General Hospital
| General Hospital | |
|---|---|
| File:General-hospital-siren.jpg | |
| Created by | Frank and Doris Hursley |
| No. of episodes | 11,310 (as of May 25, 2007) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Jill Farren Phelps |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC , SOAPnet |
| Release | April 1 1963 |
General Hospital (GH) is the longest-running daytime American soap opera, broadcast on the American Broadcasting Company television network. It is also the longest-running soap opera produced in Hollywood (having been taped at the Prospect Avenue ABC Television Center West and Sunset-Gower Studios).
Set in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York, General Hospital debuted on April 1 1963, the same day that rival network NBC launched its own medical soap opera, The Doctors. The show originally aired for a half-hour until the network expanded it to the unusual length of 45 minutes in 1976, and then to a full hour in 1978. The serial was created by soap writers Frank and Doris Hursley, a husband-and-wife team.
General Hospital is credited for starting several trends in the soap opera genre in the 1980s, most notably that of the supercouple and fast-paced action-adventure plotlines that were remarkably different from the more traditional domestic and social issues that had been the sole focus of most soap operas during the previous decades. In 2003, when GH celebrated its 40th anniversary, TV Guide named it "The Greatest Soap Opera Of All Time".
Show history
Detailed storylines
- GH Storylines: 1963-1969
- GH Storylines: 1970-1979
- GH Storylines: 1980-1989
- GH Storylines: 1990-1999
- GH Storylines: 2000-2006
Decidedly different (2006-present)
The train wreck of November 2005, was followed by a quarantine storyline where Port Charles fell victim to a mutated strain of encephalitis. The epidemic claimed the lives of long term characters, Dr. Tony Jones (Brad Maule) and Courtney Matthews (Alicia Leigh Willis) before a cure was found. Sam's brother Danny McCall also died in the epidemic, which led to Sam McCall learning that Alexis Davis was her biological mother, a storyline that has had numerous repercussions throughout most of the year.
General Hospital returned to its roots as a series of medical storylines were incorporated into the drama, such as Sonny Corinthos' bipolar disorder, Patrick Drake's HIV scare, Lucky Spencer's pill addiction, Lulu Spencer's abortion, and Alexis Davis' Lung Cancer. However the mafia storylines that have dominated General Hospital for the past decade are also still very much of the drama. In addition to this, the producers continued to bring back several fan favorites to the show.
Just before returning to her catatonic state, Laura Spencer informed her daughter, Lulu, she believed she was innocent of murdering her step-father Rick Webber. Seeing this as a place to step in and help her mother, Lulu tried to uncover the Rick Webber's real murderer. Her search led her to believe that either Dr. Alan Quartermaine or his wife Dr. Monica Quartermaine was the real murderer. During her search Alan and Monica realized what she and Dillon were up to and accused the other of killing Rick Webber. After years of believing that the other had killed Rick, they eventually realized that neither had committed the crime. During the hostage crisis in the METRO COURT Alan had a heart attack, and he revealed to Lulu that he and Monica realized what she was up to. Alan told her how he had always believed Monica killed Rick and vice versa with Monica. He said that someone else was the killer; and he told Lulu to "follow the money". After being released from the hotel Alan collapsed and suffered a massive heart attack. Monica and the other paramedics rushed Alan to the hospital, where Monica performed heart surgery on her beloved husband. After the surgery Monica told the family that Alan barely pulled through, and to expect the worst. On Monday, February 26 Alan Quartermaine took his last breath, and died after nearly 30 years on General Hospital. His adoptive daughter Emily was by his side.
In February 2007, General Hospital embarked on yet another ground-breaking storyline for Sweeps as the entire cast once again found themselves in a central storyline. The majority of the main characters were held hostage at Jasper Jacks and Caroline "Carly" Corinthos Metro Court hotel. The storyline took place over 16 "real-time" episodes whereas each episode represented one hour of the events that lead up to the explosion at the MC hotel. The storyline also marked the return of Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) to the cast. Viewers last saw Scott after the Port Charles Hotel had burned down in the February 2004 hotel fire Sweeps storyline. The Metro Court, owned and operated by Jasper Jacks and Carly Corinthos, is built on the site where the Port Charles Hotel (which was owned and operated by the Quartermaine family) once stood before the 2004 fire. As a result of the hostage situation, the character of Alan Quartermaine suffered a massive heart attack and was later admitted to General Hospital where he died, sparking much controversy about the placement and importance of veteran cast members of the show with fans and the cast members, alike.
