Edmund is kept chained to the wall. Josh wants to make sure Edmund isn't going to hurt his family. Edmund escapes. Dinah and Shayne are leaving for Bosnia when Shayne gets a call from Josh. Josh is relieved that Shayne is on his way out of the country. Josh is stunned when Jeffrey tells him that Edmund just boarded a plane to Bosnia. In Bosnia, Shayne takes Dinah to the village where he met Lara. Dinah and Shayne walk arm in arm through the village, but little do they know, they are being watched. Marina tries to persuade Clarice to let go of Henry's case, then threatens to plant drugs in Clarice's office. Clarice knows that Marina could ruin her career by planting the drugs and can't believe Marina has resorted to this. Marina tells her that there is nothing more important than protecting her baby. Sister Angelica takes Dinah to meet the baby's mother. Dinah is stunned when the nun points to Lara's grave (where Shayne is kneeling) and tells her that that's the baby's mother. Sister Angelica explains that Lara died, but her baby lived and Angelica raised the child herself. Mallet and Marina are given full custody of Henry. Marina announces that she has decided to take leave from the force to be a mom. Frank tells Buzz that he wishes Natalia would have talked about the doubts she had before the wedding, but he's still certain she wanted to marry him. Olivia doesn't think that Natalia has thought through what comes after saying "I love you" and thinks it will be pure hell for them. Olivia explains that she's not trying to be insensitive, but Natalia has to think about Rafe, Emma, Olivia and God, and suggests Natalia walk away. Natalia tells Olivia she knows what it means to tell someone "I love you." Natalia takes Olivia's hand and holds it until they hear Frank entering. At church, Natalia gives Rafe a tearful goodbye. Natalia is startled to see Olivia and Emma there. Natalia asks Olivia to come into the church with her. Natalia and Olivia sit side by side and Natalia tells her it will be all right — God still loves them and wants them to be happy. Christina tells Remy she lost her job. She stops by the hospital and asks for a job, but Lillian says there aren't any openings. Christina holds baby Colin and realizes she's really good with kids. Christina tells Remy she wants to open a daycare center.

April 27, 2009 to May 1, 2009: Dinah tells Remy that the nun in Bosnia told her that Lara is Henry's mother. Dinah hands over two baggies to the tech for DNA analysis. Natalia agrees to spend a weekend away with Olivia. Doris breaks the news to Frank that Natalia has feelings for Olivia. Frank grabs Doris' arm and tells her to stop spreading lies about Natalia. Frank fights Doris' bodyguards but finally gets taken down. Natalia is at Cedars when a battered Frank arrives. Olivia comforts Natalia, who blames herself for Frank's attack. Frank watches them embrace through the window. At Ravenswood, Rick makes certain Phillip is placed in a room where he can sneak out of the sanatorium. Rick gives Phillip keys to the Bauer cabin. Phillip gives Bill permission to marry Lizzie. Bill gets down on one knee to give Lizzie a proper proposal and slips the ring on her finger. James asks Phillip point blank if he killed Lizzie's kidnapper. Phillip tells James that he would do anything for his children. He says that Lizzie doesn't have to worry about Grady anymore. James wants Phillip to get rid of Alan. Phillip realizes that James is testing him and explains that he loves him as much as he loves Lizzie.

May 4, 2009 to May 8, 2009: Frank wakes up in his hospital bed and sees Natalia and Olivia sleeping close together, keeping vigil. He hauls himself up and heads out as Olivia follows him. Natalia comes clean. The Coopers are immediately worried when they see how disheveled Frank looks. Frank wishes the family would leave him alone. Phillip apologizes for missing James' childhood. James tells Dr. Mike that Phillip escaped from Ravenwood for a few days. James explains that Phillip is completely sane and went down to Florida to fix his mistakes. James tells Beth he can't go back to school now and will finish later. Alan is shocked to find Phillip at home. Phillip announces that Dr. Mike released him. Reva tells Josh they're sending her home and she can do the rest of her treatment as an outpatient. Shayne calmly comes to terms with the fact that Henry is Lara's baby and decides he won't tell Mallet and Marina. Blake tells Jeffrey that she wonders if Josh is waiting around to marry Reva again and doesn't want Jeffrey to be the victim of a Josh and Reva thing.

