General Hospital’s ‘Legacy Is Set in Stone’ Now — Here’s Why (2024)

FAQs

Will General Hospital ever end? ›

Summary. General Hospital, the longest-running soap opera in American history, has been on the air for 60 years and shows no signs of ending anytime soon. The show's popularity and longevity can be attributed to its dedicated audience and focus on family drama and complex storylines.

The premise of the ABC soap opera revolved around the characters at an Eastern city hospital. According to The List, the show's original name was Emergency Hospital. However, the Hursleys later changed it to General Hospital because they thought it sounded better.

Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, General Hospital premiered on April 1, 1963. It was set in the fictional town of Port Charles in upstate New York, and focused on the lives and loves of the staff working in the town's General Hospital.

14,000

General Hospital / Number of episodes

"I've loved every minute that I've been here," said Easton, who has played Dr. Hamilton Finn on the soap since 2016. Michael Easton is leaving "General Hospital."

Causes. As women increasingly worked outside of the home, daytime television viewing declined. New generations of potential viewers were not raised watching soap operas with their mothers, leaving the shows' long and complex storylines foreign to younger audiences.

General Hospital premiered on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963. General Hospital is the longest-running serial produced in Hollywood, and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history.

The character of Franco is a multi-media artist and serial killer who becomes fixated on Jason Morgan (Steve Burton), a known hitman. Franco terrorizes Jason, along with his friends and family.

"GH" is both the longest-running scripted drama and the longest-running American soap opera currently in production. One of four remaining daytime dramas, "General Hospital" holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Daytime Emmy Award a record 15 times.

It's the end of an era. ABC just announced the cancellation of One Life to Live and All My Children. Both soaps, slated to be replaced by lifestyle shows, have been on the air for more than four decades. General Hospital, the third-most watched soap opera, won't be impacted directly by these changes.

Who has been on General Hospital the longest? ›

Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the serial premiered on April 1, 1963. The longest-running cast member is Leslie Charleson, who has portrayed Monica Quartermaine since August 17, 1977, also making her one of the longest-tenured actors in American soap operas.

Steve Hardy is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital. Former Major League Baseball infielder John Beradino originated the role of Steve Hardy on the show's April 1, 1963, premiere, portraying the character for 33 years until taken ill and last appearing on April 23, 1996.

Syria's “green gold” is said to be the oldest soap in the world, with some of its traditional manufacturing processes dating back thousands of years. The hand-made soap gets its name from the city of Aleppo, located in Northwestern Syria, where it is manufactured in ancient underground tracts.

As of 2024, William Roache holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving actor in a television soap opera, having played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960.

Night Shift is the second spin-off series for General Hospital, the first being the 30-minute daytime serial Port Charles, which ran on ABC from June 1997 to October 2003.

CBS renews The Bold and the Beautiful contract through 2025

Negotiations for a new contract will occur next year. Therefore, the show is confirmed to air until 2025 under the current agreement.

As of 2024, William Roache holds the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving actor in a television soap opera, having played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960.

ABC bought the series outright in 1968 and its ownership passed from Selmur to American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., ABC's old separate conglomerate.

The popular ABC soap opera “General Hospital” marks its 60th anniversary. Jan. 4, 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of Hollywood's longest-running serial TV-show in ABC television history, “General Hospital.”