PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: GENERAL HOSPITAL: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AND LOOKING FORWARD {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles. This evening honors "General Hospital," the daytime serial drama centering on the professional and private lives of the doctors and nurses at General Hospital in Port Charles, now in its fiftieth year on television.
Host Rene Reyes (director of public programs and festivals, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks and introduces moderator Will Keck (senior editor, TV Guide). Keck discusses his longtime interest in the show before introducing a clip package, featuring scenes from the show's five decades, including musical performances from an episode focusing on the 2013 Annual Nurses Ball.
After the screening Keck introduces the panelists: executive producer Frank Valentini; head writer Ron Carlivati; and cast members Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer), Genie Francis (Laura Spencer), Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer), Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine), John J. York (Mac Scorpio), Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones), Jason Thompson (Dr. Patrick Drake), Kimberly McCullough (Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake), and Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos Jacks).
The panelists discuss topics which include: the show's distinctive mix of "edge of film noir" and humor; Valentini and Carlivati's experiences in making changes after recently joining the show; Carlivati's desire to "write from a fan's perspective"; the many physical traumas suffered by Benard's Sonny; a mob storyline that preceded "The Sopranos"; the explosive death of Lily Rivera (Lilly Melgar); the groundbreaking 1990s storyline involving HIV, including Robin's diagnosis and the death of Stone Cates (Michael Sutton); Hughes' memories of McCullough as a "dynamo" child actor; Zeman's recollections of learning about motherhood on the show prior to having her own children; Storms' experience playing a character previously portrayed by other actors; York's fatherly scenes with McCullough and Storms; a memorable striptease involving Michael Corinthos (Chad Duell); Luke and Laura's infamous "Ice Princess" plot, involving a giant diamond; the challenges of keeping plot points secret; the many "catfights" and physical altercations between characters; Tracy's sadness over Luke's abiding love for Laura; Elliot's doubts about an uncharacteristic musical number between Tracy and Epiphany Johnson (Sonya Eddy); fond memories of the show's late "veteran" actors, including David Lewis (Edward Quartermaine), Anna Lee (Lila Quartermaine), John Berandino (Dr. Steve Hardy) Norma Connolly (Ruby Anderson), and Emily McLaughlin (Nurse Jessie Brewer); the writers' attempts to revive the "depopulated" Quartermaine family; the decision to bring a character back from the dead and the importance of having some deaths "stick"; the evolution of Laura Spencer and her appreciation for life; Emme Rylan's position as "new Lulu," having taken over the role from Julie Marie Berman; Thompson's "humbling" experience appearing in the special fiftieth anniversary episode; and the return of Audrey March Hardy (Rachel Ames).
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics among others: the cast's shock at learning that Rosalind Cash, who played Mary Mae Ward, was fatally ill with cancer; memories of Elizabeth Taylor, who portrayed arch villainess Helena Cassadine; Elliot's recollection of attending Taylor's daughter's wedding and being starstruck by fellow guest Grace Kelly; their favorite storylines; the emotional challenges of playing scenes involving the loss of children; Valentini and Carlivati's changes to the show's tone and pacing, including the filming of up to eighty scenes in a day; and hints about upcoming storylines, including the arrival of an important new character.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: April 12, 2013 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:20:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 110718
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Rene Reyes … Host
- Will Keck … Moderator
- John J. York … Panelist
- Kirsten Storms … Panelist
- Jason Thompson … Panelist
- Kimberly McCullough … Panelist
- Finola Hughes … Panelist
- Jacklyn Zeman … Panelist
- Laura Wright … Panelist
- Maurice Benard … Panelist
- Genie Francis … Panelist
- Frank Valentini … Panelist
- Ron Carlivati … Panelist
- Anthony Geary … Panelist
- Jane Elliot … Panelist
- Rachel Ames
- John Beradino
- Julie Marie Berman
- Rosalind Cash
- Norma Connolly
- Chad Duell
- Sonya Eddy
- Grace Kelly
- Anna Lee
- David Lewis
- Emily McLaughlin
- Lilly Melgar
- Emme Rylan
- Michael Sutton
- Elizabeth Taylor