May 11, 2009 to May 15, 2009: Natalia runs into Buzz, who chastises her for breaking Frank's heart. A doctor tells Mallet and Marina that Henry is anemic. Mallet informs Shayne and Dinah. Dinah points out that a blood relative would be the baby's best bet. Out of Marina and Mallet's earshot, Shayne goes to a nurse and offers to donate blood. Marina is about to see Shayne when Mallet calls out to her and announces they have found a match from someone in the hospital. Jeffrey tells Josh that it's time for him to move on and steer clear of Reva. Josh counters that he'll back off when he knows that Reva's out of trouble. Reva rushes in and admits that she was looking. Reva is cancer free. Shayne runs into Josh and offers to go with him to find Edmund. Shayne Josh thanks Shayne for coming to Italy to help him find Edmund. Josh tells Shayne that Edmund is in the hospital and isn't expected to make it. Josh learns that Edmund was caught in a fire. Josh and Shayne think that Edmund is the heavily bandaged figure in the hospital bed, but when the nurse changes the bandages, they're shocked to see it is actually Roc Hoover. Josh and Shayne arrive home worried that Edmund is back in Springfield. Phillip is shocked to learn that James is running a Ponzi scheme and using Bill's name as a front. James asks Daisy to leave town with him. Remy asks Clayton for a loan to help Christina. Clayton admits he might not be able to help because he just invested in a fund that appears to be bankrupt. Returning from his run, Remy is shocked to see a body floating in the water.

May 18, 2009 to May 22, 2009: Remy dials 9-1-1 and tries to revive Edmund, but it's too late. Remy realizes he's still holding Edmund's coat and is shocked when a bag of flawless diamonds falls out of the lining. Remy closes his hand full of diamonds when Mallet walks up. Mallet takes the coat for evidence. Remy asks Buzz if he knows someone who wants to buy some diamonds. Olivia tells Jeffrey that she saw Reva arguing with Edmund right before he died. Josh tells Shayne they need to make sure their stories about Italy match. Shayne concedes to Dinah that he has to tell Marina about Henry. Olivia comes home and Natalia throws her arms around her. Phillip tells Beth about James' Ponzi scheme and vows to fix it; he doesn't want to fail their son again. Beth tells Phillip that his children are lucky to have him back and so is she. Bill tells Lizzie he decided when they should get married — sometime this fall.

May 25, 2009 to May 29, 2009: Shayne tells Marina that he is Henry's biological father and that he was the one that donated blood for Henry. Shayne explains that he doesn't want to take Henry away from her and Mallet. He says he won't tell Mallet anything and only Dinah knows. Jeffrey confronts Reva about the fact that the story she told him was different from the story she told Mallet. Reva assures Jeffrey she didn't kill Edmund. Mallet arrives and tells Reva that she is under arrest for Edmund's murder. Beth tells James she knows about his Ponzi scheme and Phillip has a plan to bail him out of the mess. James says he never wanted to hurt Lizzie; he just wanted to buy his way out of the family. Phillip sees Alan and realizes he is the one that stopped the loan from going through. A detective tells Bill that he is being accused of securities fraud. Lizzie decides to call Phillip. Phillip tells Beth that the police are coming after him for putting together the Ponzi scheme. Phillip explains to Beth that he's taking the blame to protect Lizzie and James. James returns to scamming. Remy tells Mallet that he has decided to come back to the force. Remy tucks the diamonds away as Christina and his family approach. Rafe's return home is tension filled.

June 1, 2009 to June 5, 2009: Natalia is excited when she finds that Rafe is applying to the police department. Frank explains to Rafe that he can't be a cop because he has a felony record. As Bill is about to announce that he's going to marry Lizzie, he is interrupted by SEC agents. The agents arrest Bill on charges of securities fraud. Phillip steps in and says the man they're looking for is James. Beth tells Phillip she thought he was going to turn himself in, but he says it wasn't the right choice. He explains to her that it had to be done because he couldn't let James turn into Alan. Clayton tells Remy that the bank is moving forward with the foreclosure and apologizes for letting the whole family down. Remy makes a call to the diamond dealer to sell his diamonds. Cyrus is dropped off on a dirt road near Springfield. A woman named Natasha orders him to stay in touch. Cyrus tells Natasha he got a job at Company to find out who has the diamonds. Frank tells Remy that the San Cristobel government thinks Edmund stole the crown jewels to support his lifestyle. Frank orders Remy to find the gems. A judge rules there is enough evidence to charge Reva with the first-degree murder of Edmund.

