‘General Hospital’ spoilers reveal that Maurice Benard, who plays Sonny Corinthos, recently welcomed Genie Francis, who plays Laura Collins, on his State of Mind podcast.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Maurice and Genie Agree Soaps Need to Focus More on Couples
The two of them delved into a very important topic: General Hospital needs more “Love in the Afternoon.” This statement couldn’t be more right on.
Soaps have moved on from the traditional love stories that first captured fans’ attention. Super couples. That’s what people tend to remember most about the glory days of soaps: the romances, the weddings, and everything in between.
Now, it seems like corporate shake-ups, political drama, and death seem to be the modern soap staples these days. It’s definitely not like it was in the heyday of Luke and Laura.
Back in the 80s, there was nothing soaps did better than play up the romance and passion of a good super couple that fans could really root for.
It was fun to see the slow-burn, followed by the dating stage, until finally, ’til death do they part. Luke Spencer (Tony Geary) and Laura had a very unconventional love story.
It was very different from what daytime drama had ever shown before or since. Yes, we all know it started with a rape on the floor of Luke’s disco, but it evolved into them being one of the most beloved super couples in soap history.
In the 90s on GH, Sonny and Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil) had the type of sweep-me-off-my-feet romance that soaps don’t do as much now.
Sonny and Brenda, Stone and Robin, and, later on, Jason and Sam are examples of soap couples that ruled daytime television at one point.
‘General Hospital’ Spoilers: Soaps Need to Return to What First Captivated Fans
Discussing the subject with Francis, Benard said,
“They don’t do couples anymore. I mean, if you think about that time when you came back and I started, just started, Sonny and Brenda, Luke and Laura, Lois and Ned, Jason and Robin…”
Benard continued,
“Couples were the thing. Now, they’re not doing as many. I don’t know why.”
Francis brought up a very interesting point:
“Do you think the pandemic changed it because of intimacy?”
Benard responded,
“Maybe. I mean, it could be, but I truly believe. Look, I don’t question anybody about how they are doing they’re jobs, but I think they should get back to couples. I think that’s what helps it.”
Classic pairings never go out of style. Many fans today aren’t treated to the same type of love stories like they were back then. It’s obvious that the dynamic has shifted.
Some other soap couples that deserve a shout-out: Sonny and Carly, Lulu and Dante, Robert and Holly, Anna and Duke, and Frisco and Felicia.
The glaring issue with daytime dramas right now is that soaps aren’t spending enough time building their couples into super-couple status.
Maybe, if soaps returned to their original blueprint of championing love in the afternoon, daytime might enjoy a significant ratings spike and bring back some viewers who may have given up on soaps.
Do you agree with Genie and Maurice? Should there be more of an emphasis on “Love in the Afternoon?” Who is your all-time favorite GH couple?
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