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Emma Samms Opens Up On the Challenges of Taping General Hospital While Battling Long COVID

By Michael Fairman

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General Hospital fans are anxiously awaiting the return of Emma Samms (Holly Sutton) to the ABC daytime drama series, that was originally slated to air on October 19th. However, with the preemption of today’s episode, Holly’s return to the canvas will be pushed back a day.

For Emma, returning to work has been something she has to be careful of, and manage, due to her ongoing bout with Long Covid-19.  According to PEOPLE.com, when Samms began taping new episodes of GH, she informed the producers that she had certain limitations.

Emma shared: “I told them if I stand still for too long, I might fall over. I might lose my voice if I talk too much. I sometimes sound gaspy.” She added, “I said, ‘Basically, think senior citizen and not a fit one. Just think in those terms when you are writing for me.'”

Since originally contracting Covid-19 in March of 2020, Emma is one of the millions worldwide who have suffered the more debilitating effects of Long Covid.

Photo:ABC

When she came back to Los Angeles from the UK for her month-long GH shoot, Emma shared:  “I had massive trepidation.” But the popular star noted: “I feel really lucky that people are willing to accommodate me in order for me to work. I feel desperately sorry for people who don’t have bosses who are as sympathetic.”  Speaking of being sympathetic and understanding, reportedly GH’s EP, Frank Valentini, gave Samms his parking spot near the ABC Prospect Studios; to help limit the amount of walking Emma would have to do.

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands everywhere Friday, Tristan Rogers (Robert) shared on Samms’ return: “I didn’t think it would happen given her health.”  SOD also shared that Robert will be in for the shock of his life when he reunites with his ex-Holly, who is very much alive.

Emma’s husband, Simon McCoy, has been with the actress during filming of GH.  When they return to England, Samms revealed: “I’ve got nothing scheduled the month I get back, and I shall just recuperate.”

So, looking forward to seeing Emma back on GH? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Aww so cute together Holly and Robert back when I watched the show

Very classy moves by Frank Valentini!

Is she only returning for one month?

If those are recent pictures, she looks great, considering all she’s been through recently. She may feel like a “senior citizen” but damn sure doesn’t look like one.

Some idiotic rumors on other sites trying to say Holly’s the “hooker”. Don’t think she’s physically capable of pulling off that particular role, from her own description. Not to mention, she has no connections to any of the hooking victims.

I can’t quite understand why she is working at all regardless of accommodations being made for her. Covid is Covid.

She’s not contagious. She had the actual Covid infection back in March of 2020. She just happens to be among the unfortunate number of mortals who have suffered long term damage as a result of the virus. Nobody’s going to “catch” that from working with her.

No, all Covid is not the same. Long Covid is quite different from what the vast majority who get Covid experience. Those with long Covid cannot spread the virus. After suffering with this for a few years, kudos to Emma for trying get some normalcy back in her life.

Happy to see her back at GH and hope it wasn’t too much for her. Don’t know what the storyline will entail, but I hope it leaves room for more returns.

She is welcome back anytime she wants to come back… Or anytime the story dictitates it. She is legacy GH. Holly… And Emma always have a place in town.

Her health issues are caused by the “vaccines” … not by “long covid.” Why doesn’t she know this and why is she lying?

I will love to have the character back. She is always fun!

She got Long Covid way before any vaccine was even available. I too have Long Covid. And when I got the initial vaccination series, I actually felt better than I had since early 2020. Long Covid is something totally different than a negative reaction to the vaccine.

Yeah ok, “Daryl Licked”, cause you know more than the doctors and scientists that actually do this stuff for a living. Get out of here with the tinfoil hat conspiracy BS.

I got Covid in April 2020. This was a year before any vaccines were available. I never recovered. I suffer from symptoms every day. Some days I sleep for 16 hours other days I can not breath.

The only one lying here is YOU. She got Covid in March 2020. You know… the first month that 99% of the planet had any knowledge of the virus at all?

Vaccines… for whatever idiotic Q-Anus myth you want to believe about them – would not even exist until a year AFTER that. So unless she was borrowing Doc Brown’s DeLorean, it would be impossible for the vaccines to cause her problems.

If you wish to spread lies, there are plenty of other websites for you.

FACT
Emma caught Covid in March of 2020 and has had chronic symptoms since then.

FACT
The vaccines were not available until December 2020 for medical professionals and shortly thereafter for high risk individuals. Emma would have had her symptoms for at least 9 months before a vaccine was available.

FACT
The vaccines have saved lives and made those recipients who did catch Covid have milder cases.

A little education goes a long way.

Daryl, you seem to live in alternate universe and how dare you accuse Emma Samms of lying? Emma and her doctors are well versed and well educated on the profound effects of long term COViD. She’s suffered enough and is graciously visiting GH as a favor- she certainly doesn’t need the money.

She looks great.

I love RnH but I wonder if Tristan and Emma feel the same. Apparently, they had a bitter breakup in real life, and Emma said how hard it was doing kissing scenes after their relationship ended. I hope enough time has passed that they can work together without any animosity.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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