General Hospital
General Hospital Celebrates its 61st Anniversary
Today on April 1st, marks the 61st anniversary of the juggernaut television series, General Hospital. Now in its sixth decade of drama, the series continues to break milestones.
Having premiered on this day back in 1962, the soap opera went up against another new drama, The Doctors. That show lasted 19 years on NBC, while GH survived and has served up memorable supercouples, social issues of our time, complex and interwoven interpersonal and familial relationships of the lives of the people in the town of Port Charles.
When the series debuted back in 1963, it featured legacy stars, the late John Beradino and Emily McLaughlin, as Dr. Steve Hardy and Nurse Jessie Brewer. Back in 2015, Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) portrayed the character of Jessie in a flashback for the show’s 52nd anniversary.
Photo: JPI
While GH found itself on life-support before iconic executive producer, Gloria Monty flipped the switch in 1978, it eventually became a massive ratings winner culminating with the 1981 wedding of Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis).
In the early 90s under EP Wendy Riche, topical stories such as the HIV/AIDS crisis, the Nurses’ Ball and BJ’s heart transplant storyline became synonymous within the history of the soap.
Photo: ABC
As General Hospital firmly moves into its sixth decade, fans have Jason (Steve Burton) back on their screens, Sonny (Maurice Benard) in a precarious situation with his mental health, new alliances and betrayals, and love stories featuring many fan favorites being served up to keep them coming back for more of their favorite soap.
Photo: ABC
Heading into its 61st season, Frank Valentini remains the executive producer, while Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte are the series head writers.
Share your congratulations to General Hospital on its anniversary, and let us know what story first got you hooked to the ABC daytime drama series via the comment section below.
I watched the premiere of General Hospital on April 1, 1963. I was young at the time. I was immediately hooked by Jessie Brewer RN, Dr Steve Hardy and Lucille March RN and remained a regular viewer until 2005. Happy anniversary GH.
What happened in 2005? Do you watch one of the other 3 soaps? Just always curious about the “non viewers” that always post.
Myself, watching since 1978 thanks to the Betamax.
I started watching in summerof1970. In 75 went to Days of our life until 94. I retired in Jan 2016 and been hooked on GH ever since I love all the characters except Nina.(yuck)
OMG, love “the non viewers that always post” So true, they’ve always got to get their 2cents in, right?
Thanks Violet. By their own admission… it would appear to be 19 years since last tuning in. I would suggest they come back and see what’s been happening. GH is doing well in my opinion… and good, bad or good enough.. I appreciate that it has been with many viewers since the start, and happy they have stuck with it…
You spoken words of truth about non-viewers. It happens to all the soaps. I’m a non-viewer but I don’t go to sites “rip” soaps by reading spoilers because in today’s climate and rise of social media it’s a cesspool of haters and non-viewers opinions. I’m respectful because every person has their favorites. I grew up in CBS household and I’m 63 still am a viewer except BB isn’t must see for me. I so agree with what was stated.
Llanviewer717, your GH history is similar to mine. Yet I started watching a few years later (in 1969). I, too, liked Steve, Jessie, Lucille, as well Audrey and especially Diana and Peter.
I also quit watching in 2005, largely because I had had enough of Sonny, Carly and the Mob — never dreamed that mess would last this long. I only return for special episodes. But I will always think fondly of those early years…
In response to GH fan and Jamesj75: I loved GH from day 1. I got my grandmother hooked (she hated television) on the Jessie and Phil story and then Steve and Audrey. During the school year, she watched and kept me updated. After she died, I watched when I could and kept up with the soap magazines. I also got hooked on the very first day of One Life to Live and stayed with them until the last episode from Prospect Park. As you can see, I’m very loyal. I watched All My Children off and on.
I stopped watching GH in 2005 because by then it had become Mob Hospital. With all due respect to the talents and hard work of Maurice Benard, Sarah Joy Brown, Tamara Braun (whom I loved), Jennifer Bransford (who, IMHO, wasn’t given a fair chance) Laura Wright (who does a bang up job), and Steve Burton, I just couldn’t take it anymore. All shows grow and evolve. But, GH changed so much that it is unrecognizable and no longer of interest to me.
Like you Jamesj75, I stop by for special episodes – when Nora Buchanan or Blair Cramer came to town. The Bobbie Spencer memorial episodes were absolutely excellent.
Thanks for sharing. I too watched OLTL from 1978 til the very end. I do wish ABC could do something more with OLTL.
I loved OLTL but so many years have passed since its end. And, unfortunately, the actors who played Asa, Rene, Clint (both actors), Antonio, Tina, have passed. I’m not sure it could ever recapture what it once was….
