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Erika Slezak Pays Tribute to Anthony Geary In Remembrance of the “Brilliant Actor” and Their “What If” Crossover

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

Erika Slezak, who for 41 years played Victoria Lord on One Life to Live and most recently returned to daytime in a new role on General Hospital as Monica Quartermaine’s sister, Ronnie Bard, has shared her remembrance of Anthony Geary, the iconic Luke Spencer, who passed away this past Sunday December 14 at the age of 78.

Geary, along with Slezak and The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom (Katie Logan) are the most decorated performers in Daytime Emmy history with Tony receiving 8 for his performances as Luke Spencer and Erika receiving 6 for her work as Viki. Meanwhile, Heather Tom has received Emmys and wins for her roles as Victoria Newman on Y&R, Kell and Katie on B&B, making Erika and Tony the only actors that have won that amount of Emmys for the same role on the same show!

In her statement, on her official website, Erika expressed, “I am so terribly saddened by the death of Tony Geary. He was a charming man, a brilliant actor and all together a very nice man. I send my sincerest condolences to his husband Claudio, and I will keep him in my prayers. We had such fun together when we did the What If crossover promotions in 2010. I thoroughly enjoyed him and loved watching him on television.”

Photo: JPI

What Erika is referring to is back in the summer of 2010, ABC daytime created short-form crossover meet-ups where characters from their daytime line-up crossed paths with another character from another soap. The series explored alternate realities. The ten-part series was originally streamed on ABC.com from July 12 to August 30, 2010 and was directed by then executive producer of One Life to Live, and now executive producer of General Hospital, Frank Valentini.

In fact, “What If” won a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of New Approaches – Daytime Entertainment. It was back in August 9, 2010, that ABC daytime aired the crossover between Viki and Luke titled, “Luke and Viki: Pain in My Heart,” and in it, the two characters are trapped in an elevator together!

More often than not, between Erika and Tony’s career, they were handing each other golden statuettes, because when it was time for Lead Actor or Actress to be presented, in the following year in which they won, they would wind up calling each other’s name to the podium after ripping open the envelopes. In fact, in a now absolutely poignant and priceless message to Erika back in 2011, when she celebrated her 40th anniversary as Viki on One Life to Live, Tony Geary taped for her a special video during a tribute on Live with Regis and Kelly!

Anthony said in tribute to Erika: “Pardon my appearance. Luke’s have a rough day,” Geary said in jest where he may have been battling a cold. “You know, when I first came on General Hospital 33 years ago, when Luke Spencer was unleashed on Port Charles, Viki Lord was already turning heads and given them hell in Llanview. I started checking out the competition, and I can tell you honestly that from that day to this, whenever I’m moving through the TV channels and I see an Erika Slezak scene, I stop. I sit and I watch your intelligence, generosity, and brilliance, and there’s no other way to say it … your class comes through every time. You’re an amazing actress and an amazing woman. It’s been my pleasure to get to know you a little bit, mostly at award shows. It’s been a lot of fun giving each other that little trinket back and forth. I hope we get to do it again sometimes. And then last year, I had the opportunity to finally work with you one day trapped in an elevator. It was heaven. I love you kid. Congratulations on a wonderful run on One Life to Live. I hope we get to work together again.”

Now below, check out Tony Geary’s anniversary message to Erika Slezak’s then 40-year run on One Life to Live, which clearly touches our hearts given his passing, followed by the promo for the “What If” series below that.

Then let us know, what did you think about the sentiments shared by Erika Slezak on the passing of Anthony Geary? Looks to us that these two soap opera icons had a mutual admiration society. Would you love to see crossovers such as this in 2026 with your favorite soaps and characters? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Erika Slezak is always a class act. I remember the “What If” between Viki and Luke. I enjoyed watching two such powerhouse performers work together.

I’m pretty sure Jonathan Jackson has also won 6 Daytime Emmys for his portrayal of Lucky on GH.

I believe Jonathan does have six, Tony, has eight (most of any daytime actor). Erika has the most of any daytime actress.

I was about to say the same thing. Jonathan jackson was on the show a total of 9 years got nominated 10 times has won 6 for only playing Lucky spencer.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project

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WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.

Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!

In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?

SIDWELL VS. CULLUM

The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.

Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC

BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS

In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.

As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!

Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.

Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration

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The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.

This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.

In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI

WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?

The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.  Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.

Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.

Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones

The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III

Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz

General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen

The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’

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The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).

In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.

Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC

A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:

PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY

After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.

An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?

In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts 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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