General Hospital
‘Desperate Housewives’ Creator, Marc Cherry Speaks on His Admiration for Erika Slezak and Her “Astounding Acting”
This week, Marc Cherry, the creator of Desperate Housewives, joined Rebecca Budig (Taylor, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Leo, DAYS) on the latest edition of Soapy. During his sit-down chitchat Cherry opens up about his love of soap operas, his writing process and more.
Throughout the conversation, Cherry shared that he used to watch the ABC line-up of shows and in particular, All My Children and One Life to Live, noting the likes of Susan Lucci (ex-Erica Kane), but also the iconic courtroom scene of Karen Wolek on One Life to Live and then getting to meet Judith Light in person.
In addition, Cherry had very special words for the incomparable Erika Slezak, who played Victoria Lord for more than four decades on One Life to Live and is set to debut on General Hospital this fall in a brand new role. He shared his thoughts on what made Erika so exceptional in his discussion with Rebecca and Greg.

Photo: JPI
Cherry stated, “You know who is also great? I got to see Erika Slezak on One Life to Live do some astounding acting. And the biggest thing with soap opera writing sometimes is the writers do a lot of exposition and will go, ‘Remember, the time you told me when we were in Greece about the affair,’ and I know that is part of the requirement to keep fans and in approaching it, but Erika Slezak could do that exposition and make it seem 100% real.”
He went on to say how daytime stars have often been perceived as less than, as compared to motion pictures or other television stars, simply because of the day-part and the target audience. Marc explained, “That to me is one of the interesting things about the daytime drama industry, if you would have taken these people out and just given them the opportunity on a movie, or you know a primetime show, they would be perceived so differently. They are amazing artists who might not be regarded as seriously as some other people, because they were doing their work at shows directed towards housewives at home in the afternoon. And that’s one of the other things, is learning to have respect because there’s some truly amazing talent in every sector of the industry.”

Photo: CBS
Fans can listen to Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart on Audacy or wherever podcasts are available and can watch full video episodes weekly on the CBS Brand YouTube Channel. The show is produced by the Paramount Multiplatform Production Group. The podcast is executive produced by Mike Benson. Andrew Pemberton-Fowler serves as producer.
Make sure to tune-in next week for the Tuesday, August 26th episode when Rebecca and Greg welcome Greg’s Y&R family, Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin) and Tracey Bregman (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin) to the talk series.
So, what do you think about the comments made by Marc Cherry on the greatness of Erika Slezak and his fondness of the ABC soaps of the past? Let us know below, but first, you can check out the entire episode of ‘Soapy,’ and/or the clip following it where Cherry talks about Judith Light’s memorable courtroom scene and his love of the soap genre.
It is so true what he said about Erika Slezak. I found an episode of OLTL dated 3/7/77 on YouTube the other day. There was a scene she did in the hospital cafeteria with Doris Belack as Ana Craig. They were pure perfection. Even though they were on a set with extras around them it was so believable. The little things that Erika did were masterful. It was while Viki was distressed over baby Kevin’s kidnapping. She continued to make wonderful acting choices for so long and we were lucky to witness them. Looking forward to seeing her on GH.
So true! OLTL in the day had some very strong actors… and writing. Emotional, heartfelt, suspenseful. I think it is because of the stage training.
So true
Could Marc Cherry be asked to restore some life into those daytime dramas that are lacking in strong character-driven story, or that need help moving on from a whirlpool trapping them in repetitive plotting?
Erika Slezak is the master. Watching her create a character is absolute magic. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss One Life to Live.
I cannot wait to see what Erika does with whatever she’s given at GH.
General Hospital
Chris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan

As ABC’s General Hospital continues to make casting additions in front of the camera; a new report indicates that Chris McKenna is the next contract player to be written out of the show as his storyline as Port Charles WSB bureau chief, Jack Brennan, is coming to end this fall.
According to sources close to the situation, who informed Soap Opera Network, McKenna will exit the long-running soap opera when Jack is killed-off the canvas. The outlet shares, Brennan’s death will come about as the soap, “leans heavily into storylines surrounding the World Security Bureau (WSB).”
McKenna, who previously appeared on the soaps when he was 12 as a young Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live from 1990-1993, then as an adult as Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015, and next on The Bold and the Beautiful in the short term role of Dr. Hayden, began his run as GH’s Brennan back in February of 2025, replacing Charles Mesure in the role.

Photo: ABC
JACK’S ROCKY ROAD TO ROMANCE
In fact, McKenna won the part over Daniel Goddard and Daniel Cosgrove, who eventually were cast in other roles on General Hospital, that of Henry Dalton and Ezra Boyle, respectively. Chris informed his fans via X, back in August of 2025, that he was put on contract at the daytime drama and thanked them for helping make it happen.
Chris told Michael Fairman TV how it was to step into the role previously played by Charles Mesure, “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like 0nly five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it. Sure, it was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”
On-screen, Jack became romantically involved with Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but that went bust when Carly learned Jack was not up front with her and had secretly enlisted her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) to join the WSB. Over months, Carly plotted to get revenge on Jack, and suddenly, Valentin Casssadine (James Patrick Stuart), Jack’s mortal enemy, came into the picture and he had fallen for Carly and she for him.
Now, Jack has started up a relationship with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros) and has found himself in situations stooping to lows to help Nina and her criminal daughter, Willow Cain (Katelyn MacMullen) out of jams, especially where Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) is concerned.

