Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) took some moments to share stories and remembrances of two of the all-time greats of General Hospital, who also happen to have played his television parents, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine) and Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine).

The moment came during the release of Sunday’s all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson. The episode featured questions from fans of the actors; one of which was for Steve that asked, “What it was like working with Stuart and Leslie as your parents?”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is currently in the last part of his extended hiatus from the ABC soap, always talks fondly of Stuart and Leslie and often gets choked up doing so. Stuart Damon passed away back in June of 2021, while Leslie Charleson passed away more recently in January of 2025. Burton debut as a young teenaged Jason Quartermaine back in 1991, and as he tells it, without the influence and help of Stuart Damon, his GH career may not be where it is today.

Photo: JPI

STUART DAMON’S WORK ETHIC

“Stuart was super consistent in how he worked. Super structured. I learned a lot from Stuart about his work ethic, his discipline, showing up, treating people kindly, being grateful,” recalled Burton. “If that’s what you can learn from somebody … that’s amazing. It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.”

As viewers know, just by watching the death of Monica Quartermaine episodes earlier this year, just how close in real-life Steve was to the late Leslie Charleson. “Leslie was a firecracker. You didn’t know what was going to happen or when it was going to happen,” shared Burton. “I always tell the story about how I would come in chewing gum. I was this little cocky teenager and she’d be like, ‘spit it out now!’  Leslie was such a nurturing person. She loved to help, and had amazing sense of humor. I couldn’t have had two better onscreen parents ever.”

GH did a complete about face with the character of Jason Quartermaine after his motorcycle crash on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and he became Jason Morgan, who is now one of the all-time most beloved characters in the history of the show. But as Burton explains it, it may not have happened if it wasn’t for Stuart Damon.

YOU GOT TO GIVE THIS KID A SHOT

“Stuart was the biggest cheerleader of mine. Not often does this happen where somebody would go up to the fifth floor to whoever’s the executive producer and he says, ‘You gotta give this kid a shot. Give him more, see what he can do.’ That was really nice of him,” acknowledged Steve. “So, if it wasn’t for Stewart … I always speak very highly of him because he was amazing, In real-life, Stuart was just a beautiful soul would give anything to anybody. I always give him credit and Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), because without the two of them there, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”

You can check out the entire episode of the latest edition of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

Now, let us know, do you think that Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson as Alan and Monica were two of the greatest TV parents in the history of soap operas? What did you think of Steve’s remembrances? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.

Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.

In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.

Photo: JPI

FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS

Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.

General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.

Photo: ABC

PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL

In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.

Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.

It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.

*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.

On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.

It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.

Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.

Courtesy/ABC

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.

THE WRONG SUSPECT

Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!

Courtesy/ABC

DINING WITH RIC

At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.

Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.