June 8, 2009 to June 12, 2009: Beth is shocked that James started another fund after Phillip told him he'd turn himself in for the crime. Phillip explains that the only way for James to learn the enormity of his actions is to pay the consequences. The charges against James carry a sentence of up to 850 years in prison. When Josh helps fix Olivia's car and he comes face to face with her, they kiss. Olivia pulls away from Josh and apologizes for kissing him. Rafe watches unseen as Natalia runs her hand across Olivia's cheek and brushes her lips. Rafe yells out at his mother and demands to know what she's doing. Cyrus tells Natasha they shouldn't be seen together if she wants to stay anonymous. Doyle tells Cyrus he got a primo stone recently from a guy who was going to use it as an engagement ring, but he won't tell Cyrus his name. Jeffrey thinks Edmund may be alive when he learns "Edmund's" body was cremated and his ashes scattered. Jeffrey theorizes that Edmund could be the one setting up Reva if he's still alive and points out that the body had been submerged in water for a while when it was identified. Shayne admits to Dinah that he is criticizing Mallet because he wants to make sure Mallet is the right father for Henry.

June 15, 2009 to June 19, 2009: Phillip persuades the judge to be lenient with James by giving him an offshore account and a promise of more money later. He has already arranged for the fund to give investors their money back. James is brought in for his arraignment, and the judge announces that almost all the charges are no longer valid. He sentences James to serve one year of community service. After everyone leaves the room, Beth overhears Phillip talking with the judge. She tells James what Phillip did for him and says that Phillip loves him. James calls Phillip a hypocrite and tells him he hates him even more. Rafe asks Natalia to tell him what is going on. Natalia realizes he knows about her and Olivia. She explains that they were waiting for the right time to talk to Rafe and admits that she's in love with Olivia. Rafe is convinced that Olivia took advantage of Natalia. Rafe moves in with Frank. Father Ray clarifies that he doesn't support Olivia and Natalia's choices and thinks that they're letting the circumstances dictate their actions. Lizzie and Bill announce their resignation from Spaulding-Lewis. Billy offers Bill a job at H.B. and Sons. Natasha threatens Cyrus and says he'd better find the diamonds. Cyrus asks Christina about her relationship with Remy and learns that Remy proposed to her with a rare diamond. Jeffrey questions Shayne about Edmund's cremation, and Shayne tells him Reva was in charge of Edmund's arrangements. Josh tells Shayne and Dinah that there's a possibility Edmund is alive and framing Reva. Jeffrey tells Josh that the chopper is set, and they decide to meet in two hours. Jeffrey tells Dinah that he has set himself up to look guilty and is going on the run to find Edmund. Josh learns that Reva is no longer a suspect.

June 22, 2009 to June 26, 2009: Jeffrey and Grieci pick up the body bag that will become the "remains" from Lara's fake grave. Dinah watches as Jeffrey pounds Lara's marker into the new gravesite. Jeffrey says the next step is to use Dinah to make Edmund come out of hiding. Jeffrey says they need to start leaking news that Lara is alive. Mallet receives a fax with a picture of Jeffrey and Dinah wearing military uniforms in Bosnia. Olivia thinks Natalia's new job as Blake's assistant will help prove that they're together because they choose to be. Beth calls Alan out on getting James on the board just in time to vote for the new CEO. Ed Bauer returns home. Phillip is shocked to learn he has three months to live. Phillip tells Ed he's not ready to tell his family and leaves before Ed gives him his treatment options. Lizzie asks Phillip to walk her down the aisle. Remy tells Cyrus he no longer has the diamonds; he flushed them down the toilet. They go to the sewage plant and jump into the tank. Remy shows Cyrus the soggy pouch of diamonds that he found. After turning Natasha in to the police for stealing the diamonds, Cyrus reveals that he kept several diamonds for himself.

