General Hospital
General Hospital Alum Matt Cohen Let Go by ‘Entertainment Tonight’
Entertainment Tonight has undergone staffing cuts and layoffs that are affecting 10% of its workforce. One of those laid off was former General Hospital favorite, Matt Cohen (ex-Dr. Griffin Munro).
Matt has been the weekend anchor of Entertainment Tonight along with Nischelle Turner and Kevin Frazier. Cohen has been with ET since 2019. In addition to his weekend ET gig, he also appeared as a correspondent on the weekday show.
According to The Wrap, ET decided not to renew Cohen’s contract, as well as Will Marfuggi’s, who had been an on-air correspondent, previously with E! News. Just when Cohen and Marfuggi’s final ET appearances will happen has not been revealed.
General Hospital fans are aware that Cohen played Griffin from 2016-2019. His other acting TV credits include roles on: Supernatural, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders and How to Get Away With Murder.
Is that the GH seventh floor intercom we hear? “Calling Dr. Munro … Dr. Munro to the neurosurgery unit … STAT!”
Share your thoughts on ET’s decision to say goodbye to Matt, and if you would like to see him reprise his role on GH? Comment below.
Sure… bring Dr. Griffin back. Eventually Duke Lavery’s going to come back from the dead, and he should get to know his son.
And yes, Duke is down here. But he’ s got air conditioning, because he pretty much redeemed himself by the last time he got killed.
They had Anna sit with Duke’s corpse for hours until Liesl came in and told her it was time to move the body. In soap land, that’s dead-dead. It was also the third time the character was killed, another final nail.
And, despite his mob dalliances through the years, Duke was sure to take the UP elevator at the end. Even AJ and Connie went that way, too.
Griffin isn’t needed on the canvas. There’s a lot more legacy characters (pick any of Laura’s children) that need to come back before a tertiary character like Griffin.
Duke was really only killed once though. The warehouse explosion was obviously staged so he could go into “witness protection”. The Jonathan Paget thing was a real death, but when Duke came back a decade or so ago, he explained that Paget was an imposter.
So Duke’s only really died once. He’s practically a rookie in soap terms!
And yes, I’d take the Spencer kids over Griffin. But if they need some doctors on staff at GH, it’s better to bring back one you know than hire more newbies.
I wish he’d never left GH. ET has become a dreadful show, delivering images in one-second sound bytes; if you blink, you’re out of luck. They’re also devoted to chosen favorites like Rihanna, J-Lo, and those ubiquitous Kardashians. Meanwhile, legendary actresses like Olivia DeHavilland and Glenda Jackson, with 4 Oscars between them, pass away with very brief mentions. Matt always seemed forced, even phony (which seems to be a pre-requisite to those hosts), not comfortable. His Griffin character had become dull but I still hope he returns to daytime. Y&R sure needs some new man candy.
Bring him back for Maxie
Yes bring him back ,
PLEASE bring him back… he played a doctor and the show is called “General Hospital”
But we all know Sonny will get a new mob recruit before the hospital gets a new doctor or nurse..
Creative to make Finn co chef of staff and Elizabeth head nurse. A return to the days of “Steve and Audrey” almost.
I would LOVE to see him come back! We need a doctor of his caliber at GH. It would be interesting to see where he ends up and with whom. Ava and he have a ton of history, Maxie needs someone soon. What would it be like for Griffin and Spenelli to come face to face after Munro was with Ellie? Many, many possibilities. Make it happen TPTB at GH!
Here’s the obvious question… and it would apply to Lulu’s possible return as well as Griffin’s….
We know that the actors currently working on GH & other daytime shows are under a different contract through 2024, and therefore not directly impacted by the SAG-AFTRA strike. And we also know that some of these actors have supported the strike by joining the picket lines on their days off.
But is it considered “crossing the picket lines”, if an actor joined (or rejoined) a daytime show right now, since they were not previously under that contract?
Or is my undercaffeinated Devil brain giving too much thought to this question?
As the shows themselves are not being picketed and the current actors are either contractually bound or recur on a long term basis, someone (re)joining the show would not be considered a “scab”. Now, if I were an actor joining now, I wouldn’t flaunt that doing I’m doing daytime because I can’t currently do other work.
Breaking News
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.
Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.
A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”
In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.
Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.
We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.
What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.
Days Of Our Lives
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
On Thursday night May 16th, the daytime community comes together for Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer, streaming live at 8 pm ET/5pm PT.
