General Hospital

Franco debuts and GH hits 7 month high in ratings!

November 20, 2009

Courtesy/ABC

Today was the day that James Franco spoke his first lines and it was his first “official” day on air, although he appeared for a millisecond on yesterday’s GH. Franco’s coming to Port Charles to play ‘an artist whose canvas is murder’, named Franco helped propel some great numbers for General Hospital. It was the week’s No. 1 program in Daytime in women (18-34). And it marked the series most-watched week in this demo in more than two years. And that’s not all folks, GH reached a 7-month high in total viewers with 2.82 million eyeballs. James Franco uttered just a few sentences today, but if this is any indication of his pull without being on for most of the week, GH should pull in some impressive numbers for daytime something that is surely needed for the genre.

And many reporters around the country are reporting and tuning into GH for the first time who had no idea that GH was really a Soprano’s type soap opera! They still thought it was all scrubs and hospital staff making out in appropriate places. Below are some reviews: one from the Palm Peach Post “As for Franco the artist, he apparently likes rearranging dead bodies and recreating crime scenes, and he’s stalking Jason the hit man – there was a creepy scene where he waved at Jason as the mobsters drove away from the shoot-out, and gave Jason the shivers. It was sort of awesome, because I really don’t like the mob. Later, you see him getting all sexy with his agent, the deliciously slinky Marsha Thomason of “Las Vegas,” and you see there’s just something off about the guy. Sadly, it all comes back to the mob. But Franco’s so intriguing – there’s an amazing amount of there, there – that I’m hooked.”

Courtesy/ABC

From New York Magazine’s Vulture column that has been reporting on Franco’s surprise move to a guest-starring soap stint said, “The day people who had never watched General Hospital before in their lives watched a little bit of General Hospital, just to see James Franco. Never forget! Turns out, it’s not very hospital-y, at all, and it’s about the mafia and the art world and a lady having a meltdown in her living room. But also, at least for now, starting today, it’s about Franco, a famous artist whose art is killing people or maybe rearranging them after they die, or something, and whenever he’s on the screen, the piano part from that song “Mad World”, popularized in a cover version on the Donnie Darko soundtrack plays. The best part was at the end, when James Franco reveals his beautiful, glistening face and kisses a lady. Here’s that part. James Franco!”

Watch the video below of “Franco” in action on today’s General Hospital!

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General Hospital

GH EP Frank Valentini On Taping the Sonya Eddy Tribute Episode: “It Was an Extraordinary Script, and It Was a Labor of Love That Day”

March 26, 2023

This week on General Hospital, the ABC daytime dramas series kicks off its 60th anniversary set of episodes, with what is sure to be the most emotional – the tribute episode for the late Sonya Eddy in honor of her beloved GH character, Epiphany Johnson.

GH’s executive producer spoke with Soap Opera Digest (in their latest issue on newsstands now), about how the show decided to handle the delicate subject of a real-life cast member’s passing and connect it to the story on the canvas of the soap opera.

In conjunction with GH co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, the trio decided that if they weren’t ever going to be able to see Sonya as Epiphany again, that there was no way they were going to ever recast the role. Valentini shared: “We decided it was important to honor not only Sonya, but Epiphany and we wanted to dedicate a full entire episode all about that.”

The EP went on to give praise to his writers, and the cast for their performances when taping the episode: “I think everyone was touched by what the writer’s wrote. It was an extraordinary script and it was a labor of love that day in honor of Sonya, who was so incredibly loved by everybody in the cast and crew.

The way the death of Epiphany is structured on the airshows is key also to the upcoming Nurses’ Ball episodes set to air the following week. Frank expressed: “Epiphany is a very pivotal person in the Nurses’ Ball, so it’s almost like a part two (of her tribute).

The Sonya Eddy tribute episode airs Wednesday March 29th.

Are you looking forward to seeing how GH honors Sonya and the beloved Epiphany of GH? Comment below.

General Hospital

General Hospital Alum Briana Lane Mourns the Loss of Her Husband

March 22, 2023

Heartbreaking news to report. Briana Lane, who took over the role of General Hospital’s Brook Lynn Quartermaine while Amanda Setton was away from the series, shared that her beloved husband, John Lange, passed away on March 14th.

Lane posted a photo of herself with John on her Instagram expressing: “I will love you forever my sweet John. Til we meet again.”

Photo: ABC

In August of 2020, Lane started subbing for Setton as Brook Lynn, and her performances won the hearts of GH fans. She stayed with the show till November of that year and returned one other time in 2022. In addition, Amanda received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work in the Outstanding Guest Performer category in 2021.

As for the love story of Briana and John, they wed in December of 2016. As many know, Briana is not only a great actress, but also has a successful music career and John was very supportive of her professional life. Lange was remembered as a walking encyclopedia of television knowledge, a dog lover, and a lover of comedy.

Friends of Lane’s have set up a Go Fund Me page, to assist in giving John the memorial he deserves and to help Briana as she navigates this next chapter of her life.

Many of Briana’s former GH co-stars shared their grief and support in her IG post including: Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Katey MacMullen (Willow).

Share your condolences for Briana on the loss of her husband in the comment section below.

General Hospital

GH Alums Chloe Lanier and Johnny Wactor Guest Star on ‘Station 19’

March 15, 2023

You can catch two of your favorites, who you first came to know from their work on General Hospital, on tomorrow night’s March 16th episode of the ABC primetime drama, Station 19 (8 p.m. ET).

Look for Daytime Emmy-winner Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle) and Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando) to appear within the hour-long show.

In the episode titled, “Even Better than the Real Thing”, Lanier will play the role of Ciara.

According to ABC in story: a simulation fire training goes dangerously wrong; Maya tries to make amends, and Bailey encourages Carina to listen; Jack’s sister shows up at the station with a friend, an injury and an attitude.

Chloe took to her Instagram to share, “I get into a bit of trouble on Station 19 this Thursday. Directed by the incomparable and lovely Paris Barclay! (I’m a big fan) Had such a great time working on this one and I can’t wait for you all to see it.”

Meanwhile, Wactor looks to be playing a fireman in the episode, and took to his IG and shared: “Catch me on Station 19 this Thursday, 3/16 at 8 PM. I’m excited. Too bad I can’t do a live watch party on here. I’ll have to do some research because a watch party would be fun!”

Will you be checking out Chloe and Johnny on Station 19? Comment below.