June 29, 2009 to July 3, 2009: Mallet realizes that Shayne is Henry's father. Josh tells Shayne he didn't know Dinah was with Jeffrey. Reva tells Josh to get a hobby besides watching her. Reva rocks Colin and tries to stay strong while she waits for Jeffrey to come home. Lillian gets instructions from Ed on how to treat someone with a rare terminal disease. She is shocked that Phillip is the one she'll be treating. Phillip tells Lillian that Ed thought she'd be the right person to tell and he doesn't want his family to know yet. Alan tells James to prove to Phillip that James is already on track to surpass everything Phillip has ever done. The Bauer Fourth of July barbecue is on. Everyone is excited to see Billy and Mindy arrive. The group sets up games. Danny and Michelle get happy greetings from everyone. Billy takes a picture of the four musketeers: Mindy, Beth, Rick and Phillip. Mel admits to Michelle that it's strange not being a Bauer anymore and says she loved the family they had. Rafe asks why Frank is giving up on Natalia. Father Ray suggests that Natalia go to a retreat to think things through.

July 6, 2009 to July 10, 2009: Olivia tells Phillip that Natalia went to a church retreat and won't be back until she sorts things out. Phillip tells Lillian that he needs to find the right time to tell his family. Lillian tells Phillip that there'll never be a good time to tell his family he is dying. Alan says he's not coming to Lizzie's wedding and can't give her his support. Reva gets a call from anxious Jeffrey. He tells her he doesn't have much time left. Jeffrey tells Reva his plane is going down and he called to say goodbye. He wants to hear about Colin. Reva desperately clings to hope that Jeffrey will make it and tells him how much she loves him. Suddenly the line goes dead. Josh runs to her when he hears her screaming. Reva is in shock and tells Josh they have to get Jeffrey some help. Josh calls Frank and tells him what happened. Frank tells Josh he will alert the FAA. Mallet and Marina get a surprise visit from Edmund's lawyer, who tells them that Edmund added Henry to his will. Mallet wonders how Edmund knew Henry was his grandson and Marina worries that Henry is in danger. Shayne is shocked when Marina and Mallet tell him that Edmund knew about Henry. Mallet realizes that Edmund may have caused Jeffrey's plane crash but assures Marina he'll keep Henry safe. Mallet orders the cop to test the stroller as a match to the murder weapon. Frank announces that Remy and Cyrus are both getting recognized for solving the diamond case. Cyrus uses money from selling the diamonds to help people in Springfield with anonymous gifts.

July 13, 2009 to July 17, 2009: Lizzie tells Phillip there's no one she'd rather have walk her down the aisle; then she takes his arm, ready to get married. Phillip tells Lizzie he loves her, then walks her down the aisle and gives her to Bill. Doris pronounces Lizzie and Bill man and wife. Dinah wants Josh to track down Edmund. Dinah pressures Cyrus for a gun and he finally gives her the name of someone who can help her get one. Captain Rogers stops Reva and Josh on their way to the helicopter and tells them he may have information. The captain informs them that they haven't found Jeffrey yet, but they did find the wreckage of a small jet. The captain tells Reva they sent divers to get a visual of Jeffrey's plane. Reva is thrilled to hear that a kid saw a fully clothed man coming out of the ocean. Reva is about to search for Jeffrey in the woods, but the captain stops her with devastating news — the divers found a body inside Jeffrey's plane and he was flying alone. Reva maintains that Jeffrey is still alive. The captain says that the kid who saw a clothed man could have been mistaken. Reva demands that they bring up the plane. Mallet shares the news that they found a body in Jeffrey's plane. Phillip, Alan and James plan a camping trip. Lillian warns Phillip that his body will build up immunity to the medicine.

July 20, 2009 to July 24, 2009: Alan admits to Phillip that he was drafted in the Vietnam War but was too scared to go. Alan asked his father to get him out of it so Brandon arranged for another man, Gerry Pierce, to go in his place. He later found out that Gerry was killed in the war. Alan tells Phillip it was a campfire story and none of it was true. Alex says that it was the defining moment in Alan's life, and is when she lost the brother she loved. Alex tells Phillip that Alan sends an anonymous check to the widow every year. Cyrus is arrested for jewel theft. Cyrus reveals to Buzz that Coop was writing Jenna's life story and wanted to surprise Buzz. Reva tells Marina that she needed to get out of the house because everything reminds her of her life with Jeffrey. Dinah, alone with baby Henry, confesses that she was the one who picked up the stroller and killed the man she thought was Edmund. Dinah sees Matt and suddenly realizes he heard her confession. Reva breaks down at Jeffrey's memorial service in the park.

