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General Hospital to Mark 62nd Anniversary with Triple Celebration Episode Featuring Genie Francis and Dedication of ‘Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Next week, General Hospital continues to be the longest-running television show on the air when it marks its 62nd anniversary. The series premiered back on April 1, 1963.

Tuesday’s April 1st episode will serve as triple celebration as the ABC daytime drama series not only as acknowledges its 62nd year, but it will also pay tribute to the contributions of its long-running stars, Genie Francis (Laura Spencer Collins) and the late Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine).

According to the current issue of TV Guide Magazine, Laura will officially open GH’s new ‘Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing.’ Commenting on the moment, Francis shared, “I take great pride in giving the speeches because there’s a lot of truth in them and how I feel about this place and how I feel about the people in.”

Photo: ABC

Genie also expressed that she appreciates when the spotlight can be turned on her in the most flattering of ways, “It’s always nice when they acknowledge the fact that I’m sort of an antique her. I’m historical. I like the feeling of that.”

As noted in the TVG article, this anniversary episode was written before Leslie Charleson’s passing on January 12th, with the hopes that she would be well enough to appear in the dedication. However, the team pivoted and is now planning a memorial for Monica that will air at a later date. (No word yet on when that will be).

Photo: ABC

Sharing a remembrance of her late co-star, Genie said of Leslie Charleson, she was, “always so kind to me. Most of us have come and gone, me included. Even Tony (Geary) came and went. But Leslie was there non-stop. She was a real pillar of this show and of that hospital, which is a lovely thing. I’m glad they did this in her honor. I think it’s beautiful.”

Are you looking forward to GH’s 62nd anniversary episode? Glad they are spotlighting Genie Francis and honoring Leslie Charleson, by opening the ‘Dr. Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Wing’ in the story? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Yes I’m glad they are spotlighting Genie Francis and honoring Leslie Charleson I’ve been watching from the beginning.

I have been watching GH since 1969 and I still love it; great actors and actresses. Will Robin Scorpio and Leslie be there ?

Why are they taking so long to announce Monica’s death?

I. Agree!!

Wondered the same thing. Also, why didn’t they have a funeral for Dex on the show?? Weird!!
Both characters need one!!!

Dex was a minor character. He had no family in PC. As a cop, they’d have to break the budget to hire a bunch of extras for the service funeral.

Because she is an Icon. And it takes time to remember her properly

They are probably going to use it in a Storyline, like Drew caused her Death by tearing down the Quartermaine Crypt.

Yeah I said that too

The show is written about 3-4 months ahead. Storylines can be adjusted, but the death of a longtime character with connections to a legacy family takes much care and coordination. Former cast members might be asked back and require schedule coordination.

Episodes were recorded far in advance before Leslie’s passing. That is the reason why her passing hasn’t even been mentioned yet.

The scripts can be written months ahead …. but GH doesn’t tape that far in advance. Thays why they are able to change plans. Days of Our Lives is the only soap that films months and months ahead.

A combination of the 3-4 month lead time in taping and the scheduling and budgetary logistics involved with assembling a large group of current (and likely past) cast members in this century. They did it right for Bobbie/Jackie, let them take the time necessary to do the same for Monica/Leslie.

Love this both deserve to be honored

This’ll be good, hopefully.

Well deserved.RIP Leslie. You are greatly missed

So glad that they are honoring Leslie.
Miss her being on the show. She was a great actress.

I started watching General Hospital in 1979 when I was a teenager. I have always enjoyed the show and the storylines was so sad to hear of Leslie Charleston’s passing. I’m happy they are honoring her for her contribution to the show.

Yesssssza

It’s about time I have been watching GH for 57 years I was wondering when they were going to pay Tribute to Leslie Charleson She was the Matriarch since since 1977. I was so sadden of Leslie Charleson passing I.will GREATLY Miss her on GH.
THANK YOU For PAYING TRIBUTE TO LESLIE Charleson❤️

I knew that GH was taped about 6 weeks ahead of the air date, but I had no idea that the show was written several months in advance.

This would have been a good time to have Monica pass away on the show, so they could dedicate the cardiac wing to her memory. But I understand this episode was written before Leslie passed. They will have to address that down the road, and hopefully soon.

Either way, it’s very nice of them to honor their history by recognizing Leslie/Monica, and also having Genie Francis front and center, where she should be. I have my issues with the way Frank runs this show, but one thing I will give him credit for, as a whole they’ve done a pretty good job honoring the show’s rich history during his tenure, in my view.

I just turned 70…and I have ALWAYS WATCHED GH!!

I have watched GH since the first day. I miss all those who have passed on. It will be wonderful to see this episode highlighting Genie Francis and honoring Leslie. It should have been done long ago, but am happy Frank Valentino decided to honor Leslie now. I’m not happy the way the the show has handled firing and hiring the actors, but Frank does well to honor the beloved.

I haved been watching General Hospital since I could remember I sorry of passing Dr Monica Qaurtermen Monica is an excellent actress she is missed.

I’m so glad they’re honoring Leslie Charleston and the character she portrayed!! She was a beautiful person and a wonderful actor ❤️ RIP Leslie

Great show

I Love GH. Can not wait to see it

I’ve watched GH since the start. I remember Monica as always the power house of the family. Tracy has surpassed that role many times. Laura is just to “goody”. Let’s let Jason do it

So happy they’re finally doing it. She was so great!

