General Hospital
ABC Vice-President Daytime & Syndication Lisa Hackner OUT!
Courtesy/Brodcasting&Cable
After her most recent foray into daytime FABLife failed, ABC Daytime & Syndication head Lisa Hackner has been fired by ABC. Hackner had joined the network in 2013 after developing and launching show’s for Telepictures including daytime’s: Tyra Banks Show, TMZ, and the early exited Bethenny and Anderson Cooper talk series.
According to Variety, Hackner being let-go is also part of a major west coast restructuring of the department that includes 5 to 10 staffers following the dissolution of FABLife. Some staffers were offered other opportunities within the company, but Hackner. She’s “unlikely” to stay though the transition, says a source, and elected to leave the company. During her time of roughly three years at ABC, Hackner did not develop or bring about any successful new programs, which sources say led to her departure.
Hackner’s departure comes after the exit earlier this year of ABC entertainment president Paul Lee, to whom she reported. Lee was let go out in February, replaced by the network’s drama chief, Channing Dungey.
For General Hospital fans, a lack of a strong lead-in or lead-out support for the series has affected the enduring soap opera’s ability to expand their numbers in a more efficient way. With CBS Daytime having a solid programming block, it would behoove the network to find a suitable series that would help drive additional tune-in, since shows from The Revolution, to Katie, to FABLife have been busts.
Share your thoughts on Hackner’s ouster in the comment section below!
Bring back one life to live nothing has worked. Admit you made mistake. All will be
Forgiven
My feelings exactly!
With all the problems ABC is having with Prospect Park;expand GH 1/2 hour using character owned by ABC from Ryan’s Hope.
How about making GH a 1/2 show and remake Edge of Night.
Yeah, that’s karma.
Bummer…….maybe ABC…..SHOULD STOP WITH THE REALITY & TALK SHOWS…
Reality shows give me indigestion. I used to watch AMERICAN IDOL…… Now, I watch THE VOICE , and HG-TV.
It would be a gift from the soap gods if OLTL or AMC were brought back. Only in my dreams??
I only watch GH on ABC. The network can’t even have any decent primetime dramas.
As if Daytime fans needed another sign that proves that ABC should never have cancelled All My Children and One Life to Live. Since 2012, every program they’ve tried to fill the void by these two shows has failed, save for The Chew, which isn’t totally awful. But if it was ever clearer that ABC doesn’t know how to manage it’s Daytime line-up, and made a huge error by axing AMC and OLTL, it’s now.
However, most of the blame for GH’s ratings has to go to the show not being very good right now. Aside from a few stories, GH is boring, and that’s something that was never an issue under Ron C or even Guza. Yes, the mob was focused on way too much, and the ratings sunk to abysmal lows by the end of Guza’s tenure. And Ron’s final year at the writing helm was rough, to say the least. But at least the show had some intrigue and excitement, and didn’t feel like a chore to watch.
Now, under Jean and Shelly, stories are dragged out far too long and don’t have enough twists and surprises in store to keep fans interested. And the focus of these stories is around newbie characters that most fans either don’t like or don’t care about. That’s not the way to bring in more viewers, it’s the way to alienate long time viewers and get them to turn off the show.
GH didn’t feel like a chore to watch in RC’s last year?! Says you! Watching GH in RC’s last year was an exercise in not feeling completely insulted the writing was so bad. Maybe that crap worked on OLTL, but GH was a deeply dramatic show, not a comic book. Guza was a good writer until Jill Farren Phelps got the helm as EP and didn’t rein him in. Now the writing has no structure and is worsened by an EP who has to hire every last friend he ever had once they are on the street.
GH needs to do three things. 1. Cull the cast, by anywhere from 8 to 12 characters. Then, use the proceeds to 2. hire a continuity supervisor and 3. hire a strategic story consultant. Frank doesn’t have the talent or the vision to bring this show back from the brink.
You said this better than I could have.
I stopped watching June 2015 because I could no longer take Ron’s “writing”. Brilliant ideas scuttled by his own ego and no one there to rein him in just like no one could rein in Guza.
