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Anthony Geary & Maurice Benard on GH's Stay of Execution, Valentini's Efforts & Llanview Crossovers!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Who better to let soap fans know their thoughts on all the behind the scenes ups and downs then General Hospital’s most notable and prolific stars, Daytime Emmy Award winners, Anthony Geary (Luke) and Maurice Benard (Sonny).  Both men have been through the battles that GH has had to fight over the year to remain on the air, and have seen the show go from number one to a fledgling ship to its recent re-birth in the expert hands of new executive producer, Frank Valentini.

In a new piece out today from TV Guide both Geary and Benard weigh-in on GH’s renewal, Llanview faves crossing over to Port Charles, and the difference on the GH set these days.   Here are a few excerpts!

Maurice Benard on GH’s pick-up:  “For all we know, we’ve only bought ourselves six months.  But that’s not stopping the It’s a beautiful day in Port Charles! “Everyone’s excited and we’re determined to work hard and keep this thing going. Our goal now is to boost our ratings and be the No. 1 soap. Then they can’t cancel us!” Anthony Geary added, “For the last year or two we’ve been living on death row hoping for a reprieve, so this feels great. “We’re all breathing a sigh of relief, although we don’t really know what this all means.”

Courtesy/ABC

Anthony Geary on fans concerns of One Life to Live actors and characters taking over GH: “No one is worried that Port Charles will be usurped by Llanview. There’s just no downside to this. It makes us a much better show.”  Maurice Benard added: “Bringing in all this new blood is the smart thing to do. Let’s hope there’s more coming. I’ve been telling people we should do this for years!”

Anthony Geary on how Frank Valentini is working his magic on the soap:  “Frank loves this show and is fully prepared to go down with the ship, standing on the bow screaming at the top of his lungs. I can only admire that. It has made me and most of us want to work harder. Some people don’t like it because they got complacent, and I’m not just talking about actors but people throughout the production. Those who don’t want to work harder will not stay.”

So what do you think of Geary and Benard’s comments about fans concerns of the Llanview crossovers, what the renewal means for GH, and signs that the show is on an upswing under Frank Valentini’s watchful eye?  Weigh in!

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Glad to hear they like it! Hope they all want to work hard and stay on air. I think it is the best soap left… let’s hope they see it!

GH Rocks!!!

I personally think Bring It On though I will be honest I am not feeling the chemistry between Starr & Michael, but they are not why I have started watching again. I also think the new gal that plays Kate/Connie is improving all the time. And it is great to bring on a smart cop like McBain now get him to start interacting with Mac because I beleive John York is really very good when given story. Congrats GH for proving if you write good story viewers will come back.

They know what they’re talking about. If your business seems to be sliding downward, you gotta pick up the slack, get rid of the slackers and get to work even harder! Glad they’re on board with bringining in new blood (i.e. OLTL actors/characters)… it can only get better from here!

I’m really happy to hear that Anthony and Maurice are open to an inflow of actors from other soaps. Something has to change on GH to get it’s ratings up; things can’t stay the same and at the same time just hope the ratings go up.

I think it would be great if the gang from the Buenos Dias cafe from Llanview moved over to Port Charles and took over running the Spencer’s diner. Alot of fun and good interaction happened at that place in Llanview. The diner, when it was Ruby’s in Port Charles, was like that. And maybe that could help Erika Slezak slip into Port Charles and the land of GH.

I think GH is really in need of a strong, dynamic lead female character. Erika did that as Viki on OLTL, Susan Lucci did that as Erika on GH. That really gave the shows alot of good story lines and drama.

I hope it becomes Anna. I think she could do it!

Personally I think the strong dynamic lead female character has already been brought on and signed to a contract (thank goodness!)…..Finola Hughes! She is a GH legacy character and I think the best female character in GH history. Just my opinion…I don’t mind if they bring on characters from other shows as long as it’s well balanced with GH legacy characters.

It’s Tracy and Monica. Monica always has it, they just don’t feature her enough. It should be Monica and Tracy, as it was on OLTL, with Vicky and Dorian. Not Anna. Anna could never be strong like Tracy and Monica has class.

There are rumors floating around that Erika Slezak just might stop for a visit!

I heard that too, Kay.

God I hope so! I miss VIKI!!!!

Good have starr there, so Viki AND Dorian have reason to Visit!

Also did you know that Liz’s Grandfather (Late Great Steve Hardy) had a cross over with Viki and Todd’s sis Merrie in 1969?

Can you tell us more about this crossover ? I would love to know how it went, and would be interested to see if it could be explored more.

In 1969, Merrie had a Blood disease, and Steve Hardy went to Llanview to consult.

Plus another Tie-in, was when Cole’s Uncle, Ian Thornhart was a Dr. at GH, a decade ago. He hooked with Lucy and hasn’t been seen since.

I was trying to figure out who Merrie was… Oh, Meredith. I never heard anyone call her Merrie before. 🙂 Funny, I remember a scene where she and Larry (Wolek) were at the side of the crib and looking down at their baby Danny… that was a while back, huh?

I heard this to at soaptown usa (loose lips) I hope its true ,every time I go there the rumors are always true ,so seeing Erika slezak on general hospital would be so good I cant even say in words how wonderful that would be I miss her.She worked as a waitress in paris texas so she can pick roxy up and they can go to kellys diner for a cup of coffee,see a hiring sign fill out the job application and they both get hired.

