One of General Hospital's most beloved actors has passed away.
Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer for over four decades, died on Wednesday, May 10.
Her family shared with ABC that the soap icon succumbed after a short battle with cancer.
News of her death was shared by General Hospital's executive producer, Frank Valentini via Twitter.
“Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work."
"Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey.”
The offical General Hospital Twitter account also released a statement:
"Jacklyn Zeman has been a beloved member of the ‘General Hospital’ and ABC family since she originated the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer over 45 years ago.
Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer for over four decades, died on Wednesday, May 10.
Her family shared with ABC that the soap icon succumbed after a short battle with cancer.
News of her death was shared by General Hospital's executive producer, Frank Valentini via Twitter.
“Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work."
"Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey.”
The offical General Hospital Twitter account also released a statement:
"Jacklyn Zeman has been a beloved member of the ‘General Hospital’ and ABC family since she originated the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer over 45 years ago.
- 5/11/2023
- by Christine Orlando
- TVfanatic
Daytime legend Jacklyn Zeman‘s cause of death has been revealed.
The General Hospital actress’ family tells ABC News that she died after a short battle with cancer.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
Zeman’s death was announced late Wednesday by Gh executive producer Frank Valentini, who tweeted, “On behalf of our General Hospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman. Just like her character,...
The General Hospital actress’ family tells ABC News that she died after a short battle with cancer.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
Zeman’s death was announced late Wednesday by Gh executive producer Frank Valentini, who tweeted, “On behalf of our General Hospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman. Just like her character,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
General Hospital legend Jacklyn Zeman, who died Wednesday at the age of 70, is being remembered by her former costars.
The four-time Daytime Emmy nominee, who portrayed Bobbie Spencer on the ABC soap for more than four decades, passed following a short battle with cancer. Gh vet Sarah Joy Brown, who originated the role of Bobbie’s long lost daughter Carly, was among the first to pay tribute.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend,...
The four-time Daytime Emmy nominee, who portrayed Bobbie Spencer on the ABC soap for more than four decades, passed following a short battle with cancer. Gh vet Sarah Joy Brown, who originated the role of Bobbie’s long lost daughter Carly, was among the first to pay tribute.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Soap star Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for more than four decades, has died at the age of 70.
Zeman passed following a short battle with cancer, her family told ABC News.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
“On behalf of our General Hospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,” executive producer Frank Valentini tweeted on Wednesday. “Just like her character,...
Zeman passed following a short battle with cancer, her family told ABC News.
More from TVLineWWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk Dead at 79 - Ric Flair and Mick Foley Pay TributeAnother World's Nancy Frangione Dead at 70Ahsoka Pays Tribute to Ray Stevenson in Series Premiere: 'For Our Friend, Ray'
“On behalf of our General Hospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,” executive producer Frank Valentini tweeted on Wednesday. “Just like her character,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
Jacklyn Zeman, the actress best known for her decades-long tenure playing Bobbie Spencer on the venerable ABC soap “General Hospital,” died Wednesday of undisclosed causes. She was 70.
“General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini made the news public Wednesday night.
“On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved @JackieZeman. Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work,” Valentini wrote.
“Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey,’ he continued.
Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends,...
“General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini made the news public Wednesday night.
“On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved @JackieZeman. Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work,” Valentini wrote.
“Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey,’ he continued.
Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
“General Hospital,” the longest running scripted show currently in production, turns 60 on April 1, and to commemorate that momentous occasion, Variety gathered five of its iconic stars together. Here, Genie Francis, Maurice Benard, Kin Shriner, Kristina Wagner and Tristan Rogers discuss the ABC’s soap opera’s loyal fandom, and reminisce about its heyday, when supercouple Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Francis) — creations of then-executive producer Gloria Monty — lifted the show into the pop culture stratosphere.
“General Hospital,” one of only four remaining daytime dramas, keeps breaking its own Emmys records — having won Outstanding Daytime Drama 15 times. Frank Valentini, its executive producer and showrunner since 2012, says incorporating the show’s legacy characters with new cast members is key to its longevity. “We’re not focusing on the history,” he says. “We’re moving forward with the history.” It helps that viewers see the cast as family: “For a large part of the audience,...
“General Hospital,” one of only four remaining daytime dramas, keeps breaking its own Emmys records — having won Outstanding Daytime Drama 15 times. Frank Valentini, its executive producer and showrunner since 2012, says incorporating the show’s legacy characters with new cast members is key to its longevity. “We’re not focusing on the history,” he says. “We’re moving forward with the history.” It helps that viewers see the cast as family: “For a large part of the audience,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Kate Aurthur
- Variety Film + TV
A stunning bride marries her love, hops in a limo and is blown to smithereens. Joy, scandal, tragedy — and returning from the dead, of course — have kept General Hospital fans tuned in since its 1963 debut. Today, ABC’s Gh is one of four soaps still standing — with CBS’s The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, and Days of Our Lives on Peacock — and remains a perfect shot of afternoon intrigue. It even grabbed a record 15th Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series in 2022. “General Hospital always explored stories not told in primetime,” executive producer Frank Valentini says. What’s the secret serum that’s made Gh a winner? We visited with show VIPs to find out. Lessons in Chemistry During the 1976-77 season, Gh ranked a lowly No. 10 out of 15 daytime dramas. (CBS’s As the World Turns dominated for nearly two decades.) That changed...
- 3/22/2023
- TV Insider
Remembering Luke & Laura’s Record-Breaking, Controversial ‘General Hospital’ Wedding, 40 Years Later
Luke Spencer and Laura Webber of General Hospital hold a complicated place in the world of daytime drama. Case in point: They’re the first duo mentioned in Wikipedia’s “supercouple” article, but they’re also mentioned first in the “forced seduction” entry. Content warning: This article covers topics of sexual assault. That’s because the story of Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis)—who married on screen 40 years ago, on November 16, 1981—started with sexual assault. As the Associated Press later recapped, Luke raped Laura in a 1979 episode, forcing himself on her late at night at a closed disco. According to Abigail De Kosnik, author of The Survival of Soap Opera, the rape storyline was a last-ditch effort to save General Hospital from cancellation. “Gloria Monty, [then] the executive producer of General Hospital, essentially was told she had two weeks to save the show and ABC was going to cancel...
- 11/16/2021
- TV Insider
1970: A World Apart and The Best of Everything premiered on ABC.
Another World spinoff Somerset premiered on NBC.
Dark Shadows' Maggie found a mysterious note."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: Daytime soap opera A World Apart premiered on ABC. The show was created by Katherine L. Phillips, Irna Phillips' daughter, and combined Irna's own life story with examples of the generation gap. Susan Sarandon and Matthew Cowles were siblings Patrice and Chris Kahlman, adopted children of soap opera writer Better Kahlman (played by...
Another World spinoff Somerset premiered on NBC.
Dark Shadows' Maggie found a mysterious note."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."
― Anselm Kiefer
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: Daytime soap opera A World Apart premiered on ABC. The show was created by Katherine L. Phillips, Irna Phillips' daughter, and combined Irna's own life story with examples of the generation gap. Susan Sarandon and Matthew Cowles were siblings Patrice and Chris Kahlman, adopted children of soap opera writer Better Kahlman (played by...
- 4/1/2019
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1968: Joan Crawford aired for the final time on The Secret Storm.
1980: Edge of Night's Clown Puppet killer was lurking.
1985: Capitol's Leanne collapsed.
1985: Santa Barbara's C.C. remained on life support."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) walked in while Joe (Joel Crothers) was trying to kill Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) so Joe ran off. Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) and Roger (Louis Edmonds) found Joe in the Collins mausoleum and brought him back to Collinwood where he addmitted that he tried to kill Barnabas, and said he would try again.
1980: Edge of Night's Clown Puppet killer was lurking.
1985: Capitol's Leanne collapsed.
1985: Santa Barbara's C.C. remained on life support."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1968: On Dark Shadows, Mrs. Johnson (Clarice Blackburn) walked in while Joe (Joel Crothers) was trying to kill Barnabas (Jonathan Frid) so Joe ran off. Elizabeth (Joan Bennett) and Roger (Louis Edmonds) found Joe in the Collins mausoleum and brought him back to Collinwood where he addmitted that he tried to kill Barnabas, and said he would try again.
- 10/31/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1969: Bright Promise premiered on NBC.
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.
1969: Bright...
1978: The final episode of For Richer, For Poorer aired on NBC.
1986: Another World's Marley and Jake were married.
1989: Terry Lester debuted as Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara."The best prophet of the future is the past."
― Lord Byron
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1947: Radio soap opera Claudia premiered. Due in large part to the success of the two Claudia movies, the D'Arcy advertising agency decided to bring the characters to radio in a five-a-week quarter-hour serial on behalf of its client, Coca-Cola. Kathryn Bard was cast as Claudia and Paul Crabtree as David, with Joe King announcing.
1969: Bright...
- 10/3/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
1970: A World Apart and The Best of Everything premiered on ABC.
Another World spinoff Somerset premiered on NBC.
Dark Shadows' Maggie found a mysterious note."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: Daytime soap opera A World Apart premiered on ABC. The show was created by Katherine L. Phillips, Irna Phillips' daughter, and combined Irna's own life story with examples of the generation gap. Susan Sarandon...
Another World spinoff Somerset premiered on NBC.
Dark Shadows' Maggie found a mysterious note."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1970: Daytime soap opera A World Apart premiered on ABC. The show was created by Katherine L. Phillips, Irna Phillips' daughter, and combined Irna's own life story with examples of the generation gap. Susan Sarandon...
- 4/12/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Just as there have been advances in the field of medicine over the past 55 years that have resulted in people living longer, so, too, have there been changes and improvements at “General Hospital” that have kept the long-running soap opera thriving in today’s crowded TV landscape.
“Soap operas are an original American art form that’s been copied into other forms of television, but our show is a drama that also has elements of comedy and action-adventure,” says executive producer Frank Valentini. “It’s rare for a show to encompass all of that, while at the core being a show about love, family and relationships. We tell stories from all perspectives. We’ve held onto all these elements and that is how we maintain our place in the television landscape.”
Valentini notes that the most significant differences between television in 1963 when “General Hospital” first debuted and today is the “increased competition” and tightening budget.
“Soap operas are an original American art form that’s been copied into other forms of television, but our show is a drama that also has elements of comedy and action-adventure,” says executive producer Frank Valentini. “It’s rare for a show to encompass all of that, while at the core being a show about love, family and relationships. We tell stories from all perspectives. We’ve held onto all these elements and that is how we maintain our place in the television landscape.”
Valentini notes that the most significant differences between television in 1963 when “General Hospital” first debuted and today is the “increased competition” and tightening budget.
- 3/29/2018
- by Michael Maloney
- Variety Film + TV
1970: Dark Shadows' Jeb dug up Paul's grave.
1976: Ryan's Hope's Reenie begged her father to help her.
1999: Y&R's Katherine was tempted to drink.
2003: As the World Turns' Dusty returned to Oakdale."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Secret Storm, Pauline Harris (Haila Stoddard) refused to help Peter Ames (Peter Hobbs...
1976: Ryan's Hope's Reenie begged her father to help her.
1999: Y&R's Katherine was tempted to drink.
2003: As the World Turns' Dusty returned to Oakdale."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."
― Machiavelli
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1955: On The Secret Storm, Pauline Harris (Haila Stoddard) refused to help Peter Ames (Peter Hobbs...
- 2/18/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Extremely few television programs even get close to marking a 50th anniversary.
As other daytime serials were taken off the air, it was possible "General Hospital" might fall just short of that mark ... but it didn't, now making the celebration all the sweeter.
The residents of the fictional Port Charles will fete the milestone in the Monday, April 1, episode of the enduring ABC soap opera. Actually, the festivities have been going on for a while, since beloved cast members and characters have made returns leading up to the newly revived Nurses' Ball that will mark the anniversary week.
