I think it’s fair to say that when one admits to being a soap opera fan, the reception from others is overwhelmingly mixed. While some roll their eyes at the idea of enjoying cliché plots and unbelievable melodrama, others quickly treat the idea with a “guilty pleasure” excitement. I can’t exactly say these assumptions are not without their merits. After all, the genre is a mix of these things. For me, however, General Hospital has always been a cut above the rest. Over the course of its more than six-decade run, the show has managed to integrate soap formulas in continually dynamic ways while proudly taking on biting social issues. But I think the real key to General Hospital’s continued success is its characters.Year after year, General Hospital has done something that even primetime television has often struggled with in terms of creating lasting characters. From long-running member Laura Spencer (Genie Francis) to the prickly but lovable Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), the show has launched many of daytime’s best characters. I, of course, cannot exclude Lois Cerullo (brought to life by the legendary Rena Sofer) from this group. Lois has always been fascinating, having debuted in the mid-90s and exiting her initial run relatively quickly before returning for a stint that snagged Sofer a well-deserved Daytime Emmy. For the better part of two years now, Lois has been a major player on the show and one of my all-time favorite comfort characters. However, with each passing week, I’m growing more and more fearful that Lois may be on her way out of Port Charles. Are there any merits to these fears? Let’s dive in and learn more about Lois and why I hope she stays around for years to come.