Days Of Our Lives
RATINGS: The Bold and The Beautiful Up! General Hospital Hits Low In Women 18-49 Demo!

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GH has been so dull lately. I fund myself zoning out when anyone besides Jake, Elizabeth, Sam, Patrick, Maxie, or Nathan is on. I love the actors in the other roles but the stories are bad and often times out of character and unbelievable…even for a soap. I watch daily and have to try and figure out what’s happened off screen all the time, thinking I missed something. Someone help my show.
Totally agree about GH being dull lately. I also have found some storylines make no sense or characters are totally out of character. Many episodes are little more than “filler.”
I’m going to be tuning back into “General Hospital” once Luke is gone and he has taken Peach Fuzz and Pig Pen with him.
I quit OLTL not too long after CarTini took that show over. I’m actually amazed that I’m still watching GH. Sure, they’ve done some good stuff, but the big picture is pretty awful. I mean, anyone can hit a home run once in a blue moon, but to bat 500 consistantly? They just don’t have it in them. I’m actually 6 days behind in watching and I’m seriously considereng not watching them.
Well, the Luke exit story is getting worse by the day.
Re-writes of re-writes, actors changing lines with no control over what is actually being filmed. I have spent much of the time since 2012 being insulted by the writing, now I have finally crossed over. It is now laughable. Belly laughable (and I don’t mean when intended).
Honestly, I would lay odds on this show not being broadcast next year at this time.
I stopped watching GH years ago, but recently have tuned in here
and there to see Luke’s exit storyline. Don’t watch for more than a few
mins whenever I watch, though, as it is stupid and boring to me. Like
many others, I had hopes that Laura would make it more interesting,
but nope.
What’s working for me, on my favorite Daytime Drama, The Young and the Restless, is the relationship between characters Sharon & Dylan, a.k.a. Shylan. Sharon Case & Steve Burton have wonderful on screen chemistry (MUCH better than SB had with Jessica Collins). I also like that, thanks to this new relationship, bro’s Dylan & Nick are getting to interact with each other more often. Y&R has always been best when it concentrates on the good, positive, REALISTIC relationships between characters, vs. the “over the top” story lines involving rape, cheating & doppelgangers.
Agreed! Love Shylan
I gave up on GH three years ago after watching it since 1968 – you cannot rewrite too much history for long term viewers; same thing with DOOL. I watch Y&R on and off, but mostly “off.”
BnB could be made better with story lines that involved couples and not triangles. They also need to add another family that is not biologically related to a Spencer, Forrester or Logan. Need to diversify the gene pool for the next generation. Lastly, expand the show to one hour and run more than one story line at a time.
AJ, since you had been watching GH since 1968, may I bend your ear (and any other interested reader) for a moment?… I watched GH from 1969 until 2005, then returned from time to time if I heard about something special (e.g. Laura’s return, Nurses’ Ball, etc.). I finally got fed up with the focus of Sonny and the mob as well as the poor treatment of veteran actors. My favorite actress of all time is Valerie Starrett, the original Diana Maynard Taylor. Her tenure was 1969-1977, when she was inexplicably fired by the producer at the time. The role… Read more »
James, I hope AJ answers. This is a tad bit before my time but it sounds fascinating.
Harry, thanks for your response as well as your always enjoyable and thoughtful posts! I know that very few viewers who watched in the 70s (particularly the early 70s) are still around. And the show started in 1963, so maybe there are even some who watched from the beginning… I realize that I am talking ancient history here and thus giving away my age (or ballpark anyway)! But Diana and Peter got me hooked as a kid back then, and so I always think fondly of them. If I could start a thread on how things were different on soaps… Read more »
James, my late maternal grandma watched GH in the 1960s and id sometimes watched with her…i think Diana was there before my Grandma passed away in Summer of 1970…i think she was a waitress or a cook…one character i liked was Audreys sister Lucille which happened to be my late grandmas name too…i only seen GH a little in the 1970s when Diana was involved in a murder but the man was killed by another nurse…watched Another World mostly which was opposite at the time i believe…i was always turning channels to see what was happening on other serials…i wish… Read more »
@jimh: Jim, thanks for your reply! It is great to read about your memories of GH and Another World from that time. I started watching GH with my mother who watched a variety of soaps. Yes, George Reinholt and Jackie Courtney were extremely popular as well. I didn’t watch AW back then, but I knew of them and their popularity. When the actors came to OLTL, I really enjoyed their characters and the attempt by OLTL to capitalize on their AW popularity. Before Soap Opera Digest was launched, there were other soap magazines, such as Daytime TV and Afternoon TV.… Read more »
James, you have a great memory too…now that you mentioned the trial and Augusta, it brings back memories…i must have watched more eps at the time then i originally thought…now i recall Beth, Diana’s sister…on AW, Steve, Alice and Rachel was a love triangle…Alice was good and Rachel was bad…this storyline was so good it didnt matter if Steve was with Alice or Rachel…Rachel was a great villian who didnt have to kill someone to get what she wanted like they do on GH today and she was redeemed and became a better nicer person…And speaking of Daytime Magazine, i… Read more »
I wasn’t a regular watcher of GH at the time (I started watching AMC with my grandmother when I was 12) but I have a vague recollection of Heather stalking Diana?
I am trying to shore up my memory from murky waters–am I even close?
@ Jimh: Thanks! It’s nice to hear more about your AW faves! I like the description of how AW redeemed Rachel. And, yes, GH brought Diana’s sister Beth to the story as well as Diana’s mother. With regard to the murder of Phil Brewer, GH issued a promotional picture, featuring Phil along with the five suspects: Jessie, Diana, Peter, Jim Hobart (Audrey’s husband), and Augusta. Your find of that Daytime Magazine at a garage sale is awesome! Also cool is that you collected years of issues of Soap Opera Digest. A few years ago, I bought a few old issue… Read more »
James…if you think it makes you crazy being a fantac for all things 70s, then lock me up with Heather Webber because i must be crazy too…i’d glady join your Crazy ‘Everything 70s’ Club!!!