Jason Morgan, Elizabeth Webber, Maxie Jones, Sam McCall, Lucky Spencer, Ric Lansing, and Alexis Davis are all involved in the fallout of sexcapades last summer that have caused divorces, pregnancies, lies of omission, and blackmail.
Current storyline list
General Hospital/Current Storyline List
Return of fan favorites
GH has made a name for itself for bringing back fan favorites. During the years, such performers as Jane Elliot, David Lewis, Kin Shriner, Genie Francis, Anthony Geary, Jack Wagner, Maurice Benard,Tyler Christopher, Kimberly McCullough, and Steve Burton have returned to the show.
In October 2005, Kimberly McCullough returned to the role of Dr. Robin Scorpio to the delight of her fans. Robin quickly got involved in the frontburner storyline, which involved Robin's former lover, mobster Jason Morgan, having severe seizures. To further this storyline, rock star Rick Springfield was asked to return for four episodes. He returned for the role of Dr. Noah Drake, a role he hadn't played since 1983, Springfield eventually agreed to extend his stay and he was put on recurring status. The return of Noah also introduced a new character, his son Dr. Patrick Drake. Patrick's portrayer Jason Thompson has earned incredible success since he joined the show in December 2005.
The biggest return occurred on January 27 2006, when the presumed dead Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) returned to Port Charles. Ever since Rogers left the show in 1992, there were rumors of his return every year. Rogers agreed to stay for February sweeps and the fan reaction was so big that Rogers joined the cast in April 2006. Although he hasn't signed a contract, Rogers is part of the cast.
One of the most welcomed returns was John Ingle, who left Days of our Lives to return to his role of Quartermaine family patriarch Edward Quartermaine. In 2003, producers of the show announced that Ingle would be bumped to recurring and he was outraged. After several fans wrote in letters, they offered Ingle a new contract, but he declined. In 2004, Jed Allan replaced Ingle. Allan wasn't very successful in the role and in April 2006, Ingle made his return to the show.
Another big return was Emma Samms as Holly Sutton. She returned to the show on February 20 to finish off February sweeps. Samms enjoyed her return so much, she came back again for May sweeps. She has stated she loves to do the show and will agree to do these small stints every few months. During May sweeps, Finola Hughes also returned for a week and than returned again in June 2006 for an additional two month run.
One of the biggest announcements in recent years occurred in June 2006, when it was announced that Genie Francis would return to the role of Laura Spencer. Francis returned to the show for six weeks, for the 25th celebration of Luke and Laura's wedding. She started on October 26, with Laura being brought out of a catatonic state with an experimental medicine. On November 16, Luke and Laura remarried. Laura's medicine was only temporary, as she would return to Shadybrook back into a catatonic state on November 22, though she charged her daughter, Lulu Spencer, with trying to prove her innocence of killing Rick Webber.
Title sequence
| Since the series' debut in 1963, General Hospital has had only four opening title sequences.
