General Hospital
General Hospital 50th Anniversary Episode – A Heartfelt Moving Tribute!
Courtesy/CBS
Tuesday’s episode of General Hospital was the highly anticipated 50th anniversary episode of the series, and not only did it not disappoint, it was a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of the series and to its five decades of fans. Brilliantly written by GH head writer Ron Carlivati, the episode blended surprise returns, humor, drama, suspense … all of which GH is known for … wrapped into a neat one-hour package with a bow on it.
The set-up was what would have been the late, great Dr Steve Hardy (John Beradino) Chief of Staff’s 50th Anniversary running the hospital, and his picture that was going to be hung in the hospital boardroom in his honor. As the episode began, the picture of Dr. Hardy is seen as Nurse Epiphany Johnson (Sonya Eddy) answers the nurses’ station phone with the line: “Hey Doris. How’d you like Frank’s big surprise?” (Clearly a nod to General Hospital creators, Frank and Doris Hursley!)
Courtesy/ABC
Meanwhile, Monica (Leslie Charleson) and Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) are going at it one more time, after Monica told Tracy she has “darkened her door for the last time,” and to move out of the Q Mansion. But wait! All of a sudden dearly-departed Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) shows up (he first appeared at the end of Monday’s episode) in the Q living room, and this time not only does Tracy see him, so does Monica! But Alan has brought some back up to stop the feuding ladies in one of the big surprises of the episode … the return of Natalia Livingston as the deceased Emily! Together, Alan and Emily try to get the gals to reconcile, but lo and behold, Rick Webber (Chris Robinson) shows up in the living room too, and attempts to get the gals to stop their in-fighting by making up with Alan! As it turned out, it appeared that the return of Emily, Alan and Rick was part of “Pickle-Lila” induced hallucination, or was it? The segment reached its payoff when Monica and Tracy tried to show the threesome from the great beyond that they could hug and make-up, and in one of the most priceless moments of the episode, Tracy and Monica do their “version” of a hug. Special kudos to the magnificent Jane Elliot here! She was marvelous in those scenes.
Courtesy/ABC
Now, how wonderful was it to see Rachel Ames (Audrey) share scenes with her on-screen granddaughter Elizabeth Webber, played by Rebecca Herbst again? And, in a tender moment, Liz recants that all of the Webbers and the Hardys are scattered all over the map, and how much she missed having her family around. Liz went on to explain where all the missing in action characters are, including her sister Sara, dad Jeff Webber, Tom Hardy, and his son Tommy. In these scenes, we were very moved by the performance of Rebecca Herbst, who was given some gems to play with Ames.
One of the more touching moments throughout the entire special episode featured the sublime Jason Thompson as Dr. Patrick Drake, who introduced the new crop of interns to General Hospital and what it means to be a part of the hospital and its staff, while paying homage to the nurses, and Dr. Hardy. Thompson hit all the right notes throughout, ending the anniversary episode with a moving voice-over that was introduced first by dialog between Patrick, Elizabeth, and Audrey. This summed up the meaning of the show General Hospital to its longtime viewers:
Courtesy/ABC
Patrick: “It’s going to be a little intimating sitting through those board meetings with the original Chief of Staff upon us. Hopefully, it will inspire us to reach a standard. That’s the plan anyway.” Elizabeth to Audrey: “You and Grandpa had quite a love story, didn’t you?” Audrey: “Well, we all have. What’s life but one person’s story crossing with another?” Patrick: “I think about that, often, and I think about if my dad didn’t practice here, would Robin not have tracked me down for that first procedure? Would we have gotten to know each other? Fall in love? Have our beautiful daughter? This place changed my life. I know I am not the only one.” Elizabeth: “I think about how many lives have been touched, how many stories have passed through this place in 50 Years.” Patrick’s voice-over begins: “Stories of rivalries, stories of love, stories of heartbreak, stories that left us on the edge of their seats. The thing about all those stories is … we never know how they will end. 50 years …. it’s quite an accomplishment.”
Courtesy/ABC
In another part of the anniversary story, Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) found none other than Ethan, the returning Nathan Parsons, who was being held captive on the Haunted Star by Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) and her cronies! In another heart-tugging moment Laura, who has never met Luke’s son Ethan, accepts him into her family. Meanwhile, the search for Lulu continued, but as we saw, at the end of the episode, Helena wants Laura to shoot someone! Is it Luke and Ethan? Or, does Helena want her to kill her own daughter, Lulu? Another great nod to the history of GH by resurrecting the Cassadine/Spencer feud, with Genie Francis back in the fold!
Courtesy/ABC
And in another emotional story, Jax (Ingo Rademacher) and Brenda (Vanessa Marcil) returned! Jax showed up at Carly’s doorstep to ask her to sign the divorce papers one more time, due to a filing mix up, because he is engaged to be married to none other than Brenda! In the scenes with Jax, it was Laura Wright, as Carly, who shined. Wright discussed Jason’s death, and her issues trying to find love with other men, and realized she would like to have another shot at love with Jax, only to have it shot down when she learns of Brenda! And meanwhile, Brenda shows up at Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) door, and lo and behold, the letter she sent to Sonny via Robin was brought up! Brenda revealed the details in the letter saying she wanted Sonny to join her, and her son, in Rome. However, now she came to tell Sonny that since she was in town for The Nurses’ Ball in honor of Robin, that she is engaged to Sonny’s nemesis, Jax! And … the stage was set for some fireworks and heartbreaks in the episodes to come!
Courtesy/ABC
The final moment of the episode was a chyron card thanking the most important people of all: the fans for sticking with GH for five decades! A beautiful and masterful job well done by executive producer Frank Valentini, head writer Ron Carlivati, and the cast and crew. We are popping open the champagne right now and raising our glass, and all we can say after that milestone and episode is, “Here’s to you, General Hospital!”
OK GH fans, now you read our review and our thoughts on the 50th anniversary episode now share yours! What was your favorite moment of the episode? Do you give it a thumbs-up? Did it showcase the heart and soul of what General Hospital has meant to fan for fifty years? Weigh-in!
And in case you missed today’s golden anniversary episode of General Hospital, watch it below!
General Hospital
John J. York Back at General Hospital
On Friday, May 10th, General Hospital fans received some wonderful images and news. John J. York who has played the beloved Mac Scorpio on the ABC daytime drama series is back at work and taping all-new episodes of the show.
“Mac is back!” read the General Hospital social media post hashtag. John is pictured with longtime leading lady, Kristina Wagner and in other pics with Wagner, along with his TV son, Josh Kelly. York has played the younger brother of Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) since 1991.
Previously, York announced he was taking time off from GH to undergo treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes and multiple smoldering myeloma (two blood and bone marrow disorders). This included chemo treatments, finding a blood doner match for blood stem cell transplant and more.
Courtesy/GHIG
Late in 2023, York shared an update on his health on social media. At that time, John expressed, “(Things) are actually going along very well. I’m still in the middle stages of everything.” He added, “I’m feeling really good. Hopefully, hopefully, things go the way they are, maybe be back on the show late spring, early summer.
York’s return pics were greeted with wonderful excitement from his GH co-stars on the Instagram post, including co-stars Finola Hughes (Anna) and Cameron Mathison (Drew).
Michael Fairman TV is wishing John well, and thrilled to see he is back at work.
Share your thoughts as “Mac is Back” to General Hospital via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
(INTERVIEW) William deVry Talks on His Roles in Hallmark’s ‘A Whitewater Romance’, New Film ‘Pocket of Hope’ and His Time on the Soaps
For soap favorite, William deVry life-after-daytime has been reinvigorating, filled with new projects and new directions. This Saturday, May 11th he can be seen in the latest rom-com from Hallmark, A Whitewater Romance (8pm ET/PT) starring Cindy Busby as Maya and Ben Hollingsworth as Matt who play intense business rivals, and featuring Will as Jim Burdett, set against the backdrop of the outdoors and Canada.
In addition, Wil has been busy prepping other projects in which he is executive producing and starring including: Colt & McQueen and Christmas in Bordeaux, and producing and starring in a very dramatic departure for deVry, as the lead in the new true-life story feature film, Pocket of Hope.
Michael Fairman TV chatted with Wil to get the lowdown on his latest and upcoming roles, his expanding career aspirations, and to get his reflections on his three main soap roles: Julian Jerome on General Hospital, Storm Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful and Michael Cambias on All My Children. Read on for what deVry has been up to of late and his reflections of the past.
Courtesy/Hallmark
In A Whitewater Romance, you play the character of Jim Burdett, tell me about him?
WIL: My character runs this whitewater rafting company and the deal is that there’s a corporate retreat that is organized at my company. Jim is sort of old school. He’s been running the company for quite a lot of years. Jim’s not social media savvy. In the story, Maya and Matt get there, and they end up obviously enjoying themselves at this corporate bonding retreat. They discover that Jim was going to close down the company. He stayed open specifically to accommodate this corporate retreat. And then, of course, Cindy Busby’s character, and Ben Hollingsworth character do this little online thing for Jim and get business booming. Before he knows it, the entire summer is booked with clients and they basically saved his company. It’s a feel-good movie with beautiful, stunning locations.
And, are you a good guy in this?
WIL: It’s almost like, wait! Will is playing good guy? It’s funny because our director, Jason Bourque knows I’ve been playing bad guys for so long. Even the Christmas movie that I did with Terry Hatcher, Christmas at the Chalet, I went through such an arc. My character was so focused in his business and kind of unhappy because he was living his life for other people, and you don’t really realize that you might be slightly unhappy because you don’t take time to do inventory for yourself. In A Whitewater Romance, Jason had this idea that I was this really kind of ‘happy-go-lucky’ guy. And by the second day of shooting, he goes, “I think maybe Jim is a former military …” We both laughed because it was a subtle joke, because you know, I can be a little bit serious.
Photo: Willdevry
How was it to work with Ben and Cindy?
WIL: Great. Cindy being a lead, they set an example for everybody. Cindy is so low key and very friendly, and basically the trailer door is open if you want to discuss anything. Ben was also a producer on this. He might have had a little more stress on him than just sort of acting. But honestly, you couldn’t tell. Both of them had a good sense of humor. I would work with either one of them in a heartbeat again.
You have some exciting news to share; as you are about to be the lead in a new film?
WIL: Yes, I’m the lead in a new film called Pocket of Hope. It’s based on the true story of Chad Gaines, and I am playing Chad. It’s a beautiful movie. It’s in the present day with Chad talking with his daughter. He’s always been reluctant to share his past with her, and because there was a lot of trauma involved, he didn’t really want to put her through that. She’s no longer a young lady and so he feels now is the time to share that. There are a lot of strong flashbacks in the movie. It goes back between the past and the present, which I think is really engaging. The budget is well over a million dollars. We start filming at the end of May in Los Angeles, and then we will go on location in August to shoot the remaining scenes.
Courtesy/Willdevry
How do you feel about tackling a dramatic role such as this with tough subject matter?
WIL: It’s a heavy-duty role. There’s a lot of responsibility. I’ve prepared my whole life for these kinds of roles. It’s really exciting to play a true life individual, who has a story to tell. I think it’s a great honor for me and for the director/producer David Kohner Zuckerman, as well. David is wanting to do Chad’s story justice. We’ve got a good team for this. Robert Altman Jr’s, Cora Atlman, is playing my daughter. When you find a troupe that you like to work with and you can collaborate with, you stick together. So, we have David, as I mentioned and also Deran Sarafian, who is consulting on the project. Deran and I have been working on my other project together, Colt & McQueen. We are the luckiest people in the business right now to be working with Deran. He has had a lot of successful pilots that he’s done for Fox, ABC, and NBC and also Marvel and Netflix shows. He was also a producer on House for Fox.
Photo: Willdevry
In Colt & McQueen, you play a former LAPD detective, right?
WIL: Correct. He was basically dishonorably discharged for something that he didn’t do. He is going be trying to clear his name of any wrongdoings. However, in order to make a living, he sort of does these unsanctioned assignments for the captain of the LAPD, who is also on his way out. He’s a good guy. Kin Shriner (Scott, GH) is in it and he kind of plays a man of the streets who goes by “The Professor.” Rebecca Staab (Elizabeth, Port Charles, et al) is in it, and she plays the character with the code name “Leather Jacket” within the LAPD system. We go into production on it in July.
You’re doing your own projects now. That must be liberating in some ways and harder in others.
WIL: I just said, “Look, if I’m going to stay in this business, I have to have some control over my career now as opposed to just auditioning blindly.” That can be a frustrating process. I am learning a lot because I’ve never produced before or executive produced, but the effort is there, and the will to do so is there.
Photo: RStaabIG
Speaking of projects, you have another one you are working on, a romantic comedy called Christmas in Bordeaux. What is the theme of that one?
WIL: It’s a tale of family traditions, renewed passions, for love and life and spiritual and cultural awakenings. Finding value in the time we have left. And of course, a happy ending for all involved.
As an actor, when you finally get to the point where you get to act you probably really enjoy that. It’s just the challenges of all the things it takes to get there that can be daunting for a performer.
WIL: As an actor, you have to be so good and so comfortable and embrace the rejection. The rejection has to feed you. It can’t defeat you. However, I kind of do take everything personally. If a casting director doesn’t want to bring me in for something that’s their prerogative. I don’t really get angry about it, but I take it personally because I kind of feel like, they should bring me. I can’t just sit back and accept my fate based on other people’s ideas of what I’m capable of or not capable of. Sometimes my resume is a benefit, and sometimes it’s a detriment. It’s up to me to change the narrative.
Photo: JPI
What would you want to say to the GH fans who had been so supportive of you through the years?
WIL: It blows me away how loyal they are, and their passion. I want them to be of aware that. I’m excited to work for myself, and if that doesn’t work out, I am very comfortable going on to do something else with my life. Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GH) and I had talked about it at one point, and how she absolutely loves the business. I have other things that interest me and move me. I hope every single fan of Julian Jerome comes along on this journey with me.
Photo: JPI
Looking back, do you think your best role on the soaps was Michael Cambias on All My Children?
WIL: I think with Michael Cambias that All My Children destroyed the character. I sat down with the executive producer at the time, Jean Dadario Burke, and she said, “You’ll be here as long as you want. We did a focus group and you’ve got a 96% approval rating. That’s through the roof.” Two days later, I was called back into her office as they had fired the head writer. I was told Megan McTavish was coming back and they were going to make my character irredeemable, which as everybody knows, Michael Cambias went on to do horrible things to Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) family and then he was off the show.
Photo: JPI
Then, you went on to portray Storm Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful and the heartbreaking suicide storyline which saved Katie’s (Heather Tom) life, but cost Storm his.
WIL: Storm had a lot of potential. When you’re going through such a beautiful, heart-wrenching, horrific story like that, I wanted to give the audience a lot of credit. Soaps have a smart audience. I wanted them to go on the journey with me. I didn’t want to ruin it for them by playing the problem. I didn’t want to create the drama before it was time to pay the price, if you know what I mean. I allowed it to play out on-screen without any foreshadowing. I think that’s why it worked and that’s why it broke everybody’s heart, and I think that’s why it won a Daytime Emmy for Best Drama Series. Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, B&B) trusted me with a vehicle that ended up being the Ferrari for that year. I’m eternally grateful to him.
Photo: JPI
Do you ever check out General Hospital nowadays to see how your old castmates are doing and what is happening in Port Charles?
WIL: I like to check in. I like to see what Kin Shriner (Scott) is up to, and I like to see who’s showing up and who’s going. I like to see Maura West (Ava) who is such a terrific actress and who played my on-screen sister. We had such a good working relationship and I hope she is on the show forever. I was happy with my eight years on the show. I knew for 18 months it was time for me to leave. I knew in my heart the character was done. Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) was thrilled with how I left the show. Those six and a half years on General Hospital were a lot of fun. I really loved going to work.
