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As Erika Slezak Concludes Her Run as ‘General Hospital’s’ Ronnie Bard; Shares She’s ‘Grateful’ for Fan Response and ‘Honored” to Appear on the Show

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

It has been a thrill for all of us to see six-time Daytime Emmy winner, and One Life to Live icon Erika Slezak (ex-Viki) back on our screens again as Monica’s sister, Ronnie Bard in recent weeks on General Hospital. Watching Erika again reminded us all of just why she is one of the greatest to ever do it in the daytime drama genre.

Erika’s scenes with everyone on General Hospital were pure gold, but nothing compared to her scenes with another icon, Jane Elliot as Tracy Quartermaine. Seeing these two dynamos in scenes together was an absolute treat for soap opera fans and lived up to and surpassed any expectation we might have had.

As Ronnie’s story is set to come to a conclusion in upcoming episodes, now that it appears Tracy just found Monica’s true will and testament, Erika took the time to write a very special ‘thank you’ message to her fans, and everyone at GH – from the cast to the writers and more.

Photo: ABC

In a heartfelt message on her official website, Erika expressed: “Thank you so much for all your emails. I am delighted that you’ve been enjoying my work on General Hospital. I am very grateful for the kind words you have shared with me. It was wonderful to work again in a medium I love.”

Speaking on her time in Port Charles which also saw her reunite with Frank Valentini (former EP, OLTL, now EP, GH), Jessica Tuck (ex-Megan, OLTL, now a director at GH), Chris McKenna (ex-Joey, OLTL, now Jack GH) and more, Erika added, “My experience on GH was fantastic, and I hope you continue to enjoy the show. GH has an incredible group of actors and writers, and I am honored to have been part of it. Many sincere thanks for watching. Love, Erika.”

There was so much love and respect for Erika when she came to the set of General Hospital. In fact, Michael Fairman TV spoke to the directing team at GH shortly after they won the gold as the Outstanding Directing Team in a Daytime Drama series at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards just a few weeks ago. Speaking on behalf of the team were longtime directors: Tina Keller and Robert Markham who had nothing but praise and were in awe of Erika.

Tina Keller expressed: “I was fortunate enough to have her first and last scenes, and I literally love her. I grew up watching One Life to Live. That was my favorite show of all time.  It was just such an honor to have her on our stage and to see her work with Jane Elliot. The two of them in scenes together was phenomenal and there’s still more to come. It’s so good. She’s just amazing.” Director, Robert Markham added, “She (Erika) was a sweetheart and a phenomenal pro.”

While we don’t know how Ronnie will depart Port Charles as of yet, it looks like it will be shortly. Now we can sit back and enjoy Erika’s performances until we have to say goodbye. But, it’s been nothing but a joy to see her work again, and something tells us, she might just get that 7th Daytime Emmy next year at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series, if she chooses to submit herself.

So, sad to know that Erika’s time on General Hospital is coming to an end? Touched by her comments to the fans and those she worked with at GH? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out our conversation with the Emmy award-winning GH directing team from our coverage of the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards now on the Michael Fairman Channel, where they talk about directing Erika and more.

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I do hope she gets the last laugh with Martin vs. just slinking out of town. Interestingly, it appears her beef is only with Martin and not Drew. Drew is the beneficiary, but it appears he doesn’t know the details of the scheme. Wonder if this will lead to Martin’s story ending. Wouldn’t be surprised. Looks like the writers went too far with the Martin/Tracy hatred to get them to eventually fall for each other which was where I was hoping they were going with the 2 of them…

I hoped for a Martin/Tracy pairing, too. You never know on soaps.

Tracy is the type to hold a grudge. And in this case, it’s 666% justified. I think I’ll be operating a ski lodge down here in Hell before she forgives Marty for this one.

Naaa. She has no right to be pissed. She took everything from him and he took his rightful revenge. She should respect that. It was a very Quartermaine thing to do and he almost pulled it off, lol.

Jane Elliot is almost eighty. She’s gorgeous…However, Michael Knight is in his sixties.i dont see them in romantic scenes together, but I love them as snarky enemies! So fun to watch. They never should have killed off Gregory. He was perfect for Tracy; the Lila to her Edward.

I understand that she just wanted a limited engagement ~ and though I would have LOVED more ~ seeing Erika on my TV again, in a medium I love, made me just feel warm all over. It was comforting to have her be there reminding me why I think soap opera actors are the best actors around. Best Wishes to her. I hope she pops back up in Port Charles again!

I have enjoyed her and her acti g for years. So very sorry to see her leave GH. I feel like she added so much to the show!

0would love to see more elaine slezak on GH she is awesome actress loved her on OLTL please keep her on GH even in recurring role she awesome

I did my own tribute to Erika which went up yesterday, Marlena De Lacroix: Soaps for the Thinking Fan. (marlenadelacroix.com). She will be very missed!

I have enjoyed every minute of Erika’s performance on GH. I hope they leave the door open for a future return engagement.

Me too l enjoy Erika I use to watching her on one life to live in hope she comeback again

I would love for GH to keep Erika on set, it would be a kick to see how Tracy & Roni could possibly get on with each-other. Living in the Quartermaine home together would surely be good for a few laughs and some fresh drama. Michael likes Roni too.