Jimh, thanks so much for that! LOL! I like your “Crazy ‘Everything 70s’ Club!” And we haven’t even touched on the music… With regard to Heather Webber, as she has repeatedly shown, being locked up is never a permanent state… Also, I meant to say that I have always enjoyed your posts!
Oh, my God, you guys! I got so involved with your writing, such a vivid description, I felt as if I were there. I really was transported….halcyon days; simpler times? I hear that from Gran so much. You are lucky to have lived those memorable days.
I remember the last few years of AW. I just loved it. Rachel was good, though, not the manipulator she had been. I remember being in Middle School.
My favorite couple was Vicky and Ryan.
Thanks, James and Jim.
@ CeeCee: Thanks so much for your comments! As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I always enjoy your terrific comments and wonderful outlook! When I read your comment in my e-mail inbox (which doesn’t show the name of the poster), I had a feeling it was you! Glad to hear you enjoyed the last few years of the late, great soap, AW. And, yes, for me anyway, the 70s were the “halcyon days” of GH, perhaps for the genre as a whole, given that there were so many soaps on the air: there was always something for everyone to enjoy. Many great… Read more »
I’m with Cee Cee–you folks are doing a damn good job of putting us in the moment. That is no easy feat either! I actually found myself interested in the plot and I eagerly read waiting to see what happened next (and gee, James thanks for the spoilers). All kidding aside, I remember when it came out that Heather’s poor, put upon mother was responsible for Diana’s death. Heather was a fascinating, complex character and her therapy sessions with Dr Katz were compelling. Sadly, I don’t find Heather to be all that interesting anymore because she doesn’t strike an affinity… Read more »
@ Harry: Again, Harry, you’ve made my day! You, CeeCee, and jimh are just terrific, supportive people whose postings I always enjoy. So thank all of you again. Regarding Heather, glad you brought up her therapy sessions with Dr. Katz (played by, I believe, Jordan Charney who was previously on OLTL). They were indeed interesting, and I agree with your point about how Heather has been written in her recent appearances. Some (all?) of it is beyond belief! You know, like, falling off the top of the General Hospital building and surviving, being buried alive by her son, etc. Star-crossed… Read more »
Thank you, James. I mean it when I say your deconstruction of GH history is fascinating. This must be a labor of love on your part and you do it so well.
Now an embarrassing admission–when GH was on my television during the aforementioned time period, and I constantly heard all these GH characters speak of Steven Lars, I THOUGHT they were saying Steve and Lars. I was under the impression that Heather had twin boys names Steve and Lars.
I thought this for the longest time.
Oh, I’m always with you, James. You are so good at narrating…you should compile everything in some kind of book-form.
Thank you…I enjoy reading your well-rounded synopsis much better than what I read online.
“Thanks for the memories?”, albeit I don’t have any of GH…LOL.
Nonetheless, you have that rare talent of taking me there; making me walk in your shoes and seeing ‘what was’ through your eyes. Thanks!! Later, friend.
Harry and CeeCee, thanks again! I appreciate your kind and generous words, more than I can tell you! I am with you both as well! At the risk of boring you or anyone else further, I have a couple of other brief observations and a real-life plot twist (at the end of this post) to share: 1. When Steven (Lars) Webber was brought to the show as an adult, he was played by two different actors: first Shaun Benson and later Scott Reeves. Harry, your comment about “twin boys named Steve and Lars” is quite amusing, but understandable! The adult… Read more »
GH is a mess. Three years of terrible storytelling, disjointed, illogical, plots that make no sense, characters OOC, dozens of newbies, Vets ruined and thrown on the scrap heep, killing AJ for no reason (especially now when less than a year later Michael is softening Sonny and Carly) Killing Duke for absolutely no reason, no contract for Tristan Rogers, Wally Kurth. Vets like Mac, Felicia, Kevin, Monica nowhere to be seen. A show that is all camp with no drama or substance. Characters turned into cartoons, walking jokes; Franco,Nina, Dr.O and now the ridiculous Denise. Forced pairings, no romance. CRANCO.… Read more »
Well-written. I admit that I liked Levi (ducking for cover), and I don’t really miss Kevin or Felicia (hiding), but I agree with everything else you wrote. A little camp and a bit of overacting are fun and healthy in a soap. Too much of a good thing, and the show just collapses into absurdity. It’s time for Ron and Frank to reel it in and tell some actual heartfelt indepth stories.
“Heartfelt” and “indepth”: I like those words!
Matilda, you perfectly articulated my thoughts on GH, too! Thank you for your well put thoughts, hopefully ABC will take note of your post. I’m with you. I prefer some consistency and for that reason, I enjoy Days of Our Lives, so much more than GH. GH could be so powerful, but it is all over the place. There’s so much talent there, but it’s everything you’ve described, which ruins it for fans like us. The only will credit I give to GH, is the extremely talented cast it manages to hold. Vets like Monica (who is always MIA)… killing… Read more »
And I agree with your words: “a big lack of disrespect from ABC & GH to viewers.”
Matilda, you are so very ACCURATE and CORRECT in CATALOGING ALL THAT IS WRONG WITH GH! After your succinct first sentence: “GH IS A MESS,” you absolute nail the reasons why it is such a mess. And your conclusion? Totally on the mark.
Amen.
Matilda, you are right on the money! Thanks for posting!
Waltzing Matilda is spot on right here. Bravo Matilda! The problem is they trotted out a dizzying array of mind numbingly bad characters with their mind numbingly bad stories the same week as Genie Frances’s return. Like most viewers, I fast forward through any scenes involving Nina, Franco, Ava/Denise, Kiki, Morgan, Valerie and Donna Mills. I don’t give a rat’s ass behind about any of the aforementioned characters. I refuse to sit through this horrific maze of crap just to get to the Luke and Laura story. And while Maura West is a good actress, her character is an abysmal… Read more »
Love Matilda’s post–I hope that TPTB see it. I want to also add that I am tired of all the action happening off camera and then it is later explained what happened. For example, we didn’t get to see TJ accosted at the department store by security, we were told about it later. That could have been a compelling story which would be evocative of what is going on in real life. Remember when soaps used to tackle real life social issues? Laura tells Luke that Lucky was kidnapped off camera and it’s explained to us later. Good writing shows… Read more »
Agree about TJ story. So a big department store racially profiles a innocent young black man and they don’t sue but the DA wants to put TJ is prison? What the f? Some lame security guard gets away with it? And what do we get in return, more stupid stories with Franco and Nina. I thought I’d seen it all when low and behold Nina is married to a character (Rick) I don’t remember her ever meeting. I freaking dizzy and my head is spinning out of control.
