Chris Robinson's Beanie Baby Obsession Documented In 'Bankrupt By Beanies'

Launched in 1993, the original line of Beanie Babies featured nine animals—including Legs the Frog, Spot the Dog, Flash the Dolphin, Squealer the Pig—that became so popular that its parent company, Ty Warner, Inc., amassed a reported $6 billion fortune. But not everyone fared as well.

Chris Robinson, son of longtime GENERAL HOSPITAL actor Chris Robinson (Rick Webber), chose to direct a documentary, Bankrupt By Beanies, about his family and their not-so-secret obsession in Bankrupt by Beanies.

It tells the very true life story of Robinson and his father, who became obsessed with collecting Beanie Babies for their future value after their 1993 debut.

GENERAL HOSPITAL 50th Anniversary Episode Is Flawless (Many Spoilers!)

John Beradino played Dr. Steve Hardy for 33 years

GENERAL HOSPITAL's 50th anniversary was Monday but the actual anniversary show aired on Tuesday due to a March pre-emption. The episode was worth the wait, a flawless tribute to the past 50 years in Port Charles which started with a portrait of Dr. Steve Hardy (the late John Beradino) which was going to be hung in the General Hospital boardroom.

Below are some thoughts on the episode (spoilers for those on the west coast)

In the very first episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL on April 1, 1963 head nurse Jessie Brewer (the late Emily McLaughlin) uttered the show's first line. On Tuesday, head nurse Epiphany Johnson (Sonya Eddy) said the first line, and it was a nod to GH creators Frank and Doris Hursley.

Chris Robinson & Stuart Damon Returning To GENERAL HOSPITAL

GH's Rick, Monica & Alan in 1980

Chris Robinson has been added to the list of GENERAL HOSPITAL actors returning for the soap's 50th anniversary, according to TV Guide Magazine.

Robinson's character, Rick Webber, will air April 1 in scenes with Rick's former love Monica (Leslie Charleson).

"I could never have predicted I'd be rejoining the group but I guess anything is possible on a soap, even when you've been dead 10 years!" says Robinson, whose GH character was killed off in 2002. "I looked pretty scruffy when I showed up at GH," he says. "I had long hair and a flavor saver on my chin because of the movie, so they tried to clean me up. They wanted me to look as much like Rick as possible, so they bring out this old photo they found in the files. It was me 35 years ago before I was cast on GH! I said, 'You want me to look like that?'"

GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (1980 Cast)

In honor of GENERAL HOSPITAL's upcoming 50th anniversary (GH50), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Photo of the Day" for the rest of the month. Today's photo was taken in December 1980 and features the large cast the show had during its ratings heyday.

Kneeling: Philip Tanzini (Jeremy), Bradley Green (Tommy)

Front Row: (L-R): Shell Kepler (Amy), Louise Hoven (Beverly), Brooke Bundy (Diana), Genie Francis (Laura), Gail Ramsey (Susan), Susan Pratt (Anne), Emily McLaughlin (Jessie), John Beradino (Steve), Rachem Ames (Audrey), Loanne Bishop (Rose), Denise Alexander (Lesley), Bob Hastings (Burt)

Second Row: Todd Davis, Lisa Lindgren (Kathy), Bianca Ferguson (Claudia), Frank Maxwell (Dan), Lieux Dressler (Alice), Robin Mattson (Heather), Tristan Rogers (Robert), Chris Robinson (Rick), Richard Sarradet (Howard)

Third Row: Rick Moses (Jefferson), Anthony Geary (Luke), Anna Lee (Lila), Norma Connolly (Ruby), Shelby Hiatt (Jane), Richard Dean Anderson (Jeff), Doug Sheehan (Joe), Pat Renella (Dr. Nelson)

Back Row: Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie), Susan Brown (Gail), Stuart Damon (Alan), David Lewis (Edward)

GENERAL HOSPITAL Classic Photo Of The Day (Gloria Monty and the 1981 Cast)

In honor of GENERAL HOSPITAL's upcoming 50th anniversary (GH50), We Love Soaps will be posting a "Classic Photo of the Day" for the rest of the month. Today's photo was taken in September 1981 and features executive producer Gloria Monty surrounded by the cast.

50 Greatest Soap Couples: #30 Rick & Lesley From GENERAL HOSPITAL

COUPLE: Rick Webber & Lesley Williams Faulkner
SHOW: GENERAL HOSPITAL
RANK: 30
PLAYED BY:
Rick: Michael Gregory, Chris Robinson
Lesley: Denise Alexander
YEARS: 1976-1984

STORY:
Rick was a promising young surgeon who dated Monica (Patsy Rahn) when he went to African and was presumed killed.  Monica began dating his brother, Jeff, when Rick turned up very much alive.   Meanwhile, Lesley was also a doctor whose husband Cam had recently died.  She was pregnant and Rick was there for her and the two of them grew closer. Monica wasn't having this so she tried to keep them apart.  Her interference ultimately led to Lesley losing the baby and she backed off.  Rick helped convince Lesley's biological daughter Laura (adopted by the Vinings) that Lesley loved her.   Lesley and Rick confessed their feelings for each other and were married.

CLASSIC COMMERCIAL: I'm Not A Doctor, But I Play One On TV

The phrase "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" became popular in the 1980s thanks to the Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercials starring daytime soap opera actors Chris Robinson (GENERAL HOSPITAL) and Peter Bergman (then ALL MY CHILDREN, now THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS).

Robinson's commercial ran in 1984 and it was duplicated almost exactly by Bergman in 1986. Below are clips from both:

CLASSIC CLIP: Rick & Lesley in GENERAL HOSPITAL 1983

Rick and Lesley got mixed up in the Susan Moore murder in 1983 on GENERAL HOSPITAL. Watch the clip below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Rick & Lesley in GENERAL HOSPITAL

Rick asks Lesley to marry him on GENERAL HOSPITAL...again. Watch the clips below:

CLASSIC CLIP: Rick & Lesley in GENERAL HOSPITAL

Rick and Lesley were married again in 1981 on GENERAL HOSPITAL. Watch the clips below: