Five Things That Happened April 5 In Soap History

In 1996, Sarah Brown (pictured with Steve Burton as Jason Morgan) made her General Hospital debut in the pivotal role of Bobbie Spencer's secret daughter, Carly Roberts. In a 2023 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Brown recalled the grueling audition process that led to her being cast. “It was so hard, the hardest thing I think I’d ever done in my life at that point. I did, I want to say, four auditions and a screen test, as well. The process was really difficult and stressful as a young actor, but overall, my takeaway was that it was a very welcoming, home-like community on the show [and] they had brilliant people there, like Mark [Teschner], who is a brilliant, kind, actor-loving casting director, and Wendy [Riche, then-executive producer], who was absolutely amazing to me. I did a screen test with Steve Burton [Jason], which was a lot of pressure because he was iconic for me, from shows I’d watched growing up. So that was intimidating, and the role was intimidating and the material was intimidating! But I could see that Carly could really be very special, and she was, and she is today.”

In 2002, Austin Peck (r., pictured with Jay Kenneth Johnson as Philip Kiriakis) exited Days of Our Lives as Austin after a 7-year run. (He would subsequently make several returns to the role). In the storyline, Austin had recently called off his wedding to Sami, and he informed Nicole that he had accepted a job offer in New York. He then bid an embittered farewell to Sami, swearing, "I'm never going to trust you again."

In 2003, the Soap Opera Digest Awards aired on SOAPnet, hosted by Soap Talk co-hosts Lisa Rinna (ex-Billie Reed, Days of Our Lives) and Ty Treadway (ex-Colin/Troy, One Life to Live). Among the winners were those pictured, Maurice Benard (Sonny, General Hospital) for Outstanding Lead Actor and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis, GH) for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Lead Actress honors went to Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Young and Restless), and Steve Burton (Jason, GH) won for Supporting Actor.

In 2010, Julianne Moore reprised the role of Frannie Hughes on As the World Turns. She had originally played Frannie from 1985-88, earning a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Ingenue for her work. Since leaving Oakdale, Moore became a successful movie star (and ultimately an Academy Award winner). Her visit to the show occurred on the heels of news of ATWT's cancellation. In the episode, Frannie's father, Bob, remarried his wife, Kim, after they learned that their original 1985 union was not valid, and Frannie showed up as a surprise to congratulate them.

In 2013, the Nurses' Ball returned to General Hospital for the first time since 2001. In the first day of a multi-episode extravaganza, Port Charles citizens made their way down the red carpet as the ball got underway, with Carly shooting daggers at Brenda. Hostess Lucy Coe (pictured with Richard Simmons as himself) welcomed the guests, and a crew of nurses (Epiphany, Elizabeth, Sabrina and Felix) participated in the opening act. Spinelli and Ellie performed a number, Mac used his ventriloquist bit to jab at Frisco, and Frisco serenaded Felicia with "All I Need."