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General Hospital

Bradford Anderson Acknowledges Blake Berris Portrayal Of GH's Spinelli With Touching & Humorous Tweet!

Photo Credit:Blake Gardner

Photo Credit:Blake Gardner

Last week, GH fans saw Spinelli looking tall and lean and with the face of former Days of our Lives star, Blake Berris.

The actor was cast in a quick switcheroo in the last minute when Spinelli’s original portrayer, Bradford Anderson became unavailable to appear in scenes in Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Nathan’s (Ryan Paevey) wedding.

Anderson has been cast in the series, Homeland, and was not able to work out his schedule to appear in both. Enter, Berris.

After a job well-done stepping into the shoes of Damian Spinelli, and officiated the Naxie wedding, Anderson tweeted to Berris: “Well done pal, sincerely. And thank you for making Spin taller and giving him a better physique. I’ve been trying to do that for years.”

Courtesy/ABC

Previously, Berris had tweeted to GH fans, “Sincere thank you for the overwhelmingly warm welcome to @GeneralHospital au revoir #Spinelli”

What did you think of Berris’ Spinelli?

What did you think of Anderson’s heartfelt tweet to the actor? Comment below!

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He was ok for a fill in.
U can see he’s talented but he couldn’t be #Spinelli for the long haul imo.
Some say maybe a recast for Morgan … i can see kinda but maybe a new role on show.

He was awesome

Agreed, no characteristics of Spinelli at all. Should have sent Ellie with her daughter if Bradford couldn’t do it.

I dont think they could have found a better pinch hitter. To those who say he had no Spinelli qualities….those are actually Bradford qualities. The haters would have complained even louder if Blake had tried to mimic or duplicate the tics and quirks. He stepped in and did the part justice. On a sidenote, I think its funny that Kiki and Lulu both played Abby on Young and Restless.

That’s a good point / observation about both Hayley Erin and Emme Rylan playing Abby before on The Young and The Restless. I have actually envisioned in my head before… wondering if Hayley Erin and Dominyck Zamprogna (actor who played Dante on “General Hospital”) would have any on-screen chemistry with one another.

first of all i adore blake berris – he did a fantastic job – he is such a phenomenal actor…

Very cool of Bradford, but he didn’t register in any way as Spinelli. Threw off the whole show for me.

Agreed. I understand wanting to make a part your own, but this guy wasn’t even in the same ballpark.

I love Blake and he would be an awesome replacement for Morgan. He did great as a fill in for Bradford. I love both actors, they both have amazing skills!

First of all I adore Blake He was ok for a fill in.
U can see he’s talented but he couldn’t be Spinelli for the long haul
I would like to see him recast for Morgan Very cool of Bradford, but could not in any way be Spinelli.

Agreed. Definitely talented but was not a good fill in. He used zero Spinelli characyeristics. It was as if Spinelli wasn’t even there so they might as well have not even had a replacement.

Very classy.

Bradford Anderson is a class act, and I will always think of him as a resident of Port Chuck no matter where he goes! Wishing him success in Homeland.

I couldn’t believe the the huge deal that was made over a couple of episodes stand in LOL .. ((no big deal ..
The guy did well ..

I thought Blake did just fine and, if necessary, I could see him taking over the role. It would take a little time for people to adjust, but I think he could do it.

I love Blake. He is truly talented.. However I don’t know if there wasn’t time to know the character or what, but he was no spinelli like on any level. Looks aside cuz I didn’t take that into account. The goofy loving character who often says things people smile and shake their head at.. and his hyper excited nature was just.. Gone! Blake gave a cool quiet unemotional portrayal of Spinelli.. I think they could have saved money and just had Spinelli unavailable at the short notice. I mean I never felt he was there anyway. But I do love Blake and he is a wonderful actor.

Hate it without you even though we saw very little of late please say you’ll be back

Hate it without you even though we saw very of late please say you’ll be back

I thought Blake was a fine fill-in for Bradford (although I did miss my Spinelli!). I also think that Blake would make a most excellent Morgan…he’s got the ‘look’ and can take on Morgan’s angst without missing a beat. (and that way, we’d have our Bradford back, too!)

The new guy that played new Spinelli was nice looking & could be good actor….But as for being the character Spinelli,that guy did not fit as Spinelli at all,I love Bradford Anderson’s personality & geeky kinda of humor he brings off within Spinelli,that character will never be the same without Bradford Anderson,I love him playing the character.

He was ok, Bradford is the only Spinelli 4 me though, nobody can beat his personality, he is the 1 & only!

I thought I was watching a nuMorgan.

