General Hospital
Katie Couric's New Talker Brings In Highest Numbers For Daytime Talk Show In A Decade!
Courtesy/ABC
Katie Couric’s new daytime syndicated talk show, Katie pulled in some heavy duty numbers in its premiere episode yesterday.
After all the hype and the media-blitz, people tuned-in to see what the former news anchor had in-store for them which included guests, Jessica Simpson, which many felt was a Weight Watchers infomercial) and Sheryl Crow, who made a remark that she may have gotten her cancer through her cell phone.
But with all that being said, the numbers are in and Katie, according to The Hollywood Reporter, “pulled in a 2.8 household rating and an 8 share in the top 56 markets. That ties the 2006 premiere of Rachael Ray for the biggest premiere numbers for a daytime talker since Dr. Phil in 2002. Couric, who built on the lead-in from the recently displaced General Hospital by 12 percent, also bested the second-season premiere of Anderson Cooper’s talk show. Anderson returned to a 1.3 rating and 4 share.
New talkers; The Jeff Probst Show and The Ricki Lake Show which also premiered yesterday, came in at a 1.0 rating and a 3 share, and a 0.8 rating and a 2 share, respectively.
So soapers, did anyone check out the premiere episode of Katie? If so, what did you think? Are her impressive first day numbers an indication that yes indeed, Katie is here for some time to come? Weigh-in!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
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No fffffing way….ever……..
Nope she wasn’t even on ABC in my area of OHIO, “Katie” was on NBC. I still won’t watch her show.
Katie is on NBC where I live also (FL.)..
Remember it doesn’t matter what channel she airs on…Katie is owned by ABC/D.
Didn’t watch! Came to your sight to see how she did. Come on OLTL fans & other soap fans, remember to boycott!! Even if I wasn’t boycotting, I wouldn’t watch – Just doesn’t interest me!!
It just doesn’t interest me either…………Anyway Katie is on (wesh) NBC on my cable co. Katie is on at 2:00p.m. … The same time GH is on…You know what I will be watching of course, that’s GH……………. Without a doubt….. Katie’s ratings will go down…Everyone was just curious and won’t last….This will be a first time thing…It’s NO DRAMA by no means !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure BABBLE!!!!! Yakty Yak TALKing show…………..A lot of crap-polla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A premature first day….Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched…..Ka ka Katie !!!!
So ABC is on one of our many screens at work… so when I looked at the screen today, I saw that her audience looks to be all women! That would drive me nuts! I like ‘variety’. te he he
that’s why I like my soap! 😀
I am with you 100%. It will always be OLTL or nothing for me.
I’m not boycotting Katie, I just dont have any interest in her show. I have read where she spoke up in favor of having GH in the time slot before her show for a better ratings lead in, but as mentioned above, not all areas carry her show on ABC so how this truly plays out in or out of GHs favor remains to be seen.
Tali has sure become a popular name around here.
I have no interest in another talk show. I would love to see OLTL back! I’m going to go read a book which has a plot and characters (unlike talk shows!)
I didn’t know there were 2 of us!
3 of us. There’s a Tali Smith that posts here too occasionly.
Correction : Occasionally.
I’m the Tali with a capricious autocorrect.
Sad.
I didn’t watch her. Nor will I. I can’t stand her. Plus she’s on against Ellen in our market, who is infinitely more talented and likeable.
Ellen comes on at 3:00p.m. on NBC where I live………..
I did not watch Katie and I don’t intend to. Nothing personal against her but I am just not interested in a talk show at that hour. Two o’clock has always been General Hospital time for me.ABC made a mistake canceling One Life To Live IMO.So I will watch GH in the new time slot and then probably turn my TV off .
I don’t watch talk shows at that time either….Never have and I refuse to change…Daytime belongs to the soaps (Drama in the afternoon)…….I refuse to watch info/reality/talk/cooking shows……..I want my stories & love in the afternoon…My little escape in the afternoon…………….NO KA KA KATIE for me !!!!
I recorded from 1pm to 4pm — didn’t trust that ABC station for not telling us the time for GH, especially after every promo by the network telling us it was going to be at 1pm – even the people on the Chew said it was going to be on next. (only caught the last minute of the Spew on the recording)… however, it was not on next. It’s still on at 2 in the same place it’s always been.
I only watched the opening of Katie’s show – thought it was still the soap! ha! the opening she is dreaming and then talking to the unseen husband … which turned out to be Matt Laurer. Ha! But didn’t watch the show… at least not yet.
My viewing isn’t counted, but I imagine many were checking the show out, at least for the first show.
Is there a map to show where GH actually changed times?
my station was nice enough to let us know its new schedule, can’t believe so many people are confuse on gh new time, its different in every market, you would think the station you watch would tell you of any time change.
yeah you’d think… I kept waiting for my station to have their own blurb about the time not changing, everything the network said it was – even a ticker tape strip, or verbal announcement. Nope! Nothing! I’m sure they had a lot of calls on Monday!
Maybe since she had the excellent lead in she does, they will leave GH alone!
I’m really not interested in watching Katie but if it keeps GH on the air then great!
I still wouldn’t watch her, maybe if she was on a different network I’d might watch. Never on ABC.
I didn’t watch, but good for Katie I guess. I want the daytime drama to make a comeback but they have to make some changes. The focus has to be on quality storytelling and not appeasing the egos of TPTB. Fans will tune in to see quality storytelling, but will tune out for mediocre writing. Time is money and people can no longer afford to spend five hours a week watching a mediocre TV show. This is a dig at the writers and producers of daytime drama, not the actors. Daytime actors are some of the best actors ever. That’s the only reason I tune in anymore, to watch my favorite actors work. Other than that, if I want good storytelling I watch a primetime drama or read a good book.
I live in Tulsa — the 40th largest city in the nation and my ABC affiliate isn’t carrying her show. Instead it’s:
12 pm – The Chew
1 pm – General Hospital
2 pm – Ricki Lake
3 pm – Anderson Cooper
4 pm – Local News
I live in Fl……………….12:00p.m. – abc news for 1 hour, 1:00p.m. The chew, 2:00p.m. Gh (abc) , 2:00 p.m. Katie on (NBC), 3:00p.. This harvey guy is on.(another talk show bolney show)…………And at 4:00p.m. is Dr. Oz (ABC) . And the news on ABC at 5:00p.m……..
In seattle: 11a-news, 12-spew, 1p-GH, 2p-Doctors, 3p-Dr Oz, 4p-News. This was truly a move for affiliates.
Katie on NBC at 4p in Oprah/Ellen’s old time slot.
Nope and I don’t plan on it.
I bet many viewers tuned in to see GH but Katie was in it’s place. Ratings should drop every day.
Yeah, I agee! makes you wonder if her “biggest ratings for a daytime show” are many people turning to want to see their soap and got her instead.
‘Katie’ is syndicated so on NBC or Fox or ABC – depending on tv affiliate/market. Lead-ins also vary by affliate/market. So it will take several weeks (or more) to get a real indication of this show’s ratings impact/popularity.
katie couric is a goddess. love that woman. looks like her show is a hit. please cancel general hospital already. the show will not be back next year. the show will not be around get used to it soap fans. katie couric rules. she is a hit. people love katie couric. im a big fan of hers. time to cancel general hospital. love the young and the restless and days of our lives.
I know you are kidding, Lew-SERIOUSLY DUDE.
This is weird! Not the same Lew. I would never say to get rid of GH!
You know, I thought something was weird about this! Thanks for writing back Lew. (the REAL Lew)
You’re kidding, right?
As for cancelling GH, I don’t watch it, but as a long-time soap fan [DOOL], I completely support the ABC soap fans & sympathize with the cancellations of AMC & OLTL. Gee, have a heart. ABC has done enough damage to the soap world. Don’t encourage them to cancel yet another one.
That was not my post
Katie who?
te he he
umm, what were the numbers for gh in its new time slot? who cares about Katie.
GH pulled in a 2.5 on the same day.
I think GH’s numbers are pretty good for that.
I agree with some of the others, Katie’s numbers will go down and possibly (though I hope not), stabilize at lower numbers. It is just like when Conan O’brien took over the Tonight Show. I was one of them that watched the first night, but never again. I did NOT watch Katie, though I read all about it (yawn).
I don’t know why they are so happy about her numbers. So she matched Rachael Ray? Big deal. I am in Los Angeles. Guess where Rachael Ray is now? She is on a sister station of a big network. In other words, no one is watching.
Honestly, if Katie’s numbers get better or stay the same then I have to say I am utterly ASHAMED of the US population that watches yet another talk show. 🙁
NO WAY-afternoons belong to soaps, period.
I like Katie, and tuned in just to see it, but then it just seemed like every other talk show with celebrities selling their goods, so I stopped watching it after the beginning. I thought the show was disappointing, not very original, and lack luster, I wish her the best, but if it is going to be another talk show that just focuses on celebrities, and not ‘real’ people, with real people issues, then it is just the same old, same old. Katie can do better than that!
not me. I do not believe their numbers it’s a lie to make it ok………..Ratings for Katie will never be good…………she was not good before and most people I chat with do not like he..
Don’t really care for watching Katie Couric. Same old talk shows talking to the same old celebrities. I’d much rather watch Craig Ferguson or Jay Leno in primetime then having to watch her. I mean what’s the big deal with having to interview a celebrity…I mean isn’t that why we have magazines or shows like Entertainment Tonight. Talk shows have no business on television which make people like me so upset that they take away our soaps. As soon as General Hospital is over, I switch the channel. Don’t want to give Katie Couric the satisfaction of getting my rating counted for her dumbass show.
