General Hospital
General Hospital Celebrates 13,000 Episode Milestone! ABC7 Los Angeles Speaks With Frank Valentini and Maurice Benard!
Courtesy/ABC
This afternoon the cast and crew of General Hospital took a few minutes out of their work day to honor the series 13,0000 episode milestone of ABC soap opera!
Member of the press gathered as executive producer Frank Valentini presided over the cake cutting ceremony which also saw series star Maura West, Sean Blakemore, Maurice Benard, Kathleen Gati, Thaao Penghlis, William deVry, Finola Hughes, Rebecca Herbst, Sean Kanan, Ryan Paevey, and the executive in charge of General Hospital from ABC, Vicki Dummer.
After the cake-cutting, ABC 7’s entertainment guru, George Pennacchio nabbed the busy Valentini and long running series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) outside of the soundstages to talk about their 13,000 episode milestone and what to look forward to in the months ahead during the ABC 7 late afternoon newscast!
Find out what Frank said after the jump! And congratulations General Hospital another tremendous achievement!
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.
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
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
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
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (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)
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wow!! 13,0000 episode’s ..
Longevity at it’s finest ..
Maurice Benard (Sonny is a cornerstone of GH and has dedicated decades to Sonny.. why to go Maurice !!!!
Long Live GH!! till the 26,0000 episode !!!!!
I am happy to hear they are showing GH in the rec room in between Bingo and cracker time.
Good one, Harry!!! Sounds like someone was on a sugar high there. By the way, am I safe to assume that the snappy Sappy “cake crack” came from you, too???? Saw it in my inbox….(excellent observation….) but alas, it did not pass muster from “Mr./Ms. Moderator!” Hey….it happens to the best of us….more often than we would like to admit…. : )
Shay, wish I could claim credit for the ‘cake crack” comment, but alas, it was not me.
I am finding that any time I use the phrase “Sparkle Pony” my comments disappear. I swear this is worse than communism.
I’m kinda, a lil, bit, soured… on all the brouhaha…. doted on FV and RC
blech… on the writing of Scrubs…. this couple… my dream couple… coulda woulda shoulda been IN LOVE…. from the get go…. what’s the point now? I will back burner these two… and hope the writers give the fans respect and not pair….. Patrick and Sabrina….. it’s too much of an upheaval… writing is apparently all that… because… these two actors had chemistry in spades… untouchable…. what on earth happened…. shell shocked… till all the firestorm… ebbs… please give Dr. Patrick Drake a whole new direction
seriously… if GH wants to remain vital and score points with a chore audience… it is the Puerto rican… latin community that would enjoy Sabrina and Carlos… Carlos is good… he has that potential… and i’d dare say… Sabrina has had to vamp it up… amp up her acting chops… and it shows she’s not one dimensional.. and sugary sappy sweet honest to godliness…. enuf! comprende
where is AJ? I hope its not the destruction of AJ… he was doing so well at the Q manse with Traci and Monica… I wonder … if AJ and Ava coulda had a go round…. the bend… LOL…
Liz…. i’m stumped and have near given up… that this actor isn’t featured…. will the hiring of RIck Hearst be the catalyst at jump starting her resurgence?
I know it was big disappointment for Scrub fans, but I think they knew from the get go that Robin would not be on canvas for long, so they didn’t write the reunion the way it might have gone if they knew they had her long term. No sense investing in scenes of how great this couple is if they know they will be tearing them apart in few months.
As for Sabrina the way she told the story to Patrick about Carlos, one would think they would write some scenes where Sabrina’s old love for the guy would surface. If he had been her first big love, she should be torn– but she treats him more like an annoying older brother– so I too would like to see more of what made them a couple in the past, now in present tense– that would be nice.
As for Liz I really, really hope she ends up with Patrick. Personally I think there is potential for them. Don’t want him back with Sabrina, never bought he loved her, loved her— but I can see that kind of love forming out his friendship with Liz, especially when Robin leaves once again.
As for A.J. they should wrap that story– tell us who killed Connie and if they are truly writing the character off the canvas they should have go off to rehab and start a new life somewhere new– maybe to come back another time when they can really do the character justice.
