General Hospital
CONFIRMED: GH Gets Lucky! Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parsons Returning!
Courtesy/ABC
Fantastic news! As has had been rumored about, Daytime Emmy winner Jonathan Jackson, along with Nathan Parsons are returning to ABC’s General Hospital just in time to send-off their former on-screen TV dad, Anthony Geary, who will depart the canvas as Luke Spencer.
According to EW.com, “Both men will return for a short arc to coincide with Geary’s last days on the daytime drama.”
Jackson, who plays Lucky Spencer, and was last seen on the daytime drama series in 2011, is currently starring on ABC’s Music City drama, Nashville which has been renewed for its fourth season. While the series is now on hiatus, and although Jackson is touring with his band Enation, its a perfect time for Anthony Geary’s favorite scenepartner to return for some emotional moments with the soap icon before he exits his role after 37 years.
Courtesy/ABC
As for Parsons, who is also starring in the primetime series The Originals on CW that was renewed also for the fall, he will return as Luke’s wayward con-artist of a son, Ethan Lovett. Parsons has created quite the primetime career since leaving General Hospital, including a turn on the final season of HBO’s vampire drama, True Blood!
So, what do you think about the confirmation of Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parsons to GH for Luke’s final farewell? Will the hankies be needed? Comment below!
This endgame is turning into one fine piece of Spencer gun slinging fun! High stakes and emotional goodbyes! It’s Gonna Be Wonderful.
I agree, it will be a serious emotional farewell. I am so happy that both Lucky and Ethan will be there. I wish people get over this hate of Ethan being Luke’s son, I think out of all his children , Ethan is the most like him and I love the character.
I love Ethan…and I agree…while he’s not my favorite…just cause I like em all…love Lucky, too…there was an instant connection between Ethan and Luke. I hope they don’t change the parentage…
Best Returns for the WEEK! YEAH, JJ is returning along with Nathan!!!
I can’t WAIT to hear what Lucky has been up to in Dublin all this time.
Sounds great–but I expect them to make a one-day appearance–more a “sketch” than anything else, but, gee, I would love to see an emotional scene between JJ and TG–and perhaps a funny, yet poignant one between Nathan Parsons and TG; however, I honestly do not think TPTB are capable of writing a truly emotional, heartfelt scene. They’ve written over-the-top caricatures for so long; they’ve really forgotten the examples of the great writers who preceded them. Too bad!
Nancy, you’ve posted almost the same exact thing word for word in several stories now. We get it, you’re not fans of Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati. You’ve made that abundantly clear. How about actually waiting and watching how the scenes and stories play out before you start criticizing? Just an idea.
As far as the “great writers” that preceded them, you must be going way back in time with that statement. Back to when Claire Labine wrote the show. Now she was a great writer. That was when the show was at its best, in my opinion.
You can’t be referring to the previous regime on GH that wrote such things as the death of a 4 year old, a teenage boy getting raped in prison, the destruction of the Quartermaine family, the inexplicable and pointless death of Georgie Jones, the mobster of the month running around Port Charles, the regime that fired Stuart Damon, Genie Francis, Rachel Ames, Kristina Wagner, among others, and took John Ingle off contract, allowing him to leave for Days of Our Lives, causing them to do the silly recast of Edward. I could go on and on about the Phelps/Guza record at GH, but you get the point.
I’m not a huge fan of everything FV and RC do, I hate the killing of Duke Lavery, which to me was totally unnecessary and a slap in the face to longtime fans. But I will take them any day of the week over the previous regime that had GH on the brink of cancellation when they were fired.
I think Nancy IS Bob Guza!
Young man, please do not put words in my mouth (btw, I think we are all free to post our opinions). No, I am not referring to the previous regime with Bob Guza whose major focus was violence and mob. I am referring to the writers such as Doug Marland (which Genie Francis cites in her interviews for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences–see on YouTube). Genie credits him with the Luke and Laura story. Also such greats as Pat Falken Smith. I am talking about the writers who actually took time to create complicated characters and integrated story lines. The writers on GH do not appear to have that capability; instead, they give us jerky sketches and dropped story lines. The also have violated almost all of the legacy characters and story lines. I am only speaking the obvious.
