Happy Birthday "General Hospital"

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

23 Mar 2008 07:20 AM

When I was in college I was a die-hard "General Hospital" fan. Okay, maybe I wasn't as crazed as some other girls who rearranged their class schedule so they could watch the show each day at 2 p.m., but I was pretty dedicated.

Looking back I'm not sure what it was about this particular soap that hooked me. It was probably because at the time it starred some of the best looking guys on daytime TV. But I digress.

The popular soap opera is celebrating a major milestone--45 years on TV.

"General Hospital" is ABC's longest-running daytime series and has accumulated more awards than all of the network's other soaps combined. Since 1963, the drama has documented the trials and tribulations of Port Charles' residents and somehow has always found a way to keep storylines involving the famous hospital in the forefront.

"General Hospital" is the place where Demi Moore, John Stamos, Ricky Martin and Rick Springfield got their start and where superstars such as Elizabeth Taylor (she guest-starred as the infamous Helena Cassadine) would drop by for the occasional ratings boost. Of course, in the history of daytime TV nothing comes close to the ratings bonanza the show received when super couple Luke and Laura got hitched in 1981. Nearly 30 years later it's still one of television's most popular moments, attracting 30 million people.

These days the number of viewers averages less 3 million, which is not even a third of the 11.8 million who typically tuned in during the year of Luke and Laura's wedding, according to show producers.

But that hasn't stopped writers from trying to attract more eyes. In an effort to remain on the cutting edge the show has recently started using computer-generated imagery.

For example, Kelly Monaco's character was recently seen dangling hundreds of fake feet above a fake raging river after being kidnapped by the Text Message Killer. I admit, now that I am much older and much busier I don't really get to watch the show. Though, I am looking forward to seeing Kimberly McCullough's character, Dr. Robin Scorpio, give birth. (I remember when she first starred on the show and she was just a little girl.) McCullough played one of the first HIV- positive characters on daytime TV and when she gives birth it will make history again. No other HIV-positive character has ever given birth on a soap opera before.

So, even after 45 years on the air the show is still making headlines.

What's your favorite "GH" memory?

Related Articles:

Luke and Laura---Back Together Again!

Soap Stars Find "Two" Times Is The Charm

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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