Bravo, Matilda!
I would like to see more focus on character driven storytelling. It would also help to develop more connections between characters as well, whether it be familial, friendship or business. Focus more on a core group of characters but don’t ignore a strong supporting cast either as they can provide nuance and depth to the storytelling. When you watch an episode of GH now, it is a lot like watching your Twitter feed – all over the place in quick snippets. A little more sustained focus might help. Finally, on a more personal note, I think we could have reunited… Read more »
Great analogy: GH = Twitter feed. You forgot to mention that, like Twitter, too much of GH right now is banal filler mixed with nonsense!
Les, I totally agree with you. This was sort of the case with OLTL in the later years. Action and humor are fine, but for the purpose of the story. Everything doesn’t have to be high-intensity. Good writing and fleshed out characters is what drives a story. GH isn’t the only guilty party. It’s DOOL and don’t get me started on the foolishness being offered by Y&R. B&B is growing, because the characters develop and the writing is character driven and not based on plot. The networks are paying attention, so get it right Y&R, GH & DOOL.
I agree with you: “good writing and fleshed out characters.”
And, Les–yes, yes! I think TPTB are just beginning to see the tip of the iceberg as far as audience ire is concerned. We are discerning viewers; neither the actors nor TPTB seem to grasp that very important fact. And why not reunite Luke and Laura? After the damage done to the Luke character that we grew to know and love, the very least TPTB could have done was to unite them. A loyal audience (of long standing–like 30-40 years) knows the characters inside and out and will take a lot before they turn away and tune out–but there is… Read more »
Nancy, you make excellent points about the expectations of discerning viewers and fan loyalty! The ratings speak volumes but TPTB at GH appear to be tone deaf.
Les & Nancy- how do you even begin to blame ABC and TPTB when obviously everyone at ABC and GH were held hostage by TG — who self admittedly hates his fans and is very bitter about the 8 yrs he left GH, never being able to strike it big as a mainstream actor. Combine that with script approval, GH and the writers never had a fighting chance. TG and GF made it clear in order for them to agree to be in scenes together, they absolutely 100% refused to allow ABC or GH writers to write a happily ever… Read more »
Their is an old song by Gordon Lightfoot that says The feeling is gone and I just can’t’ get it back ! For me I have seen that not watching anymore not because I am angry with anyone just the magic is gone! If the exit story had been in the hands of the late Douglas Marland who helped create the character of Luke you would have seen a different story. The soaps today do not have the gift of seasoned writers the writers today want a quick fix RC just does not have the gift. He spends most of… Read more »
Kay, that’s it exactly. The feeling is gone and I can’t get it back. I am tuning in to see Luke and Laura and every now and then the feeling resurfaces but then it is snuffed out by some really horrible writing. Why was Nina foisted on us the same week of Laura’s return? I think you are correct in your summation that Douglas Marland could have given Tony an exit story worthy of his history and his talent. Nancy, of course I agree with you. Luke and Laura belong together–that is self evident in these precious few scenes we… Read more »
k/kay–So true what you say. “the magic is gone”!
Oh, yes, to have a Doug Marland today–wow, I can only imagine! Makes me sad!
Dear friends, the magic is gone because let’s face it, television has become very advanced and due to sad small budgets and dwindling audiences, soaps were quite frankly left in the dust. You’ve lost the feeling of magic because these daytime shows are antiquated. You are used to watching slick Primetime drama series with 5 mil dollar budgets per episode which are filmed using the highest quality HD film and sets along with realistic location shoots. Plus you are now used to watching between 8-13 episodes of a series, not a staggering 260 episodes per year. The world has changed… Read more »
Fluke Flunked!!! Time to get back to the basics of good storytelling, and not depend on gimmicks and sensationalism for ratings. Except maybe the Nurses Ball…loved some of the acts, but it didn’t seem to rise to the occasion set and guest-wise as other years. Build around the GH namesake of the program in a way that’s more than just a place to come when you’ve been shot or in a car accident. Research institute? Keep generational continuity going in major families, at the same time bringing in new stories/actors that aren’t there for 5 minutes, or not used up… Read more »
Much as I love Ron and Frank they deserve this. They turned their back to the OLTL audience who saved the program a while ago. Then they got rid of the characters like Carlos who werent OLTL but werent sickeningly 40 year old GH legacies either. Now they have the great genie francis who they got rid of 4 characters for . They are getting the ratings drop they deserve
General Hospital is a complete disaster right now. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Just horrible plot nonsense. I hope the new writers can turn Days around. B&B is the best soap right now. Pratt continues to dismantle Y&R,I see the ratings dropping soon. Likey and Lane fans are pissed. Y&R better not throw Sharon under the bus again.
They are, I can see it happening. Why would Sharon stop taking her meds if she’s on them and they are working? By the time the writers get done with this character Sharon will have mowed down the entire population of GC and stolen Nick or Adam’s baby from Sage as a cherry on the top.
GH could actually have a storyline worth watching that involved characters who have been on GH for more than a year. And the endless and boring Luke goodbye tour could END. We get it, he’s a treasure in his own mind, although he’s also too good for the show. GO.
And maybe, writers, maybe you could actually give us a storyline that not only entertains, but also is not written primarily to prop up Sonny, or that focuses on characters from other soaps that have been big flops to begin with? Yeah, I’m looking at U, FrankeNina.
Such astute remarks–I like them!
Ohh my! Seems the return of dull Laura has caused GH to drop.. 30 million people are not tuning in to see Laura … aha! (her return= flop … Thing is.. All us fans who were not watching Luke and Laura back in their era do not give a dham about them and tune out… Luke and Laura are nothing to us and we are not familiar with them to want want try to figure it all out.. And I for one wanted to see my Loved Tony go out with the NOW cast and not with people we don’t… Read more »
ahha.. my posts look cool..
when I use speech to text, with my accent, it gets wild!
Well, that’s an interesting analysis Su0000. The reason it fails is because the ratings did rise the initial week that Laura was on, wk of 6/8, from the previous week of 6/1. Up 140,000 viewers and 15,000 in the demo. The reason the ratings went down the following week was because of the terrible story that viewers found. 10 second scenes the first two days, Laura coming into a hostile room, lead by her daughter and Luke and a ridiculous plot that she and Luke had to pretend to be together. It is not worth watching and people tuned out.… Read more »
Hi AJQ..
yes, I do love my GH..
But!!!!
The past 2 weeks haven been hard for me..
I can get into the Luke and Laura stuff.. YAWN..
I know RC and Team will not let me down and bring it back up !!
There is so much to do in so little time and impossible for writers to please everybody, but they darn well better not disappoint me, there will be WAR!!
I’m looking forward to new developing stories, much yet to come .. 🙂
Fantastic explanation, AJQ. We all get it. However, methinks it went right over Su’s head. Right su.? As Harry says, she has it in her head to use Laura as a football and nothing will budge that intractable notion. Obstinate girl…LOL. ‘Gotta’ love her. She amuses me.
Laura’s return has been a snoozed fest and so has the rest of the show..GH has been a disturbing and silly mess for close to 2 years with their idiotic storylines..I am giving up after, Anthony Geary last episode..I really love Ron C., and all the good work he did in OLTL and the first couple of years of GH, but he really needs to go..This show needs new blood and characters driven storyline, not the same stupid stuff over and over with no reward at the end…DOOL has been getting better and the old writers are still on, lol,… Read more »
Thank you for explaining that to Suoo, AJQ. She has an inexplicable and irrational dislike of Laura Spencer because Laura is, as she likes to remind us again and again, “before her time.” Maybe she just feels left out. SU00, the numbers were slipping before Genie came back due to abysmal story telling and a herd of characters being force fed to us viewers. The same week Genie came back, Nina was forced down our throats. My feeling is that this occurred so we would be forced to watch Nina and her horrible story because we were tuning in to… Read more »
You are bang on here, Harry. I came back to GH because of Laura’s return and the hope that the writers would finally give us a story that was worthy of two iconic soap characters – Luke and Laura. Given the way things are going, not even Genie staying will keep me watching. It’s sad because there are some very talented actors/actresses in the cast who could bring it home with some good, solid writing like you speak of.
“Writing Tony’s exit around her (Laura/Genie)?????????????????????????????
Are you KIDDING me?
Genie Francis hardly had a line the first day she returned.
It is NOT Genie that is the problem; it is the WRITERS!
They don’t care about her nor about the viewers.
Did it ever occur to anybody that maybe people are not tuning in because they have Luke fatigue?
Hey su000, question for you…..if Genie Francis is, as you say, new to you and “so many other fans”, then why does Entertainment Tonight and other news outlets cover her almost daily. I just saw her interviewed last night by Entertainment tonight. But, I guess they do that for every star of GH, NOT!!!
They interviewed her because her publicist did their job. No one is out there seeking Genie Francis out, her people whom she pays are doing this. And no I don’t have a problem with GF at all. I’m fine with her and I do agree I don’t give a damn about the old characters coming back. I don’t know their history and I don’t care to know it. BUT, I am happing for the loyal fans who do know their history and love seeing the back on their screens. I just ff when they are on. We can’t always get… Read more »
I’ve said it before and I will say it again: Bill Bell is spinning like a rotisserie chicken in his grave!! Since Chuck “The Hack” Pratt finagled an Executive Producer credit along with the Head Writer gig, this once-great show has tail-spun into extreme stupidity and absurdness! A list: More effin’ dopplegangers – ENOUGH!! This whole Jack/”Yack” storyline has been nothing but improbable, convoluted and plain dumb!! More pregnancies: sorry, but enough with the female characters (Sharon & that god-awful Sage!) pushing 40/over 40 and suddenly becoming pregnant! Don’t people on soaps use condoms?!? Miracle operations: Ashley has a serious… Read more »
Whew! Sounds like the Y & R writers have been taking a (bad) page out of the GH writers’ 00I handbook!
SU0000 – Are you RC or FV? If so, HI!! Seriously, we old timers are not clamoring for the past, we just want some damn good writing. RC loves campy and that is fine, but I don’t want to feel as though I am watching a bad B movie from the 50s, 60s or 70s. GH has an excellent cast, but the storylines do not match the talent. Say what you will, but for me, Fluke flunked! It seemed they made it up as they went along. Genie is not the reason the ratings have dropped. It’s the introduction of… Read more »
Lew I have often said Su is someone connected with the show. Ron, or Frank, or maybe TG too. Paid Abc intern, whatever. Whoever Su is….its not a normal rational liking of a show. It’s not. No one is thaT hostile, or defensive, or protective of such a disturbing, disgusting television program that is written to appeal to the lowest common denominator. And for this person to vehemently despise only two soap actresses/characters….both luminous talented blondes who have been thrown under the bus repeatedly by their shows…Sharon Case and Genie Francis…is very telling. This post will probably be deleted or… Read more »
Aden, I don’t know you but I love you.
I hope that doesn’t freak you out.
Lol Harry. No its cool! Love is great! Su would disagree though. Su doesnt like love. he/she only likes rape and murder and unnecessary violence. He/she SHOULD be loving Y & R right now!!! But then again, CBS isnt paying the bills….
Does GH have to have constant exciting stories that keep you on the edge of your seat? In order for the ratings to be good. All soaps have their slow moments from time to time. GH will bounce back.
Susan, that’s just it–we want GH to slow down in order to introduced characters, their development, conflict, rising acting, etc…..
We don’t want disjointed weird stories where most of the action happens off screen only to be later told about it.
We want good solid character driven stories.