Timmm, bite your tongue! I am a poet and short story writer–and NOT a fan of Guza nor Phelps. And I abhor violence and adher to the adage that the “pen is mightier than the sword.” So there.
@Dan- Kudos!!! No matter what FV & RC doooooo…there’s no pleasing everyone.
It is what it is. Be happy JJ and NP were able to carve out a little time,from their busy
schedules to bid TG a fond and respectable ADIEU. Personally I’m thrilled.
@Timmm: you’re comeback, “PRICELESS”.
@Nancy: Young man, huh? Lol, it’s been a long time since I’ve been called young. But thanks for the compliment! Yes, you are entitled to your opinion, just as I’m entitled to disagree with it. That’s the beauty of this board. Marland and Falken Smith are before my era of watching GH, though I certainly appreciate and respect the history of the show. Claire Labine was writing the show when I started watching, so she’s always the bench mark for me. Sounds like we agree on Phelps and Guza, at the very least.
@Timmm: Love it!
@Fanny: You’re exactly right. Some people seem to get off on criticizing FV and RC, and I mean, yes there are things they deserve to be criticized for. But criticizing them for shows and stories that haven’t aired yet, and criticizing them because JJ and NP are only able to drop in for a short-term appearance on the show, so naturally it’s gonna be more of a “sketch” than a long-term story, that’s really reaching.
What I always go back to is an undeniable truth. People can say what they want, but if it wasn’t for FV and RC, there would be no GH for us to be talking about today. It would be in the soap opera graveyard along with AMC, OLTL, ATWT, GL, and all the rest. They came in, stabilized the show, and got the ratings back up to a level that ABC was pleased with. We haven’t heard any cancellation talk in a long time. For that I will always be grateful.
Dan, to say that someone (meaning me) “gets off” criticizing TPTB is beneath anyone writing seriously on this board, I should think. If everyone has the right to his/her opinion (as you rightly say), why get rude and accusatory to someone that disagrees with you or simply states her opinion? Unnecessary and really uncalled for. I’m very disappointed that you would make that statement. It adds nothing to an intelligent discussion by the other more courteous posters. Now go to the (black) board and write 100 times: “I shall not say “get off” to the teacher”–English teacher, that is–and that would be me. BTW, are you old enough to remember the days when the teacher had one do this for punishment? LOL
Thanks Dan. You’re so right. Without Frank and Ron there’d be no GH. They took a show that was about to be canceled and made it so much more compelling and better. It’s not 100%–no writer ever is (I say that as someone who makes their living writing–though nonfiction).
I thought today’s Luke & Anna scenes were packed with emotion. Finola’s been killing it all week. And to say that’s not Anna is to say it’s impossible for people to change and evolve or do awful things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. We’ve all done it in real life, so why can’t soap characters do it as well?
Nancy, if saying the words “get off” are rude and disrespectful then so is referring to someone as “young man”, as you did to me earlier in this thread. I chose to laugh it off, because that’s what I do. I’m not someone that goes around life looking for things to get offended about. Life is too short.
But I certainly could have, because calling someone “young man” is a demeaning and dismissive way of talking down to a person, like a mother scolding a child, or in your case, a teacher lecturing a student. So if there was any rudeness in this thread, that’s where it started.
Btw, sorry to tell you, but “get off” wasn’t directed at you personally. If it was, I would have mentioned your name, which is what I do when I have something to say to someone individually. It was a generalized statement and also a figure of speech. Perhaps I could have chosen my words better, and so I apologize if you were offended or upset.
CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?!?! 🙂 🙂
I think that great points are made by all, at least when the principals are not being offensive to each other (intentionally or otherwise).
Dan, your observation about the regime “that fired Stuart Damon, Genie Francis, Rachel Ames, Kristina Wagner, among others” is astute and absolutely correct. I totally agree with you. Certain executive producers have little to no respect for the veterans, with Jill Farren Phelps being the main instigator.
