One of the longest-running tv shows of all time isn’t done telling stories yet. Ever since it first aired in 1963, “General Hospital” has been steadily delivering episode after episode without fail. And over the years, this soap opera has also managed to attract quite a large fanbase.

This series revolves around the wealthy and prominent Quartermaine family who reside in the town of Port Charles. Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the show’s current cast includes Maurice Bernard, Steve Burton, Laura Wright, Kelly Monaco, Rebecca Herbst, Nancy Lee Grahn, Kirsten Storms, Chad Duell, Bradford Anderson, Jane Elliot, Lisa LoCicero, Leslie Charleson, Finola Hughes, Roger Howarth, William DeVry, Kin Shriner, and Ingo Rademacher.

And even if you’ve been a fan of the show all this time, we bet there are behind-the-scenes secrets you still don’t know.

15 A Lot Of The Drink Props Have Reportedly Been Around For Years

The crew films a scenes on the set of General Hospital
via fanpop.com

According to a report from TVOvermind, “There is word that the drinks on the set are used over and over again for years. They don’t replace them.” Meanwhile, drinks that the cast do consume while shooting a scene are said to be watered down ginger ale or soda. Indeed, the set stays sober.

14 Sometimes, Extras May Film Scenes Wearing The Clothes They Came To The Set In

The cast prepares to film a scene on General Hospital
via latimes.com

According to Jack, who has worked as an extra for the show, “So the first thing I do is check in with Wardrobe. The people there look at my clothes, and if you don't have quite what they're looking for, they're happy to pull from the wardrobe they have on hand.”

13 General Hospital Actors Are Notorious For Taking Long Vacations From Work

General Hospital cast members post on set
via sheknows.com

Former show co-head writer Shelly Altman revealed, “We actively set out to texturize the canvas and use as many characters as we could in each story. It is a challenge with that many characters. You’re also dealing with actor vacations. On GH particularly so; you’re dealing with actors that take very long vacations.”

12 The Show Doesn’t Have A Prompter Ready For Actors

A scene is filming on the set of General hospital
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Jack explained, “Nobody uses a prompter there. Every once in a while, someone forgets his or her lines.” He added, “They get into a rhythm going, and if they lose it because of a line change or forgetting a line, they may need a take or two to get the rhythm back.”

Related: General Hospital: 20 Surprising Things That Happened On The Set

11 Filming Rarely Goes On Late, Usually Wrapping By 6 O’Clock

Anthony Geary on the set of General Hospital
via latimes.com

According to Jack, “They start early and end at about 6 o'clock. They don't go too late. They may have to work later once in a while, but not when I've been there. Lunch is about 12. The commissary – mostly the crew goes there. People kind of live in their dressing rooms.”

10 Writers Chose To Do An Alzheimer’s Storyline Because They Believe Almost Everyone Has Been Affected By It Somehow

Behind the scenes on the set of General Hospital
via thepostivemom.com

Altman told Parade, “Everyone out there has been touched by Alzheimer’s. If we are not directly connected to a family member, we certainly all know people who are, so while it’s not directly personal to either me or [head writer] Chris [Van Etten] in the immediate family sense, it is such an unfortunate part of our lives right now.”

9 Vinessa Antoine Revealed That There Were Wedding Plans For Her Character Early On

Vinessa Antoine once starred on General Hospital
via imdb.com

During an interview, Antoine revealed, “We had all these plans to do this really cool wedding and of course when we’ve got all this wonderful footage of Curtis and Jordan from over the years. We could have cut together this really cool walk down memory lane and we thought of some wonderful songs that spoke to their relationship.”

8 At The Most, Scenes Can Be Shot Four Times

A look at General Hospital's court set
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When asked about this, Jack explained that scenes are repeated “sometimes two or three times, four at the most.” He added, “A lot of times, that's for coverage; they want to give the editor options. They have four cameras going, too. The stage manager speaks over a loudspeaker, kind of a disembodied voice.”

Related: Ranked: 15 Longest Running TV Shows Of All Time

7 To Maintain Profitability, The Show Needs To Do Six To Seven Episodes A Week

The General Hospital throws a celebration
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Executive producer Frank Valentini explained, “That’s just the reality of our financial situation right now, to keep the show profitable enough for the network to keep it on the air, but also for us to have enough money to do what we need to do artistically and keep the volume of cast members that we have.”

6 The Show Knew That Chloe Lanier Only Intended To Stay On For A Few Years

Chloe Lanier is featured in a scene from General Hospital
via imdb.com

Valentini said, “We all knew that it was for a limited time. Nelle has sort of wreaked havoc on anyone she possibly could, and left in a big way and helped kick-off another big story with some other fan favorites…” He later said, “Everyone loved working with her and she is a great friend.”

5 The Writers Didn’t Always Plan To Bring Jason’s Memory Back Via A Transport Crash

A scene featuring General Hospital character Jason Morgan
via holywoodhiccups.com

Altman explained, “It was more a matter of: we had the actual collision planned, and we thought, “Jason’s got to save Dante (Dominic Zamprogna)!” He needs his old skills and memories. So, we found what we felt was an organic way for him to have them.” She also said that this “doesn’t automatically make him the old Jason.”

4 There Was A Conscious Effort To Reduce The Guns Used On The Show

The crew goes to work on the General Hospital set
via ascmag.com

During an interview, head writer Jean Passanante confirmed, “We certainly have reduced the amount of guns you have seen on GH. We have made an active, and vocal effort to do that. There comes a point though, in the story where you have to do that, and play the characters that you have.”

Related: The Top 20 Teen Dramas Of The 00s (And Where To Watch Them Now)

3 Despite Some Familiar Storylines, The Show Doesn’t Really Turn To Current Events For Plot Ideas

A tour behind the scenes of General Hospital
via rwethereyetmom.com

Altman explained, “Actually, we don't sit down and say what's current and how can we tell a story about that. Our stories almost always grow from the characters themselves." Many shows try to steer clear of doing this to avoid writing themselves into a hole or to keep a storyline timeless.

2 Genie Francis Was Brought Back On The Show After Fans Protested Her Ousting

Genie Francis in a scene from General Hospital
via imdb.com

According to SheKnows, “Francis acknowledges it was the fan outcry that set her return to GH in motion. She admits some of the comments directed at Executive producer Frank Valentini made her heart hurt for him, so she reached out to let him know the statements did not reflect how she felt about him.” That eventually led to Francis’ return.

1 Originally, Producers Thought Steve Burton Was Too Short To Play Opposite Gerald Hopkins

Steve Burton in a scene from General Hospital
via imdb.com

Burton was around 5’10 and Hopkins was 6’1. The show also said they wanted someone who “sees eye to eye to him.” Fortunately, the show had an immediate solution – stuff Burton’s shoes. “I go in the bathroom. We stuff my shoes. I was 6’1 when I walked out of that bathroom. I felt so good. I felt so tall.”

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