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Podcasts Take Two
'General Hospital' at 50: Celebrating a half-century of soap opera drama
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Apr 1, 2013
Listen • 5:53
'General Hospital' at 50: Celebrating a half-century of soap opera drama
Fifty years ago today, ABC's "General Hospita" debuted, which means the soap is the longest running daytime drama currently in production. We'll find out how it's managed to maintain its success and what it's like to be on the set.
(L-R) Actors Finola Hughes, Tony Geary, Kelly Monaco, Kin Shriner and Genie Francis of ABC's soap opera General Hospital ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on April 1, 2013 in New York City.
(L-R) Actors Finola Hughes, Tony Geary, Kelly Monaco, Kin Shriner and Genie Francis of ABC's soap opera General Hospital ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on April 1, 2013 in New York City.
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General Hospital's Luke Spencer, played by Anthony Geary and Laura Webber, played by Genie Francis. The show is celebrating its 50th anniversary today.
General Hospital's Luke Spencer, played by Anthony Geary and Laura Webber, played by Genie Francis. The show is celebrating its 50th anniversary today.
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Fifty years ago today, ABC's "General Hospita" debuted, which means the soap is the longest running daytime drama currently in production. We'll find out how it's managed to maintain its success and what it's like to be on the set.

Over the past 50 years, Port Charles, New York has seen its fair share of drama, including family feuds, organized crime, men who are cryogenically frozen, and women who are murdered.

The fictional city is the setting of the longest running soap opera in history, "General Hospital." The show has outlasted other daytime dramas like "All My Children," "Guiding Light" and "As The World Turns." 

Here to tell us how is Barbara Irwin, co-director of Project Daytime, a research project examining daytime television. She's also Chair of the Communication Studies department at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY