Time Capsule 1980

ALL MY CHILDREN married off Cliff and Nina in a grand ceremony shot on location in Connecticut. Before the vows, Cliff learned that Sybil was pregnant with his kid. Gillian Spencer debuted as Nina’s presumed dead mother, Daisy, who used the alias “Monique Jonvil” to get close to Nina.... Mona and Charles, and Phoebe and Langley, said their “I dos”, as did Linc and Kelly (before the departures of portrayers Peter White and Francesca James.... Vasili Bogazianos started a 10-year stay as Benny Sago.... AMC celebrated its 10th anniversary on January 5 and took home two acting prizes at the Daytime Emmys: Supporting Actor for Warren Burton (Warren) and Supporting Actress for Francesca James.

ANOTHER WORLD reverted back to 60 minutes from 90 in length... Head Writers Tom King and Robert Soderberg were replaced by L. Virginia Browne.... Douglass Watson (Mac) won the Lead Actor Daytime Emmy....Rachel and Mac remarried and she gave birth to Matthew, who was sired by Mitch. Rachel also infamously did away with Christine Jones’s villainous Janice Frame (who had been poisoning Mac) by stabbing her in a swimming pool in St. Croix. Peter Reckell, later a superstar as DAYS OF OUR LIVES’s Bo, made his soap debut as Eric on AS THE WORLD TURNS, which also introduced Anthony Herrera as James, Frank Runyeon as Steve, and the Montgomery family, represented by Margaret Colin (Margo) and Anne Sward (Lyla).... Kim and Nick’s honeymoon was shot on location in Greece.... Barbara left Tom at the altar....James learned that he sired Barbara’s son, Paul.... Fred Bartholomew succeeded Joe Rothenberger as executive producer.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES marked its 15th anniversary on November 8 during a period of creative upheaval that saw Gary Tomlin join the show as co-head writer (alongside Nina Laemmle, who wrote out a whopping 14 characters)....Original cast member Edward Mallory was out as Bill....Gloria Loring came aboard as Liz.... Tom and Alice renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary....Don and Marlena’s baby boy, Don, Jr., died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.... Andrea Hall ended her stay as Marlena’s twin, Samantha.... Marie reunited with the daughter she’d given up for adoption, Jessica. THE DOCTORS cast Alec Baldwin as its fourth (and final) Billy Aldrich.... Ralph Ellis and Eugenie Hunt were out as co-head writers, replaced by Lawrence and Ronnie Wencker-Konner.

Lori Loughlin (the future star of FULL HOUSE) and Larkin Malloy made their debuts on EDGE OF NIGHT as Jody and Schuyler, respectively.

It was a jam-packed year for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Luke and Laura (pictured): After Luke nearly married mob princess Jennifer Smith and Scotty discovered that Luke raped Laura, the duo went on the run together, hiding out in Beecher’s Corners as they tried to get the goods on Frank Smith. They also consummated their relationship....Edward disinherited Tracy after faking a heart attack to test her loyalty (and portrayer Jane Elliot exited).... Monica gave birth to Alan, Jr. (A.J.), who at the time she thought was Rick’s son, a tidbit she shared with Rick’s wife, Lesley; Alan plotted to kill both Monica and Rick....The show hit No. 1 in the ratings and scored big at Soap Opera Digest’s Soapy Awards, with trophies for Favorite Show, Favorite Actor Anthony Geary (Luke), Best Villainess Jane Elliot and Best Mature Actor David Lewis (Edward). GUIDING LIGHT got an infusion of sion young blood in the form of Lisa Brown (Nola), John Wesley Shipp (Kelly), Kevin Bacon (T.J.) and Kristin Vigard (Morgan). Nola’s mother, Bea, played by Lee Lawson, helped found the Reardon clan, while the Chamberlain family was established via the additions of William Roerick (Henry) and Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa).... Michael Zaslow’s infamous villain, Roger Thorpe, fell from a cliff to his presumed death in the Dominican Republic. Maureen Garrett (Holly), also exited the show.... GL won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama....Hope Bauer became Mrs. Alan Spaulding, while Justin Marler learned that he was the biological father of Alan’s adopted son, Phillip. LOVE OF LIFE aired its final episode on CBS on February 1 after a 29-year run. It ended on a cliffhanger: Margo McKenna’s Betsy collapsed after testifying at Ben’s assault trial. The show’s final image showed Director Larry Auerbach walking through the studio to the strains of the Tony Bennett tune “We’ll Be Together Again.”