So, will you be watching William deVry in ‘A Whitewater Romance’ this weekend on Hallmark? What do you think about his upcoming projects and roles? Miss him on daytime? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s Kin Shriner Remembers Jackie Zeman on the One-Year Anniversary of Her Passing
Today on May 9th, marked the one-year anniversary of the death of Jackie Zeman, who for 45 years played the iconic nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital.
Jackie passed away at 70-years-old from cancer and leaves behind her two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, and all of her enduring fans, and of course. her GH co-stars and dear friends.
Perhaps, her dearest friend was Jackie’s longtime co-star Kin Shriner (Scott) where for years they shared stories on-screen as Bobbie and Scott, and off-screen developed and cultivated an unbreakable bond.
Photo: ABC
Michael Fairman TV spoke exclusively to Kin Shriner to get his thoughts and his memories of Jackie on what is for him and many, a sad and heartbreaking day.
Kin expressed: “It does not seem like a year. I think of Jackie every day and every day. I am approached often as an ambassador to the old days. Every day somebody talks about the heyday of General Hospital bringing up Bobby, Scotty, Luke, and Laura. And it always saddens me because I know that Jackie would still want to know that the fans still love that period of time and we miss her, and I miss that. I don’t get to come in and have a scene with her again, ever. So, it’s all sad and I can’t believe that it’s a year.
When asked what does he think Jackie’s legacy is, now reflecting on her passing a year later, Kin shared, “Her legacy is that It she changed daytime television in the seventies. She was the catalyst that came into General Hospital and created Bobbie Spencer from the wrong side of the tracks, the fiery firecracker woman that she was.”
Photo: ABC
Shriner added on their deep connection, “Jackie brought it all to the screen and she brought it to real life. She raised two great kids, and was a spitfire of a woman and someone that I enjoyed being around from the day we met to the day she died, I was in her life, and she was in my life. We went through a lot together, you know, ups and downs, and it’s just sad that she’s not here anymore.”
Share your thoughts to Kin’s words on the loss of Jackie Zeman via the comment section below, and also your thoughts that is has already been a year since we lost this daytime icon.
Coming up, make sure to watch Kin and many other stars from the soaps on the Michael Fairman Channel’s very special livestream event Daytime Stands Up in conjunction with The Locher Room and Stand Up To Cancer on Thursday May 16th from 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.
John J. York Back at General Hospital
(INTERVIEW) William deVry Talks on His Roles in Hallmark’s ‘A Whitewater Romance’, New Film ‘Pocket of Hope’ and His Time on the Soaps
GH’s Kin Shriner Remembers Jackie Zeman on the One-Year Anniversary of Her Passing
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
GH’s Donnell Turner Visits His Dream Show, ‘Jeopardy!’
Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged
Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
General Hospital Alum Chloe Lanier to Guest Star on ‘Law & Order’
Maurice Benard Confirms Steve Burton is Upcoming Guest on ‘State of Mind’
Melody Thomas Scott and Edward J. Scott to Receive Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Honors
(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Peter Bergman Deconstructs Jack’s Desperate Move to Sober Up Nikki, the Repercussions Ahead, and the Loss of TV Mom, Marla Adams
(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
Richard Simmons Recalls His Time On General Hospital and Meeting Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Rick Springfield and More
(WATCH) B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Annika Noelle Talk Lead Actress Emmy Nominations and Brooke and Hope’s Mother/Daughter Relationship
Juliet Donenfeld is the Temporary Recast as General Hospital’s Georgie
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General HospitalMay 3, 2024Nicholas Chavez Confirms Exit From General Hospital
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InterviewsMay 4, 2024(INTERVIEW) Y&R’s Peter Bergman Deconstructs Jack’s Desperate Move to Sober Up Nikki, the Repercussions Ahead, and the Loss of TV Mom, Marla Adams
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General HospitalMay 3, 2024(INTERVIEW) Adam Huss Talks on His Latest GH Return, Maura West, Nicholas Chavez, and Being a Swiftie
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General HospitalMay 1, 2024Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn
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General HospitalMay 2, 2024Tristan Riggs is General Hospital’s New Aiden
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NewsMay 8, 2024Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged
Love every moment in the hospital today, especially that nod to Frank and Doris, thought it was a great thing to do.
It was a Great Show 🙂
Beauifully written..made me laugh made me cry most of all happy to be loving lasting fan of such a wonderful milestone..GH ROCKS!
You said it perfectly! Glad I’ve been watching for 33 years.
Loved every part of today’s show. It definitely brought tears to my eyes!
Agreed! What a tribute to such an iconic show. Frank V and Ron C are brillant. They truly know how to honor the history and legacy of a show. When Viki gave her speech on One Life To Live during its final week, Ron and Frank showed how vested soap fans are to their shows. I am thrilled OLTL is coming back. Congratulations to 50 fabulous years of General Hospital.
Is it true OLTL is coming back?
Yes, otl and amc are back April 29 via Hulu.com, huluplus and itunes.
Yes TL…Monday April 29, 2013. Hulu, Hulu + and ITunes. 🙂
I loved all the surprise returns that I did not know were coming (Ethan and Emily), seeing Audrey and Liz interact and above all that wonderful portrait of Steve Hardy and the wonderful tribute to him. If Steve were alive, he no doubt would have valued Patrick and Robin greatly as part of the GH staff so great choice of having Patrick deliver the speech saluting GH and the hospital’s heart and soul!
Jenny
I agree Jenny – Patrick’s part was my favorite – great show, kudos to all!!
