Longest-Running Soap Operas, 3-6
Our list of TV's longest-running soap operas continues with a nine-time Daytime Emmy winner.
3. General Hospital (1963-????)
Named the "Greatest Soap Opera of all Time" by TV Guide in 2003, General Hospital has won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama series nine
times -- more than any other soap! General Hospital began its run on ABC on April 1, 1963, the very same day that NBC launched its rival medical drama The Doctors. Today, the show revolves around the Spencers, the Cassidines, mobster Sonny Corinthos, and the wealthy Quartermaine family.
The pairing of adventuresome Luke and Laura in the late 1970s sparked the trend of the soap opera super couple. Set in fictional Port Charles, New York, most scenes take place at the docks, or, where else . . . General Hospital. Throughout the show's history, General Hospital has been a jumping-off point for several notable performers, including Demi Moore, Rick Springfield, John Stamos, and Ricky Martin.
4. Days of Our Lives (1965-????)
"Like sands through the hourglass . . ." faithful viewers have been watching Days of Our Lives since it debuted on November 8, 1965. Days takes place in the fictional midwestern town of Salem, with most scenes shot at University Hospital or the Brady Pub. Today, Salem is home to the respectable Horton and Brady families, as well as the evil DiMeras.
Since the show debuted more than 40 years ago, matriarch Alice Horton has been portrayed by award-winning actor Frances Reid. In the 1980s, the "Salem Stalker" and "Salem Slasher" brought romantic adventure to the forefront, while in the 1990s, Dr. Marlena Evans-Black (Deidre Hall) was possessed by the devil.
5. One Life to Live (1968-????)
When One Life to Live originally aired on July 15, 1968, the wealthy Lord family was pitted against the middle-class Woleks and Rileys and the Siegels, the first Jewish family on a daytime drama. Now it's the Buchanans, Rapaports, Gannons, and Cramers who see most of the action. They live in Llanview, Pennsylvania, a fictional suburb of Philadelphia.
Llanview residents have seen cults, time travel, and out-of-body experiences. Incidentally, Llanview is only a 30-minute drive from another fictional soap town: All My Children's Pine Valley. As such, there have been several story line crossovers since both soaps are on ABC.
6. All My Children (1970-????)
The brainchild of soap opera creator, writer, and producer Agnes Nixon, All My Children has been taking risks since its introduction on January 5, 1970. Set in fictional Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, this soap deals with serious issues and over the years has broached such controversial topics as abortion, drugs, homosexuality, rape, and even the Vietnam War.
One of only two actors who have remained on the show for its entire run, Susan Lucci was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for 18 years in a row without a win for her role as Erica Kane. But Lucci was finally victorious in 1999.
Our list of TV's longest-running soap operas continues on the next page.
