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Ilene Kristen Set For A Return To General Hospital!

Photo Credit:Sue Coflin/Max Photo

Photo Credit:Sue Coflin/Max Photo

Great news today from Frank Valentini, the EP of General Hospital courtesy of Soap Opera Digest!  Ilene Kristen, who reprised her role of Delia Ryan Coleridge from Ryan’s Hope on GH, is coming back to the show and it looks like she may even be in scenes with Delia’s  daughter, Ava Jerome (Maura West)!

As GH fans know, the former OLTL favorite, where she played Roxy Balsom, did a short stint that aired in October of 2013.  However, that appearance has proven to be an important part of the story that Frank Valentini and GH head writer, Ron Carlivati were laying out.

As to when Ilene will be back on the GH set, Valentini told SOD, ” She’s back very soon. Ilene did a fantastic job and Delia is an important character. I think her return will show viewers another side to Ava.”  Maura West added to that comment stating, “Ilene is fantastic and I look forward to having scenes with her. That mother/daughter relationship is one I would love to see fleshed out.”

So, are you excited to know that Ilene is coming back to General Hospital!  Who knows?  Maybe Delia could end being a  character that gets used alot on the canvas in Port Charles, because now she has ties to the Jerome Clan!  Let us know your thoughts on the news!

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Cue the posts about how Cartini is ruining a character from a show that hasn’t been on the air for 30 years now

LOL cuz they’re sure to come. And the funnier thing is they’ll be SERIOUS about it.

huh? 30 years lol no way..

Roxy Balsom/Ilene Kristen from November 7, 2001 to January 13, 2012/ One Life to Live…
Ilene Kristen was with OLTL for 11yrs to its’ last day ..

I was referring to Ryan’s Hope where she played Delia. Everyone complained that GH ruined Delia before so I was just saying I expected more of the same Ryan’s Hope has been off the air for almost 30 years

Ilene is not playing Roxy on GH. She is playing Delia Reid Ryan Coleridge (not sure I have those names in correct order). This character originated on Ryan’s Hope which ended January 13, 1989. So it was almost 25 years between the end of RH and the reappearance of Delia on GH. Personally, I don’t care who she’s playing- I’m always happy to watch Ilene’s wonderful work!

How is he ruining Dee…if the show was still on the air they still couldve done this plot anyway! Just asking?

So.. I am glad to see her coming back on GH! I miss her and like her as Delia or Roxy(favorite character)…..She is full of energy! And very bubbly personality…I always like her a lot..

Yes, glad to see her back…been a favorite since her Ryan’s Hope days…would like to here the Ryans Hope theme played in the background during one of her scenes!!!

maybe played as she makes a dramatic entrance!!!

Meanwhile, instead of Carly will it be Luke buried alive in the cemetary and Shirley Jones sees or hears something she tells Dante…also is that really Dr.O at the hospital or a twin…i cant see the police letting her go?

Hopefully she’ll be a regular. I loved her both on Ryan’s Hope and OLTL.

Me TOO!!!!!!

I am in seventh heaven at the news! to see Delia and Ava play out their complicated history will be a five star meal and a sinfully good dessert.

I’m really happy that Ilene is getting the work. She did superb work on RH back in the day, and her Roxie on OLTL was also a delight.

BUT I wish they had not brought her back as Delia. I’m afraid Ron C. will use the character inappropriately (as I think he already has), have her behave OOC for Delia, maybe even make her responsible for putting Silas’ wife in a coma.
She may have pushed a Ryan or two down a staircase or two, LOL, but I’d rather keep Delia as Delia in memory and reruns on YouTube than see that.

Can we please get Ron Hale back now?? As Roger Coleridge he and Delia had such great chemistry. Miss him as Mike. Even though he has “retired”, I’m sure he would consider coming back under the right circumstances. Really want to see him and Ilene work together again!!

Did Mike sr. die on screen? If the character did die off screen, he could return. He might have went into hiding because of his gambling debts and faked his death. I would not want to see him as another character on GH. Plus, he did retire from acting. He may not want to return.

Would love to see a cameo appearance by Ron Hale as Roger! Especially if he and Delia visit the diner and he gets a lot of confusing looks and greetings by people calling him Mike. Could be pretty priceless…..

Excited to see her scenes with Ava. Look forward to seeing her background fleshed out more, and can’t wait to see Maura rock the material.

Valentini is bringing back veteran soap actors as a ploy to lure viewers, knowing that there is not enough air time for the characters to be developed. Unfortunately, they are serving as temporary plot devices.

GH needs to commit to a stable core of four o five lead characters and develop them through romance and social conflict.

They tried that!! It was the Carly jason Sonny and Sam show four years. Thank god for Ron. He had created a balanced show. There is always room for improvment but its way better than what Guza gave us.

So excited love Ilene, Deliah, Ryans Hope. The history on General Hospital can’t miss TV. Welcome back Ilene!

I agree!!