Guiding Light: Jude Cooper Bauer

Portrayed by:

Aaron Hart

She's A Marvel episode, 1 November 2006

Hall of Fame: Agnes Nixon

Agnes Nixon

2009 Soap Opera Hall of Fame Inductee

• Writer, Woman in White
• Co-Creator/Head Writer, Search For Tomorrow
• Writer, As The World Turns
• Head Writer, The Guiding Light
• Head Writer, Another World
• Head Writer/Executive Producer/Creator, One Life To Live
• Head Writer/Executive Producer/Creator/Story Consultant, All My Children
• Head Writer/Creator/Story Consultant, Loving
• Co-Creator/Story Consultant, The City
• ABC Daytime Overall Story Consultant
• Agnes Eckhart, All My Children
• Agnes Eckhardt, One Life To Live
• Aggie, All My Children
  
  

Often termed the "queen" of contemporary soap opera, Williams Agnes Eckhardt Nixon, better known simply as Agnes Nixon, was born December 10, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. She is often called the most respected and influential writer in daytime drama. She is best known, and most honored, for introducing social issues into the soaps.

Shortly after her birth, her parents divorced. Nixon's mother returned to Nashville with her. They lived with Nixon's grandmother and invalid aunt. Her grandmother was said to be a difficult woman, and Nixon's mother strived to give Nixon as normal a life as possible. As a child she cut out pictures from comic stips such as Etta Kent and Tillie the Toiler, and played with them as if they were paper dolls, moving them about and creating her own variations of the stories. As she grew older she became enchanted with the novels of Louisa May Alcott, followed the serial Little Orphan Annie on radio, and took drama lessons.

Nixon was gifted and petite; a vivacious and beautiful blond. These attributes caused her to suffer a great deal of envy and spitefulness from her peers. She attended St. Cecilia Academy of Dominican sisters in Nashville. During that time, she studied privately with Eleanor Dubuission Fossick, who first identified her as gifted, and taught her "expression" and music. Nixon was "Miss Eleanor's" delightful protégé, and she wanted to attend Northwestern University. Her father, who had a company that provided materials for funeral businesses, refused to underwrite this, and instead wanted her to work for him. Nixon was distraught. She disclosed this situation to her teacher. "Miss Eleanor" told her to write to her father as though she had not received his letter refusing Northwestern, and tell him how wonderful he was and how all her friends were jealous that her father was going to pay for this. Shortly after, her father wrote her, saying "he was in a bad mood" when he wrote his letter of denial, and of course he would pay for Northwestern.

At Northwestern she majored in speech and drama. In her class were such luminaries as Charlton Heston, Patricia Neal, Martha Hyer and Cloris Leachman. She is said to have observed the enormous talent pool there, and instead of pursuing acting, opted instead to write.

She had been engaged to a young World War II pilot, Hank. Hank went missing in action. This was devastating for young Nixon. She dated again, and once had a semi-long distance relationship with a young Frenchman named Etienne. It was said to be fascinating to hear her prattle in French, long distance, with him. She was also friends with one of Hank's buddies, Robert "Bob" Nixon, an executive with the Chrysler Corporation. "Miss Eleanor" remarked to her that her eyes only sparkled when she spoke of Bob, and not when she spoke of Etienne. In the end, she married Bob Nixon on April 6, 1951. Together, they had four children. Her oldest daughter, Cathy Chicos, became a dialogue writer for All My Children. Nixon was loyal to her mentors, and visited "Miss Eleanor" several times during her last illness and attended her funeral. "Miss Eleanor" had directed seven roses be placed on her casket. The first six were for members of her family, and the seventh was for Nixon, symbolizing "All My Children" she had taught throughout the years. Nixon had always said she wanted to write the great American novel. She did this as a collaborative effort, and the book was made into a mini series in the 1980s called Manions of America. It is believed it was loosely based on her own ancestry.

