General Hospital
80's Soap Opera Drama in Development From John Stamos and Producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
80’s soap opera is making a comeback on cable TV with none other than former GH star John Stamos (Ex-Blackie Parrish).
Deadline is reporting that Stamos has partnered with producer Craig Zadan and Neil Meron for a cable drama series chronicling the fame and excess of daytime soaps in the 1980s.
The untitled drama, now in early stages of development, will be inspired by the experiences of Stamos, whose acting career was launched in 1982 when, at the age of 18, he landed the role of Blackie Parrish on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital.
Described as “Boogie Nights in the soap world,” the drama will explore the colorful and often dark world of soaps as it follows the journey of a young man thrust into soap stardom, during a decade defined by Reaganomics, greed, excess, indulgence and materialism. As a newly minted teen idol, he will struggle to balance his family life, working at his fathers restaurant and maintain his humble upbringing while navigating the temptations of sex, drugs and fame.
Stamos will executive produce alongside Zadan and Meron through the duo’s Storyline Entertainment. This is the latest collaboration for Stamos, Zadan & Maron who previously teamed to produce the Emmy-nominated miniseries Beach Boys: An American Family and the TV movie, Martin and Lewis.
Zadan and Meron are prepping their next NBC musical, Hairspray Live! and are working with Aaron Sorkin for NBC’s first live drama, a 2017 broadcast of A Few Good Men.
The news of this 80’s soap opera themed concept is not the first of its kind. GH’s Kimberly McCullough has also been hard at work at her “Hey Day” project which is about a young actress trying to make it in the soaps during this decadent decade.
What do you think of the 80’s soap build around the life and times of a young man influenced by Stamos’ early soap career? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
it sounds like must see tv to me, this is a great idea, and if its on cable then it can be more racy, a behind the scene of a soap, w/ a hot young new comer, drugs, excess, fame, if done right it could be juic;y.!
love it , good writing, acting and creativeness is better then these stupid reality shows.
Really? This is basically the idea Kimberly McCullough had years ago. Come on now…
What would be truly wonderful is if they could get some actual soap stars to be in this soap. What are Kim Zimmer or Erika Slezak or Susan Lucci doing??? How about Robert Newman or Matthew Ashford??? Hey a soap fan can dream can’t he???
Zimmer and Newman are doing off broadway now. Lucci just finished Devious Maids (she would be PERFECT.) Ashford is on The Bay now on Amazon but actors these days can pull double duty.
I love John…and I love this news. What I don’t love is his Julius Caesar hair cut/do. All he needs is a circlet of laurel leaves.
Too funny, CeeCee!!!! Speaking of coiffures, what did you think of Scotty and Julian’s dueling examples of bad hair days on Thursday’s GH episode? As they stood side-by-side in the jailhouse, it was all I could do to stifle my laughter at these overgrown boys with the juvenile-looking top thatches!
HaHa, Shay. I think Scotty’s hair ‘swings’ that way naturally. On him, it looks cute in a boyish -kind-of -way…it suits him.
Julian’s? So not natural !!
Cee, John is so handsome he could have a mohawk and the chicks would still be dialing his digits!
SMH…I don’t get it..I truly don’t.
This show sounds almost identical to the show that Kimberly McCullough has been promoting. Coincidence? Hmm.
I was thinking the exact same thing as you.
Where was he when GH needed some support for their 50th anniversary show.
Suddenly Blackie Parrish is important to him. I did not know who John Stamos was before he was Blackie Parrish.
I will support Kimberly 100% but not Stamos, I will not be watching.
Um, remember a movie called Soapdish? Same concept.
No one will be watching. Because no one cares about daytime soap operas any more.
Yup, Stamos ripped off McCullough.
Yelp!!!! A total rip-off. Why did his project get approval and not Kimberly MCcullough?
It would be great if the series was broadcast in daytime instead of prime time. Late afternoon would be preferable.
just shows the inequality in the entertainment business when JS can hook up with producers and get a concept similar to what KMc has been working on without a struggle while Kimberly has to first make a pilot and then sell it on her own with no backing
I’d like to check this out. Soaps were so great in the 80’s and early 90’s, this sounds fun.
I hope it works out for John. I would tune in. I hope it catches on and he sticks it to Valentini for not including Blackie on the 50th anniversary program!.
Hi, my Timmmy.
Why was John called Blackie? Was there a story behind that name? I must look him up. I don’t like doing it, though.