During 1963-1967, the ABC announcer says "GENERAL HOSPITAL...brought to you by [product name]", when the show moved to color in 1967 till circa early 1970s, the announcer would say "GENERAL HOSPITAL in color". During the end of each scene just seconds before commercial break, the announcer would say "We'll return to GENERAL HOSPITAL in just a moment", that announcement phased out in circa early 1970s. During 1973 to 1976, the announcer would simply say "General Hospital". From late 1963-circa 1970s, announcer Ed Chandler would say "This is Ed Chandler inviting you to tune in tomorrow (Monday) and every weekday for GENERAL HOSPITAL", but it was changed during circa 1973 when he says "This is Ed Chandler inviting you to tune in every day, Monday through Friday for GENERAL HOSPITAL." This spiel was used until July 1976. | |
| File:Black White GH.jpg April 1 1963 - Circa 1973 |
Black and white
In the early years of 1963, General Hospital used a scene of doctors and nurses in the hospital, then it freezes and turns into a negative image, then the title appears in the Craw Clarendon Condensed font (which remained the same until 1993). Around late 1963 to 1973 after the prologue, the background faded to black, with "GENERAL HOSPITAL" in the Craw Clarendon Condensed font, but when the show moved to color in August 1967, the background changed to blue, it was used the same for the closing sequence. It was used until circa 1973. |
| File:Gh1984.jpg Circa 1973 - March 1993 |
Speeding ambulance
The exterior shot of the hospital in the opening and ending credits is the General Hospital of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, located just east of Downtown Los Angeles. This shot was used from circa 1973 to 1993, and remained relatively unchanged between those years. The sequence's theme song was led prominently by George Wright's piano theme from circa 1973 until July 23 1976, with the ambulance entering the hospital, then the show's title zooms towards us. Then, on July 26 1976, the theme music was changed to Autumn Breeze by Jack Urbont, with the horns throughout the opening sequence (the 1973 opening sequence remains the same, and the lettering of the show's title was smaller). This sequence was used until March 31 1993. |
| File:Generalhospital1994.jpg April 1993 - August 2004 |
Faces Of The Heart
Wendy Riche made her most visible change as she decided to retire the long-running 1976 opening in favor of something new. The new opening, Faces Of The Heart by Dave Koz, debuted at the beginning of the April 1 1993 episode that marked GH's thirtieth anniversary. The theme begins with a heartbeat rhythm played on a bass guitar as we dissolve to a shot of an ambulance. That, in turn, dissolves into a tinted, letterboxed view of the exterior of the LA County-USC Medical Center. This is followed by a series of video headshots of all the contract cast members, either solo or in pairs, against a black background. After every few clips, there is an action clip from the show. At the end of the sequence, we go back to the letterboxed, tinted hospital exterior and the title of the show in Goudy Bold type. During the 2002-2003 season, the characters’ names were added to the opening. For awhile, the end credits remained in the same Craw Clarendon Condensed type used in past years. Now, however, the long crawl was done over stills from that day's episode. From 1996 to 1999, each end credit segment was done in smaller lettering on a separate card for each still. The separate card setup is still used in the end titles shown on SoapNet rebroadcasts, but the credits are done over a shot of the hospital. |
| File:General-hospital-siren.jpg August 2004 - Present |
Siren
During the May 2004 sweeps, ABC Daytime began a significant re-branding process. New graphics and new promotional bumpers were created, and the visuals in the new promos were incorporated into new openings that were unveiled on all three ABC soaps in subsequent weeks. On August 30 2004, GH unveiled a new opening that incorporated many of the character visuals used in a new set of ABC Daytime promos and bumpers that debuted in May 2004. The nods to the show’s past seem quite minimal in this new opening as we get only an extremely brief glimpse of an ambulance and an almost equally brief upward pan of the hospital exterior. This new opening sequence ends with a shot of the male cast members clad in tuxedos and posing against a white background, with Anthony Geary walking out of the shot-followed by the name of the show appearing in white letters straight across the screen against a black background and framed by letterboxing. |