Among them: Genie Francis (alias Laura Spencer), Kin Shriner (Scotty Baldwin), Jack Wagner (Frisco Jones), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer), Vanessa Marcil (Brenda Barrett), current-season "Dancing With the Stars" contender Ingo Rademacher (Jasper "Jax" Jacks), singer-actor Rick Springfield (Dr. Noah Drake) -- and Rachel Ames (Audrey Hardy), the performer who's had the longest...
As other daytime serials were taken off the air, it was possible "General Hospital" might fall just short of that mark ... but it didn't, now making the celebration all the sweeter.
The residents of the fictional Port Charles will fete the milestone in the Monday, April 1, episode of the enduring ABC soap opera. Actually, the festivities have been going on for a while, since beloved cast members and characters have made returns leading up to the newly revived Nurses' Ball that will mark the anniversary week.
Among them: Genie Francis (alias Laura Spencer), Kin Shriner (Scotty Baldwin), Jack Wagner (Frisco Jones), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer), Vanessa Marcil (Brenda Barrett), current-season "Dancing With the Stars" contender Ingo Rademacher (Jasper "Jax" Jacks), singer-actor Rick Springfield (Dr. Noah Drake) -- and Rachel Ames (Audrey Hardy), the performer who's had the longest...
- 4/1/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Drinking! Deceit! Debauchery! And some of it even happened on screen. General Hospital was one wild and crazy place in the late '70s and early '80s under the command of the brilliant yet oh-so-lethal exec producer Gloria Monty. In honor of the ABC soap's 50th anniversary, TV Guide Magazine gathered three survivors of the era — good friends Tony Geary (Luke), Jane Elliot (Tracy) and Kin Shriner (Scotty) — for a raucous lunch near the Gh studio. Shriner shows up at the restaurant in a bright cherry-red shirt, the exact same color as Geary's pants. "How weird is that?" says Shriner. "If we put your pants with my shirt it would look kind of clownish." Says Geary with a laugh: "I hate to tell ya, but we're both halfway there now." Elliot, for reasons to be revealed later, is wearing a large smock. Geary orders pasta. Shriner and Elliot get the fish tacos,...
- 4/1/2013
- by Michael Logan
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Watching General Hospital these last two weeks, as the energetic efforts of One Life to Live veterans Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati to save the show from almost certain doom begin to play out, it occurs to me that my time as a fan of this once-formidable serial has come full circle. I began watching Gh in 1978, shortly after fearless executive producer Gloria Monty had been brought on board to save the show from seemingly certain cancellation. In fact, as legend has it, Gh at the time had sunk so low in the ratings it was given only a few months to reverse its failing fortunes or be cancelled.
Thirty-five years later Gh is once again on life support or damn close to it -- and, once again, it may very well be terminated in a few months! ABC seems to have made clear that it wants out of the...
Thirty-five years later Gh is once again on life support or damn close to it -- and, once again, it may very well be terminated in a few months! ABC seems to have made clear that it wants out of the...
- 3/2/2012
- by Ed Martin
- Aol TV.
Are There Big Bucks in Daytime Soaps?
By Isobel Silden
The Baltimore Sun
July 27, 1980
The names may not be blaring from the headlines of the movie magazines in the supermarkets, but the top soap opera actors are genuine stars with an adoring--or sometimes angry--public. And there are jealousies, salary disputes and ego problems. Here, in the last of a five-part series, is a look behind the scenes of the soaps.
Everyone involved with daytime TV, either as a performer or a viewer, has favorite cherished stories.
Helen Gallagher (Maeve on Ryan's Hope) says producer Claire Labine cherishes one specific letter. "It was from a girl who'd been raped. She wrote Helen that the aftermath with the police was so awful, she tried to think of the nicest thing she could. That was Maeve Ryan. Helen cries when she talks about it."
Still, all is not sweetness and light with every actor on every soap.
By Isobel Silden
The Baltimore Sun
July 27, 1980
The names may not be blaring from the headlines of the movie magazines in the supermarkets, but the top soap opera actors are genuine stars with an adoring--or sometimes angry--public. And there are jealousies, salary disputes and ego problems. Here, in the last of a five-part series, is a look behind the scenes of the soaps.
Everyone involved with daytime TV, either as a performer or a viewer, has favorite cherished stories.
Helen Gallagher (Maeve on Ryan's Hope) says producer Claire Labine cherishes one specific letter. "It was from a girl who'd been raped. She wrote Helen that the aftermath with the police was so awful, she tried to think of the nicest thing she could. That was Maeve Ryan. Helen cries when she talks about it."
Still, all is not sweetness and light with every actor on every soap.
- 8/17/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Lady Director a Rare Breed on Television
By Linda Crawford
Chicago Tribune
April 3, 1966
Gloria Monty is one of a rare breed--the female television director. It's not hard to figure out why they're so scarce.
"You have about 40 men working for you," Miss Monty points out. "You have to keep a happy balance between being just one of the boys and being just a woman. Also, the hours aren't the best.
Miss Monty's working day as director of CBS-tv's soap opera, The Secret Storm, extends from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it's perpetual motion all the way.
We looked in on her one day just as the show, offered live, went on the air. She sat in the control booth, one hand holding her omnipresent cigaret, the other snapping out a directive every few seconds. At the end, exasperated with a slip-up, she briefly reprimanded an assistant, introduced herself,...
By Linda Crawford
Chicago Tribune
April 3, 1966
Gloria Monty is one of a rare breed--the female television director. It's not hard to figure out why they're so scarce.
"You have about 40 men working for you," Miss Monty points out. "You have to keep a happy balance between being just one of the boys and being just a woman. Also, the hours aren't the best.
Miss Monty's working day as director of CBS-tv's soap opera, The Secret Storm, extends from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and it's perpetual motion all the way.
We looked in on her one day just as the show, offered live, went on the air. She sat in the control booth, one hand holding her omnipresent cigaret, the other snapping out a directive every few seconds. At the end, exasperated with a slip-up, she briefly reprimanded an assistant, introduced herself,...
- 8/12/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
General Hospital's General Television
In 1978, Gloria Monty pushed the ABC serial into the modern era. She left in 1986 but now has returned-and aims to drag it into the 1990s.
By Irv Letofsky
Los Angeles Times
February 13, 1991
One morning a few years ago, an actress was rehearsing her lines on General Hospital. On her blouse she wore an innocent tiny yellow duck pin. Suddenly from the anonymity of the control booth boomed the voice of executive producer Gloria Monty, ever on the watch for anything that might detract from the show: "Lose the duck."
Wiry, petite, 5-foot-2, maybe 85 pounds after a big meal, Monty doesn't look so tough. But she's a Hollywood heavyweight, a brawler who took on the ABC serial in 1978 and punched and pummeled it into the modern era. She left in 1986 but now has returned-her name goes on the credit roll today-and aims to drag it into the 1990s.
In 1978, Gloria Monty pushed the ABC serial into the modern era. She left in 1986 but now has returned-and aims to drag it into the 1990s.
By Irv Letofsky
Los Angeles Times
February 13, 1991
One morning a few years ago, an actress was rehearsing her lines on General Hospital. On her blouse she wore an innocent tiny yellow duck pin. Suddenly from the anonymity of the control booth boomed the voice of executive producer Gloria Monty, ever on the watch for anything that might detract from the show: "Lose the duck."
Wiry, petite, 5-foot-2, maybe 85 pounds after a big meal, Monty doesn't look so tough. But she's a Hollywood heavyweight, a brawler who took on the ABC serial in 1978 and punched and pummeled it into the modern era. She left in 1986 but now has returned-her name goes on the credit roll today-and aims to drag it into the 1990s.
- 8/12/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
On this date in...
1921: Future soap opera director/producer Gloria Monty was born. She died on March 30, 2006.
2002: On As The World Turns, Barbara showed up at Hal and Emily's wedding with a court order allowing her to take Will.
Celebrating a birthday today are:
Ronald Guttman (ex-Alexander, All My Children) - 59
Bruce Greenwood (ex-Pierce, Knots Landing) - 55
Peter Krause (Adam, Parenthood; ex-Nick, Dirty Sexy Money; ex-Nate, Six Feet Under) - 46
Rebecca Gayheart (ex-Hannah, Loving; ex-Judy, Vanished; ex-Natasha, Nip/Tuck; ex-Toni, Beverly Hills, 90210)- 40
Taylor Stanley (Zoey, The Bay; ex-Remy, Another World) - 36
Nick Zurzolo (ex-Gabe, As The World Turns) - 21
Editor's Note: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.
1921: Future soap opera director/producer Gloria Monty was born. She died on March 30, 2006.
2002: On As The World Turns, Barbara showed up at Hal and Emily's wedding with a court order allowing her to take Will.
Celebrating a birthday today are:
Ronald Guttman (ex-Alexander, All My Children) - 59
Bruce Greenwood (ex-Pierce, Knots Landing) - 55
Peter Krause (Adam, Parenthood; ex-Nick, Dirty Sexy Money; ex-Nate, Six Feet Under) - 46
Rebecca Gayheart (ex-Hannah, Loving; ex-Judy, Vanished; ex-Natasha, Nip/Tuck; ex-Toni, Beverly Hills, 90210)- 40
Taylor Stanley (Zoey, The Bay; ex-Remy, Another World) - 36
Nick Zurzolo (ex-Gabe, As The World Turns) - 21
Editor's Note: If you would like to submit a piece of soap opera history for this daily column, please email it to editor@welovesoaps.com.
- 8/12/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Veterans Bridge, Jerome Dobson
'Santa Barbara's' Guiding Lights
By Julie Richard
Los Angeles Times
July 28, 1984
While prime-time series come and go, daytime dramas generally go on and on, so when a new serial enters the field, the trick is to lure away loyal viewers already ensconced in the machinations of their favorite soap characters.
Two veteran soap writers, Bridget and Jerome Dobson, hope to do just that with Santa Barbara, which they've created, executive produce and write and which premieres on NBC on Monday at 2 p.m. The Dobsons are optimistic that Santa Barbara will not only find a niche in the soap world but also eventually become No. 1.
"It's young viewers we want to catch," Bridget said, "because viewers who've been watching soaps 20 years don't change. It's very hard to woo them away. It's the new viewers we want."
To that end, the Dobsons have developed a show which,...
'Santa Barbara's' Guiding Lights
By Julie Richard
Los Angeles Times
July 28, 1984
While prime-time series come and go, daytime dramas generally go on and on, so when a new serial enters the field, the trick is to lure away loyal viewers already ensconced in the machinations of their favorite soap characters.
Two veteran soap writers, Bridget and Jerome Dobson, hope to do just that with Santa Barbara, which they've created, executive produce and write and which premieres on NBC on Monday at 2 p.m. The Dobsons are optimistic that Santa Barbara will not only find a niche in the soap world but also eventually become No. 1.
"It's young viewers we want to catch," Bridget said, "because viewers who've been watching soaps 20 years don't change. It's very hard to woo them away. It's the new viewers we want."
To that end, the Dobsons have developed a show which,...
- 7/30/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Natalie Cassidy 'splits from fiancé Adam Cottrell' after his arrest over alleged assault on former Eastenders star
Cassidy has allegedly split from her fiancé and cancelled their £50,000 white wedding planned for later this year after his arrest on assault charges.
She has also booted him of the £190,000, two-bed flat she shared with him and their seven-month-old daughter Eliza in Brouxbourne, Hertfordshire,
The news comes as the star's father claims that Cottrell 'punched a hole in a microwave oven' shortly before he was arrested on suspicion of beating the 28-year-old former Eastenders actress.
Networks talk about value of older viewers but still program to young
Unless the entertainment chiefs at the networks figure the best way to entice people over the age of 50 is to give them something young and hot to look at, it’s unclear how their new fall schedules are in sync with what their counterparts in sales are spinning to media buyers.
Cassidy has allegedly split from her fiancé and cancelled their £50,000 white wedding planned for later this year after his arrest on assault charges.
