General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Brings Returns,Trips Down Memory Lane & A Death To Its 51st Anniversary Episode!
Courtesy/ABC
General Hospital has paid homage to its history and its fans under the creative regime of current executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati, in particular when it comes to special episodes, and today during the broadcast of the long running ABC soap opera’s 51st anniversary broadcast that held true!
IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THE EPISODE YET DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER AS THIS POST CONTAINS THE REVIEW OF IT AND SPOILERS.
Starting off the show in black and white and paging the names of the memorable doctors and nurses that graced the halls of the 7th floor nurses station and GH throughout its history, quickly the episode brought us to current day with the still venerable Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) who is reeling from the death of her son, AJ Quartermaine (Sean Kanan). As Monica tries to cope, enter the ghost of Emily Quartermaine (Natalia Livingston) who tries to help Monica stay in the land of the living, even though Monica reveals her sorrow at being the only one left in her family since everyone else she has loved has passed on.
Courtesy/ABC
Elsewhere, Carly (Laura Wright) confronts Sonny (Maurice Benard) with the knowledge that she knows that he shot AJ, since AJ told her before he died. Sonny takes Carly to the hospital chapel to try to reason with her to not tell Michael (Chad Duell) that he shot his bio-father, and to remind her of all the terrible things AJ did to them!
And with that and the use of historic clips, viewers get to recount the tumultuous past of Sonny and Carly starting with Carly losing their baby thanks to AJ, but this Carly is the original, Sarah Brown! We relive how their hate turned into sexual tension, turned into a relationship and how they grew to love each other. And in terrific moments played by Maurice Benard and Sarah Brown you felt and knew the depth of these characters feelings. What a treat it was to see these two powerhouse performers together again.
Courtesy/ABC
But the treats did not stop there, next Carly up, Tamara Braun and through the use again of clips, Sonny and the Carly from this time in their lives recount Carly setting up Sonny and their divorce, and how Carly fell apart and suffered a minor nervous breakdown after the “death” of Michael! How great was it to see Maurice and Tamara in scenes together again, too! It was to say the least, a very clever way by GH to incorporate the Carlys from Sonny’s past.
Finally, it’s back to present day Carly (Laura Wright). Sonny says, “We may not be right for each other, but we’re it for each other.” To which Carly replies, “I will always have you’re back, even if our love story is over.” Next, they recall having “grief” sex, but in the end, Sonny begs Carly to not tell Michael or anyone that he shot AJ. And again in those scenes it was beautifully played by Maurice and Laura.
Courtesy/ABC
Elsewhere during the episode, Lucy (Lynn Herring) makes her big decision and in a very touching scene, she tells Scott (Kin Shriner) that she has chosen to stay in her marriage with Kevin (Jon Lindstrom).
Both Lynn Herring and Kin Shriner were very moving as Lucy tries to tell Scott she wants to be his friend and does not want to lose that, but she is going back to her marriage. There is also a nod to “51 years” thanks to a send-up of Governor Chris Christie’s bridge-gate where Felicia (Kristina Wagner) reveals how the Port Charles Bridge was closed down! Bobbie (Jackie Zeman) also appears in the episode, and we find out that Noah Drake has chosen to be with none other than Annie Logan, and not her!
Courtesy/ABC
At the of the episode came the big hankie moment for us when AJ, now passing on through the living to death tells Monica, “Mom, thank you” to which Monica says, “Goodbye, my sweet boy.” This moment was heartfelt and played to perfection by Sean Kanan and Leslie Charleson, who were stellar throughout their scenes.
As the episode comes to its conclusion, AJ is greeted by the likenesses of Lila, Edward, and his father, Alan. Now being led by Emily, AJ walks up the GH staircase on his way to heaven.
We also have to give props to Maurice Benard, in what was one of our favorite most recent performances by this staple of the series and the women of the Carlypalooza – Sarah Brown, Tamara Braun and Laura Wright. All in all, this was a very unique episode of the series.
So, what did you think of the 51st anniversary episode? Which performance did you enjoy the most? What brought you to tears? And which Carly did you love seeing the most? Or, was it the trifecta of all of them? Comment below!
Breaking News
NATAS Reveals Categories to be Presented at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys and Creative Arts & Lifestyle Ceremonies
On Monday, The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced which categories will be presented at the 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle and the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies. Both award shows will be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.
The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy ceremony will stream live at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT on Saturday, June 18 at watch.TheEmmys.tv and via The Emmys apps for iOS, tvOS, Android, FireTV, and Roku. while The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast will be presented live at 9 PM EDT (replay at 9 PM PDT) on Friday, June 24, on the CBS Television Network and streamed on Paramount+.
Check out the alignment of categories for each show and ceremony below.
The 49th Annual Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Categories to be awarded:
Outstanding Culinary Series
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program
Outstanding Lifestyle Program
Outstanding Travel, Adventure and Nature Program
Outstanding Instructional and How-To Program
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Outstanding Daytime Special
Outstanding Short Form Daytime Program
Outstanding Interactive Media for a Daytime Program
Outstanding Daytime Promotional Announcement
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Culinary Host
Outstanding Daytime Program Host
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Directing Team for a Single Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Directing Team for a Multiple Camera Daytime Non-Fiction Program
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition
Outstanding Original Song
Outstanding Lighting Direction
Outstanding Technical Team, Camera Work, Video
Outstanding Cinematography
Outstanding Single Camera Editing
Outstanding Multiple Camera Editing
Outstanding Live Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing
Outstanding Main Title and Graphic Design
Outstanding Casting
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design
Outstanding Costume Design/Styling
Outstanding Hairstyling
Outstanding Makeup
Outstanding Special Effects Costumes, Makeup and Hairstyling
Lifetime Achievement Award: This Old House
Photos: ABC, CBS, NBC, JPI
The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Friday, June 24, 2022
Categories to be awarded:
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Game Show
Outstanding Informative Talk Show
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actress
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor
Outstanding Younger Performer in a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Game Show Host
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Lifetime Achievement Award: John Aniston
So, what do you think about how NATAS has chosen to give out this year’s gold statuettes? Looking forward to the ceremonies? Comment below.
