I’ve been writing this column for decades on weekends but today I am having a lot of problems. A neighbor and close college friend named Marty, in the hospital with both cancer and heart problems, passed away early this morning. When we went to visit him yesterday, he was not conscious. His PA told us he was on end-of-life care. I was beside … [Read more...]
Thanks, “General Hospital,” for Three Days of Riveting Soap Opera
April 1, 2026 by 6 Comments
In all the years I’ve been writing about and criticizing soap opera, I can’t recall a sequence of episodes that was so solidly entertaining as last week’s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday “General Hospital.” Instead of one major “A” story and a few backgrounders, here was a show chock of colliding major storylines and cliffhangers that make us … [Read more...]
“General Hospital”‘s Anthony Geary Tribute: Bravo!
February 21, 2026 by 3 Comments
I’m so glad the current management at ABC Daytime finally has a clue about what made their predecessors in the eighties and nineties so spectacularly successful, with a line-up of fabulous contemporary soaps and landmarks promotion campaigns like “Love in the Afternoon.”) Executives of that era knew the only way to make soap opera successful was to … [Read more...]
“GH”‘s Anthony Geary, 1947-2025: He Changed Our Soap World
December 21, 2025 by 10 Comments
I started watching “General Hospital” in 1978, at the beginning of my career as a soap journalist. That was the year that Anthony Geary made his debut on “GH” as Luke Spencer. I liked Luke immediately. He was charming, funny, and true. And Geary was a terrific actor who won over his already approving audience with his character’s warmth and … [Read more...]
Outback the Beagle on “General Hospital” — The Story of a Star
November 13, 2025 by 13 Comments
Have you ever noticed that “General Hospital” has a track record of performers who became soap superstars not long after their debuts? Think Tony Geary as Luke, Tristan Rogers as Robert, Rick Springfield as Noah, Ingo Rademacher as Jax, and even a pre-“Full House” John Stamos as Blackie. Fast forward to now. On “GH” we currently have a beautiful … [Read more...]
Thank You “General Hospital” for the Gift of Erika Slezak
November 2, 2025 by 11 Comments
I was very excited when it was announced that Erika Slezak, the six-time winner of a Best Actress Emmy for her 41 years on “One Life to Live” as Victoria Lord Riley Burke Buchanan, was joining “General Hospital” for a guest stint as Veronica (Ronnie) Bard, the sister of the late Monica Quartermaine (played the late Leslie Charleson.) I watched … [Read more...]
“General Hospital” Stages a Remarkable Funeral for Monica Quartermaine
September 29, 2025 by 4 Comments
Every once in a while, a daytime soap stages an event or storyline so memorable it moves its fans to tears. “General Hospital” accomplished this welcome feat with recent gripping episodes portraying the funeral of a much beloved long-term character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, played by Leslie Charleson who passed away earlier this year at 79. These … [Read more...]
“GH” Casting Director Mark Teschner: He Never Misses!
August 19, 2025 by 2 Comments
“General Hospital” is having its best summer in years. Sonny Corinthos has a clever and tireless enemy in Sidwell. Super stressed Willow, who left Drew standing at the altar, is having a nervous breakdown because her ex-husband Michael won’t let her see their kids. The action at the Metro Court pool is refreshingly seasonal and entertaining. On … [Read more...]
Tristan Rogers, 1946 – 2025
August 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Tristan Rogers, a star of “General Hospital” for 45 years, passed away Aug. 15 at 79. A spokesman said he suffered from lung cancer. What a loss. He was so beloved in our soap world. Rogers, who was from Australia, played charming and jovial superspy Robert Scorpio, the best friend of Anthony Geary’s Luke. According to what is now soap opera … [Read more...]
Gio and Nurses’ Ball 2025 Refresh “General Hospital”
May 29, 2025 by 4 Comments
I’ve become quite aggravated of late with my old favorite, “General Hospital.” Its writers have been overdoing violence: first with the murder of Sam (played by Kelly Monaco) during an organ transplant, then with the on-screen burning of Michael (played by Chad Duell) and finally with the shooting of murderer Cyrus (played by Jeff Kober) by young … [Read more...]