I wasn’t able to watch One Life to Live., I really liked Ronnie-

-I wish she would stay on to fight with Tracy..

It’s been an extremely nice ride having Erika on the show. I’ll never forget the scenes between her and Jane Elliot. Those were so well acted between the two of them and made for must-see TV!

Oh how I have enjoyed seeing our Erika Slezak again on my TV! Watched OLTL everyday it was on! I wish her stay on GH was longer! Maybe she can return to GH soon. Every scene she was in, I was on the edge of my chair, soaking up every word, expression and loved it all! Thank you for inviting Erika back into our homes. It is so awesome!

I agree – enjoyed seeing Tracy and Erika act

Enjoyed Ronnie on the show she should stay

I ran home from school to watch the soaps with my Mom and Grandma. At one time the line up was All My Children, One Life to Live and General Hospital. I’m 69 years old now and still watching GH. I watched AMC and OLTL until they went off the air. I remember watching Ryan’s Hope too. My Sons are 31 and 33 years old and every so often drop by while I’m watching GH. It never ceases to amaze me they know the characters from watching it as they were growing up and comment when I’m watching.

Linda, you sound like me! I am 70 and I watched all the same ones you mentioned and also the CBS ones. Wish OLTL and AMC were still on

A 7th Daytime Emmy next year as Outstanding Guest Performer is signed sealed and delivered after today’s episode! Erika Slezak is simply the best! And Jane Elliot will take the Best Actress trophy nomination and may win too. GH is really hot right now with stellar performances and writing!

Jane likely will continue her streak of not submitting. I would love her to submit in lead as she’s been driving story, but would exercise caution as Susan Seaforth Hayes wrongly submitted in lead last year and did not get nominated.

In all honesty, Erika had that 7th Emmy in the bag once she accepted Frank’s invite to join for GH for a stint.

I have always enjoyed her from One Life to live till now she’s a powerful lady and entertainment and I will always follow her with always watch her and I will always be for her hate to see you go hope you come back soon there’s nothing but love for you keep smiling

Keep Erika/Ronnie on . Great actress maybe she can melt the heart of queen ice Tracy.

To be honest I wasn’t thrilled with the character or Erika’s portrayal at first…and then my feelings changed. Now I don’t want either to leave! I wish “both” were staying. Ronnie living with the Qs added a warmth yet a feisty addition which Tracy needs. Loved seeing group scenes in the Q house again. We need more of them.

Michael Fairman, Do you think Erika would consider another brief return down the road or was this just a one-and-done for her?

I loved watching Erika on GH! Her acting brought greater depth to the show and I could see how the other actors loved acting with her!
She and Jane were just wonderful together! I’m very sorry Ronnie’s time is ending soon.
Hopefully she can return.

I record as I can’t watch when it comes on. I have rebound every scene Erica has been in. I love General Hospital always, and have so missed OLTL. Erica made me feel we had long lost family moving back home. I loved scenes with Jsne, but equally loved how the Qs rallied around her. Family is always family. Erica is now a part of the Qs. In fact I think OLTL should return also. Thank You all! God Bless you and your families,

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint

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Christian Howard

That was quick! Christian Howard, who now looks to have literally stepped in for Nathan Dean to wrap up a few episodes for the character of Ethan Lovett made a quick exit on Friday’s July 31 episode of General Hospital.

GH viewers were stunned earlier this week on the Monday, July 27 episode when a voiceover announcer shared that Christian Howard was now playing Ethan Lovett. Next, Ethan hits the sheets with Ava Jerome, played by three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Maura West. All seemed to be moving forward when suddenly at the end of the Thursday, July 30 episode, Ethan spots newcomer Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) at the Metro Court Pool, and makes a quick getaway.

Then, it’s revealed after packing his bags at Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) house, that out of nowhere, Ethan received a lead on an incredible opportunity so he has to say goodbye to Lulu and run out of town and was leaving Port Charles.

Courtesy/ABC

RUNNING OUT OF TOWN

In fact, Ethan was in such a hurry, he forgot to say goodbye to Ava who had been waiting for him at the Metro Court pool. There is clearly a connection to Hudson and baby Phoebe after Ethan spotted the guy, because Ethan also glanced over to the baby and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) at the Metro Court pool, before he ran to Lulu’s to pack his things. All of this points to Howard being an emergency recast for Dean.

It’s definitely been a week of change on-screen on the ABC soap with the news of Maxie, Spinelli, James, Georgie and Bailey all suddenly leaving Port Charles for Australia, after Spinelli got an offer he could not turn down.

That exit was written because Kirsten Storms is at this time,, and the very foreseeable future, not returning to General Hospital and is living in Tennessee. As she had documented via her Instagram stories and posts, she has been going through several personal ordeals. In addition to Storms, Ryan Paevey also exited the series earlier this month when he ended his run as Cassius Faison, while leaving the door open for his return down the line.

So, will newcomers Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts) and Troy Lennon Appel fill the void of the multitude of exits? What are your theories on Christian Howard’s departure as Ethan Lovett on GH? Let us know via the comment section below.

