General Hospital

On Thursday, April 11, ABC’s “General Hospital” announced that former “One Life to Live” stars Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr Manning), Michael Easton (ex-John McBain) and Roger Howarth (ex-Todd Manning) would be returning to the soap after more than two months had gone by since they last appeared at the Prospect Studios, where “GH” is filmed. According to sources, the actors will be portraying new characters. Now two of the three stars have taken to their respective social networks to respond to fans who’ve been dying to hear their take on things.

As previously reported, tomorrow, April 12, The Paley Center for Media will present a panel discussion with the cast of ABC’s “General Hospital” in honor of the soaps 50th anniversary. Also scheduled to join in are executive producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati.

Ever since word broke that “Desperate Housewives” creator, Marc Cherry, was working on “Devious Maids,” a series that stars “All My Children’s” Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane), fans have been chomping at the bit for more information and an airdate. Well wait no longer: The full cast, synopsis and premiere date for the Lifetime series has officially been released!

After months of rumors, speculation and back and forth, ABC’s “General Hospital” has announced that Kristen Alderson, Michael Easton and Roger Howarth are returning to the soap. Additionally, sources have confirmed to Soap Opera Network that all three will resume filming at the Prospect Studios next week as new characters with a storyline to kick things into high gear beginning Friday, May 10.

According to ABC, “General Hospital” reached a six-week high in Total Viewers (2.79 million – since week of 2/18/13) and a five-week high in Women 18-49 (660,000/1.0 rating – since week of 2/25/13). The drama series also attracted its largest audience in Women 25-54 in more than a year-and-a-half (918,000/1.5 rating – since 9/26/11). On ABC.com, the anniversary week amassed 2.1 million page views, up by a massive 77% over the prior two weeks.

As previously reported, departing “General Hospital” star Brandon Barash (Johnny Zacchara) is scheduled to appear in the Monday, April 15 episode of FOX’s “Bones.” Now Soap Opera Network has your exclusive first look at the daytime star wearing a badge of honor.

Tongues started wagging when “Days of our Lives” star Greg Vaughan (Eric Brady) tweeted that Jen Lilley (ex-Maxie Jones, “General Hospital”) was the newest castmember to join the iconic show, and while the actor’s tweet was quickly pulled, the rumor spread like wildfire anyway. And it turns out, the news is true!

Ratings Report for the Week of March 25-29, 2013

Missed the “20/20” special dedicated to ABC’s “General Hospital”? ABCNews.com has uploaded the entire thing (broken into segments) for your viewing pleasure! If you prefer watching the entire thing straight through, ABC.com also uploaded the entire episode.

On Saturday, April 6, “A Special Edition of 20/20 with Katie Couric: General Hospital – The Real Soap Dish” beat out the first original airing of NBC’s “Smash” in head to head combat with the Katie Couric hosted special ranking second in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49, behind only the “NCAA Basketball Tournament,” according to TVbytheNumbers.