'General Hospital' Creators' Daughters Sue ABC; Say They Were Stiffed on Revenue

'General Hospital' Creators' Daughters Sue ABC; Say They Were Stiffed on Revenue

Published: April 27, 2011 @ 4:19 pm
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By Tim Kenneally & Pamela Chelin

ABC's soap-opera headaches don't end with the public outrage over the recent cancellations of "All My Children" and "One Life to Live."

The daughters of Frank and Doris Hursley, who created daytime medical drama "General Hospital" in 1963, are suing the network, claiming that ABC stiffed them on revenues, court documents obtained by TheWrap confirm.

Also read: "More Soap Deaths: ABC Axes 'All My Children,' 'One Life to Live'"

According to plaintiffs Bridget Dobson, Deborah Hardy and Polly Keusnik -- two of whom have also written for the show -- their parents, both of whom are now deceased, struck a deal with the network to receive 10 percent of the net profits resulting from syndication on any episode produced and broadcast after January 3, 1969.

The suit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, alleges that ABC hasn't made good on the agreement, and has rejected requests to audit the network's books on the matter.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages.

When contacted by TheWrap, an ABC spokesperson said, "We have not been served with the lawsuit.  We have no comment."

Tags: ABC, General Hospital, lawsuit, Television
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