mark.waltz
O.K., so I didn't start watching "GH" in April of 1963 (I was only a month old), but found this as a teen in late spring 1979 just as Heather was about to take the L.S.D., Monica announced she was pregnant with a baby (now A.J.) and Laura and Scotty were dealing with issues in their young marriage. 34 years later, Heather is in a mental institution, occasionally springing back up to make some L.S.D. caused psychotic rant, the widowed Monica is supporting A.J. in his bid for ELQ president, and Laura and Scotty are arguing over the man who initially broke them up. Thousands of episodes later with so much having happened in the meantime, I find this enjoyably ironic and can't wait until Monday to see what happens...My joke today is "Guess where GH was today! The hospital!" Yes, the hospital still hasn't disappeared, but psychotic royal families and mobsters have taken over the majority of the episodes. Steve Hardy, the late patriarch of the hospital, is occasionally mentioned and honored, and his still beautiful widow Audrey may yet pop up again as she did recently for a dedication to him. His granddaughter Elizabeth is a nurse there, her brother (and his namesake) Steven recently was forced to resign when sent to prison for an out of state crime, and those who were around during his time share his dedication. The show's veteran character, Dr. Monica Quartermain, is now chief of staff, unfortunately rarely seen (except for the occasional family squabble), and is a waste of talent for the still beautiful Leslie Charleson. Her recent reunion with former rival Lesley Webber (the exquisite Denise Alexander) shows how much "GH" needs its roots back as opposed to the darkened ones of the many blonde's who dominate the screen.As talented an actor as Maurice Benard is, this show is "GH", not "GM" (General Mob-sital) and after years of mob-focused story lines, "GH" has divided the show's focus between multi-generational characters. The writing is sometimes strong and the use of history amazing. Fortunately, vintage "GH" episodes have become available for viewing so young fans can research the show to see why "GH" in the late 70's and 80's was a true phenomenon. That brings me to the show's leading man, Anthony Geary's Luke Spencer, a character I found overrated years ago during the Ice Princess storyline, yet came to like as his older version of Luke was revealed to be truly flawed and not the super-hero the old regime under Gloria Monty made him out to be. I also like the fact that the 2013 version of Genie Francis's Laura is much stronger, still kind but nobody's patsy, even the sardonic Tracy Quartermain's. Jane Elliott is a riot, stealing every scene with her presence, and in spite of their bitchy repartee, you can tell that Tracy and Monica have come to love each other in spite of old wounds often being brought up.The younger generation of Q's, Corinthos, Webbers, Spencers and Cassadines are all taking on the reign of focus, and in spite of the fact that many veterans have been written off (Bobbie, Alan) or made recurring (Felicia, Monica), there are always glimpses of the glory days. Mentions of brothers Rick and Jeff Webber, original head nurse Jessie Brewer, Lee and Gail Baldwin and the late Edward and Lila are nostalgic. Seeing pictures of Anna Lee and John Ingle on the Quartermain mantle give hope for the show's continuance. The show also supplies some delicious comedy whether it be Stuart Damon's ghost of Alan showing up to play referee between Tracy and Monica, batty Heather going ballistic over a vampire's look-alike brother, or the delightful "dominator" Alice displaying girl-like innocence as supporting young love. The return of long-ago veterans like Finola Hughes, Robin Mattson, Kin Shriner, Lynn Herring and Denise Alexander reminds us of the glorious "GH" past, which included such wonderful favorites of mine like Susan Pratt, David Lewis (the original Edward), Frank Maxwell, Judith Chapman, Tonja Walker, Matthew Ashford, Constance Towers (replacing Elizabeth Taylor as the evil Helena) and even short-term roles whose memories haven't gone away played by Melinda Cordell (spy "Natasha"), Adrienne Barbeau, Janis Paige (an Auntie Mame like forger), and Michael Learned, so sweet to Elizabeth as a dying patient.I was never a Felicia/Frisco fan, never interested in Sonny/Brenda, and tuned out for a while regularly after Lesley Webber was "killed off" in 1984. But every so often, if I caught the Q's on screen, I'd tune in for their witty "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" like conflicts, wanted to jump through my screen to hug Aunt Ruby (we should all have one!), and finally cheered for joy when Tracy made her 1989 comeback. So while "GH" hasn't had my loyalty all the way since 1979, I'm like the prodigal son who can occasionally leave for greener pastures, but always ends up home.
customer-service
I started watching General Hospital about 2/3 months ago. The UK freeview channel ABC1 had started showing it since it launched (the channel, not the 1963 launch of GH!).At first, it looked like the worst soap I'd ever seen - WORSE than Sunset Beach I thought. I gave it a chance and realised that what it lacks in acting, it makes up for with intriguing story lines (sometimes) and a "lightness" that begs the question, "Why go out of your way to dislike something that isn't begging to be taken seriously?".I enjoy watching it in my lunch break and I've just about timed my daily coffee so that it's cooled enough to drink, by the time GH starts. I know - I sound a bit obsessive-fan-like. It's harmless fun and if you follow this vein when you're watching, you can't go far wrong.