No doubt GH was down! Yesterday was probably the worst written and acted episode of any soap I have ever seen, except for ANY episode of Passions. The dialogue was asinine, the pacing was weird, who gives a shit what Rosalie’s secret is…maybe if we knew ONE thing about this airtime hog we might give two hoots!! Nikolas, who has never been violent towards women…suddenly slammimg doors and threatening them…was a just a bit disconcerting. And it amazes me that Ron C. is so clueless about business and the law. Just because someone happens to be holding ElQ paper shares… Read more »
Yesterday was sooooo bad, i fell asleep…Denise sounds like Sylvester Stallone in drag…im sure if Morgan beds her he can tell thats not her natural hair color…Laura looks like one of those wrongly convicted chicks from some Prision B movie who escaped and is on the run…Luke looks like he needs an overdue rest…Nina, Franco, Kiki, Jordan, TJ, Rosalee and Sabrina need to be dropped and replaced with more Qs, and Webbers, and Monica needs to be shown—lets reveal Jake as Jason…give Scott and Lucy some relatives…show Mac and Felicia more…just give us great character driven drama…..the show is overly… Read more »
I hear you, jimh!!!! Today I took a few minutes to get my Holly and Laura nostalgia fix, then tuned out. I knew what was coming….(thank God for spoilers!) and couldn’t bear the thought of having to break out the extra-large barf bag when the “Shagging Sappy the Babysitter, Part Deux” commenced! Do these show runners EVER have an original thought when it comes to this banal albatross???? She already conveys a certain conceit and now that she’s landed a genuine Quartermaine in her bed, she’s really going to be an insufferable twit. If this idiocy is what will monopolize… Read more »
Why do we all come back to the same classic movies and classic novels–it’s the LOVE STORY, stupid!
Guess the writers at GH haven’t yet heard of that concept.
Could Valerie have ONE line of dialogue that does NOT include Dante!????????????? We get it. She is a psycho lunatic fixated on Dante. Bad writing is a burying this actress
You bet, Aden. I told su she likes the bad boys and the violence. I asked her to explain her reasoning. But, in her world, the ‘badder’ the person the better the show. As Harry said; it is irrational. I have given up …so, I read su’s posts and I chuckle. You see, Aden. They are inconsequential. The consensus is ,….Everyone anticipated Laura’s return. Even I, whom I did not know as Laura, but as Genevieve from Y&R. I immediately fell in love. We also know Laura’s presence did not propel the ratings to drop. LOL…The Valerie thing cracks me… Read more »
@Smoochie. Hi, Smoochie. I can understand how su’s comments may rile you? But, she does not deserve to be referred to as ‘IT’. She is definitely a human being….and, a girl. Her style of writing gives her gender away. If you may have noticed, the rest of our fellow-posters ‘reprimand’ ( for lack of a better word) Su, but never, ever call her names or refer to her as an object. You have no right. Furthermore, Su is a person with feelings. I have no idea who she is, but I do not like to see or hear anyone be… Read more »
General HOSPITAL I like the show to incorporate more classic adventure story lines. Danger and peril elevate the romantic stakes. FLESH OUT SOME characters by having them hang out with various folks and not just in pairs. Cut the humor a bit
Gh is boring. That’s why it keeps hitting lows.
FV & RC and team are trying to please the ol’timers and the newer, both.. I have read and googled to check- GH in Dec of 2012 had a canceling number of 2.1 million viewers.. Now- GH has brought in million new viewers to up the numbers to 3 million, up and down. What has, is happening.. The luved Cassadines are gone, killed off.. (now trying to fix the mistake by making Nik a true Cassidine) love it!! Anna is out for 3 months Ned and Olivia left Duke and Shawn gone Dr. O is busy with 2 other series… Read more »
Someone ought to lock you in a cellar. Honestly, the disdain you have for Laura is just odd and blaming her return for the bad ratings is illogical. As much as I love Luke, the Fluke debacle turned many long time fans off due to the disjointed, non sensical writing. Honestly, it seemed like damage control was going on the entire time. Yes, it gave me something I had never experienced before–Luke Burnout. Get it through your head–the ratings have not dropped because of Laura’s return–they were down already. They stayed down despite her return while people like me tuned… Read more »
Dear Harry.. ”disdain” is a strong word.. I do not like Laura she is nothing to me.. Not everyone likes a newbie, it takes time but still so far gotta give a thumbs down. So far she has done nothing but bore me. I don’t see her as being good.. I do not like her, but ”disdain” nawwww.. Thing is; if Laura was such a big deal, as many are making her to be, people would be tuning in no matter what just to see her again. Fans have watched through many a bad story and not tuned out.. Seems… Read more »
But, Su. When you FF Laura, you also FF Luke, whom you love so much. Could it be???? You would sacrifice skipping over your beloved just to not see Laura? Makes no sense, LOL. And, how do you know that after the year 2000, people’s interest in Laura is non-existent? C’mon, Su. How old are you? I’m 29. Are you younger than I or older? I like Laura. You can’t make such a blatant generalization that younger viewers to not watch because of Laura, ergo the ratings went down! I am tired of Luke. Just as k/kay said, some of… Read more »
Su0000- It seems when someone answers one of your posts with facts, actual information, you simply ignore it and continue with your talking points. As I pointed out to you in an earlier post, the ratings did rise the initial week that Laura was on, wk of 6/8, from the previous week of 6/1. Up 140,000 viewers and 15,000 in the demo. As a matter of fact the Friday episode that week, 6/12, (where Laura had scenes with Nik), had 2,831,000 viewers, a high number for Fridays on GH by about 300,000 viewers than the week before and over 400,000… Read more »
Do you hear AJQ, SUoo? In other words, you’re WRONG!! WRONG as socks worn with sandals, WRONG as Bermuda shorts worn on a SF cable car with their foggy summers and as WRONG as jeggings worn to the opera. You are WRONG!
You do not get to pass GO and you do not get to collect 200 dollars!
What is that you’re saying SU000? I can’t hear you through the heavy cellar door.
I’ll go get help. I promise!
In the meantime, hear my words ricochet in your mind–you are WRONG!
