(SOAP Q) My General Hospital Story!

by Mike Webber

Today is the 50th Anniversary of General Hospital and I couldn't let this day pass without talking about my own GH experience. As Most, I starting watching because my mom and sister were fans. At 10, I was more interested in GH, than 'All in the Family' Reruns or Cartoons. The summer of Laura and Scotty, Heather and Jeff, Bobbie and Luke, Rick , Monica, Lesley and Alan and then the Luke and Laura!

So in 1992, the summer before College, I was in LA and got an Internship interview at the ABC Prospect Studios. Back in those days, once you were cleared at the gate, you could go anywhere on the lot. By Accident, I came upon the studio for the Home Show! The daily Talker hosted by Gary Collins. I ended up in hallway that were the dressing rooms. A staffer told me how to get to the GH studio from there. The GH Studio had  6 to 8 sets up, (Including the Hospital set, and the Webber/Scorpio Living room, Kelly's Diner and a outside shot of Bobbie's brownstone.) I found the stairwell, which they have used as the Hospital and Hotel stairwell. I went up 2-flights to the Offices of Production. The interview went well. I was then free to head back to the set and it was like a maze trying to find the exit. I did stop off and watch a scene of Bobbie, Tony and and Mac (Jackie Zeman, Brad Maule, John J. York) during the conclusion of t Bobbie being taken Hostage by cop killer, Joseph Atkins ( Scott Lincoln). Jackie and Brad had some pretty intense scenes and you could hear a pin drop. Later, I was introduced to Jackie (Who had just returned from maternity leave, after giving birth to daughter, Lacey), she was wearing a white blouse with fake blood stains. I welcomed her back to the show. I later spotted Sharon Wyatt (Tiffany) in a Blue pant suit getting ready to walk onto the Kelly's Diner set. She spotted me and smiled. While trying to find the exit, I ran smack into actor, Scott Lincoln (Joe), who was nicer and attractive in person. I found the exit, but I really didn't want to leave or have that day end.

In 1995, I did it again and set up an interview for an Internship in the GH Casting Department. This time I got watch a scene with Matt Ashford (Tom), Felicia Bell, (Simone), and Joseph C. Phillips (Justice). Later, Tom had a phone scene with the legendary John Bernadino (Steve). I was watching the scene directly across the Nurses Station from the Luke's Club Set. I was star struck at seeing the show's original Cast Member at work. Bernadino would be gone within 9 months later. Sitting on a Bar stool and noticing how detailed the wood carved Bar was and How hard the wooden stools were. I was just waiting for Anthony Geary to come in and welcome me to Luke's and serve up a drink.

I may not have gotten the internships, but having not one, but two opportunities to visit the set of my favorite soap and seeing iconic actors, Jackie Z, and John B. I look back at great profoundness  Next I hope to go there again, but this time as journalist and get to interview my favorite stars.