Nancy, I actually agree with much of what you say regarding FV and RC. I applaud you for being critical of the show as you see fit. You are basing your projected criticism on past performance. (It only makes sense….) I, too, am critical of GH…
I wish more for the show than what we’ve been given. My main gripe is disgust at the character of Sonny, everyone in his orbit (including Jason), and the endless mob storylines. The day they changed GH from hospital-centric to Sonny-centric was a sad and pathetic day in soap history. I just feel that there is no rooting value for an abusive, negative bully and jerk. Carly is not much better. And, yet, the powers that be cram these characters down our throats day after day, year after year, decade after decade. Also, GH has an enormous cast, half of whom it seems are recurring, and the powers that be don’t seem to know how to use everyone effectively.
My viewing has been sporadic in the last couple of years. I am a huge fan of Genie Francis, so I will tune in to see her, for as long as she is on the show. I am old enough to remember Genie when she first started on GH. (I first started watching in 1969! — Don’t get me started on how great the show was in the 1970s, especially before the Luke & Laura phenomenon….) So I am definitely not a “young man” either.
Its a short story arc ot a one day appearance. They won’t be staying past Geary’s exit but they will be around at least for a couple of weeks so more than a “sketch”appearance. I get people don’t like TPTB at GH but to make up things to make them look bad baffles me
I am not making up anything, just stating the obvious.
The best way to predict the future is to look at the past, however, I remain optimistic about Luke’s exit strategy.
Tony Geary has a lot of influence over the writing–he wants to obliterate the dreariness of the patched up Fluke story by bringing viewers some good old fashioned Luke adventures.
I am over the moon that JJ is coming home—he really feels like he is the son of Luke and Laura. We’ve watched Lucky grow up and he actually feels like family. I am also excited that Nathan is coming back as Ethan. He’s a great character and I wish he’d stick around.
Nancy you are insinuating that they will only be on for one day which is not true so yes you are making stuff up. I have to agree with Harry, Geary has a lot of input so i think his exact will be decnt. TPTB may not always be the best but they know the shows history and have always done a good job incorporating that into the show so these next couple months should be a lot of fun.
Well said, Nancy.
Harry…you and I agreed on this before Harry…we both love Ethan. Actually, I have two Nathan Parsons sitings because I am FINALLY watching True Blood. Binge watching actually. Within two days I’ve watched two seasons. I hear he’s in the final season…so…while I want to savor this show and actually slow down my binging…I can already imagine how fantastic he must have been as a vampire. But I digress…
@Rebecca: When you’re through with True Blood…You may want to consider
The Originals on the CW, ( Don’t LAUGH! A spinoff of The Vampire Diaries )
the first episodes will introduce the characters & how they came to be…
They just finished season 2 & have been renewed for a third season…
Nathan P play’s Jackson a Werewolf, the role suits him well.
Sebastian Roche is also on this show, he plays Mikael……
Hi Fanny. Thanks! Actually, I haven’t watched The Vampire Diaries yet, either. So, those two shows will be next on my catch-up list. I love the whole vampire lore…
I am soooooo loving True Blood. I’ve now gone thru another season…pulled an all-nighter. It’s a catch-22…I’m “hungry” for each episode and yet I don’t want to get to the end of the series…
Nancy, if they are not capable of writing emotional scenes; then just what happened with Anna and Luke was not emotional to you 6/4/2015? I cried buckets!! Maybe it is YOUR definition of emotional that is not letting you feel.
Delete one Harry. 🙂
It was not very emotional for me because it was not Anna–I could not believe it; thus it failed to have the emotional impact that it would otherwise have had. The scene, like so many other was spurious and contrived for sweeps–sheer sensationalism.
Can we please ease up on Nancy? I think she did a good job stating her case and was kind of funny in the process. Of course, Nancy, I would have called Dan a ‘whippersnapper’ so you have me beat in the class department. Nancy, I sounded like you a few months ago but subsequently gave up after realizing that all my bitching was just putting me in a worse mood (if that is possible). I do root for GH and what appears to be hatred on my part is really my being defensive of an old family friend. Perhaps you feel the same. As I have said many times, hatred is not the opposite of love–indifference is. And when indifference and apathy set in we stop watching, hence the ratings go down. Therefore, for the sake of saving our soaps, we should be encouraged to speak up regardless of whether the content of our opinion is positive or negative. The collective nature of these forums signifies interest which is always a good thing for our four remaining soaps. So keep talking! It’s okay to disagree!