This is a vent. I started watching General Hospital in the mid 60’s, with my Grandmother and Mother. I don’t understand how this SU000 (not a wonder 3 zeros says it all) who has proclaimed him/herself the ultimate and only connoisseur of soap operadom and anything else under the sun I am guessing, is not banned from this or any other forum. Whoever this is, is a condescending, illiterate who obviously knows very little of GH beyond her/his own little narcissistic world. Although posters are entitled to their opinions, it is inappropriate to put people down because they are “old… Read more »
AJQ.. and dear Harry.. I said absolutely nothing about the rating numbers, what they were or weren’t for you rant on me about your numbers, I posted none/nothing about the last weeks numbers. Check my post, it is empty of statistics, no numbers from me about Laura’s return … I said, in essence, she did not bring in what was expected in so many words, I don’t care about this or that week numbers are down since her return. And AJQ was posting her numbers at me lol Fact is, the numbers went down since her return beit after the… Read more »
Su…the bottom line is whether you like Laura or not, it would be more offensive and disappointing to viewers who watched Luke and Laura to not incorporate her into his final hurrah. So far, the story sucks. Boring as shite…but NOT because of Laura. If the story was engaging you might get caught up in it. Fans of Luke and Laura…those who want to see them together one last time, also want a compelling story. There are certain actors I love…I may go to see a film they’re in and wlind up hating it. But that’s because if the story…not… Read more »
Rebecca, where have you been?
We’ve missed you. Even those with whom you have disagreed quite often have missed you.
I hope all is well with you.
And of course you know this ONE time I agree with you on this point.
Take care.
LOL, Harry! You and I have agreed on many points! Curious that you don’t remember that…agism, our love for but disappointment in Alexis (minus your and others Alexis/cleavage obsession), our love of AJ and our disgust that they killed him off…same with Duke…the list goes on… Where have I been. Very busy with “real” life. The free time I had was used binge watching True Blood. Literally, every waking at-home moment I was glued. Loved it! Was way behind in GH. LOL. I doubt those (two) I have disagreed with missed me. Nor would I miss them. Unless I felt… Read more »
I’m still judging Laura.. I may end up liking her.. you said; ”“us” vs “them” conflict. ” you saying that^^ puts you in the ”them” in conflict with the ”us” .. 😉 What the?? lol What I said is not a one versus the other, it is a fact that newer viewers do not know Laura. No conflict there..It’s nothing personal to not know and not care for a character.. I listen to all who love Laura to pieces and let them carry on with their love for her and I let roll. I have fun seeing Harry all giggly… Read more »
Rebecca1…Just this weekend I picked up a video with one of my favorite actors…Colin Firth of Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones Diary fame, to name a few. I didn’t like the video because of the story. And talking about the “us and them” you mentioned regarding younger and older fans/actors/characters. Sometimes the comments do have a tone to them that don’t show respect for either age group. As a big baseball fan, I know it doesn’t have to be that way. The game and history are a living mix of ages from rookies, established players, vets who may be… Read more »
It happens a lot, Rose. Human nature…I remember a few incidents when I was in my 20s…there were two women I worked with and when I found out they were 40 the pay may as well have been 80. Lol…over and over again I exclaimed, “I can’t believe it!” I also remember these two women who used to go to the same club as I did…(always loved dancing…one of my favorite things) and they, too, were somewhere in their 40s. Once again I was SHOCKED…hahaha…that people in their 40s got, lol, “down wid da sound” and looked so hot doing… Read more »
Hit send by accident…my point is I think people are so hung up on age…you hear it all the time even when an older musician goes on tour, an decades famous rock band, an older actor, athlete on Dancing With The Stars…it’s like we think people just cease singing, dancing, playing sports, having sex, flirt, basically having any signs of life! lol… Philosophically, I wonder if we’d think differently if one day we all stopped aging physically at a certain youthful point…so a 70 year old wouldn’t look a day over 20-something. Dorian Gray in the flesh. Then we wouldn’t… Read more »
Rebecca, my point was that while you and I have disagreed many times before for some odd reason, I never wanted to lock you in a cellar. I guess I like you. The same holds true for Cee Cee, Shay, Timm, Jim, Nancy, Waltzing Matlida, and so many others. Su cracks me up and somehow triggers something good in me. I can never ascertain whether she is being serious or not. Yes, she pushes my buttons. That said, I feel kind of done with GH. I am back to the repeat bitch cycle and don’t want to keep repeating myself.
Oh, Harry. You can’t be done…the time will come when the genre will be completely relegated to the TV museum and we’ll all sit around in some oval auditorium watching a documentary about the soap era. We’ll sit and watch, tissues in hand, and collectively cry. Until…the Q&A part of the exhibit. We will all then fight vehemently about Sabrina’s intentions, Alexis’s cleavage, Sam’s wardrobe, Sonny’s existence…who’s too old to still rock his / her world…and whether Fluke was the Chernobyl of daytime. Then, we will rise from our seats and start throttling each other. If you quit now, you… Read more »
SOMEONE HELP GENERAL HOSPITAL..PLEASEE
THIS SHOW I.Q LEVEL IS PROBABLY A ZERO!!
I AM SO DONE WITH THIS SHOW AFTER BEING A VIEWER SINCE 1983.
YEP I WAS 13!! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP THIS SHOW BEFORE IT GETS CANCELED..THE STUPID AND REPETITIOUS STORYLINES ARE JUST DISTURBING AND IDIOTIC!!
I AM STILL TUNING IN FOR ANTHONY’S LAST EPISODE, BUT EVEN THAT STORY IS A SNOOZE FEST SO FAR.
Any time Roger Howarth is in a scene with Michelle Stafford, I’m hooked. Love Dr. O and Madeline too. Roger Howarth with anybody actually. Hilarious Queens accent with “Denise”. Throw away camp is contagious. Like Michael Sabrina Rosalie Nikolas. New LuLu not so much.
Old has-been characters a turn off. Geezer story lines and sex. Yuk. Bye Luke. Laura. Felicia. Mac. Anna. Duke. Lucy the most annoying. Good riddance!!!
More Nina & Franco!
GH has made some mistakes. Luke’s exit story is a mess. New Kiki is a very bad recast. West as Denise instead of Ava does not work. Sonny and Carly reunite for the 100th time,please give me a break. Lulu is annoying. Elizabeth keeping Jake from his family destroys a beloved character. But there are some things that do work. Howarth and Stafford together are pure gold. Nathan and Maxie are a perfect match. Anything Lissel is fun.
Ok, friends and neighbors, there is something I’ve been wanting to get off my chest for almost 40 years now, so listen up. Here goes. Why is it that soap fans have historically been derided and sneered at and stereotyped as little old ladies, out in the country in their aprons (with used stoves and washing machines on their porches and cars up on concrete blocks parked in their yards)) sub-literate, sitting in front of their TVs, shelling peas (?–ok, ok, nothing like a little hyperbole to get people’s attention, right?), unable to distinguish the actors from the role they… Read more »
hmmm The 1st gen of soap watchers are grandmas and great grandmas.. The second gen of soap fans were their grandchildren. The 3rd gen were their children, so to say.. The soaps have been noted for; Grandma’s stories .. (grandma is watching her stories) it stuck.. And a good percent of soap fans are older, ask the sponsors lol Ask anyone under the age of 30 about soaps and they will tell you- soaps are for old people my grandma watches that stuff.. And fans expect way way way too much from the writers, actors and stories. Most want their… Read more »
Applauding loudly for Nancy while blithely ignoring SU00.
Entirely possible to stick around 30, 40 or more years on soaps and still be ashamed of them. They’re a steady paycheck, after all, in a profession (acting) that doesn’t offer very many of those. Tony Geary’s been pretty disdainful of both the soaps and soap fans in his public commentary; if you’ve never heard that, you have now. He may indeed be “quite the gentleman” in his interpersonal dealings face to face; I don’t know. But his public commentary on his soap role and soap fans definitely justify what Nancy said about him. As far as fans expecting “too… Read more »
Nancy…I never thought about the soap watcher as you described, but more the suburban and city mom who wanted to break up her day with what can be boring after a while…housework, cooking, cleaning, and kids…with a little fantasy, romance, glamor, villains and villiainesses, and adventure. And without getting into a discussion, these mom’s roles can have really changed, but sometimes not the reasons for a Soap escape. I know this is a broad-brush impression of women from when P&G soaps ruled. At the same time the general impression of guys was only being interested in watching sports, and images… Read more »
I agree, Rose.
I have never thought of, or heard of the soap-watcher stereotype
Nancy described. I remember my mom, much like the picture you
painted, of a busy suburban stay-at-home mom with a lot on her plate. When
she sat to relax and watch Guiding Light and As the World Turns,
it was her time, and no one dared to interrupt her, lol.
I agree with Nancy. Whenever I mention I watch a soap I say it with a ready- made quip to defend myself…and was surprised and amused to find out several magazine editors I’ve worked with also watched! I just think soaps were originally written for the stay-at-home housewife…who probably wasn’t as respected as she is today. It was for the “little woman” who was probably thought to have little education, no goals. And a lot of time to gobble up romance, adventure, etc. I think from there the stereotype spread out to less than physically attractive, etc. Then, people started… Read more »
Most College students, if not all, (both sexes) watch soaps. So, that is a distorted point of view some people have.
Furthermore, I have been watching ever since I can remember. Did not understand stand most of the dialogue, but I had my favorites. My son is only six. He loves Maxie…don’t ask me why,he just does. LOL.
Wow!!!! I must be having a nightmare. I’m not following you, Nancy?? At whom are you directing your anger? The fans, the actors, the PTB or at everyone? What is your point? I missed it.
I thought my hyperbole OVERSTATED my point, but let me put it plainly for you: soap fans have been historically disparaged.
I’m not gonna bash GH, but I’ve said the same the repeatedly for a few yrs now as an 18-49yo female: Less mob & violence & more romance. They have taken a break from mob (thank you heavens). But they are so seriously lacking in romance. How hard can it be? Just 1 or 2 couples? I prefer GH to Bold and Beautiful, but take today for example: You have Franco randomly kissing Denise-ooh, aah, who cares? Lipstick on his face. Nina’s jealous. Whatever. Oh but, what, it’s Denise, who I don’t know because she’s not Ava thus I have… Read more »
Really, Laurie. In what world does one see such a pathetic display of exchanging fluids? What was that? What is wrong with these writers? Why are the characters acting like puppets? I could not watch them act like High Schoolers in the throes of first love, any longer. I went for a swim instead.
June and July are usually the slowest months for soaps– June because we are coming off the high that was May sweeps, so next to them, most stories seem dull. July is the lull, and by August stories begin reving up again September which is the beginning of new television season. Soap watching is a bit like investing in the stock market, you have to willingly to wait out the dips in order to capitalize (enjoy) the highs. My main issue with soaps today is the lack of balance between plot and character. There has to be some action to… Read more »
I used to love GH, when story telling was heartfelt, and true to the history of the show. This regime is famous for “bringing back fan favorites,” but have no clue how to use or write for them! It’s almost like they only bring these people back as a publicity stunt than to actually write for them. The characters that they do write for are written so poorly, and are only driven by the plot. There’s no emotion to the story like there was in the 90’s. Sometimes I do feel like I’m watching a cartoon with all of the… Read more »
lol Hi T, you said; ” Stories are Unrealistic, impractical, illogical, senseless and totally foolish/ cartoonish.” That ^^^ is what soaps are and have always been.. You left out the tear-jerking and the dying of diseases, betrayals, deceit, sad deaths, and badly portrayed sex. Soaps are truly not realistic and are not meant to be.. As for the racial profiling story, RC tried but it is up to ABC and the Sponsors if they want to have a racial story, and the Sponsors do not want racial anything, it is a powder keg and not good for selling products.. We… Read more »
I’m not buying your characterization of soaps nor your opinion that sponsors wouldn’t support those kinds of stories.
Soaps may have “always been” unrealistic, impractical, illogical, senseless and totally foolish/cartoonish while you’ve been watching them, su0000, but they have not always been that way.
What was is no longer.. I believe that goes for all the soaps.. Times changed, formats changed, time and the media has changed.. The soaps will never be what they were. It was a different era/a different time with different storytellers. A different era .. This is now, 21st century soaps, not only GH.. I am happy I am not a long time vet and I can watch and enjoy GH without comparing it to days of yore.. GH ROCKS !! Nancy.. There is not soap sponsors that would allow a racial profiling story, a racial anything story.. It would/could… Read more »
@nancy dillingham.
