News
2009 Critics Choices Picks Announced! OLTL wins big!
As we say goodbye to the decade and usher in a new year, On-Air On-Soaps wants to pay tribute to the men and women who daily and weekly have brought to soap fans and the daytime industry a place to gather their news, views, interviews, column, and blogs on the genre. Each has a unique voice and stamp that they bring to you, the online community. If we truly look at 2009, it was this online community of passionate and dedicated journalists and reporters who hoped for the best in daytime and called out it’s worst. So with that said, we asked the best of the best –TV Guide Canada’s, Nelson Branco, Daytime Confidential’s, Jamey Giddens and Luke Kerr, We Love Soaps, Roger Newcomb and Damon Jacobs, Fancast’s, Sara Bibel, AfterElton.com’s, Anthony Langford, On-Air On-Soaps, Michael Fairman and Soap Central’s, Dan Kroll, who were their picks for 2009 for Best Soap, Worst Soap, Best Performance Male and Female. Then we asked the pundits their thoughts on the Worst Mistake in Soaps, Most Disappointing, Most Shocking , and finally their Soap Wish for 2010.
In almost a sweep, One Life to Live was the choice for 2009’s Best Soap, while All My Children was almost a uninamous choice for Worst Soap. And in the Best Performance, Female- Crystal Chappell continued her amazing year end accolades by picking up the most votes from the panel. View the entire picks and year end comments, after the jump!
2009 ON-AIR ON-SOAPS CRITICS CHOICES CATEGORIES
| Best Male | Best Female | |||
| Best Soap | Worst Soap | Performance | Performance | |
| Dan Kroll | One Life | All My | Drew Garrett | Crystal Chappell |
| Soap Central | to Live | Children | GH | GL & DAYS |
| Sara Bibel | One Life | All My | David Canary | Robin Strasser |
| Fancast | To Live | Children | AMC | OLTL |
| Nelson Branco | One Life | All My | James Scott | Crystal Chappell |
| TV Guide Canada | to Live | Children | DAYS | GL |
| Jamey Giddens | One Life | All My | Billy Miller | Crystal Chappell |
| Daytime | to Live | Children | Y&R | |
| Confidential | ||||
| Luke Kerr | One Life | All My | Billy Miller | Stacy Haiduk |
| Daytime | to Live | Children | Y&R | Y&R |
| Confidential | ||||
| Damon Jacobs | Days of | All My | Don Hastings | Crystal Chappell |
| We Love Soaps | our Lives | Children | ATWT | (for all her roles) |
| Roger Newcomb | One Life | All My | Grant Aleksander | Crystal Chappell |
| We Love Soaps | to Live | Children | GL | GL |
| Anthony Langford | One Life | The Young & | Brett Claywell | Arianne Zuker |
| AfterElton.com | To Live | The Restless | OLTL | DAYS |
| MIchael Fairman | One Life | All My | Justin Deas | Crystal Chappell |
| On-Air On-Soaps | to Live | Children | GL | GL |
Worst Mistakes in Soaps of 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
Phillip Chancellor III was believed to have been dead for 20 years, but he returned to town to announce that he’d only faked his death because he didn’t want anyone to know that he was gay. Speaking of gay, Adam Newman pretended to be gay in order to keep his dirty deeds a secret, dirty deeds that included injecting Botox into his eyes so that he could feign blindness.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
Cancelling As The World Turns.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
Canceling World Turns too early.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Not firing Chuck Pratt much earlier.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
Not firing Chuck Pratt much earlier.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Phillip’s return on Y&R/Thom Biertz’s acting/the horrible writing for this story. Everything to do with this fiasco on and off screen was WRONG.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
P&G not cashing in on the Otalia phenomenon by spinning them off into a P&G produced web series.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
Young and The Restless’ offensive, insulting and homophobic handling of their ‘gay’ storylines.
Michael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
CBS canceling ATWT just as it was getting its groove back.
Most Disappointing in Soaps of 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
CBS didn’t just cancel one soap in 2009 – it pulled the plug on two shows- ATWT & GL!
Sara Bibel – Fancast
(tie) the ultimate lack of consequences for so many characters that committed vile acts — from Todd’s kidnapping and raping Marty to Victor unleashing Patty on Jack and OLTL’s ratings woes.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
GL’s sloppy series finale!
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Cancellation of Procter and Gamble soap operas.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
As the World Turns’ Cancellation
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Canceling GL and ATWT
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
ATWT’s GH actor fixation instead of using a history (including veteran actors) deeper than any other soap. I love Lynn Herring and Stuart Damon but Audrey and Ralph instead of Lisa and Tom? If there is a soap God, ATWT will fix this problem before going off the air.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
that As The World Turns was canceled just as it was improving creatively.
MIchael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
Guiding Light’s boring finale!
Soap Moment that shocked you the most in 2009
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
ABC’s decision to move production of All My Children from New York to Los Angeles.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
(tie) Adam in drag on Y&R and Nash’s decomposing corpse’s reappearance on One Life To Live.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
Phillip Chancellor is alive and Adam and Rafe have sex on Y&R.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
Finding out it was true that James Franco was doing General Hospital.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
James Franco guesting on General Hospital.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
Crystal Chappell and Louise Sorel returning to DAYS.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
Phillip III’s return from the dead on Y&R.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
That OLTL showed two men being intimate in bed as if it happened on every soap opera every day.
MIchael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
Adam and Rafe have sex.
Your Soap Wish for 2010
Dan Kroll – Soap Central
Quite simply, my wish is that no more fans have to endure the pain of losing their favorite soap. For so many viewers, the soaps have become part of their daily routine. I’d like to see the networks strive to ramp up storylines and get viewers back to their stories. Maybe then more advertisers will pour money into these shows and allow them to continue.
Sara Bibel – Fancast
That the genre will stop being so dark and mean spirited and rediscover love stories and family sagas focusing on flawed but rootable characters resulting in an improbable ratings resurgence insuring that soaps will still be on the air in 2050.
Nelson Branco – TV Guide Canada
One Life to Live escapes cancellation and increases in the ratings.
Jamey Giddens – Daytime Confidential
I wish the showrunners, head writers, network executives, etc. that work with each of the remaining soaps would take a long, hard look at the history of their respective soaps, and the genre as whole, to get a proper understanding of when soaps were on fire (ratings-wise and creatively) and why. Then, I wish they would take this information with them into their writing rooms as they attempt to create television that, first and foremost, rewards the diehard fans who have stuck with the soaps for generations, as well as aggressively attempts to bring back lapsed viewers.
Luke Kerr – Daytime Confidential
No soaps get cancelled in 2010.
Damon Jacobs – We Love Soaps
NO CANCELLATIONS. That all current shows look at DAYS as an example of how to make a product that is consistent, respectful of viewer’s intelligence, written to their actor’s strengths.
Roger Newcomb – We Love Soaps
One or more web soaps find huge sponsorships leading to a golden new era for the genre -online.
Anthony Langford – AfterElton.com
Besides OLTL not getting the axe, I wish that ATWT begin to write Luke and Noah as adult, sexually realized gay men and give their long suffering fans what they want and deserve before the show ends.
Michael Fairman – On-Air On-Soaps
One Life soars in the ratings and captivates new viewers, and does not get cancelled!
James Franco was a surprise and not a particularly well-received one on General Hospital. But, at least, GH was given a nod because of Franco. I love General Hospital but I must be the only person. I can’t believe there was no recognition of actors such as Maurice Benard, Nancy Lee Grahn, Steve Burton, Tony Geary, Laura Wright, Jane Elliot, LisaLoCicero, Brandon Barash, Bradford Anderson, Rebecca Herbst and many of the recurring actors. I’ll continue to watch GH in 2010…even if I’m all alone.
I’d agree with all these selections and comments, though my choice for Best Female Performance would be Florencia Lozano, who has been hypnotic as Téa Delgado, even if she’s still involved with the dreaded Todd.
I’m a little disappointed that there weren’t more women among the critics–Melodie or Jillian from DC or Soap Opera Weekly’s Mala Bhattacharjee– or Dawn or Allison from Soap Central. Not sure it would’ve changed the overall results, but it would’ve been nice to have a more diverse set of voices.
Where is the diversity in the panel? The last time I checked most soap fans are women. Some of these men haven’t been watching soaps for very long either.
I’m very disappointed that AfterElton was selected as a legitimate representation. Last time I checked, most of the soap audience would not follow this publication for soap news. It’s a niche publication and not one that serves the general population. I’d much rather hear from Mala, Gabrielle Winkel from one of the main soap magazines.
There is only one actress to vote for, she is exceptional, brilliant, georgeous and her acting talent and range have no boundries…She makes everyone around her look better…CRYSTAL CHAPPELL!!!
