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50 & Fabulous General Hospital Makes Back Cover Of TV Guide's 60th Anniversary Issue!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC & TVGuide

Courtesy/ABC & TVGuide

How fab is this? General Hospital this week received the prestigious back cover slot of the 60th Anniversary issue of TV Guide on newsstands now!  The front cover has one of six legendary shows from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to I Love Lucy! But every issue has GH on the back with shot of of Tony Geary (Luke) and Genie Francis (Laura) from the classic 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura!

Inside the back cover is a four-page story on General Hospital’s 50th anniversary milestone in a piece by TVG’s Michael Logan.  The ups and downs of GH on life support and it’s myriad of resuscitations are discussed, and just how far the show has come in 2013!   Here are a few excerpts below from dealing with the almost fall, and rise of GH in the past few years!

Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer): “From the moment ABC, canceled All My Children and One Life to Live in 2011, and replaced them with reality programs, there was an ax hanging over our heads.  It was widely believed that GH was the next soap to go – that we might not even make it to our 50th anniversary- and no one at ABC was making us feel otherwise.”

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis):  “It was almost is the network was on a secret mission to kill us.  First, they obliterated nearly every character over 45- just zapped them into oblivion. Then they tried to convince the fans that soaps were a thing of the past, that reality TV was all the public wanted. But then suddenly thank God, things changed.”

Vicki Dummer, (Executive Vice President Times Square Studios who overseas GH):  “GH has an extremely bright future.  The ratings have increased 45 percent in women 18-34 from one year ago, and that’s pretty astounding. But while ABC is certainly embracing GH and helping it move forward, it’s Frank (Valentini)and Ron (Carlivati) who are the true miracle workers.”

So soapers, what do you think about GH landing on the back-cover for TVG’s 60th Anniversary Issue?  What do you think about how far GH has come when it was almost canceled over a year ago?

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It’s so great to see the greatest soap opera of all time honored along TV guide and their anniversary it seems fitting.

are we out of the woods yet? that’s my concern.

I know… there’s a lot of Hoopla going around…

and… I’m smitten…. if you get my meaning… drawn in and pulled just the same…

saw Jax sauntering outa that shower… today… and reeled back in surprise… that he “wastes” his manhood… “pining” away… for ??? Carly and brenda… ooohh… the stars alone … dim the lights… presence felt here…

ie: mans point of view… for a change… you know… Carly and Brenda.. diss the good guy…

show him the love and it’s blissful… from the beginning…

it’s squandering that good man…. no after the fact… Jax reels, with those eyes… steely penetrating… lose yourself within.

Frank and Ron are definitely to be applauded for having a vision to return vets to their important roles on GH. Our society is not made up of only young people. Over 45ers have discretionary money to spend as well, and we want to see people our age engaged in storylines as well.

i think it is an awesome tribute to gh!

Awesome!!! Congratulations GH!!

IM keeping my gh issue of tv guide…i think abc got a little scared with the blacklash it recieved over cancelling AMC&OLTL and is holding on to GH to appease some soap fans but for how long? You hope they keep gh around 4ever…but if its around at least to see its 55th then i might believe they are committed. It is soooo good now, and i hope the vets making brief returns will also come back in the future for more visits. Im now wondering about the return of M.E.,R.H. and K.A. I keep thinking K.A. could return as Scotts daughter Serena or she’ll darken her hair and show up as Alexis’s daughter Kristina, and thats why the last actress to play Kristina was let go?

Also is that the real Robin showing up at the NB or will Dr.O have her daughter Britch show up as Robin to keep Patrick from Sabrina?

I don’t know– do you really think they would repeat a story line that would be so similar to one they just did (Faison as Duke)? I do think Britt and Mommy Dearest are up to no good—but another fake identity story– would have been a good idea if they hadn’t just done it. I was thinking more along the lines that real Robin would come back, but be brainwashed and under Dr. Britt’s control. But I guess we will have to just watch and see, which is the best part of soap watching– knowing something good is coming down the line that you can’t wait— it reminds me when all the soaps were like that.