There needs to be a strong Producer who really understands story structure and how to pace things… how to have some fun, have some drama, take a few chances, but not veer off into crazy town too many times (I mean, crazy Heather and crazy Dr. O are fun once in awhile, but too much and they not only lose their edge/effectiveness, but they just become “too much”. Dr. O becoming head of the hospital was… really not good for this show.
I have lurked here for the past year hoping to find something to lure me back but haven’t heard anything here that I feel like I’ve missed.
I say – restructure GH (again! ugh) with a pared down cast and attention (but not slavish attention) to past continuity…. and then bring back OLTL on a trial basis – six months beginning to end and see how it does. I realize that the sets are probably gone but there are plenty of ways around that (lots of fires – a ‘who is the arsonist’ storyline would be a great jumping off point). Introduce some cross over characters in Llanview from AMC, Ryans Hope and Edge of Night and see if you can generate some interest in their stories and then spin them out if they are popular. I mean, this isn’t brain surgery, people. It’s basic storytelling/marketing and common sense. (And I think OLTL would be the perfect start mainly because with AMC, you have the Erica problem… and I think that if you can resurrect interest in Pine Valley and get some buzz, then you can prove to Susan Lucci that her time and talent is needed and she’ll come running…but she’s a savvy business person and at this point in her life, doesn’t really need AMC, but we – and a resurrected show – sure do need her!)
Yes, I agree, Ron C’s final year was a trainwreck. Between prolonging the reveal that Jake Doe was Jason, Denise DeMuccio (I cringe every time I say that name), the Silas Clay murder mystery, Valerie and Dante’s affair and Anthony Geary’s lackluster farewell story, 2015 was a hard year to watch GH and not have complaints.
My point, however, is that under Ron, there was always something that kept me tuning in. Under Jean and Shelly, there isn’t very much intrigue in any of the stories currently being played. The show feels like it’s dragging on and moving at a very slow pace, as evidenced by the fact that a full week will go by and it will still be the same day/night on the show.
I agree that several characters need to be axed. The list of 8-12 for me would include Jordan, Andre, Griffin, Claudette, Nathan, Darby, Amy, Valerie, Curtis, Kiki, Aaron and Naomi. Each and every one of these characters could fall victim to Paul’s homicidal rampage (which came out of nowhere) and I would be totally fine with it.
I haven’t been watching for long, as you know, Jimmy. But, regardless of the writers, most stories ARE dragged out to the extreme. I am still trying to navigate around the Fluke story. And, more importantly, there was no plot and the storyline was a bust….it led to nothing. Now, the Nelle story seems strangely familiar. Who knows how long this one will linger.
Furthermore, I beg the writers to drop ALL baby stories for a spell. Poor babies. It has become obsessive. Obviously not for Nina; but for whomever is writing her script.
The writing on OLTL was inspiring; eliciting the best from the BEST cast ever, Jimmy……we both, among many others, still mourn its death, my friend.
Oh, I was wondering if you think Franco is growing another brain tumor? LOL. He’s as OFF as his mother. This is another instance where my poor Roger is being pulled this way and that. What a waste!!!!!
Bring back One Life to Live!
Amen to that!!!
One Life To Live will come back, 3rd is the charm. I believe in miracles.
Double Amen to that.
Oh, YES!!!
Sooooooooooooooo Not gonna happen.
Never say never, OLTL might come back.
Hello ABC! A strong lead in for GH would be the return of ONE LIFE TO LIVE!!! It’s that simple! How many flops do you have to go through to get the message?!?! I would be willing to bet that getting all those awful shows up and running and then pulling the plug processes cost far more than keeping OLTL (and AMC?) and not messing with it in the first place. Wasn’t that the point, to save money by dumping our beloved soaps?!?!
Bravo, Jeanine! Bravo every one else here who is echoing the same sentiment.
YOU are spot on right, here.
