Never say never, esspecially if you are Tonja Walker! The actress who returned to her old stomping grounds at General Hospital decades later has apparently concluded her time in Port Charles for now reprising her role as Olivia Jerome.
Walker took to her facebook to reveal she has completed her time on the ABC daytime drama series noting she is airing through mid-March.
Tonja stated: “Last week on GH for awhile! Hope to be back. Air thru mid March. Thanks for writing Nathan Varni, Producers, writers and Soap Press for so long to help make this time possible for Me! Keep watching! It gets better all the time!!”
So will Olivia cause more havoc and then get run out of Port Charles or disappear, or get put behind bars, or go further insane? Share your thoughts on what will go down on GH as we go through February and head into March? Do you think Tonja will get a chance to reprise the role of OJ once again? Comment below
That was fast. I was hoping she would put Sonny out of business.
su0000
7 years ago
Sonny should shoot her dead… She murdered his son..
but-
these love-in writers are too mushy to kill anyone..
Anyways– she said ”Hope to be back” so she won’t be killed-off..
It runs through mid March, so hopefully I will , by a miracle, get my Sonny back the real Sonny !!
(( Valentin anything and all is what is mostly keeping me from a FF freak out LOL
hey CC !
Lucifer Morningstar is gone until May 🙁
Valentin should be GH’s Mr Morningstar !!! Now, that would be awesome!
I don’t know if it’s her bad, unflattering hair cut or just the fact that I have been in a bad mood for the last 12 weeks or so, but I just don’t care about Olivia J.
Why would you say mean things about someone’s hair? Kindness is important, are you in a bad mood because someone’s saying unkind things about your looks?
For the record, Tonya Walker looks amazing and she is damn ageless.
She’s also a real power house of an actress. I really love her.
But I don’t like the hair style and as I admitted, I have been in a bad mood as of late and don’t really like anything.
Hi Addison ,
I think she was attempting to go for the Megyn Kelly look … LOL
dunno– But- you were not ‘mean’ – hairstyles can be controversial.
((doesn’t the GH makeup and hair people have their opinions, too?))
Okay, su….Sonny wants revenge ….”…she murdered his son”.
So, now you tell me… Who should shoot Sonny “dead” for murdering AJ? Monica?
Too much violence. Sonny, Ava, Julian etc. all belong in jail.
Sonny cannot have his cake and eat it, too.
Kat Hilderbrand
7 years ago
I really had hoped for a longer run, but I am glad to see her at GH. Loved her on OLTL. She is an amazing and talented actress!
I welcome you, Tonja….not only because of your superior acting; but also because you are a piece of the fabric that was OLTL.
I am confident you will deliver your best….no doubt about it.
…oh, and your hair looks fantastic!! You could be bald and it would not take away from your beauty!!!! Salut!
Tonja, if you come back on and read this, have always loved you on the different soaps and think they are NUTS to get rid of you again on “GH” – I thought Olivia should have been brought back THE SECOND the Jerome’s returned to the canvas in 2013. Hopefully I will get to meet you at a fan club event someday, come to the Miami / Ft. Lauderdale area and I will be first in line.
Allan
7 years ago
Here’s hoping Tonja returns… I love her return as Olivia.
Max Daddee
7 years ago
Well that certainly was brief. Tonya didn’t even get time to sit down and take her shoes off. I think they’ll figure out who she is and then she’ll blow town. Frankly, in the short time she’s been back, her role’s been dull on one hand, since she’s behind closed doors and lame. Lame from the perspective of her being Alexis’ AA sponsor. Whoever dreamt that one up…we’ll let’s just say pitiful…look forward to this storyline being ditched.
She’s her sponsor for a reason…not because she wants to help Alexis. She’s planted herself as someone for Alexis to lean on….and to keep a choke-hold on Julian. Actually, I thought it was a brilliant maneuver!
We don’t know how her “visit” will turn out yet, Rose. Two things:
The return was needed to provide an explanation for Julian’s abrupt 360 from loving husband to psycho husband. (Whether viewers want to buy it is at their own discretion. I do.)