I am happy for GH, but I am getting a little sick of the stories about the miraculous recovery when the only reason the shows were in trouble in the first place was that they had no champion in Brian Frons. BRIAN FRONS. I am not looking to demonize him needlessly, but all the shows needed was COMPETENT helmsmanship and support from the network and they NEVER GOT IT. None of this was necessary. AMC and OLTL could and should have remained on the air. People smelled death in the air and stopped watching when the shows became ghosts of their former selves. What AMC went through in the last few years of its existence is borderline criminal. It is wonderful to see a renewed GH come into year 50 with support and with pride, but it makes me angry that it is too little, too late for other shows just as deserving which came to a premature end because nobody listened to the viewers. What is making GH sing again? Vets and better writing. What have we been asking for for over a decade? Vets and better writing. It isn’t rocket science.

Nicely put…i agree with you 100%!

OLTL was at creative writing high in its last year on abc, and the ratings rising was enough proof to show critics that people still love and want daytime dramas in their afternoons. ABC had ample time to reverse their decision. But im grateful someone else picked it up. However, as much as i like seeing shows anytime, i still miss how millions of us watched all at the same time, and have that water cooler talk about our soaps the next day. It made a lot of us soap fans feel more bonded that way, and watching it more special, you know what im sayin? Maybe im a corny old fashion guy but i cant help feel that way!

Ditto jimh on comments on 4/5 at 12:41p.m.

Brian Frons cancelled OLTL and it was doing well in everyway! He never had a clue about us soap fans! Info/talk/cooking shows NO WAY ! Drama ,Stories ,& being entertained will not change for me!

A well deserved honor for GH, and yet another step forward for the entire genre of soap operas!!!! Frank and Ron are certainly responsible for the resurrection of GH, with help from the show’s cast and all of those behind the scenes, as well as the fans, who together collectively fought to keep this great show alive. Happy 50th GH, and here’s to many more to come!!!!

Awesome, more publicity!!! I hope the old GHers from the past come back and get their ratings WAAAAAY up!!! love this show!

I wonder if show killing witch Jill Farren Phelps and steroid boy Burton are keeping this issue of TV Guide in their collections?

It’s so hard think of what soap is my favorite on abc. They have all been my favorite at some point or another during the year’s I have watched them. I guess if I had to chose for a million dollars, my favorite abc soap, I would have to ride with GH, bc ofn Luke and Lauran and Sonny and Brenda. Happy Anniversary GH.

Congraduation to GH, you did it! you did it.. I’m glad that goofball former ABC daytime president Brian Frons need to go, he is the one who get rid of AMC and OLTL ,but almost lost GH edgy there. I’m glad ABC fired Brian already after he put 2 programs on The Chew and The Relvolution made me upset.. We want AMC and OLTL back on the air.

This is amazing! GH has not only raised in ratings and quality, but it is once again becoming mainstream. We are seeing them on TV Guide, People magazine had a 50th anniversary issue for it, we are seeing the stars on various talk shows- it’s just incredible! There really was an axe hanging above the head of General Hospital due, not only to less-than ratings, but to the ex-ABC executives who were determined to wipe out all of the soaps. They may have succeeded getting AMC and OLTL off their network, but GH survived and better than that- they are THRIVING. Frank and Ron have turned this show completely around and gave people reasons to LOVE it again. Veterans (And not just for the 50th anniversary!), romance, drama, action, history, humor, everything that makes a successful soap they inserted as soon as they hit the scene. I am beyond grateful to them, to the fabulous actors, and to the amazing crew. And yes, I am even thankful to ABC for making the decision to fire Frons, to replace the previous, piss-poor GH powers-that-be, and hiring two men who are fans and respect this show. I literally can’t wait to watch the next episode! Here’s to another 50 more!

When I realized that ABC was actually investing huge amounts of money into GH, I had no doubt that GH would be around for for more years to come..

It makes a great difference when the network/ABC/D is backing the soap..
And of course, the magic of FV and RC bring it back from the dead ..
And, the actors giving it their all and all the staff / team work to keep GH on our screens.

I’m happy for any recognition of GH because for far too long the soaps got nothing but bad press from the main stream. This is a nice change. It ought to be a common occurrence.

Yeh! I agree!

Ditto.

Congrats GH! 50 looks so good on you! Loving it!

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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