I would really like all this “renewal” talk to stop. It is NOT a renewal. ABC owns GH and they have chosen to not cancel it just yet. There has been no official word on any extension. Like Maurice Benard said, it could be SIX months. People, don’t celebrate just yet. We have not won anything.

I do like that there appears to be a lot of articles coming out in soaps defense, but for what good that does remains to be seen. I think ABC just has their own agenda (one that does not include a future with scripted daytime drama) and they are just waiting until they have all their ducks in a row this time before completely pulling the rug out from under us.

well let’s at least celebrate helping to tank the Replacement, I mean the Revulsion, I mean the Revolution! ha! And I think it’s a small victory in the least, that they didn’t cancel both GH and the Revolution – they could have done that, but they didn’t want to deal with the wrath of soap fans so soon after what went down already! So there’s that to celebrate – we were heard – loudly!

Rock and roll, FV and GH! Let’s keep this train rolling, as long as possible! And whenever possible, “Less is more” when it comes to the previous “all mob, all of the time” focus….and “more is more” when it comes to humor, as much as possible…bring on David Vickers, just for a quick visit, to comfort Starr in PC!

We must boycott all of The Revolution’s successor shows so that GH always conquer them.

ABC has already taken two soaps away from us. The least they should do is having the decency to leave us one soap. Besides, Couric said that she wants GH as her lead-in.

As far as the end of ABC Daytime and its other shows….will we ever find out who JR shot in the final scene of AMC? At least there is hope in the long run for Victor to be revealed as alive somehow, someplace via OLTL characters on GH. But AMC really left it all wide open….can you please get to work on that for us, RC and FV?

And why not have have the infamous Erica Kane (and Susan Lucci!) cross paths with Luke, one of these days?

Erica met Sonny and Luke met Viki in the What if series. We know they have chemistry.

I have no real complaints for once. I would really like to see Kassie DePaiva brought aboard on contract. This woman Tweets and is a one woman cheering squad for daytime tv, specifically Soaps. She is one hell of an actress, singer, and from all I can see an all around nice person.
I’ll always be sad GH could not get their act together and treat Genie Francis with the long-earned respect she deserved. I wish her the best at Young and Restless. She shines on the show considering she was thrown in with Melody Thomas Scott who has long been what she was to GH and should still be. Maybe it will change but for now unless they can bring Laura back even half as strong as the character she is now then leave her be, intact with her dignity. I am thrilled on the hiring of Roger Howarth, long a favorite of mine…Apparently fit right in at GH. No surprise to me. Anyway, That’s my take. Thanks for a forum to express our opinions. I really like this site although pretty new at reading it. Very well put together and professional. Not that anyone’s crying over my feelings. Thanks Again Michael. I was on pins and needles over the thought of watching General Hospital sinking for the last time. There is a major sentimental reason I have always loved this show. My mother was killed in the late 60s, but she loved these shows. I distinctly recall the first episode of GH. I was in second grade and had just got home from school. The show was grainy to watch, music was bad, Black and White of course. But I will never forget Jesse Brewer RIP Emily M. Aunt Lucy? Oh my, anyone who ever saw Lucille March, hope that’s right, play this part well it was a treat. Recalling Audrey being a bit of a floozy, now that is OLD GH. I loved it. Skipped work to watch Luke and Laura, Only rich folk had VCRs then so you had to watch at two pm west coast time. Anyway, again, I am glad to see this show once again narrowly missing the chopping block, remember what happened when this happened before? Months later it was completely turned around. I see it starting to happen again. If I had a wish, it would be to see AMC meld with OLTL…All My Lives…lol. Anyway you get my drift. I had a much harder time watching the end of OLTL. There were too many talented actors and the stories were going well. I miss Gigi and Rex. What about Victor Lord showing up on that last show, I laughed and got angry at the same time…cliffhangers with possibly no ending. That was a good one i never saw coming. Thanks for making it though this. Feedback appreciated. Excuse my grammar and spelling, its gotten a bit rusty.

I love Both these two actor’s and I gosh, I would hate not to be able to get my Maurice Bernard fix, daily. The man can act, is gorgeous, sexy and those penetrating eyes! Mauuawah to them both, especially Maurice. <3

The brilliant Erika Slezak should come to Port Charles to help Kate/Connie with her recent DID diangnosis!

No post from Scott yet huh. Oh well, I love the show these past couple of months. I love the faster pace with the scenes. I love the new actors (all of them). Anything new will help now. All we need now is the viewers, calling all viewers, please watch GH everyday. They need you know more than ever.

LOL! Please, MB has been a “talking head” for years and who can take him seriously. It’s because of loathsome Sonny & immediate gang that the show has been going downhill for years – despite fan outrage. Tptb kept pumping them day after day for years and years and years. I’ve lost all respect for Geary. Great actor but if he’s angry at Luke’s association with L&L and wants Luke to become whatever he’s become now (as the list is endless), let him get another job. Stupid man, OK I agree L&L lost their mojo in the real world of growing old and life, but to discredit what was truly a magical phenomenon, rare indeed in literature/media of all types, is ignorant and self-centered beyond belief. GH should have been cancelled long ago.

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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