By Ed Martin As General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini, head writer Ron Carlivati and their team proved last week with their remarkable 52nd anniversary episode – arguably the most creatively ambitious hour of daytime drama ever produced – nothing is impossible in the soap opera arena. They somehow managed to expand the collective … [Read more...]
Six Important Characters on General Hospital That Should Return from the Dead
April 8, 2015 by 11 Comments
General Hospital’s Amazing 50th Anniversary Celebration Ends With a Few Troubling Story Choices
March 15, 2014 by 7 Comments
By Ed Martin As a long-time viewer of General Hospital I have been thrilled with much of what I have seen on the show during the last two years. I can’t say that it’s been all good – the return of Caleb the Vampire and Lucy Coe’s obsession with destroying him was one of the most tedious storylines I have ever seen on any soap opera, and it … [Read more...]
General Hospital at 50: They’ve Only Just Begun …
March 2, 2013 by 13 Comments
Marlena says: It's a special time at General Hospital. The 50th anniversary is coming up April 1 and it's been just about a year since headwriter Ron Carlivati and executive producer executive producer Frank Valentini took over a dying show and made it must-watch TV. Marlena's dear friend and veteran journalist Ed Martin, who first started … [Read more...]
Moose Says: General Hospital Can Snare … the Soon-to-be-Prized Old Guy Demographic?
January 26, 2013 by 6 Comments
Marlena says: Soap fans everywhere are cautiously optimistic that, against all odds, there’s been a hopeful turn in the heretofore bleak fortunes of soap opera. Ratings are strong and even improving for the four network soaps that survived the death watch of the past few years, and Prospect Park is said to be moving full steam ahead to bring two of … [Read more...]
General Hospital Update: Understanding Itself, Misunderstanding Viewers
April 25, 2012 by 10 Comments
By Ed Martin It's been two months since executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati took control of ABC's General Hospital - long enough by any measure for a creative team to make its mark on a soap opera and make clear what they intend to do with it. Now, I don't want to start right in with the complaints, because … [Read more...]
General Hospital Update: Is it Still on Life Support?
March 28, 2012 by 11 Comments
By Ed Martin I'm not sure what to make of the big surprise on "General Hospital" this week - but then again, I haven't known what to make of GH in a very long time (years, actually). Robin Scorpio is alive - and looking very tanned and rested, I might add, even if she is being held hostage in something resembling a hospital room. Seeing … [Read more...]
General Hospital: Can This Show Be Saved?
March 2, 2012 by 14 Comments
By Ed Martin Watching General Hospital these last two weeks, as the energetic efforts of One Life to Live veterans Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati to save the show from almost certain doom begin to play out, it occurs to me that my time as a fan of this once-formidable serial has come full circle. I began watching GH in 1978, shortly … [Read more...]
“General Hospital” Madness: Why Kill Jake? And What Have They Done to Luke?
March 30, 2011 by 11 Comments
By Ed Martin Anyone who is still wondering why broadcast soap operas are disappearing before our eyes need only review recent episodes of ABC's General Hospital. Don't blame shrinking audiences. (Viewers aren't really going away. They're just harder to count.) Don't blame competition from other media. (Overall media consumption is on the The … [Read more...]
Daytime Emmys Downplay Soaps, Celebrate Las Vegas
June 29, 2010 by 3 Comments
By Ed Martin One could find worse ways to spend a lazy summer evening than watching a live awards show from Las Vegas featuring many current top acts from shows along the strip. But when I sat down to watch CBS' presentation of the 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday I was looking for a celebration of daytime programming -- and I didn't … [Read more...]
