- Harriet Baskas reports on the origin of the Soap Opera. These daytime serial dramas date back to the 1930's and the early days of radio. Most of the advertisers on these programs manufactured household products - so the shows were dubbed "soaps." We'll hear excerpts from many radio soaps,including TODAY'S CHILDREN, THE GUIDING LIGHT, and JOYCE JORDAN,M.D. - and we'll hear interviews with some of the actors who performed in them.
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