General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL 62nd Anniversary Episode: What Moments Touched You the Most?
This week on the April 1st episode of General Hospital, the long-running ABC daytime drama series celebrated its 62nd anniversary in heart-tugging style with little Easter egg moments and nods to its history led by the talents of the iconic Genie Francis (Laura Collins).
At its epicenter, and as has been promoted, the 62nd anniversary show was to feature the opening and dedication of the “Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center” in tribute to the late Leslie Charleson who played Monica for 47 years.
However, it should be noted, that this dedication was part of the script and the storyline prior to Charleson’s passing on January 12th of this year, and that more of a tribute to the actress, and to Monica will be forthcoming when the series kills-off the beloved character, who has been seriously ill with respiratory issues and basically living bound upstairs at the Quartermaine Mansion.
Courtesy/ABC
In the 62nd anniversary episode, many nods were given to what Monica has meant to General Hospital. In one scene, when learning that Monica cannot be at her own dedication, a disappointed Laura shares, “Monica is the heart and soul of this place, and when you think about she is really the one that brought this place into the 21st century.”
Later, Tracy (Jane Elliot) says, “Monica can’t be here. As soon as she rallies, she has another setback. I don’t think this hospital would be standing without my sister-in-law. She should definitely be here.” In another scene, Ned (Wally Kurth) looks at the memorial wall, and he and his mother look at Alan, Edward and Lila and sing the praised of what both Alan and Monica meant to the success of the hospital.
Courtesy/ABC
During the anniversary show, Co-Chief of Staffs, Portia (Brooke Kerr) and Terry (Cassandra James) were saying that if it weren’t for Monica they would not have their positions, and later, perhaps extolling the best line of the episode during the dedication of the new cardiac care center, when during their speech they say, “We ask ourselves all the time, “WWMD – What Would Monica Do?”
However, it wasn’t just the “Monica” moments that made the episode touching, it was when Felicia (Kristina Wagner), Carly (Laura Wright) and Donna went to the hospital’s memorial wall and paid tribute to the late Nurse Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman), and what she meant to the legacy of the hospital, and Felicia in tears and how she misses her best friend, and all that they went through (think BJ’s heart transplant storyline).
Courtesy/ABC
It was the moment where Laura and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finally had an uncomfortable but much needed conversation about how Alexis’ daughter Sam (Kelly Monaco) died (thanks to Laura’s half-brother Cyrus Renault) after saving Laura’s daughter, Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) life with a live-saving liver transplant. The women hug it out in the end. We also learn in scenes with Laura and Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Sonny and Alexis, that the mob boss with the heart of gold is the secret benefactor of the Monica Q. Cardiac Care Center.
It was also the moment that after Lucy (Lynn Herring) sold Sidwell (Carlo Rota) on all the reasons that GH Nurses Ball is so important to the community in her pitch to get financial backing, that she sat down and told him the story of Stone Cates dying of AIDS and Robin living with HIV, and really brought home the story of the ball, when she spoke of Jon Hanley (Lee Mathis), the attorney who had AIDS with whom she started the Nurses Ball with back in 1994 and how she does the ball each year, “for all the little hearts in my rolodex.”
Courtesy/ABC
The iconic love story of Robin (Kimberly McCullough) and Stone (Michael Sutton) also remembered in a very touching conversation played beautifully by Finola Hughes (Anna) and Maurice Benard. Anna has a kiss from Robin for Sonny, for all that he did to help her and Stone before he passed. It was a sentimental touch played by two longstanding vets of the show.
There was also the moment in the hospital chapel, once again acknowledging that Carly and Sonny are still at the show’s epicenter, when Sonny tells Carly, he would never bet against her in anything. Carly, in an emotional moment recalls the importance of GH and says, “I see my mom and the nurses station. I had my babies here. You walking again, and the doctors and the nurses saving Michael so he has a fighting chance. And for the record, I wouldn’t bet against you either!” The moment leads us to believe that somewhere down the line Sonny and Carly will come back together.