I must admit, I was curious and watched the premiere epi…. for a 1st show it was a THUD!!! It sucked!! Her very 1st guest on her brand new talk show that ABC is giving her a BOAT LOAD of $$$ for and that ABC has been hyping for an entire year, and it’s Jessica Simpson?!?!?!? Talking about her baby and her struggle with loosing her baby weight! And yes, it was a WW commercial. She had her WW rep w her for one segment. It was horrible. My curiosity got the better of me for the 1st show, but that’s it. Show STANK worse than a public bathroom in Times Square, NYC!
It looks like Katie is on ABC and NBC in some states. In South Florida at 1:00 pm is “Shew”, GH at 2:00pm an Katie at 3:00pm on ABC. I have noticed they are back at ending the Shew and starting GH with no commercial to break it up giving the Shew a minute of GH time. Katie won’t keep the ratings she’s boring. Didn’t last in morning, night news, and now daytime. She should stick with doing specials. Even that I won’t watch her. Give us our soaps!
Congratulations Ms. Couric. I did enjoy your show! =)
Didn’t watch, won’t watch….EVER!
I will not watch anything on ABC that is on in the times that belonged to AMC AND OLTL..I also turn off ABC everyday after GH is over with. ABC snubbed us with the B.S. about talk shows cheaper to produce and then announced the contract with katie, then expect the soap fans to say oh we will give it a chance, well in this household it will be when the hottest part of h— freezes over before i give anything on ABC a chance. They wont care anyway i dont fit in the demographic they want anyway.
I recorded it to watch. I’ve always liked Katie Couric, especially since her very sensitive coverage of 9/11 (which I watched the replay tonight). I met her once after 9/11 and commented on her coverage that day – turned out that she knew a friend of mine that perished on Flight 11 that day. She was very nice. Very smart woman.
Her rating will drop, most just tuned in to see all the hullabaloo. He will tank just as she did on the other two shows she was on.
Gotta thank ABC for the HUGE reminder of not watching any other show when they put GH in One Life To Lives slot.
Hey, This is Lew S., and I haven’t seen the Katie Couric Show. I may check it , but I don’t support ABC canceling another soap! I agree with the other posters, that we should continue to let ABC know that we haven’t forgotten they cancelled our soaps and we do not want more talk and makeover shows.
My DVR was acting funny on Monday and recorded her show eventhough it was set to record ( for some reason it recorded four hours of shows after GH finished). So I did check her out and maybe she should move to late night. I could use something to help me fall asleep it was that boring! I got through 15 minutes before I turned it off!!
I tape Y& R and B&B and watch them after Gh, because I watch Days at 1;00 o’clock in Fl.
I read where Katie cost 84 million and 1 year of OLTL cost about 45! BOOOOOOO!!
I did not watch as I am at work and tape my soaps. I have no desire to tape this show and I believe her ratings will decline every day…
Does anybody really trust these ratings? No way is she pulling higher than GH!
I just heard on radio yesterday that Nielsen is thinking of reworking their number system…. they did it one way, then had to add cable, then had to add DVR and internet… but it is still not correct – they’re missing anyone that watches past that time window for DVR – like if you catch up on the weekends – and then if you watch it on other websites that they don’t track, and if you watch with rabbit ears and digital turner – they don’t count you either.
I had some other ratings system call me a month or so ago – I made sure to mention that I was glad they were doing their surveys, because Nielson doesn’t count me, and made sure to tell them I watch General Hospital every day.
Talk shows are boring same old same old. I will continue with soaps, thank you.
Why would anyone watch this show? Katie Couric isn’t even remotely interesting, her voice is like nails on a chalk board, and it’s the same old, same old that you can see on EVERY network. I like how this kind of garbage is what networks give so much advertising time and money too.
A new talk show for a liberal shill. Is this surprising given how the lamestream mainstream media operates? The lapdog media loves to defend and promote anything and everything from the democrats and the left and therefore the talk shows have to be run by lefties. It’s to control the narrative. couric’s ratings mean she isn’t going to reformat her show unlike the crumbling anderson cooper. Why the heck does he even have a talk show? CNN is hitting record ratings lows bec they love to pretend to be an “honest and impartial” news channel yet Blitzer and Soledad and cooper are all liberals and everyone knows that! FOX news channel is the highest rated news channel bec most people are conservative and it averages 1.7 million while CNN can’t even get half of that. Yet anderson has a daytime talk show? He’s clearly being promoted bec of his pedigree being a vanderbilt and bec he’s from yale and most siginificantly bec he’s gay. hollywood’s run by gay liberals and anderson must have a daytime talk show platform despite not being a ratings draw on CNN. At least katie has the ratings to back her up. anderson is all hype from hollywood when he clearly does not have an audience.