With Vickie, her children and grandchildren, and Dorian and the Kramer girls.. I am certain ABC would be off to a good start. No reason real life and time couldn’t be accounted for, much the same was as life has happened to us viewers. I loved watching OLTL and GH with my mom who passed in 2009, and there are moments in GH, such a Jaclyn Zemans memorial episodes…I could almost see my mother out the corner of my eye, sitting there, watching it with me
Nothing like warm memories and things that evoke them; certain scents, sounds, holiday and yes, soaps or other shared experiences. But; dunno. I literally hated the attempted online version of OLTL after its’demise, even with some of the ABC OLTL characters coming aboard. They had already changed the show so much. And now? I guess if they could bring it back to network TV it could be an interesting attempt and I’d definitely tune in, but I have to admit I just can’t see it working; more than half the cast would be new characters, and thus it’s not the same show. It’s kind of how I feel about GH now; the vets are hanging on by a thread and more and more new characters, many non-related to the legacy families, are being introduced. That’s a departure from what has typically been the soap genre; core multi-generational families…
Without the aforementioned characters (and the actors who played them): Clint, Asa, Rene, Tina, Antonio…basically all the Buchanans gone but for Bo, even the best villain on the show (in my opinion) Mitch Lawrence played by Rosco Born (sp?) passed in real life, it would just be a different show…
Sigh. Nothing stays the same.
You are correct “nothing stays the same” … but I still read a recluctiance to understand life happens everywhere and time passes.
OLTL did represent many diverse ethnic families.. and hopefully your request for this could happen in a new version of OLTL v3.
I actually only started watching GH in 2008/9/10? after both Guiding Light and As The World Turns ended for I was a loyal CBS soap fan, but many of my favorite actors made their way over to GH. I appreciate the storytelling so that I am kept in the loop of the long standing history of characters, family ties, and storylines. I very much hope that GH goes further than 62 years. Nothing can replace Daytime Soaps (even though I DVR all of them and watch sporadically throughout the week).
Been watching since day 1 !! After school! Than when VHS came about i recorded it everyday!!
Congratulations GH !!!
I loved GH in the 1970s and 1990s best.
You know if their is negativity it’s not because no one cares I think older viewer s just are disappointed they does not make anyone cruel I am in my 50 ‘s and yes I want my show back if that makes me a ass then bring it on .
Congrats to GH on 61 years, here’s to many more years!!
Been watching since 1993. I was home from school sick, I had a crush on Jonathan Jackson who played Lucky (I was 13 at the time), so I decided to tune in one day. The Luke and Laura return storyline was just beginning. It was the episode that had the fire at the Triple L diner, and the rest is history, been hooked ever since. Haven’t missed a show in 31 years. Used to record it on my VCR every day, now I watch on Hulu, how times have changed, lol.
I hope GH is on for many more years to come. Contrary to some people that post on soap websites and social media that need to get a life, that seemingly get their jollies from wishing and hoping to see the show get canceled, as long as there is a General Hospital on the air, I’ll always be watching!
I became a fan in the ‘80s during the “Luke and Laura” era. I also applaud the soap for addressing relevant life issues such as HIV/AIDS and, more recently, same sex relationships.
I drifted away from the soap but was reeled back in eventually——mainly because of my crush on Steve Burton who plays Jason Morgan.
I love all of them so exciting to watch every day keep up the amazing work
I’ve watched GH off and on since the Luke and Laura era. My favorite characters were Lucky, Liz, Nicholas and Emily. I also love the era and cast from 2005 through 2010. The sweeps crisis episodes were all so good, especially the Metro Court hostage crisis, epidemic crisis and the black and white ball. I do miss the medical cast featured during that era.
And as odd as this may seem, I miss the GH opening theme song and montage video featuring the cast in the opening credits. I don’t watch other soaps but I did recently see Y&R still uses the shows traditional opening theme song (with beautiful cast photos) and so does Days. I wish GH would bring back a revised version of the original theme song.
I started watching GH during the spring of ‘78. .Leslie was taking the blame for killing David Hamilton to protect Laura.Been hooked ever since!
Is anyone old enough to remember Howie Dawson and his wife? Oh, the troubles this man got in to.
I most certainly do remember Howie and his long suffering wife, Jane. He put that poor woman through hell with his constant lies and infidelity. Howie and Jane were very entertaining and went on for several years. Oh the good old days.
Sadly, Ray Girardin died in 2019. As far as I can find, Shelby Hiatt is still among the living.