She has also booted him of the £190,000, two-bed flat she shared with him and their seven-month-old daughter Eliza in Brouxbourne, Hertfordshire,
The news comes as the star's father claims that Cottrell 'punched a hole in a microwave oven' shortly before he was arrested on suspicion of beating the 28-year-old former Eastenders actress.
Networks talk about value of older viewers but still program to young
Unless the entertainment chiefs at the networks figure the best way to entice people over the age of 50 is to give them something young and hot to look at, it’s unclear how their new fall schedules are in sync with what their counterparts in sales are spinning to media buyers.
- 5/26/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
A Severe Case Of 'General Hospital' Hits Harvard
By Diane McWhorter
New York Times
May 25, 1981
Cambridge, Mass., May 24— The "General Hospital Weekend" at Harvard University was billed as an educational experience. On Saturday morning, three stars of the popular soap opera, Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer, his sister) and Norma Connolly (Aunt Ruby, their guardian) analyzed their craft and performed forthcoming General Hospital scenes before some 175 students. But the atmosphere of the weekend recalled not an ivory tower but Shea Stadium during the Beatles' concert in August, 1965.
ABC-tv's promotions for General Hospital, in fact, liken Mr. Geary to the Beatles, and judging from his reception at Harvard, the analogy is not audacious. As Luke, Mr. Geary has become a cult antihero for the 12,130,000 viewers of the show, the top-rated soap in the land and winner last Thursday of the Emmy for daytime drama.
Thus, at the Saturday-morning seminar,...
By Diane McWhorter
New York Times
May 25, 1981
Cambridge, Mass., May 24— The "General Hospital Weekend" at Harvard University was billed as an educational experience. On Saturday morning, three stars of the popular soap opera, Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer), Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie Spencer, his sister) and Norma Connolly (Aunt Ruby, their guardian) analyzed their craft and performed forthcoming General Hospital scenes before some 175 students. But the atmosphere of the weekend recalled not an ivory tower but Shea Stadium during the Beatles' concert in August, 1965.
ABC-tv's promotions for General Hospital, in fact, liken Mr. Geary to the Beatles, and judging from his reception at Harvard, the analogy is not audacious. As Luke, Mr. Geary has become a cult antihero for the 12,130,000 viewers of the show, the top-rated soap in the land and winner last Thursday of the Emmy for daytime drama.
Thus, at the Saturday-morning seminar,...
- 4/17/2011
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
Commemorating 60 Years of Soap Operas on CBS-tv
By Rob Wargo
On December 4, 1950, CBS-tv aired its very first daytime soap opera – The First Hundred Years – sponsored by Procter & Gamble. The series starred James Lydon as “Chris Thayer,” who married “Connie Martin” (played originally by Olive Stacey and later by Anne Sargent) during the first week of the series, and thereafter moved his new bride into a decrepit three-story Victorian mansion. The couple’s problems with their living quarters, their middle in-laws, including Connie’s sister Margy, and the typical problems any newlyweds face gave credence to the show’s title, a reference to the old staying that the “first 100 years of marriage are the hardest.”
The series was produced on a budget of $8,650 per week and was directed by Gloria Monty, who subsequently directed The Secret Storm and produced General Hospital.
Created and written by prolific radio soap writer Jean Holloway,...
By Rob Wargo
On December 4, 1950, CBS-tv aired its very first daytime soap opera – The First Hundred Years – sponsored by Procter & Gamble. The series starred James Lydon as “Chris Thayer,” who married “Connie Martin” (played originally by Olive Stacey and later by Anne Sargent) during the first week of the series, and thereafter moved his new bride into a decrepit three-story Victorian mansion. The couple’s problems with their living quarters, their middle in-laws, including Connie’s sister Margy, and the typical problems any newlyweds face gave credence to the show’s title, a reference to the old staying that the “first 100 years of marriage are the hardest.”
The series was produced on a budget of $8,650 per week and was directed by Gloria Monty, who subsequently directed The Secret Storm and produced General Hospital.
Created and written by prolific radio soap writer Jean Holloway,...
