Thursday’s Good Morning America featured the highly-publicized first interview with ‘Bachelor’ franchise host and executive producer, Chris Harrison, since he stepped away from the show following his controversial remarks on current Bachelor contestant Rachel Kirkconnell, amid the airing of a season that has seen the first-ever Black male lead of the reality series, Matt James.

Speaking with GMA co-host, Michael Strahan, Harrison spoke of remarks he made during his interview with ex-Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay on Extra that sparked the firestorm.

Harrison admitted the words he spoke to Lindsey were “in a manner that perpetuates racism,” adding “I am an imperfect man I made a mistake and I own that. I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for.”

The incident began when photos surfaced on social media of Kirkconnell at an Old South-themed party that she attended back in 2018, along with allegations she “liked” many Instagram posts that were racist in nature, and what many viewed as Harrison coming to her defense in this time of what he then called “cancel culture”.

On GMA, Chris expressed: “Antebellum parties are not OK,  Past, present, future, knowing what that represents is unacceptable.”

He also apologized to Lindsay, who had to shut down her Instagram account because of viral vitriol being sent her way over the incident with Harrison, adding this message to the public, “Anyone who is throwing hate towards Rachel Lindsay, please stop. It’s unacceptable.”

Photo: ABC

As to how he is trying to make amends, Harrison shared: “I made a mistake and I own that, Racism, oppression, these are big dynamic problems and they take serious work. I am committed to that work.”  The longtime Bachelor host then announced he is working with race educator Dr. Eric Dyson who has taught him about the idea of “counsel, not cancel”.

Chris says he plans to be back hosting the reality-dating series, expressing:  “I plan to be back. I want to be back.  This interview is not the finish line. There is much more work to be done.”

Following the exclusive, Michael Strahan described his conversation with Chris Harrison stating: “His apology is his apology, but it felt like it got nothing more than a surface response on any of this. Obviously, he is the man who wants to clearly stay on the show, but only time will tell if there is any meaning behind his words.”

So, what do you think of Chris Harrison’s responses during his first interview since the controversy? Should he return to hosting The Bachelor franchise? Comment below.

General Hospital’s Wes Ramsey, who portrays polarizing character, Peter August on the ABC daytime drama series, responded to a recent take on his role from cast mate, Tristan Rogers (Scorpio) when a video made its way through social media.

The video was from a Cameo appearance, where Rogers offered an assessment of the Peter August storyline and expressed that while he knows Ramsey is a strong actor, he felt he was “wrong for the character” being that Peter was the son of the evil Faison played by Anders Hove.

Rogers also came to the defense of Ramsey and shared: “Don’t be too hard on Wes Ramsey. He’s got himself into a horrible storyline, and the storyline is the fault of the show. What they’ve literally done is they’ve painted themselves into a corner, and they don’t know how to get out of it.”

Currently, Peter’s story is front and center on GH with his wedding to Maxie (Kirsten Storms), and the fallout from all of the character’s dirty deeds.

Now Ramsey took to his Instagram account to address what transpired and his thoughts on the perils of social media, professionalism and acting, expressing: “Actors are storytellers, shapeshifters, chameleons. We’re also in the business of cultivating trust bc that’s how the best work is brought to life. We have to trust our imaginations, our instincts. We have to trust our fellow actors, because without them, there’s no scene to play. In the collaborative efforts of bringing any show to life, we also have to trust our directors each day to steer the arch of our story (like a conductor with a symphony) & trust our writers who are tasked with composing the symphonies we play out. I came up in a world of classical theater, where trusting the play, text, story is essential to the tightrope balancing act of making magic.  You will never hear me critique (on any public platform) the people responsible for the creative opportunities I enjoy each day. Without the trust of my writers, directors, producers & fellow actors, it would be impossible to live out my dreams. My job (& my only job) is to bring fearlessness, playfulness & passionate conviction to what has been created for me. My aim is to stretch myself (beyond the limits of where I think my boundaries may lye) each time I’m entrusted with material that allows those boundaries to be tested.

Every actor must believe they are the right person for their part or they will never achieve their potential, let alone surpass it. I was raised a gentleman & have two wonderful parents to thank for that, however, my polite personality (while rendering me easy to get along with on set) should have little bearing on my caliber of performance nor my castability as a professional.  I am leery of the pitfalls of social media & believe there are advantages to maintaining some mystery (even as a public figure) but I will always defend & protect what I hold dear (my job & my career) when they are publicly challenged, especially by those closest to me, whom I love & respect. Please know I bear no ill will. As a society, we are all still learning the full ramifications of living in an internet dominated culture. To all my many fans out there who offer encouragement & support, I hear you & am grateful for you. I’m having a blast… 🙂. Onward we go.”

Share your thoughts on Wes’ statement on playing the role of Peter August and more via the comment section below.

 

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Look who’s been added to the line-up of Emma Samms (Ex-Fallon Carrington) upcoming Dynasty reunion? None other that one of the iconic series most notable stars, Linda Evans (Ex-Krystle).

In a tweet on Wednesday, Samms shared: “OMG… Look who’s joining us for the Dynasty Reunion! It’s only LINDA EVANS.  I’m so grateful, but not surprised by the kindness of her heart. It’s to raise funds for research into Long Covid.”

On Saturday March 20th you can help raise funds for world-leading research into the global pandemic’s, Long Covid, which has gripped many who have come down with Covid-19, but are still feeling the effects of the virus months after their initial illness, and have developed additional medical complications because of it including: breathlessness, fatigue and muscle aches.

So, join Emma and Linda along with previously announced Dynasty stars: Heather Locklear, Jack Coleman, Catherine Oxenberg, Maxwell Caufield, John James, Pamela Bellwood, Al Corley, Gordon Thomas, Stephanie Beachem, Terri Garber and more for a virtual reunion brought to you by Coastal Entertainment.

For ticket info click here.

As soap fans know, Emma also plays Holly on General Hospital and when last we saw her, viewers found out she was alive and well but being held captive, but where o’ where? Samms taped the key scene from England last year.  Fans hope to someday see the pick-up of the story.

So, excited to hear Linda Evans is part of the Dynasty reunion? Will you be participating? Comment below.