It seems like whenever ratings get below dismal — and that is exactly where they've been on all the daytime dramas lately — General Hospital's head writer Bob Guza Jr. pulls a rabbit out of his hat, or in this case a much-loved veteran out of the closet.
This week Genie Francis returned to GH. Her character, Laura Spencer, woke from her permanent catatonic state to help daughter Lulu deal with her guilt over killing Logan. The way the story is being presented, viewers aren't one hundred percent sure if Laura is miraculously awake or if she another of Lulu's hallucinations. (She's been teetering on the edge of sanity for weeks.) It's no secret that Francis has only signed on for a short run, and viewers have been told this story arc will not end with Laura, yet again, slipping away to catatonia. So the hallucination scenario does seem likely.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved the scenes between Francis (Laura) and Berman (Lulu). They've been more engaging than Johnny and Lulu held up in the apartment when they were on the run, and more entertaining than Carly playing junior detective for Jason when she's supposed to be distancing her children from the mob. I only wish the powers that be would commit to a long-term story involving these vets the fans love so much.
The same can be said for the return of Rick Springfield (Noah/Eli) and Finola Hughes (Anna) this summer. Noah and Anna wrestled with the idea of becoming grandparents and rekindled their affair from the previous summer. Springfield's return also gave him the chance to debut the first single, "What's Victoria's Secret?" from his new album Venus in Overdrive via his Eli Love character, but will these two still be on the canvas when Patrick and Robin tie the knot this fall or will we see either one of them actually hold their granddaughter? Given the show's history for long-term stories involving family relationships, don't hold your breath.
Don't expect to see Genie Francis sharing any scenes with Tony Geary this time around either – it's not going to happen, though supposedly negations are underway to put these two on the canvas together for November sweeps.
In contrast, the second season of GH: Night Shift has been receiving outstanding ratings, the best Soapnet has seen to date. The hour-long, once-a-week drama appears on the cable network and is focused on the hospital – the relationships between the doctors, nurses, and their patients – after dark. Even though you won't mistake it for a soap opera, the stories are edgier, and because it's after prime-time cable they're sexier, too.
Article comments
1 - Ren
I agree. I love NSII this year. It is such a huge improvement from GH.
2 - Maria
So very well said. I've been watching GH for more than 30 years and I can't stand this mob crap anymore. I hate the way new characters are consistently introduced to support it, yet we can't get Genie back. Is there a way that TPTB can get a copy of this article?
3 - Avalon
I completely agree. Not only is NS2 a vast improvement on GH, but it is a complete turnaround from its first season, which I found to be very disappointing.
I think the difference is that NS2 has a new head writer. Someone who doesn't play favorites, isn't jaded, has fresh ideas, and is a fan of GH and actually LISTENS to fans and gives them what they want. What a concept, huh?
4 - Connie Phillips
Ren, thanks for the comment. Night Shift totally rocks this season! As much as love seeing the vets on GH I wish they Guza and company would take a clue from the Night Shift writing staff and make the stories more personal
5 - Connie Phillips
Maria, I'd too would love to see Genie back full time. It kills me that we won't see any scenes (this time around) with the characters of Luke, Lucky, or Nicholas. The Spencer family is part of the heart and soul of the show, but it's being disregarded as much as the Quatermaine tradition has been ignored and destroyed.
6 - Connie Phillips
Avalon,
What a unique concept indeed. What I would give to see some of the Night Shift stories on the daytime series.
7 - Shauna
Night shift is a lot better than General Hospital for the simple reason that characters drive the plot, the plot doesn't frive the characters. Patrick, Robin & Robert are all staying true to their nature on the NS. The same can't be said for GH, which is the one thing that sets it aprt from its mothership.
8 - putgenieonNS
I would like to see Genie on NS somehow. I'm hoping the show gives her a big storyline and doesn't just take her off again once Lulu is better...
9 - skip
I love Genie Francis. I watch whenever she is on. And by the way. . . she looks so good! Congratulations, Genie, on the weight loss and the role reprisal.