Soaps aren’t coming back, unless they do a bare bones version a few times a week. I WISH they could combine the cost of OLTL (could care less about AMC; didn’t watch it for years but in fairness to AMC fans) and AMC, run them every other day ie GH, next day, AMC, etc…and reduce the already reduced high end wardrobes, location shots, etc
if you look at the nostalgia clips from decades ago soaps had so many location shots, women with jewelry, gowns…the incredibly exciting escapades of Luke, Scorpio, Anna, Sean Donelly on GH. Took a lot of money to create such lavish productions but those were pre cable days, more ” housewife” days, more college students watching from dorm days. Can’t compare the audience watching then to now.
I believe it costs around 50 million to run soaps now, even with budget cuts…30% more than its replacements. They’re going to keep trying for a non soap hit. What they should do isTRY HARDER to make soaps less costly. On the other hand, the ones still currently on are always at risk so it doesn’t seem likely.
I actually think that could work. There were cross over episodes where peeps from Pine Valley and Llangview would make visits on the other soaps. Now that Devious Maids is gone I would love to see Erica Kane back…… She has the fan base to do it!
Hi Brad, I’d be open to crossovers. The problem is getting the audience onboard. As we know many people were unhappy when OLTL people came over; I was/am thrilled. But if they ran OLTL one day, AMC the next…GH should be able to keep its daily schedule for now…but if they got two soaps for the price of one by alternating days…get me the head of programming. Pronto ! 🙂
I cannot help but agree with you, Rebecca. But, it’s nice to dream. The death of OLTL had left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Yeah, what you said!
Sorry to say this, karma is a bitch. ABC cancelled OLTL and AMC, that was a huge mistake. ABC will not admit there mistake. I hope you choke on it ABC. GH is in trouble, It will not be around in 2 years, I hope that I am wrong. ABC will stab you in the back.
Ricardo…I get what you’re saying, dude. B-u-t, as far as I’m concerned, that TOTALLY HEARTLESS Brian Frons was the one who started it all by canceling BOTH AMC and OLTL.
Just saying……….
I agree with you, Brian Frons needs to be punished. I will send Sheila Carter to finish him off lol. Brian Frons was responsible for cancelling OLTL and AMC, but ABC is not innocent at all. ABC want out of the soap business, GH is hanging in, by a thread. Brian’s Frons is a pathetic losers.
Yes, you are right.
Frons was hired for the sole purpose of wrecking the soaps – and he did a magnificent job. But ultimately it was the network that hired him to make the kill. I suspect that someone will eventually write about it but while Frons was the assassin, the orders came from ABC/Disney.
We need to be realistic. They were operating at a loss..or not much of a profit. As disappointing as it is that’s the reality. Same as when prime time shows get cancelled. Great shows! I can’t say how many times I’ve been shocked or upset when a show I loved was cancelled. But they crux punch the numbers, not us… Doesn’t mean I’m happy about any of it.
Crunch the numbers…not crux punch! LOL
It’s not the lack of a strong lead-in or lead-out that’s affecting GH’s ability to expand its numbers — it’s the awful writing.
That too!
The return of One Life To Live and premiering with an opulent wedding : Viki and Clint’s!!!…oh well, it aint going to happen but one can dream!!!!
WORD !
To the powers that be at the alphabet network/mouse company:
The audience wants ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What about that don’t you understand? You offered quality entertainment when you aired One Life to Live and All My Children. You didn’t support them. Now look at where you are. I guess you can’t learn.
It cost over 50 million annually to run a soap. Not profitable anymore. They’re only here to entertain us if it’s at a profit. And that’s reality. It’s a business.
I would like to see a source for that…. as I remember reading that number as pertaining to a soap’s budget at least 20 years ago. Now I wonder if they actually spend even half of that.
Hi Elizabeth…that was the latest budget from numerous sources in 2011..just before “the fall.” I can’t find the latest numbers…but that was an incredible amount of money just five years ago. It would seem they’re less now…cutting wardrobe, sets, travel to outdoor locations and a slew of vets salaries…which is why we only see them on a recurring basis.
