General Hospital’s Jacklyn Zeman memorial episode.Photo:Disney/Christine Bartolucci
Disney/Christine Bartolucci
General Hospitalfans are going to need to stock up on tissues ahead of the emotional episodes premiering the week of Jan. 10.
New Year’s week, viewers will learn that their beloved Bobbie Spencer has died. While that’s enough to get the tears flowing, the long-running series will also air two emotional episodes on Wednesday, Jan. 10 and 11, where the town of Port Charles comes together to pay homage to Bobbie.
Five-time Daytime Emmy-nomineeJacklyn Zeman, who debuted on the ABC soap in 1977, died in May shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 70.
Bobbie’s farewell episodes will include characters from the past and present coming together to celebrate her life. This includes Maxie (Kirsten Storms), who has had a special connection to Bobbie since she was a young girl, Laura (Genie Francis), Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), Scott (Kin Shriner) and Carly (Laura Wright). Also featured in the heartbreaking episodes are Finola Hughes (Anna) and Lynn Herring (Lucy), who was Jackie’s close friend in real life. Ryan Carnes, who played Lucas, will return for the tribute episodes, as well.
Laura Wright inGeneral Hospital’s Bobbie memorial episodes.Disney/Christine Bartolucci
Bobbie’s daughter and her best friend, Carly and Felicia (Kristina Wagner) respectively, connect in a special way during the memorial, but a stranger’s surprise arrival unearths a shocking secret — and kicks off a mini adventure for the duo in Amsterdam, where they attempt to take care of Bobbie’s unfinished business.
The two episodes are filled with twists and feature lots of surprises that make the most of the show’s history.
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“It was incredible,” Wright said. “Everyone leaving the studio wasn’t surprised. They were like, ‘Oh my gosh.’“ All agreed, that it felt like a gift from Zeman.
Rena Sofer, Stephen A. Smith, Maurice Benard and Nancy Lee Grahn.Disney/Christine Bartolucci
Bobbie’s memorial is just one of two major surprises that will kickoff 2024. The other is theGeneral Hospitalprimetime specialGeneral Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling,which airs Thursday, Jan. 4 on ABC. The network describes the special as “a fun love letter to the fans” that pulls back the curtain on six decades in Port Charles.
“General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini directs guest actor Rick Springfield (Noah) in the primetime special “General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling”.Disney/Christine Bartolucci
The special will include a behind-the-scenes look at how ABC pulls together five episodes a week and features interviews with current cast members andformer ones, includingAmber TamblynandRick Springfield. There is also a blooper reel to look forward to, as well as a tribute to Zeman.
“It definitely celebrates the storytelling and the writing, all the actors throughout the years, who have come on who were lucky enough to useGeneral Hospitalas a springboard into other things,” Wright said. “It’s super exciting. You see what it really takes to put a daytime show to together and how hard we work, from casting to writing, to directing, to producing. By the time it gets to the actors, it’s a whole different ball game. … And there are bloopers over years and surprise guests. There’ssomany surprises, people are gonna be like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ "
Rena Sofer, Wally Kurth, Jane Elliot and Lisa Locicero.Disney/Christine Bartolucci
General Hospitalholds the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the prestigious Emmy Award a record 16 times.
Laura Wright and Maurice Benard.Disney/Christine Bartolucci
General Hospitalairs weekdays on ABC (check local listings).
source: people.com
