I thought I’d been sucked into a time warp last night, when I caught an episode of “General Hospital“ while hanging out with my mom. Jax was grieving the loss of Brenda, and a very young Bobbi was sitting on the front steps of a building talking to one of her former lovers whose name I couldn’t remember, but I think was a mobster. Not Brock, but someone else.
Then at the grocery store, I picked up a copy of “ABC Soaps in Depth,” because it had this cover:
Wait, what year is it again?! Turns out it’s all part of “General Hospital’s” 50th anniversary celebration. The episode last night was indeed an episode of yore, but the “Soaps in Depth” cover? That’s right now, in the present time. History is indeed repeating itself.
And I just got this press release from SOAPnet which explains it all:
In honor of “General Hospital’s” 50th anniversary week, SOAPnet will encore its 50-hour marathon of classic episodes starting Friday, April 5 at 10pm ET/PT and running through Monday, April 8 at 12:00am ET/PT (Sunday night/Monday morning).
The marathon kicks off with the very first episode from 1963, and will include shows from every decade. For a complete list of episodes, check out www.soapnet.com.
The marathon will cover all your favorite characters, couples and storylines with such themes as:
- Romance (Luke & Laura’s wedding, Frisco & Felicia’s wedding, Luke & Laura’s dance at Wyndham’s, Lucky & Liz’s first kiss)
- Heartbreak (Stone dies, Sonny leaves Brenda at the altar, BJ dies/Maxie’s heart transplant)
- Action-Adventure (Ice Princess, the Hostage Crisis, the Hotel Fire,)
- Shocking bombshells (Elizabeth finds Carly in the panic room, AJ discovers he’s Michael’s father, Jason’s car accident)
- And many more surprises and appearances by fan favorites (Elizabeth Taylor as Helena Cassadine, John Stamos as Blackie, Ricky Martin as Miguel, Rick Springfield as Noah).
It’s an extraordinary marathon, 50 years in the making.
For me, I’m just glad it’s still on the air, and realize now that I MUST start watching it again. It was must-see TV for me back in the 1980s during the Luke and Laura era.
And today — April 1, 2013 — is, in fact, “General Hospital’s” actual birthday. It now ranks as the longest running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest-running drama in American television history.
“General Hospital” was created by Frank and Doris Hursley. Frank Valentini is the executive producer, and Ron Carlivati is the head writer. “General Hospital” airs weekdays at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on ABC, and also on SOAPnet at 9 p.m. ET and 12 a.m. ET.
Happy 50th Birthday, “General Hospital”!!! Are you a fan of the show?
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