General Hospital
CONFIRMED: Brandon Barash Leaving General Hospital!
Courtesy/ABC
One of daytime’s favorite bad guy characters, who at times had a bit of a conscience, will soon be departing his soap! The news this afternoon came first via Brandon Barash’s (Johnny) Twitter page, and has now been confirmed by On-Air On-Soaps through Barash’s management, that the popular actor is indeed exiting General Hospital!
At first, many fans were confused since Barash’s tweet made a humorous mention that he has chosen to pursue a career in the NBA thus the reason for his leaving!
Barash tweeted, “With a bittersweet, heavy heart I announce my time at GH has come to an end, as I have chosen to move on & pursue my NBA career. I love u all.” No word on how, or when, Johnny Zacchara will be written off the canvas, and Barash’s final airdate.
With Barash gone, along with Scott Reeves (Steven) and Steve Burton (Jason), all that remains of the original members of “Port Chuck” in Port Chuck is Bradford Anderson (Damian Spinelli).
How do you feel about the exit of Brandon Barash from GH? How do you feel Johnny will be written out? Let us know!
I hope he changes his mind and comes back.
I think he just wanted to try something different before he is too old..
I think he may return someday..
I hope he does well with the MBA..
Seems it something he has wanted to try/do for long time..
Good for him that he is giving it a try so he will have no regrets when he is 60..
uhm he’s not really joining the NBA that part was a joke, oye
I think it’s long overdue, Johnny hasn’t had a purpose in years
I am sorry to see Brandon leave! He has been great and done some stellar work. It is sad to see 3 of the Port Chuck guys leaving or have left. Please let Bradford stay for a long while! So far they have left it open for SB and SR to coe back and hopefully they will leave it so BB can come back too! Best of luck Brandon… you will be missed!!!
I think it stinks
So do I, Mary. I will really miss Brandon [& Johnny]. I can’t blame him though for wanting to move on after essentially being put on the sidelines.
Unlike many fans here I have zero interest in Todd on GH, and it looks like it’s going to be the RH and ME show in Port Charles from now on. 🙁
I am really sad about this, but wish Brandon the best wherever he goes.
I totally agree. I have NO use for Roger Howarth’s Todd, although I did like Trevor St John’s version of Todd. Can’t even watch Kristin Alderson but It looks like she will take Johnny’s place as co-owner of the HS. I am no longer watching the show much unless I know Sam, Patrick or the Davis Girls will be on.
Wow, I Really thought he was just kidding when he tweeted that he was leaving GH!! Makes me sad. It seems like lots of my favorites are being written off GH or are leaving on their own right now. Scott Reeves, Julie Berman, and now Brandon Barash…and before that it was Kimberly McCullough and Steve Burton. I also miss Erik Valdez as Trey. Had just gotten to like his character when he was written off the show.. They will All be Missed a lot! 🙁
Debbie,
I forgot about Julie Marie Berman leaving. Now, I’m even more depressed. What is with this mass exodus??? I’m really, really sad. I miss Trey too! I liked him and Christina.
I didn’t know about Berman leaving. Where can I read about this? What is she going to do? Surely this was not GH’s choice.
BTW, I also liked Trey and didn’t understand why they killed him off. I think GH will soon be unwatchable completely. I skip much of it now.
yeah it’s really sad, it’s like so many people are either being let go or quitting. idk what is going on behind the scenes but this makes me a lil worried about the future of GH.
Good question Skyla…What really IS going on behind the scenes?? Seems like more than a coincidence that so many actors are choosing to leave right now. Who’s going to be next?
CarTini have brought on so many former actors (which has been nice, but they have been ignoring many of the regular players and most of them have been poorly written) and so many newbies (which has NOT been so nice because they are mostly horrible), maybe they’re forcing these contract actors out.
This is not boding well for the show…when the anniversary is over and all the oldies but goodies are gone, who’s going to be left? Sonny and Kate/Connie/NuAlter?
I think they’re all tired of having their air-time cut into nothing considering the massive size of this cast. I’ve been criticized on here before complaining about too many past favorites coming back, but in all actuality, it’s pretty damn clear that there is simply NOT enough room for 50+ cast members to have storylines. I wonder if they get paid by the day vs. the old time contracts?
I think I feel bitter that they keep letting GH characters go but are fighting to hang onto OLTL characters who belong on…you guessed it…OLTL.
This is getting stupid.
I was just going to say something similar! I was a OLTL fan then GH fan watched both for years and I am so p-ssed off that OLTL can’t seem to get their characters back from GH but GH is willing to let its own characters go? I’m just like WTH???????
ABC did not ”let him go” .. He left, his choice ..
geezuz people should stop blaming others over something they know nothing about.
From what I understand, BB has considered leaving for some time. Like JMB, his stay was extended. The new EP/writer aren’t driving people away. They’re convincing people to stay longer & in Kimberly McColough’s case, convinced her to come back (she wadbreportedly so unhappy with the previous regime that she wanted her character killed off). It isn’t much of a surprise that so many in the mob storyline are leaving because the show is no longer mob-centric. And with the few departures are lots of returns. Laura, Anna, Scotty, Jack, Brenda, Helena, Nik … the list is long. I love GH and look forward to great new storylines. Hopefully Brandon will eventually return. Best of luck to him!
Well said.
And you don’t find it a little fishy that all of these GH actors are “choosing” to leave! It goes to show you that Steve Burton wasn’t the only one that wasn’t happy with the new OLTL regime taking over. It will be a sad day when GH goes off of the air, it’s actually going to break my heart. I hate watching the show that once meant the world to me, slowly sink:(
I don’t know to me it seems like a lot of actors are just leaving. 5 actors in what 6 months have left. Maybe they are getting tired of the fan obsession over the OLTL 3?
He left because he was unhappy that his character was never going to be redeemed like the great Sonny. Anyone that thinks these characters are leaving because the show isn’t about the mob anymore and have no other relevance on the show is dumb. Considering the whole show has been consumed by this vampire story ala crap, the writers easily could have written some BS story to keep them on. JMB played Lulu, the daughter of a legacy, SR played a doctor….not heavily mob characters. Steve Burton could have stayed and with all his brain injuries woken up as a Quartermaine…but no. The writing is on the wall. When FV and RC are fighting more for OLTL characters more so than the actual GH characters you know where the loyalties lie.
Don’t you people know that these returns are for a very short time (except for Anna and maybe Duke). YES FV and RC ARE driving people away by keeping them on the back burner and overrunning the canvas with their non-actors from OLTL (except ME)! Worst day of my GH viewing life was when Big Head Starr drove into town. Now she has been insinuated into almost EVERY storyline. WHY?
@Peyton:
You’re wrong, GH is doing the exact opposite of sinking. Their ratings last week were up over 530,000 viewers from this time last year. That’s not sinking. If it weren’t for Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati coming aboard, we’d probably be having a funeral for GH instead of getting ready to celebrate the show’s 50th Anniversary.
Actors come and go on soaps. They always have, they always will. This is nothing new. Not sure why everyone has to try and find a deeper meaning.
I like Brandon Barash, he’s a good actor and Johnny has been a fun character. But I don’t mind that he’s leaving to be honest. I think they had done pretty much all there was to do with the character. I wish him the best.
To The Bad Truth & Suzanne:
Word! Spot On!
Dan I have to disagree with you. The reason why the ratings are up is because of all the old characters coming back, But it won’t last. Ron is not a great writer by any sense of the word.
I agree with u Dan. i posted some of the things like you said. Where would GH be without the OLTL team….gone of course like u said. The OLTL team has corrected past mistakes, brought back long missed vets,some 4 brief visits and some permanetly, refreshen the show, got the ratings up, and now the show has been featured on magizines and some stars were on talk shows. And soon GH is celebrating its 50th. None of this would be happening if it werent 4 the OLTL team. All this positive stuff and they get critized 4 it. Maybe not everything theyve done is so great but the positive things they have done still outweighs the negative by a long shot. Had it been better had they never came and instead have ABC just cancel it. They could still cancel it no matter what but at least we r getting to still watch it a lot longer than most of us thought we would be a year ago.
I AM SO SAD TO HEAR THAT BRANDON IS LEAVING. IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT SO MANY HAVE LEFT OR ARE LEAVING. IF THIS CONTINUES, I AM LEAVING MYSELF!!! I AM SO TIRED OF ALL THE GOOD ONES LEAVING AND THE NOT SO GOOD ONES STAYING!!! GOOD LUCK BRANDON!!! I WILL MISS YOU!! !! HUGS & LOVE <3
I already have left – after decades of being a diehard fan.