Hi! I’m Cindy Parker from South Roxana Illinois and I just want to say that I have been watching GH since it aired the day before my 6th birthday. I was born April 2, 1957 and my mother started watching GH the day it aired from what I understand. Of course I really didn’t catch on at that age, but as I grew U felt that I was a part of GH. I really enjoy the soap and all the crew. I’ve seen all of the ups and downs and laughed and cried with them all and even got my husband watching it. we’ve beenarried 50 yrs and when he retired he started watching it at home with me. Before that he was working and I would have to tape it for him. He took is a big fan. Pleàse keep it going so we can continue to watch a great soap with an àwesome story line. it’s our enjoyment. we love all the characters and story lines.

I to have watched general hospital since day one with my mother and have gotten my husband hooked too I agree to every word you said. Long live G H.

I have watched GH from day one and love all the actors that have been there! Am not fond of the swapping out of the characters!!

General hospital ‘s 62 anniversary.

Long Live General Hospital

I will be 62 years old this year. I have been watching general hospital. I kno when I was 16 or 17 years old. Never missed an episode I would always record. I loved all my children. I loved one life to live well. The only one left now is general hospital and I still love it. And yes, Monica will be very, very missed. I just wish that Tracy would tone down a little bit. Rest in peace. And God bless you for all those wonderful years.

Tracy has toned down A lot! She cracks me up! With all the Q’s antics but she is definitely “softer” now! In the 80s she didn’t care about anything but herself…

I’m so happy they are doing this for Monica. I am 62th years old too
I remember everyone on the show. I’m sad that Monica Qurmen is watching everyone down here on this earth celebrate her and she deserves it too Rest in Peace ❤️

I’m a General Hosital soap opera watcher/ fan since my 1st born daughter was born in February 5. 1964. Still record the show 5 days a week so I don’t miss an episode. What a GREAT RUN this has been sofar. Great actors/actresses, story lines and topics great sets. GREAT EVERYTHING. THANK YOU, for my relaxing hours.

I’m thrilled about the recognition of Genie Francis and his dedication for Leslie Charleston. I’ve been watching for 50 years!

I was born the year G.H began and my mom started watching while she would iron all the clothes for a family of 8! I can remember at the age of 4 watching with her and running home from high school to watch Luke and Laura!
Then when I had my daughter, she watched with me and too ran home from school to see every episode! This time it was Sonny and Carly!
Now she is expecting her daughter in June. The fourth generation in our family of G.H fans and watchers!

I am 74 years old and used to watch GH every day after school with my Mom, who has long since passed. Wel loved Monica and Laura has always been my favorite character. Looking forward to both episodes.

I remember my Mom watching this show when I was a child. I was born in 63. My Mom would do her ironing during the time GH was on, she related to it very well as she was also a nurse. I remember Jessie Brewer, Steve Hardy and Audrey Hardy and The Baldwin’s. A lot of history in General Hospital.

It’s truly amazing and wonderful 62 years GH. Leslie and Genie honor is great idea. Also Jane Eliot has been on a long time too. Big toast to all at GH.

I still remember Laura’s mother, Leslie Webber. So it still gets confusing when Monica is referred to as Leslie.

That’s Awesome we’ll Deserve

I am very glad about the dedication. I have watched General Hospital since the days of Dr. Hardy, Audrey, Jessie and Lucille. The writers never cease to amaze me. Looking forward to the tribute and memorial for Leslie.

I have watched, read and then recorded since Day One in 1963.
Watched with my late Mother and now I share daily thoughts with my Baby Sis who lives in Florida, I live in Pennsylvania.
#GHFOREVER ♥️

Ive also been watching since the beginning. I have always taped and or recorded every episode so I wouldn’t miss anything. Great show!

I been watching general hospital, from the beginning with Jessie, doctor Harvey, Phil bewer,Lucille, and so on. It’s nice to celebrate Monica.

Wish the Anniversary opening sequence included pictures of the many key characters throughout the years! Happy 62 years!

First they have to address her death in GH. (She’s been in that bedroom upstairs forever!) I’m waiting to see how they’re gonna do that. Either way, it’s going to be a tear jerker. Get your hankies ready.

Sadly, I am start to think the storyline with Drew fighting with Tracy and wanting the family crypt torn down because of the property line will somehow tie into Monica’s death.

Im disappointed that they did not recognize her death after one of the episodes. They have done thatvfor almost every cast membervwho died. Then they can write her death into the show when they want.

I think it’s wonderful that they are dedicating the episode to Leslie Charleson and honoring her in that way and spotlighting Genie Francis.

My sister and I have watched General Hospital from the first episode. I was almost 17, and she was a couple of months shy of TWO years old. We were delighted when Genie Francis came back to the show. We miss seeing Leslie Charleson. She reigned the family in when necessary, but she was gentle about it. It will be nice to see her honored in such a special way. This is one episode that won’t be missed!

I too have watched GH for many years…since it was a 1/2 show! And then becme a1 hour show.and I still watch it.

Yes I’ve been watching GH since it was in black and white (1963)!!

So looking for the episode I waited on l was beginning to start high school, I started watching at that time and I have been

I once met genie outside a theatre in Birmingham Michigan was very nice signed a tv guide I have with her pic on cover.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

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Sonny, Dante, Michael, Brook Lynn General Hospital

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!

Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).

GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Sonny and Dante

Courtesy/ABC

A VISIT WITH DAD

Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.

Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!

Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.

Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!”  The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Michael and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR

While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).

Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.

An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process.  As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”

CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER

At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.

Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.

So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section,  but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.

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General Hospital

GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

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Tajh Bellow and Loren Lott

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.

Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of  The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.

In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

The Compatibility Experiment

Photo: HOORAE

The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.

The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.

General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.

Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.

Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

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Drew and Ava

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).

In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.

Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Maura West

Courtesy/ABC

BOATHOUSE BRAWL

In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.

Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.

However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Rocco

Courtesy/ABC

Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.

WILL SCOUT WISE UP?

At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.

Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.

So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.

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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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