Rebecca, like Nancy you manage to be a class act while disagreeing with others. Yes, you and I agree when it comes to Nathan, aka Ethan. I think this guy is down to earth, off beat, and lovable in all his quirkiness. I truly believe he is Luke’s son.
Wilda, I fast forwarded through much of today’s show because it featured Valerie too much. I truly do not care about her and wonder why anyone thought adding her to the already over crowded punch bowl was a good idea. However, I watched intently as Tony Geary said goodbye to Finola Hughes. Yes, that was their goodbye scene and Luke and Anna were emoting real emotions. It was very poignant and quite lovely.
Okay, everyone….anyway…
I think that Luke’s and Tracy’s engagement party is in honor of Tony’s exit, yes? Nice send-off.
Nice!
Awesome news! Glad they can make time to come back. Though I prefer JJ & Nathan in the roles, I wish they would recast 1 of the roles- perhaps Ethan- and have more Spencers on canvas with Luke leaving. Of course, it has to be the right recast.
They do have the right to be recast Reagan, but I so did not like the other Lucky recasts. I enjoy Jacob Young on B&B. He is tearing it up currently. He also excelled as AMC’s JR. I have no idea why he was cast as Lucky. Greg Vaughn is such a solid actor. I didn’t mind him, just not as Lucky. It’s true I’m a Jonathan Jackson diehard!! I think he’s so very unique and I felt GV was too straight-laced to play the character. He’s solid on Days currently but in a terrible s/l. He’s being wasted their. I could understand if he returned as Lucky since Days doesn’t know how to use him, but I would want someone with more colors. I do like the Dillon recast so maybe the 3rd time would be the charm with Lucky recast.
I meant wasted “THERE” not their.
I am not feeling as enthusiastic as I should. So much of the Spencer “spirit” left with Julie’s Lu. And the recent writing of Luke. Just not sure.
Agreed!
@ Karen-Ditto. I adore JJ and very much enjoy NP and Mr. Geary has been burning the candle at both ends with the Fluke/Luke story to both the admiration and/or derision (depending whether one likes him or not), of the viewing audience. Unfortunately the “light” went out on much of the Spencer glow when Julie left.
Ohhh my!!
All, the great stars coming back to go out with Tony/Luke..
Tony is being shown and given great respect !!
and well deserved …
truly is will be a solemn/pomp and circumstance and a sad moment ..
“…pomp and circumstance ”
WOW does any one read… SOD…. this weeks issue… was so telling
I realize AG is a shy person…. certainly not shy about his candid “approach” to fans of
he read us the riot act…. so long ago… and to this day… doesn’t give a rats ass
LOL even when I think back to his recent interview… he was not ready and forthcoming about the audience
just saying
a blaze of glorified upchuck…. don’t let the door hit you on the way out
decorate your 8 emmy
bye bye
it’s time to marquee the re-invent or command of Jane Elliott
Patrick, I agree with you. TG has disrespected fans forever. He always seems angry at the fans and ambivalent about the character of Luke. No one twisted his arm, and drama is a two-way street. Where is the actor without an audience? TG can’t seem to get over the fact that, eons ago, some fans shouted “Rape, me, Luke!” (according to him). Where is his sense of humor that he so famously displayed when he first created Luke? Couldn’t he just know they might have been voicing their enthusiasm at seeing their favorite star that long -ago time? He says he walked off the stage. How petulant!
He never gives the audience credit for being serious, discerning and appreciative of good drama.
@Nancy: I agree with your assessment of “No one twisted his arm”. When
he became so popular & well recognized on GH, he chose to leave & explore
different avenues of entertainment. What he hadn’t counted on, was the “it”
factor that had made him a soap “STAR” didn’t translate into nighttime TV &
Movies. So to some degree he reluctantly returned to GH, RESIGNED to
playing LUKE indefinitely. However disappointing that prospect was to TG,
he became the HIGHEST payed actor on daytime television. So he made
out better than okay…….
