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James Read To GH As Finn and Chase’s Dad

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

According to multiple reports, intriguing casting news for General Hospital fans! Word is, former Days of Our Lives star James Read, (Ex-Clyde Weston), is set to debut on the June 6th episode of the ABC daytime drama series as Gregory.  Who is Gregory? He is the father of Dr. Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard). Will we finally be clued in to why Finn has an issue with his half-brother Chase?

As soap fans know, Read’s portrayal of criminal Clyde Weston on Days, was very memorable. And let’s not forget, Clyde was also an abusive husband and father.  Speaking of being a father, in fact, Rob Scott Wilson, who played Clyde’s son, Ben, returns this week on Days of Our Lives.

So, what do you think is going to go down when Gregory comes to Port Charles?  What do you think about the casting of James Read as Michael Easton and Josh Swickard’s on-screen father?  Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Great actor. bad man on DOOL vs good man on CHARMED. I kind of remember him on Remington Steele. Dating myself. So it will be interesting to see which side of the fence he is on, since he can play both good and evil so well!!

you brought up a REAL good point… James Read… if WRITTEN.. can be oh so dastardly devil may care and get you. he’s sly … has that wicked manner… this is an opportune time to bring in someone who power plays.. I’m not looking forward to any scenes with Michael Easton… yet with this new kid on the block Harrison Chase… who is quality stuff.. well w/James begets that REEL TIME on it’s way. enticing

Don’t feel bad….I can remember him from “North and South”!!! He can be both charming and insidious…let’s see which!!

Sharon, I remember him on Remington Steele too. He was also in Legally Blonde if I remembervcorrectly.

WOAH – get it ; and, be still my heart

can you love, Anna

this is going to be wild stuff… for those who appreciated and lauded the man @DAYS

GOOD STUFF all around

all these posts … I applaud us

I pray and hope for the writers to up the ante.. somewhere

I heard that Gregory is going to be a chef who appears on The Chew using Finn’s Roxie The Lizard as a secret ingredient-lol…why does Finn have a problem with Chase…we will learn that Chase is actually Finn’s son and not his half brother!!!!

Ahh papa Gregory will have a story to tell.
Most assuredly, it will bring Finn and Chase together.
It looks like it could be an exciting journey (well, hope it will be lol)

I like Chase, he is a bit of mystery.
Finn is now a dumb$#*% for hooking up with Anna, but he will learn not to get involved with mentally unstable women haaa!
I really, really liked Finn and Alexis, they fit and are hot.

Looking forward to Gregory …
anyone know how long he is set to be with GH ??

Great actor.

Quite frankly, I have very mixed feelings on this latest piece of casting news…..I’ve always enjoyed James Read dating back to his role on the epic miniseries “North and South!” Although I’ve only seen him portray a charming, upstanding sort of guy, and not a villain like on DOOL, I think he would be up to the task of any acting challenge, so I’m all for him on that account….However, once again, GH is adding too many newbies…it’s like a rampant disease spreading at breakneck pace at that soap, and it’s beyond tiring for longtime fans who want to see more legacy characters for whom they actually care. Additionally, as much as I like Michael Easton and his Finn, why is it necessary to introduce his family? I’m already not enamored of his brother, whose only apparent value is as the beefcake replacement for Nathan, so I have no real interest in their father and his backstory either. I would have preferred that Read had been a recast for one of the many former characters that we have been clamoring to return to Port Charles. With over fifty years of history from which to choose, surely there could have been some past peresona that would fit into the current landscape without having to create yet another new one whose presence is yet one more step away from GH’s origins??? Between this and Drew’s “harem” of women from his former life, I’ve about had enough of all the meaningless and unnecessary additions to the Port Charles canvas. If this fourth-place show is going to survive, then it needs to go back to the formula which made it great, and introducing an endless parade of newbie soap gets is not the cure for what ails it.

Shay, emerging from self-imposed exile long enough to agree wholeheartedly. I’ll be bingeing from April to current and be able to know whereof I speak…even if those opinions haven’t necessarily been missed since I last stepped in it.

@Reed….Come on in, the water’s fine!!! I can understand it’s a long haul trying to play catch-up….I generally tend to go weeks at a time myself with just online recaps to keep me apprised…In fact, the only thing that lured me back to the present was Robert Scorpio’s arrival…I really enjoyed his storyline with Anna, even though it certainly put her character through the emotional ringer! Here’s hoping he sticks around for awhile….and you, too, Reed! Keep those opinions coming…

I feel you! GH is turning into FV! Chase is Nathan Lite! Finn is a horrible character! Anna needs to go back with Robert! Maxie had a baby and no Frisco? F Jack Wagner! Recast the character! [John Goodman is available!] I like Liz but she should have been Sarah Weber. NOPE, another Valenti character! I guess the way ABC runs their whole network, we should be thankful that GH is even on anymore.

@Timmm….The absence of Frisco has never been more keenly felt than during Maxie’s latest life crisis and pregnancy. No matter how involved he may be with the WSB, there’s no way that he wouldn’t have come to town to save his daughter and her unborn child when they were in mortal danger. I get so sick of the ongoing efforts to make this character appear to be the most deadbeat and disinterested dad ever to leave behind his progeny in Port Charles….if Jack Wagner were offered a decent guest gig, he would be there for his fans! But that just doesn;t seem to be in the cards with this current regime…still, I can’t go the recast route. Jack will always be the only Frisco for me!!!!!

I agree but no one will listen to us the writers are pushing out the originals on purpose so when they turn this show over to Finn and Franco I will stop watching for sure.

A very interesting casting choice. I’m still not watching though. I haven’t since Genie left. Who is leaving to support new characters in this too large of cast?

Nor I–also haven’t watched since they fired Genie–so sad–would be so great to see her play against James Read. I, too, remember North and South where they worked together. Two professional actors!

He was good on Days and so think he,ll be an asset to GH.

He was really good on Days. I am sure he,ll be an asset to GH.

I am hoping he’s less like his Days of Our Lives character, because I loved him on Charmed as Victor, but hated him as Clyde. Is it wrong that I could’ve seen him as Jeff Webber, too? And then bring on Chrishell Stause as Sarah Webber?

He would be all wrong for Jeff Webber. As a matter of fact, there’s no point in bringing Jeff Webber back at all unless Richard Dean Anderson is available.

And definitely NOT to prop the Frodd trainwreck.

I don’t see him as “wrong” for the role and, unfortunately, I do have a feeling that if Dr. Jeff Webber did return, and that has been speculated for quite some time, that Richard D. Anderson would not reprise the role.

I’m waiting for Genies return.

Genie was also on North & South, so that would be sort of ironic if she came back right around the same time.

I too, remember James from North and South, as well as from Remington Steele. Loved him in both.

And, it was also on North and South where Genie met her husband, Jonathan Frakes (formerly Number One on Star Trek the Next Generation).

It would be fun seeing Genie and James working together, again. So, please create a good storyline and BRING HER BACK!

I would love to see James play a diabolical character. With the demise of Helena and Faison, he could fill that gap. Originally I thought Valentin would be that person, but alas, no – big disappointment.

Yes!

What ?!!!!!!
Wow !!!
Very interesting!

Well, he does a good job as an evil son of a bitch, so he should be entertaining to watch. But he’s probably really needed more in Salem than Port Charles right about now.

I dont like Finn or Chase but this guy comes with a resume and he looks the part. I hope he is the next evil bastard. Valentin is a joke!

Loved him on north and south yes going back a bit

I;ve said it before and I will say it again. Stop bringing in new characters and start concentrating on the talented ensemble cast you have. That is not going to fix their ratings.

I agree, Maureen. Every single, friggen day we are subjected to Peter. Now even if I liked this actor (which I do not) this would be too much. And Peter’s story seems never ending. Moreover, we have to hear his story retold every damn day–it’s as if the writers are trying to jam a square peg through a round hole.
I am tired of it.

Peter is the “Sparkle Pony” of his time…….

Oh Harry,the arrogance of this Peter creep. “I can help you…you’d better get me outa here..” And, natch, that idiot Sam Spade-less takes the bait. “Oooh, Jason, let’s go commit more capital crimes. I’m trying to find myself.” Yeah, right. Drew is well rid of that danger junkie.

I thought you’d be happy with Sam, soaphound. She wanted to break Peter out to help Drew. No matter if she goes back with Jason p, she’ll always care deeply for Drew, as well. I thought it was great that she’d risk so much to for Drew, with or without Jason’s help.

And, once again, loving Peter!

Well, I don’t love Peter the way you do, Rebecca, but perhaps he will grow on me. So far, I am not getting the Peter love. However, right now, I am not hating on your other favorites such as Nina, Alexis, Franco and Drew so there’s that. In fact, I am really liking the last three characters I just mentioned. And if Nina kills Peter she will be redeemed in my eyes. And speaking of the jail, that was the most ridiculous, implausible jail break out scene ever to witnessed on the small screen. Yes, I know we are supposed to utilize our suspension of disbelief while watching soaps, but it seemed like they didn’t even try. People are able to roam in and out of the jails with nary a guard in sight. Moreover, the jail cells aren’t even locked. Valentin was able to switch places with Peter and the latter party was able to saunter out without a guard or policeman spotting him? Ridiculous.