So unless that $50 million has come down so drastically to equal the cost of running a reality show, which seems doubtful, it’s still not cost effective to bring any soaps back…well at least not with full cast and hour long format. I personally hated the OLTL online attempt. LOL, I need to block it from my mind so as not to taint my fond memories of the REAL OLTL!
What I said!
The answer is: bring back OLTL to lead into GH
“For General Hospital fans, a lack of a strong lead-in or lead-out support for the series has affected the enduring soap opera’s ability to expand their numbers in a more efficient way. With CBS Daytime having a solid programming block, it would behoove the network to find a suitable series that would help drive additional tune-in, since shows from The Revolution, to Katie, to FABLife have been busts.”
With all due respect, I have to disagree with this assertion…especially citing GH’s lack of growth (and loss, even) on their failing lead-in shows. I know lead-ins are important for most shows – and especially in prime time. But I truly believe that the soap genre is a different beast and many of those typical industry truths don’t always translate as well to daytime soaps. I’m not entirely sure that daytime viewers are interchangeable between shows. Soaps are unique, and not a type of show you often just randomly start watching one day. So, the effort to gain “new” viewers is very difficult I would think.
What likely would be easier is to attempt to gain back those millions of viewers who have stopped watching over the years. I think soap execs really undervalue the importance of quality writing. I only watch GH these days, but it’s interesting how across all soaps – fans seem to complain about and identify the same core issues. Writing always seems to be at the top of that list. I also think execs tend to dumb down their soap audiences, when in reality – audiences have become more savvy in recent years. I think soap execs haven’t realized that soap audiences (and the world) have changed over the last decade – and they haven’t really updated enough or changed with us. They try, but it’s often a miss. I’m not sure they completely understand the soap audience anymore – and are often just throwing ideas/stories/plot points at a wall and hoping something sticks. Overall, I don’t believe the network (or lead-in shows) are going to save soaps. At this point, I believe that only soaps can save soaps. I’m sure the shrinking budgets are very challenging for our shows – but even with that – there is much room for improvement.
Good post Elle and I agree with a lot of what you say. But I think the truth is that “back in the day” soaps were more popular with the then-younger audience who have continued to watch all these decades. That’s why these loyal fans are upset when more of the vets aren’t on. But the reality is some of those “then-younger viewers” have passed, some may not feel the “escapist” need they did maybe as a stay-at-home mom (or dad), etc. So many of those viewers are gone.
Ironically soaps were pretty hot and full of romance, sexual topics etc and were pretty steamy. They’re not what they used to be because they ARE changing with the world, but many don’t like the changes. Younger fans don’t relate to a lot of the vets, older fans don’t want the “newbies”. Younger fans don’t feel comfortable with older actors being sexual, older fans don’t find stories interesting about young love.
When soaps first started airing the audience was new too. So viewers knew and related to all the characters. Now we have people who want “their” stories to go on forever and younger viewers who don’t want to watch a show about their parents and grandparents.
Soaps are unique because of their decades-long history and suddenly you have a clash of the old and the new. Networks aren’t going to gain profits by keeping on a slew of vets that won’t draw in the new viewers they need. Fewer vets turn away the older fans. No easy fix.
Yes, it’s the WRITING!
Changing TMZ to 3 PM on channel 5 opposite GH now. TMZ glorifies a lot and I mean a lot of garbage , I will be watching GH.
Harry will be in TMZ’s spot at 4 PM, there for I’ll be doing something else, they should have kept the soaps you fools.
Bring back the soaps !!! Bring back Edge of Night! Bring back Dark Shadows
Hardly anybody is home in the afternoon to sit in front of TV for a few hours during daytime programing..
A great many are going to online to watch their soaps during the night..
I watch a high percent of network shows online, when I choose to watch them..
And only 2 shows are from daytime — GH & Y&R ..
I haven’t watched a soap during the daytime since they first became available online a long time ago…
But, it is Important for a soap to have a great lead-in and a great time slot ..
Soaps can survive BUT they need to change with the technology and drag the older folks into the 21st century! I wander how much a soap vet makes on an online soap versus a network soap?