As for her visit being bland…we still have about six weeks more of Olivia Jerome as she appears thru mid March. So, let’s see if it picks up. (Personally, I’m enjoying her. I like watching her…though sometimes her expressions remind me of the parodies on SNL…she’s subtle and at the same time over the top.) Still, glad to see her!
There are stunts, fights , suspense, comedy so much to come and a HUGE surprise. I had to squeeze in 30 episodes in a short time. Still here. Still shocked at all the action. Just wait.
Looking forward to it Tonya!! I have enjoyed so far and am looking forward to what is to come!! There are so many complainers on these boards but there are more of us fans who are enjoying every show!! 🙂
Hi, Max,
With all due respect, I disagree…just a bit, LOL.
For those of us who are not versed in the ‘life’ of GH, I find all these little references to the past, very interesting.
Duke’s ‘tucked away’ picture, for instance, which Olivia guards sooo possessively and lovingly, piqued my interest. Don’t misunderstand….I am no fan of Duke, but the ‘untold’ story opens many doors for me….especially where Anna is concerned. I would love to walk through a few of those doors.
The “sponsor” story ? Well, I took as as a ruse. There needed to be a way for Olivia and Julian to communicate outside of her sepulchre, of sorts; ( housing pictures of her dead lover?); her safe, yet hauntingly weird, place. I only feel sorry for Alexis….strange that an attorney of her caliber does not see through the mise en scene. Blame it on the residuals of her bout with inebriation? …..
……which brings me to this question: why doesn’t anyone recognize Olivia?
Hi Celia, Olivia’s becoming Alexis’ AA sponsor was of course a strategic move. But, lame, I think from the perspective of, it’s pretty far-fetched from something that could really happen. Olivia, whose been tucked away, suddenly infiltrates an AA group to the point of being considered qualified to be a sponsor. I have no personal AA history, but I would think you’d be lined up as a sponsor to a new member after having been in AA for some time and after building up some credibility. All that doesn’t fit…doesn’t make sense from a perspective of realism.
Good point about no one recognizing Olivia.
But, Tonya Walker’s indicated there is much more to come as things unfold, so I am definitely looking forward to that.
Hi Max…I looked up how long it takes to become a sponsor…could be wrong because I didn’t read it thoroughly but it appears (from my quick glance) that there are no rules as to when someone can become eligible to become a sponsor. So, it that is so, it makes sense that Olivia has known for some time that Alexis has a drinking problem and she’s been gathering info from Julian, etc. So, she put herself in a few meetings (which we can assume took place off camera) and voila…Alexis’s sponsor.
As for no one recognizing her, yes, it’s kind of silly but they did make a point of saying several times that there’s no one left who would recognize her…I’m assuming Anna and Sonny would???? Not sure who else…
@Paul.
Hey, Paul,
Celia Q? …not familiar with her. Was she as nice as the name? LOL.
Yeah, it blows the mind, Paul, how the writers do not think of these minute, huge details.
LOL, Max…I get your point. I have no experience with AA either, and, of course, you are right. It is ridiculous, is it not? How does one just walk in, and become a sponsor? But, you are thinking with a full deck….these writers are not, or so it seems. They write for Kindergarteners.
Reason, and compos mentis are temporarily tucked away somewhere.
This is the very wrinkled and weak product—-incredulous, as you say. I have said this many times before. Some storylines do truly intrigue me–very rarely…..if you throw realism out the window.
And, at the risk of sounding repetitious, I, too, am looking forward to what’s coming down the pike–or, should I say, I-95, LOL.
By the same token, I do not relish another one of Sonny’s weasely, vengeful raids storming PC, nares flaring and blowing fire. Ugh.
The big man will take on a woman. What a novel-Sonny idea!
Thanks for the reply, Celia, your name is reminding me of Sherilyn Wolter (ex-Celia Quartermaine),LOL. Besides not (yet) taking advantage of an Anna face-off,”Liv” walked right through the hospital yesterday – how I WISH Bobbie or Monica got a look at her, LOL.
Alan
7 years ago
Not surprised. Every second of screentime she was given was cutting into the show’s celebration of all things Sonny…
yes, we can’t have anyone take anything away from saintly sonny. Why can’t that man take a break, maybe then we could have a different and much needed focus on this show.
LOL, Alan. Soooo true and soooo ‘everything Sonny’ and his upside-down ‘philosophy’.
