Michelle Stafford (Nina, GH) has released her latest installment of her vodcast, Single Mom A Go Go! This week her guest is none other than General Hospital favorite Ian Buchanan (Ex-Duke Lavery).
During the episode, Ian and Michelle discuss their enduring 20 year friendship. In addition topics range from: Ian’s motion picture, stage, and TV career, the life and times of Duke Lavery and working with Finola Hughes (Anna, GH), playing a ghost, Uber, love scenes, and more are bantered about.
Many GH fans miss Ian and wish he were back on the canvas. Can Anna ever have another love and bond as strong as she had with Duke? Let us know your thoughts on that, but now watch the latest Single Mom A Go Go after the jump.
I gotta say yes, Not a Robert/Anna shipper but didn’t Anna have a deep bond and love with Robert when Duke was alive and definitely after he died..Why act like Robert/Anna never happened or that we never seen Anna moved on from Duke..Yes, she can find love again if they just move her on and stopped acting like Duke was the only guy she ever loved.
Mysty…I agree It’s possible for Anna to have another “great love,” but he’s going to have to be one heck of a character and actor to follow Robert and Duke. No milk toast for her or Finola. Here’s hoping.
Dan
7 years ago
Ian is so classy and wonderful. Can we get him back on GH please? Right the terrible wrong that Ron Carlivati, the cartoon writer, committed in killing off a beloved legacy character like Duke Lavery. Even if Ian asked off the show at that time, there was no reason to kill off the character. They could have had Duke leave town. It was a stupid storyline and Julian still hasn’t paid for ordering the hit on Duke.
There are a countless number of characters running around Port Charles that no one cares about or has any connection to these days, how about bringing back a character that has connections and that people actually like? They brought back the actor that played Carlos and gave him another character, they’ve brought Michael Easton back how many times, no reason we can’t have Ian back.
It would be very easy to write. Duke didn’t die when we thought he did, he faked his death and went into hiding to protect Anna and avoid a mob war. Simple as that, took 5 seconds to write. Come on Frank and the powers that be, let’s get this done!
Dan…As many have said, it’s a soap and anything is possible, and more long term…not the drop in for five seconds when Vincent came back to play Carlos brother, Joe. Beside seeing Duke/Ian back for Anna it would be interesting to see him meet his son, Griffin.
JMER
7 years ago
Of course Anna will never have a bond with a romantic interest as strong as the one with Duke Lavery. They were a SuperCouple!! The fact of the matter is that Ian would have loved to stay, and they killed Duke off “to give Anna story.” And that didn’t turn into any kind of great story, because they’re too cowardly to make Julian pay any consequences AND the story viewers want to see is with Duke and Anna. So until they are willing to write a proper Duke & Anna Reunion, which RC never did, give them decent airtime with a story and make the Jeromes face consequences instead of treating them like they are some kind of Classic GH family (instead of the great nemesis of a Classic GH family), there is no point in bringing Ian back on the show. His being a ghost serves no one except to spike ratings for the short term. Why disappoint viewers again and cause even further erosion of viewer morale? Morale that has eroded incredibly during the Guza years and during the RC years. They brought him back as an apparition last May and a few viewers that weren’t 100% chased away by the previous actions tuned in and won’t fall for that again. It’s outrageous. None of the other soaps have refused to keep on any and all of the lead male characters from their highest rated era. With Tony Geary gone, there are no 80s male leads on the show to draw viewers in and no SuperCouples. I’m sure the producers of Days, Y&R and B&B, all must think FV is mediocre at his job.
Connor AvidSoapFan
7 years ago
This was my first time seeing and watching an episode of Michelle Stafford’s show, “Single Mom A Go-Go”, and my gosh… it was amazing. Love the friendship bond that Ian Buchanan and Michelle Stafford, herself, seem to have… it shows on this show too.
A couple of parts of this really stuck out to me;
First part: I agree with Michelle wholeheartedly when she brought up the fact that she doesn’t like that Duke Lavery was killed off of “General Hospital”. For one, because Ian is a really great actor and I as many others as well miss seeing him on daytime TV screens every weekday. But also, Michelle Stafford had breached into the part of the subject where… killing off legacy characters of an important television show, and those-said characters have been on the show for years on end, it is truly a dis-service to not just us fans and the actors and actresses themselves… but also it is a TRUE and UTTER dis-service to the HEART of a show that so many have invested their time in… It may prove that the “higher-ups” might not have as much of an investment as previous regimes have had that made the shows great and wonderful. I mean, really, they are always great and wonderful because really when it comes down to it all… no matter what happens on the soaps… that won’t push me to stop watching. Because it is called staying faithful to something that I know that I love, through better and / or for worse. I know that a lot of negative drama can be portrayed onto soap operas and TV Shows in general… but that’s what the heart of soap opera’s are. There is a good side and a bad side to all things in both REALITY LAND and REEL-ALITY LAND, and I have learned so much watching my favourite shows of all time.
I say bring Duke back in some way, shape, form. It IS doable. As we know, pretty much anything is possible in soap opera land. And keep him on for a good while (whatever contract negotiations would have to be planned and worked out and whatnot)… And just because if Duke were “to come back from the dead”, that does not necessarily mean that the character’s destiny is Anna’s character. Duke and Anna love each other, yes. But, I truly think that Anna’s one true and one great love… is Robert Scorpio. Home is where the heart is… and Anna’s heart, I feel, belongs to Robert. Anna would always carry a piece of Duke’s heart in her heart, for sure. But destiny for Anna is Robert. Duke could try and maybe get together with Bobbie maybe? That might be a good pairing… I’m almost positive neither character is biologically related. lol.
Looks like there is another new actor in the younger set on General Hospital. Tristan Riggs is taking over the role of Elizabeth Webber’s (Rebecca Herbst) son, Aiden.
Previously, Enzo De Angelis played the part of Liz and Lucky’s (formerly Jonathan Jackson) son since 2021. Soap Opera Digest confirmed that Riggs is now firmly in the part.
The switch happened on today’s Thursday May 2nd episode in scenes. Recently, Aiden came out as gay to him mom after admitting his interest in one of his classmates.
Photo: ABC
As Riggs begins in the part, it looks like Aiden is being bullied at school. Elizabeth is trying to get to the bottom of things and made an appointment with school counselors to find out what’s going on, after seeing his book bag had pink paint on it.
Riggs has been acting since he was 7-year-0ld and has appeared on the TV series Walker, True Lies and Best Foot Forward to name a few.
So, what do you think of Tristan Riggs as the new Aiden? Do you hope Aiden’s story becomes more front and center? Comment below.
Juliet Donenfeld is the Temporary Recast as General Hospital’s Georgie
May 2, 2024
Those who saw the GH preview for today’s May 2nd episode were a bit confused when they saw a young actress sitting with Lois (Rena Sofer) and Violet (Jophielle Love). As it turns out, that young girl is a recast Georgie.
Juliet Donenfeld is stepping into the role temporarily replacing Lily Fisher. As viewers know, Georgie is the young daughter of Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) named after Maxie’s sister, Georgie who passed away.
According to Soap Opera News, Fisher will be back soon in the part.
As for Donenfeld’s credits, she has appeared as JJ in the Netflix’s WWE series The Big Show Show, Better Call Saul, Good Girls, Station 19, and Sydney to the Max to name but a few.
In addition, Juliet became the youngest nominee for an Annie Award, gaining recognition for voicing the character of Sally Squirrel in the Animated TV/Broadcast Production of Pete the Cat.
Watch today’s GH teaser below, and let us know your thoughts about Juliet as a recast Georgie via the comment section below.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and 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).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
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 OurLives 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); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and 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, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
I gotta say yes, Not a Robert/Anna shipper but didn’t Anna have a deep bond and love with Robert when Duke was alive and definitely after he died..Why act like Robert/Anna never happened or that we never seen Anna moved on from Duke..Yes, she can find love again if they just move her on and stopped acting like Duke was the only guy she ever loved.
Mysty…I agree It’s possible for Anna to have another “great love,” but he’s going to have to be one heck of a character and actor to follow Robert and Duke. No milk toast for her or Finola. Here’s hoping.