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
When the nominations were revealed for the 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, General Hospital mainstay, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), was recognized for her stunning work in the Alexis-centric standalone episode which honored her 25th anniversary with the ABC daytime drama series.
Grahn, is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner. She won back in 1989 in a tie for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her work as Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara along with All My Children’s Debbi Morgan, and again received the honors in that category in 2012 for her work on General Hospital.
Now. she is vying for the gold in 2022 in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category against other formidable actresses including: B&B’s Kimberlin Brown, DAYS Stacy Haiduk, Y&R’s Melissa Ordway, and her GH castmate, Kelly Thiebaud.
Michael Fairman TV caught up with Nancy to talk about her decision to enter the Emmy race this year, her powerful and moving scenes, why this nomination is significant and important to her, and her take on some very important social issues of our time.
Always candid, insightful, combined with great humor and wit, here’s what Nancy had to share below, and make sure to check out GH this week when sparks fly between Alexis and Gregory (Gregory Harrison). Will he turn out to be the new beau in Alexis’ life? Stay tuned.
Courtesy/ABC
Congratulations on the Emmy nomination. How do you feel about being in the running again, especially with the material from your 25th anniversary episode?
NANCY: You know, I don’t submit myself if I don’t think I have something, and I didn’t last year. This year, I had the one show, and the first reason I submitted myself was I had the episode that was worthy of the competition. These judges have to sit, and watch this stuff, and very often, it’s hard to watch soap opera scenes. It really is, unless you’re in it. It’s a different kind of material that most primetime people aren’t used to watching. So, it’s tricky business. I don’t want to put them through anything too awful. I don’t want to torture them and I’ve judged before. It can be a bit tedious. So, for me to submit myself, I thought, it has to be something that isn’t going to torture another human being. The second thing is, older women get marginalized the older they get, and they get diminished very often, and every time we get nominated, it means something different to me. This time, to me, I want it to somehow be symbolic, or a shoutout to women who are still producing, who have been doing their job for a long time and are still doing it good enough, and that it’s still worthy of respect and recognition.
When we were at the GH Convention back in March, I played the scene on-stage for the fans in attendance of when Alexis goes over to the corner of Kevin’s office and heals her younger self. You saw the reaction just from the fans. It’s such a beautiful moment within the story. What did you think about how the standalone episode was crafted?
NANCY: It was a different experience for me because GH co-head writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, and script writer, Scott Sickles gave it the attention, but even more to that, they allowed me to participate in the creation of it. They allowed the director, Phideaux Xavier, to participate. We all sat in a room. They said, “You know what? Make it how you’re comfortable with it.” There were so many people who gave it time and effort, and Phideaux gets a lot of credit because he came up with a lot of ideas. So, the little girl in the therapy room wasn’t initially a part of it. That was Phideaux’s idea, and they let us alter things, and they allowed me to write some words that meant something to me with the character. Our producers, Michelle Henry and M.K Weir, who I both adore, were also a part of this.
Courtesy/ABC
That is great to hear that you were involved in the collaborative process of the creation of the episode.
NANCY: We read through the whole script, and we worked it like you would on primetime. We went through it like, “Does this moment work? Does that moment work? Does this make sense? Does that make sense?” We never do that in soaps. We don’t get to that. So, it was a gift to me. It really was. Chris and Dan, and Scott and Phideaux, and the two producers, generosity in gifting me that experience and making sure that it was to everybody’s liking, was really very special to me, and it meant a lot.
Did you come up with the key lines which summarized Alexis as a person and her journey: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a fighter, and an idealist and an advocate?”
NANCY: No. They designed it, but we were allowed to enhance and contribute creatively to it, and, we don’t normally have the time to do that. They don’t have the time to – and you can’t allow people to do that with every episode, to be creatively participating, because it would turn into madness with everybody.
Then, when it came down to choosing the scenes from your anniversary episode to include for your Emmy submission, was that a challenging process of which moments to go with?
NANCY: I just told a little story with it with the time that I had, and so, I edited it with a friend of mine. I did a sort of pre-edit on it, I’m good at that, and handed the timeline to our editor, who nicely put it together. It took very little effort.
In my humble opinion, I think that episode featured one of your all-time best performances.
NANCY: Thank you. There was a nice effort from everybody, from the lighting to everybody else, and all the effort Phideaux put into it. He worked so hard on that! It was fun for us. It was like the old days where you really got to work something out.
Photo: ABC
It truly harkened back to everything we knew up to that point about Alexis and her past as well, and included a montage of scenes over the years.
NANCY: I think it was M.K. who put that together, but when you’re working at the pace we’re working now, to have to sit and put together a montage of twenty-five years, that’s not an easy feat. Nobody has time for that anymore, but they did it, and like I said, it was really, really appreciated. My only thought with it is that I wanted it to be relatable to other people. I didn’t want it to just be some, you know, self-indulgent Alexis episode. I knew that by bringing in the little girl and talking about people being hurt in their childhood and how that makes somebody feel that it was probably relatable to many people, and so it became meaningful to other people and not just me.
Do you think you’ll attend the Daytime Emmys? I know the last time you won you were not present.
NANCY: Yeah, I’m planning on it. I mean, barring anything happening! (Laughs)
Does it feel nice to be recognized by your peers?
NANCY: Of course, it does. It always does, and way too often, women who are still producing well in their jobs, don’t get the respect and the acknowledgment for it. So, that’s why I’m saying, this is no small thing, and that I want other women to know that I know that, and that I wish for them the same thing.
What was the reaction of your daughter, Kate and your fiancé, Richard, when you told them you were Emmy-nominated?
NANCY: Richie goes, “What is this? Your 18th nomination?” (Laughs). You know what I mean? It was just kind of like, “Yeah, sure, why wouldn’t you be?” It wasn’t like, “Oh, my God!” It was like they kind of expected that. That was nice! I’m glad they feel that way. I’m glad they weren’t surprised. They were like, “Sure! Of course, you would be. Why wouldn’t you be?” I said, “You know, it doesn’t always work like that!”
Photo: JPI
Now comes the part of having to find a dress and all that goes with it for the red carpet. Do you enjoy that part?
NANCY: No, I hate that part. That is my… oh ‘boohoo’, you know? I mean, I have to find something to wear. Also, the older you get, that becomes so much less important, and the more makeup, and the more hair, and the more foofy, the more ridiculous I look. I start looking like Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. You’ve just got to keep it simple.
You were talking about women and ageism. Do you not feel that also exists for men?
NANCY: It exists for men, but it’s not at all on the same par as women. I mean, men still get paid more than women, and men still are valued more than women. I mean, there are exceptions, but if you look in any place of employment, even the soaps, you will typically find the men making more money than the women, and the older the women get, the less they get. Life’s not fair right now. It’s fairer than it was, but still the equality game is not won yet.
Photo: JPI
I know how much all of this means to you in terms of equality for women, and people being run out of their jobs because of their age.
NANCY: It’s just a reality. It’s not something that I’m hopeless about, but I have a story to tell. I’ll tell it when the time is right. It’s life! It happens in every field everywhere. When my mom was 70, she was still producing the exact same way she was producing when she was 30, and she got run out, and was replaced by a man who was 40 or something, and there was no particular reason for it. It was just, “You’re done. We decided you’re done,” but like I said, it happens everywhere, in every line of work, and that’s why I just wanted to give a shout-out, when you still, after 36 years, can be recognized or shown respect or acknowledgment for what your do. It’s a very big deal that I am appreciative of and grateful for.
So, rooting for Nancy to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress prize? Happy she was nominated for her work in the the milestone episode devoted to Alexis? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and to tune-in to the 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 24th.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
NATAS Reveals Categories to be Presented at 49th Annual Daytime Emmys and Creative Arts & Lifestyle Ceremonies
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to Guest Star on UK Soap EastEnders
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
THIS IS US: Goodbyes and Connections; Rebecca Passes Away in Penultimate Episode
The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What’s Up With Elizabeth?
Y&R’s Eileen Davidson and Beth Maitland Honored with 40-Year Milestone Celebration (PHOTOS)
Tanner Novlan Talks Surprise Return to The Bold and the Beautiful
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
FRIDAY: Y&R Alum Michael Graziadei Featured in Netflix’s New Series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
DAYS Daytime Emmy Nominees: Arianne Zucker, James Reynolds, Stacy Haiduk & Lindsay Arnold Chat On Their Reels, Reactions, and Co-Stars
THURSDAY: General Hospital and All My Children Favorite, Michael E. Knight Livestream Interview
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Remembers Sheila Shooting Finn. .. and Her, Then Vows Revenge
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General HospitalMay 19, 2022GH Alum Sydney Mikayla Talks On Her Daytime Emmy Nomination, Decision To Exit & Her Former Co-Stars
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Days Of Our LivesMay 14, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
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General HospitalMay 15, 2022GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
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General HospitalMay 22, 2022General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn Chats On Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Performance and Its Significance
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As The World TurnsMay 18, 2022As the World Turns Alum Marnie Schulenburg Passes Away at 37
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NewsMay 17, 2022The Bold and the Beautiful Scores Biggest Audience in Over Two Years
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InterviewsMay 15, 2022The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
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Breaking NewsMay 16, 2022Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule
Hated it. It is not an anniversary celebration when GH loses once again a legacy character we were cherishing. It is not a celebration when Frisco and All I need get trashed.
RC and FV”s nostalgic way to trash nostalgia and bring on their own memorable regime. Sadly nostalgia is not in WHO you write for but in HOW you write for EVERYONE…OLD AND NEW…If all the networks wants is someone to trash daytime over and over…GIVE IT TO THE SUPERFANS…once you learn the schematics of writing ANYONE can write a soap…it’s all about STAMINA and a REALISTIC imagination…ANYONE with a modicum of intelligence can write a soap..a primetime show…a comedy…it’s all about the embrace and chase to be better..to make sense and still be relevant..It’s all in the MIND and the… Read more »
Huh?
You ok?
@davlestev1….I follow what you are saying ….I get it, and you are absolutely right. We, the viewers are being treated as witless idiots. We are expected to swallow the writers’s drivel without question….your quote…”Don’t feed me dung and tell me it’s hay is so apropos . I must ,however, disagree when you say that anyone with some intelligence can write. Unless one has a flair with the mighty pen, then no amount of intelligence will help. Take the time to read Shay’s writing…now, that is flair. By definition, nostalgia is a longing for long ago days….evoking both joy and pain……of… Read more »
Touche’, Chantal!!!!! I simply cannot comprehend Ron’s constant compulsion to denigrate GH’s most popular heartthrobs of the 1980’s and early 90’s…..he seems to have this unquenchable (and ongoing) need to destroy the characters’ reputations with off the wall storylines and comments, not to mention the morale of the actors and their fans with some of his more bizarre Twitter moments…first Jack Wagner was given a truly foolish exit, then Rick Springfield a far-too brief appearance and both have been made to look like cads and lousy fathers to their children. Tristan Rogers was handed a really abridged and unceremonious farewell… Read more »
Very True Shay. What was the point of having Noah cheat on Bobbie? It was so Bobbie can have a conversation with Scotty about infidelity? It was to mention the name Annie Logan in the anniversary episode? Bobbie couldn’t have a conversation about infidelity and point to countless examples in her life over the last 30 years? RC is a fool. He writes these silly plot points and either doesn’t take into consideration the fact that he is destroying a character’s reputation or he’s just doing it on purpose. The only thing the Carly flashbacks showed was how good the… Read more »
Jack Wagner’s character as Frisco and RIck Springfield’s Characer as Noah Drake looked like bad fathers long before RC/FV. How people forgot that Frisco left town and his family many many years ago when Wagner left the show. His character doing what he did was true to his actions.
Rick Springfield wasnt going to be on the show in order to explain Jackie Zeman’s possibly moving on to a romance with Scotty they had to break them up. Some people have nothing better to do but complain.
stop killing the kids on GH please stop it……………enough of it already so many dead:<( lazy writing past and present…………..would have been a great episode for me but the killing of AJ was the worst for me. I'm done…..
Shay, please write a novel, please!!!! Or perhaps a compilation of critiques of anything. I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful gift you have. Frankly, I am surprised you haven’t written a book…or have you? Is there something out there you have written that I can buy? …get my hands on? I am an avid reader of romantic novels….mysteries. Sometimes I need to escape from medical books.
Soaps 101, when you kill someone off, is it because there is nowhere else for the character to go. No new direction? If not, DONT DO IT! AJ was a Quartermaine, that alone should be reason to keep him. AJ was connected to Michael, Sonny, Carly, Liz, Ava, Monica, Tracy, and Ned. Now you give those characters one less person to act with. They killed several stories by killing AJ! Plus, when Jason comes back, imagine the scenes between those two brothers. Lately Ron and Frank, its one step forward with the two of you and two steps back!
I so agree with your statements:>)
The episode was a disgrace. A 51st Anniversary show that kills AJ Quartermaine and spits on his grave. Cartini have no respect for GH or its fans. Really, what was point of killing the character of AJ Quartermaine? Spite? Vindictiveness? Marking your territory? AJ dies, He follows the rest of the dead Q’s up the stairs into the light and then a BIG sign comes on, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It was so inappropriate that it was almost comical. But of course, no one is that stupid. It was deliberate. It was a total screw you to the fans. A message. It’s… Read more »
Spot on, GH50…spot on!!!! A total disgrace, indeed! As for the “Annie Logan” mention? That was just bizarre….although I have to admit, the first time I saw Rebecca Herbst as Liz Webber, I thought for sure she was going to be Jeff and Anne’s daughter….she does bear a passing resemblance to Susan Pratt!!! I was actually surprised that her mother was somebody else.
Yet you still watch and come on here and complain week after week. I don’t ge that. If I dislike something I stop watching and stop talking about it. BUt I think some people just come on here and complain for no reason.
Except for a couple of minutes at the start, there was essentially no tribute in this show. Rather than looking at pictures on a wall, how about pulling some old video of folks like Steve, Jessie, the Qs, The Webbers, etc. Way too many minutes wasted yesterday on the piece with Sonny and the old Carly. I’ve totally lost respect for the Sonny character with his shooting AJ. The scene of him lighting candles and kneeling to pray. Praying that he’s not caught? He has no remorse. I really liked AJ. I was hoping to see him recover and move… Read more »
I agree. Not only was it incredibly boring but very strange having all three Carly’s on the show and kind of a slap in the face to Laura Wright showcasing other Carly’s.
The whole AJ/Monica stuff was weird. Why would I want to see his death scenes on a 51st anniversary show?
What happened to real nostalgia?
Yawn.
I loved the episode very much. It is very painful that the Quartermaine family is never allowed to be happy! Why must they always suffer. Why must they all die? I am one of the current regimes biggest supporters. It’s times like this that I ask myself …..WHY????
only because the writers decided we did not need them guess loved the quarterfinals Edward was so family oriented he would do anything for his family Lila was so kind and loving Alan would help anyone that needed it we need more characters like these miss them all
I bawled my eyes out at the end, when AJ was taken to Heaven by Edward, Lila, Alan, and Emily. I, too, am so sorry to see another great actor given such awful material, opting to leave the show. It’s sad to see the Quartermaine family decimated.
Great recap!
Thought it was very clever and creative – Frank V. really excels at these special touches which is something considering they put out 250-ish episodes a year.
Wish DAYS would do more stuff like this sometimes – they don’t seem to think outside the box as much as GH does.
I agree, nice job. Soaps have been on TV for so long its tough to figure out something new to do for the fans.
Agree… Great writing and very good episode.. Been watching soaps for many years and continue to like GH and all the writers are bringing.. Fast moving and exciting and interesting.. not soo boring like Daaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyysssss.. that goes soooooooo slooooooooowwwwwwww…..
I thought it was done very well. I really like the three Carly flashback.