I see nothing to indicate any great news , GH already has an array of newbies , in fact the canvas is overrun with newbies. Delia is NOT an important character to GH , she is just another newbie.And why do GH viewers need to see another side to Ava , all these writers need to do is to put Ava in a body bag , that should show a great side to newbie Ava.

It is Great NEWS to me! I love her characters as Delia or Roxy… She is a fresh breadth of sunshine!

I am thrilled that she is coming back and this time assuming she will actually be in Port Charles. I want to see her interact with Ava, Kiki and Silas and Sam again. Genius casting!!

Someone else designed to create more storylines for new characters while more and more GH characters get lost in the shuffle. I’m not happy to have her back.

I’m not impressed. I never watched Ryan’s hope or OLTL, or any other soaps. I’m a General Hospital fan .

Well I watched Ryan’s Hope for a while and OLTL for a very long time. And watched GH as well at that particular time…

And started watching GH again after OLTL was cancelled on abc..

Agree they saved a soap in that time slot at least that is what they told us but it is really not GH. Basically all I have noticed in months are employing actors from cancelled soaps and bringing on new characters with really no substance and shoved down our throat day in and day out. The veterans that were once on do not even act like themselves or they have made cartoons out of them. In the old days Duke was a savvy mobster now he just follows around like a lap dog. Heather what a joke.

God to have Ilene back..
It is awesome how FV & RC remember the oldies and gives them employment and the fans a great time seeing their favorites once again..
That is paying homage to the past/respecting those who made the soaps great in the days past and a treat for their fans .

Big fan of her work.

Big fan also!

Love her! Looking forward to seeing her again on GH!

Nice

Will be a kick to have Dee back on the scene, and Donna Mills should definitely up the much sorely needed glam quotient to Port Charles….it has been a really boring year thus far, with the exception of today’s jaw-dropping last moment! Soooo….could this possibly be our beloved Dr. O. as GH’s new chief-of-staff????? Or is it a seemingly more benevolent doppelganger…wink wink???? Most intriguing…that being said, be forewarned that all of these upcoming tasty tricks and treats being dropped into our goodybags will be coming at a huge cost…just read the news that Robin is going to be making a hasty exit here in the near future and loyal fans are going to “mighty miffed” (in KMc’s own words, only stronger….) at the storyline.. Sounds like “Cartini” are once again going to be pushing the “Puking Princess” on us……and all the Cassadines and Obrechts in the world won’t make that more tolerable!!!!

Yep, will miss Robin – watching for her to be reunited with Patrick….knew it was to good to be true. Not a fan of Sabrina either, but when Robin comes back maybe she’ll have another of Patrick’s children with her-lol!!

Nice if we have two Dr.Os…i once suggested a twin…if im remember right…or some other possibilties to keep her around…like to see her clash with Epiphany!!!

Hopefully on her next visit, Ron won’t bash us over the head with her and her dialogue by having her say something like “Hi Ava. It’s me….your mother Delia Reid Ryan Coleridge.”

Love it!! Can’t wait.

So happy to hear Ilene is coming back to GH. I loved her as Roxy but she will ALWAYS be Delia!

I thought Donna Mills or Joan Rivers would have been good to cast as Ava’s mother.

Joan Rivers? Why?

No Joan Rivers…

I like her. I loved her as Roxy on OLTL so it’ll take me a while to get used to her Delia character. I do see however where it would make sense to bring her on as the latter…Roxy has no ties in Port Charles. So, good for Ilene! Welcome “old friend”…whomever you are! 😉

It kinda makes sense that she is Ava’s mother because it explains why Kiki is so short when both her parents aren’t. lol

So happy to hear this and look forward to seeing her on GH again! Just love the surprises from Frank and Ron!

she reminds me a bit of Rose Kelly (Joe’s ex) that ran off into the sunset (was written off) with Jake Meyer (Bobbie’s ex) before Aunt Ruby took over the diner.

Love Ilene and think this is a great development! To those that are continually complaining – oy just relax already.

And for the poster that said that they should concentrate on ‘five or six’ characters… this show did that… and I, for one, hated the SonnyJasonCarly show that GH became for a decade.

I wish that we’d see more of the things we’re told about that happen off screen (like Patrick’s bachelor party… sounded like Elizabeth had a good time, wish I could have seen it; she deserves some fun!) but I like that the show is more of an ensemble than it’s been in years.

Sorry to hear about Robin leaving.. thought she was back for good…. 🙁

More new characters for GH. Just what we need.

you know, most of what we think of GH staples were at one time “new characters”. Soaps have to evolve and bring on new characters from time to time so the staples have different storylines. Some stay a little while, others become long time characters.

I am looking forward to seeing Ilene back on GH. I miss her as Roxy on OLTL as she was so funny and played the “goofy blond” role to perfection.

Love Ilene. Love Delia. I can’t wait and what a treat for long time ABC daytime viewers!

I like her. Bring her back. Kiki having a grandma around might be nice.

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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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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