Was he ‘attached’ to a core family? I just know him as “Uncle Jesse”….. Love that show; even as an adult.
Later, Timmmy.
I understand that they call him Blackie because of his jet black hair.
@Sly.
Hey, Sly,
Thank you. Smiles!!
Dealing with the hurt and of Laura missing, Leslie and Rick Webber adopted Blackie Parrish. I dont ever know that anyone questioned why he was called Blackie? You think the Webbers would have asked when he was adopted what his real name is? I dont know. Its like Valerie Spenser. She is half black but not ONE character has asked her why she has color? DUMB!
I forget what program I was watching, but John Stamos himself said that he was invited for the 50th, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from going back to GH. He said he wanted to do it.
Thats cool to hear. One gold star for Mr. Valentini.
I’d much rather see current soaps return to 80’s style storytelling.
If I remember correctly, Stamos’s previous series ‘Grandfathered’ (FOX) was cancelled after just one season. Y-e-p.
Sexism in tv world. Kimberly and John had both same ideas. Kimberly had it first and gets shot down. A male John has same idea and gets a pilot .
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Brook Lynn Gets a Shock from Jude, Nina Gets a Reprieve, and Ava’s in the Hot Seat

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital airing October 26-30, a secret relationship is revealed, a new lead on the case of the missing Brennan (Chris McKenna), and a knock on the door that may alter the life of Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) happiness take center stage!
In the just released GH spoilers video for the week, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) gets an eyeful when he walks into the Quartermaine stables and finds Rocco (Finn Carr) kissing his sister, Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi). Things have already soured between the “brothers” as Jason (Steve Burton) tells his son, “You and Rocco can’t be so quick to throw that kind of friendship away.”
Meanwhile at the PCPD, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) is going over the case of MIA former WSB former Port Charles bureau chief, Jack Brennan with Joe (Jonathan Bennett). When Dante asks what leads he may have, Joe shares, “Ava Jerome.”

Courtesy/ABC
Just then, Agent Baines (Alimi Ballard) is seen sitting in a dimly lit room with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros). Viewers have not seen Nina, since the WSB whisked her away presumably to Steinmauer, because they believed she was the culprit who did away with, or caused, the disappearance of Jack Brennan after Drew (Cameron Mathison) framed her.
Now, Baines says to Nina, “We may have rushed to judgment.” Does this mean, Nina could be sent back to Port Charles, if everyone now zeroes in on Ava (Maura West)?
Then, in the shocking conclusion of the video preview, Brook Lynn opens the front door of the Quartermaine mansion to find Jude (Wil Traval) standing there with a demand! “I’m here to see my daughter,” he tells BLQ as she looks stunned.
Will it turn out the Jude is the biological father of baby Phoebe, and if so, what his relationship to Hudson Parker (Troy Lennon Appel), who viewers recall beat up Ethan Lovett over the little girl? Stay tuned!
SPOILERS
Now below, check out the official GH spoilers for the action this week in Port Charles.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Carly and Valentin take on a new mission. Jason issues a warning to Willow. Curtis gets bad news. Scout and Rocco’s secret is at risk. Lulu doesn’t like what she hears about Charlotte.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Sonny confronts Alexis. Portia comes to Ava’s rescue. Dante worries that Gio is headed for heartbreak. Scout opens up to Drew. Danny issues an ultimatum.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Ava lawyers up. Dante defends Lulu. Britt’s news stuns Willow. Carly shares her suspicions. Tracy drops a bombshell.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
The Quartermaines are rocked. Anna has a breakthrough. Tracy prepares for battle. Joe questions Carly. Ric makes a request of Alexis.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Jason grills Josslyn. Dante and Elizabeth are shaken. Danny makes a confession. Trina and Emma are alarmed. Lulu gets disappointing news.
Now below, watch the latest GH promo entitled, “Secrets Come Home.”
So, do you think Nina comes back to Port Charles and the WSB takes Ava into custody? Do you think Jude will prove he is the biological father and takes baby Phoebe away from Brook Lynn? Who actually killed Jack Brennan? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.
Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.
On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Photo: ABC
A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES
As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.
Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’ I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”
The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.
Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC
HUDSON AND JOSSLYN
Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”
Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”
The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”
Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.
Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.
The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.
As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Photo: UncleVinnie’s
Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.
SAM AND LUCKY
It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.
Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”
In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.
Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.
So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.
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