While still at Northwestern, she sold a radio play, and to avoid working in her father's burial-garment business, went to see soap opera queen Irna Phillips with dreams of becoming a professional writer.

The formidable Phillips took Eckhardt's script and, to the shock of the young writer, read every word of it aloud. After she finished reading, Phillips turned to the trembling author and asked, "Would you like to work for me?"

Under Phillips' tutelage, Eckhardt began her job as a dialogue writer for the radio soap opera Woman in White at $100 per week.

Later she struck out on her own, free-lancing in New York during television's Golden Age of live drama -- a golden age that, she said, "lasted fifteen minutes." She wrote teleplays for Studio One, Playhouse 90, The Hallmark Hall of Fame, and My True Story.

In 1951, the same year of her marriage and move to Pennsylvania, she created the NBC soap opera Search For Tomorrow with Roy Winsor. She stayed with the series, writing the first three-month cycle. It became the first successful daytime television soap opera, and would for awhile hold the honor of the longest-running serial in the history of televison.

A few years later, she was reunited with Irna Phillips, and became a writer for The Guiding Light. After co-creating As The World Turns with Phillips in 1956, she became head writer at The Guiding Light in 1958. There she began her much-heralded "relevance" campaign, mixing social issues and education crusades into the story.

A friend of Nixon's had died from cervical cancer, and Nixon wanted to do something to educate women about getting a Pap smear. She wrote it into The Guiding Light by having the lead character, Bert Bauer, encounter a cancer scare. This storyline aired in 1962; Nixon had to work around some difficulties of getting this storyline to air, as she could not make use of the words “cancer,” “uterus,” and “Pap test”. However, after this storyline the number of women who took a Pap smear surged dramatically. The studio and Nixon both received numerous letters from appreciative women, some of whom said that the story had saved their lives by prodding them to seek regular checkups. In 2002 she received a special Sentinel for Health "pioneer award" for her work on The Guiding Light.

In 1965, Nixon, while on vacation in St. Croix, completed the first proposal/Bible for her future soap opera All My Children. Procter & Gamble at first optioned the series, but could not find any room for the series at the time.

Instead of shopping the new series around to another network, Nixon was convinced by the rejection that the new series wasn’t any good, she went back to TGL. P&G decided that Nixon might just be what the struggling NBC soap opera Another World needed and moved her over to head write the struggling soap. She took the job as a challenge. She met the challenge and ended up turning AW into a certifiable hit.

Her first order of business was getting rid of the previous writer's new family and returning the Matthews family to prominence. To accomplish this, she simply killed off the entire Gregory family in a plane crash. She then crafted a compelling storyline for Bill & Missy where Missy married the dastardly Danny Fargo (Antony Ponzini) out of convenience, was raped and impregnated by him, and then put on trial for Danny’s eventual murder, bringing Bill & Missy back together. Nixon also moved TGL characters Mike Bauer and young daughter Hope to AW and plunged Mike into a romantic triangle with rivals Pat Randolph and Lee Randolph while hooking up Lenore Moore (Judith Barcroft, and later Susan Sullivan), a former girlfriend of Bill’s and who’d been much more socially acceptable to Liz, with social climbing attorney Walter Curtin (Val Dufour). In the end, Nixon’s take on the show worked! Viewers couldn’t wait to see what twists and turns would befall the residents of Bay City and the ratings began to rise. Then Nixon would introduce two new characters and a storyline that would send the ratings through the roof.

She was intensely invested in a conniving character in her rejected soap opera named Erica Kane and wanted, if nothing else, for that character to see realization on screen. To this end, she created the character of Rachel Davis along with her long-suffering mother Ada. Rachel & Ada (Robin Strasser and Constance Ford) had been abandoned years earlier by Ada’s husband and Rachel’s father Gerald. Ada was determined to make up for the abandonment and indulged Rachel’s every whim, leaving the poor young girl immensely spoiled. A conniver and social climber of the highest order, Rachel set her sights on her doctor – intern Russ Matthews – and married him in secret. Shortly thereafter, Agnes introduced the wealthy and rakish Steve Frame (George Reinholt) who was taken with Russ’s sister Alice. As Steve & Alice fell in love, Rachel grew dismayed with the life of a doctor’s wife and took a liking to Steve. Before long, Steve had slept with Rachel (who was still married to Russ) and got her pregnant, but Rachel attempted to pass the baby off as Russ’s. The Russ/Rachel/Steve/Alice quadrangle was a smash! Viewers swooned to Steve & Alice, sympathized with Russ, and loved to hate Rachel.