True, that, su. This is a different audience….as simple as that.
they never should of gotten rid of the soaps. i don’t see how they could have saved money with all the replacement failings. one major problem for GH is they don’t have any solid surrounding shows. GH has also been bad creatively. usually when viewers leave especially younger ones,they don’t come back
I would have kept the soaps and limited the number of vets and paid younger kids less money. Do they want to work or sit home? EVERYBODY has had to adjust to they way the world operates in a slimline economy and a new way to do business cheaper and more effective. Y&R is #1, they can afford higher salaries. Okay. GH and DAYS struggle, they can stay on the air, hire great writing teams BUT the talent will mostly younger and cheaper. I look at it like MLB. You have the Yankees. EVERYONE wants to be the Yankees and have that payroll. No, its not possible. Some teams have to be the Pirates. They compete. They are entertaining. They are young and build from within. Soaps can do the same thing!
Lead out support? Huh?
Lack of lead in is the least of GH’s problems. GH is a brand, soap operas are appointment TV. A better lead in might help a bit, but in no way is a major reason for GH’s horrible numbers.
GH is where it is because it is terrible.The writing is still not good and the characters are not appealing to GH fans. The Liz story, which really isn’t about Liz, is a perfect example. As Liz lay unconscious in the stairwell, who was there? Franco, Finn, Hayden, Griffin, Andre & Paul. That’s why GH has such low viewership, these are not characters or actors that large numbers of GH fans would tune in for and they aren’t. But Frank will never give it up.
You are right that a number of characters are not appealing. For example, Rebecca Budig is a good actress but to me, Hayden is not likeable. I do not care about her and Finn or her and Liz being sisters.
Based on her resume, I don’t know why she was hired in the first place.
Us guys love our soaps but the audience is still probably 2/3’s women. Why in the hell didnt ABC snag Harry Connick Jr.’s new talk show? He is hot off A.I and women love him! He has southern charm and mega talent! It would have been perfect! To me, he is the male answer to Ellen. What a lead in! I look at all the ABC failures and just wonder if they really care? How many damn ways can you cook a roast or apply eye liner! I hope her replacement will clean up GH and renew its energy and put someone at the helm who gives a damn about the show and its history and stops adding his or her friends to the cast just because they can!
When is ABC going to smarten up? The soaps brought in more viewers than these boring talk shows. Look at CBS… They have a full afternoon line up. Bring back the soaps!!!!
ABC’s post-soap offerings have been cheap knock-offs, derivatives of what everyone else is doing. Now, I know one can say that about soap operas but daytime serials do have their own unique personalities, and that is what people want. Variety in the genre. ABC was once a leader in daytime programming. Maybe taking a chance on a new serial, even a half-hour effort might be worth the risk. Paired with a game show revival?
While I wouldn’t blame GH’s lack of increased viewership on a strong lead-in, but it certainly doesn’t help.
As a disgruntled OLTL fan, KARMA is a bitch! ABC, you’re failed attempts at replacements are well-deserved.
Well it seems to be obvious… ABC needs a few more shows with solid reliable viewing habits…
They could do something totally different.
Admit they made a huge mistake and tried to follow trends in the industry several years ago.. but none of it worked.. so they are going to go back to their heyday and bring back SOAPs.
They might even be able to rerun All My Children , One Life To Live and even The Edge of Night (dreaming I know). These reruns would be a great way to give our soaps the chance to re-assemble their familes and bring back our stories !. Lets shoot for a January reboot of these national treasures…..
