General Hospital
General Hospital's Head Writer Ron Carlivati & Cast Member Jason Thompson Express Thoughts On The Exit Of Anthony Geary!
Courtesy/ABC
This morning news traveled like wildfire after an exclusive interview was posted at TV Insider where now eight-time Daytime Emmy winner Anthony Geary revealed he is leaving his iconic role of Luke Spencer on General Hospital at the end of his current contract this June. Geary related he felt that he had now completed everything he wanted to with the character after 37 years in the role.
After Twitter was abuzz with the news, leaving many longtime fans of the series and the soap genre devastated (even though it was highly expected Geary might leave the ABC soap opera), two important men currently working on General Hospital, series head writer Ron Carlivati and the Daytime Emmy nominated actor Jason Thompson (Patrick), shared their thoughts via social media on having the opportunity to have worked with the talents of Geary.
Ron Carlivati tweeted: “It’s been an honor & a privilege to write for Anthony Geary & Luke Spencer. We’re taking them both on a hell of a ride before he goes… #GH”
Jason Thompson tweeted: “The opportunity to work with a legend like Tony Geary, to learn from him, to consider him a friend..beyond anything you hope for as an actor. I don’t think any one person is as big as the show itself.. But if one person is close..It’s this man. #TonyGeary. The honor is ours. #GH”
What do you think about what Carlivati previewed in his tweet? With Laura (Genie Francis) on her way back to the series, will the long time iconic duo say a final goodbye to one another? What did you think about the admiration Thompson and other GH cast members have for Tony Geary? Comment below!
I dont think u will see any Luke and Laura, hes made it clear thats in the past. It will be Luke and his Spanky.
I think you’re wrong. I do think Laura will be part of his exit strategy. I am not suggesting that Luke and Laura will be reunited because they most probably will not.
However, she is an integral part of his past, and therefore, part of his present and hence, his future.
It will be more on Lulu and Traci, less on Laura. She isnt his future.
I agree with HARRY. Show the past the respect it deserves so
the future can be ushered in the same fashion.
My HOPE is for a Laura & Stephen reunion , their second act…
Lulu, Nik, Rocco and Especially Spencer, could only benefit
from Laura’s loving /compassionate nature.
P.S. And if Jonathan & Nathan pop in to say HELLO,all the better…
Eileen, I did not say Laura was his future but she will be part of his exit story line as will Traci. I am not sure why folks keep getting mixed up on this concept as it is very simple.
Traci most likely will not be part of his future either as Jane is staying on.
Fanny, would love to see JJ and Nathan again. I would also love Robert Scorpio to have a few exchanges with his old mate, Luke. Now those two enjoyed a classic bromance.
Agreed, Harry. Most of us think that’s what it looks like. Whether Laura leaves at the same time as he remains to be see. But, there will not be a Luke and Laura.
I just don’t get why so many people are acting like this is the worst thing to ever happen to General Hospital.
It’s not like he has been on the show consistently for 37 years like Erika Slezak was on One Life to Live for 41 years.
Luke was off the show from 1983 to 1993 and if memory serves me correct, the show spent half of that time period as the No. 1 soap and a lot of folks have fantastic memories of that era (Frisco and Felicia, Anna and Duke, etc.). This show will not suffer without him.
I liked reading Michael Logan’s interview. But, I skipped over the part where he described how he thought Luke would exit, because I just want to watch the whole thing unfold. Geary has really done some great work this past year. If this is how he exits GH, I think he should be satisfied that he is going out still at the top of his game. I hope his 3rd act brings him a lot of fulfillment and peace. Hopefully, he’ll sneak on to some PBS productions in a great character role and surprise me.
There’s a large contingency of us “General Hospital” fans whom are thrilled to see him leaving.
Luke has been a miserable, miserable character for a good ten to twelve years now.
I have to admit, I wasn’t that crazy about him for sometime with 3 month vacations. But to give the devil his due, he was spectacular in his last big story line that he just wrapped up.
L&L have children together they have always respected each other. Of course Laura should be a part of him leaving. That being said it don’t have to mean they walk off in the sunset together. Whatever they do will pull at our heart strings.
Putting Luke and Laura together after decades have passed, is crazy..
The magic would be long behind them,..
Luke fell in love with Tracy, it needs to be Tracy..
anyways;
Luke has been somewhat of a loner and should leave alone, that would be befitting..
Luke and Laura are 80’s has been, too much time has passed, it would be meaningless..