I agree that Crystal Chappell’s performance of Olivia Spencer in love with Natalia Rivera was mesmerizing this year. CC was able to completely transform her character from a seemingly selfish woman to a wonderful, compassionate, and giving person. Her scenes at the grave yard in April where breathe taking and for that she deserves not one Emmy but several. Kudo’s to you Crystal Chappell you really stepped up your game this year and DOOL must be over the moon to have you!!!!!
The panel is correct, when the writers realize that soaps are “HISTORY” and quit re-writing it, GH learned this lesson the hard way “BUT” do they listen “NO”, they continue this travesty that will wind up with GH going down the tubes of cancellation. I began listening to soaps as a third grader with my aunt as the radio played Guilding Light, to this day I remember Dick & Kathy, a love story that still rings true, everytime I watch James Lipton on the Actors Studio he is still Dr Dick Grant. Mr Guza of GH has “NO” respect for history the backbone of soaps, first he destroys the Luke & Laura story, Now he is changing the Sonny & Kate story with the lude and non chemistry of Olivia & Sonny, the ratings since they broke them up has gone so far down, then he turns on the very people that kept GH up there by ignoring the Jason & Elizabeth s/l to bring back the Jasam story, I ‘am sorry to say that I as many others have left GH only checking in to see when Megan Ward is on a really good actress who brought out the best in Maurice Benard, daily GH get’s darker and darker, daily Anthony Geary becomes so sad to watch he needs to take Luke away to save the show, he need’s to bring back what made GH “FAMILY” and not “THE MOB”, James Franco has proved one thing you cannot bring in an actor that no one cares about, as for Marcell her time is over to, Mr Guza needs to front burner a woman that can “IGNORE” Sonny, instead of the “FOOLS” that go limp when he speaks the mob s/l needs to show redemtion instead of being made the hero’s, Give the viewers what made soaps indure, Strong, Intelligent, Sensative women, Kate, Aleis, Monica, Diane, Robin, and also give us the women we “LOVE” to hate, Carly, Tracy, Sam, when Mr Guza “FINALLY” admits he has been wrong, then there is “HOPE” for GH, if not the handwriting is on the wall for GH, also, OLTL has gone back to family, the return of Kevin, the “Intelligent Gay S/L”, the only thing missing is kill Mitch and “NEVER” let him come back, Tood & Blair great coupling and acting, John I could do without the actor is boring, Brody & Jessica a real soap couple, Gigi & Rex gettting boring, Scott Clifton getting loveable, OLTL knew what was wrong kudos to the wrinting staff for giving the viewrs what they want.
Why didnt any one put Tea Delgado as best of 2009. Tea had powerful performances in 2009 when she and Todd were in jail when and many other things. Maybe Victor Newman just alone when he made that video for hope it was good.
I noticed all the critics seem to be on a Gay fixation, while most of these shows don’t show minorities at all and the ones that do, show them every other Tuesday. OLTL has a bunch of African Americans but we see Layla and Cris every other week. Rachel is seen to prop up Bo and Nora, Destiny is there to prop up Matthew and Danielle. On Y & R (which is still the best because they have the higher ratings and apparently that is all that really matters, not a bunch of critics) the Winters family is hardly seen unless it is Lily and her Caucasian Husband. AMC probably has the strongest Black cast acting wise with Debbie Morgan and Co but you were right AMC is just tired. GH, you can’t find a minority if you wanted to especially a Black person. Days has Lexie and Abe yet they don’t do anything but support the White characters unless Lexie is cheating on Abe again (like Blacks folks don’t have other problems.) Are there any people of color on ATWT? I don’t know because you never see any. TBTB has one or two that we hardly ever see. So I am glad the see the critic are happy that Gay people are getting props on daytime. Minority groups especially Asians are not represented and while it is nice to see that White Gays are getting the respect that they deserve, how about you critics focus on the other minority groups not being represented. I am sure this will be deleted or not make it because I am speaking on things that I know mainstream wants to ignore.
After General Hospital viewers learned this week from Molly Lansing-Davis (Kristen Vaganos) that Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) was sentenced to 31 years in prison with a possibility for parole in 26 years for all of his crimes (after he had taken a plea deal with the Port Charles court system), fans were wondering the status of Rota with the show.
With so many recent on-screen exits, GH viewers were concerned that Rota was the next casualty, although his character of Sidwell deserves to be put a way for life, it appears we may see him back, and from his jail cell. Could he wind up being the cellmate of Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner), who on today’s August 13 episode was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a possibility of parole for two years, for physically attacking Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson)? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, Sidwell’s portrayer, Carlo Rota gave a clue as to his character’s whereabouts during his General Hospital Fan Club Weekend event, along with his wife Nazneen Contractor (Justine, GH), according to a report from Soap Central.