The show has become completely unwatchable now. First we had the stupidity of DeadDuke & Olivia’s Omens, then the absurdity of CrazyCoe. Now with the insanity of the Caleb nonsense, they have just gone too far over the top. Never thought I would say it, but I’m finished.
Best of luck to everyone.
#GH is really screwing up, so much that they are going to see themselves without any fans at all. 4 major players in a matter of months? Yet, they think the viewers are interested in vampires, Connie/Kate, Heather never dying, and now this crazy Doctor, Britch? Started watching Y&R when Burton left and I have to say…it’s no wonder they win so many Emmy’s. GH writters need to take some notes. Firing Scott and Brandon was really stupid and I am so tired of accepting all of this. Genoa City is my new home.
GH has won more Emmy’s than Y&R . Y&R gets the viewers hooked and they have higher ratings!
However, I do think that GH’s days are limited! Thanks to Cartini and the OLTL writing staff that has taken over at GH!
IF GH’s days are numbered….then they were numbered before the new regime ever came on board. I don’t blame them at all.
The staff of OLTL came in and saved the show from being cancelled and allowing it to celebrate its 50th. If they hadnt come in and made drastic changes GH would have been canceled months ago. They may not b totally perfect but then who is? It could still get cancelled by ABC but then it could be for a number of reasons and not just because of whose bhind the scenes. OLTL was doing ok and their ratings were going up but got cancelled anyway because abc thought they could do better and make more money with the lame Revolution which didnt last long and didnt do as well as GH is doing in that same time slot. GH, however isnt immune to cancellation and it wouldnt matter if OLTLs team was behind the scenes or not but it looks like they’ll get all the blame 4 it anyway no matter who came and did this and that to ruin the show long b4 they took over.
Obviously the viewers are interested, the show was up in the ratings 531,000 viewers last week from this time last year. Yeah, Frank and Ron are doing such a horrible job! Let’s cancel the show right now! Give me a break.
And btw, GH didn’t fire Scott Reeves or Brandon Barash, their contracts were up and it was their choice to leave.
Dan I do think they fired Scott Reeves, I started thinking about the character of Johnny & Jason. The first day Starr she loses her daughter and boyfriend to who Johnny. It appeared Jason was losing Sam to John McBain. So new OLTL characters brought over change your story line might be some feelings there on SB & BB’s part. We will see if my theory is right if BB shows up with JFP at Y&R.
Have you ever thought the reason for the rating being up is due to the 50th anniversary coming up and all of the returns? I can tell you that I myself and my friends who watch this program do not like the storylines mentioned above. I did not say all.
You think Y&R never drops players than you really havent watched this or any other soaps 4 long. Y&R dropped Ashley, Genevieve and many other chacters in a few months just like GH. Besides GH has got many returning favorites to make up for the losses. And if they can come back no matter if they were fired or left on their own they can always come back later just as others r doing now. When FV and RC were at OLTL they brought back characters that were once written out. People must be interested in whats happening at GH otherwise the ratings wouldnt b there.
Jim, you don’t know me nor do you know how long I’ve watched my programs, so please don’t come at me like that. We are all entitled to our opinions. Thank you and have a nice day
Jim I agree Y&R cleaned house last fall. These exits except for Scott Reeves were leaving on their own. And I am strictly going by what SR said on his twitter he said he was let go the others no they chose to go .
Wait a minute Jim, what characters?
I apologize Donna if you thought i was coming at you in some mean spirited way but you misconstrued what i was trying to say. And maybe i did with you too. When you said 4 major characters in 4 months it sounded to me like GH was the only show that ever does it, and so in return i was pointing out that Y&R not too long ago done the same thing. I was also only trying to say that even if some characters are dropped doesnt mean they can never come back again. Except for maybe Scott R the others chose to leave on their own and is no ones fault. And if you knew me you would know im not a bad person who goes after someone in a mean way. I was only trying to point some things to you in a civil manner. However your reponse to me makes me feel you think just the oposite. So i hope now you think differently now that ive explain myself a little more to you. IF not im fine with that. Like you said we r entitled to our opinions.
