General Hospital
ABC Issues Statement On The Passing Of Claire Labine

Courtesy/Alchestron
Over the weekend, the daytime community continued to mourn the passing of nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, Claire Labine (pictured far right, next to Kate Mulgrew (Ex-Mary, Ryan’s Hope).
This imaginative storyteller passed away at the age of 82. She leaves behind a list of some of the most touching stories in the history of soaps that audiences who love the genre will never forget. Most of Labine’s success in her career was with the ABC Television Network where she co-created Ryan’s Hope, wrote many of General Hospital’s most revered storylines, and more.
Now ABC has issued a statement on the passing of Claire Labine, and what she meant to the network’s success during the highpoint of its ABC daytime block of shows and more.
ABC: “We are sad to learn of the death of our friend and former colleague Claire Labine. As creator of Ryan’s Hope and head writer of both General Hospital and One Life to Live in the 90s, Claire was an imaginative storyteller who inspired hope and sparked conversations through her stories and characters paving the way for a new generation of writers who would follow in her footsteps. We are proud and honored she was a part of our ABC Daytime family. We send our deepest condolences to her family and those closest to her.”
Share your continued thoughts and condolences on Labine’s passing in the comment section. But first after the jump. watch the opening and closing credits of the premiere episode of Ryan’s Hope from 1975, Bobbie learning B.J. is brain dead from GH, as well as Alan telling Robin she is HIV positive, all part of the iconic stories from Labine.
One of the true greats of the soap genre. Her “Ryan’s Hope” was literate, witty and filled with dimensional, compelling characters. Then, later she saved GH and made it better than it had ever been (wish she was still here so she could do it again). She tried to fix OLTL in the 90s and GL in 2000, but was consistently undermined by the network know-nothings that were in charge. The soap industry needs more Claire Labines, writers with the same class, talent, integrity and heart (much like the late Agnes Nixon, another brilliant, irreplaceable gem). RIP.
OH so very sad–she was an amazing head writer and instilled a sense of realism into her stories.
This is the worst November of all time-Leonard Cohen, Leon Russell and Claire Labine have all died.
Ohhhhh…so sad and surprised at the passing of Leonard Cohen. Wish I’d had the opportunity to see him in concert. Hallelujah…
If there were more like Labine writing for daytime, maybe there would be more than 4 soaps still on the air. If anyone has not seen her work, I refer you to the following–(1) scene from RH between the show matriarch, Maeve Ryan, and show villainess, Rae Woodard, including in the 1981 Daytime emmy clips on youtube, (2) “Ryan’s Hope’s” last episode where Maeve sang ‘Danny Boy’ and everyone, in front of and behind the camera were in genuine tears. (3) From her ‘GH” days–Mary Mae Ward reciting a prayer (Grace Realized) to AIDS patient Stone and his girlfriend, Robin. Also, I vividly and fondly ALL the St. Patrick Day episodes on “RH.”
Claire was my cousin and that’s how I knew her. None of her success or fame was ever shown when we were with her. Rather an incredibly warm, considerate and funny human being who was as interested in our lives as though we were as important. She will be remembered!
I am very sorry to hear of the passing of your cousin, Steve. I know she is resting in peace.
You and your family must be very proud. Sorry for your loss…
So sad that such an iconic writer is gone. She added so much to the soap landscape with her memorable storylines.
One of the great story tellers and Ryan’s Hope was the first soap opera I got hooked on. It was great reliving Ryan’s Hope when SoapNet network was on the air. Rest in Peace and prayers to her family and friends.
It’s good to see that ABC acknowledged her. The Stone and Robin sl is still relevant and cutting edge today. It surprises me too. I would’ve loved to see similar statements made for head writers Norma Monty and Ann Marcus, two 80s writers that helped keep GH great. I suppose this is what we call progress for the network?
The photo used above comes from my interview with Claire Labine and Kate Mulgrew from 2011 which can be found here https://www.totallykate.com/labine/interview.html
TotallyKate.com webmaster
Claire wrote my absolute favorite era of “GH.” What a talent! Rest in peace, dear lady.
Mine too-Sonny, Brenda, Ned, Lois, Stone, The Q’s-all of my favorites, too!
The stories that Claire Labine wrote for GH in the 90’s are the stories that got me hooked on the show. Robin/Stone’s story along with Ned/Lois and Sonny/Brenda are still the gold standard for me of GH storytelling. Those stories will forever be in my heart. Rest in peace Claire, you gifted the viewers with tales that will last a lifetime.
What can I say? I am at a loss for words. This lady came up with some of the best stories in our history of soaps. Well miss you, Claire.
I am curious as to which new generation of writers who have followed in her footsteps they are referring to??
THANK YOU Miss Claire. RIP.
Claire Labine is one of my all time role models. She inspired me to focus on writing and she helped me become a better, more empathetic person through the stories she wrote. I was just a 15 year old boy when she captivated me as she began her tenure at GH. Through Ned and Lois’s romance (still my all time favorite pairing), Monica’s breast cancer, Stone and Robin’s story, the infamous Lucy/Damian “bet” – but most especially through BJ’s heart – Claire created GH’s true golden era. The BJ story remains the best story ever portrayed on daytime television in my opinion. I am so grateful for Claire’s storytelling. May she rest in peace.
Ms. Labine was truly one of the best. Ryan’s hope was a gem in a class by itself; Claire left her stamp with her inimitable writing/story telling style and creativity with quality par excellence in any project she wrote for or collborated on. Her story telling for General Hospital was soap at its best. She is irreplaceable and will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family including those of us in her soap family.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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