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What is the longest running soap opera in the US?
GENERAL Hospital has been on the air and entertaining audiences for six decades.
It’s not clear whether the long-running soap opera will return for another year.
General Hospital, as seen in 210[/caption]
What is the longest running soap opera in the US?
ABC’s General Hospital – which is always full of drama – has been on the air for an impressive 58 years.
The show is coming up on its anniversary – it debuted on April 1, 1963.
General Hospital revolves around the fictional community of Port Charles and the people who live there.
The fictional town is located in upstate New York.
Producers launched General Hospital in the early 1960s in an attempt to “capitalize on the popularity of prime-time medical dramas such as Dr. Kildare and Ben Casey,” according to History.com.
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General Hospital has survived despite suffering from poor ratings at times, including in the 1970s.
Film legend Elizabeth Taylor appeared on the show in the early 1980s, originating the role of Helena Cassadine.
“One of four remaining daytime dramas, General Hospital holds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Emmy Award a record 13 times,” reads the show description.
Filmed in Hollywood, the show aired its 14,000th episode in 2018, and celebrated its 55th anniversary that same year.
Elizabeth Taylor made a memorable visit to General Hospital in 1981[/caption]
“Praised by numerous national organizations for elevating public awareness of important health and social issues, including sexual responsibility; HIV/AIDS-related storylines; tolerance and understanding for gay, lesbian and transgender people; bipolar disorder; accurate portrayals of tobacco, drug and alcohol addiction; breast cancer awareness; sexual child abuse and organ donation; the show has truly made a mark during the five decades plus that it has been on the air,” reads the GH description.
General Hospital was created by husband-and-wife soap writers, Frank and Doris Hursley.
Luke and Laura’s wedding in 1981[/caption]
Who are Luke and Laura?
The wedding of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) on General Hospital in 1981 became the most-watched event in soap opera history.
Geary played Luke on-and-off from 1978 to 2015, and Francis has left and returned to the show several times.
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In 1978, Gloria Monty was brought in as executive producer and is credited with the creation of what is considered “the first super-couple.”
The wedding of Luke and Laura brought in 30 million viewers.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC.
