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Erika Slezak Shared Concern with Frank Valentini That She Wasn’t Being Asked to Come to ‘General Hospital’ to Replace Leslie Charleson

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

What a treat it is for daytime soap fans to see the one and only Erika Slezak, back on our screens after 41 years as Victoria Lord on One Life to Live, on ABC’s General Hospital.

Now that its clear that the six-time Daytime Emmy winner is playing Monica Quartermaine’s younger sister (that no one ever heard about before), Veronica “Ronnie Bard, it put her smack dab in the middle of the story with another icon, Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine)!

In a new video shared by the official General Hospital You Tube channel and social channels, the series take you behind the scenes with Erika on the set of the long-running soap opera along with some clips from her scenes that have aired thus far.

Photo: ABC

During it, Slezak speaks to how when she was asked by GH executive producer and her former EP at One Life to Live, Frank Valentini to come to GH to play a role; she didn’t want it to be replacing Monica as played by the late Leslie Charleson.

Erika expressed, “When Frank asked me to come here, I said, ‘I’m not going to replace Leslie?’ He said, “No, no, no.” And that’s nice, because it’s wrapping up Monica’s story. I think she (Leslie) would be pleased with it. I hope she would be.”

Photo: ABC

As for sharing the stage with Elliot, Erika shared, “It is such fun to be here with a lot of the actors that I’ve worked with before, actors that I had never worked with before, like Jane Elliot, who is this the Queen! She’s just fantastic and we’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is lovely.”

Coming in as the newbie to the cast, even someone such as TV veteran, Erika Slezak, she found everyone in Port Charles to be pretty friendly, especially bumping into a lot of familiar faces from One Life to Live including, Josh Kelly (Cody), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Chris McKenna (Brennan) and Jessica Tuck (who is now a director at GH). “The first day I thought, ‘Okay, I know so and so,’ but everybody became my friend like right away. Everybody has been lovely, and working with these actors has been an absolute joy.

Photo: JPI

Speaking to the fast-pace of taping GH, and how that format involves playing scenes that may happen out of order and in different episodes, Erika expressed, “The schedule is so different for what I’m used to. You jump back and forth and back and forth, from one script to 12 scripts later. It’s something you just have to get used to. I’m still kind of going, uh, what day is it?”

Check out the “Erika Slezak Joining General Hospital” video below.

Then, let us know, are you glad that GH did not recast the part of Monica with Erika Slezak, but instead made her the sister know one ever knew about it? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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LMFAO ES was eyeing LC Monica last year . She flat out said in a interview that she could see herself temporary replacing LC as Monica while she recovered. FV should of never wait 8 months to address LC Monica death. Just to coincide with the arrival of ES. 5 decided of LC & she was reduced to a day player at her own funeral. Sorry but ES was not need.

Being a temporary replacement while the original recovers is very different than replacing the original after her death.

I’m not sure I understand your point but no, Erika Slezak was never eyeing the role of Monica. It’s rather an unfair statement.

This grammar in this word salad is painful to read.

So disrespectful to Leslie Charleston, Erika Slezak, and Frank Valentini.and all GH fans.

He waited to plan it too. As a fan of the vets I do appreciate it. I don’t think the memorial was perfect but when you rush it could be so much worse.

No one can replace Leslie. But great to have Erika Slezak back on daytime. Lots of fun with an attempted murder, long lost sister and the reading of a will.

Stories are plotted in advance and can not be changed quickly. Waiting for the tribute to Leslie was not disrespectful they waited until it could be done right and I think they did a good job..Erika has added a great new layer to the story and the actors and writers and Frank have done great work..

The Qs were involved in multiple storylines all year. The needed to get to a logical break point so they could devote proper time to Monica’s passing (and its aftermath).

It would’ve been disrespectful if they squeezed it between other front burner (Michael’s recovery, Drew’s shenanigans, and Gio’s parentage) storylines.

Erika Slezak has been wonderful to watch again. A pro.

Love this development. This story is reinvigorating legacy and giving new excitement to GH.

The will is a fake; time will tell the real will is yet to be read–That is the story and the exit of Ronny-

Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

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Josh and Kristen

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.

The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.

Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC

WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?

Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.

So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?

Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.

Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

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Kin and kelly

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.

Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.

In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Serena and Jason

Courtesy/ABC

WHERE IS SCOTT?

On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.

In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”

The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.”  Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.

So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in 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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