Photo: ABC
WHAT IS SIDWELL’S FUTURE AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH HIS BUSINESS HOLDINGS?
Rota told the crowd in attendance that Sidwell will soon be seen in Pentonville and his scenes will also include another familiar face from the Port Charles canvas. Could it be Curtis or someone else yet to be thrown into the slammer? Carlo teased, “I am in prison with another character from the show. We share a cell.”
The last time anyone saw Jenz Sidwell was back on the July 6 episode when he was in the interrogation room at the PCPD and tried to make a deal with Jordan Ashford (Tanisha Harper).
The deal was that he wanted Jordan to get her hands on his money from his offshore bank accounts and in return, he can get her hooked up with the best plastic surgeon in the world (the one in Germany that Michael went to) and she can jump ahead over the waiting list. However, Jordan turned him down flat, although the thought of fixing her face still weighs heavily upon her.
GH viewers first met Sidwell, the newest villain in town to go up against Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) for the his territory, back in August of 2024.
Flash-forward to late summer of 2026, there has been plenty of talk by Sonny and now Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) to take over Sidwell’s business holdings that will be up for auction, most likely setting the stage for Drew and Sidwell to be in cahoots, or some other shenanigans to get back at Sonny.
So, are you glad to know that there will be more Sidwell on the way soon? Do you wish the character would just already be off the canvas for good? Glad that Curtis got 10-year prison sentence, or don’t care? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
News
Lucas Adams Lands First Roles Post-Y&R on ABC Crime Drama ‘R.J. Decker’ and a Top Secret Project
After Lucas Adams was suddenly written-out of story as Noah Newman on The Young and the Restless, viewers of the CBS soap opera had a bit of whiplash. However, Adams has already booked his next roles, and is said to be filming the second season of the ABC primetime crime drama R.J. Decker.
According to New Beginnings Entertainment, Lucas has been cast in a guest star role on R.J. Decker, but also a ‘really secretive project’ that is keeping him busy this month.
R.J. Decker returns for its second season beginning on Tuesday, September 15 (10pm ET). There is no further word yet when the episode that features Adams will fall in the programming schedule.
Photo: JPI
The primetime drama is inspired by the 1987 novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen, and follows the story of a discredited newspaper photographer and ex-con played by series lead Scott Speedman. Each week, Decker tries to make a fresh start as a private eye in one of Southern Florida’s crime-filled areas leading to the drama.
HOW NOAH AND SIENNA LEFT GENOA CITY
It was back on the August 3 episode that fans of The Young and the Restless learned that Noah and Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun) decided to leave Genoa City and head back to Los Angeles as long as Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) was still running around on the loose, amnesia or no amnesia.
Noah gave Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) the gig as the manager of the newly-opened ‘Shadow Room’ in town to look after it. Noah informed his parents (Nick and Sharon) he hoped one day to be back in Genoa City when it was safe again.
Adams made his Y&R debut back on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen until April of 2023. Lucas also played Tripp Dalton on Days of Our Lives from 2017-2024 with multiple runs on the soap opera.
So, glad to know Lucas Adams will be back on your screens soon? Missing him on The Young and the Restless? What could be the ‘secretive project’ he’s working on? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
James Franco, ‘General Hospital’ Alum and Oscar Nominee, in New Microdrama ‘Love, Lies and Frank’ on Shortical
James Franco (ex-Franco, GH), who has been trying to make a comeback of sorts, is now starring in Love, Lies and Frank, a new vertical drama for Shortical. Love Lies and Frank is among the first microdramas produced under the new SAG-AFTRA agreement verticals agreement.
The two-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner, and former General Hospital guest star is sharing the vertical screen with mainstay microdrama stars, Eric Guilmette and Neela Jolene.
In story, Love, Lies and Frank follows Jimmy Frank (Franco), the CEO of a high-powered ad agency. A man with confidence and humor but marred with risk and unresolved consequence, Jimmy navigates running his company while also dealing with criminal and supernatural underworld threats. Meanwhile, one of Jimmy’s ambitious employees, Daniella Hanson (Jolene), lands her dream campaign and reignites a forbidden romance with her eccentric boss’s stepbrother Cameron Frank (Guilmette), forcing her to choose between the career she’s fought for and the love she’s been hiding.