Cast
Current cast members
Recurring cast members
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Denise Alexander | Dr. Lesley Webber |
| Adrian Alvarado | Cruz Rodriguez |
| Rachel Ames | Audrey Hardy |
| John Bolger | Mayor Garrett Floyd |
| Nathan and Spencer Casamassima | Spencer Cassadine |
| Derk Cheetwood | Max Giambetti |
| Drew Cheetwood | Milo Giambetti |
| Jack Donner | Alfred |
| Sonya Eddy | Epiphany Johnson |
| Kiko Ellsworth | Stan Johnson |
| Richard Fancy | Bernie Abrahms |
| Richard Gant | Dr. Russell Ford |
| Blake Gibbons | Mitchell Coleman |
| Ron Hale | Mike Corbin |
| George Juarez | Morgan Corinthos |
| Michelle Merring | Viola |
| Jessi Morales | Leticia Juarez |
| Minae Noji | Dr. Kelly Lee |
| Kali Rodriguez | Kristina Davis |
| Kin Shriner | Scott Baldwin |
| Rick Springfield | Dr. Noah Drake |
| Barbara Tarbuck | Jane Jacks |
| Braden Walkes | Cameron Webber |
| Annie Wersching | Amelia Joffe |
| Bergen Williams | Alice Gunderson |
Comings and goings
| Actor | Character | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Kiriazis | Ric Lansing | Debuts June 14 (Temporary Recast) (comes on Thrusday) |
| Scott Clifton | Dillon Quartermaine | Exits August |
Deceased cast members
| Actor | Character | Year of death |
|---|---|---|
| Eddie Albert | Jack Boland | 2005 |
| Gerald Anthony | Marco Dane | 2004 |
| John Beradino | Dr. Steve Hardy | 1997 |
| Rosalind Cash | Mary Mae Ward | 1995 |
| John Colicos | Mikkos Cassadine | 2000 |
| Darlene Conley | Trixie | 2007 |
| Norma Connolly | Ruby Anderson | 1999 |
| David Doyle | Ted Holmes | 1997 |
| Kevin Hagen | Toughie Richards | 2005 |
| Craig Huebing | Dr. Peter Taylor | 2006 |
| Anna Lee | Lila Quartermaine | 2004 |
| David Lewis | Edward Quartermaine #1 | 2000 |
| Frank Maxwell | Dan Rooney | 2004 |
| Emily McLaughlin | Jessie Brewer | 1991 |
| Gloria Monty | Former Executive Producer | 2006 |
| Marie Windsor | Dr. Vivian Collins | 2000 |
Before they were stars
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Richard Dean Anderson | Dr. Jeff Webber |
| Ryan Carnes | Lucas Jones #9 |
| Tia Carrere | Jade Soong Chung |
| Nikki Cox | Gina Williams #1 |
| Tyne Daly | Caroline Beale |
| Kristin Davis | Betsy Chilson |
| Mark Hamill | Kent Murray |
| Jonathan Jackson | Lucky Spencer #1 |
| Vanessa Marcil | Brenda Barrett |
| Ricky Martin | Miguel Morez |
| Demi Moore | Jackie Templeton |
| Rick Springfield | Dr. Noah Drake |
| John Stamos | Blackie Parrish |
| Amber Tamblyn | Emily Quartermaine #1 |
| Daniel J. Travanti | Spence Andrews |
| Janine Turner | Laura Templeton |
Celebrity appearances
| Actor | Character | Year of appearance(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Roseanne Barr | Jennifer Smith #2 | 1994 |
| Tom Arnold | Billy Boggs | 1994 |
| Corbin Bernsen | John Durant | 2004-2006 |
| B.B. King | Himself | 1995 |
| Milton Berle | Mickey Miller | 1981-1982 |
| Shaun Cassidy | Dusty Walker | 1987-1988 |
| Sammy Davis Jr. | Eddie Phillips | 1983 |
| Morgan Fairchild | Sydney Chase | 1996 |
| Mark Goddard | Derek Barrington | 1984-1986 |
| Billie Hayes | WSB Agent O'Reilly | 1981, 1985 |
| Julio Iglesias | Himself | 1994 |
| Arte Johnson | Finian O'Toole | 1991 |
| Jim Kelly & Chris Moore | Themselves | 1992 |
| Leonard Nimoy | Bernie Smith | 1963 |
| John Stamos | Himself | 1993 |
| Sally Struthers | Jennifer Smith #3 | 2002 |
| Gloria Stuart | Catherine Flynn | 2002-2003 |
| George Takei | Mr. Diem | 1985 |
| Elizabeth Taylor | Helena Cassadine #1 | 1981 |
| Barry Williams | Hannibal | 1984 |
Notable couples
 | This article's tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. |
This is a list of GH's notable couples, and if available, why they are so loved/hated by fans:
- Luke and Laura Spencer - This couple defined supercouple and still does.
- Jason Morgan and Samantha McCall - Jason took Sam in while she was pregnant with his boss' baby, and they fell in love.
- Frisco and Felicia Jones - Aztec Princess and a spy fell in love and had two girls.
- Patrick Drake and Robin Scorpio - Robin, doctor with HIV; Patrick, surgeon that wouldn't commit.
- Alan and Monica Quartermaine - This couple lasted over 30 years and parented A.J., Jason, and adopted Emily Quartermaine.