I know all who saw the couple decades ago, live in lala-land over them, but they are no longer a viable couple, they have been apart way too long, in love with other people, lived their lives without each other…
it would be awkward to throw them together at the end, ridiculous..
* Luke needs to leave by himself, the disappearing loner her has always been ..
Amen! Laura will probably only be on short term and Tracy will possibly find someone else? Luke will probably go on some kind of a spiritual journey.
Sigh. Su00, I truly do not mean to single you out because you’re not the only one who is expressing the sentiment that Luke and Laura cannot be reunited.
Even us old Luke and Laura fans don’t think it’s going to happen nor should it happen so I am tired of hearing folks rant about the past being the past when no one is suggesting otherwise.
What I think and should happen is Laura will be present while Luke goes through the backward journey which involves exploration of his own self. These two are still magic together and their final chapter will be bittersweet with their final adieu. Perhaps their goodbye scenes might render a tear or two from not only those of us who were there when these two star-cross lovers first fell in love, but perhaps from you young whipper snappers who were not old enough to witness the stars exploding. So please stop telling Luke and Laura fans that we cannot relive the past. Most of us know that. We just want a final bow which is worthy of this couple’s history–that’s all.
Timm, I think Genie is not short term. I heard secondhand that she said at some fan function that she would no longer agree to come back to GH on a short term status.
I think Laura will have some kind of closure with Luke and both she and Traci will be Lukeless. I think the two of them should become business partners.
God knows they’ve been in the Luke trenches and lived to tell about it.
awww Harry, it’s always a pleasure exchanging with you..
I can understand how the watchers of Luke and Laura back in the day would be sentimental.
but-
Laura, to me and possibly a million others do not know Laura..
Laura left GH in 1987…
All who started watching GH after 1987, would not care or feel the sentiments of the ones who were fans of Luke & Laura at that time..
Still, we will all cry together ….. when Luke walks into the sunset 🙁
HARRY,
The sentimentality behind your words touched my heart…
Well said, hope the writers go this route.. anything else would be ridiculous
No, no, NO! This is a soap, this isn’t realism. If ANY soap couple should ride off into the sunset together, it is Luke and Laura. She is, and always has been, his “angel”. It isn’t that long ago they renewed their vows. I couldn’t care less what Tony Geary says, the show has abided by his wishes too many times, with disastrous results (making Ethan Luke’s kid resulted in Holly having cheated on Robert at a time we all believed they were blissfully happy together. Not to mention Luke&Laura were blissfully happy as well. And then the show tried to retcon it into – oh no, Luke ALWAYS cheated! And Laura simply went along with it! I am NOT buying it at ALL). MOST of us soap watchers want the fairy tale.
First of all, some loves never die. Which is why, even in “real life” we hear of people in their 80 s, widows and widowers, finding their high school sweethearts. So this statement that it was decades ago means nothing, when it comes to love. IF Luke and Laura still loved each other and reunited, it would be perfectly believable and realistic.
With that said, the only reason I don’t want or see a romantic reunion between Luke and Laura is because of the love and bond between Luke and Tracy. Though they didn’t capture the hearts and TV ratings that L&L did…theirs is a current, strong bond. Tracy has saved his life more than once, she is devoted to him, and him to her. So, the only unrealistic thing about Luke and Laura reuniting would not be how long ago they were…but that Luke’s feelings and commitment to Tracy are too strong.
Luke and Laura will always be connected: as past lovers, ex husband and wife, parents. They will always love each other with hearts and souls…but they’re not romantically united anymore. Life, circumstances separated them…Luke moved on to another great love…in his older years.
Perhaps Luke wii reminisce about his past and viewers past and present will get to relive or see for the first time their love story in flashbacks…and then he’ll wistfully leave the scene…
I agree su!
Message from La-la land, this Luke and Laura fan thinks Genie could bring it if it’s written, but I want more for her than the disappointing old curmudgeon. I want more for Tracy too. I both women get a beautiful story. I think I already said goodbye to Luke about five years ago.
This news is so big. I tried to tell people who had a problem with the Fluke story to concentrate more on the actor and less on the story. I knew this day was sooner than later and I enjoyed every scene Mr. Geary was in. Yes the Fluke story has holes but the black and white episode cleared up some of his behavior and we have all summer to understand more of what has been going on in Lukes head. As for the holes in the story or the dots that dont connect, leave it go and enjoy this living legend’s swan song!
