GH Spencer Special!

Tony & Genie:
The Story Behind The Magic
by Jeffrey Pearlstein

The phenomenal on-screen chemistry between Anthony Geary and Genie Francis (Luke and Laura) has been written about numerous times, but no one has ever been able to explain it. Chalk it up to two very talented performers, incredible storylines, and the most diverse and fascinating characters ever to grace the daytime screen.

Their popularity had great obstacles to overcome--most notably the controversial night in the disco, where Luke forced himself on Laura. The story initially started out as one of rape, but that was quickly downplayed so the show could pursue the fantasy of the duo's romance, for Tony and Genie were such a sizzling combination. Their talents couldn't be denied and daytime's first supercouple was born.

Their love on the run adventures caught on quickly with the college crowd, who couldn't get enough of seeing Luke and Laura. The ratings soared up the Nielson charts, and daytime started to get some respect in the entertainment industry. This became most notable when Tony and Genie became the first daytime actors to grace the cover of Newsweek magazine. As a result, many closet soap watchers stepped out from the shadows to admit their addiction to the show. One such person was legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor, who was so enamored by GH that she agreed to make a two week appearance in the pivotal role of Helena Cassadine. Her heralded stint came right at the time of Luke and Laura's long-awaited nuptials, an extravaganza which garnered the biggest ratings in the history of daytime. It was more anticipated than the real-life wedding of Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana!

Several months later, the magic that Luke and Laura generated came to a crashing halt when Genie, emotionally and physically exhausted, announced that she would be leaving the show after five successful years as Laura. Tony continued on the show as Luke, but all attempts to find him a love interest were unsuccessful. Emma Samms joined the show as Holly, and she and Tony were a hit with the fans, but when Tony said he was leaving the show, there was no other send-off more appropriate than bringing back Genie for a short time and sending Luke and Laura off happily, which is exactly what happened.

In 1991, Tony returned to GH as Bill, Luke's lookalike cousin. The character proved to be very unpopular with the audience, and rumors began swirling that Luke and Laura were on their way back to Port Charles. After Genie completed her run on All My Children, the rumors began to really pick up steam. Finally, all speculation was put to rest when Tony and Genie announced during last year's Emmy telecast that they would indeed be bringing their special magic back to GH.

Even though ten years had gone by, things seemed as if they hadn't changed at all when we caught our first glimpse of daytime's favorite lovebirds dancing passionately in their Canadian diner. GH's ratings shot through the roof, and, like Elizabeth Taylor before them, Roseanne and Tom Arnold admitted their love for the pair, and Tony and Genie even turned up on the top-rated sitcom. Roseanne, as a result! The more things change, the more they stay the same!