Ian is so classy and wonderful. Can we get him back on GH please? Right the terrible wrong that Ron Carlivati, the cartoon writer, committed in killing off a beloved legacy character like Duke Lavery. Even if Ian asked off the show at that time, there was no reason to kill off the character. They could have had Duke leave town. It was a stupid storyline and Julian still hasn’t paid for ordering the hit on Duke.
There are a countless number of characters running around Port Charles that no one cares about or has any connection to these days, how about bringing back a character that has connections and that people actually like? They brought back the actor that played Carlos and gave him another character, they’ve brought Michael Easton back how many times, no reason we can’t have Ian back.
It would be very easy to write. Duke didn’t die when we thought he did, he faked his death and went into hiding to protect Anna and avoid a mob war. Simple as that, took 5 seconds to write. Come on Frank and the powers that be, let’s get this done!
Dan…As many have said, it’s a soap and anything is possible, and more long term…not the drop in for five seconds when Vincent came back to play Carlos brother, Joe. Beside seeing Duke/Ian back for Anna it would be interesting to see him meet his son, Griffin.
Of course Anna will never have a bond with a romantic interest as strong as the one with Duke Lavery. They were a SuperCouple!! The fact of the matter is that Ian would have loved to stay, and they killed Duke off “to give Anna story.” And that didn’t turn into any kind of great story, because they’re too cowardly to make Julian pay any consequences AND the story viewers want to see is with Duke and Anna. So until they are willing to write a proper Duke & Anna Reunion, which RC never did, give them decent airtime with a story and make the Jeromes face consequences instead of treating them like they are some kind of Classic GH family (instead of the great nemesis of a Classic GH family), there is no point in bringing Ian back on the show. His being a ghost serves no one except to spike ratings for the short term. Why disappoint viewers again and cause even further erosion of viewer morale? Morale that has eroded incredibly during the Guza years and during the RC years. They brought him back as an apparition last May and a few viewers that weren’t 100% chased away by the previous actions tuned in and won’t fall for that again. It’s outrageous. None of the other soaps have refused to keep on any and all of the lead male characters from their highest rated era. With Tony Geary gone, there are no 80s male leads on the show to draw viewers in and no SuperCouples. I’m sure the producers of Days, Y&R and B&B, all must think FV is mediocre at his job.
This was my first time seeing and watching an episode of Michelle Stafford’s show, “Single Mom A Go-Go”, and my gosh… it was amazing. Love the friendship bond that Ian Buchanan and Michelle Stafford, herself, seem to have… it shows on this show too.
A couple of parts of this really stuck out to me;
First part: I agree with Michelle wholeheartedly when she brought up the fact that she doesn’t like that Duke Lavery was killed off of “General Hospital”. For one, because Ian is a really great actor and I as many others as well miss seeing him on daytime TV screens every weekday. But also, Michelle Stafford had breached into the part of the subject where… killing off legacy characters of an important television show, and those-said characters have been on the show for years on end, it is truly a dis-service to not just us fans and the actors and actresses themselves… but also it is a TRUE and UTTER dis-service to the HEART of a show that so many have invested their time in… It may prove that the “higher-ups” might not have as much of an investment as previous regimes have had that made the shows great and wonderful. I mean, really, they are always great and wonderful because really when it comes down to it all… no matter what happens on the soaps… that won’t push me to stop watching. Because it is called staying faithful to something that I know that I love, through better and / or for worse. I know that a lot of negative drama can be portrayed onto soap operas and TV Shows in general… but that’s what the heart of soap opera’s are. There is a good side and a bad side to all things in both REALITY LAND and REEL-ALITY LAND, and I have learned so much watching my favourite shows of all time.
I say bring Duke back in some way, shape, form. It IS doable. As we know, pretty much anything is possible in soap opera land. And keep him on for a good while (whatever contract negotiations would have to be planned and worked out and whatnot)… And just because if Duke were “to come back from the dead”, that does not necessarily mean that the character’s destiny is Anna’s character. Duke and Anna love each other, yes. But, I truly think that Anna’s one true and one great love… is Robert Scorpio. Home is where the heart is… and Anna’s heart, I feel, belongs to Robert. Anna would always carry a piece of Duke’s heart in her heart, for sure. But destiny for Anna is Robert. Duke could try and maybe get together with Bobbie maybe? That might be a good pairing… I’m almost positive neither character is biologically related. lol.