Timm, the Fluke story left a bad aftertaste with me. I am hoping his exit strategy will wash out that aftertaste and remind us all of why we fell in love with Luke in the first place.
I think it’s going to be good.
I want to be sad that he’s leaving–I don’t want to be one of those people who say,”Don’t let the door hit ya!”
Harry, A HOME RUN! On every post.
You’re putting the rest of us to shame.
I agree with you Harry. I look at it this way Tony is a great actor and not matter what story he does he makes you believe it. You don’t have to like what Luke has done but Luke is not Tony. I love nothing better then to watch this man act. He sure deserved that Emmy.
People should not get Tony mixed up with a role he plays.
Timm, the last line in your post was perfectly stated.
Since Jane Elliot is not leaving the show, Luke and Tracy are not ending up together. It would be nice for Laura to save Luke and they reunite, even if the saving is now his mental state. Jane and Tracy hopefully have more years and story to come, and another love interest for Tracy too!
Except that Genie Francis has said that she want to agree to come back to GH on short term status anymore. So how can Luke and Laura reunite as Tony Geary is leaving.
Luke and Laura aren’t exiting together. We still don’t know if or when Genie starts filming. Both actors have stated that Luke and Laura’s romance has been over for a long time. It would be nice if they shared a scene before Tony leaves.
I’m not surprised that Tony Geary is leaving GH after 37 years. I recall reading somewhere that he hasn’t been happy with Luke’s story lines for years. I think a large part of the problem is that Tony Geary never thought of Luke Spencer as ever having children. And he certainly never thought of Luke being permanently tied to a house. If Tony had his way it would have just been Luke and Laura as happy wanderers. Then there’s the issue of Tony’s back surgeries. Not to mention flying back and forth between LA and Amsterdam. I can see how he might be fed up with that.
Genie has already started filming. It would be nice to let Laura stand in the mental hospital all of sound mind and in her full power and glory and watch as Luke is strapped down on a gurney in his crazed mental state and wheeled off into eternity to be locked up in some sanatorium. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Maybe they will go out in the sunset together. That would be good if that would happen because they have been threw the years a big chunk of GH . That would be a good ending for these two loved characters. I wish him well.
Knock Knock Knockin on Genoa City’s Door!
All Luke and Laura fans want is a decent ending to the greatest love story of all time. In the past years, Luke has lost the humor and the edginess that we grew to love–he has gone too dark. I have been a fan of Tony/Genie’s since they started.
You got that right, Karen!
oh for crying out loud, Genie and Tony will share many scenes together, and No the characters will not end up together, nor will he end up with Tracy. OK, geez, now everyone is playing writer for the show. its not going to be a fairy tale good bye, Luke and Laura are not going to ride into the sunset, i’m sure they will have the characters resolve whatever issues they have, and they will promise to always love each other for the sake of their children etc etc etc, and then luke will do the same with Tracy. i’m sure they will work on bringing back his two sons to say goodbye, or maybe he’s going to join them on their self discovery journey they’ve been on.
Yes, Laura & Luke will interact before he leaves – sentimentally so & as magical as they ever have in the past. I wonder: will this leave Tracy with some direction again, e.g., to vie for control again of ELQ?; will Lucky also make a special visit to see Luke off the canvas??
Tony ‘s ego has ruined Luke for me. They and he turned him into a murdering fool. with no sorrow. TG don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split you. Genie welcome back. I hope FrankenRon are not dumb enough to bring her back and destroy her again. I liked L&L together for a while but I like Genie sooo much better than Tony. TIIC have given Tony all he wanted, Jane, drinking , dark and dangerous , ran over Jake and wouldn’t admit he is a drunk, or was wrong. Left Lulu in a brothel, wouldn’t listen to his family. Who needs him ? Tony got everything HE wanted, he can’t leave soon enough for me. I don’t even blame FrankenRon for this , this is all on Tony leaving the show and leaving a very bad taste in my mouth. I guess Ron will make sure he ruins all the L&L history.
Just know tons of people out there agree with you I was done in 2013 with comparing their relationship to a sweatshirt.
I hope that with Luke gone Laura is back for good. I think she will help send him off the show but she will stay after that.
I think Laura will be a part of his exit but not the focus of it. One thing is sure, he is going out on his own terms. Good for him.
I may be in the minority here but I have always preferred Laura with Scotty, even during the hey day of Luke and Laura. Laura and Scotty were first loves that the Spencer siblings tried to destroy. I was very happy to see them (Laura and Scott) back to get on one of her recent returns. I still think there’s more to explore between those two.
I realize Luke is a beloved character and I do applaud his work as of late,,,,BUT,,,I watched the Daytime Emmy’s and I will say that I was absolutely appalled by the arrogance he had on stage with Jeannie Francis,,,he looked as if he could just chew his arm off with her beside him,,,that in my honest opinion,,was the most disgusting additude I’ve ever seen. The Luke and Laura made him a household name and for his behavior around her is completely appalling,,,,, so,,the sooner Luke goes bye bye,,the better,,good ridance.
Luke and Laura were not together on GH after Ginie left in 1987 for a reason..
Tony did not want to be tied to her and her to him . Life goes on and moves on for actors, they are actors not a real couple..
They are individuals and did not want to be known as a pair..
They both had to move on with their careers as individuals, not being a half of Luke and Laura..
At the Emmys luke and Laura felt and looked forced together, very stiff, but very gracious .. their magic is long long..
they were a fictional couple a couple portrayed by two actors who were paid to be a fictional couple, not a real couple, they owe each other nothing, it was their job for pay..
I did not sat they were a couple in real life,,,I was making a statement on his behavior,,,like it or not,,the Luke and Laura story made him who he is today,,at least show the woman respect. She was very gracious towards him,,,bye bye Luke
Luke has two sons out there, to spend time with and have an old fashioned Spencer adventure with. One that may include Laura. I still see Laura as his soul mate. But he did have other important women in his life like Holly and Red.
It didn’t surprise me much that Tony Geary was retiring. He has taken longer and more often vacations in the last few years.
What bothers me right now is them shooting and (hopefully not) killing off Duke. I love him and Anna together. Hopefully the writers will reconsider and not let him die.
I figured that seeing how Luke’s jail sentence was changed to going to a mental treatment facility, perhaps Laura is coming back to see if he can go to her treatment facility.
I hope the flashbacks / Luke memories of all these years on GH, lasts a lot longer than a couple of minutes.
Dig up all that old footage! All the women he was involved with – remember that he was with Felicia for awhile – even when Faison had them together as hostages (Luke had tried to free Felicia, and caught himself); remember when Alexis had a crush on him; Holly and Tracy of course… the Laura(s).
his kids when they were little; all the Luke & Laura fleeing and sailing back into Port Chuck with Lucky in that cadillac.
all the mob stuff
the nightclubs / bars he owned
I think If there was enough time Luke should be convicted and sentenced to death and Laura can sit in as his last wish so she is the last face he sees before he dies Epic !
I am so sad to see him leave. But we must do what we need to. I wish him the very best.
General Hospital
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Nikolas Cassadine will be back on your screens next week but now via Pentonville. That means, that actor Adam Huss is back for a visit for all-new episodes of General Hospital.
In story, Ava (Maura West) comes to visit her ex in the slammer. So, just what does Ava want now? She clearly has been working an agenda on Sonny (Maurice Benard). Is she working with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart)? What will she tell Nikiolas? stay tuned.
Meanwhile, once news of Huss’ return broke earlier on Friday via Soap Opera Digest, he also announced his return on his Instagram expressing, “For all those who’ve been asking, cat’s out of the bag;) Thank you to all my #Nikolas #GH fans for your unwavering support. I don’t take it for granted for a second! (Even when I can’t answer 😊) #generalhospital”
Photo: ABC
Huss took over the role of Nikolas back in January of 2023, after Marcus Coloma left the soap opera. Previous to that, Huss filed in for Coloma in September of 2021 and November of 2022. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Nikolas gave Ace to Laura and Kevin to raise, while he eventually turned himself into the police for kidnapping Esme and keeping her hostage while she was pregnant and Wyndemere.
Photo: ABC
The return of Huss comes on the heels of multiple reports that his on-screen son, Nicholas Chavez is not returning to the show as Spencer Cassadine, while in story Spencer is believed to have drowned int the Seine River after falling off a boat in France, when drugged by Esme.
So, looking forward to seeing Adam Huss back as Nikolas? Do you think GH will eventually have him more full-time? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.
Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).
When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.
Courtesy/ABC
Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.
Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.
What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Arianne Zucker Reveals Her Last Days of our Lives Airdate
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
GH’s Finola Hughes Chats on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, New Directions for Characters in Port Charles, and Anna’s Love Life
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
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