You’ll learn to love him, Harry. After he gets out of his James Caan/Kathy Bates “Misery” predicament. Don’t remember if you watched OLTL but if you remember the end we saw Trevor St. John’s Todd Manning/Victor Lord, Jr. tied to the bedpost, too. LOL; there’s a lot of “kink” that’s left out of these scenes. 😉

So glad you’ve come around to three of the five. I’ll patiently wait for your other eye to open.

As for getting in and out of jail, let’s just suspend our disbelief a bit more and assume Valentin the agent also knows a few tricks. And then, we’ve been told Spinelli already tricked the cameras for Sam and Jason who were GOING to break Peter, sigh, (okay, that “sigh” was just to emphasize my Peter love, errr…again…) out.

So now you must be thrilled. Two of your least favorites alone in a room together. Bet you’re hoping they kill each other off. Tsk tsk. Stop that! 😉

Yes, yes, I like it. Read is a proven actor and if this translates to more time “CHASING” the truth of why Finn is so bloody rude to his sweet brother, I’m in. More Josh anytime, anywhere, any uniform.

Was great on Days, very good actor.

Just out of curiosity since I gave up on Frank but why could this actor not have been a replacement for Dr Jeff Webber ? They must really dislike RH/Liz I guess her purpose is to prop RH /Franco.

Shay if you are out there this new system throws me off I know you still love this show reliable source DZ/Dante is leaving the show. I do not blame him s bit !

I heard this, but haven’t seen any real confirmation. Where did you see this?

All over twitter for a month that does not mean it’s true ! But have they used him really?

Hello, k/kay! I’m trying to still love this show, but it’s getting increasingly difficult, just like I’m trying to love this new website! It is a true puzzlement, indeed!…So, are we no longer going to get notifications of replies in our inboxes and instead go on a great search each and everyday to find them? Or am I just not getting the messages? I mostly have received the Fairman seal of approval on the majority of my contributions, so I know that the website has the ability to get through to my email address. As for Read playing Jeff Webber? The thought also occurred to me! Why not??? It would be great to have him back in town…especially if he were able to cross paths with his two ex-wives Monica and the deliciously daffy Heather!! In terms of Dominic Zamprogna’s Dante leaving Port Charles? He really hasn’t has much to do since that prospective homewrecker Val enticed him into an affair…I could understand why the actor would want to take a hike..maybe on to a different soap? Too bad he couldn’t take Papa Sonny with him….

Really that last comment if he take Sonny with him it’s over.

Gosh almighty I apologize she has faith in the show I do not

I also heard DZ is leaving. I always thought the actor was incredibly unique and talented. But yes, he was underused and under appreciated. I recall his first date with Lulu (then played by Julie Berman). He surprised her by taking her to the Opera. I thought they were a lovely couple–a perfect match. Alas, he is given no story despite his talent–too many new folks and the over saturation is costing us valuable players who have proven themselves over and over.

With Nathan’s death still a fresh storyline, it’s highly unlikely they’d kill off Dante. It appears ER is staying, so a recast with a recurring actor (since they won’t write for the character) is probable.

I heard the rumor that he was leaving, too. Then I heard that’s all it was; a rumor. He’s not leaving. At least that’s the last update I heard. Hope he’s not. He’s a great actor and very underused. If he IS staying I hope he gets more of a story rather than a filler.

YES!!!!! This is gonna be very, very interesting……….

I was hoping he was going to play Jeff Webber, but of course who cares about GH history. FV just want to
focus on the shiny new actors than the vets.

stretching for ratings. too many players….

stretching stories for ratings. too many players!

Oh, WOW!!!! That’s a huge surprise….I mean, James is an amazing actor; one of the best…..I only hope and wish he will be a good guy!!
I think the presence of a father for Finn and Chase will make them more real, as brothers; at least for me…..a backstory is what they need–explaining so much.
Do not disappoint, writers….

Not that we need anymore recurring characters…although James Read has talent. He was great on DOOL. I’m guessing Frank didn’t hire him in a parking lot? Mr. Read can actually act.

Mr. Fairman, great new site, congrats! Can we get notices when someone replies to our comments?

I agree, Timmm!

I love the new website, Michael. It’s so much more dynamic. Thank you for all of the effort you put into updating it!

Love this casting! I hope he has scenes with Finola Hughes!

He played her ex-husband on Charmed and they were funny together.

What is going to go down when JR appears on GH is some terrific performances if his appearances on Days are any indicator.
Wish he and Genie Francis could have appeared together on GH. Would have been great fireworks, I’m sure. Oh, well. So much for wishes–and a great chance missed by GH–as usual.

I wonder how James felt being a father to a man, only a few years younger than himself. Hope we see more of him.

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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