SOD : “In his own words”
– Geary has shared a lot of shocking details about himself over the years in Digest interviews –
” I don’t live for my fans. I don’t even act for them. I act for myself and that character. That character has been my first friend… I am sure that some of your readers will be incensed, but I want to make that clear. They found me. I didn’t go after them. This is not to put them down… If I ever get too tired to find a reason to do it for me, then i’m out of here, folks. ‘Cause I’m not going to stick around for the fans. For what? This is the most fickle medium in the world – please quote me. Today it’s Geary, tomorrow it’s somebody else.” 12/20/83
“Luke and Laura were created out of a lot of angst and neuroses, and you need to hang on to that. If you redefine them as a happy couple, as much as the audience says they want that, they get bored. and so do we… frankly, there’s nothing I hate more than playing the nostalgic moments around the hearth with the family. I loathe it.” 11/27/01
etc…
I’m certainly not that far removed…. that I kindled the thought that these figures (actors) should matter vice versa with the audience
as posted…. I chose AMC over GH years ago… I’m not slighting his motivation
I will applaud him… when the character goes dark
I got caught up in the moment at the grocery store… (lol) is our fervor with 4 REMAINing wild
I am so excited to see what’s in store for Jane Elliott
speaking of GH : you know what got me incensed
LOL : was Dr. Leisl losing her Painting, from Franco
I near screamed, when Nina smashed it over Franco head
I like the tease and banter between Leisl and Franco : provocative, no?
It is fantastic news.
But it’s kind of funny isn’t it? All the current GH news being made and promotion.
Genie Francis, Emma Samms, JJ, Nathan Parsons. I thought that was all history and in the past. No need for vets and major GH characters from years ago right? We have the West Westbournes; Dr.O, Nina, Nathan, Madeline. There’s Silas. There’s the ever growing Jerome Clan, Sam and Lucas look oh so happy to be with Daddy. Denise is here and boy is she a riot. Of course the ever present Franco, looking for a place to fit in, thrown into everyone’s orbit, overhearing things, threatening to tattle secrets. And let’s not forget about Agent Sloane, who could forget about him?
But yet, through all this greatness, with all these HUGE stars from other shows, playing these oh so interesting new creations,GH demo ratings have been down for a while and now we are getting all this news and ABC promotion with those oh so irrelevant vets. So very interesting.
Ve-rr-y interesting, indeed! But too late to save a sinking storyline/character–LUKE or so-called Fluke. So sad it all came down this way–doubly sad because it didn’t have to if TG had kept his ego in check and TPTB had not kowtowed to him. Alas and alack!
AJQ and Nancy, couldn’t agree with you more! It’s so sad that The Powers That Be can’t pull from the rich history with the Vets. Lately, I sit and every episode ask myself who are these people (Silas, Kiki, Nina, etc.) and how do they fit in to the history of GH. I don’t get it. And, Nancy, you’re right. Tony, as much as I love him, had way too much of a say in his character.
You guys gotta understand something, when Tony and a guy like Eric Braeden have been on their shows for so long they do deserve a say in their characters stories. Its out of respect to all their years on their shows and they do care about who they portray and want them to be portrayed properly.
Thanks, Justin!
Hmmm, good point Timmm, I just feel that in Geary’s case, the character of Luke has been destroyed. I grew up watching and loving his antics and adventures, and of recent years, I cannot remember the last time that I liked that character.
I feel the need to point out that Tony Geary was not happy with the writing of the Fluke story. He said that he said to his dear friend Jane Elliot that they would just have to make the best of it–and he did. They did.
While he has some influence over the stories, we cannot blame him for the Fluke debacle.
I know many disagree with me on the aforementioned–but the writing afforded to the Fluke was crap and didn’t adhere to the basic story arc which includes: introduction, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution. It was all over the place.
I just hope Ron doesn’t make love like her writes, (will this get past the censor?)
I apologize for my jumbled post above (if it goes through–waiting for moderation).
Trying to type on my cell phone is a daunting task for me.
I actually hope it doesn’t go through!
love the jackson,and am very impressed that hes taking the time to return to his roots,,cant wait,,,geary,francis,,parsons and jakson with rylan should be dynamite tv,,,
I am so excited! I adore Lucky & Ethan. Their scenes will pop no matter what material they’re given. If Tony Geary must go, it’s great to see his last no-time screen partners giving him a great send-off. (I know Rthan wasn’t on GH that long, but he was great nonetheless.) The only role we need is Robert Scorpio – still holding out hope.
I’m so EXCITED !!! We’re getting the family and friends reunion, we so
richly deserve. I’m so joyously happy, I’m already humming “Auld Lang Syne”.
Hoping the Ethan return is to reveal his real father is Robert Scorpio, it is the very least RC can do for 80s fans after killing off Duke Lavery.
In a way I said bon voyage to both Tony and Luke as long ago as the beginning of the Fluke story when I saw the direction the actor and the story were going. Like the Fluke story, the P.S. is just dragging on way too long. Even with all of the guests dropping in. Let’s move on.
I also said goodbye to the character of Luke that I have loved watching since the beginning. I saw Tony Geary in the role of David in the short-lived soap “Bright Promise'” and have seen him in everything he has done on TV,, I believe (despite the fact that he thumbed his nose at and dismissed the fans/viewers). I will see how his scenes go with Laura and Lucky–but, alas, I will be seeing a “ghost” of the character (and actor) I followed for 35+ years. I would have loved to have untainted memories of a beloved character and to have seen TG go out in a blaze of glory, but that will not happen.
And it’s a real shame.
Love it…though the emotion is mixed with the knowledge that it’s just a temporary thing. Holly, Lucky, Ethan…a warm embrace to a soon-to-be memory…
fantastic
this is fantastic
I am so happy they are returning to be apart of sending Luke off but I so wish they would stay….I have missed them alot
Beggars cannot be choosers but I wish Julie Berman were still Lulu. This Lulu [Emme] will have NO chemistry with JJ. Also, for the people that keep bitching about Fluke, I would take all the loopholes and longevity of that story just to have another one of those April 1st black and white shows. That show should be in the TV “Hall of Fame!”
Agreed 100 Percent
And one more thing, Timmm, if you read the interview TG gave to TVInsider, you will see that he seems (belatedly) to realize the error of his ways. He says that he realizes now that he has “bullied and cajoled” to get his way and push his opinion, often to the detriment of other people. He further states that he now knows that “the character (of Luke) does not belong to him, but to ABC and to the writers.” Seems like an honest caveat to me. Who could say it more clearly than the actor himself. I believe that often the actors lack the distance and objectivity to make those huge decisions about the character and must respect the writer that really cares about not violating the character’s integrity.
Everyone quit your constant bickering! You sound like the Quartermaines for heavens sake! Anthony Geary, is undoubtedly, a soap opera legend. Whether you like him, hate him, or are somewhere in between, you cannot argue with the fact that the man has been “Luke Spencer” since 1978 (albeit a few pauses In between.) He is talented and has put his all into scenes and makes a lot of money for doing so. Yes, I do agree with Nancy but I also agree with the others as well. I see both sides. The current regime is known for their cartoonish way of writing including back from the dead stories, Dr Obrecht, Franco, Nina, and now this ridiculous plot of Denise DeMuccio. Among other things, yes this regime has brought back veteran characters– but where are they now? Most of them left after celebrating the 50th and others (Felicia, Mac, Scottie, Lucy, Kevin) are only seen on rare occasions or once-a-month appearances. The constant balance of a large contract cast and ever-growing recurring cast causes these writers to ‘forget’ some characters for weeks on end! Which in turn, causes some stories, to lose emotional value. And that part- my dear friends- I do not agree with. However, we should all agree to disagree and just celebrate Tony Geary’s work and bid him adieu like the adults that we are. While Genie Francis, Emma Samms, Jonathon Jackson, and Nathan Parsons are returning to the show to send him off, let’s be thankful for the time that we have with our faves!
Sincerely, ‘T.’
Mr T–I don’t see any folks bickering. I see folks disagreeing on a few subjects and doing so with grace and tact.
This is the good news, T, as it signifies interest.
Very true, Harry! Very true!
Thanks so very much, Harry, for your bit of levity. You are always a breath of fresh air! Love it!
Harry, thanks again–and you truly are a class act!
it shows how much respect both actors have for Anthony Geary, they are both class act, can’t wait to see them on the show, to bad we won’t be able to see julie marie Berman since the role is currently occupied by someone else…
Awesome. This Soap icon deserves all his family. Would’ve been enough with Genie Francis. Now Johnathon and Nathan. How about Holly and Sean.