I think that most of us are pretty nonplussed at this point, Patrick, and seeing Scorpio bidding adieu to Port Charles only compounds the disappointment and disgust! All the stops should have been pulled out to keep that marvelous man on the GH canvas…he’s a glittering gem of colossal charm, and would have been an awesome adversary to Thaao Penghlis’ returning Victor Cassadine. But hey, there are far more important efforts underway, i.e., the continued forcefeeding of “Sabzilla.” Just encountered a Frank quote on another soap website regarding the nurse’s preposterous pregnancy and he called it a “nice shot in the arm……..which keeps her viable and connected to Patrick.” (Delusional much there, Valentini?) So much for showing respect to “Scrubs” fans, not to mention that his very telling comment says it all….there has to be constant re-invention, poking and prodding to keep this character going since she has absolutely nothing to offer on her own. Talk about being tone deaf to the public’s very verbal responses. But that is just par for the course, isn’t it?….As for your suggestion to target Sobby and her Latin lover to their particular ethnic market, I’m just sick of the both of them and want to see them go, NOW! Good, gripping storylines, appealing, substantial characters and acting talent are universal….these elements matter so much more than trendy demographics when you are encountering a serial on a daily basis…and sadly these basics seem to have been sacrificed on the altar of “identity politics.” Let’s face it, there are many groups which are not currently being “represented” on GH, but it doesn’t mean that it deters those belonging to not tune in….that’s just life. In terms of AJ, it’s a true tragedy that SK’s considerable charisma and history with the show have been backburnered in favor of other really questionable plotlines….particularly letting his acquittal for murder going all but ignored whilst continuing his personal downward spiral. Really hope it is not an omen for his future with the show. Another huge disappointment is the ongoing lack of attention to Liz….would love to see her with Patrick, she was always my first choice for him, but in no uncertain terms do I wish for her to be reunited with that creep of an ex, Ric. His return is an unwelcome one for me…dude makes my skin crawl, and we already are having enough of those queasy moments with Scotty and Lucy’s nauseating lovefest….another hugely unnecessary plot machination, because, let’s face it, adultery is just so entertaining, particularly when a nice husband like “Doc” is involved! Oh well, it is what it is…just have to hold onto the few glimmering aspects like the uber-fab “Dr, O.,” Nik and Britt, the coming Cassadine tide and the legendary Shirley Jones and Donna Mills! February sweeps, here we come….
Congratulations to everyone at GH!!! That’s a huge accomplishment with probably 1,000’s of people responsible over those 13,000 episodes! GH is the best!!! Let’s have 13,000 more!
Hope this view reflects the future at GH?….Liz, AJ, Dr. O., Victor, Anna, Nik and well, yes more of the mob, but hey, you can’t have it all now can you???? The best part of this photo-op????? (Besides that yummy-looking cake, of course?) No Sabrina! And THAT is truly the icing on said baked good!!!!! Making a wish that it’s an eventual omen, even if not an immediate one…..At any rate, congrats GH on marking such an impressive milestone!!!!
IA about no Sabrina being in the picture. Her character is horrid, and she should leave town like Ellie and Spinelli. Heck…where is Epiphany’s storyline-how come we don’t know anything more about her than her being the mother of Stan?
I kind of liked Ellie.
Excellent question, Sharonda! I love Epiphany….she always makes the most of her far too limited screentime, and is exceptionally talented. I have never understood why her character was not expanded to include relatives…so she lost a son, that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have any other family? I repeatedly suggested that Felix should have been her nephew….that would have immediately given him credibility and they could have had a wonderful relationship around which to build a more substantial backstory for both of them. But instead we got him as an annoying, petty little busybody who is nothing more than Sappy’s lapdog…which makes him as non-persona grata to a lot of the viewers as she is!!!! P.S. Speaking of family ties, I also thought that it was a nice touch to make Brad related to those from the “Asian Quarter” storyline…it gave him some distance from Felix which he sorely needed. Between that GH historical heritage and his fling with Lucas, his character may just be redeemable after all….the only thing I would have added would have been to make his adoptive parents “Jade and Yank.” They were such a cute and cool couple from that era, and it would have been neat to hear mention made of them….maybe even have Tia Carrere and Patrick Bishop do a cameo as “Ma and Pa Cooper!” (Hey, they could have been in witness protection all these years, hence the surname!)
13 is and has been an unlucky no. for me in anything… Hopefully, its just the opposite for the show…lol…just wish there werent any ‘Houdini’ disapearing acts with certain characters like A.J. for instance…he was shown starting to remember the night of Connies murder…then suddenly not shown…i know its a large cast and actors cant be shown everyday but A.J.s story about Connies murder should be more front and center, and should be solved during at least by Feb. sweeps…i know it looks like Ava done it but i like Mary SFs idea better that it was Alice since she is a character rarely seen and could easily written out for long period but i want Ava to stick around!!! Maybe if it was Alice she couldve done the killing for A.J. but also for the Jeromes…let Alice be a secret member of the Jerome mob crime family!!!
The nurses ball again…great…just wish they wouldve taken my suggestion from a year ago and made it a 2 hr. live real fundraiser kinda like the Jerry Lewis telethon! Cant believe its almost been another year!!! Time flies when your having fun!!!
Prospect studios? Any connection to Prospect Park? Just curious!!!
At the 2015 nurses ball…on stage Patrick is tenderly holding Sabrina in his arms…and as they gaze lovingly into each others eyes, Patrick sings to a happily sobbing Sabrina, with the love he has felt for no other, ”You’re Having My Baby”…lol
That would have been nice. Instead, they made it Disney on Ice starring Sparkle Pony.
It’s so sad to see Sean Kanan there when rumors are flying that they are going to let him go. I bet they didn’t even let AJ has some cake just like the guy from the movie Office Space.
If they are stupid enough to let Sean go, I hope he at least gets to keep his red stapler.
GH is on fire and always entertaining with some kick butt acting..In my opinion the best acted show in daytime..I am so happy it got “renew” by ABC..Here is to more 13,000 episodes!!! AJ and Carly have some serious chemistry and I hope the writers sense that and get a story going there and lets wrap up the Kate/Connie murder and hopefully it is not Ava, since this character is so deliciously entertaining!! Maura you rock!!
Go, GH! I still don’t get Sonny’s popularity. Women want to save “bad boy” Sonny?? Makes no sense to me.