Courtesy/ABC
At the dedication for the Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Center, Laura tells those in attendance at the new atrium set that she started as a candy striper at GH and is now in the mayor of Port Charles (which is amazing to think about all in itself!) After giving her speech, Lucy comes flying in with Jenz Sidwell to announce that Jenz has agreed to be the soul benefactor of the upcoming 2025 GH Nurses Ball leaving, Laura, Carly, Sonny, Anna and others looking suspicious and not so pleased.
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 62nd anniversary episode? What moments touched you the most? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Hopefully, he hasn’t succeeded in pulling the wool over everyone else’s eyes, as Lucy only sees Dollar$igns. Especially after we saw what he did to his guests/captives in Africa was enough for me. Sasha will rue the day that she ever had dealings with him!
He’s a great villain! Excellent actor, too. Loving his role on the show so far. I can listen to his voice for hours….and he brings a level of intrigue and excitement to the show. I’m really enjoying “Sidwell.” Poor Lucas doesn’t know his new crush has a maniacal killer for a daddy…
Agree on all points, also glad most fans guessed right about who his son is but can’t believe hus mother is Natalia, after she made the big deal about her daughter being gay. Wonder hiw she actually feels about her son’s choices.
He’s a terrific villain! He can stay but Natalia can get the hell out of Dodge.
I thought it couldn’t have been more boring if it tried. I FF’d the entire thing other than the wall of beloved actors/characters gone. It was completely out of sync with the episode before it; it was just a standalone episode that lacked any continuity. And the “crowd?” It was mostly fillers. The people attending should have included the hospital staff we’ve come to know (whomever is left) not a bunch of strangers behind a handful of legacy characters. Thumbs down from me.
OMG, I guess I can tell the truth now! I felt the same way, especially after they held back the accident stuff we were supposed to see that day. Wonder if we’ll ever see it? I did the same thing as you and FF through most of it and than felt so guilty after reading all the positive things others had to say about the show.
And no Nurse Lizzy because she was in a car accident. Couldn’t they have had the car accident story occur after the anniversary special? No one even mentioned her and Lizzy is the head nurse at GH. And while we are on the subject of poor pacing, here it is Friday and nary any follow through with that story which occurred on Monday. The writing has gotten back to being horribly bad.
I so agree. I think the only flashback was Lucy’s dresses. I was hoping for an old scene of Alan and Tracy arguing since Ned mentioned it. And seeing Gail on the memorial wall made me miss Kin. They need to address Kin’s absence. They need to address a lot of things like Sonny killing Jagger in cold blood and the investigation coming to a halt. But I digress…..
The tribute was a little lack lust for my taste. I’m glad they spent some time in front of the tribute wall; but, I have a complaint about that wall. I was a regular GH viewer from day one, April 1, 1963 until 2005. I am offended that nurses, Jessie Brewer, Lucille March, Amy Vining, and Bobbie Spencer have all been relegated to the bottom row. When GH started, it centered around Dr Hardy, Nurse Jessie (Emily McLaughlin) and her cheating husband Dr Phil Brewer, with supporting character Nurse Lucille (Lucille Wall). It was well into the 1970s before the Quartermaines came. No offense to the late John Ingle and Anna Lee, both of whom I loved, but the founding nurse should have larger photos and be feathered on a higher row. Also, the photo of Amy (Shell Kepler) shows her in a student nurse uniform. Amy did graduate and become a registered nurse on staff at the hospital until 2002.
I realize GH is a fantasy; but, I strongly believe nurses and the nursing profession should to be shown much more respect.
Right. And Britt, who by no means was a GH legacy character, has a prominent place on that wall. She was only on GH for a couple of years!
A pity that Tristan Rogers and Rachel Ames couldn’t have come back for a day. Also, as wonderful as John Ingle was, it would be nice to swap out his photo on the wall occasionally for the wonderful David Lewis, who was MY Edward Quartermaine. I also agree that some of the nurses need to be given more love. Jessie and Bobbie should be in the top row surrounding Steve. The PCPD needs to have a photo hall of fame too, with pictures of Sean Donely, Guy Lewis, Dax, Frisco, etc.
