Today, April 1, ABC’s “General Hospital” celebrates its 50th anniversary in style! Before the anniversary episode airs (note: due to a national network preemption on Wednesday, March 13, this episode was originally scheduled to air on Friday, March 29; the Tuesday, April 2 episode was the episode previously scheduled to air as the anniversary episode on Monday, April 1) fans of the soaps most recognizable couple can watch “The View” for Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) or “The Chew” for Genie Francis (Laura Spencer).
Browsing: Genie Francis
On Monday, April 1, ABC’s “General Hospital” turns 50! In honor of the event, fans have been anticipating the return of one of the shows grandest events…the Nurses Ball. While things don’t kick into high gear for the event until the Friday, April 5 episode, we at Soap Opera Network wanted to make sure you got a glimpse of some of your favorite actors before their characters start singing, dancing, and throwing punches.
As previously reported by Soap Opera Network, ABC News’ “20/20” will be honoring the 50th anniversary of ABC’s “General Hospital” on Saturday, April 6. Dubbed “‘General Hospital’ – The Real Soap Dish,” Katie Couric will take viewers behind the scenes of the fictional town of Port Charles, NY. The hour-long special will include interviews with such “GH” stars as Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer), Genie Francis (Laura Spencer), Jack Wagner (Frisco Jones), Rick Springfield (Noah Drake), Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall), Lisa LoCicero (Olivia Falconeri) and many more. Fans will also get to hear from Frank Valentini, who has spearheaded the soap into increased ratings since taking over as executive producer in January 2012.
As People Magazine gets ready to release its special collector’s edition honoring 50 years of “General Hospital” on Tuesday, March 12, the editors of Soap Opera Digest have collaborated on their own special tribute issue for the ABC Daytime drama series. Going on sale on Monday, March 25, the full sized Digest issue will include “revealing interviews, backstage gossip, photos, memories and more!”
The last time People Magazine offerred a collector’s edition of a soap opera was in September 2011, when the mag celebrated the life and history of the then canceled “All My Children.” This time the magazine is celebrating the continued life and history of “General Hospital” with a special 50th Anniversary collector’s edition that finds Luke and Laura Spencer (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis), Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms), Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett (Maurice Benard and Vanessa Marcil), Duke Lavery and Anna Devane (Ian Buchanan and Finola Highes), and Jagger Cates (Antonio Sabato Jr.) gracing the cover.
On Today’s “Katie,” “General Hospital’s” Genie Francis (Laura Spencer) revealed that Rachel Ames, who portrayed Nurse Audrey Hardy since the debut year of the soap (1963) through 2009 (with breaks in between), is returning just in time for the shows 50th anniversary.
“General Hospital” legendary star Genie Francis makes her grand return to the famed soap opera, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this April. Francis (@geniefrancis #GH50) will be live tweeting on Monday, February 11, from 2:00-3:00 p.m., ET in celebration of her return.
With Lynn Herring returning last month as the ever spectacular Lucy Coe, now head of CoeCoe Cosmetics, many were left wondering if her return would solely be for the purpose of resurrecting the Nurse’s Ball on ABC’s “General Hospital.” Thanks to the creative writing of head writer Ron Carlivati and his team, that doesn’t appear to be the case. In a welcome twist of fate it looks as though Lucy’s return has actually helped open up a string of storylines tied to ABC’s canceled “General Hospital” spin-off “Port Charles.”
Maria Arena Bell, who was let go as Executive Producer and Head Writer of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” earlier this year, was honored on Wednesday, December 12 with a Humanitarian Award for her dedication to arts advocacy during the 14th Annual Women’s Image Network (WIN) Awards, which recognizes and honors exemplary men and women in the entertainment industry including those from the television, film and advertising worlds.
Soap Opera Network has learned that actor Graham Shiels, who most recently appeared in an episode of TNT’s “Leverage,” has booked a recurring role on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.”
On Monday afternoon, TV Guide Magazine revealed news that “General Hospital” actor Jonathan Jackson has decided to exit the role of Lucky Spencer on the ABC daytime drama. Sources indicate to the magazine that Jackson was denied a lighter schedule following two years of non-stop drama for his beleaguered character and that ultimately played into his decision to get out of Port Charles. Jackson was also apparently disappointed that his character never got the opportunity to properly reunite with his former love interest Elizabeth Webber played by Rebecca Herbst. The four-time Daytime Emmy Award winner will last tape on November 17.
On Friday, August 12, both Soap Opera Network and Soap Opera Digest reported SOAPnet’s post “All My Children” schedule (Monday, September 26), which included the insertion of “Brothers & Sisters” re-runs and the shuffling of more than 80% of the schedule into different time periods. Other than “Days of our Lives” picking up a primetime spot (8:00 PM ET/PT), nothing caught reader attention more than the network announcing classic episodes of “All My Children,” “General Hospital” and “One Life to Live.” So what is a classic episode according to the network?