JasonLovesGH
7 years ago
What a damn shame! Seriously? 🙁
John
7 years ago
She’s fabulous!!!
davlestev1
7 years ago
That was fast
Barb
7 years ago
Today her character revealed that she knows everything going on at GH, since she has hacked into the security cameras– where were these cameras when Paul and Heather were running around the hospital killing people? It is great to see Tonja, but I am beyond fed up with the writing on the show. Yes it is a soap and I can suspend disbelief to the nth degree but I don’t feel respected as a viewer in the slightest.
I am sick of Nelle-the pacing of her twisted revenge plot has been pathetic-and today her hiding her stupid bra– When Carly first came to GH with her twisted revenge plot- it was delicious and exciting and I looked forward to each day. When I read in an interview on this site with the writers saying they didn’t know who the hospital killer was going to be- then slapped it on Paul-and Heather-who takes the rap for everything now but we don’t get to see her scheming and manipulations in pulling off any clever crimes-oh hell no!
This is February sweeps and so far I could care less. I hope things improve. I don’t miss Luke Spencer one iota since his departure and the show did not stop without him- perhaps Sonny and Carly could take a long vacation…
Been there, done that, Shaun. Alexis is still sooo vulnerable, right now…..Julian is bad news, no matter how hard the PTB manipulate the writing. He will be the death of her. And, as we have seen, sometimes there are worse things than death when it comes to Julian….such as breathing the same air as he.
She needs someone who can ease her problems, not add to them.
She better not go back to him…LOL.
It sounds like they’re not killing her off again. I’d rather have her than WdW. Hopefully before she goes there’s some good scenes with Anna and Lucy.
Jelly has been using some of the vets very well recently. Monday’s show prominently featured characters who debuted over 20 years ago. They don’t have to be front and center all the time, but when characters like Bobbie and Felicia are more than just window dressing in a group scene, it pays off.
So agree! Love Bobbie and Felicia’s way of finding the truth about Nelle. I know they aren’t vets, but I even liked the charade Sam, Jason and Sonny set up in the hospital for Julian to hear.
Thanks for the reply, Steve. Besides the writers not (yet) taking advantage of “Liv’s” face off with Anna, loved how she just walked right through the hospital yesterday – how I wish Bobbie or Monica got a look at her, LOL.
Oh and yes, I certainly remember Olivia trying to reform at the “end” their in ’90 with Colton, maybe Scott Thompson Baker (ex-Colton) didn’t want to come back this time around or the writers didn’t want to go THERE. Colton and Olivia in their few months together were 10 times more interesting that all that time with him and Felicia, zzzzzzzzzzzz, LOL.
Paul,
You’re so right in pointing out how dull Colton and Felicia were together. He lacked the fun of Frisco and the genuine warmth of Mac. However, I would watch Colton and Felicia any day over the second-worse near coupling in GH history — the cringeworthy attempted pairing of Luke and Felicia (that made me stop watching for a while.)
BTW – the worst near coupling was Sonny and Emily. That had me wanting to throw things at the tv.
Paul
7 years ago
More February stunt casting. Seriously, wouldn’t it be better to try and lure NEW viewers as opposed to the viewers who once watched, who come back to see what the old characters are up to and then Sign off the show when they see how dull the program is every day.
I’m one of those viewers that “once watched” regularly so I mistakenly tune in when they bring back historical characters. I’m duped every time, because every time those characters are sacrificed for Sonny and Carly.
Mary SF
7 years ago
She was just a plot device to redeem Julian to some extend– by having him kill Carlos and then try to kill his wife they had to do something to humanized him again– so the dragged his poor dead sister out of the closet, made her super “evil” so Julian can play the hero and “save” his family– see he ain’t a bad guy, just misunderstood– gag me with a spoon– honestly how dumb do these writers think we are– they should have NEVER had him kill Carlos in the first place–or had pull a knife on Alexis— and frankly I would have more impressed by the standard “evil twin” did those horrible things than this lame story to redeem a man who in the old days of soap telling who have met a terrible end for the horrible things he did.
Hi Mary. I said the same thing above as to WHY she was brought back. Difference is….I appreciate the way they’re turning Julian back into a good guy.
Whether it was their plan all along or whether they realized they’d backed themselves into a corner, they needed to have a plausible excuse and in the world of soaps, this cuts it for me. I love Julian the character and Will he actor so I appreciate a way out for Julian.
I know many want characters to pay. Julian did…and he’s still paying and keeping quiet to protect everyone. So, once again (and I know we’re all different regarding how much we’ll buy the twists and turns on soaps) I’m willing to go with the flow. Not sure how long it will take or IF Julian and Alexis will get back together but I think they’re easing the characters into a new trust.
I know I say this alot but it’s a soap. If everything/everyone was cut and dry there’d be no “continuing” story.
Didn’t I hear Victor also has a notorious background with someone called Julia? And he’s still around. My gut is that Julian will finally stick up for Alexis this time, whether they get back together or not.
Rebecca, Rose is talking about Y&R’s Victor Newman.
A long time ago he locked his wife’s lover in his private underground jail cell and I think, but am not sure, he locked his wife in there too. He kind of tormented the hell out of Julia in a really sadistic kind of way.
If you watched the Y&R repeat from 1983, you will see Victor and Julia cheek kissing at his wedding reception which followed.
Rebecca…Funny story while I’m convalescing in hospital. One of mr nurses saw me on MF and “confessed” to bing a Y&R fan since she was 16. She mentioned that I should look up Victor and Julia story from years ago where he was dragging her somewhere in a cage.
Ah…thanks Add and Rose. I know the character from my very few views of Y&R but I wasn’t familiar with Julia. So I kinda thought you were referring to Y&R…and then I started wracking my brains out trying to think if there was ever a Victor & Julia on GH! LOL…
Rose…I hope you’re doing better and will be out and about soon!
dante williams
7 years ago
I was hoping they would switch her in and the other Olivia could leave or change her name, lol. I wish there was a family that provided a legitimate threat for Sonny and co. I want to see a new female mob boss. I wanted to see Ava take her turn just to see how she would do in Sonny’s shoes and he could even be an advisor despite the fact that they hate each other. I hate the fact that Ava has visitation when Sonny is a freaking mob boss with enough blood on his hands that he should never see the light of day again, but I never cared about that because when they wrote him better I actually cared about him, but the way they write him and Carly you don’t even feel bad when Morgan explodes because the whole family is annoying and deserve a peg knocked down or two (like Tom Brady and the patriots but that’s another story.) I hope Olivia stays alive and just leaves town for a while, because I want the Jerome family to be just as strong as the Corinthos, considering they predate Sonny by a decade.
dante williams
7 years ago
This was a perfect opportunity to bring back Duke because his son walking around makes no sense, no matter how hot he is. I love Tonja Walker hopes she returns or ends up on another soap.
4ever DAYS
7 years ago
Is Tonja Walker related to Nancy Grace? Unchain the lawyers!
Nancy Grace isn’t even a fraction as pretty as Tonja….great characterization; but, that’s as far as it goes. Besides, Nancy Grace is cold, unmoving….not cool.
Crimson151
7 years ago
No offense to the actress but I am happy to see her go. Olivia Jerome is not scary, not interesting and is eating up air time that is already scarce. She is Ava Lite to me.
tsuds
7 years ago
what the ??????????????? GH… I am trying to watch you but questioning too much your writing abilities…………
Joel
7 years ago
This was way too brief! I do hope Olivia shares scenes with her old rivals, Anna and Lucy, before this ends in mid-March. If only exposing Nelle went this fast, but at least we get to see more of Bobbie and Felicia!
Should not have said my last week was this week taping. I shot 7 shows a week and there is tons of story left that will knock your socks off. Guaranteed You ain’t seen nothing yet.
How wonderful to see your personal reply, Tonja! I’m so happy to hear this, as I’ve been a fan of yours through Capitol, GH, and OLTL. I met you once in a mall in MD in 1994, and our picture was posted in a soap magazine. You are such a phenomenal actress and gracious person. I look forward to more Olivia and can’t wait to see you cross paths with Anna and Lucy, as well as meeting Ava!