I feel like many fans get upset with GH every time someone leaves or chooses to leave. It’s a show, people come and go…I just feel lucky to have been introduced to the wonderful actors we have been introduced to and now we can be their fans forever no matter where they go. Until we hear why he says he left, or was let go..I dont pay attention to all the drama on the net. He’s gone. Its sad, we have great memories..and I hope to see him on the stage or screen again! Thanks Brandon for being the best bad boy, you’ll be missed 🙂 That’s really what matters..our appreciation to the actors.
BRAVO Laurie!!!! I could not have said it better myself. All of this cr*p on-line about people leaving. It’s a SOAP OPERA! It has been happening since they started on the RADIO! Actors CHOOSE to not renew their contracts, characters are written out, then they come back and the roles are recast. It isn’t personal people, it’s life. You and I have jobs, and we may CHOOSE to leave them, or the co. may downsize (take the co in a differet direction, just like a SOAP) and you can get laid off or fired. It happens to EVERYONE in life regardless of what you do for a living.
Gosh, you gals sound like rational and reasonable soap fans. Can I hang out with you. The hatred spewing, bullying and threatening soap fanatics on Twitter, Facebook and message boards scare me!
Well said about Brandon. Its was time, we’re grateful and wish him the best.
I have just always enjoyed being able to watch GH, and even though I don’t watch the other shows I am glad the craft continues onward for us fans. I am only 34 and feel lucky I can still watch GH as I started watching in my teens with my mother. Someday they all may be gone, and such is life. Enjoy them while they are here – or don’t watch them at all, your choice. Complaining is a waste of time I feel. However if I left my job/or was let go I hope people start tweeting about how unfair that is LOL 🙂
Can I hang out with you guys as well? Actors come and go all the time and have been doing so since Soaps began, I’m miss BB, but I’m not gonna stop watching GH all together because he’s leaving. All of this crap about people leaving and folks talking about they’re not gonna watch OLTL because of it is getting on my last nerve! I watched all 3 ABC Soaps and I think GH is rocking right now.
Well said! Can I add that saying someone was fired because they chose to leave doesn’t make it true. Actors are allowed to try other things. It is a shame people just want to tear the show down any way they can, truth be darned.
All of you, well said.
Lmao actors don’t choose to leave unless they don’t like what they’re being written and feel like their time is wasted. Johnny was ruined the minute Starr and her dumb family drove into Port Charles. BB must have hoped his character would been redeemed considering Sonny has been redeemed over and over again. JMB left because she saw the baby storyline was going to take forever to develop because of this so called “brilliant” vampire story. Who knows why Scott Reeves had to leave. RC and FV cry over not being able to keep their OLTLers while we lose our favorites. You can’t fault the actors for wanting to leave so they can actually have material, be on more than once a week. But by all means do not think they left on their own. They were unhappy. Period.
Erin, that’s because Twitter & Facebook are lame – those people just sit on there and make threats and say horrible things. I like the group on MF’s blog a lot — but those social media pages are full of rabid people. The actor chose to leave and whether it’s GH’s fault for cutting his air-time, at the end of the day it’s still his choice to stay or split. Best of luck to him!
This is so sad Brandon is a talented actor I’m gonna miss him. But I feel the lack of airtime was costly. I loved him wen he was with Lulu he was a gangster with a heart. I wish him much success coz I’m gonna miss him
with such a full canvas, I have to wonder how many other actors will skip out of GH when their air-time is being cut so drastically. It’s a shame 🙁
GH used to have MORE characters in the 80s and 90s and they had NO PROBLEM writing for an ensemble cast! It is the crew behind OLTL that have ruined GH! They jump around, the editing is horrible and the show is cheesier and camper than it has ever been. GH used to be the show to beat in the Emmy’s , however, their days of 22+ Emmy nominations a year are over and I think GH will be done after there 50th! Cartini just does not know how to utilize their characters to their full potential.
GH Fan….give it up. You are wrong.
can’t say I didn’t see this coming. It’s too bad, but GH wrote him into a corner. Best of luck to him in his future!
My thoughts exactly.
Exactly what I was going to say. Now what?There is no guarantee the Lllanview 3 are coming back, GH has really been getting much better, but with characters leaving, thats not good.
Kinda leaves Carly love-less. She went from having Todd & Johnny to no one and has no air-time either. Either Jax resurfaces or they get Roger back permanently.
It’s too bad.
I hate that they wrote Johnny into a corner as he would have been good for Elizabeth or any of the other available female characters of that age.
I liked him best with Lulu.
I wish him luck and hopefully he has gainful employment very soon.
I liked Johnny! I can think of so many others that should go first–like the women he’s been paired with: Connie and Olivia.
Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :'(
Oh, I’m sad about Brandon leaving GH! He has created an interesting, complex character, but it seems the writers don’t quite know what to do with him. Maybe it’s because Johnny no longer has any family in Port Charles. At any rate, I will miss Brandon and wish him much luck in the future!
It is sad. I will miss him and his father. I hope they leave and open door for his return. He is a talented actor.
What has happened to journalism? He has a conscience, not conscious.
I’m sorry he’s leaving but wish him well especially with his “NBA career.” Johnny will probably be cell neighbors with Matt Hunter. After his breakup with Carly and confession of murdering his grandfather, where else would the character be headed? Maybe one day he’ll be back and have a great storyline. Until then best wishes, Brandon. We’ll see you on some other show/movie or on the “basketball court.” 🙂
I think it sux. Great character…involved with so many different people on the canvas…thought there’d be a realationship with Christina now that she’s older. Seemed like that was the direction they were heading since they put them both in the same prison environment. The friendship with Star could have been renewed, the animosity with Todd, residual feelings for Carly. It’s like they’re bringing back the older vets and getting rid of the more recent familiar ones. Not liking the trade-off. Woudld rather they find a way to juggle the schedules and keep these popular characters on. Will miss the actor and “Johnny.”
yeah, I actually saw potential with Christina. That would have really ticked Sonny off! GH missed the boat on that storyline. Too many single women on this show without men, now we lose another one.
This Kristina & Johnny have great chemistry!
Big mistake……GH will regret this decision
yep.
He decided to leave all by himself.. His choice..
People are fast to blame everyone that breaths a ABC, when they have nothing to with his leaving..
Geez do some actually believe everyone how leaves a soap was let go ..
Is it known why he is leaving is it his choice or was it the boot like Scott Reeves got?
He said;
Quote BB ;
” I have chosen to move on & pursue my NBA career.”
He ‘chose’ to leave, all by himself..
I errrrr…think he was joking about the NBA career…LOL…I also think that was his way of letting the fans know, in a humorous way…that he’s been given the boot!
Are you serious?! He was joking about the NBA thing!
Guys the NBA comment was a joke the man is 33 yrs. old. He was just being funny & sarcastic Y&R here he comes.
Yeah, he was definitely joking about pursuing an NBA career. If it wasn’t his age it would surely be his height from making that a reality.
If he wanted to sound believable, he would have said hockey or baseball.
I can’t believe people actually believe what he said. The man is trying to make lemonade out of the lemons he just received and making light of it.
This sucks!!! Im really sad about the news! Cant he be saved! Elizabeth was!
RC, is getting rid of the all the “mafia element” of the showSbu gone
And Scott Reeves is leaving too
Steve Burton gone(good riddance)
RC is cleaning house…we don’t need the mob
I’m feel sorry for Brandon, but it was the mob storylines that GUZA THE LUZA
wrote!!!!
Like Bob Dylan and Sam Cooke said
“THE TIMES ARE CHANGING”
So we can get rid of Sonny too – he’s the mob. So we have to get rid of the mob, but we must have a three month story about vamps and a serial killer? I’d rather have the mob.
Rc wrote the Vampire story a little bit hard I understand your frustation
But we can’t have the mob, ,,,,,,,look they had the mob on the set of Y&R
and it didn’t work!!!
We got a kinder,gentler General Hospital!!!
Sonny is finally become a GRANDFATHER!!!!!!
What took so long.???
THE MOB STORYLINE KEPT HIM
(1) MAKING A BABIES. …..CARlY, SAM, CLAUDIA, ALEXIS. ….AND THE REST
SO THE MOB IS YESTERDAY NEWS!
Now Johnny was part of the mob
I will miss him. He was definitely one of my favs. Why are we losing all of the single men on GH? We need our soap hunks!!