- Lucky Spencer and Elizabeth Webber - This couple has been called 'the last great young love story'.
- Robert Scorpio and Anna Devane - Both spies. Came to be when supercouples were forming.
- Robert and Holly Scorpio - Robert married Holly to save her from deportation. They fell into an unmatched very real love for each other.
- Stone Cates and Robin Scorpio - This couple lasted only a couple years but will live on forever through the HIV/AIDS storylines of 1993-1995.
- Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett - Mobster and model.
- Edward and Lila Quartermaine - The most gentlest of women tamed the most furious of man.
- Jasper Jacks and Brenda Barrett - This couple came on the heels of Sonny/Brenda.
- Mac Scorpio and Felicia Jones - The detective and the Commissioner were best friends and later married. The actress left the show and the couple is currently not together.
- Ned Ashton and Alexis Davis - They called each other the gatekeepers of their families. They fell in love and almost married.
Historical cast information
Executive Producers and Head Writers
Executive Producers
- January 23, 2001—Present: Jill Farren Phelps
- January 28, 1992—January 22, 2001: Wendy Riche
- 1991—1992: Gloria Monty
- 1988—1990: Joseph Hardy
- 1988: H. Wesley Kenney
- January 1, 1978—1987: Gloria Monty
- 1976—1977: Tom Donovan
- 1963—1976: James Young
- 1963: Selig J. Seligman
Head Writers
- March 13, 2006—Present: Robert Guza Jr.
- June 13, 2002—March 12, 2006: Guza Jr. & Charles Pratt Jr.
- April 2001—June 2002: Megan McTavish
- January 2001—April 2001: Elizabeth Korte & Michele Val Jean
- December 8, 1997—December 2000: Robert Guza Jr.
- May 1997—December 5, 1997: Janet Iacobuzio & Christopher Whitesell
- October 1996—May 1997: Richard Culliton & Karen Harris
- March 1996—October 1996: Robert Guza Jr. & Karen Harris
- 1993—March 1996: Claire Labine
- 1993: Bill Levinson
- 1992—1993: Maralyn Thoma
- 1991—1992: Norma Monty
- 1989—1991: Gene Palumbo
- 1988: Ann Marcus
- 1986—1988: Pat Falken Smith & Norma Monty
- 1983—1986: Anne Howard Bailey
- 1983: Joyce & John William Corrington
- 1982: Robert J. Shaw
- 1979—1982: Pat Falken Smith & Margaret DePriest
- 1977—1979: Douglas Marland
- 1977: Richard and Suzanne Holland; Irving and Tex Elman
- 1976—1977: Eileen and Robert Mason Pollack
- 1975: Richard Holland and Suzanne Holland
- 1973—1975: Jerome Dobson and Bridget Dobson
- Late 1963—1973: Frank Hursley & Doris Hursley
- April 1, 1963—Late 1963: Theordore and Mathilde Ferro
Awards
Daytime Emmys
Show
- 2006 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 2006 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
- 2006 "Outstanding Achievement in Casting for a Drama Series"
- 2006 "Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling for a Drama Series"
- 2005 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 2005 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
- 2004 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
- 2004 "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Drama Series"
- 2003 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team"
- 2003 "Outstanding Achievement in Multiple Camera Editing for a Drama Series"
- 2002 "Outstanding Original Song"
- 2000 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 2000 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
- 1999 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1999 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team"
- 1999 "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Drama Series"
- 1999 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series"
- 1999 "Outstanding Original Song" TIED with As the World Turns
- 1998 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series"
- 1997 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1996 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1996 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series"
- 1995 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1995 "Outstanding Drama Series Writing Team"
- 1995 "Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series"
- 1984 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1982 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
- 1981 "Outstanding Drama Series"
- 1981 "Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team"
Individuals
- 2006 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Anthony Geary
- 2005 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Natalia Livingston
- 2004 "Lifetime Achievement Award" Anna Lee
- 2004 "Lifetime Achievement Award" Rachel Ames
- 2004 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Anthony Geary
- 2004 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Rick Hearst
- 2004 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Chad Brannon
- 2003 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Maurice Benard
- 2003 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Vanessa Marcil
- 2002 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Jacob Young
- 2000 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Anthony Geary
- 2000 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Sarah Brown
- 1999 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Anthony Geary
- 1999 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Stuart Damon
- 1999 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Jonathan Jackson
- 1998 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Steve Burton
- 1998 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Jonathan Jackson
- 1998 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series" Sarah Brown
- 1997 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series" Sarah Brown
- 1996 "Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series" Kimberly McCullough
- 1995 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Rena Sofer
- 1995 "Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series" Jonathan Jackson
- 1993 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Gerald Anthony
- 1991 "Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series" Finola Hughes
- 1989 "Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series" Kimberly McCullough
- 1982 "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series" Anthony Geary
- 1982 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" David Lewis
- 1981 "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series" Jane Elliot
- 1979 "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series" Peter Hansen
Notes
- Ties with As the World Turns and All My Children for the most Daytime Emmys won in a single year with a total of eight, which they won in 1999.
