Writing a celebrity - even one of singer Ricky Martin's magnitude - onto a soap can't be done for publicity's sake alone. It can break the reality of the moment and be distracting to viewers. There needs to be a reason to bring him or her onto the canvas. Since Martin's real-life concert tour is keeping him too busy to return to GENERAL HOSPITAL, the show was left with the option of airing some flashbacks of his character Miguel Morez. But Ned popping in a tape of Miguel just for old time's sake might have appeared contrived.

Fortunatly, Miguel's biological son wanted to learn more about his dad, so he went to Ned Aston, whose ex-wife Lois used to mange Miguel. Ned was more than happy to help the young man. Ned put the music video into the VCR, and while Juan got to see the man who is his biological father, viewers longing to see Ricky Martin back on the show got their fix as well! GH could run Miguel Morez videos all day and fans would respond, but Juan's reaction to the video enhanced his storyline...and that's what daytime drama is all about.

The video also featured the now-presumed-dead Brenda Barrett doing a sexy dance with Miguel, which stuck an emotional cord in Ned, Brenda's pal. Timing the showing of the video to coincide with the anniversary of Brenda's car crash (and supposed death) was great thinking on the part of GH. On that day, not only did Juan learn more about his father, but Sonnym Jax and Ned recalled their memories of Brenda. And GH fans got to see Ricky Martin perform!

(From the "Memorable Moments" section of the October 26, 1999 issue of Soap Opera Update)