Sad news. I hate when the people leave!! 🙁
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! not another member of Port Chuck 🙁 I feel so sad (sigh)
Seriously ppl. Why do most of you assume he was ” let go” did it ever occur to anyone that he didn’t want to renew and backing him into a corner??? They may have done that because they knew he was leaving and didn’t want the cat outta the bag yet. Now if we see him pop up on Y & R something is up lol
Well I love the OLTL characters and I hate to see these guys go but i feel that if they want to leave that there is nothing really the show can do it is the characters decision a lot of poeople blame the show but Steve Burton was leaving no matter what the people at GH said !!!! The producers and writers do the best they can for our favorite soap. And no matter what I will always be very loyal to GH and I do hope someday these guys come back but there are many other very talented characters on this show who deserve our loyalty !!!!!! I wish Steve Burton ( who I watch everyday on Y&R) Scott Reeves, and Brandon Barash all the very best and I hope they love GH enough to come home someday !!!!! But I will never be disloyal to any of them as a very big fan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A talented and handsome loss for GH. Not surprised seeing that the OLTL team behind the scenes didn’t write for him. He hasn’t had a story in a year. Same with Julie Marie Berman. Too much time has been spent on the OLTL transplants, Kate/Connie and newbie characters that don’t connect with the audience like Sabrina, Britt, Felix, Trey, Kristina. Wouldn’t be surpised if Jason Thompson were to leave shortly.
Fully agree, Tania. I hope to see all these who have left be in a better role that can elevate their careers. Much deserved.
and….flip that switch, Carly is supposedly now in ‘love’ with Todd. and I thought Kate/Connie was the only one with multi-personalities.
I really liked Johnny and hoped he could be redeemed. Alas, it appears Bradford Anderson and Jimmy Deshler (Rafe) have some big shoes to fill, especially while Michael Easton and Roger Howarth are away. Of course, I will always love me some Mac!
I loved Johnny Zachara – Good Luck Brandon Barash. GH making room for Micheal Easton & Roger Howarth?
Really sad to see that BB is leaving. Already bad to lose JMB. Don’t think I care to watch this GH. Jason Thompson is the only bright spot left.
I wrote on this board when it was announced that Kristian, Roger and Michael was coming to GH. I told people then that they would take over the show. This was meant to be OLTL 2 , not GH. GH who the writer consider the stars of the show is Carly, Sam, and Sonny, it didn’t take long to put Sam/John, Carly/Todd, and Starr/Michael, and keep Sonny with Kate. Then bring on the new newbies they have hired. Add on some of the past Vets who are only on the show short-term and will be gone. No one questioned how quick Starr fell for Michael, Sam/John connection, Todd/Carly. This was all planned to get the three STARS from OLTL to have a connection to someone if not they had no purpose on the show. Then you look at the other background fillers on the show that are characters of GH and they are in the Background to characters like Britt, Sabrina, Ellie (who i like) . I mentioned this because I’m not surprise that Brandon is leaving. They have no plans to write for certain characters on this show . I see why major stars on this show is leaving, they have nothing to do on this show, and other will soon follow. Welcome to One Life To Live 2 starring three GH Stars.
Why! All of the good actors are leaving.
ohhh no!! I luv Johnny!!!!!
I hope the band Port chuck goes on!!!
Now GH is 3 studs down 🙁 🙁 And- they are not replaceable !!
Brandon leaving saddens me I feel my soap is changed way to much. .I was hoping for an Abby Johnny paring.It never happen and since, the show and the writing has been a disapointment. I feel this is just one more nail in the coffin pun intended.
What’s going on with GH? So many of the old- time actors male & female are leaving. I’m not sure I”m liking this, because it might feel like I’m not watching the same GH that I like.
Won’t miss him. The only character he was interesting with was Anthony and once they killed him off he was blah.
Hoping that ABC will create a web soap called GH After Dark to bring back the corinthos/zacchara feud. There was so much potential with Carly in love with Johnny. Sonny and Kate. Faison and Joe Scully. We have a soap now that is no stories. People just show up randomly. I want less OLTL characters. I want Brit gone. I want less Theresa and for the vampire story to be dead. Sam, Carly, Liz, AJ, Sonny should be the focus.
I love GH so much and have since I was a child. But all these recent exits of big stars is making me very skeptical about the futre of the show. I feel like all these choice exits have to have something in common…..perhaps the writing……since the stories seem to have just gone off the deep end. All we can hope is that they listen to the fans and start to get back to the way GH was a couple years ago. A great soap opera.