I agree I really enjoyed the part where Patrick led the students past the picture of Steve Hardy (he did the Christmas story so well to the children in the hospital at Christmas)! Great show I’m really enjoying it!!
First of all Tuesday’s April 2 episode was great. Second, it appears that Helena wants Laura to shoot Ethan and not Lulu. Thanks for a great anniversary show those involved!
Loved the episode especially the scenes with Rachel Ames. What a treasure this lady is!
The episode was so awesome, i was crying throughtout, love seeing everyone but especially Audrey, I can’t believe how great Rachel Ames looks. She looked so strong and able. hope she will stick around for more appearances.. i also recorded the soap net marathon that aired and although i couldn’t record all 50 hours, i did record alot of episodes, and oh god, where has my memory gone? i can’t believe how much i have forgotten, but it was great going back to those episodes, and it was awesome seeing the ones i wasn’t around for. GH truly is a gem. and i found myself enjoying episodes written by Robert Guza, holy cow, i can’t believe he use to be pretty good, what ever happened to him? he became so close minded and started destryoying the show. there was so many classic episodes, it blew my mind. I can now seriously laugh at those OLTL fans who think their show holds up against GH in any way. Granted each soap has their uniqueness and everyone is entitle to love what they love, but GH truly is a Classic soap all the way. And it deserves the title of BEST SOAP OPERA of all times.
She does look great, I agree! Great to see her, Stuart Damon & Chris Robinson all on the show!
Love all the attention GH has been getting for this 🙂
I agree wholeheartedly. I was only 2 when the show started. I started watching it when I was 13. Am now 53. have watched ALL of the ABC soaps. GH is by far the best! Loved traveling down memory lane with everyone, and being able to tell my daughter who everyone was back then. Laura has always been my favorite 🙂
I salute everyone on the show, and everyone who was behind the scenes. Here’s to 50+ more!!
Agreed! I wish Rachael was on more… she’s wonderful and Liz needs her! She looks fabulous!!!
It was one of the best anniversary episodes of a soap ever done by ANY soap.
Yes it was!
I have only been watching GH for a few months, but I have been soap watcher for over 40 years. I agree with you, even without knowing all the history I could tell this is how a milestone show should be– Y&R’s recent 40th pales in comparison to what they did on GH. It really made me wish I had started to watch sooner
I have only watched GH sporadically in recent years but was a fan back in 70’s and early 80’s and with the current producing/writing regime doing such good work i’m hooked again!
I cannot believe that Jax & Brenda are getting married!!! Why not try again with the other people that love them? I get it, but then again, I don`t get it!!!
Because Ingo & Vanessa are not staying on the show long term.
Mainly because Ingo and Vanessa aren’t staying long term yet we get this built in storyline in the future. So if either ingo or vanessa visit, theres this connection already built in they can go so many ways with this quadrangle now. plus its nice to have jax and brenda connected offscreen while sonny and carly are with whomever they are put onscreen. i think its brilliant.
Sonny looked surprised when she told him they were engage!
It’s only fair since they never had a chance to be married. I know neither did Sonny and Brenda but that kept coming around to Jax. It seemed fitting since the actors aren’t going to stay on for long.
This one of the best shows I’ve seen, not just from GH but from any soap! It was so perfect and beautiful. It was full of history and sentimental feelings, but also moving forward with action and storylines. I loved the Audrey/Liz scenes, especially when they walked out together passing the GH sign. I loved the Patrick and Ephiany scenes, they incorporated the right amount of humor. The Luke/Laura/Ethan stuff was INCREDIBLE. I thought it was very fitting to see Laura accept Ethan as part of the family- a contrast of Luke’s reaction to her own “bastard” son, Nikolas, which was very true to Laura’s forgiving nature. The appearances of Ethan and Emily completely floored me (in a good way!)! The Monica and Tracy scenes with Alan, Emily, and Rick were terrific. It was touching to see “bygones be bygones” between Alan and Rick and I LOVED at the beginning when Tracy says “You faked his death too?!” LOL. The Jax/Carly/Sonny/Brenda scenes were BRILLIANT. I’ve never been a huge Brenda fan, but that whole quadrangle is so full of history and I think it played out perfectly. Can’t wait to see more! On a side note, I also loved Sonny and Brenda talking about Robin, addressing Brenda not being at the funeral. Patrick’s one piece of monologue about taking on a legacy and wanting to make it your own, yet stay true to history- it was like Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati personally addressing the audience! Those two have revived this show in so many ways and ANYONE who argues with that- watch this episode!
@Nikki. agree with every single word you said
You are spot on Nikki!
I so agree with you about all of it.I am still hoping that robin comes back soon. What ever happened to Sean Donally and Tiffany?
Great writing there Nikki. I loved it when Patrick took the new interns on a tour and said the nurses are the backbone of the hospital. When Epiphany heard him she replied “Why Drake Junior there just might be hope for you yet.” I was quite hoping that Alan was really alive after all. I am still wishing and hoping for Sean and Tiffany to come back when Robin does if only for a little while. They need to be mentioned for sure.
I agree as well. Could not have said it better! It was an amazing episode! I loved seeing Rick again, the whole scene was great! Thank you GH for this wonderful episode.
DMG I think I mentioned this before on another post but here goes the actress Sharon Wyatt/Tiffiany has been suffering from some kind of bone disfigurement disease since 2011. I do not know anything about the actor who played Sean D. Very sad for SW I liked her.
You said it!!!
