General Hospital
RATINGS: GH Spikes In Total Viewers With The Return Of Steve Burton!
Courtesy/ABC
The ratings are in for the week of September 18-22nd, and it was ABC’s General Hospital which saw the largest additions in viewers with the return of Steve Burton aka Patient Six!
In fact, the much publicized episode where GH fans got their first glimpse of Burton, even though it was just his eyes revealed at the end of the episode, was the highest watched episode of the week for the daytime drama series. Overall for the week, GH added +109,000 more than any other network soap giving it 2,538,000 total viewers for the week, and for Burton’s first glimpse episode, 2,725,000. In addition, GH gained the most viewers in the key womens 18-49 and 25-54 categories.
CBS’ The Young and the Restless was the only other soap to gain total viewers for the week, bringing in +58,000, and showing gains in the all three key demos 18-34, 18-49, 25-54. However, in the 18-49 ratings share, the series still tied an all-time low.
Still the number two-rated daytime drama, The Bold and the Beautiful lost only -5,000 viewers for the week, but did remain in the positive side adding eyeballs in all three key demos.
Days of our Lives lost the most viewers for the week with -66,000, but with the double wedding that begun to air last week and the bombshells ahead this week, hope for an encouraging next ratings period. View the entire ratings picture via SON here.
Numbers are based on Live+Same Day ratings
(Compared to Last Week/Compared to Last Year)
Total Viewers
1. Y&R 4,412,000 (+58,000/-376,000)
2. B&B 3,577,000 (-5,000/-123,000)
3. GH 2,538,000 (+109,000/-173,000)
4. DAYS 2,087,000 (-66,000/-110,000)
So, what do you think of GH’s ratings on the heels of the return of Steve Burton? Which soap opera is delivering the best drama right now? Which do you feel is not? Share your thoughts on the ratings picture and more in the comment section below!
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I have been watching soaps since the 60’s and I don’t recall a time when every single soap on air was boring me to tears. I don’t care what the ratings say, because a lot of us watch out of habit or loyalty BUT that doesn’t mean the story lines are good. On Days the double wedding is barely interesting– if the person who crashes the ceremony is a drunk Lucas and not some major reveal I will be greatly disappointed, but not surprised Over at B&B it is downright creepy watching Bill make gaga eyes at Steffy– if they… Read more »
Oh, my gosh, Mary. ….I could not have said it better. I have not been watching since the ’60’s, LOL, but I have been watching long enough to agree with you. How easily the words flow from your mind to your fingers. ‘Ain’t’ that the truth. However, I like what’s happening with the wedding crashing at DOOL….only because it has a modicum of excitement, which is so lacking on GH and Y&R. I did not expect for Ron to capture my interest. I do agree about Lucas, though. I don’t think it’s him; it would be such ennui if it… Read more »
Oh Celia, you and Mary are so sadly correct. I’m literally wearing out my FF button on these shows. What’s going on? Ava and Griffin? I mean the man is gorgeous but has the personality of a dial tone. And that awful Graham, awful Charlie, awful Mattie, sleazy Zack, neanderthal Scott on Y&R! Ugh. At least DOOL will have the talented and beautiful Robert Scott Wilson back for a while. Why couldn’t Y&R have nabbed him for Scott Grainger? Well, gotta go change the batteries in my remote. Will need to “breeze through the boredom” later.
@Soaphound.
Hey, you,…..
Too funny.LOL. I did mention on the Y&R site that the show should weed out its cast of buffoons (Scaramouches)……
Yet, I’d die without my Y&R.
I do not understand why some of these characters are needed. What is Ravi’s purpose? To figure out who is playing musical computers? Or to make a fool out of Ashley?….old enough to be his mother Gross!!
“Gotta” take the good with the bad, my friend.
YOU ARE RIGHT ON!!!!!!!!!!! SO MANY OF THESE HORRIBLE STORY LINES ON ALL THE CBS SOAPS HAVE TO COME TO AN END SOON BEFORE WE ALL CALL IT QUITS!!!!
DOOL will be facing cancellation again next year. the end is near folks. the ratings are terrible.
Hi Wendy..
Good! then RC can come back to GH ..
Saving Days is like kicking a dead horse to run..
If RC can’t get it up then the clock ticks 🙁 🙁
I predicted as much. I stopped watching when the doppelgangers appeared–too out there for me.
RC was NOT the Knight in Shinning Armor!
I am only loyal to GH. Not interested in the other soaps. The acting is too weak for my taste.
Same here. I’ve always been a watcher of the ABC soaps. I love GH & miss the others that used to be on there… (All My Children, One Life to Live)
Mary, I had an episode or two of General Hospital on this past weekend, and I spent the entire time on my phone. When I found something of more interest on my phone, I muted the show-“nuff said.”
After the horrific act of gun violence in Las Vegas, it’s time for the writers to let the mob storylines go. This may be difficult to hear, but GH is profiting from the proliferaton of gun violence and we need to stand against it.
Amen, Jim! You are absolutely correct with your analysis and viewpoint. I’m with you, Friend!
Jim, mostly ALL TV and movies profit from sex and violence!
Violence on soaps has always existed. But not to this extend.
When there was s story on crime, the bad guy always paid.
Now the criminal is glorified.
Prayers to the victims and their families who suffered and are still suffering through this ordeal.
We have to stop justifying violence. Hollywood does it all the time is not a rational or responsible response. They will clam up for a while, promise to do better, wait for the furor to die down, and then it’s business as usual. It’s cynical and despicable. Over 50 people died in Vegas. 500 people were shot! This wasn’t a soap opera! This was real life! I honestly can’t imagine being Maurice Bernard and having to play a character where murder is a way of life. Soaps always talk about breaking new ground and maybe it’s time it takes another… Read more »
Sing it, Brother Jim! You are right, thank you for pointing that out. Well done.