It was a jam-packed year for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Luke and Laura (pictured): After Luke nearly married mob princess Jennifer Smith and Scotty discovered that Luke raped Laura, the duo went on the run together, hiding out in Beecher’s Corners as they tried to get the goods on Frank Smith. They also consummated their relationship....Edward disinherited Tracy after faking a heart attack to test her loyalty (and portrayer Jane Elliot exited).... Monica gave birth to Alan, Jr. (A.J.), who at the time she thought was Rick’s son, a tidbit she shared with Rick’s wife, Lesley; Alan plotted to kill both Monica and Rick....The show hit No. 1 in the ratings and scored big at Soap Opera Digest’s Soapy Awards, with trophies for Favorite Show, Favorite Actor Anthony Geary (Luke), Best Villainess Jane Elliot and Best Mature Actor David Lewis (Edward). GUIDING LIGHT got an infusion of sion young blood in the form of Lisa Brown (Nola), John Wesley Shipp (Kelly), Kevin Bacon (T.J.) and Kristin Vigard (Morgan). Nola’s mother, Bea, played by Lee Lawson, helped found the Reardon clan, while the Chamberlain family was established via the additions of William Roerick (Henry) and Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa).... Michael Zaslow’s infamous villain, Roger Thorpe, fell from a cliff to his presumed death in the Dominican Republic. Maureen Garrett (Holly), also exited the show.... GL won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama....Hope Bauer became Mrs. Alan Spaulding, while Justin Marler learned that he was the biological father of Alan’s adopted son, Phillip. LOVE OF LIFE aired its final episode on CBS on February 1 after a 29-year run. It ended on a cliffhanger: Margo McKenna’s Betsy collapsed after testifying at Ben’s assault trial. The show’s final image showed Director Larry Auerbach walking through the studio to the strains of the Tony Bennett tune “We’ll Be Together Again.”

ONE LIFE TO LIVE expanded the Buchanan clan with Phil Carey (Asa) and Ken Meeker (Rafe).... Nancy Lee Grahn (now GH’s Alexis) made her daytime debut as Marco’s secretary, Beverly, while Stephen Schnetzer began as Marcello after a two-year run as DAYS’s Steven.... Judith Light won the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy for her work as Karen....Maggie remade herself in sister Pat’s image and took over her life (actress Jacqueline Courtney played both roles); Pat ultimately killed her in self defense....Evil Dr. Ivan Kipling tried to kill Karen.... Clint briefly dated Dorian, then courted Viki (who welcomed baby Joey, her son by late hubby Joe Riley), while Dorian pursused Herb. Labine-Mayer Productions sold RYAN’S HOPE to ABC; the show netted the Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Direction. SEARCH FOR TOMORROW hired one of its cast members, Millee Taggart (Janet), as a writer.

It was a jam-packed year for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Luke and Laura (pictured): After Luke nearly married mob princess Jennifer Smith and Scotty discovered that Luke raped Laura, the duo went on the run together, hiding out in Beecher’s Corners as they tried to get the goods on Frank Smith. They also consummated their relationship....Edward disinherited Tracy after faking a heart attack to test her loyalty (and portrayer Jane Elliot exited).... Monica gave birth to Alan, Jr. (A.J.), who at the time she thought was Rick’s son, a tidbit she shared with Rick’s wife, Lesley; Alan plotted to kill both Monica and Rick....The show hit No. 1 in the ratings and scored big at Soap Opera Digest’s Soapy Awards, with trophies for Favorite Show, Favorite Actor Anthony Geary (Luke), Best Villainess Jane Elliot and Best Mature Actor David Lewis (Edward). GUIDING LIGHT got an infusion of sion young blood in the form of Lisa Brown (Nola), John Wesley Shipp (Kelly), Kevin Bacon (T.J.) and Kristin Vigard (Morgan). Nola’s mother, Bea, played by Lee Lawson, helped found the Reardon clan, while the Chamberlain family was established via the additions of William Roerick (Henry) and Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa).... Michael Zaslow’s infamous villain, Roger Thorpe, fell from a cliff to his presumed death in the Dominican Republic. Maureen Garrett (Holly), also exited the show.... GL won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama....Hope Bauer became Mrs. Alan Spaulding, while Justin Marler learned that he was the biological father of Alan’s adopted son, Phillip. LOVE OF LIFE aired its final episode on CBS on February 1 after a 29-year run. It ended on a cliffhanger: Margo McKenna’s Betsy collapsed after testifying at Ben’s assault trial. The show’s final image showed Director Larry Auerbach walking through the studio to the strains of the Tony Bennett tune “We’ll Be Together Again.”