David Lewis was my favorite Edward Quartermaine too. I have nothing against John Ingle though. David Lewis was Edward when I was a kid and I have many fond memories of the show back then.
What – Jed Allan wasn’t your favorite Edward?
Ames is now 95 and hasn’t been on camera in 10+ years. Hopefully Rogers (along with Samms) will return for a short stint around the time of Sasha giving birth.
The tribute was is going to need a redo with Monica’s passing. It’s a little jarring to see living performers (ie Kelly Theibaud’s Britt) up with the performers who passed away.
I know a lot of viewers see Sonny as a Mob Boss and nothing else, despite his kindness and generosity when needed, and not always asked for. It’s just too darn bad that he had to be a SECRET benefactor that donated the Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Care Center and not given the recognition he deserves. No one is all bad or all good and I sometimes wonder if the fans that never give this character a break , are as cold and heartless as they seem?
Violet
You’re a funny old broad (saying that with affection)…
You complain about characters like Ava and Tracy, yet you want to defend Sonny – who less than 6 months ago murdered an FBI agent right on screen.
Many long time viewers despise Sonny because the way mob stories took over the show in the early 2000s. His killing of AJ was the final straw for many. That alone justifies him not receiving credit for the donation.
I, for one, am okay with a balanced show that includes some Corinthos stories mixed with those of the core families (Qs, Spencers, Scorpios).
Thanks, OG for your half ass compliment! I’ve come to like and understand Tracy, thanks to you chastising me a while back, but Ava, never! She’s a first class bitch that only cares about herself. I stopped watching GH for years and had recently just got back to it when Sonny killed AJ , so I really only know what I read about him, and of course witnessed how Avery was conceived. Jagger was not just some FBI agent but a terrible person terrorizing so many people and I felt he got exactly what he deserved, and Sonny stepped up and to many people, that makes him a terrible person, but I think Jagger was a way worse person.
Jagger also had an autistic son whom he cared about. I don’t agree that Jagger is a worse person than Sonny.
Yeah… NuJagger loved his son so much that he left him Hell only knows where, so he could go chase his obsession over a 30 something year old grudge.
Sonny didn’t actually kill AJ. Yes, he was holding Ava’s $1.98 WalMart Special gun, which she had actually attempted to fire before Sonny was even on the premises.
Sonny picked up the gun, after walking in on a situation where AJ was strangling Ava. At the time Sonny had every reason to believe that AJ had murdered ConKate, which was frankly ConKate’s own fault, by leaving the intials “AJ” in her own blood. “Ava” would have only been one more letter, and she could have managed that before dying.
So if Sonny attempted to pull the trigger at all (as opposed to an accidental discharge) it would have been justified as an attempt to stop somebody who looked like a serial killer, under those circumstances.
In any case, AJ survived the single gunshot wound, and was well on his way to recovery a week later in the hospital, when he suddenly died of a “cardiac arrest”. Just like we saw with the more recent deaths of Sam & Dex. Now obviously Cyrus the Virus wasn’t around to shoot AJ up with Digitalis. But Ava was. And shortly before AJ’s “cardiac arrest”, Ava was seen in his hospital room, debating with herself (AJ was sleeping) over the fact that – as much as she liked AJ – he had to die before he remembered that she had confessed ConKate’s murder to him, and that the reason for the murder was that ConKater had realized that “Derek Wells” was an alias for Ava’s brother Julian, who was still presumed to be dead, and down here in Hell, at the time.
As far as Sonny leaving his name off of the Monica Quartermaine Cardiac Center, I think that was respectful of it. Though he and Jason are business partners, so it would have been just as easy for Jason to make the donation in his name, and nobody would question Jason honoring his own mother. Except maybe Drew, but nobody cares what he thinks anymore.
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
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