Ratings skyrocketed. AW, once in danger of cancellation, was the first soap opera to break through CBS’s ratings dominance. For the 1966-1967 TV season, AW ranked 7th behind all of CBS’s soaps. For the 1967-1968 season, AW had shot up to 2nd, right behind ATWT.

Her success at AW didn’t go unnoticed. ABC, seeing the magic she’d worked, lured her away to create a hit soap for their own struggling line-up and Nixon jumped at the chance, leaving Irna Phillips and P&G for good.

ABC executives passed on the earlier program she created, but asked her to create a show that would reflect a more "contemporary" tone; that creation was One Life to Live. Nixon, "tired of the restraints imposed by the WASPy, non-controversial nature of daytime drama, presented the network with a startingly original premise and cast of characters. Although the show was built along the classic soap formula of a rich family and a poor family, One Life to Live emphasized the ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the people of Llanview, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

The real beginning for her presentation of issues in television soap opera was One Life to Live. In 1968 social structures and attitudes were changing, and One Life was rich in issue stories and characters: leads who were Jewish, up-from-poverty Irish-American, Polish, and the first African-American leads, Carla Gray (Ellen Holly), doctor-to-be, and Ed Hall (Al Freeman, Jr.). Gray's story, for example, had her develop from a character who was passing as white to one who embodied black pride, with white and black loves along the way, to antagonize racists. When Carla kissed the black intern she had become engaged to, one affiliate in Texas cancelled the program immediately. Ironically, when Holly and Freeman brought Carla and Ed back to One Life in the mid-1980s, they seemed out of place in by-then WASP-ish Llanview, Pennsylvania. "Color" in this era was created not by race, but by style, in the persons of the nouveau riche, Dallas-style oil family, the Buchanans. By the Democratic mid-1990s, however, interracial and Hispanic families had become central characters.

Agnes Nixon created One Life to Live for ABC in order to obtain the opportunity to write her "dream" story, All My Children. It all happened in 1970. Based on her success with OLTL, ABC decided they wanted the project P&G had passed on. AMC was more personal than OLTL, but social issues were still tackled: child abuse (again tied to a real organization in Philadelphia, and again drawing a strong and practical response); the Vietnam War; and the first legal abortion, Erica Kane's, in May 1971. Assuming the audience would be shocked, AMC's writers gave Erica a "bad" motive (she wanted a modeling job), and, following the abortion, septicemia (planned as educational as well as "poetic justice"). But Susan Lucci's fan mail cheered Erica on, and urged her to take the modeling job in spite of the objections of her then-husband.

Other issues pioneered by Nixon include political nonconformity, very rare in prime-time television, rarer still in daytime drama. When All My Children debuted in 1970, it featured Amy Tyler (Rosemary Prinz) as a peace activist. Next Nixon had the young hero, Phillip Brent, drafted against his will and later missing in action. Political pages in U.S. newspapers took note of a speech against the war by Ruth Martin (Mary Fickett), who had raised Phillip as her son: even the mothers on those escapist soap operas were against the war, the newspapers said. Fickett won the first Emmy given to a daytime performer, for her work during the 1972-73 season. In 1987, Agnes Nixon remembered simply, "I didn't feel that took so much courage. It was like a mother speaking. Like Friendly Fire." But Friendly Fire was not published until 1976. In 1974, Nixon turned to humanizing the Vietnamese, showing Phillip, in one of the few war scenes on TV soap opera, being rescued by a young Vietnamese (played by a man who had been adopted one of Nixon's friends).

Nixon's stories characteristically show both sides of the issues on which she focuses: of the teenage prostitute, the drug addict, even the wife beater. When she feels there should be no sympathy for the other side, she works toward empathy--as in the 1988 AIDS story in which she had a lead character, Skye Cudahy (Robin Christopher) become so irrational with AIDS fear that she almost killed Cindy (Ellen Wheeler). Nixon sees both sides, and usually has a third type of character--perhaps in a position similar to that of most viewers--who is pulled in both directions.