GH has always been the comfort we need at the end of a long day. My escape into the town of Port Charles has been a constant since I was 10 years old. Now, 30 years later, I feel so grateful that it is still on the air, entertaining a loyal fan base decade after decade. Congrats to GH!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nikolas Gets an Earful from Ava About Sonny and His Meds; Nina and Drew Can’t Seem to Resist Each Other
Ava (Maura West) seems to feel she has a confidante in a jailed Nikolas (Adam Huss) on the Monday, April 29th episode of General Hospital. In story, Ava heads to Pentonville to visit her ex-husband before he is set to get transferred out of state.
When discussing her living relationship with Sonny (Maurice Benard), which Nikolas already knew about, Ava says she is happy about how her relationship with Sonny has been evolving, Nikolas ask if she’s in love with Sonny. Ava denies it, but goes on to say how great it is for her daughter, Avery to be living with both her parents, who are on the same side and not at odds.
Nikolas believes that Ava loves being in Sonny’s inner sanctum and the power that comes with it. Ava fires back that she spent years looking in from the outside and that everyone despised her. When Nikolas brings up Nina (Cynthia Watros), she says Nina never really could understand the true type of man that Sonny is.
Courtesy/ABC
Then, Ava launches in on Carly (Laura Wright), and how she would love to stick it to her, for all the times she blocked Ava from seeing her child and Carly’s attitude towards her. Then, Ava admits to Nikolas that she knows that Sonny has a watered-down version of his bipolar medication, which is making him more vulnerable and she’s capitalizing on it for her own gain. She says she needs to figure out who is responsible, but Nikolas voices concern for Ava’s plan and that if Sonny ever found out she knew about it and did nothing, he would be on the warpath against her. Ava promises she knows what she’s doing. When she says goodbye to Nikolas, he looks upset and sad, as he still seemingly cares for Ava.
Courtesy/ABC
Meanwhile in Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) office, Nina walks in complaining about Carly giving her a hard time about maintenance in her office. Nina wants payback for Jason (Steve Burton) buying Carly the hotel, but Drew is not up for playing games with her. She says they both want revenge on Jason and Carly, which Drew denies. Next thing you know, Nina grabs Drew and kisses him. Although, it seems he might walk out the door and away from her, he locks it, and the two proceed to have round 2 of their hate-sex.
Courtesy/ABC
Elsewhere, Anna tells Jason about her shooting Charlotte and her concern about Valentin’s (James Patrick Stuart) involvement with Pikeman. Meanwhile, Valentin visits Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure) in Pentonville, where threats are laid out to make Sonny look like the guilty party in eliminating Jason, while Anna is the line of fire, if she doesn’t keep her nose out of Pikeman business, which worries Valentin, who doesn’t want Anna getting hurt in any of this.
So, what do you think about Ava’s plans? Did you like seeing Nikolas back on the canvas? Are you all for a Drew/Nina continued affair? Will Anna get caught in the crossfire only to be saved by Valentin? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash
Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.
The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.
According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.
Courtesy/ABC
According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.
Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”
Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.
Photo: Pasadena PD
Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.
The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.
Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.
So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.
General Hospital
GH’s Laura Wright Previews How Carly Gets Clued-In to Sonny’s Behavior: “All the Questions That Anybody Would Have, We Hit on Them”
This week on General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) seems to be close to figuring out what is going on with her ex-husband, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or is she? In the latest promo for the ABC daytime drama series, looks like Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) have a plan to bring Sonny down … eliminate Jason (Steve Burton) and make it look like Sonny is responsible.
Meanwhile, Carly gets an earful from Nina (Cynthia Watros) that Ava (Maura West) had a lot to do with getting Nina to sell her portion of the hotel back to Jason, her interest is piqued.
According to Laura Wright during her chat with Soap Opera Digest, Carly has a growing concern over Sonny’s current roomie, Ava Jerome, and the mobster’s paranoid and irrational behavior recently.
Courtesy/ABC
Wright shares about Carly, “She doesn’t trust Ava for a moment.” Then in a great teasers, Laura reveals “All the questions that anybody would have, we hit on them. I’m excited.”
So, will Carly figure out just what Ava is up to? Will she learn that Sonny has been fed the wrong pills that are not controlling his bipolar disorder thanks to Valentin? Stay tuned.
Check out this week’s promo for GH and then let us know, what do you think Ava is up to exactly? Is she in cahoots with Valentin or operating separately? Will Jason and Sonny be led down a path where the two try to eliminate each other? Share your theories in the comment section below.
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nikolas Gets an Earful from Ava About Sonny and His Meds; Nina and Drew Can’t Seem to Resist Each Other
Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash
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