- Holds the record for the most "Outstanding Drama Series" Emmy award wins with a total of nine.
- Ties with All My Children for the most "Outstanding Lead Actor" Emmy award wins with a total of six.
- Holds the record for the most "Outstanding Supporting Actor" Emmy award wins with a total of six.
- Ties with Guiding Light for the most "Outstanding Supporting Actress" Emmy award wins with a total of five.
Directors Guild Of America
- 1996, 1998, 2002, and 2004 "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Daytime Serials"
Writers Guild Of America
- 1995, 1996, and 1998 "Daytime Serials"
Ratings/scheduling history
When ABC premiered GH in April 1963, the network placed it in the 1 p.m./12 Noon Central timeslot against local newscasts on NBC and CBS affiliates. But on the day before New Year's Eve that year, GH assumed a place on the daytime schedule that, except for eighteen months between July 1976 and January 1978 when it ran as one half of a 90-minute bloc with One Life to Live between 2:30/1:30 and 4/3, it has maintained to this day, 3/2 Central.
During the 1960s, General Hospital earned decent ratings against the likes of To Tell the Truth and The Secret Storm on CBS, but there was a decline as the 1970s came, especially when NBC's Another World became highly popular; for two years, it also faced CBS' The Price is Right, already a major hit. After continued mediocrity in the Nielsen ratings, ABC was prepared to cancel General Hospital, but decided to give it a second chance when it expanded the show to a full hour, from an experimental 45 minutes. However, the expansion came with an ultimatum to the producers that they had six months to improve the show's ratings. Gloria Monty was hired as executive producer, and on her first day, she spent an extra $100,000 re-taping four episodes. A miracle occurred and thanks to Monty, the show became the most watched daytime drama by 1979, marking a rare instance of a daytime serial's comeback from near-extinction. During the wedding of Luke and Laura Spencer on November 16 1981, about 30 million people tuned in to watch them exchange vows and be cursed by Elizabeth Taylor's Helena Cassadine.
From 1979 to 1988, General Hospital remained number one in the ratings, facing the uneven Guiding Light on CBS and two NBC disappointments, Texas and Santa Barbara. Despite the departure of popular actors Anthony Geary and Genie Francis in the mid-1980s, the show continued to triumph. Although in 1989 The Young and the Restless took GH's place as the highest-rated soap opera, it continued to maintain good ratings.
1970-1979 ratings
1969-1970 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. As The World Turns 13.6
- 10. General Hospital 8.5
1970-1971 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 12.4
- 4. Another World 9.5
- 4. Days Of Our Lives 9.5
- 4. General Hospital 9.5
1971-1972 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 11.1
- 2. General Hospital 10.4
1972-1973 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 10.6
- 3. Another World 9.7 (#3 in viewers)
- 3. General Hospital 9.7 (#2 in viewers)
1973-1974 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 9.7 (#1 in viewers)
- 5. General Hospital 9.2
1974-1975 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 10.8
- 7. The Guiding Light 8.5
- 7. General Hospital 8.5
1975-1976 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 9.4
- 10. General Hospital 7.1
1976-1977 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 9.9
- 10. General Hospital 7.0
1977-1978 Season
- 1. As The World Turns 8.6 (#1 in viewers)
- 1. Another World 8.6 (#2 in viewers)
- 8. General Hospital 7.0
1978-1979 Season HH Ratings
- 1. All My Children 9.0
- 2. General Hospital 8.7
1980-1989 ratings
1979-1980 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. General Hospital 9.9
- 2. All My Children 9.2
1981-1982 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. General Hospital 11.2
- 2. All My Children 9.4
1982-1983 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.8
- 2. All My Children 9.4
1983-1984 Season
- 1. General Hospital 10.0
- 2. All My Children 9.1
1984-1985 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.1
- 2. All My Children 8.2
1985-1986 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.2
- 2. The Young And The Restless 8.3
1986-1987 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.3
- 2. The Young And The Restless 8.0
1987-1988 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.1 (#1 in viewers)
- 2. The Young And The Restless 8.1 (#2 in viewers)
1988-1989 Season HH Ratings
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.1
- 2. General Hospital 7.5
1990-1999 ratings
1989-1990 Season (HH Ratings) (1 HH rating = 921,000 Homes)
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.0
- 2. General Hospital 7.4
1990-1991 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young and the Restless (**8.1**)
- 2. General Hospital (**6.7**)
1991-1992 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.2 (Averaged 10.3 million viewers)
- 3. General Hospital 5.8 (Averaged about 7 million viewers)
1992-1993 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.4
- 4. General Hospital 5.8
1993-1994 Season (HH Ratings) (1 HH rating = 942,000 Homes)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 8.6
- 3. General Hospital 6.2
1994-1995 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 7.5
- 3. General Hospital 5.6
1995-1996 Season (HH Ratings)
- 1. The Young And The Restless 7.7
- 5. General Hospital 4.7
1996-1997 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless 7.1
- 4. General Hospital 4.8
1997-1998 Season
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**7.0**)
- 4. General Hospital (**4.6**)
1998-1999 Season HH Ratings
- 1. The Young And The Restless (**6.9**; Averaged about 8 million viewers)
- 4. General Hospital (**4.3**)
Miscellanea
Three early 1960s episodes of General Hospital were featured as "shorts" during Season 4 of Mystery Science Theater 3000
The show was parodied/homaged in the song General Hospi-Tale by The Afternoon Delights.
The film Tootsie referenced the show with the soap Southwest General, and even parodied the Sally Armitage/Max Hedges (Chris Morley) plotline.
See also
General Hospital spinoffs
The success of the longrunning soap opera has spawned one daytime spinoff in the U.S, one in the UK, and an upcoming primetime version.
General Hospital: UK series
General Hospital (UK TV series) (1972-1979). It started as a half-hour program broadcast in the afternoons, which was unusual for UK soaps that normally aired in the prime time. In 1975 it was expanded to an hour-long format and moved to Friday evenings.
Port Charles
Port Charles (1997-2003) was a daytime drama that initially featured interns in a competitive medical school program, and was known for having more action actually in the hospital than General Hospital itself. As the show evolved, it tended more towards gothic intrigue, including supernatural elements such as vampires and life after death. It also switched formats from an open-ended daytime serial, to 13-episode story arcs known as "books", similar to Spanish telenovelas.
General Hospital: Night Shift
General Hospital: Night Shift (upcoming) will be the second American primetime spinoff of a daytime (The first being Our Private World, a spinoff of As The World Turns). It will begin airing in July 2007 on SOAPnet, a cable channel, and will run for thirteen episodes. According to a SOAPnet spokesperson, Night Shift "will delve deeper into the relationships, friendships and medical cases seen at the hospital." The storyline will have some of the same characters as the daytime version, but with no storyline overlap. The episodes will also be self-contained, rather than serial form.
External links
- Official Website
- "General Hospital" at Yahoo! TV
- GH @ myabcSOAPS.com
- General Hospital from Wubs.net
- Soapdom: General Hospital (GH)
- Scoop and Spoilers: SoapCentral.com
- SoapZone.com : General Hospital Site Menu
- 1963 television program debuts
- 1960s American television series
- 1970s American television series
- 1980s American television series
- 1990s American television series
- 2000s American television series
- American Broadcasting Company network shows
- General Hospital
- General Hospital characters
- Fictional hospitals
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