Thank you for today’s beautiful GH episode. The opening roll call gave me goosebumps. Honoring Carly/Sonny with the 3 actresses who played Carly was a treat and did not slow down story for gimmick or sentiment. Bobbie explaining to Scott that Noah Drake dumped her for former town virgin, Anne Logan, had me laughing out loud. The Monica, Emily and A.J. scenes were gold. Finally, A.J.’s ascent to heaven, seeing Lila, Edward and Alan on the way left me teary eyed. I heard myself say aloud (in an empty room, no less) “there they go, the Quartermaine family. One knitpicky… Read more »
I noticed that about Jason too. Maybe he figures it out later! I loved the episode, especially that they didn’t care if we saw flashbacks of the other 2 Carlys and even incorporated them into present day.
Well, we are supposed to believe that Jason is still alive.
Great point Joe, where is Jason? On earth, I suppose, frozen in time! Paging Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake!
LOVED the reference to Anne Logan, too! After all these years, they finally closed out her arc. Someday, I hope they figure out a way to bring back Brad Maule, too. Talk about waterworks waiting to happen…
Oh wow; you are right, Tony Jones’ photo was hanging on the hospital wall in the opening of the episode. Talk about a tear jerker, emmy worthy performance-Tony saying “good-bye” to BJ. I still remember that like it was yesterday.
Jason is in Genoa City serving coffee!!!
Er, no, Jason is frozen on a slab somewhere being experimented on by Robin.
I confess to reading this as I am on a writing deadline and have no time to catch the episode, now on the net…I’m glad I did. It is a lovely re-cap and doesn’t spoil a thing; I will leisurely catch the episode in due time and thank you so much! Looking forward!
There will always be people who are hard to please.
The carly thing was so clever and it worked sooooo well I love Laura but I loved Sarah and Tams just as much and it was such a fan service to let us see them again in such a special way. And as much as I would rather there be more Q’s around esp Alan they’re gone and it made for some rich scenes for Monica it was heart wrenching to hear her talk about how everyone shes ever loved died and that final scene was really lovely. I always preferred Billy Warlocks AJ to Seans and I’m kind of… Read more »
I miss Alan, too. Miss the Quartermaine’s. I have to disagree about Billy Warlock. I grew-up with Sean Kanan as AJ Quartermaine. Didn’t watch much when Billy played AJ. I wish the writers took advantage of Sean’s acting skills and wrote a great story for him-being in recovery and a possible love interest. Too much time has been spent on useless recurring characters, new recurring characters, and the tween scene.
Loved the Carlypalooza! It was brilliant idea of Sonny reminding Carly about what AJ did to them & Michael. Instead of Maurice Bernard talk to Laura Wright’s Carly about the landmarks in their relationship, he got to share the events of their lives with the actresses(Sarah Brown and Tamara Braun) who played Carly.
Disgusting episode!!!!!! This regime has NO clue what the fans want. Wow! Read a message boatd once in a while Ron!!!!!!
the episode was interrupted by late breaking news(gh airs at 2pm in colo springs) by obama press confres about obama care. just when sarah brown came on, and came back with tamara braun, so i gave up watching and will purchase the episode on itunes, no thanks to abc.
Try watching on YouTube. Daily episodes are posted of GH. Just need the free app. I watch everyday while at the gym, no charge.
If your cable company has OnDemand, GH episodes are also found under the ABC shows heading for free.
I am sad the Sean Kanan has left the show and that AJ is now dead ‘for real’. The Quartermaines were once the bread and butter of this show and it’s really sad that only Monica and Tracy are the only ones left. That said, it was a great episode with lots of flashbacks and historic moments. It’s very rare for a recast (Carly) to have flashbacks of the previous actors!
I loved the opening! Perfect tribute to characters we’ve loved over the years.
Seeing Sarah as Carly reminded viewer s that she is the blueprint of Carly. When Maurice said “this was supposed to be forever”, you kind of saw the look on their faces like there was definitely some unfinished business with there version of Sonny & Carly. With Tamara’s Carly, you saw the character grow & redefined while still having that edge. Maurice seemed very happy to see Tamara again. They got up around the set, interacted with each other in comfort, when Tamara talked about the meltdown, you can see the disappointment in both of their faces as the the… Read more »
i liked the episode but i think it should have been less sonny/carly scenes – where was michael??? he should have been there with monica after all aj was his father…………….
i must say monica & aj scenes were awesome!
The episode was good but why do they to keep putting Frisco down. Frisco and Felicia helped make GH what it is and they keep trashing him. They must really hate Jack Wagner. The scene with Monica brought me to tears!
It is shameful that did episode celebrated the decimation of the Quartermaine family and further glorified CarSon. It is a shame that they never get to pay for their sins. In the Gospel according to General Hospital, crime does pay. It is a crying shame!
The opening was ok…wouldve been better had we heard Steve Hardy in the background yelling ‘What the Hell has happened to my General Hospital!!!’…There was not much to celebrate watching a legacy character, especially a Q, being killed off…it was nice to see Mac, Felicia, Scott, Bobbi, Lucy, and Kevin but it felt like they were on their own show and not part of GH!!!
This was a sickening, emotionally manipulative, terribly written episode that showcased the absolute worst of what fans have HATED about this show for 15 years…since the Guza/Phelps reign of terror began. If you don’t like Carly…and the majority of viewers dont….this episode screwed you over 6 ways from Sunday. We were forced to relive the complete ugliness that defined Sonny and Carly. This was the way they chose to honour loyal fans???? I am shocked’and disgusted and appalled.
No doubt that Carly has been portrayed by 3 stellar actresses!! They have all been awesome. But…the trashing and eventual death of AJ was unnecessary and a slap in the face to the legacy of the Quartermaines
Even in death, AJ’s life is all about Sonny and Carly…and as an added bonus, Ava. We didn’t get a single flashback of AJs history. Instead we got three Carly’s screaming like a banshee. Each one got a turn. It was very nice to see all three, but it did nothing to move the story forward, was clearly was a stunt, and quite honestly distracting. If you want to use the old flashbacks, then use them. The audience has already made the recast leap with you. There was no need for three different actresses with no explanation. Can’t wait for… Read more »
Do yourself a huge favor and do not follow RC on twitter he is almost always out of control. The bottom line is every EP & HW from the beginning of time comes in and wants to put their rubber stamp on the show they are working on. My favorite time was the 80 & 90’s.
Yes I know well that RC is out of control. But in fairness there are a lot of nasty people out there who offer nothing constructive, just “You Suck”. Now he has also been known to be a bit overly sensitive to criticism, even constructive. The thing with the 80s and 90s is that they built on the decades before. Frisco started playing in Blackie’s band. Mac came on as Robert’s brother. This regime just creates characters out of whole cloth and then puts them front and center. I think it’s something like 13 new characters since they have started… Read more »
The Quartimaine mansion will get burned down…itll never be sold!
LOL! You are probably right about that.
MC you watch so you can come on the internet and complain about the show. By still wathcing you send no message at all . That is total contradiction. In the last 10 years or so of All My Children I stopped watching as I did not like what the show had become. I didnt watch every day and complain on the internet I simply stopped watching. IF you hate the show so much stop watching. Don’t claim loyalty to a show. Because loyalty means you dont hate on something.
There are a lot of things I don’t like about GH and I, as any other viewer has the right to vent, complain, gripe, bitch, moan and anything else that strikes us. There are few soaps left. Understatement. If people who complain, myself included, are still watching, perhaps it’s with the hope that THIS day it will be better or there’ll be a shift…or maybe for nostalgia…boredom?…curiosity? familiarity? Who knows…I do know that when Prospect Park debuted with their version of OLTL I watched a few episodes and lost all interest. THAT show didn’t even resemble OLTL. So, yeah, I… Read more »
Oh…and David…spoiler alert. I’m about to complain about this episode! I HATED IT! I agree with some others: An Anniversary Episode should not include the senseless death of a beloved legacy character…LOL…and as he ascends the stairs to Heaven they flash Happy Anniversary GH! Those of us who loved AJ and mourned his untimely demise were not “happy.” Not with the death of the character or the departure of Sean Kanan. I thought the dialog between Emily, AJ and Monica was devoid of emotion. I don’t know…a mom just loses a child…not to mention ANOTHER child!!! and she’s just discussing… Read more »
Very well said, rebecca1 and 100% correct!!!! I’ll never be convinced otherwise that that chirpy little “Happy Anniversary!” tag immediately following AJ’s ascension up the “Stairway to Heaven” was not purposely intended to inflame and insult GH’s (and Sean Kanan’s) most loyal longtime fans….it was Ron’s way of saying “Take that people!” I’m quite sure he was pleased as punch with himself as he laughed uproariously over his immature, none-too-thinly veiled middle-fingered farewell to both the Quartermaine heir and the actor who portrayed him….make no mistake, it was absolutely meant to offend. Well, mission accomplished!!! It is just that put… Read more »
I loved every minute of the Anniversary show! It was well written, well acted, and was very heartwarming. It also tugged at the heart strings at the end. Seeing the likeness of Lila, Edward, and Alan to help lead AJ to heaven was very well done. Using the GH steps to lead up to heaven and into the light was superb. I loved the Carly trilogy! Each of the different actresses did a wonderful job with the character of Carly. Love them all, and love Maurice (Sonny) in every scene he does! (Them darn dimples get me all the time)!… Read more »
Please keep in mind that Sonny is a murderer and a coward. If he were a real man, he would turn himself in. There is no excuse for what he did. By his own admission, he WANTED to kill AJ. Are you condoning this behavior? You prefer dimples to justice, is that it?
FAS…To respond to your post near the top of the page, let me first say you are most kind with your compliments, and perhaps a bit clairvoyant! In just the past month or so I have been jotting down character treatments for a possible novel, though nothing major at this point, just ideas upon which I’ve been ruminating for awhile…. but it was sort of spooky that you mentioned it! Other than that, my background has included extensive feature writing for newspapers and advertising-public relations copywriting, though none very recently…..let’s just say I moved on and life got in the… Read more »
Michael Fairman: I really love how you wrote this piece Michael. It brought me to tear’s, your writing of the Monica and AJ scene. Great Job Michael, I say this because, I actually saw the scene and was moved a 2nd time in you’re writing of it. Sarah Brown, better actress. Laura Wright, sexiest, prettiest, best body Tamara Braun, most compassionate & reasonable Carly, stilled played w/ the edge. Tamara: You are far prettier, put some weight on honey; your face is too thin, taking away from you’re natural beauty. Maurice Benard: Always on point. Thank you for serving us… Read more »
Frank and Ron hit it out of the park with the three Carlys. What luck that all three were available. So unique how they told the Carly stories and then currently dealt with Carly having to cover for Sony after murdering AJ. Thats the sad part, another Q gone! I wasnt as overwhelmed with the Quartermaines walking up the stairs to heaven because it had already been done so brilliantly before with Edward and Lila. Frank and Ron have to somehow rebuild the Q mansion with new family, half on Monica’s team and half on Tracy’s team.
