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General Hospital Turns 59 Today

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Today on Friday, April 1st, General Hospital celebrates its 59th anniversary on the air and continues to be the longest-running American soap opera.  It debuted on ABC back on this day in 1963.

The show, which has told the story of the lives of the doctors, nurses and patients at GH, and later expanded into a soap about the town of Port Charles and its families, citizens, and mobsters has won a record 14 Daytime Emmys as Outstanding Drama Series.

Photo: ABC

It was created by Frank and Doris Hursley, and is currently written by co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and executive produced by Frank Valentini.

Original series stars John Beradino (Steve Hardy), and Emily MacLaughlin (Jessie) were the mainstays of the show back in the 60’s and were joined a year later by Rachel Ames (Audrey Hardy).

Photo: GH

Nowm the core families of the Quartermaines, Corinthos, Cassadines and more provide the romance, lust, high stakes drama, danger, mystery, love, and more, making GH one of the finest in its genre.

Happy 59th anniversary to the cast, crew and creatives for keeping GH a must-see for all soap opera fans and TV viewers for 59 years.

Now, share your congratulations to everyone at General Hospital via the comment section below, and if its your favorite soap on the air let us know why, too!

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Happy bday GH, I’m so glad your part of my daily life, and here’s to many many more.

I am 59 this year too. I cannot recall a time in our house without GH. I think about the characters and stories from the half-hour episodes I saw after school. The excitement of Luke and Laura was unforeseen. I have not fully enjoyed the heavy mob-influenced stories or the eye-rollingly impossible resurrections but in six decades, there is more to celebrate than to deride. My other favorites, All My Children and As the World Turns should still be with us too.

Ok lakovos, how I miss ATWT! I used to love watching when we’d visit my feisty Scottish grandma…she’d spot a character on a show and just blurt out, “She’s a slut!” Or words to that effect. What memories of Nancy’s kitchen, the old Oakdale hospital, Bob and Lisa, Lisa and Grant, Lisa and…well, you get the picture. Golden days!

Congratulations to “General Hospital” on its 59 years, but a slight correction to the post. GH is the longest-running American soap opera ON TELEVISION. The distinction is important because “Guiding Light” remains the longest-running American soap opera overall. 72 years, starting on radio in 1937 before moving to TV. We loyal fans still miss it (but I’m very entertained by GH these days).

Yes and I watched that premier episode. I was immediately hooked by Jessie Brewer and Steve Hardy and Lucille March and even Phil Brewer. Those were the good old days. Happy Anniversary General Hospital and many, many more!!!!!!!!!!!!

LlAnview717
Just FYI. Lucille March, aka Lucille Wall played on two radio shows at the same time in the 40s thru the 50s. Probably wasn’t that hard to do as they were only on for 15 min.She played an attorney, reminds me of Alexes. Was called Portia Faces Life and she also played Lorenzo Jones wife Belle.

Kudos to the current cast members who’ve been part of the show for at least half of those 59 years…

Leslie Charleson
Kin Shriner
Genie Francis
Jackie Zeaman
Tristan Rogers
Finola Hughes
Kristina Wagner
Lynn Herring
John J York
Wally Kurth
Jon Lindstrom
& Maurice Bernard

Steve, thank you for that documentation. I like virtually all of the characters played by these actors, and their tenure is quite an achievement.

Wow. GH is only 4 months younger than myself! Hopefully more good years to come as GH remains the No 1 soap with writing. Just figure out what to do with Sonny and Carly please! And bring back Steve Burton as woke ABC made a big mistake.

I bet Sonny and Carly wish they looked like that old picture. Especially Sonny who seems to like and admire his grey hair and grizzled beard.

Hey Violet

Got to chime in and say that I usually appreciate when a performer embraces the gray. John York went natural and Mac still looks fantastic. Kudos to Benard for doing the same. On the female side, Jane Elliot rocks the gray/white.

Steve
I agree with you thoroughly, except for M.B and Michael on Y&R as he’s let it get so long and unbecoming. Sonny’s hair looks oily and sorry, but its nothing I’d want to run my fingers through, coupled with the nasty old beard. .Now take Gregory Harrison, and Michael E. Knight. They know how to sport that silver grey hair.

Violet, my friend, don’t get me started on Sonny’s recent appearance. It’s pretty sad when a confrontation with so lowly a character as Esme ends with our fearing for SONNY! That silly grin and Grizzly Adams look just ain’t working for him.

Congratulations! So happy GH is still going strong. I started watching It from the beginning, when I was in high school, and the story line was about Angie and Eddie. Loved Jessie, Phil, Steve and all the others. Especially, Audrey’s sassy-mouthed sister, Lucille. It got me through both, the good and challenging times. Loved it even when the writing wasn’t always stellar. Will continue to watch as long as it continues.

Happy Birthday General Hospital started watching soaps sence I was 9 my dad committed suicide my mother had my brother 2 weeks later so we moved to Michigan to live with my grandparents. My grandpa got me into soaps. I’m 70 and still watching so happy birthday many many more.

Lynn
So glad you had the Soaps to help you through such a bad time. They have been there for me most of my life and are like extended family. I’ve tried to stay loyal to most of them save DOOL which I’ve gone without watching due to the crazy Devil story line they have been pursuing for months.Maybe some day they will get back to normal, I miss the real show.r

Did anyone else not get the show today, the 14th? I had to watch it on Utube. If you missed it, nothing happened, boring.
B&B was not shown yesterday and thought we’d see the rooftop scenes with Sheila and Taylor today,, Wrong! They just showed Thurs.show.

Violet
I’ve had this issue a few times (always on the 2nd day after a preemption). It seems ABC, or whoever controls the DVR listing, makes an adjustment on the 1st day after (in this case Wednesday) so that records, but the 2nd day after (Thursday), the DVR thinks is a repeat because it had the same description as the original Wednesday show.

Confusing and annoying indeed. I catch it on the ABC app on those days (and “suffer” through commercials).

I’ve had the same issue, Steve. I tried revising the recording instructions to record all episodes, first run AND repeats. That works for Y&R but for some reason, not with GH. Go figure.

Steve
Thanks so much. I’ve been calling my Cable Co. when this happens blaming them.My goodness, how did you ever figure all that out?

This is why I’m happy we have Hulu in Hell, and I just happened to catch their “Black Friday” special last November so I’m only paying $1/month for a full year. No more worries about news interruptions… unless they preempt the whole show….. though I’m not entirely sure that there should have been a national pre-emption because of what was essentially a local news story in NYC

Iam realizing they inserted those scenes into today’s show and think I might change my mind about Sheila saving Taylor’s dumb butt! It’s nice to be grateful for having had someone save your life, and then to throw all your brains out in the process is beyond me. I wonder if Taylor will stand up for her when she finds out she tried to murder her daughter, after killing her own son.

Since Jason left and sonny has turned soft towards nina the show is getting boring. I have watched it for 50 years and now I am wondering if it is worth my while for first time I have fell asleep watching it this week. Bring the sunny jason duo drama back

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

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Josh and Kristen

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.

The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.

Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC

WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?

Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.

So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?

Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.

Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

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Kin and kelly

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.

Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.

In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Serena and Jason

Courtesy/ABC

WHERE IS SCOTT?

On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.

In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”

The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.”  Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.

So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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