I am to right along with you all about the mob on GH…
The day Steve was promoted to return, Tuesday, GH was over 2.7 million viewers. In that episode, fans didn’t get Steve, only a reveal of his eyes at the 59 minute mark, and the show they got for the first 59 minutes was full of Franco, Franco pain, Franco propping and the clear message that Franco will be all over the Jason returns story. Also a good dose of Nina along with Valentin, a character lapsed viewers wouldn’t know at all. Then of course, the previews for the next day had no Steve Burton. Truly brilliant! As if Frank will… Read more »
The only way it will let me make a comment is by replying, so I’ll reply to yours. First, I am one of those lapsed viewers having been away for a couple years… I came back a few weeks ago in anticipation of Steve… super excited. I LOVE the Jason/Patient Six story. I LOVE that Ava is in the mix. I love Billy Miller, but there is only one Jason Morgan and that’s Steve (no offense to Billy, I do love him too. ) Hoping to see Sam and Jason Morgan reunite.. and hoping Frank will value history and let… Read more »
Gwen, adding to your list–Anna and Finn. I know I don’t just speak for myself when I attest to the fact that I am in need of some good old fashioned escapism. Anna and Finn grant us that escapism. Sure, I miss Hayden but Finn and Anna are positively grand together. And today, beautiful and intelligent Laura came back to go toe to toe with Valentin. She is now a mean, lean fighting machine and I like her this way. I can’t believe I am being all Pollyanna here as usually I am the one complaining and asking for some… Read more »
amen!!!
Gh is so boring a blank screen is preferable
Yes very boring lol
The patient six story is NOT boring!! Loving it!! So glad Steve is back!!!
Love him or hate him, Steve Burton is compelling and exciting as Jason “Stonecold” Morgan.
He fizzled as Dylan on Y&R but comes alive as Jason.
However, I still love Billy Miller and can see that these two can coexist simultaneously without canceling the other out. In fact, I think they can enhance one another.
I am also actually enjoying Franco for the first time.
Y&R has also been providing some good old fashioned, soapy fun–love the Abbotts.
Harry you couldn’t say it better!
Yes. No matter how much the writers push Ava on the viewer, this viewer is not impressed, same with Julian, I might add. That “redemption” coupon just ran out.
Amen to that, Nancy! And the same goes for Nina! All of the aforementioned characters have surpassed their “expiration dates” for so-called “redemption!”
And speaking of Ava, I just read something on GH Dirty Laundry site that says:
You know who (the rescuer priest/doctor) “declares his love for Ava.”
I say: “Huh?” Boy, “love” comes so easily on GH, doesn’t it? Another prime example of just what we’ve been discussing: failure to develop stories that allow the viewer’s investment.
And, btw, I’ve never understood that duality of priest/doctor.
I kinda figure.. that Ava will not have a chance any longer w/Griffin, since she signed the papers for Valentin… reneging ? on her testimony for Spencer so.. I had hoped beyond that it was Nicholas at the Russian clinic. so that Ava can move on oh well i’m about 5 eps behind.. so.. the only thing I know about Steve Burton STAR turn is that he’s telling Ava to “Just do it ” be a nice person… as Ava laments her trials and tribulations… didn’t she reel her life story. it’s the most I’ve ever seen Ava speak ,… Read more »
The only reason I watched Gh that week was bcs Billy Miller was finally back on GH after a 3 week drought of not seeing him. I think this whole clinic story with Patient 6 & Ava is silly. Not interested. If GH wouldn’t have gotten good ratings on 9/19 after all the promoting they did of Steve Burton, I would say GH should just throw in towel.. All they did was promote Steve Burton’s return on 9/19 for weeks. I don’t think I saw any other promo involving any other actors for at least 2 weeks except SB. Why… Read more »
I couldn’t agree with you more! The only reason I tuned back in that week was because Billy Miller was FINALLY back on screen after a long 3 week draught!
I am the only one walking away here. Steve Burton’s returns has no place on General Hospital. Been watching since day one…now I am walking away. The last few years GH has been sinking in it’s appeal. Stories are si dull and unreal. How many times do people die? The mask storyline was the worst. Reusing the same stories over and over. Getting rid of good actors to bring back one that dumped his fans wirh lies…..not acceptable. Yes I did watch the return of BS but now I know where this is going my TV gets to rest during… Read more »
Thank you so much for echoing my feelings. As bad as the show is lately, Billy is always a beautiful bright spot in my day. And I would have rather watched him sleep than hear Sam’s incessant whining. It’s her darn fault he was shot in the first place, running around town constantly saying “Jason” to anyone who’ll listen.
Well you have to look at other storylines that were going on too that may have caused people to DVR so they could ff (when people ff, it doesn’t count towards ratings.) There is another story I don’t want to watch that I have been ffing. When it comes to the two Jasons or Jason and Drew, I love both Billy and Steve, but there is only one Stonecold, and that is no disrespect to Billy, it is like saying someone else could play Luke if Anthony Geary came back. There is only one Luke. I think this is going… Read more »
Who’s Luke? And who’s Anthony Geary?? LOL! LOL!
Welcome back, SBu!
Shelly Altman is a wonderful head writer for GH. She is full of ideas, loves the history and she a huge game plan for GH. Cant wait to see her take off at GH.
Nathan Varni, is that you?
i have told you before, if Shelly loves GH sooo much, tell her to learn the characters history
We’ve been waiting almost two years for her to “take off” at GH. At what point do we conclude it isn’t going to happen?
I like what I am seeing so far…
Like Mary…i too have been watching soaps since the 60s and i remember a time when i couldnt wait to turn in the next day or wait for the weekend to end…but that was the days of character driven stories by masterful writers…todays soaps are plot driven and not very planned out in advance…the writers seem to start a story but without a middle and an end…its more like they write the plot as they go along with no thought of what will happen next…just wake up, put pen in hand and write todays episode…then if one thing doesnt work… Read more »
Like @Mary SF and @Jimh, I, too, have been watching the soaps since the 1960s. Mary SF makes great points about how boring the remaining soaps are currently. I trust Mary at her word. I’m not much of a viewer anymore… I reply to you, Jimh, because my early viewing mirrored yours. (And I know we’ve discussed the old days on occasion). As I recall, you were a huge AW fan! I was so excited watching these glorious characters I cared about. And most soaps had a great cliffhanger on Fridays, often played out by organ. I did get to… Read more »
Very well said…and what you said about Sonny and the mob is true to me too..its why i rarely watch anymore…im just happy that i lived in the time of soaps golden era…that was also the time of my greatest enjoyment of the genre as well!!!
Jamesj75, I so appreciate your kind words…You are such an excellent writer and how you word all your comments. THANKS again…
James…as always, you are SO SPOT ON, Brother!!!!! But you know what really, seriously and truly frustrates me about all of this: Those clueless POWERS THAT BE treat us longtime soap viewers like we’re idiots!!!!! BEYOND FRUSTRATING!!!!!
Later, Brother.
I loved the love story also between Peter and Diana, and I was just a kid back then . Remember the who killed Phil Brewer mystery? I started watching the soaps back then because of Dark Shadows. Loved that show, and started watching GH, then OLTL because they came on before DS. Even my Mom got hooked on all three shows. I agree, those were the good old days when you couldn’t wait to watch the next episode and they always had the exciting Friday cliff hangers. Miss those days. I am finding myself interested in the Jason story and… Read more »
I bow down! Great essay! And I agree with you, btw.
I, also, have watched GH since the ’60’s.
Beautifully said, James. I’m a 52-year watcher of soaps and fondly remember those wonderful days of the 70s and 80s often. I, too, want the genre to survive. We certainly have the most talented actors in the business. We just need better tales for them to tell.
You are more than welcome Jamesj75, so glad I made your day…THANKS again.
Jimh and Jamesj75…the golden days of soaps, oh how we all miss them for us that have been watching since the 60’s and myself since the middle 70’s…I started watching with my mom…The Doctor’s, Somerset, Search for Tomorrow, Love of Life, Another World, Days of our Lives, The Young and the Restless, As the World Turns, The Guiding Light, All my Children…my personal favorites were Y&R during Bill Bell Days/Kay Alden, Guiding Light when Douglas Marland was writing for GL and DOOL in the 70’s & 80’s with Addie, Julie & Doug, Don Craig, Liz & Neal, Bo&Hope, Steve&Kayla, Justin&Adrienne,… Read more »
Kevin C, I appreciate your reply! It’s great to read about your favorite shows, including your allegiance to Y&R and the great couples you mentioned from DOOL. In the 1960s and 1970s, it was fairly easy to watch several shows — I did, too — as they (primarily) were half-hour shows. You also make great points about the “top brass” who “won’t listen to us fans.” Your last statement is particularly telling: “PLEASE listen to us fans for we care about our shows…” We see, time and again, that the views of fans are largely ignored. A cursory look at… Read more »
I have been watching the repeats of The Doctors…i watched this show when it originally aired…and even if i remember many of the stories outcome its still far more entertaining than soaps today,,,like back then i never can wait for the next episodes…wish more had survived the wiping process!!!
Thank you so much, Kevin! You’ve made my day, Friend! 🙂
Oh, Jimmy, my friend…. You guys are so lucky to have watched for so long. Yet, although I missed all those good, nostalgic years, I have been chanting your same litany since I started watching GH…..an out-of-the-blue beginning, with a horde of new characters; barely a middle; and, definitely no end. And, yes, Jimmy…as I have said a million times before, TPTB make up the plot; the lines; the theme as they go along. From what all you long-time watchers are saying, it seems that leaving stories in limbo has become the norm. Will they all end up in the… Read more »
there are some rare episodes and clips on youtube that survived the wiping processs..sometimes i go back and watch those instead of what on now…i read The Paley Center in New York and a few other places have rare surviving episodes in their archives too…Days i heard archived all theirs-if true i wish they showed the repeats somewhere…the late 60s to late 70s the show was at its best…currently im watching The Doctors-most of their episodes were saved…the show has its ups and down moments but i still enjoy it better than current GH!!!
Thank you, Jimmy. My grandmother steered me in that direction.
I have trouble sleeping, some nights; so, I do ‘scour’ utube for old clips of defunct soaps, which I enjoyed as a child and beyond….to the present ( or whatever is left, LOL).
Sometimes it makes me wish I had lived through the sixties and seventies…..
Those were the days, Jimh and Mary SF. They will never be recaptured.
I lived within walking distance from school and I would go home for lunch just to catch a few minutes of soap time.
Michael,
u forgot to add that there was a drop in the ratings after the eye reveal,
wasn’t all it was cracked up to be
Days is getting really good now, and the ratings are not going up. this is not good at all. I am really getting worried. I love Days.
Days Of Our Lives numbers are not moving up, even Ron cannot save my soap. time for the funeral Days lol. Lets end the misery.
Did you really think Ron could save Days?? First thing he did there was the dumb ass doppleganger story, featuring the return of one of the most useless characters in the history of Salem, Bonnie Lockhart (only her kids were more useless, but I’m sure Ron is already planning their comeback, since Mimi was one of his OLTL pets after she left Days) At least he didn’t kill off a beloved Days character and try to bring in a character from some dead soap and tell the audience they had to love that useless auto-tuned bubblegum singing twit all in… Read more »
It didn’t take Ron and his “mob” to kill Days–just Ron and rotten writing. Amen.
Nancy, thank you so much for your kind words (above)! I’m glad we had we were in such great company as we watched GH from so long ago… 🙂
This is my question…..If we are all so bored with our soaps i am curious when was the last writers for these soaps we love were greatWatching old soap storylines on u tube i think late 90’s was the last time soaps were soaps and not cheap imitations of them.Steve Burtons return is all for ratings not for a sit at the edge of your seat nail biting reveal!Why do they need 2 Jasons they barley have known what to do with one!Why involve Franco the least liked character on the show>Personally bringing back Jeff webber and addressing the Hayden… Read more »
I loved Y&R up till 2006 when they fired Kay Alden and a lot of behind the scenes people and then Y&R wasn’t the same…Same with Guiding Light when Douglas Marland left and I could tell something had changed…
I completely agree with the Y&R remark. It has been a LONG decade for me to continue watching the show. I vividly remember the last Y&R storyline that I thought was very compelling —- The fallout of the death of John Abbott. While I personally would not have killed off the Abbott matriarch, the scenes between a grieving Jack and a grieving Gloria where they practically were at each other’s throat disagreeing about removing John from life support and blaming each other for the loss was very good writing. Neither character was completely in the wrong or the right but… Read more »
Barbara from Atlanta, very well said and I totally agree with what you said…I pray that Mal Young will keep the character driven stories going and I know a lot of people didn’t like Sally Sussman’s writing but I did and like you said Barbara she wasn’t given time to return Y&R to where it should be…I will give Mal Young a chance but we shall see…
I personally have enjoyed Sally’s material on Y&R but I think a lot of viewers didn’t like her material because they weren’t used to a writer who was playing the long game with story evolving from character instead of just being pulled out of thin air. If for nothing else, Sally should be given kudos for her redemption of the character of Sharon who had been written as a complete mess for the better part of the decade.
I’m loving the patient six story. Love love love. Have to ff another story.. but I agree back in the 90’s it was amazing. I also loved the 2,000’s… did not like Ron Carlivati years and stopped watching the past couple years. But they are doing a good job with this story imo. I do wish they could bring back Claire Levine, if she is still working or JFP.. or bring in someone from primetime to produce and someone who approaches the writing like art.. I’d love to see Guza and Wolf work together. Guza with his excitement Wolf with… Read more »
But I have to add whoever is responsible for the patient six story is doing a great job, if ratings don’t reflect that, it’s because people are ffing another story.
Yes, Gwen….this story, as I said on another site, albeit seemingly on shaky ground, is getting quite compelling. What gets to me is ever-present Sonny.
But, as Satan said; Sonny is an integral part of Jason1’s life, dead or alive, Jason Q or Jason Morgan, or whomever he turns out to be.
From the onset I have said there is more to the story than meets the eye. Valentin, if not all the remaining Cassadines, including Nik, have a hand in it.
Why Russia? That’s why.
I think Claire Labine passed away. Her storylines were awesome when she penned the show!!!!!
You’ll know GH is being cancelled if Phelps, Guza or Wolf ever return. Phelps and Guza killed the Quartermaines and went all-in on the mob. Wolf gave dull stories like “the lady in white” and would have permanently killed off Robin if he wasn’t let go. Is Altman the answer? Most likely not, but if (when) she gets replaced, it will hopefully be with some new blood.
Stop hating!! some of us love the story lines.
Suzette,
I think you should look up the definition of hating; a word which has become so loosely used.
We do not hate…..we give opinions by opening our hearts.
You insult us all, en masse, when you call us haters…..and, frankly, I am sick of hearing it.
Hate is what happened in Vegas today. Thus, your usage of vocabulary is not fair. It’s mean.
This is a great group on this site….with feelings and a brain.
Thank you.
Very eloquently put, CeeCee! I think the words that far better describe many of the comments expressed here regarding various storylines and characters on our favorite soaps would be incredulity, abject frustration and often times, even utter boredom, with what today’s daytime efforts have wrought. For longtime fans, the current versions are simply too bitter a pill to swallow, and despite our creative suggestions for solutions that are frequently meant to be helpful—or at least, thought-provoking!—we keep getting more of the same old, same old material from the respective showrunners. In other words, our pleas continue to fall upon deaf… Read more »
So if “some of us” love the storylines and others don’t, and the others speak out, they’re “hating”? Yikes. That sounds like bullying to me–an attempt to pressure people who disagree with you into being silent by labeling them negatively. That’s not nice, you know? It can’t really be what you meant to do. I occasionally do see behavior on this site that might rise to the level of “hating”–posters who get way too personal in their attacks on other posters, or posters who cross a certain line in the way they phrase their criticisms of performers, writers, producers, etc.… Read more »
Michael (Not Fairman) you write so very well. I guess I’ve either acclimated to mediocrity, or I am in desperate need of some escapism from this very dark world we are currently living in. Maybe it’s a combination of the two aforementioned variables, but either way I’m trying to enjoy GH right now. I still cannot stand Nina who seems to have no purpose other than playing Valentin’s husky voiced body guard. And yes, enough with the redemption stories (Ava, Julian and Franco). But at least those three characters mention that they are in need redemption. Sonny never mentions that… Read more »
Michael (not Fairman): I totally agree with you about the “stunt casting.” No character should ever be cast until long term story and a one year arc are in place. Few actors ever generate the same buzz in a new role as they did in their breakout role so having a strong story in place is crucial. As for GH’s obsession with the mob and violence, I agree that if the show doesn’t find a way to present a more balanced story canvas they will most certainly face cancellation. In all my years of soap watching I have rarely liked… Read more »
Hi Michael (not Fairman) Yes; this site has “pop-up” hate/group mentality at times. Albeit a small group which consists of a few regulars…but it’s, unfortuantely, indicative of social media in general. And those perpetrating it think they’re righteous. Infantile, classroom mentality. With that said, I think Suzette just probably reacted to the steady stream of negativity. Posters come out to criticize stories before they even begin. LOL…we only saw Steve Burton’s eyes before the choir jumped in. I have to admit I’ve said recently and I still feel that GH builds momentum for a story, then when they FINALLY get… Read more »
Hi, Rebecca: I understand your point about the show not having many mob stories, but nonetheless: Sonny’s a mobster. Carly’s a mob moll. Ava and Julian are mobsters. Jason’s a mob protector. That’s a huge chunk of characters (and that’s not even listing others who are, to one degree or another, mob enablers or mob apologists) with substantial screen time who have mob ties and whose lives are governed by that. It’s true we don’t see mob stories very often, per se—but it’s not as though the show has clearly and consistently moved the characters away from the mob, either,… Read more »
Hi again, Michael (not Fairman) Thanks for your reply. Yes; I get what you’re saying in regard to Sonny, Carly, Ava, Julian, etc…as well as the Cassadines. But, as you also said, GH has had these types of stories for two decades! Nothing new here. The days of “hospital” stories were far away and long ago…Yet, they have made an effort to do more stories centered around/in the hospital. And personally? I’m not that into watching stories about illness. I’d rather see mob stories than sickness. Escapism for me isn’t watching people sick, dying, etc. They brought in a “new”… Read more »
GH has started to bring it with the return of Steve Burton. Y & R has some issues with the Mariah/Tessa storyline. Also with the Tessa sister/prostitution storyline. They need to utilize veteran actors more, giving them more interesting storylines instead of bringing in newbies.
GH should be #1
#1 Sonny/Jason & Carly fan I’ve been a GH fan for 28 years I never lost hope I always knew the original Jason would return but I’ve grown to like the new jason how awesome that we can have both Jason’s twins reunited ♡ and the plot thickens for Franco
I been watching General Hospital for a very long time almost from the beginning. So I don’t know about other soaps. The time General Hospital been on, speaks for itself how GREAT IT IS.Love the soap.
LOVE My “GH” 🙂
GH has been better,,
But– for godsake! move it on move it on..
The slow lagging is not of the 21st century media, the pace needs to drastically pick up..
the long drawn out stories is what is putting everyone to sleep;;
SPEED IT UP !! we live in a fast world..
writers, get your lazy asses out of the 20th century and SPEED IT UP !!
And the “stories” are so convoluted, su. Just try explaining Franco’s and Jason’s and “Jason’s”–see what I mean. So tired just thinking of the effort. But, I can give you chapter and verse of the “classic” Luke and Laura storyline. (Mind you, that’s up to the 90’s only. NOT after they sent Laura to the loonybin–nor Luke to “Fluke.”
The stories are insanely dragged out boring..
The longer the stories drags on the more exciting interest is sucked out of them..
Stories need to be much faster ..
all this 3 months of dragging out obvious outcomes is tiresome to watch, interest is lost.
writers need to get to it !
The problem isn’t the writing or the actors on these shows mostly it’s a lot of viewers trying to be armchair writers and producers .people forget budgets are being cut left and right .too many viewers want instant gratification when the fact is you can’t have a story start and end in two days now that’s what’s boring .I love the Jason /drew story on gh and if you read any soap related media ben is the univited guest on days watch this week you’ll be surprised what’s comming
I’ll take your point, and I do think many viewers (I’m not one of them; I go back to the days when soaps were slo-o-o-o-o-w but very entertaining) want stories to move faster than they probably can–but I don’t understand why budget cuts translate into bad writing (which is mostly what we get these days). I accept that smaller budgets mean fewer or no location shoots, and that younger (= cheaper) actors are going to have the majority of the screen time. But before the late 70s, soaps didn’t have big budgets either, and they managed to tell compelling stories.… Read more »
A show’s budget has no relation to good storytelling. Good writing is good writing. If you need big bucks to tell a story in daytime you are probably in the wrong medium.
Welcome back Steve!!
a soap on the air is better than no soap on the air…will all the Nay Sayers be happier if all soaps were gone ? gees.
Actually, yes, in a sense. I wouldn’t be happy because of all the soap fans (i.e., those who are still getting some real measure of enjoyment out of watching) who would be made unhappy by the cancellation of all the soaps. But I can honestly tell you that yes, by the time Guiding Light and As the World Turns were cancelled, I was glad, or at least relieved–it had become painfully clear that they were never going to be allowed to be genuinely good shows again, and their cancellation felt like mercy killing. (I did not feel the same way,… Read more »
I started with GH and OLTL back in 1976 and have watched ever since thanks to my Betamax in those days. I too agree that GH is not what it once was, but I still have hope that ABC will get with it and try a OLTL reboot (without the horrible music that the V2 had) All lot of the cast is still out there and I am sure they would be as happy as all the viewers to see an ABC version once again.
You’re right, OLTL was actually in better shape than GH when the former was cancelled. It was always the workhorse of the ABC daytime lineup, while GH and AMC got more promotion. Questionable storylines and poor casting in its final years doomed AMC. OLTL was still fresh and had high production values despite a tight budget.
It’s still down 173,00 from last year. I’m glad that it’s up a bit, but the gradual decline from year to year is telling. Long time viewers are still alienated and those of us who don’t see Sonny and Jason as hero’s, just won’t stay.
I don’t like that young and the restless is trying to put thre two girls together. What’s with that every body needs gays to get rating or
to stay on the air
HAVE SET MY VCR AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY MANY YEARS I FAST FORWARDED THRU TWO COMPLETE Y&R FROM FRIDAY AND TODAY..ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE STORYLINES!!!!! THIS SHOW HAS GOTTEN SO BAD….DONT EVEN LIKE THE CHARACTERS ANY MORE…..OH FOR THE DAYS OF KATHERINE AND JILL, AND REAL ACTING.
P.S. ONLY REASON TO WATCH Y&R IS DINA MERGERON!
The Mariah/Tessa story is an example of diversity in storytelling — not just in the fact that it is a same sex story but also it is a story this show has never tackled in depth. Back in the day people were upset about DOOL’s David Banning falling in love with a black woman. Viewers should consider that there is a whole world beyond their front door and not everyone looks or acts like them; taking the time to learn about others and see things from their point of view is something that the world could benefit from (and people… Read more »
Great post, Alan, and I do agree . I LOVE Mariah and Tessa. Those two young women actually have chemistry and I can feel the romance naturally and slowly brewing between them.
Their relationship does not feel forced, not a cart leading the donkey kind of thing. Love that Mariah has more chemistry with that hapless dud, Devon.
Alan, very well said and I like your thinking…BTW, I also like what you said regarding Sally Sussman and also about the character of Sharon…
Of course the ratings are up! GH is always on top stories are intrieging and packed full of drama. Best soap y’all thanks for bringing Stone Cold Blue back.♡♡♡
Y&R numbers up? Thanks to Dina Mergeron. Other than that, total horse shit! The Nick story or a sub for Adam, The Winters kids suck, Cane is a louse, Victoria, Billy and Phyllis, SNORE, and Sharon and BOZO end it now! It was nice to see Kevin again and Tess and Mariah can be intriguing. Devon is a piece of rotten wood! GH, there you go Burton haters, take that! HE brought the ratings up! Him and Ava have been great. Who would have thought he and she would share his first days back? I thought he would stumble across… Read more »
Tell us how you really feel, Timmmbo! But seriously….I certainly cannot argue with your assessment of GH and its Burtonesque bump in the ratings! Still, even “Stonecold” isn’t capable of single-handedly saving this soap from itself and those atrocious characters which you have so markedly pointed-out that require either major overhauls or a one-way ticket out of Port Charles! (Add Nina and others too numerous to mention to the latter option, as well! Let’s clean house and start the GH renaissance anew!)
Hi Shay. Steve Burton doesnt have an “S” on his chest although he could! [Steve!] But I think there are other tools already there with better writing that could help. Ava is golden. I LOVE this potential pairing of Dr. Bensch and Alexis with Julian coming back to be in the triangle! Laura and Kevin could help the show. I smell a Robin appearance during Christmas with Noah Robert in hand! But thats the potential. They need to dump Man Landers, anybody connected to Man Landers, Spinelli, Boredan [Jordan] and Helle! [Nelle] With two Jasons I hope that Monica gets… Read more »
Awww, Timmm….I have a soft spot for Spinelli! I guess its his clever monikers for those near and dear, not to mention his highly-intelligent verbal skills that ingratiate me to him….I get that his quirkiness can be irritating for some, but as long as he is doled out in judicious amounts, then I see him as harmlessly charming. But you have it right on the rest of your “to-go list!” And those legacy players you have penciled in for a Christmas visit would be a most fitting holiday gift indeed, along with Frisco—Yes!….he should return as the new PCPD “Commish”… Read more »
Frisco would be an amazing Commissioner and Maxie would have her dad back in town! I guess Jack works enough where he doesnt need daytime? Plus, if he came back, knowing this writing team, he would be gay! I know you are not a fan of Alexis. I see why. She acts like a teenager! She should be grateful that Bensch wants to even give her a look! I like this guy and Julian will hit the roof when he finds out that his long in the tooth floozy is rolling around in the linen closet with a doctor!
Or hitting those famous GH showers with an MD, Timmbo! That would probably appeal to Alexis’ kinkier side…especially if they were caught by, well, anybody, but Julian, for sure, for sure! Hey, wouldn’t it be nifty if Bensch turned out to be a “Dr. Strangelove?” Couldn’t think of a better “partner” for him than the always game Alexis! LOL. But yes, Frisco would be an awesome choice for commissioner and it would do Maxie good to have her dad back in town…Even if Jack Wagner doesn’t need GH, Port Charles could certainly do with a visit from him…and his guitar!… Read more »
Frisco is “All we Need!”
Amen to that thought, Timmmbo….AMEN!
Well this old geezer use to st and watch soaps with my mom. Love of Life was 30 minutes, As the World Tirns was 15 Minutes, Guiding Light was 15 minutes and Edge of Noght
Yeah!
I’m loving what’s going on right now on all the soap shows accept for Y&R. Get rid of that waste of space Juliet, kill her off and let Cane and Lily raise the baby together, but don’t make their reunion too easy.
I think that weirdo Charlie will kill Juliet to reunite his family. Yeah, a murder mystery that will have Cane locked away for a bit.
A bit? Oh, T, I hope forever. Don’t they have soaps in Australia?
Timm, I think that weirdo Charlie will end up hooking up with Juliet to save his family.
And Mattie gets on my last nerve. Yes, we get you’re a nerdy, scary-smart teenager, but the damn posturing is annoying as all hell.
Maddie, stop crossing your arms!!
GH may have been up 109,000 viewers for the week, but it is still down 173,000 viewers from this time last year. That suggests to me that roughly a third of those lapsed viewers tuned in out of curiosity to see how Steve Burton would be written back into the show. The key to holding those 109,000 viewers would have been to have other storylines to also pique their interest but unfortunately GH doesn’t have a single storyline that works right now. Turning GH back into The Sonny Corinthos and His Lil Enforcer Stone Cold Show will ultimately turn away… Read more »
Thank you, Alan! I’ve been patiently awaiting Steve Burton’s return to see if it will bring a fresh approach to solving GH’s lingering malaise….”The Q a Deux” storyline could be just the trick to ingratiate longtime viewers to tuning in again on a regular basis, provided it doesn’t become a hackneyed, reheated version of the leftover remnants of the previous Sonny/Stonecold bromance. Putting “Dimples” on the sideline where many of us would like him to be would surely prove the best means of signaling there’s a new, more palatable direction to Jason’s(?) upcoming existence in Port Charles!
Oh, Alan, I was waiting for you opinion…..and, as always, you are a man after my own mind. I honestly have no objection to Steve’s return ( albeit, I have never seen Stone Cold in action)…..the problem is, Sonny and Company will take up 99% of the scenes. That’s something that literally and physically makes me cringe……get hives just thinking about it. That is not hate ( I do not like the word, and never use it unless under these dire circumstances, LOL) , it is repulsion and revulsion. ….the words, basically, mean the same thing….just had to say both… Read more »
In today’s crazy, violent world soaps would be smart to go back to their roots: romance, family, and mystery. Viewers want an escape from the depressing daily news and lose themselves for an hour or two in a world that they wish reflected their own lives. Some of my favorite scenes in forty years of soap viewing were those between AMC’s Tad and Grandma Kate and ATWT’s Emma Snyder and Lily in the Snyder kitchen: they were simple but gave viewers a taste of the kind of family we all wished we had. Today’s soaps choose to ignore these kinds… Read more »
@CeeCee….It would seem that the “all roads lead back to Sonny” meme is what gets most GH viewers in a lather…My word, I don’t even recall Anthony Geary’s Luke Spencer being so all pervasive on the Port Charles canvas…he came, he went, and so on and so forth, but life continued independently for many other characters regardless of his absence or his presence….it was never all about him, all the time! We should be so lucky to have the same situation with the “Dimpled Don!” How this simple fact appears to escape the GH showrunners is beyond me…we’ve stated our… Read more »
@Shay.
Hmmm, Shay….did not look at this that way. This new doctor does seem too good to be true. What’s he hiding? Is he another illegitimate Cassadine?
Poor Alexis. I feel sorry for her. I think that with the right guy she would soar!!!! She’s a good person, just misguided ( yes, soar….now, now Shay; not sour, but soar. LOL).
As long as I don’t see “Julexis” in print again, I’ll be happy. Not a fan of the applied couple name.
….just came to me…if my husband and I put our names together, it would be: Jucee. Ha!!
Alan, what you said about soaps returning to their roots so agree…So miss the good old days…
Not only is Bill making stupid eyes at
at Steffy wrong hes just doing it to get back at Liam. But Wyatt sleeping with Katie his brother’s mother and his father’s ex wife is ridiculous
General hospital because when Steve left I said he will be back and when he came back I said the ratings were going to sore!!!!!!!
I started watching AMC, OLTL , & GH each at their first shows. Losing AMC and OLTL few years ago hurt like crazy. I felt like my family died. I am an avid fan of GH and hope they don’t take it off the air. I’m 70 years old and have been watching for the better part of 50 to 60 years. That’s a long, long time.
FINALLY ENJOYING GH…AFTER TODAYS EPISODE I THINK IT IS GOING TO REALLY BE GOOD…JUST DONT EVER GET RID OF BILLY MILLER AND WE WIL BE FINE!!!!
I agree they gotta keep Billy Miller!!!!
I am a Steve Burton fan. Happy to see him back at GH. I am also a fan of Billy miller and his portrayal of Jason and whoever he will turn out to be. I LOVE Franco and I am intrigued by how he fits in the Jason Drew and Cassadines story. I really want Nik to come back. I really miss his character. I also would like to see more focus on the Quartermanes. I was hoping with the Ned’s marriage we would see more of the Qs.
They are definitely back on the upswing. This momentum must continue. Morgan must be resuscitated and somehow Nicholas must be injected back into the show. Even if it’s with a replacement. It would be great, since there is a new focus on the hospital to get Dr. Drake back and Robin on a recurring basis. The biggest thing for me, and I know people want the mob to go away, but bringing Lily back with Carlos and a presume dead Sabrina would be ratings gold and the biggest reveal of her being Sonny’s daughter. This would not be hard to… Read more »
@Darnell….You pretty much had me until you mentioned Sabs….(and by extension, Carrrrr-LOS!) Some characters are simply better left dead and from my perspective, the saccharin babysitter/nurse/whatever, her hirsute hitman and their upside-down fairytale/nightmare definitely belong in that category. But your notions about Nik, Drake Jr. and Robin are spot-on wonderful…GH sorely needs more of its familiar and beloved legacy players back in Port Charles and these three represent core families that once made this soap great! Even Morgan could possibly be palatable if he is in the form of a recast and has obtained some semblance of maturity during his… Read more »
Sparkle Pony returns as Sparkle Zombie?
Now there’s a scary thought!!!! And with Halloween right around the corner….but no, just NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
@Michael ( not Fairman). Thank you, Michael. Well stated. I sort of get carried away when speaking od certain characters—trying hard not to step on the actress’s/actor’s toes ( Sonny?, LOL)—but, you are right…to attack other posters is beyond the pale….being one of the “attackee” ( LOL, no duch word, I know), it’s rude and mean. My mistake is trying to defend myself in kind. Not worth it. This is why Mr. Fairman’s staff, tries to nip it in the bud, albeit, some such comments do slip through its ‘fingers’. Unfortunately, certain people do go by different names, relentlessly directing… Read more »
So true, CeeCee…I think most of us honestly do make a concerted effort to mind our p’s and q’s and stick to the “soapchat” at hand (unless a thread’s subject matter actually lends itself to discuss wider topics….) in as civilized a manner as possible, yet there still remains a few individuals who continue to try to stir the pot and stoke the fire with their offhanded little political asides and thinly-veiled personal digs. It seems that whenever there is even a miniscule opening, they have to insert their own agendas into the conversation by alluding to current events and… Read more »
Absolutely, Shay. But, I am not referring to just the ‘political’ innuendos, but, more to the “personal digs” you mention. It is subtle…the style and words, that is….but, I have a great sense of smell…. I am glad to see I am not the only one who has noticed that it has started again. …did not take too long, did it? Using a different name, purposely making grammar mistakes or misspelling words, changes nothing. We know who it is. The theme is the same. ….defending doap characters by insulting posters. No lesson learned here. Sad!! Disasters and tragedies mean squat… Read more »
Steve is Jason. Not a Jason fan but at least he makes the character watchable.
I’ve been pontificating about Maura West the past few days. I do believe she is one of the best actresses on GH (and daytime). However… Sometimes I wish she’d go that extra mile physically to commit to the storyline. With the current face burn story, why is she wearing lip gloss and earrings in a Russian clinic? Even before she was released from GH, the gloss and nail polish were out-of-place for a burn victim. During the Denise Demuccio debacle, one of the things that made that storyline so bad was the obvious wig. I’m sure ABC would have paid… Read more »
Days ratings should improve. The show is much better than it was.
I agree with you, Mo. I had not been ‘moved’ to watch since Kate Mansi, et al left.
But, the last few weeks held me in place. Days has a lot of life left.
Soaphound…more and more, you crack me up…lol. Thank You. Oh…and a couple of things here…
1. DEFINITELY…Rob Scott Wilson would have been a W-A-Y BETTER CHOICE to play Y&R’S Scott…unlike that other dude that currently plays Scott…BEYOND BLECH!!!!!
2. As for GH’S Sam…why, oh, why is that boring chick STILL ON THE SHOW?!?!?!?!?! To me, Sam has the functioning abilities (or whatever) of a broken down vehicle…lol.
