In a report by Variety, Michael Maloney talks with “General Hospital’s” leading man, Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer), who explains that the renewed success of the soap can be directly credited to its head writer and executive producer.

“Our 50th year could have come and gone with a (simple) ‘Wow,'” said Geary. “But Frank [Valentini, EP] and Ron [Carlivati, HW] have been determined to make it something special for the audience. The ratings are showing that they’ve already decided to achieve that.”

“I felt that if we aimed really high and came close, then we’d be really happy and the fans would be, too,” Valentini says. “We’re really thrilled with what we have. It’s exceeded our expectations.”

According to ABC, “GH” is not only celebrating its 50th anniversary (soap debuted on April 1, 1963), but is also experiencing its best ratings in five years in total viewers, averaging more than 3 million viewers. The soap is currently ranked 1st in Women 18-34, amongst all broadcast daytime programming, and 2nd in Women 18-49 rating with a 1.2 and 3rd in Households with a 2.3 rating, amongst the four remaining daytime soaps. For more from Variety on the 50 years of “GH” and what Vicki Dummer, Executive Vice President, Times Square Studios, Current Series & Specials, ABC Entertainment Group, has to say, click here.