Holly is returning as well Steven. Don’t know about Sean. I hope Robert drops in. He was on contract at Y&R but I haven’t seen him in ages. I literally think I’ve only seen him once since the Flirt W/Disaster s/l way back in February!
Am very sad to here that luck is leaveing I have watch gh for a long time I know it is the best for him we will all miss him a lot I like when he play with Laura I wish we would not get old but it happen I hope what every he dose he will be happy
I am thrilled and so glad these talented actors will be reprising their former roles if even for a short time!
I am very happy both Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parson are returning to the show. I am looking forward to seeing Genie Francis also. Frank and Ron brought back a lot of fan favorites that we have enjoyed for many years. There was too much violence when Bob Guza was writer. He was too explosive and trigger happy with car bombings and shootouts. Frank and Ron have brought the shows ratings up from being canceled. The only thing I didn’t like was Dukes murder.
So does this mean there coming back on gh oh I hope liz an lucky get back to gather so jason and Sam can get back to gather an bl may be ethen can go out with
Valerie
Irving,
The actor who plays Ethan, Nathan Parsons, is or WAS on a tv show called The Originals on the CW network. Before that he was on the hugely popular True Blood. Lucky, Jonathan Jackson, is in a plum role on the ABC hit show Nashville. It just got renewed as well. Unfortunately for us they are both busy working in primetime so can’t return-but GREAT for them!!! They are both amazingly talented. Jonathan is my fav actor ever on GH and 1 of my fav actors still. It’s very classy of them to return and classy of GH to ask them!!
I hope they have a large supply of life jackets on set last time JJ was on he cried buckets ever day!
Thank you Luke for all the good times enjoy your retirement..
YES!!! 😉
I understand Tony Geary may have irritated fans in previous interviews. Thanks Nancy for posting his recent interview where he seemed to be checking himself. That’s nice to hear. Nonethleless, it is quite telling how many are returning to bid Mr. Geary farewell. It’s so very telling. Several are busy on other projects-including these two-Jonathan Jackson and Nathan Parsons! It’s classy of them to drop in as I said earlier and classy of GH to ask them!!
I think some of you guys went a little overboard picking on Nancy! LOL She hardly said anything that offensive. I personally think RC & his writers have written many compelling scenes. He definitely can, he just doesn’t do it enough IMO. I enjoyed Luke & Slim’s goodbye scenes (I’d love to see how Claire Labine would’ve written it!!). I do give a lot of credit to the actors though! Finola was spot-on as usual & Tony was quiet & respectful-aware & appreciate of all they’ve shared. He seemed to be soaking it in. He did not overshadow Finola. Lovely scenes.
Oops-I commented about Luke & Anna’s goodbye scenes as well here when the article is about Lucky & Ethan’s return. Sorry for the rambling!!!
I like these returning characters but hope it is all positive scenes between the characters (not like the 50th Anniversary fallout) with due tribute given to the past.
And as a long-time fan, I would not mind seeing Jacob Young and Greg Vaughan also return to tip their hats to TG & fans. Luke could hug his son and Lucky could “morph” as the camera moves around them…just like I embraced all 3 actors as Lucky!
I am going to be very happy to see Lucy and Ethan, as well as Laura. I just wish they were able to be on longer than they will. I started watching Nashville, because Jonathan is a part of the cast. I have not seen The Originals, but I really liked Nathan’s Ethan on GH. Julie Marie Berman was LuLu for me, and I would love to see her back. I don’t know what she is doing these days.
love JJ and Nathan, only TG knows the grind and gilded cage of his fortunate career. I appreciate the entertainment he brought and I applaud the crew! #GH
i thank the return of Lukes son will be great , al so watch Nashville , I will miss Luke very much great story line
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ Shows Most Gains in Total Viewers Week-Over-Week and Up in Key Demo
The ratings are out for the week of August 24-28 for your favorite broadcast television soaps, and it was ABC’s General Hospital which added the most total viewers and planted itself firmly in third place in its battle with Beyond the Gates in the key demos of women 18-49 and 25-54.
According to Soap Opera Network, all daytime dramas were up year-over-year, and General Hospital was joined by The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful with gains in their total audience viewership, while Beyond the Gates was only slightly off pace for the ratings week.