My thanks to everyone involved in this episode. I can’t even remember the last time I gasped out loud, in surprise, by any show (daytime or primetime). Today I gasped several times. I love the surprises (Ethan, Emily, Rick, Brenda/Jax engagement, the compilation of openings at the begining the episode). For me, it was a mixture of tears and laughter, both whle sitting on the edge of my seat. I wonder if Stuart Damon and/or Chris Robinson are ill. Please GH, keep it coming. If this is any indication of the upcoming Nurses Ball, I will be on cloud nine.
Incredible… just incredible. I’ve already watched it 5 times, back-to-back-to-back!
Loved seeing Rick Webber and Alan again! And Audrey!!!
I’ve also really loved seeing the intro to the show featuring the different versions from the many years. I would LOVE see them continue to use that expanded opening, even after the anniversary period is over!
These writers did a masterful job today!!!
The scene with the three corpses was creepy and badly written.
I guess you could say that, but, it’s not easy to work in three characters that have been killed off, and do so for just a single appearance. So, I think it was actually a clever way to allow us to see those three characters one more time.
I thought Alan and Audrey are looking especially great!
Bottom line… the 50th Anniversary Show was incredible!!! Soooo well done!!!
And, I hope they continue to occasionally bring back these characters for appearances in the future.
i was just so overwhelmed with the episode – as a viewer from day 1 it was very emotional for me…….
I had tears in my eyes just from seeing Steve’s portrait alone! Having Epiphany give a brief but solid nod to GH creators Frank & Doris Hursley was a treat too. Rachel Ames was fantabulous and made me even more fits of tears. The surprise returns of Emily, Ethan, and Rick blew me out of the water. I loved when Rick said that what happened in the bedroom wasn’t true….TAKE THAT BOB GUZA! Seeing them all made me briefly have my anger pains at Jill Phelps, Guza, and Frons for allowing such beloved characters die. Jason Thompson and Sonja Eddy work so well together. Loved the staff clapping for Audrey….even more tears! How anyone can say that Frank and Ron don’t take GH’s best interests seriously lost all any credibility after this episode. I still remember the 30th Anniversary episode from 1993 that was under the Wendy Riche regime which I thought was excellent too. Does anyone remember GHs 40th anniversary produced under the horrible regime of Phelps??? I didn’t think so. Actually, to her credit, the ONLY story I loved during Phelps’ disaster was the Patrick/Robin love story….and for giving us Jason Thompson. Loved seeing Laura accept Ethan and Ethan be warm to Laura too. Thank you to Frank and Ron for successfully resusitating the patient that was GH. Your love and respect showed brilliantly and made the cast glow in the material they were given. I read that during the Nurses Ball, a tribute to Jessie Brewer and Amy Vining will be addressed….where are my tissues!
I agree I was thrilled in one hand and furious in the other of all these characters who got whacked under dragon lady JFP & Guza. Loved the episode Liz with Grandma Audrey was great. Remember when Liz came on what a pill she was maybe this means we are slowly going to get our gal back front and center.
I completely agree! I as well needed tissues and after reading what you wrote, need them again 🙂
I certainly hope that Jessie and Amy are acknowledged for all they contributed to the show.
I have to say that Allen looks better dead than alive and Natalia Livingston was gorgeous as always.
Allen looked better than Rick Webber!
Totally agree with EVERYONE. EVERYONE . I too, have watched it several times already. My emotions were all over the place. That being said, the one thing that brought tears to my eyes was the acknowledgement of all of us at the end. WOW, the first time we have had the TPTB recognize the true reason GH or any show continues. Thank you FV and RC for that along with the returning our show to it’s rightful place of excellence. First time in years I have actually watched the entire show without fast forwarding through something that I have no interest in. I find that us fans are becoming truly passionate about our show again. Once again, hats off to the outstanding executive producer, the unbelievable head writer, and the fantastic actors. Here’s to another fifty years.
Simply put Frank and Ron get it!
…the clip of Audrey and Steve dancing, fomr way back when… touching!
It was incredible!!! I absolutely loved every minute!!! Extremely well done by everyone… cast, writers and crew!!! Truly a wonderful tribute… touching so many of the key storylines over decades!!! A+ or 10 stars… totally nailed it!!! Very touching and emotional with great surprises and touches of humor rounding out a well balanced array of every element of a stellar episode and show!!!
Thank you Michael for giving us this episode on your site to watch over and over again… I know I wll! Thank you for having your site with the best content we could ever ask for!!! You are the BEST and we love you for it!!!
Congratulations GH!!! May you have 50 more years!!!
I’ve watched four times now and it’s just so well done!!! I love it!!! Congratulations again GH!!! I am hoping you do as much justice to the Nurses’ Ball as you did to this show!!! It truly is perfect in every way!!! Thank you!!!
Not a single dull moment. I watched every single second of it. Thanks to the writting team for such an amazing and heartfelt episode.
My favorite has to be the meeting at the Q’s house. It was amazing to see Alan Emily& Rick again.Loved that Luke& Laura found Ethan.
I have been watching general since 1969 , yesterdays episode was the best GH I have seen, It made you laugh,cry , and remember why this soap has endured 50 glorious years !!! love to everyone involved on this show keep up the great work
Excellent – the “glory days” of GH are here again!!
All I can say is “Bravo” 🙂
It was perfect! I couldn’t have imagined anything so perfect! All wrapped in a big gold bow.
I can’t stop thinking about it! Soo good!
Loved the episode! Hit on all five decades with different characters or stories important to each. Only soaps can have such a deeply moving anniversary, since the actual 50 years HAVE gone by and some of these people (Audrey, Monica, Tracy, Luke and Laura, etc) have been here for huge parts of it. Legacy, it really means something. Such big kudos to Carlivati and Valentini and the cast and crew. Thank you for the last 50 years! Here’s to many, many more!
I loved everything else. the only stupid and most useless part was having Jax and Brenda engaged yet they seemed so upset when they were breaking the news to Carly and Sonny.
The whole I heard you moved on so they moved on together was borderline bogus and unnecessary.
Why not after what Carly has been through have the fact that she and Jax still being married be the faith and hope she always prayed for? Why not have Jax say that he is done running away from hi marital problems and that they’ll work through them together?
I see no point in his being engaged to Brenda which only by the way proves that he is Brenda’s number one door mat, not Carly’s. Yesterday’s dialogue had it wrong. no offense to Ron Carlivati or his current set of writers, but am sure we the GH fans who watched Sonny/Carly/Brenda/Jax for so many years would know that better than they do.
In fact I took the pleasure of tweeting Ron Carlivati about that very mismatched dialogue.
Another mistake they made was just not mentions who Carly had moved on with. Yes, no more mentioning Todd but Johnny should have been mentioned. He was not a OLTL character.
Brenda should have returned to let Sonny know that she is done running away all the time and she respects that he is in a relationship but it’s him for the win in her heart. Or whatever childish llines come into play whenever Brenda is plotting.
Now as for the letter? Um……we are NOT in high school anymore! Who still writes letters? If you want to address an issue, say it to the person’s face!
Am so proud of GH for not making yesterday’s episode about Precious Sabrina of the wild hair days! Phew! thank you soap gods.
Other than that……Very well done episode!
This is the best review I’ve read yet. Spot on.
Many people still do write letters, especially when such huge emotions are involved. And my mom got teary and emotional when telling my dad that she was remarrying – people can still care about each other after a break up.
While i am not a fan of the current writing team, I Loved the episode.
The Q’s were funny, the Spencer’s are off doing what they do best. But Maurice & Vanessa captivated me the most. Sonny’s reaction to Brenda’s arrival, his guarded communication with her. Her facial unhappiness when he talks about having moved on. The cherry was Maurice’s instant reaction at the name Jax! And Mr Thompson (Patrick ) was outstanding explaining the history of GH!
I can only hope they will work off of that particular episode from here on in.
In closing while they talked about him twice, a total shame that Steve Burton aka Jason Morgan could not be on this particular episode 🙁
Shout outs…
Bob Guza Jr… Reason I started & loved GH (we miss u)
JFP… Daytime legend what she touches turns into gold
ROTFL. You MUST be joking about Bob Guza and JFP, right?
Valentini and Carlivati didn’t miss a beat, from the tribute opening montage to the postscript thanking the fans and every scene in between. It was just about perfect.
I watched this episode many times too ! First of all I love the blended opening of the show. It was great to see Audrey and her flashback with Steve. It was so fun to see Alan Q, Emily, and Rick Webber. Rick looked so different but his voice is so distinct from years past! I know when I last saw these characters they were much younger than the 70 plus years they are now. The writers did a wonderful job (but of course the headwriter is Ron C and he was the writer on OLTL and did wonderful writing over there). Really enjoyed seeing Patrick take the new interns through the hospital and Ephiphany…she’s so cool! Can’t wait to see the Nurses Ball! I cried a bit at the end when they thanked the viewers of GH over the past 50 years. It made me think how long I had been watching, which has been 40 years! Thank you writers, actors, and actresses of GH ! Well done!
So right Marcia… about Chris Robinson’s voice. It really struck me how much his voice took me back to the days when he was on. It’s a very nice and strong voice… that just flooded memories in my mind.
I screamed when I first heard his voice yesterday! lol Then I yelled, “Rick!” and scared my mother, who was watching with me! I was just so happy to see him and Alan! That they made up was precious! =)
Brilliant. Perfect.
I have watched this show just about 50 years off and on.. Has always been my favorite as it was my MOM’S…. I loved the show, and all the old actress and actors.. So so many memories.. LOVE IT can’t wait for the nurses ball….. <3
Every single minute was great. The surprises just kept coming. It was wonderful to see Alan, Rick, Emily, Audrey, Ethan, Brenda & Jax. I’m not sure it could have been much better unless they could have really brought back the spirits of Edward and Lila.
Thank you General Hospital for 50 wonderful years.
Sorry All. too contrived too sappy and over acted. I have watched GH,oltl and amc since the very first day of each one. I felt like I lost family when when they took the ladder 2 off the air. But watching Monica and Tracy with all the ghosts made me gag. There had to be a more intelligent way to bring these great old timers back. Even if it was a show dedicated to all these missed actors favorite memories
I liked seeing the actors ‘now’. I”m glad they didn’t do a bunch of flashbacks. Wouldn’t have been the same, in my opinion. =)
Loved the b/w flashback of Audrey and Steve dancing.
The whole hour was very entertaining and the best anniversary soap episode ever! I just wish they did a scene where Audrey sees Epiphany blasting some student nurse and then Audrey lovingly comments to Elizabeth how Epiphany reminded her of her late sister Lucille(in at least a brief flashback) Lucille was the head nurse (back in the 60s to early 70s) who was very much like Epiphany for those who didnt watch back then.
That would have been a great opportunity… I forgot about Lucille and remember her and agree!
I just wish the show paid more tribute to pre 1980s characters who were just as much part of gh history, especially since its 50 year anniversary. Its like your parents 50th wedding anniversary and your parents arent even there. Those b4 you helped paved the way!
My late grandmother,also named Lucille, was so much like her(the yelling part…’JIM!,) and an original gh fan…it was not hard for me to forget her, or my grandmother!!!
So glad I’m not the only one who remembers Lucille March, played by Lucille Wall. I loved her. She was an important part of the old days too. I loved when she would yell at the nursing student “Clampett!!!!!!!” She was wonderful.
My late granmother, a gh fan, was a lot like her…and also named Lucille!
The opening credit montages have been heartfelt for me! It’s like I flash through decades of my life as I watch- very cool. The episode itself combined humor, history and honor and as most people have posted, I laughed and cried all the way through it. It has been a very long time since I enjoyed a tv show on so many levels. All I can say is well done, everyone, well done! Oh, and thanks to all at GH…and Frank and Doris too! You gave us a gift to last a lifetime.
That’s how you celebrate an anniversary one of the best episode I have ever seen made me nostalgic I wanted to cry great great episode
I Loved the episode!! So many nice surprises and old character returns! It was the perfect blend of emotions from being touching, to dramatic, to humorous. I enjoyed explaining who some of the old characters were to my 23 year old daughter who has been watching since she was a kid. About the same age I started watching it with my mother, who at age 86 Still watches!!
3 Generations watching and 50 years of GH! Here’s to at least another 50!!!
Your post made me cry! lol I watch because my dad watched it first! His job included lots of sitting at a desk with nothing to do but watch tv, and he got hooked! lol
Amazing – That is how you honor 50 years of being on television !
The episode made my heart sing!!
This only proves that Frank and Ron are the Best team in Soap History. Not just they crafted the Best Finale in Soap History, but now the best anniversary in soap history. They didn’t rely heavily on clips, but worth story and reminded us of the magic and Heart. Been watching Days in the last few years and they never forget thier history and have reminders of Tom and Alice all over the place. GH needed to remember Steve and Audrey. (Don’t get me started on ignoring Jessie’s memory, but I know they will Honor Jessie and Amy at the Nurse’s Ball).
Well, what can I say? For FIFTEEN YEARS I had to put up with Bob Guza’s crap, hoping that the day would come when a new regime would come to save the day and bring the show back to glory, Well, thanks to the Valentini/Carlivati team, it has in the past two years! There is no way that Guza could have pulled off an episode as meaningfil as this or the great memorial to John Ingle from a few months ago. THIS is what an anniversary show should be like: saluting the past while moving present stories forward. Unlike Bob Guza, Ron Carlivati reveres the show’s history (loved the opening reference to the Hursleys!) and uses that history well into new storylines (the Heather/Todd baby switch mass and also making her privy to the secret about Franco’s birth, the resurrection of A.J., and even Pickle-Lila!).
The character of Epiphany has gotten new depth and is a worthy successor to the hospital role of head nurse in the tradition of Lucille March Weeks (Audrey’s late sister whon held the position from 1964-76)- both women seem rough on the outside and bark orders, but each has a heart of gold on the inside and is very protective of their nurses. The only nitpicking I had was that Patrick should have mentioned to the interns that his dad had worked at GH in the 1980s! I wonder if these interns are merely walk-ons or possible new characters. Great to see ‘the ghosts’, but I still feel that Alan is not dead- he is being held prisoner in the same place that Robin is!!
It was a wonderful walk down memory lane. Loved it!!!
I couldn’t wait to get home and watch it, I even stayed off any websites that might have people posting on it after they watched it, until I got home to watch, so I could be surprised and I was surprised! it was a really great 50th anniversary show oh and your article got me choked up inside! wonderfully written! love love love love General Hospital!!
Al I can say is “perfection” so maybe powerful moments, and the love letter to the fans at the end for so much appreciated by this fan!
Thanks for pointing out the bit with Epithany on the phone, I did not really catch that other then the wonderful Epipt was showing a bit of gossip. I was more focused on the photo of Steve!
Bravo!! To General Hospital, let’s have 50 more! Ok 25 more!
I loved this episode. Brillantly done!!! I’ve been watching GH for 40 years now and it was nice to see Audrey and other actors who have been gone . Keep up the good work GH! Happy 50th , and heres to 50 more…
I had tears in my eyes at the end. Would actually like a few more flashbacks to the early days. I liked Audrey and Steve dancing. But what about Jessie, and Lucille? And a picture of the old nurses station where poeple at least went in the little back room to discuss all the details of their lives. But I liked it. Jax with Brenda, always a problem for Sonny. But both too fickle. Carly and Sonny are better off without them. Love having Laura back, but time for someone to finally shoot Helena and get it over with. Cracks me up she “instantly” shoots any henchmen she decides to get rid of, but of course has to point the gun and talk about it when it is one of our heros. So they have time to escape and turn the tables. And Dante had better be alive !!!
Wow, you can say that again (bout Carly n Sonny being better off without the). Never did like Brenda (she was and is so annoying); and Jax (never liked the actor or the character) is just irritatingly self-righteous.
I was completely blown away at all the surprises in this episode. Bravo to the writers, cast and crew of gh! i laughed and i cried. well done!