Stand Up To Cancer, in collaboration with leading daytime community voices Michael Fairman and Alan Locher, are coming together for a first-of-its-kind livestream event, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
The three-hour benefit will feature stars from the world of daytime drama television past and present, musical performances, and stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer. Special celebrity guests will also join the effort to encourage viewers to support urgently needed research and new cancer treatments. You can watch live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, The Locher Room or the Stand Up To Cancer website.
In support of the event, SU2C will simultaneously launch a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for soap opera fans to bid on a wide range of items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of CBS’s The Young and the Restless and signed merchandsise from CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, at StandUpToCancer.org/DaytimeStandsUp.
As part of the event, you will hear, cancer survivorship stories from General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; and 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his battle with bladder cancer
Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden.
Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett.
Two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding Light / One Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keifer.
Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez.
Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton (General Hospital) Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, featuring Days of Our Lives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); Lesli Kay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (General Hospital); and Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
You can watch the Daytime Stands Up livestream below. Now let us know if you have a cancer story that has affected your life via the comment section below, or how a daytime TV character who went through a cancer battle, gave you strength and courage in your own journey.
General Hospital
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
General Hospital has yet another moment to cherish in their storied 61-year history. ABC Entertainment executives honored the daytime dramas cast and crew on May 10, 2024, by dedicating Stage 4, where the series is filmed as “The General Hospital Stage.”
ABC made the decision to acknowledge the show with the stage dedication last year, when it hit its 60th anniversary.
Network executive, Nathan Varni shared via Facebook, “This event was supposed to take place in April, 2023 but due to a multitude of reasons was postponed. Well, we finally celebrated the legacy and history of General Hospital with a stage dedication placard that will live on forever! Thanks to everyone involved with the show for all your hard work, dedication and passion for continuing to keep this show alive and running! Congrats to all involved! We deeply admire and appreciate everyone who works around the clock to bring this series to life 255 days a year!”
Photo: ABC
The stage dedication plaque reads: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL STAGE. IN HONOR OF THE ICONIC TELEVISION DRAMA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY. SERIES DEBUT APRIL 1, 1963.
Cast members who were in attendance to be part of the dedication included: Jane Elliot (Tracy), Kelly Monaco (Sam), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Donnell Turner (Curtis), Kristina Wagner (Felicia), Maura West (Ava), Brook Kerr (Portia), Kirsten Storms (Maxie), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), Chad Duell (Michael), Robert Gossett (Marshall), Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Josh Swickard (Chase), Jeff Kober (Cyrus), Hudson West (Jake) and Vernee Watson (Stella).
Photo: ABC
GH is not only the longest-running daytime soap on the air, but it is now longest-running scripted drama in all of television. The series continues to hold the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the Daytime Emmy Award a record 16 times. To date, GH has filmed over 15,468 episodes.
Share your congrats to GH for their stage dedication which will continue to preserve their legacy for years to come.
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
GH’s Wally Kurth on Ned’s Talk To Brook Lynn Before Walking Her Down the Aisle: “Everytime I Read it, I Choked Up. At Rehearsal, I Choked Up”
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
GH’s Nancy Lee Grahn Speaks Out for Jailed Former On-Screen Daughter, Haley Pullos
GH’s Amanda Setton Previews Brook Lynn & Chase’s Wedding: “It’s a Really Satisfying Payoff for the Fans”
Steve Burton Confirms New Relationship
TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’
Motion Picture Star Chris Hemsworth, a ‘Home and Away’ Alum, Defends Soap Operas, ‘It Used to Bother Me When Actors Would Later Talk About the Show with Guilt or Shame”
‘The Bold and the Beautiful Music from the Series Volume Two’ Released Featuring Dramatic Story Themes
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
Jensen Ackles to Make His ‘Tracker’ Debut
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General HospitalMay 10, 2024John J. York Back at General Hospital
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General HospitalMay 11, 2024GH’s Adam J. Harrington Reveals the Behind the Scenes Story of Becoming John “Jagger” Cates
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General HospitalMay 13, 2024GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: What Shocker Awaits at Chase and Brook Lynn’s Wedding?
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Days Of Our LivesMay 12, 2024Days of our Lives Favorite Judi Evans Shares Touching Remembrance of Son Austin on Mother’s Day
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General HospitalMay 9, 2024Giovanni Mazza Joins General Hospital as Brook Lynn’s Cousin
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NewsMay 8, 2024Y&R’s Zuleyka Silver Gets Engaged