Let’s take a look at what had viewers tuning-in, starting with General Hospital, who added +79,000 viewers. While still under the 2 million viewers mark (which they can hopefully return in the coming weeks) their overall tally was an average of 1, 935,000 tuning-in, while still up year-to-year +136,000.
GENERAL HOSPITAL
In addition, GH while actually down from the previous week in the 18-49 ratings share, they still out performed Beyond the Gates for third place. However, GH was firmly in third place for the 25-54 ratings share.
The stories that were featured for the week included: Anna’s (Finola Hughes) PTSD and struggle with painful memories tied to Cesar Faison, and her concocting a plan to get rid of Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) recording Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) threatening her, and later running into a severe threat from Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) regarding Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) and Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) shooting, and Drew enlisting Ava (Maura West) to gain leverage over Jack, which resulted in Ava drugging him, while Drew went snooping for the evidence Brennan had against him.
Photo: JPI
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
Y&R remained in the top spot amongst all the soaps once again with 3,062,000 tuning in, and up +35,000 for the week, while year-to-year still showing strong gains at +231,000 viewers. However, while Y&R remained #1 for the 25-54 ratings share, it fell to #2 in the 18-49 ratings share behind The Bold and the Beautiful.
In story for the week, Nick’s (Joshua Morrow) sobriety in rehab was a focus, as was Victoria (Amelia Heinle) and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) hitting the Jabot office couch and having sex for the first time, and Lily (Christel Khalil) and Billy (Jason Thompson) battling over control and ownership of Chancellor Industries.
Photo: JPI
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
B&B is continuing to be inch closer to Y&R for the top spot, separated by a little more than 300,000 viewers. For the ratings week, the series posted a total audience of 2,719,000 adding +31,000 eyeballs overall, and like Y&R, is up year-to-year in its performance.
The CBS soap now , now in its 40th season is +217,000 from the same time last year. In the key demos, The Bold and the Beautiful was in the top spot for the women 18-49 ratings share and number two for women 25-54.
In story, the major threat to Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) and Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) and Daphne’s (Murielle Hilaire) marriages continued as Steffy and Carter swore they would not tell their spouses that the two had a drunken hook-up. But as viewers know now, Steffy is pregnant!
Photo: CBS
BEYOND THE GATES
Beyond the Gates tallied an average of 1,611,000 total viewers for the week, up +72.000 year-over-year and down slightly in tune-in for the week losing just -36,000 viewers. The CBS soap came in fourth place in the key demos for the week behind General Hospital, with whom they are often trading places for the third spot.
In story, after Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) was released from the hospital, Hayley (Marquita Goings) stuck to her plan, doubling down on poisoning him and even getting caught in a major lie or meeting with Randy (Maurice P. Kerry), as Vernon (Clifton Davis) may be on to her machinations.
The ratings report is generated from Nielsen (Live+Same Day Big Data + Panel) for the week of August 24-28, 2026
So, what did you think of the performance of General Hospital for the ratings period? Which daytime drama has you most likely to tune-in each day? Which has you tuning-out? Let us know what’s working, or not working for you in story, via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.
Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”
Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.
Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
RATINGS: ‘General Hospital’ Shows Most Gains in Total Viewers Week-Over-Week and Up in Key Demo
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Heather Tom Talks Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and What’s Behind Katie’s Deep-Seated Issues with Dylan (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did Brook Lynn Deserve Chase Walking Out on Her?
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
-
News1 week agoVivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
-
News2 days agoJess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
-
General Hospital7 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Braedyn Bruner Reveals Her Daytime Emmy-Nominated Scenes and How Emma is Getting Her ‘Edge’ Back
-
General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Bluesy Burke Marks 1 Year as Charlotte Cassadine: ‘It’s The Best Gift I’ve Ever Received’
-
News5 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Drops First Look 40th Anniversary Opening Title Sequence
-
Interviews6 days ago‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Kelly Sullivan Talks Becoming Darcy Dylan, Who’s Melissa’s Dad, and Future Love Interest (Exclusive)
-
News3 days agoY&R’s Co-Head Writer Jamey Giddens, Ahead of November Stories and Scripts Debut with Dan O’Connor, Explains How Fall Tees Up Their Plans for Genoa City