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‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’

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Donna Mills, who at 85-years-old is still turning heads, booking film and TV roles and co-hosting the We’re Knot Done Yet podcast with her Knots Landing pals, Michele Lee (ex-Karen) and Joan Van Ark (ex-Valene), is now joining the world of Only Fans.

The news came Mills herself in a statement, where she shared to Variety, “I’ve always appreciated the incredible support and encouragement I’ve received from my fans over the years. Social media has been a wonderful way to stay connected, but I’m excited to join OnlyFans because it offers the opportunity for a more personal and direct connection.”

While OnlyFans is primarily known for its steamy content, Mills is taking a different approach, explaining that she will be “sharing moments from my daily life, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engaging with fans in a more meaningful way. It’s simply another platform to spend quality time with the people who’ve supported me throughout my career while staying true to who I am.”

Photo: JPI

WHY DID DONNA MILLS JOIN OTHER CELEBRITIES ON ONLYFANS?

Andy Bachman, CEO Creators INC who presides over OnlyFans also shared in a statement, “This is not about changing who she is. It is about giving her longtime fans more access to the personality, style and behind-the-scenes moments they already love. Donna has always been fearless and ahead of her time. She told me, ‘YOLO — let’s do it,’ and that perfectly captures her attitude. She is approaching OnlyFans on her own terms and creating a space that feels authentic, personal and completely true to her.”

Mill’s move to OnlyFans comes on the heels of others in Hollywood who are pivoting to the platform not only for its revenur, but to control their own narrative of what they want put out into the world about themselves. One example is Shannon Elizabeth of American Pie and Scary Movie fame, who told Variety that since April she has earned more than $1.2 million in seven days via her OnlyFans account.

Photo: JPI

FROM THE CUL DE SAC AT SEAVIEW CIRCLE TO PORT CHARLES

While Donna Mills is best- known for her role as Abby Cunningham Ewing on Knots Landing from 1980-1989, 1993, she also won a Daytime Emmy for her role of Madeline Reeves on General Hospital. Mills played the evil mother to Nina Reeves (then Michelle Stafford) and sister to Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) from 2014-2015 and again in 2018.

The veteran actress also had a leading role in the soap opera, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, where she and GH’s late, great sister, Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine, GH) played sisters Laura and Iris Donnelly from 1967-1970. Mills began her soap career on The Secret Storm back in 1966.

So, what do you think of Donna Mills joining OnlyFans? Do you think the once exclusive provocative content platform, which is going more Hollywood, will ultimately be where big named celebrity post their own content? Share your thoughts via the comment section below, and in case you missed it, you can check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s most recent chat with Donna Mills from earlier this year and our livestream with Donna, Michele and Joan from 2025 below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Troy Lennon Appel Makes His Debut as ‘Hudson’: Is He a New Love Interest for Josslyn? Baby Phoebe’s Bio-Dad?

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TROY LENNON APPEL

Towards the conclusion of the Thursday, July 30 episode of General Hospital, Troy Lennon Appel made his debut asa “mysterious and shady businessman” going by the name of “Hudson.”

The person who first saw Hudson was none other than Ethan Lovett, who is now played by another soap newcomer Christian Howard, who replaced the exited Nathan Dean in the role.

From the looks of things, Ethan was not at all happy to see Hudson at the Metro Court Pool. It looks as though Ethan doesn’t even want Hudson to know he is in the same town. So, how do these two know each other? Is Hudson the father of baby Phoebe? Is Hudson possibly a Quartermaine? Like Dillon Quartermaine … or someone else from the Q clan? Stay tuned.

Kelly Kruger, Lynn Herring

Photo: ABC

TROY LENNON APPEL JOINS KELLY KRUGER AS THE LATEST ARRIVALS ON-SCREEN TO GH

Meanwhile, for his premiere airdate, which also marked the first on-screen episode of Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin, Troy spoke to TV Insider and shared a bit about the character he’s playing and more.

Appel expressed, “Hudson is a shady businessman, and you’re not clear as to his motives, He goes one way, but then leans the other, and so he kind of keeps you on your toes. So far, what I’ve played, this guy is way cooler than I am, so it’s been so cool to play him. But he’s just been a force to be reckoned with so far, and I’m not even entirely sure as to all of his intentions in Port Charles. I’m excited to see where his journey goes, because I’m very lucky to be playing this character.”

As GH casting lore goes, Troy actually read for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett, but the producers were impressed by him that they created the role of Hudson with Appel specifically in mind. And stand by … according to Appel, he screen-tested with Daytime Emmy-winner, Eden McCoy (Josslyn).

So, is Hudson the new man for Josslyn?  All Appel would say was, “I did a chemistry read with Eden much later when I kind of cemented that I was going to be playing another character, and it all just happened and I’m insanely grateful that it did.”

With Troy Lennon Appel, Kelly Kruger, Christian Howard, and Dean Geyer (whose character of Tristan was revealed to have ties with the WSB) all appearing on the latest episode of General Hospital, was it jarring for you, or are you excited for what’s to come? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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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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