ABC's "General Hospital" needs changes

May 17, 2024

Courtesy: ABC

Patrick Mulcahey, who was promoted to co-head writer of General Hospital in January alongside Elizabeth Korte, was unexpectedly terminated from his position. This sudden change, occurring just over three months into his role, has elicited mixed reactions from viewers and has sent shockwaves through the community.

Recently, the soap faced scrutiny for its lack of diversity, leading frustrated fans to contact the show's executive producer, Frank Valentini, and its parent company, Disney.

General Hospital first premiered on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963. It is the longest-running American soap opera in production, the world's third longest-running scripted drama series in production, and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history. With 14 wins, it holds the record for the most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series. The soap celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023.

Unfortunately, General Hospital has always struggled with maintaining diversity despite its talented roster of Black actors and characters. While those characters receive varying degrees of focus, consistency still needs to be improved.

Among its current roster of talent are Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper), Stella Henry (Vernee Watson), T.J. Ashford (Tajh Bellow), Portia Robinson (Brook Kerr), and Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Trina is one half of the show's famous couple, with Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Alexander Chavez ), affectionately known as "Sprina." 

Chavez's departure earlier this year has led to a noticeable reduction in Ali's screen time. She sporadically appears in scenes that do not fully showcase her dynamic character as fans know her to be. This reduction disservices her character, suggesting she holds no value without the "Sprina" pairing. The current stereotypical writing has resulted in one-dimensional characters in positions of authority, lacking apparent motivation except to empathize with white characters.

General Hospital has consistently showcased a wealth of diverse characters over the years. In 1968, actress Kim Hamilton was cast as Dr. Tracy Adams, marking the debut of the first Black female doctor on television and challenging traditional views on race and gender. Then, in 1978, Simone Revelle-Hardy was introduced as GH's newest pediatrician, and her relationship with Tom Hardy led to the first interracial wedding in daytime television history in 1988. Simone appeared on General Hospital from 1987 to 1997, marking the longest run for any Black character until Epiphany Johnson's tenure began in 2006.

In subsequent years, The Wards, a central African American family, played a pivotal role in General Hospital alongside other prominent families such as the Spencers, Quartermaines, and Webbers. Their impactful presence shattered stereotypes and left an indelible mark. Despite this, the family was dismantled, and even though Justus Ward was revived, he was ultimately written out and never made another appearance.

In recent years, Sonya Eddy's portrayal of Epiphany Johnson showcased immense potential despite the character often being stereotypically written. Nonetheless, Eddy's powerful presence shone through, adding depth to the role.

The lack of diversity in soap operas, and more specifically, General Hospital, particularly the underrepresentation of African Americans, has long been a significant concern. Black characters are frequently confined to supporting roles, even within their storylines. This issue is further exacerbated by the fact that (Black) women form the majority of the soap opera audience, the direct impact of diversity on a show's popularity and sustainability.

Soap operas are experiencing a significant decline, with over 60% of their audience disappearing during their peak. As a result, many networks are strategically moving to streaming platforms instead of linear viewing to ensure their sustainability.

The lack of diversity and mishandling of Black characters in General Hospital has significantly contributed to the show's declining viewership. With the show already losing a significant portion of its audience, highlighting the talent of its Black actors in compelling, substantial storylines could be pivotal in reversing this trend.

Watch "General Hospital" weekdays on ABC (check your local listings)