- 12/8/2010
- by Guest Editorial
- We Love Soaps
Soap writer and fiction novelist Thom Racina is loved by soap fans and historians for his incredibly moving and memorable love stories on General Hospital (1981-83), Days Of Our Lives (1984-86) Another World (1986-88), Generations (1989-91) and Santa Barbara (1991-93). We Love Soaps TV has had the privilege to talk to the prolific writer before. In this new interview for World AIDS Day 2010, Racina revisited the groundbreaking AIDS storyline that played out on Another World from September 1987 until March 1988. What challenges did he face from NBC? Did Ken Corday really approve a HIV story on Days? Read on to find out.
We Love Soaps TV: It is so great to speak with you again. We are acknowledging World AIDS Day this year by commemorating the stories on daytime that impacted the audience. You were head writer at Another World in 1987 when the Dawn Rollo story began playing out.
Thom Racina...
We Love Soaps TV: It is so great to speak with you again. We are acknowledging World AIDS Day this year by commemorating the stories on daytime that impacted the audience. You were head writer at Another World in 1987 when the Dawn Rollo story began playing out.
Thom Racina...
- 12/1/2010
- by Damon L. Jacobs
- We Love Soaps
Six-time Emmy winner Anthony Geary was voted the Greatest Soap Actor of All-Time by a panel of 15 past and present soap critics assembled by We Love Soaps TV. While soap fans will always think of him as the bad-boy-turned-sort-of-good-turned-especially-bad-lately Luke Spencer on General Hospital, Geary has made an impact in all mediums, from the theater to daytime to primetime episodics to movies. His latest musical, "Into The Woods," opens on Friday, October 22, where Geary will be playing the Narrator / Mysterious man. In this exclusive two-part new interview with We Love Soaps TV, Geary previews the new musical and reflects on a long and storied career spanning four decades.
We Love Soaps TV: So, congratulations on your new show ("Into The Woods").
Anthony Geary: Thank you.
We Love Soaps TV: When we did our countdown of the 50 Greatest Actors, we published some classic articles on you and there was one...
We Love Soaps TV: So, congratulations on your new show ("Into The Woods").
Anthony Geary: Thank you.
We Love Soaps TV: When we did our countdown of the 50 Greatest Actors, we published some classic articles on you and there was one...
- 10/31/2010
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
What do you get when you turn 12,000 episodes old? Why, a new set of opening credits, naturally. That's what'll happen today as 'General Hospital' unveils a new set of opening credits to coincide with the milestone occasion.
By the way, if you're wondering, 'Gh's' 12,000 episodes equates to nearly 47 years of continuing daytime drama. The show began on April 1, 1963, and it was not an April's Fool joke. It was something different at the time, because most of the soaps were New York based.
In fact, on the same day 'Gh' launched, NBC premiered a new medical soap, too, out of New York. It was called 'The Doctors,' and for the first decade or so 'Gh' and 'The Doctors' were on TV, the NBC show was a better soap. However, all that changed in 1978 when Gloria Monty became executive director... which led to the Luke and Laura sensation.
Continue...
By the way, if you're wondering, 'Gh's' 12,000 episodes equates to nearly 47 years of continuing daytime drama. The show began on April 1, 1963, and it was not an April's Fool joke. It was something different at the time, because most of the soaps were New York based.
In fact, on the same day 'Gh' launched, NBC premiered a new medical soap, too, out of New York. It was called 'The Doctors,' and for the first decade or so 'Gh' and 'The Doctors' were on TV, the NBC show was a better soap. However, all that changed in 1978 when Gloria Monty became executive director... which led to the Luke and Laura sensation.
Continue...
- 2/26/2010
- by Allison Waldman
- Aol TV.
Gloria Monty, a groundbreaking producer who turned the ABC daytime drama "General Hospital" into a pop sensation in the late 1970s, died March 30 of cancer at her home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 84. With more women joining the work force, the traditional audience for soap operas like "General Hospital" was waning when Monty took over the slumping show in 1978 and was given 13 weeks to turn it around. She quickly set about reinventing the show to appeal to teens and young adults. Monty added action-adventure and science fiction to plot lines, cast younger actors, quickened the pacing and had a Broadway designer modernize the set.
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