I loved this episode and will most likely watch it a few more times!!! I loved the Carlypalooza!!! I loved seeing Sarah and Tamra and Laura… it all blended very well and it was a fun walk down the Carly and Sonny memory lane. I loved the nod to Annie Logan… a character I liked very much and wish we could have back again. The nods to so many were fabulous! I know Sean is leaving and all of the back drama around that… but I thought it was handled beautifully by everyone! The whole episode was great and yet… Read more »
As someone who started watching GH again at the beginning of their 50th anniversary celebration, I think it was well done. I missed the entire Sonny era beginning in the 90’s and think it was fitting to honor that whole thread that has contributed to GH because there was nothing about his contributions during the Nurses’ Ball last year. Like most fans who grew up with L&L, it’s sad to see how the rich Quartermaine history has been decimated. I agree that the excuse of “having nowhere to take AJ” is very lazy because as anyone can see from DALLAS,… Read more »
A great episode honoring some of the best characters on GH. Just seeing the back of Lila’s head had me in tears. Was surprised that AJ died, was sure he would linger in a coma and emerge as a new actor, but his death raises the stakes for Sonny, Ava, Michael, Carly and Monica. I don’t think Monica would hesitate to kill Sonny with her bare hands when she finds out!
Why didnt we see jason? Because he is supposedly frozen somewhere and just may return!! Wishful thinking! Amazing episode, the SonyCarly scenes took me back ages!!!!!! Well done!
I loved the episode and in particular the brilliance of incorporating the 3 Carlys. Don’t think this has been done before on any other soap. Saddest part was AJ dying and going to heaven with his family. Maurice Benard and the 3 Carlys were wonderful, as was Leslie Charleson – sad moments but the show goes on. Thanks for this very unique episode!
I absolutely adored the beginning of this episode, with the gallery of photos in the hospital of our beloved cast members that have passed away both on and off screen. Sean Kanan had so much potential as AJ Quartermaine. Unfortunately, he was not given the suitable material and storylines to play out. I was very excited to see him come back two years ago, as I adore the Quartermaine’s. The only AJ Quartermaine in my eyes is Sean, not Billy Warlock. As much as I loved the tribute episode, seeing many of our beloved, core, legacy characters, I am also… Read more »
I thought the beginning was good. I am sick of the ghost device being used in soaps to bring back characters that are dead– GH has been guilty of this a lot in the last year. The staircase up to heaven has touching and poignant when it was used to usher Edward up to heaven to be with Lilia — but this time it seemed silly and cliche as if they were thinking everyone like that when we did with Edward lets do it again. But it didn’t work this time, at least not for me—I doubt AJ would blissfully… Read more »
i liked the beginning it was so good to see the other carlys my favorite was tamara braun i wish they would bring her back for something. it was a real tear gerker. what is sonny gonna do when michael finds out he shot aj. and please, please, dont put liz and nickales back together iam tired of miss goody two shoes, and what did you do to luke i dont like this part he is playing. i am so happy about britt she got what she deserved i feel sorry for nickales he didnt deserved any of this he… Read more »
I was unimpressed with yesterday’s episode. Killing a Quartermaine off I’m never impressed with that decision. Super “humanizing” a mobster such as Sonny in a warm and fuzzy moment in a chapel with a cross as a backdrop is classless. Sonny just killed AJ and we’re celebrating him? The mob story line just about put GH in the grave just a few years ago so we want to go back down that line again?! Trashing former stars in the 51st Anniversary episode is low class! GH wouldn’t be on the air 51 years if it wasn’t for the those former… Read more »
You are right about Sonny’s placement in that religious setting being offensive…of all locations to put Carly and him as they wallowed in their immense hubris, unmitigated gall and hypocritical glory. It would have been different if either one of them had shown one ounce of remorse for their despicable past or present behavior toward the horribly wronged AJ, but to see them waxing nostalgic and commiserating in a chapel was in extremely poor taste.
Shay, I reciprocate your compliments and well- wishes. Your writing is amazing…the words simply jump out and grab my senses. I must admit, you are not the first to have labeled me as clairvoyant….’tis I, the witch, Alida, lol.
Yes, I do hope we will have the privilege of commenting on Gh, as long as it’s broadcast.
GENERAL HOSPITAL works best for me when the storylines are hospital- and family-based. I was tired of the mob plotlines and had hoped the series would minimize those when the golden anniversary neared and we moved into this new era. The current GH has so many characters and relies on so many cliches (endless resurrections and parentage games) and I get frustrated, BUT… I do like the actors and attention to history. Just would like a little more reality. Recently reviewed the Rachel Ames guest spot from a year ago. Her brief return as Audrey is what I would like… Read more »
i wish as in some spoiler sites that AJ would have asked Emily where Jason was. It was out there that Emily would say “It is not his time yet” so I was kinda of bummed
The Quartermaine family is officially gone. 🙁 The mansion will never be the same. Now we have Michael and Danny to carry the legacy, what a joke
While I can’t disagree with much of what the earlier posters have opined about how A.J. was treated since Sean returned, and that there’s still too much focus on Sonny, I absolutely loved seeing Sarah Brown and Tamara Braun as the earlier Carlys. I would have never anticipated seeing these actresses on G.H. again and thoroughly enjoyed watching them ‘live’ and in their flashbacks. I think Laura Wright is a fabulous Carly, but my choice for the definitive Carly is Sarah Brown, perhaps because she was the actress who introduced the character. I recall the few episodes early on when… Read more »
I think it was a huge mistake to kill off AJ. Too many writers, B&B and Y&R included, think stunts and stunt casting is what we want.
I want to be as emotionally invested in a soap the way I was with Guiding Light in the 80’s and 90’s.
I like these shows, but I can watch them in 15-20 min a day because theres so much fluff and filler.
GH is brilliantly produced, directed and acted. The writers obviously work very hard and are very creative. But it doesn’ t always work. They are really not attracting many new viewers in the last several months; ratings are pretty much stalled. And I think the reason is the show is too frenetic and choppy, too many mini-stories that last a few weeks then are put on hold so they can do a short arc for other characters. There was no need to kill off AJ; put him in a permanent coma. The Carly thing was weird but okay. This regime… Read more »
The one thing I would ask RC is keep politics out of a soap the cheap shot at Gov. Chris Christie was stupid and I do not live in NJ but really we watch soaps to get away from politics!
Seems that “someone” in the writing department has a peculiar preoccupation with portly politicians from the Northeast…first Rob Ford, now Chris Christie! Hmmmm…….
Are you kidding? My bet is that RC destroyed AJ because Sean Kanen is a political conservative and it went against RC’s leftist/liberal agenda. At least it is when SK tweeted something of a conservative bent that AJ first went into the woodwork….
I never implied that it was a positive “preoccupation.” On the contrary….it was an obvious dig at both politicians’ parties. For all his faults, Ford is a conservative, while Christie (although GOP) is a far lesser one, albeit still not a complete liberal. As for your assertion about Kanan and the repercussions he may have faced at GH, I would not be one bit surprised….he appeared on Fox’s “Red Eye” some time ago and very ably discussed his views on Israel. Since then, I have always suspected him to be a possible “Friend of Abe.” No wonder they have to… Read more »
No Hollywood liberal would see Christie as anything but an evil Republican. I am presuming you didn’t see msnbc for the last six months when that bridge deal was all they talked about day after night after day.
Please let us not talk politics . Let’s stick to the soaps which what this is for…
@Elizabeth….You correctly presume that I haven’t seen msnbc for the last six months….or any other time, for that matter! I refuse to waste my time on that garbage!!!! But you have nailed the Christie thing in a nutshell….he needs to go away and stay there.
YOU PEOPLE ARE NEVER HAPPY!!! I thought it was a great episode. Carlypalooza was very well done as was AJ’s exit. IMO, AJ may be a Quartermaine but I won’t miss the character.
I thought it was a great episode also. Have no complaints ..
Susan, I would be hapy not to talk politics…. if GH would do the same. Even on the official ABC GH Happenings site there is a tab for “political happenings”. Check it out – it basically mimics the leftist talking points of any poltical topic out there. If they want to use their brand for that then why shouldn’t I respond?
I was referring to (Shay) comments about politics not yours(Elizabeth)..
And I was merely initially responding to k/kay’s observation regarding GH’s unnecessary insertion of certain politicians as topics of conversation….that’s what got this whole ball rolling!!!! I simply thought it an odd coincidence that both pols mentioned were of obviously hugely rotund proportions as well as similar party affiliations….just saying!!! Never meant for this to become a political roundtable, although the ensuing comments made very valid points!!!!!
what a delicate way to put it…”hugely rotund proportions…” LOL.
Just calling them as I see them, rebecca1!!!! Lol…. ; )
The anniversary episode was AMAZING! I loved the scenes with Tamra Braun!
The opening tribute was great! The Carlypalooza a work of genius! Sonny & Carly are always fantastic! Killing A J – again – was the best thing since the character was written into a corner that in no way ever reflected the history of the character! The Lila & Edward ghosts were greatly appreciated – a big tip of the hat for that! No Jason & no mention from Monica a little suspect – she could have asked & Em & A J could have given her a look or said ” you will see him again”. Hopefully that will… Read more »
Hated all the Sonny/Carly krap. Enjoyed the Quartermaines, but killing AJ was unforgivable. Time for a new head writer!
Final word the end of the Q’s all done by JFP & Guza every death every write out so blaming RC for it is really stupid he brought AJ back from the dead a stupid move. If you are DEAD stay that way. I am not a big fan of most of his writing but the destruction of the Q’s did not happen on his watch.
I absolutely loved every single second of the episode, fantastic job by all involved!!! I was so thrilled that Leslie Charleson’s Monica was allowed to be the driving force of the episode, proving again what a treasure She has been over Her years on MY all-time favorite show, and that includes daytime and prime-time… It was so beautifully done from the opening to the final scene, and I have been a Fan for all My 50 years… It was NOT Frank and Ron Who wiped out the Quartermaine clan, rewrote the history of the Vets, ie: Laura, Rick Webber, etc…… Read more »
yes!!!!
I will join you with a BRAVO!!!!
((I don’t see RC/Team killing any one, they get frozen/cryonics..
they just need to be thawed out .. aha haaa ..
Actually, it’s BRAVI, all involved….plural. These guys are butchers not writers. They sit on their throne , wave their magic wand, and voila’ there goes another soap down the tubes.
Just made me miss Sarah Brown that much more. She’ll always be my favorite Carly. I can’t believe the continued destruction of the Q’s. I thought FV/RC would have more respect for the legacy of the show. Oh, Sonny, why are you still around? 🙁
I enjoyed the Carlys and all the flashbacks. The one who brought me to tears was Alan, even just from the back.
Are they going to have a special show every year until ABC cancel GH I can see 50 but 51 52 ect
Think positive. Hopefully GH will be on for many years to come..
about 20 minutes plus was MIA… due to Barack Obama that being said… the one stand out.. was seeing… My lovely.. Felicia, Mac, uber HOT Kevin, and Lucy i’ll catch the three Carly’s : hopefully, on YouTube it’s just a crying shame…. mind numbing : brain fart : catastrophic epic proportions… that AJ – A Quartermaine… is : GONE ??? respect for the fans : respect for the Serial : mind the history the one thing that boggles… and IS no surprise… Anthony Geary’ Luke: the womanizer : skirt chaser : dare I say, viagra for naught ??? this is… Read more »