Again…a lot of these folks did not take the time to read that it was just your last week of taping not airing. I understood exactly what you meant and will look forward to the rest of your scenes! It has been great to have you back on GH and hopefully you will be coming back often! Fingers crossed…
Can’t wait! Still so stunning after all these years!
Robert
7 years ago
I am disappointed that was way to brief. I was hoping Olivia would turn into a second coming of Helena.
Lori
7 years ago
What ! No, I have questions that need answers. They aren’t using her to their advantage.
Tonja Walker is so good at being bad. She plays the sarcastic b&%#h better than anyone, she had me laughing all the time on OLTL.
I loved the flash back scenes with Anna. They both have aged beautifully. It’s wonderful to be able to tap into the shows history for all of us lifetime fans.
Hopefully she will be popping up often to cause years and years of chaos for us all to enjoy.
Rodd
7 years ago
I’m surprised this is wrapping so quickly, but there’s just something about the way she’s playing Olivia J. that irritates me; so I’m glad to see her go. Is it just me or does it seem like she isn’t prepared for her scenes? She’s constantly looking to the side, pausing and then saying a line or two. I’m waiting for eye contact with her scene partner for more than two seconds so it proves to me she knows what she’s supposed to say next. ~ Do they even use teleprompters any more? ~ I don’t know what’ she’s doing but I don’t care for it, so I won’t miss her. Sorry.
elm1951
7 years ago
olivia jerome has another month on screen and i am sure she has some interesting scenes coming up – she hasn’t run into anna yet………………..
James R. Poissant
7 years ago
I thought this would go on for a while. I even thought that somehow, she was the key to having Duke show up alive so Julian could get off the hook for his death. Hopefully they have more planned for Olivia.
Joe
7 years ago
The writers of GH never cease to disappoint me. As much as I hate to say it, it usually starts at the very top….Frank Valentini. They really don’t know what the fans want. There is so much potential with Olivia Jerome. Start with her mutual hate for Anna. I wanted to se that fight get started. I also thought Griffin would have turned out to be Olivia’s son with Duke. There was a time when she had ties with Scotty. Whatever. They say GH is getting better. It’s really not. Storytelling is too inconsistent and characters come and go before you can even like them. I’ve been watching for 38 years. I can truly say GH has seen its best days. That’s obvious considering they keep bringing back the characters of the past.
Timmm
7 years ago
Take Lisel with you! Too cartoonish, the both of them!
No way. Both are great characters and actresses that shine.
Iakovos
7 years ago
Wow, fast! I would like GH to clean house and focus. been an issue for me for some time. I would like to see some of my old ABC faves again, but not everyone can come to Port Charles. It is done at the expense of solid story. There should be maybe eight forefront characters. Give them sustained almost daily presence supported by maybe a dozen more characters and some related plots for them. Right now, I find it difficult to care about anyone despite the talents and power performances.
Tasha jones
7 years ago
I love her! Can’t wait for her and Ava to go at it!
But has anyone thought about a possible plot twist ?
What if she turns out to be Griffins bio mom?
Celia
7 years ago
No, not mean, just cranky, a’ la Harry; where there’s only one version. His!! LOL.
Hello again, Celia: Celia was a Quartermaine cousin that was having an affair with Jimmy Lee Holt (Steve Bond), the late Edward’s illegitimate son. They were not related though (I don’t think, LOL). OF COURSE Monday will be a near miss of Anna and Olivia at the hospital, but at least they did another flashback of those two and are acknowledging the past again. Saw that you didn’t watch Tonja as Olivia during her first run from ’88-’90 – you missed some GOOD stuff. It all “ended” when Julian (then Jason Culp) shot her “dead” in the courtroom.
Thank you for replying, Paul. You’re such a nice guy. I regret not watching many soaps, Paul. But, in ’88, I was 2 years old, LOL. Yet, I am well-versed on many defunct and existing soaps, as my grandmother is a walking soap opera encyclopedia….lucky me.
Unfortunately, GH was not in her ‘repertoire’; thus, I did not watch it either until recently, albeit, as I said, I was familiar with Alex Olanov’s avant-guard stance on OLTL.
I welcomed the flashback between Olivia and Anna…..it gave me a chance to feel the rancor between these women. There is so much I do not know….but, you are a good ‘informant’, LOL. I do appreciste it, Paul.
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.