Photo: ABC
REUNITING WITH ERIKA SLEZAK
Last fall, Chris got a thrill of a lifetime when his OG on-screen mother from One Life to Live, the iconic Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) took on a guest role on General Hospital as Ronnie Bard, the secret sister of Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson). While the two did not have a storyline together, Chris did share some tender moments reconnecting with Erika on the set,
McKenna has a laundry list of primetime credits including: State of Affairs, Good Trouble, Lucifer and Castle, where in an ironic twist he appeared alongside another Joey Buchanan none other than Nathan Fillion.
So, how do you feel if the report holds true and GH is killing off Brennan and Chris McKenna would exit the show? How do you think Brennan will die on GH? Will he be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and someone will take him out? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
Ryan Paevey Open to Return to ‘General Hospital’ to ‘Stir the Pot if Cassius Could be a Good Agent of Chaos’

On General Hospital, Ryan Paevey wrapped his comeback to General Hospital on the July 6 episode, when it was revealed that Cassius Faison was not dead, but being held by the WSB thanks to Z (John Oliver).
It was Z who gave Cassius an ultimatum: a one-way ticket to prison or a death sentence, or to become an agent himself! We never got the answer on-screen, but suffice to say, Cassius is still out there somewhere, but we can assume he is working for the WSB.
GH fans were thrilled to see Paevey back on the ABC daytime drama series where he initially played the very popular Detective Nathan West from 2013-2018. It had been over 7 years until Ryan made a return to his former soap stomping grounds when on-screen in September of 2025, he arrived in Port Charles as a very much alive Nathan, who was actually Cassius impersonating his late twin brother.

Photo: ABC
Over this past weekend, Paevey appeared at the annual GH Fan Club Weekend in Burbank, California, where according to a report from Soap Central who was on the scene; when a fan asked Ryan if he would make another visit to the soap opera in the future, he explained, “That’s a ‘Frank Chat,’ referencing a discussion would need to be had with Frank Valentini, GH’s executive producer.
A CASSIUS FAISON SIGHTING ANYTIME SOON?
Ryan also added, “I’m a bit of a drifter. So, I’m not sure that I want to go back and sign forever. Doing so took a lot of things out of my life, stuff that is valuable to me.” Paevey also explained while he was away from GH he was caretaker to his parents and working on his Fortunate Wanderer jewelry business and more.
However, Paevey concluded his thoughts on the matter with, “But, yeah, I would come back and stir the pot if Cassius could be a good agent of chaos… a conversation might be had with Frank about exactly what ‘not dead’ means.”
All this to say, would you like to see Ryan make another comeback to General Hospital? This time as WSB agent Cassius Faison? Do you think he would help out his sister, Britt and his mutter, and even Josslyn, if they got into serious future trouble? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Christian Howard Makes One Final Return as Ethan Lovett, as Hudson Learns Damning Intel

The Tuesday, August 4 episode of General Hospital brought with it another appearance by Christian Howard in the role of Ethan Lovett. As previously reported, Howard was brought into wrap up Ethan’s storyline as Nathan Dean’s four-month run with the show came to its conclusion.
Now, it has been 100% officially confirmed that today was the last episode of Howard as the recast Ethan. In story, Ethan was now seen in Oslo, Norway after hightailing it out of Port Charles after Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) had showed up looking for him at the Metro Court pool in Port Charles.
On the July 31st episode, Ethan made a beeline to Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) grabbed his bags and headed out of the country without saying goodbye to Ava (Maura West), who he just had spent the night with.

Courtesy/ABC
However, on Tuesday’s GH, it was also the day where Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finalized baby Phoebe’s adoption for Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard). This was juxtaposed with the action in Oslo where Hudson showed up at Ethan’s hotel room door. He demanded immediate answers about Delilah and the baby. Ethan told him that both Delilah and the baby she carried died.
ETHAN’S LIES CATCH UP TO HIM
Hudson is livid. The two get into multiple altercations with Hudson getting the upper hand claiming that Ethan is a thief, who had “stolen from the wrong man.” At that point, Hudson delivered a beatdown on Ethan. Next, he threatened Ethan that he will go after his entire family if he finds out he was lying to him.
Back in Port Charles at the Metro Court pool, Ava is lamenting about Ethan’s sudden disappearance to Trina (Tabyana Ali). Later alone, she gets a call from Ethan telling her to never reveal that he’s not Phoebe’s biological father. Cut to: Hudson out in the hotel hallway listening in on the call through a bug he planted in Ethan’s hotel room. Hudson then takes off. The final moment of Ethan’s is him sprawled out bloody on top of the hotel bed.
A GH rep told Soap Opera Digest that “the door is open for Ethan to return to Port Charles” in the future. And as previously reported by TV Insider, when Nathan Dean signed on for his four month return, it was due in part to that he and his wife announced back in March they were expecting a baby.
So, now that Christian Howard has officially exited the series marking the end of the story for now of Ethan Lovett, what are your thoughts? Obviously, we will look for Hudson to return to Port Charles and infiltrate the Quartermaines lives especially Brook Lynn and Chase to get close to Phoebe, and then there is Ava, who may be in terrible danger, or is she? Share your thoughts and theories.
-

General Hospital1 week agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-

News3 days agoLucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
-

General Hospital15 hours agoChris McKenna Reportedly Out as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-

General Hospital6 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-

General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
-

All My Children19 hours ago‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
-

News1 week ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor











