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TODAY: Dark Shadows 50th Anniversary Celebrated On Decades Network!

Courtesy/Decades

Courtesy/Decades

It was 50 years ago that the first gothic soap opera came to be, when the iconic Dark Shadows debuted on ABC on June 27th, 1966.   In the network line-up it followed General Hospital and The Nurses.

The series aired from 1966-1971, and Dark Shadows became a phenom with vampire Barnabas Collins, a role made famous by Jonathan Frid, as the show’s most beloved and recognizable character.  Dark Shadows took its viewers audiences to the mysterious town of Collinsport, Maine, and all of its characters.  Dark Shadows also feautured in its cast: David Selby, Grayson Hall, Kathryn Leigh Scott and so many others over its short, but historic run.

Today, Decades Network will be featuring Dark Shadows episodes, including the debut of vampire Barnabas Collins. Decades remembers the premiere of this cult favorite with the 12 episodes that marked the beginning of the Barnabas storyline, one that propelled the daytime series to new heights. The episodes will be presented in groups of three at 9 a.m. ET, 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. ET and 3 a.m. ET.

In addition to the selected Dark Shadows episodes, the Decades original one-hour daily series Through the Decades will present an exclusive interview with Steven August Papa, the proclaimed #1 lifetime fan of Dark Shadows, who shares his childhood love for the show and why he is still hooked many years later. They also speak with Walter Podrazik, Television Curator at the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, about the show’s place in TV history. The episode will feature interviews with cast members Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins), Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans) and Lara Parker (Angelique Bouchard Collins).

Decades.com will also present the 1968 Dick Cavett interview with Jonathan Frid.  Once thought lost, this rare audio recording is taken from an interview on The Dick Cavett Show not seen on television since it originally aired. The interview covers a variety of topics including the actor’s thoughts on researching and playing the vampire Barnabas Collins, a memorable and chaotic press tour he took for publicity, fan mail influencing the show, and his rapport with actress and co-star Grayson Hall who played Dr. Julia Hoffman.

So, were you a fan of Dark Shadows? Share your thoughts on Decades Network remembering their  50th anniversary in the comment section below!

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I’ve been watching DS on Decades this morning. I’d love to see more.

I wish I had known about this tribute, I would of stayed home today. Loved everything Dark Shadows, watched it every day after school.

im its no1 fan.-lol..i even had figures made of the cast…still own books, records,board games and ring ect…..ive watched the episodes every time they air…its my top favorite serial and tv series of all time!!!…and im watching on decades!!!

i wish Edge Of NIght saved their episodes as it is my second favorite series….

0ohh my gorsh!
the music gave the creepy feeling..
When Barnabas walked to the door the drum went- boom booom booom booom..
the short celebration left me wanting a lot more!
can’t wait for Decades 3 day binge of Dark Shadows, again.
I wish a network would run DS again, 2 episodes a day for 2-1/2 years!

I LOVED Dark Shadows and have many fond memories of watching with my sisters when they came home from school or summer break. I’d watch if I could.

Thanks for the memories Dark Shadows!

I did check out Decades.com Thanks for the info Mr. Fairman! Love it!

I love you Dark Shadows !!

I wish they would bring this show back… it would totally do well today! Loved the 90s remake!

I’m catching the 8pm (ct) tonight.
When the new network ‘Decades’ aired, it’s very 1st ”bing”premiere weekend it aired Dark Shadows.. It ran the episodes for 3 days, nonstop..
It was fun.. too sad I didn’t record it..
There will be another 3 day binge of Dark Shadows’ looking forward to it, again.

Tonight is 12 episodes to celebrate it’s 50th !

btw; Decades rocks!
This 3 day/weekend binge was the original Superman from the 50’s B&W to color..
It was fun seeing those Superman episodes!!

I am dating myself, but this was my soap! It was right up there with The Edge of Night.

My two personal faves. Add OLTL and its my perfect trio!

This was an awesome show, they don’t make them like this anymore! Growing in San Jose, Ca I remember as a kid watching this show and I remember Kate Jackson in 1970 she was awesome then and of course was the smartest Angel on Charlie’s Angels.

David Shelby was awesome as well.

There is 3 day convention/festival going on as I write in NY.
Dark Shadows will never die!
Every year since it went off air there has been the yearly Dark Shadows convention, every year to date.
The stars would be there and etc..

There are Dark Shadows Cruises since 2009–
(((((Activities will include special DARK SHADOWS screenings and DS Costume Party with the stars, Q&A sessions, autographs, a special DARK SHADOWS Origins in Martinique Presentation, performances by the stars, a bus tour of Martinique and much more!
Rates are per person based on double occupancy and includes all meals, all shipboard entertainment, all port charges and DARK SHADOWS registration fee. Fans who join now with a refundable deposit by March 31, 2014 will attend a private Cast Party on the ship!)))

Dark Shadows has Facebook and Twitter, and a very active fan club.
There are still DS costume parties and books and memorabilia being sold and collected.
I find that so amazing that Dark shadows lives on that I had to Mention it.
……….. And it has been 50 years!!!

I’m sorry I missed Dark Shadows. Why did it go off air?

Since it went off the air the second time, I think you mean. It was originally on ABC, and a decade later NBC (in its ITC Serif Gothic typeface days) rebroadcast it. I was living in NYC at the time and still remember the commercials for The Milford Plaza and Rollin’ Roaster.

Dark Shadows also aired on the SyFy channel ..

who played Quintin Collins?

David Selby, Maureen.

Tivoed the whole series on Decades and will binge watch this weekend! It was my first soap that I’d run straight home after school to see. Lots of great memories watching the Decade Channel shows and so happy to catch the DS 50th Anniversary marathon.

Sadly, DECADES has no immediate plans to add Dark Shadows to its daily lineup. But you never know. Because once Barnabas has risen, he won’t go back in his coffin without a fight.

“Dark Shadows” has taken to Twitter and Facebook suggesting that fans email DECADES “saying how much you love the show and want to see all the episodes.” It’s an excellent idea, considering that DS has a loyal (and vocal) fanbase.
The DECADES email address is
—— feedback@decades.com

Or you can send a letter via snail mail (always more impactful) to:
Weigel Broadcasting
26 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60661

Thanks su!

I have been attending Dark Shadows events since 1983. I was at the one in Tarrytown this past weekend. It was so much fun to revisit a part of my life that has brought me so much pleasure for so many years.

When I texted my sister to let her know DS was on Decades (which I don’t get with ATT UVerse) she told me I could watch on HULU for anyone who is interested.

My wife & I attended the 50th Anniversary Dark Shadows Festival in Tarrytown , NY last weekend. Twelve former DS cast members were there & signed autographs & had photos taken with fans. It was our third festival & we enjoy it more each time:-)

Eugene and Jay..
wow! how awesome you both were at the 50th Anniversary Dark Shadows Festival in Tarrytown , NY … what a great time you had!!!

Would like to see Dark Shadows brought on Decades. Loved the recent marathons. I would like now to see the Quentin Collins day. So many fans would watch the show. Loved this show as a kid and would so enjoy seeing the show again.

Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’

Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.

In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.

Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.

Photo: CBS

Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film.  Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.

Photo: JPI

In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.

Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below.  So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Justin Hartley (@justinhartley)

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General Hospital

Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”

With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.

Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?

As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.

Photo: Fox

Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”

Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”

Photo: Fox

The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.

As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.

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