Well, people can not have it both ways..
Most all were wanting the mob gone, and Johnny and Jason were the mob..
the mob has gone by the side in GH..
Both- SB/Jason and BB/Johnny left– they were not let go ..
They both wanted to try other things most likely before they are to old to move on..
BB wants to try the NBA, good for him for trying before he is too old and has regrets for not giving it a chance/try..
People have to stop blaming other’s for the choices of the actors..
They our still in their prime years, and most likely do want to grow old on GH and not live a dream of something else they want to pursue .
(they can’t live their lives according to what fans want 🙂
I love Johnny! But the writing was on the wall when they had him shoot his father in cold blood after he killed Cole and Hope by accident. Hope they write him so Barash can reprise. Johnny was a compelling, complex character, and my heart sank when I saw how they were writing him.
I think all these exits does not bode well for GH’s future. It seems like a mass exodus and makes me wonder what these actors know that we don’t know yet. I realize with so many vets coming back for the 50th they might not be able to afford to keep the full cast but it seems as though other arrangements could be made. Letting an actor like BB go whose character had SO much potential is a bad move. I don’t like the direction GH is going now and am very concerned for it’s future. I realize many did not like the mob story line (I was not one of them) and while toning it down might be warranted, eliminating it completely is wrong as well.
very happy for these 2 male exits: brandon barash, scott reeves and steve burton. their characters were tired and old. no good story, especially steve burton. their exit will alow for some freshness to the canvas.
i mean THREE male exits, not 2.
I’m definitely going to miss him but I still love the show. We almost love GH not too long ago and I think it’s gotten so much better in the last year or so.
I’ll be sad to see him go but wish him all the best. I hope he comes back some day.
On another tangent:
As a fairly new viewer, who came over with the OLTL crew, I don’t have the same experiences with the show that a long-time fan would. I know the history some-what, but don’t have the emotional attachment to all these characters they are bringing back for the anniversary. It does concern me when I see how heavy the cast is getting; when I don’t see Ephiany in like, forever, or weeks go by without seeing other characters. But, I bide my time, hoping that all these returns are meaningful to those who have a longer history with GH than me. If long-time fans are happy with all of this, I’m willing to go along for the ride. I know if GH were one of my long-watched soaps, I’d want all my favorite to return. Sadly, all the shows I have ahistory with have been cancelled.
Because RC has zero idea how to do long term planning for characters, Brandon’s character was written into a corner with nowhere to go. He destroyed Kish, Schuyler Joplin, Joey Buchanan, Aubrey on OLTL. I’m suspecting that there will several more characters will bite the dust because he is so incompetent.
He wanted to leave to do what he has wanted to do try the NBA,,
Why blame RC for everyone’s choices, that is not cool to do..
RC /FV surly do not want to lose the luved BB/Johnny..
(it was rumored in the past BB wanted out, was leaving to move on)
Sometimes actors want to move on and try things they always wanted to do and not be stuck in soap until they are 70 ..
For all we know BB could have told FV and RC months ago he would not resign and therefore he was written into prison..
(hmm an RC hater- everything in world is his fault LOL )
You know whats funny about those who complain about FV and RC. Here many are complaing when a few actors leave a show and blame those behind the scenes while at the same time those behind the scenes are applauded for bringing back stars who were dropped or left the show because IT WAS THEIR DECISION 4 whatever reason. Its just a no win situation 4 some of these people. Besides the ratings remain good so RV and FV must be doing something right plus no one really blamed them at OLTL when they were there they blamed the network.
Hold on there Jim! We most definitely blamed FV & RC, FV for being ABC’s Lap dog ((Which he still is)), and RC for his Crappy writing and taking YEARS to finish story lines, You guys think them 2 are oh so great, Wait til after the Anniversary is over…..I bet with in say 6 Months GH fans are screaming to high hell about the stupid story lines and how long it takes to complete a S/L.
Since he’s already in prison GH doesn’t need to write him out,they can simply stop showing Johnny.
Agree.