Characteristic of Nixon's soaps, AMC hooked young people and men. The focus on young adult characters included not only romance--and sex--but also their growing pains. AMC, from its earliest days, presented Erica Kane, the willful but winningly vulnerable teenager who, in the hands of Agnes Nixon and Susan Lucci, has grown through multiple lovers (usually husbands) and careers. She has found her "lost" father, a surprise daughter and in the 1990s--even some women friends. In the early 1980s, AMC's popularity soared as young people raced home (or to their dormitory lounges) at lunch time to watch the classic star-crossed romance of Jenny Gardner (Kim Delaney) and Greg Nelson (Laurence Lau). The issue was class: Jenny was from a troubled, lower-class family; Greg's mother, Enid Nelson, was Pine Valley's stereotypical snob. Equally popular were Angie Baxter (Debbi Morgan) and Jesse Hubbard (Darnell Williams), soap opera's first African-American super-couple.

Delaney and Williams, an Emmy winner, were given daytime drama's highest honor when they left AMC. Their characters were killed off so no other actor could play them. Jenny Gardner's kid brother Tad (Michael Knight)--flirting, cheating on girls, and otherwise adventuring--epitomized another Agnes Nixon gift to soap opera: humor, the "lighter" moment amid the Sturm und Drang. A waif-foundling, Tad is an archetypal character, his story a myth, or fairy-folk tale. He has two sets of parents. His biological parents consist of an evil father, Ray Gardner (dead since the 1980s), and a loving but ditzy mother, Nixon's famed comic creation, Opal Gardner. But Tad was raised by Joe and Ruth Martin (Ray MacDonnell and Mary Fickett, retired in the mid-1990s and replaced by Lee Meriwether), after his father abandoned him in a park. Joe and Ruth Martin are the central father and mother of AMC, and in folk-myth terms, they are the good parents, as steadfast as Tad's blood parents are unreliable and frightening.

Nixon's other archetypal creations include "tentpole" characters, usually older women such as Erica's mother Mona Tyler (the late Frances Heflin) and Myrtle Fargate (the late Eileen Herlie). Tentpole characters, says Nixon, are "the Greek chorus, in a sense ..., telling the audience how to feel."

Besides folk myth, Nixon also draws on the religious and mystical. One of her favorite tales is from the third soap opera she created (with the late Douglas Marland), Loving (ABC, 1983; later changed to The City). Archetypal good-bad twins Keith and Jonathan (John O'Hurley) battle, and in one twist, evil Jonathan, fallen from Golden Gate Bridge, returns with supernatural powers. Nixon says Jonathan made a pact with a devil. Wisely, the pact-making was not shown, and the evil one, though shown, was unlabelled--he left the Bridge area, slithering away as a snake. For this story, she cites as sources Faust and C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters.

Loving also allowed Nixon to break one of daytime's last taboos. That was her story of a father sexually abusing his daughter. Other shows had done similar stories but the abuser was always a step-father, never a blood relation. Nixon and Marland broke that taboo with the story of Garth Slater abusing his daughter Lily. Even with that story, it was only one of the many issues that Loving tackled in its first year and entire run.

Agnes Nixon, in her long and much-honored tenure as queen of soap opera, has created a treasure trove of characters and stories as rich as Aladdin's, tales from the deepest depths of our fears and the starriest heights of our dreams. She is indeed "the storyteller."

Through the years, she has been a member of the International Radio and TV Society; National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences; The Friars Club; and the Board of Harvard Foundation. She has been the recipient of the National Academy of TV Arts and Sciences Trustees Award, 1981; Junior Diabetes Foundation Super Achiever Award; Wilmer Eye Institute Award; American Women In Radio and TV Communicator Award, 1984; American Academy of Achievement Gold Plate Award, 1993; TV Hall of Fame, 1993; Soap Opera Weekly's Soap Opera Hall of Fame, 1994; Editor's Choice Award from Soap Opera Digest, 1996; and The Innovator Award (SoapsWEB), 2008.

She has received five Writer's Guild of America Awards; one primetime Emmy Award; five Daytime Emmy Awards, and numerous nominations.