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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-

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

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Stacy Keach and Cynthia Watros

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.

In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.

Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC

In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.

STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING

Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”

She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”

Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”

Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”

Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

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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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