I have always loved Brandon and his character, but why is everyone on here so quick to blame TPTB for exits? I love Johnny, but I love having legacy characters on the show more, which is exactly what Frank Valentini has done since he and Ron Carlivati started on this show. Lets run down the list of exits that people are whining about how it’s all TPTB’s faults:
Kimberly McCullough- She chose to leave under the previous regime and was NOT going to come back (hence, why they started the HIV storyline again), but under Frank and Ron, they got her to come back various times so that she could juggle her directing career, as well as keeping Robin on the viewers’ minds.
Steve Burton- He chose to leave, for whatever reason he had, and there was nothing TPTB could do about his decision.
Scott Reeves- He was let go, but was that surprising? Or earth shattering? He didn’t have any storylines, except for the Tennessee tale, nor was he necessary on the canvas.
Julie Berman- Again CHOSE to leave, I don’t know the reason, but if they want, they can always recast.
However, instead of people who left, let’s examine all of the characters brought on, that wouldn’t be on our screens if the current TPTB hadn’t come along-
Heather Webber
Lucy Coe
Frisco Jones
Laura Spencer
Cesar Faison
Duke Lavery
AJ Quartermaine
Scott Baldwin
Anna Devane
Bobbie Spencer
And more just keep on coming! Instead of going “GH sucks, they let this person go!” How about we say, “How AWESOME GH got this person to come back!”
Finally, some sanity!!!! The return of the vets is an extraordinary homage by TPTB to the history of GH. It wouldn’t be happening if the new exec and h.w. had not been hired. They have transformed GH into a highly watcheable show with a real future, as well as an exceptional past that is being celebrated. No one who is a true GH fan could weigh these departures against the returns (Laura, Frisco, Duke, Brenda, Jax….) and say that the value of the few leaving totally negates the value added of the returns. Sheer stupidity. Do Johnny (as much as I loved him), Steve, Jason…really have more value to GH than all these veterans and the rest of this extraordinary cast? Really? Really?
Some of these comments seem irrational, truly!
Tristan, thank you for agreeing. I completely agree with your post as well. I just find it absurd that people are complaining that Frank and Ron are “cleaning” house, when all they have done is bring back veterans, bring on just a FEW new characters- mainly to highlight main GH characters, ABC fan faves like Todd, John, and Starr, and OH YEAH- more vets. This is the best ensemble and balanced GH has been in YEARS.
Most if not all alumni that are coming is just for the Anniversary, I do not believe they are staying after the Anniversary is over.
Anna, Lucy, Duke, AJ, and Laura are not just for the anniversary. Laura’s story is pretty long-term as I have heard it, not sure how Scott fits into that. And even if it is just for the anniversary, the previous regime would not have brought back this many veterans, in fact- they were the ones that got rid of many of these vets like Laura (because of backstage drama between JFP & Genie), Bobbie, Scott, AJ, etc.
And now, even if it is for the anniversary, we have Jax, Brenda, Helena, and Nik coming back as well! 🙂 🙂
Nikki you mentioned 5 ppl and from what I have read Lucy is not staying she was brought back just for the Vampire S/L. What are those 5 actors going to do when there are long time actors leaving what seems to be every couple of weeks. If they don’t smarten up and start focusing on their Actors they will have no cast to write for. The Alumni and the ratings are not going to stay and that is what Ron should be focusing on, He should be focusing on the GH cast not the One Life To Live 3 and planning for the future of the show after the Anniversary, JMO
I love seeing BB/Johnny on GH but I wish him the best especially if the rumors are true about the possibilities of him working on the show Nashville. I do hope that the writers keep the character alive/ meaning he can return if he wants. He’s in prison where else can he go 🙂
Say it ain’t so! Keep bad boy Johnny. Get him out of jail and he can sing with Starr. If that cannot work just let him stay in jail leaving the door open for his return. Please.
Hated the mob storylines, but LOVED Johnny.
rThis confirms that the new writers of GH are ruining our favorite soap
all of these old characters comingbackisinteresting and forgetting about other
characters is not good. Ps. Elizabeth withAJ is gross! Stop it!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO, I love Johnny Z, and mostly Brandon Barash., He means to much to the show to let him go. Bad move GH.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
DAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
DAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
Paige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
Judith Light Talks Her Role in ‘The Terror: The Devil In Silver’ Dropping on AMC+ with Co-Star ‘Downton Abbey’ Alum, Dan Stevens
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