Photo: Shortical
JAMES FRANCO HEADLINES A MICRODRAMA
Guy Shimoni, CEO of Shortical said of adding James Franco to the cast, “Hollywood is beginning to embrace vertical storytelling in a meaningful way. To see a talent like James Franco headlining an original microdrama is an important milestone for the industry. We at Shortical are proud to be setting the standard by bringing world-class talent, filmmakers, and stories to audiences in an entirely new way, proving that premium entertainment can thrive in a mobile-first world.”
Love, Lies & Frank is directed by Eric Wang Schwager, written by Melissa Lynn Moore and produced by Knockout Shorts with Peter Gold of Gold Films. No AI generated performances or digital replicas were used in the production, which has been a recent move by several vertical short companies.
Matthew Ko, Co-Founder and CEO of Knockout Shorts added, “Love, Lies & Frank was a really fun collision of worlds. It gave us the opportunity to play with the conventions of the genre, and subvert them just enough without losing sight of what audiences already love about these stories. The goal was always to make something that felt both familiar and completely unexpected.”
Photo: ABC
THE ARTIST KNOWN AS FRANCO ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
General Hospital fans will recall it was back in 2009, that James Franco, played the artist known as “Franco” who was fixated on death and became a main villain of the show and nemesis to Jason Morgan (Steve Burton). At the time, James Franco explained about his GH alter-ego. “Franco works in a lot of different ways. He does graffiti, performances, photographs. He creates installations based on murder scenes featuring murders he possibly was involved with. He’s interested in pushing the boundaries of art – both aesthetically and ethically – and he will go way too far.”
James played “Franco” for a few runs on the soap opera from 2009-2010 and again for stint from the fall of 2011 to early 2012. Later in 2013, the role of Franco was recast with Roger Howarth playing the role until 2021.
The last several years have been difficult for James Franco to find work in Hollywood, following a 2019 sexual misconduct scandal and abuse of power allegations of inappropriate behavior towards aspiring actresses at his now-defunct acting school, Studio 4. Franco settled a lawsuit for $2.2 million in 2021, later admitting he slept with students and addressing issues surrounding power imbalances. The actor maintained he did not open his acting school to lure women for sexual advances. Since the scandal broke in 2019, James has only appeared in five films and mostly from international distributors.
Love, Lies & Frank is now available exclusively on Shortical here.
So, what do you think of James Franco starring in a microdrama? Did you enjoy him as General Hospital’s OG Franco? Let us know via the comment section below.
How John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Sharon, Nick and Marie Struggle in Aftermath of a Relapse; Jade Harlow Shares She’s ‘Really Proud’ and ‘Grateful’ to ‘Show How Addiction Can Touch Anyone’ (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Gets Willow Right Where He Wants Her, Curtis is Found Guilty and Sentenced to Prison
‘General Hospital’s’ Carlo Rota Shares His Run as Sidwell Has NOT Come to an End
Lucas Adams Lands First Roles Post-Y&R on ABC Crime Drama ‘R.J. Decker’ and a Top Secret Project
Chris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan
‘General Hospital’ Alum, Chad Duell Releases New Music Track, ‘Static in the Quiet Room’
‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’
‘All My Children’ Revival Updates: Lifetime EVP Speaks on Why Proposed Movies are Great Fit, Mark Consuelos Wants To ‘Give Back’ to Fans
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick’s Cry for Help After Drug-Induced Near-Death Experience Rattles Him to His Core
Deidre Hall Extends a ‘Days of Our Lives’ Invite to Julia Roberts: ‘Come on By, Babe’
‘Days of Our Lives’ Exec Explains How They Fit John Oliver’s Guest Stint into Production When They Tape Almost a Year in Advance
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Are Michael and Willow Headed Back Into Each Other’s Arms?
‘Last Week Tonight’ Host John Oliver’s Role on ‘Days of Our Lives’ Revealed
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General Hospital1 week agoChris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan
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General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum, Chad Duell Releases New Music Track, ‘Static in the Quiet Room’
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All My Children1 week ago‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
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General Hospital1 week agoRyan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’
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All My Children1 week ago‘All My Children’ Revival Updates: Lifetime EVP Speaks on Why Proposed Movies are Great Fit, Mark Consuelos Wants To ‘Give Back’ to Fans
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News5 days agoB&B’s Crew Morrow Featured in Courtroom Thriller ‘Wildcards’ Set for Theatrical Release and Tour
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General Hospital6 days agoLaura Wright Signs New Contract with ‘General Hospital’
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoJean Lodge, British Actress and Mother of ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’s’ Charles Shaughnessy, Producer/Director David Shaughnessy, Dies at 99
