ARTICLE: ABC to Air Primetime Special in January to Celebrate Milestone 60th Anniversary of ‘General Hospital’

[Errol]

On Thursday, January 4 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, ABC will celebrate the milestone 60th anniversary of “General Hospital” with a primetime special featuring current and former cast members as they pull back the curtain on six decades in Port Charles, including behind-the-scenes moments, bloopers, a special fan tribute and more exciting surprises honoring the show’s legacy.

The special, “General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling,” will see current cast members Maurice Benard, Jane Elliot, Genie Francis, Finola Hughes, Kelly Monaco, and Laura Wright, among others, as they discuss their experiences on the show and provide insight into what makes the daytime drama series so special for millions of fans.

The retrospective special will see a robust slate of current and past cast members take part, including “Dancing with the Stars” pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, along with several celebrity surprises from “General Hospital” alums Emma Samms, Rick Springfield and Amber Tamblyn, among others. Also, look for ESPN host Stephen A. Smith to take part. Smith has made several appearances on the soap throughout the years, including this year, as Brick.

“General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling” is executive produced by Frank Valentini. Directing the primetime special is Ashley Gorman. Michelle Henry and Mary-Kelly Weir serve as co-executive producers. The special is produced by ABC and will be available to watch the next day on Hulu.

The primetime special will be getting a big boost from ABC's airing of "The Golden Wedding," the LIVE special where "The Golden Bachelor" Gerry Turner will marry Theresa Nist. That special is scheduled to air from 8:00-10:00 p.m., LIVE on ABC.

Note: The post ABC to Air Primetime Special in January to Celebrate Milestone 60th Anniversary of ‘General Hospital’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

 

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[j swift]

Can we predict the complaints in advance?

1. There aren't enough clips from before 1980.
2. They didn't feature an interview with my favorite actor (aka where's Liz?)
3. Too much Sonny Corinthos.

Edited December 24, 2023 by j swift

[dragonflies]

Yikes this doesn't make me wanna watch 
 

 

[BrendaB]

Why does this show keep propping up a z-list ESPN talking head as a "star"?  Do sports fans even think of him as a star?  No sports fans are watching General Hospital and soap fans are not watching sports, anyways.  The show is overflowing with 60 years of superstars in film, television, stage and music that they could be highlighting on this special.  So it's ridiculous they keep trotting out and propping up Brick or whatever-his-name-is like that.

[Gray Bunny]

Perhaps because they still think it's the 80's where big name sports stars "watch their stories" in between practices. 

[Errol]

He's cheap (already works for Disney). He likes the show and talks about it to his millions of followers on social media and is good friends with Maurice Benard in real life. It's a cross-promotion type thing if you think about it. On the day the show airs, he can talk about it on his ESPN show to hopefully get people to tune in, plus he can share the news on his social channels.

As for the stars you are speaking about, most of them refuse to mention they ever worked on the show, much less any soap opera, and they are more likely to want to get big paydays for appearing on the special.

[Soapsuds]

He does talk about it and shows clips of GH on his ESPN show. When he is not in studio he mentions it because he's taping GH episodes.

Edited December 29, 2023 by Soapsuds

[BrendaB]

Well, after hearing your explanations, then I won't begrudge them for using him (even though I doubt it's successful cross-pollination/promotion).  They'd be better off stunt-casting popular Youtubers, Instagram or TikTok stars (that want to and can act) if they want to juice the ratings and up the GH social media presence.

[AMCOLTLLover]

Huh? I’m an average Joe who loves sports especially MLB, College Volleyball, NFL etc. AND watch my soaps lol 

[te.]

I'm just happy a daytime soap is getting a prime time outing.

[Errol]

What did I tell y'all?

His post has received just over 137,000 views as of this (my) post and has been up less than two hours.

[Soapsuds]

Donna Mills and Morgan Fairchild will be in it too.

[Contessa Donatella]

I'm still pissed that Hulu watchers are second class citizens. 

[janea4old]

 

[janea4old]

Misinformed headlines.
The anniversary was *last* April, not this coming April.
Inside the article says:
"On April 1 of this new year, the venerable serial will mark its 60th anniversary."  "ABC isn't waiting until April 1 to call attention to this historic milestone. It has already started to do so."
 

There is some new information within the article.  Names of more of the guest stars that hadn't previously been released. 
And descriptions of some of the old clips that will air.

https://www.mediavillage.com/article/general-hospital-kicks-off-its-60th-anniversary-celebration/

That mediavillage.com article seems to be written by someone who has already seen the special.  Maybe they saw an advance copy?