Later.
I hope they put Jasam back together
I want to see Jason see his child Danny
But I don’t understand Emily Scout parentage
This won’t last long. He is even more dead above the eyebrows than usual. No expression . I watched it was Friday, and I didn’t go to the gym, wished I had. Nice to see Laura, how often is she on ?. Soaps bore me to death. I have no one to root for anymore.. This from someone watching soaps since 1969. If I see Sonny, I automatically turn around and go on the computer.
Yes Steve,you did it
Now can the,writers make Julian
Redeemable.
I have enjoyed General Hospital (GH) storyline even more since Steven Burton returned. The writers have done a great job moving the storyline while keeping the audience wanting more. I am EXTREMELY HAPPY Steven Burton is back. I record the show and tend to watch the episodes multiple times since he’s returned to the show. No offense to Billy Miller, however I was not happy when Steven Burton left the show. He and Maurice Bernard are my two favorite actors on GH.
Breaking News
DAYS and GH Director Joe Behar Passes Away at 94
Joseph Behar was heavyweight director in daytime drama having worked on both Days of our Lives and General Hospital and now comes word of his passing. Behar passed away on June 26th at the age of 94.
According to his obit, he died at his home in Manhattan Beach, California.
Joe spent the the bulk of his career directing Days of Our Lives and General Hospital. He actually directed the pilot episode of General Hospital back in 1963, then came back the ABC daytime drama series 30 years later to direct it for more than 10 more years,.
Along the way, he won 5 Daytime Emmys for his work on GH, and had won six overall throughout his career. He continued directing until his retirement back in 2005.
Behar’s career started on the Ernie Kovacs Show and he also directed Let’s Make a Deal. and more.
Photo: JPI
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn and his sons, Jeffrey, Steven and Greg Behar and his grandchildren, Alex, Mallory, Niko and Lydia.
Watch an interview with Joe via the TV Academy on his career including working with Frances Reid (Ex-Alice, DAYS), the pace of directing in daytime and more below.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Joe and his family in the comment section.
General Hospital
GH’s James Patrick Stuart Releases His New Album ‘Clean Slate’
On Thursday, the highly-anticipated nine song set from General Hospital’s James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine) dropped on Apple Music
The album entitled “Clean Slate” features the tracks: “Look Out Below”, “My Funny Friend”, “Can U Feel Me?”, “World of Good”, “Don’t Tell Me”, “I Burn For You”, “Always Love You”, “Another Time”, and “My One and Only Love”.
Photo: japastuTwitter
Fans of General Hospital, always love when James performs at the Nurses Ball’ but now here, Stuart delivers several original songs with his unique vocal style that make it unmistakable JPS.
Check out a preview of the album below.
Now, let us know if you will be adding “Clean Slate” to your playlists and more via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Austin Reveals His True Identity
Chrishell Stause and Her ‘Selling Sunset’ Boss Jason Oppenheim Make Relationship Instagram Official
‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman’ Remake Lands at TBS
OLTL Alum Florenica Lozano Joins Netflix Series, ‘Breathe’
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Limited-Series Ordered by Peacock
Public Relations Exec & Former CBS Watch Guru, Jeremy Murphy, New Book with Special Nod to ‘Santa Barbara’ Avail for Pre-Order
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Baby Shower with Cast and Friends (Photos)
Carson Boatman, DAYS Incoming Johnny DiMera, Ties The Knot
DAYS Olympic-Style Promo to Tide You Over Until It Returns
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang in Film ‘The Christmas Dance’ Premieres Friday
Korean Dynasty Soapy Drama ‘American Seuol’ Headed to Hulu
Carson Boatman, DAYS Incoming Johnny DiMera, Ties The Knot
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Limited-Series Ordered by Peacock
Marla Gibbs Joins Days of our Lives
DAYS Olympic-Style Promo to Tide You Over Until It Returns
‘Backstreet Boy’ A.J. McLean To Appear on Days of our Lives
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Baby Shower with Cast and Friends (Photos)
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang in Film ‘The Christmas Dance’ Premieres Friday
‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman’ Remake Lands at TBS
Eileen Davidson, Judith Chapman and Kim Waltrip Talk Plans & Launch Campaign To Make ‘Dial Emme For Murder’ into a Series
OLTL Alum Florenica Lozano Joins Netflix Series, ‘Breathe’
DAYS Olympic-Style Promo to Tide You Over Until It Returns
Eileen Davidson, Judith Chapman and Kim Waltrip Talk Plans & Launch Campaign To Make ‘Dial Emme For Murder’ into a Series
Marla Gibbs Joins Days of our Lives
All My Children Stars and Eileen Davidson On New Episode of Virtual Game Show “Soap Opera Know-It-All”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Bill Learns the Truth About Justin’s Deception
Sexy Soap Stars Unite & Show Hallmark Hunks They Can Be Smokin’ Hot Too; All To Help Kids In Foster Care
Aaron D. Spears Discusses Justin’s Dark Turn On ‘Bold Live!’
THE BACHELORETTE: ‘Still To Come’ Promo Leaves Viewers Pondering with Its Editing
Meghan McCain Exiting ‘The View’
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Shares Her Emotions & Reactions On Her Second Daytime Emmy Win for Lead Actress
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 25, 2021Carson Boatman, DAYS Incoming Johnny DiMera, Ties The Knot
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Breaking NewsJuly 26, 2021‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Limited-Series Ordered by Peacock
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 22, 2021Marla Gibbs Joins Days of our Lives
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 24, 2021DAYS Olympic-Style Promo to Tide You Over Until It Returns
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Days Of Our LivesJuly 22, 2021‘Backstreet Boy’ A.J. McLean To Appear on Days of our Lives
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NewsJuly 26, 2021Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Baby Shower with Cast and Friends (Photos)
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NewsJuly 23, 2021B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang in Film ‘The Christmas Dance’ Premieres Friday
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NewsJuly 28, 2021‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman’ Remake Lands at TBS