Do it
– THIS – IS… the answer
your last para: RERUN AMC, OLTL, etc… i’m certain they will get advertisement… and the blocking of serial… will stand on it’s own
I’ve said this before but they ought to combine the remnants of ONE LIFE TO LIVE with the cast of ALL MY CHILDREN even as a 1/2 hour show – they never, ever
should have cancelled these shows to begin with. They never experiemented with doing abridged versions of the shows – all they did was scream Cancel –
Prospect Park really screwed around with our shows – interesting effort but all these lawsuits, well – it would be nice if when the dust settles, if it ever does, that ABC
Daytime will just re-instate the shows. Oh well this is probably wishful thinking on our parts –
Yes, it’s wishful thinking to dream that the shows would return in some form some day on broadcast television, but it’s unlikely that ABC has the vision for this. The problem with all the main broadcast networks is that they lack vision/direction/imagination. For crying out loud, the network is sitting on a gold mine with these shows and they simply (excuse my french) pissed it away. Merch the eff out of them!! Promote, don’t shy away from it! Erica Kane dress line! Luke and Laura travel getaways linked to a storyline! An actual Banner online that has ads and original content written by a small team (one or two) creative people on stories from the show and takes on the goings on on other shows! It feels like it all just writes and creates itself. How they are missing this is beyond me. And all for the investment of a five hour a week show. Starr and her friends are watching the latest hit show on ABC (none of this Campbell soup crap!!) and other characters on ABC shows say “did you hear, they revived All My Children” “oh really, what is crazy Erica Kane doing now?” and so forth. This isn’t rocket science! 🙂
ABC bring back what the fans want.
When the network once again learns that garbage in equals garbage out, they will change the way they do things. Going for the lowest common denominator in viewership is not going to hack it. General Hospital has made it as long as it has by refusing to be the bedtime hour which is cheaper than talk show even. Find some really fresh but mainstream writers whose writing is not shock value oriented, write some good story and they will come. My TV stays off unless GH is on or we are under a weather threat. I would turn it on if I heard of a great new soap on the air. ABC start looking at what does not work and stop it.
ABC will not bring back a soap. This is a business if they can’t get the 18 to 49 it isn’t worth it to them. GH is at 400,000 in that demo and 100,000 in 18 to 34. Advertisers frown on those numbers.
Plus ABC gave OLTL’s time period back to the affiliates. The individual stations would have to agree to run it.
so why cant abc produce some soaps, place them on the stations that they own and the buzz will take care of the rest…
ABC should buy DAYS and build a new soap block to challenge Y/R and Bold and Beautiful –
I hope that general hospital does not get cancelled the show has been on for 50 year’s and is going good please don’t cancel the show .the show has good actress and actors that like there jobs a lot gh is a good show and still had much more to give.
Turmoil at the top will not work well for GH (look what happened to GL) but I think that it can survive. It won more emmy’s this year and was the top soap by the academy. Agree that they have too many characters. I can’t keep up. Tighten the cast and the budget and get better storylines. There are many current topics that could be explored. OLTL’s return would be ABC’s best chance to make amends and provide a lead-in for GH. Sorry but The Chew makes me sick.
GH ruled when Ron was writing it. I’ve given up on it for 2 reasons. Passanate & Altman stories are terribly dull and I’m boycotting ABC until they fire that racist Jesse Williams.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!
In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?
Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!
Courtesy/ABC
FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS
The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!
Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?
Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’
In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.
The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.
Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”
Photo: CDuellIG
SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.
The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.
In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”
So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kimberlin Brown Previews What’s Ahead for Sheila Carter
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kimberlin Brown Previews What’s Ahead for Sheila Carter
Christel Khalil Reveals She Almost Quit Acting After ‘That’s So Raven’ Audition, But Then Came ‘The Young and the Restless’
‘WWE: Unreal’ Season 3 Premiere Date, Cast of Superstars, Announced by Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
-
General Hospital3 days agoMaurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Controversial Luke and Laura Rape Episode: Writer Sheri Anderson Reveals Behind the Scenes Decisions and Admits ‘I Was Wrong’ to Defend It (Exclusive)
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Eric Martsolf Recalls Moment He Learned He Was Cast as Brady Black, and Last Scenes with Drake Hogestyn (SOAPY Exclusive Preview)
-
General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days agoAl Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Karla Mosley Weighs-in on Dani Dupree’s Love Life Endgame: Are You Team Bill or Team Andre?
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days agoDeidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
-
General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’ Head Writers Spill Some Summer Tea and Preview What’s Next for Jason, Anna, Cassius and Carly