Sorry, Nancy. But, Su has done her homework here. Advertisers and executives both have a say in what can or cannot be aired. (AAC…Advertisers Accountability Campaign) . Not all programming, mind you. But there is an effort to sanctionIng said programs.
I beg you please, not to talk down to Su. I am sorry, Nancy. But, you are in the habit of doing that. To me and to Su because you feel you can. You remind me of someone else on these threads.
I respectfully ask you to stop. I bite!
Wow ! all I can truly offer… is how much I appreciate fan rejoice
GH is faltering
Y&R is “gone”
Days : the engine that could… valiantly persevere
B&B : does that 1/2 hour show have that much more pull when less writing is needed?
I need these show
Oh, Patrick…dear, dear Patrick. You always manage to put me at ease. You are the calm voice of reason, my friend.
unfortunately, I’m one of those viewers who has dropped off lately, my reasons are the same as many others have stated: 1.) PACING – the stories move way too quick. The whole TJ racial profiling “story” lasted a week, where I would have been interested in watching it play out for 3-4 months with a big trial. (Most trials on GH these days are 2-3 episodes at most.) Additional examples of stories with unspent potential: Felicia running for mayor, the courtship of Brad and Lucas, Sonny in prison, Lucy and Kevin breaking up, etc. Conversely, they have extended the Luke… Read more »
TPTB at ABC should print this out and pin it on the wall above the water cooler which stands outside the head writer’s office.
Well done, Dowtownia.
Amen, Harry! And a big shout out to you!
Downtown is…well said!
Thanks, I’ve loved GH for so long. I just hope they can improve the quality so that we can fall in love with the show again and new viewers can see why we have been so faithful to this show for all these years!
We viewers are caught between a rock and a hard place. If we stop watching and ratings go down we lose the show; if we continue to watch less than engaging stories we encourage the writers to go in the same wrong direction. Instead of talking amongst themselves at creative meetings, they really need to have a pulse on viewer opinion…newer viewers as well as long-time fans. Sounds simple. Apparently not simple enough.
Ron and Frank made General Hospital a disaster by propping and giving newbies storyline after storyline and more airtime to Sabrina, Nina etc while the vets we care about being ruined. We need new writers who respect the history of Gh
Sabrina gave Patrick a great story (and brought other upfront..
All the newbies give the vets new stories..
When a connected newbie arrives it will give the vets stories/ bring them upfront.
Newbies keep things rolling, new characters new stories for vets..
RC has always respected history, even his callouts to past soaps and charters are cool..
RC started to watch GH with g’ma and he never stopped watching even through college- since a child he has been a GH fan like all the ol’times he also is..
(thing is now he writes, how cool)
Sabrina and Patrick was the worst pairing of the GH. I don’t like none of RC pairing, too many newbies we could care less about, no character driven stories, just a plot point mess and that why the rating are low.
I don’t think RC understands women very well nor how to write for or about them. It’s kind of sad really.
I love B & B but with Radar’s stories on Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner every day I’m tired of the transgender story line right now. Transgender has been around for century’s now all of a sudden Hollywood has talk about it every day , on the news, newspapers, cover of magazines and now on our soaps. Please can we get on with a story?
If Jenner were not related to the Kardashians, Nikki, there would not be so much transgender TV/ hoopla. It seems that’s the daily fare. I do not understand how something so poignant , personal and painful could be aired so mindlessly. It’s all for money. Pathetic. There are people out there that are suffering, trapped in a body that is not theirs. It cannot be as easy as one, two, three. My heart goes out to them. I am amazed at the publicity. Everyone is cashing in at the expense of those who are still hiding in the dark. Furthermore,… Read more »
I am happy for Caitlyn, but sad for her for not feeling herself
for 65 years.
Having said that, it sure did not take long to get a reality series
in the works! I think “I am Cait” begins next month.
Isnt there enough Kardashian/Jenner stuff on TV already?
So right, CeeCee, even this is about money.
So many did backflips for Ron and Frank, and they can be credited with reviving the show TEMPORARILY…but now they also need to be credited with 8-9 weeks of lows in the all important demo.
Time for a change.
PatF.. RC and FV are seasoned soap writers.. Soap writers are an endangered species.. There are no writers busting down the door to write for a soap.. It is very demanding as are the fans.. Even if a soap writer were ”checking it out” and read how fans berate and belittle the writers they would run to the exit.. There are no new experienced, writers.. If by chance a newbie writer come in as head writer, ohh whoa wouldn’t that be a party…. They had to blow the dust off Pratt to get a writer for Y&R and they are… Read more »
su0000 sure told you.
You’re saying GH should let the writer go, but what if he were to show up at Y&R? Would you like that? Maybe Splat Pratt can use some help or lose his job.
DAYS recently fired a pair of writers. Maybe they’ll show up at GH or Y&R!
IMO…. Since I have been a long time Y&R viewer and a recent GH viewer, I absolutely love Nina and Ava/Denise. Possibly, because they may remind me of the time when Y&R was interesting to watch? I love Nina and Franco together! I like Morgan and Kiki together – hate Morgan with Denise. I love the new Dillon. He definitely reminds me of a Q. He is very cute the way he stands up for his mom. I really enjoy his interactions with Tracy. I like the way he stood up to Luke and told him off. If you want… Read more »
hi Abruzzfan..
I am a big Franco and Nina fan too.
They are not the typical soap couple they are out of the box and unique !!
When Franco and Nina are on my screen, I am captivated by the misfits!
Billy Miller/ Jake is awesome and new Dillan is a perfect fit. He and Tracy click.
Ava is greatness, always has my full attention..
GH is the best soap, #1 indeed !!!! I love the variety and humor relief with the drama..
I am in that same place, Abruzzfan. ….long-time Y&R watcher; fairly new to GH. I especially love Nina, regardless of all the flaws the writers are inflicting upon her. It is not Michelle’s fault. I would love for the rein holders to showcase her talent…..to give her a mature, heartfelt storyline and take revenge on MadMaddie and Rick. I am not a bloodthirsty fan, but, Michelle/Nina deserves a role that is dignified….after all her work on Y&R. The writers need to wake Nina up and give her some ammunition….some sense to fight these two leaches who are intentionally usurping her… Read more »
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