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: Brook Lynn and Chase Hesitate to Sign Divorce Papers, Elizabeth Reveals Aiden’s Leaving For Paris, Willow Flashes Back to Her Crimes

As the week came to a conclusion on the Friday, October 23 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) wrestled with becoming an empty-nester, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Monet (Blythe Howard) conspired to keep Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Ric (Rick Hearst) at legal bay, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) frozen relationship thawed, but how much?
Let’s take a look! First, in a moment that was written to bring Liz and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) closer, the GH head nurse is wistful over the fact that she just learned that her talented bakery chef son, Aiden, secretly earned his GED and got into a prestigious pastry school in France and to top it off received a scholarship to attend the school.
Liz is concerned that allowing him to go wasn’t the smartest move because of his young age. Dante suggested that maybe it’s her fear of being alone that is causing her to feel hesitant for Aiden to go abroad. He shared a story about the support her received from Olivia when he moved away from home for the first time; that he understood mothers and sons are close, but she needed to let him go build his own life.

Courtesy/ABC
After coming to terms with it, she revealed that Aiden is leaving in four days and had to make cupcakes for the Halloween party, Dante offered to help her do the baking. They smile. So, what this means to GH fans? All of Liz sons: Cameron, Jake, Aiden are all now officially off the canvas!
WILLOW VS. LULU
At Miller & Davis, Willow strolls in to meet Monet to go over their strategy in their meeting with Ric and Lulu. While discussing their next move, Willow flashes back to the night she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison) twice in the back, and then later, how she first stuck a needle in his neck to use the paralytic drug that kept him in a locked-in state for months.

Courtesy/ABC
When Ric and Lulu arrive, the four end up in a stalemate. Willow refused to drop the lawsuit, and Lulu refused to retract the story on her. Willow’s stance is that Lulu had been manipulated by the Quartermaines, who wanted to take her children away, so Michael can have sole custody of them. Lulu fired back that she was doing her job as an investigative reporter to expose crimes perpetrated by a congresswoman.
Now at an impasse, Ric and Lulu tell Monet and Willow they will see them in court as now a judge will hear the case. Not what Ric wanted that to happen, but now he tells Lulu, they will figure out a way to bring Willow down.
DIVORCE BLUES?
Finally, Chase and Brook Lynn head to the Dominican Republic to get a quickie divorce after how their lawyers dredged up awful things about both of them in Port Charles. While on the plane, the two discuss that they still want each other to be happy.
Once in front of the judge in the Dominican Republic, he asked if the two were mutually consenting to this divorce, but instead, the two sang each others praises.
This left the judge to ask if the two wanted to go through with ending their marriage and he left the room. Later, when he returned with the divorce documents to sign, Chase and Brook Lynn stared at each other hesitating to sign on the dotted line.
So, what do you think will happen next? Will Brook Lynn and Chase end their marriage, or decide to try to make it a go? Is it upsetting to you that all of Elizabeth’s sons are off the canvas? Should the soap recast them all, like they did with Alexis’ daughters and restart the story of these young men? Do you think now will be the time that Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed, and she will lose her kids and her seat in a congress? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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).

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

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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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.