'GH' celebrates 35 years of soap saga

A jilted bride ends up in the nuthouse, a mob war erupts over a kidnapped baby, and a rape dredges up dark family secrets. Welcome to the wonderful world of "General Hospital."

Forget about "ER"; this hospital is far more interesting.

Where else could you see a daughter seek revenge on the mother who gave her up, by stealing her husband? For more than three decades, "General Hospital" has been bringing viewers mayhem five times per week, capturing the hearts of soap opera fans everywhere.

The function of a soap opera is escapism - to take us out of our mundane lives and into a fantasy world filled with gorgeous people and their equally glamorous lifestyles.

Courtesy of ABC Anthony Geary will host the "General Hospital" 35th anniversary special tomorrow night on ABC.

"General Hospital" fits that bill to a tee. The show features some of the hottest actors of daytime. Take one look at the opening credits to know what I am talking about.

But there is much more to "GH" than handsome doctors and beautiful nurses. The soap opera primarily revolves around the wealthy Quartermaine family, whose closets are filled with more skeletons than the Kennedys'.

Let's not forgot about the other characters as well. We have a model (Vanessa Marcil), a tycoon (Ingo Rademacher) and a mobster (Maurice Benard), just to name a few. Let your imagination run wild because anything is possible here in the city of Port Charles.

Tomorrow, "General Hospital" will celebrate its 35th anniversary with an hourlong special recalling favorite moments of the show and interviews with stars from the past and present. The show will feature favorite couples from Luke and Laura (Anthony Geary and Genie Francis) to Sonny and Brenda (Maurice Benard and Vanessa Marcil).

Who could forget Luke and Laura's wedding? It is possibly the most famous wedding of all of daytime, attended by longtime fan Elizabeth Taylor.

PREVIEW
	General Hospital 35th Anniversary ABC Tomorrow at 10 p.m.

Sonny and Brenda, a mobster and a model, were one of the favorite and hottest couples from his past year. Theirs is a match made in heaven.

Along with unforgettable clips, there will be interviews with former and current stars. Celebrities from the past such as Jack Wagner of "Melrose Place" (Frisco Jones on "GH"), who met his wife Kristina (Felicia Jones) on the show, and John Stamos (Blackie Parrish) of "Full House" fame, will share their memories of the show. Current stars featured include Kimberly McCullough (Robin Scorpio) and Ingo Rademacher (Jasper "Jax" Jacks).

Also in the hour special, we will get a sneak peek into a group photo session with the stars of the show. For the clincher, Brad Maule (Tony Jones) will perform a song written by the star himself about the characters in Port Charles.

"GH" fans will get a special treat as host and show veteran Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) takes devoted viewers down memory lane.

Keep that box of tissues close by.

04-01-98