ONE LIFE TO LIVE expanded the Buchanan clan with Phil Carey (Asa) and Ken Meeker (Rafe).... Nancy Lee Grahn (now GH’s Alexis) made her daytime debut as Marco’s secretary, Beverly, while Stephen Schnetzer began as Marcello after a two-year run as DAYS’s Steven.... Judith Light won the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy for her work as Karen....Maggie remade herself in sister Pat’s image and took over her life (actress Jacqueline Courtney played both roles); Pat ultimately killed her in self defense....Evil Dr. Ivan Kipling tried to kill Karen.... Clint briefly dated Dorian, then courted Viki (who welcomed baby Joey, her son by late hubby Joe Riley), while Dorian pursused Herb. Labine-Mayer Productions sold RYAN’S HOPE to ABC; the show netted the Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Direction. SEARCH FOR TOMORROW hired one of its cast members, Millee Taggart (Janet), as a writer.

AW spin-off TEXAS, which centered around Beverlee McKinsey’s Iris, debuted on August 4, the first soap to premiere at 60 minutes in length. It was created by John William Corrington, Joyce Corrington and Paul Rauch, with the Corringtons as head writers.... Kin Shriner exited GH as Scott to play Jeb Hampton, while Catherine Hickland (pictured)  made her soap debut as Courtney.

It was a jam-packed year for GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Luke and Laura (pictured): After Luke nearly married mob princess Jennifer Smith and Scotty discovered that Luke raped Laura, the duo went on the run together, hiding out in Beecher’s Corners as they tried to get the goods on Frank Smith. They also consummated their relationship....Edward disinherited Tracy after faking a heart attack to test her loyalty (and portrayer Jane Elliot exited).... Monica gave birth to Alan, Jr. (A.J.), who at the time she thought was Rick’s son, a tidbit she shared with Rick’s wife, Lesley; Alan plotted to kill both Monica and Rick....The show hit No. 1 in the ratings and scored big at Soap Opera Digest’s Soapy Awards, with trophies for Favorite Show, Favorite Actor Anthony Geary (Luke), Best Villainess Jane Elliot and Best Mature Actor David Lewis (Edward). GUIDING LIGHT got an infusion of sion young blood in the form of Lisa Brown (Nola), John Wesley Shipp (Kelly), Kevin Bacon (T.J.) and Kristin Vigard (Morgan). Nola’s mother, Bea, played by Lee Lawson, helped found the Reardon clan, while the Chamberlain family was established via the additions of William Roerick (Henry) and Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa).... Michael Zaslow’s infamous villain, Roger Thorpe, fell from a cliff to his presumed death in the Dominican Republic. Maureen Garrett (Holly), also exited the show.... GL won its first Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama....Hope Bauer became Mrs. Alan Spaulding, while Justin Marler learned that he was the biological father of Alan’s adopted son, Phillip. LOVE OF LIFE aired its final episode on CBS on February 1 after a 29-year run. It ended on a cliffhanger: Margo McKenna’s Betsy collapsed after testifying at Ben’s assault trial. The show’s final image showed Director Larry Auerbach walking through the studio to the strains of the Tony Bennett tune “We’ll Be Together Again.”

ONE LIFE TO LIVE expanded the Buchanan clan with Phil Carey (Asa) and Ken Meeker (Rafe).... Nancy Lee Grahn (now GH’s Alexis) made her daytime debut as Marco’s secretary, Beverly, while Stephen Schnetzer began as Marcello after a two-year run as DAYS’s Steven.... Judith Light won the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy for her work as Karen....Maggie remade herself in sister Pat’s image and took over her life (actress Jacqueline Courtney played both roles); Pat ultimately killed her in self defense....Evil Dr. Ivan Kipling tried to kill Karen.... Clint briefly dated Dorian, then courted Viki (who welcomed baby Joey, her son by late hubby Joe Riley), while Dorian pursused Herb. Labine-Mayer Productions sold RYAN’S HOPE to ABC; the show netted the Emmys for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Direction. SEARCH FOR TOMORROW hired one of its cast members, Millee Taggart (Janet), as a writer.

AW spin-off TEXAS, which centered around Beverlee McKinsey’s Iris, debuted on August 4, the first soap to premiere at 60 minutes in length. It was created by John William Corrington, Joyce Corrington and Paul Rauch, with the Corringtons as head writers.... Kin Shriner exited GH as Scott to play Jeb Hampton, while Catherine Hickland (pictured)  made her soap debut as Courtney.

Eric Braeden joined YOUNG AND RESTLESS as ruthless tycoon Victor Newman, whose wife, Julia, was played by Meg Bennett, while the first Abbotts arrived in the form of Terry Lester (pictured), who played Jack, and Brett Halsey, the first John.... Kay faked her death.... Paul and Nikki joined a cult (and, per a later rewrite, apparently conceived a son, Dylan).... Chris and Snapper welcomed a baby girl, Jennifer....Paul learned that he had fathered Heather, April’s daughter....The show expanded to 60 minutes on February 4.