I think this adorable man…my husband in our next lifetimes?…did very well standing in for Mr. Anderson. I very much like the idea of him becoming Morgan. It’s exceedingly difficult taking my eyes off of him.

he did a great job11

Blake did a fantastic job in such short notice! The man only had a weekend to do this. I love Bradford as Spinelli but Blake was an awesome stand in.

I’ve not watched Days during his tenure, so not familiar with him other than his name.
He did a nice fill-in for what was needed. It would have been nice if they did the announcement they used to do on soaps: “Role of ___ is today being played by ___.” (Unless I missed it?) This young man definitely has a presence and something special. If GH doesn’t snap him up for something, please take note Y&R and B&B. Each of those soaps need a few new dynamic leading young men.

Very classy of BA, what a kind gesture. Blake is a great actor, he did a fine job as a temporary replacement but I agree with the majority in that he would be a Fantastic Morgan recast. I hope the PTB are listening.

There is only one Damien Spinelli. Very cool of Bradford to send the tweet. I hope to see Bradford back at GH the next time they need Spinelli. Blake was ok as a fill in.. but there is only one Spinelli!!!

I was all for Blake stepping in and for the short stint he was given, he was excellent. Maybe the folks at GH will have him for something else. It wouldn’t be the first time. Back in the 80s, there was an actor who had to fill in for Jack Wagner as Frisco but when Jack came back, GH kept the actor employed and had him play Kevin Connor. It can be done.

I remember that! I hated him as a stand-in Frisco (the only thing right about him was the hair style) – but I really liked him as (eventual) psycho Kevin.

Bradford simply is spinelli, he’s selling himself “short” Blake is obviously talented, but as spinelli, only Bradford can do it, spinneli has to many corks, or spinnelism that it was to “short” notice for a substitute actor just filling in to incorporate.

Great job.

Bradford you are the one and only Spinelli! No one can compare his charisma and chemistry with the other actors. Some characters just can not be replaced.

No one can adequately play the role of Damien Spinelli but Bradford. It would be like recasting the role of Sheldon (Jim Parsons) on Big Bang Theory. It just cannot be done. Hoping to see Bradford back on the show soon.

A quick rewrite would have avoided the whole situation. However, everyone has been classy about the uncomfortable recast

I thought it was a really awkward portrayal..

Yeah, you don’t give up Homeland for GH, lol.
Good for him.

General Hospital

Is FBI Agent John “Jagger” Cates on the Level? GH’s Finola Hughes, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson Weigh-in

When John “Jagger” Cates resurfaced on General Hospital in recent months in the form of Adam J. Harrington taking over the role originally played Antonio Sabato Jr,. know one knew quite sure just what side of the law is Cates really on? And, is he back in Port Charles to settle old scores with Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Jason (Steve Burton)?

What viewers have learned is that when Jason was taken captive two and half years ago, back in November of 2021, he was taken to Quantico, where Agent Cates had multiple RICO violations on Jason and was going to send him to prison for years, unless he worked for Cates and his team, in which Jason has been an informant working on the inside on the Pikeman arms deal case, or so it appears.

Now on the latest episode of Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson’s Daily Drama podcast, Finola Hughes (Anna) stopped by to chat with her GH co-stars and all three weighed-in on just what they think maybe going on with John Cates.

Photo: ABC

Bradford Anderson brought up that maybe Agent Cates isn’t working on the level. Hughes responded, “I don’t know, I’m not sure.” Burton added, “Yeah, we’re not sure. There’s some unknowns coming, so we’ll figure that out. But, it’s been a fun story to play for sure. I really like it. A lot of layers to it. I’s been excellent stuff to be back with for sure.”

Finola added, “I think we’re gonna be going through finding out who certain people are that are coming on canvas, like John Cates and Brennan (Charles Mesure) and where do they all fit in?”

Courtesy/ABC

Steve added, “You’ve got Pikeman and what their real motives are. “Jagger” obviously. And then, Pikeman is not facing on-screen.” The question of if Pikeman is a person also got brought by Anderson, to which his co-stars added, they believe it’s a company.

Courtesy/ABC

Explaining more about Brennan and what he was up to was answered by Hughes,”That’s a sort of throwback, perhaps back in the day at WSB. He just came on the canvas briefly. Nobody knows if he’s goo (or bad). I (Anna) got him put in prison, so he’s off, and out of the way right now.”

You can check out the latest edition of the Daily Drama podcast below.

Now let us know, who do you think John “Jagger” Cates is working for? FBI, Pikeman, himself, or some other unknown entity or enemy? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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