Soap operas have given us a lot to be grateful for over this past year. For all of 2023, storylines on Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful have taken us on wild rides, and Soap Hub staff is doling out thanks for the following things.

How can I not be happy when we’ve been given the return of As the World Turns siren, Colleen Zenk, courtesy of Y&R, in the new role of Aunt Jordan? I cheered when I saw her — did you? This year also saw B&B’s Hope (Annika Noelle) finally break free of her mom and her ex-husband’s influence to go for the man she wants — way to go, Hope! It also brought back another Hope (Kristian Alfonso) — and Bo (Peter Reckell) back to DAYS! Never thought I’d see the day, so thank you, 2023! Lastly, Jane Elliot brought Tracy back to GH. I’m grateful indeed!

This year, I’m thankful that Mariah (Camryn Grimes) and Tessa (Cait Fairbanks) adopted their daughter, and I hope to see more of this family in 2024. It’s also been nice to see Eric back in the game at Forrester Creations, even though his illness is a sad storyline. I’m glad to see that DAYS SORAS’d Tate (Jamie Martin Mann) and Holly (Ashley Puzemis). It’s also great to see Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Nina (Cynthia Watros) married on GH…at least, for now.

This year, I’m thankful B&B’s Eric (John McCook) found his beloved stapler. How could we go on without the lead designer having his favorite tool? I kid, I kid. I am truly grateful we watched the actor win his very first daytime Emmy and finally get the recognition he deserves. Speaking of living legends, I couldn’t be more appreciative to still have Eric Braeden leading the charge as Y&R’s iconic Victor Newman. I’m also glad to see Tamara Braun thriving as DAYS’ Ava and to experience Kate Mansi rocking the role of Kristina on GH. It’s been a big year on soaps, I can’t wait to see what 2024 brings.

I’m grateful, of course, to the four soaps — B&B, DAYS, GH, and Y&R — for continuing to produce episodes. I’m grateful for many “little” moments that are far from little like Laura (Genie Francis) telling Charlotte (Scarlet Fernandez) about her troubled teen past. For those of us who watched “back in the day,” a scene like this is what continuing drama is all about. I’m also grateful for the returns of Tricia Cast (Nina, Y&R), Jane Elliot (Tracy, GH), and (upcoming) Ashley Jones (Bridget) and Winsor Harmon (Thorne) to B&B. I’m grateful to DAYS for bringing back Peter Reckell (Bo), Kristian Alfonso (Hope), and somebody should get a raise for bringing back Miranda Wilson (Megan)! Mostly, I’m grateful to Team Soap Hub. This is one terrific, professional, passionate group of people!

This humble fan is thankful – make that MIGHTY thankful — for the continued existence of the daytime soap opera. In a genre where it seems to be one step forward (welcome back Neighbours!) and two steps back (R.I.P. BBC’s Doctors), these little engines that can continue to innovate, thrill, and, dare I say it, thrive!

What’s gotten me through this year of soaps are my favorite couples. They don’t even have to be together. If there’s hope for their future, I’m in! Speaking of which, B&B’s Thomas and Hope have been such a surprise. The show is committed to them, and I’m appreciative. Three couples on GH are giving me life: Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Trina (Tabyana Ali); Sonny and Nina, and Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart). Finally, DAYS’ Johnny (Carson Boatman) and Chanel (Raven Bowens) are reunited, and it feels good. As for Eric (Greg Vaughan) and Nicole (Arianne Zucker), they’re a work in progress, but they’ve been given some magical moments in 2023, and I’m grateful.

For Thanksgiving: I am thankful that, this year, we are ending the year with the same number of soaps on the air as we began. For the last 20+ years, since the cancellation of Another World, that hasn’t been a given. We’ve lost so many shows in the last two decades, Guiding Light, As the World Turns, All My Children, One Life to Live, and more, that I am grateful for the ones we still have, and for the passionate and outspoken fans who make their voices heard so that the daytime dramas we all love can strive to be the best they can be.

What am I thankful for this year? Hope Logan on B&B finally acquires a backbone and stands up to Liam Spencer (Scott Clifton). That was the moment I had long desired! Furthermore, thank you, Y&R, for delivering Daytime Legend Colleen Zenk (Jordan). She sure does have a few scores to settle! As for GH, thank you for bringing back my favorite couple, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard). The “cat and mouse” game was exhausting! Hopefully, they will be left alone – will they? Lastly, my second DAYS couple, Johnny and Chanel are reunited — the couple has chemistry. I’m still optimistic about my first and favorite couple, Nicole and Eric, will reunite — try next year? So thankful this year!