General Hospital
Frank Valentini & The Cast Of GH On Time Slot Change, Surviving Cancellation & The Future, and Robin's Return!
Photo Credit: MF SOAPS Inc
At yesterday’s ABC Summer Press Tour for the Television Critics Association, General Hospital was given a show of faith, and great opportunity at promoting the enduring soap opera by ABC, when executive producer Frank Valentini and a host of top talent from the series were invited to the panel discussions.
Lead by Frank Valentini, the reporters and journalists in the room, including On-Air On-Soaps fired questions to the cast and the EP. On stage along with Valentni were: Tony Geary, Jane Elliot, Jason Thompson, Nancy Lee Grahn, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Kelly Monaco, Michael Easton and Laura Wright.
From it’s upcoming time slot change and upcoming surprises, to it’s survival to stay on the air, to Kimberly McCullough’s (Robin) “visits” and what that all means, and so much more, read below the quotes to some of the most revealing, concerning, and entertaining questions from the panel!
Frank, if Genie Francis (Ex-Laura, GH) were to become available from Y&R, would you bring her back to General Hospital?
FRANK: I would just say that there is rich history that General Hospital has and there are many wonderful characters on the show right now, and in addition some people we are interested in bringing back. At this point unfortunately contracts forbid us to talk about things like that, but all I will say is we are big fans of Genie, I wish her the best, but I think we are pretty solid right now.
To Tony Geary on being very emotional on his recent win for Outstanding Leas Actor at the Daytime Emmys. Were you so moved during your speech because GH had survived cancellation to live another day?
TONY: I would say it was a little of both. We were pretty shaky about a year ago, before Frank came on board. We were living on death row. I think we were all thrilled, and emotional and excited about being honored for the hard work, and the storyline that I got the award for was really important to me. I love when the character goes to the dark side, and that was one of the darkest I have been able to go. So it meant a lot to me to be acknowledged.
To the panel: GH had been living on deaths door, what would you say to people as to why it important that we have soaps on the air as part of daytime programming?
NANCY: I think everyone seems to enjoy cutting edge things or something that is the newest thing, but there is something to really be valued about tradition and something that is familiar, and something that makes people feel comfortable, and something that is generational, and that is exclusive. Some of these people have watched GH for nearly 50 years. I think it’s important to remember this audience paid for television for a long time. I think they are very valuable and extremely loyal.
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: It’s also an original American art form, I think it’s not only about tradition, but about storytelling and the family, and the fantasy of romance, love, and friendship and those are the bedrocks of what this country is all about. I don’t want to sound too patriotic about it, but I think people look to these shows as touchstones, in which to explore life and experience life, as well as being entertained by it.
JASON: To me, I have been on the show for seven years. I look down this line and I see people who have been in this business for a really long time and there is something to be said about that, let alone, GH being on for 50 years soon. I think storytelling has changed. Everyone is sort of into this faster pace, and also what Frank said, we believe in the stories that we tell. We are an extended family. And even talking about my storyline with the character of Robin, we did a storyline talking about HIV in daytime before anyone else was touching it. And there have been many stories like that during GH’s time, and as we go forward we are constantly thinking and doing new things to bring TV to a new level. People see us in their living rooms every single day, and they get attached to you, and it is something we should celebrate!
JANE: I have a different viewpoint on this. For 50 years we have been telling stories 5 days a week 52 weeks a year. We are in people’s home during the day. We are part of people’s touchstones when they are in the hospital with a sick parent, or when they are pregnant and they bring their new babies home. It’s people who work at night like athletes and musicians, who watch. What I like about it is that it has stayed the same, that it is this same kind of cultural anomaly. We are there family and they are family because of it
STEVE: This show is the same, but we do a lot more work in a lot less time. When I started on the show in 1991, we did 21 scenes a day we would shoot. Yesterday we did 78 scenes. So you guys are welcome to come down and check out what we do, because it is truly amazing. I think a lot of credit goes to our crew who works so hard. The one thing that the wrecking ball or being on death row has done for all of us is that we are united, which is great as cast. I think it makes the work better. Everyone is working towards the same goal. So is the crew. As bad as it has been, it’s been a great experience because everybody has a new energy to work and to keep the show on the air. GH is such an iconic brand. We are not ready to let it go.
Photo Credit: MF SOAPS Inc.
NANCY: We were kind of like the walking dead for awhile heading toward the iceberg, saying, “I just need somebody to do something!” And they did. ABC did. They changed everything. I will say Frank had made an enormous difference and at ABC there is new marketing and publicity. I have done so much already and Vicki Dummer (SR VP ABC Daytime) seems to be a pretty great broad from what I can tell. We are now a “Yes sir. No sir,” crew. For some jaded group here, some of us, we are invigorated, and we are willing and ready to win and stay on the air.
Frank, you came in from OLTL and began rebuilding GH. Can you explain how you took it from where it was to the amazing place it is today?
FRANK: Maybe not rebuilding, but maybe remodeling. Being an outsider it is easier to come in and see things as opposed to someone who is already there. I think the show was in terrific shape, but there needed to be some tweaks. I think it’s also my taste and sensibilities for the show to go a little bit faster. I felt there were some key characters missing. Not in terms of who they were, but certainly archetypes that I think were important to bring on the show. Bringing in some of the cast members from One Life to Live was a way to honor that audience, and also to create story that was good for the current cast.
Michael Easton, how was it coming over from One Life to Live to General Hospital, and how did you former cast mates feel about it?
MICHAEL: I t was bittersweet, but at the same time it’s been exciting to come over to GH and work with these guys and it has been a new energy for me. We were pretty aware for a year there that the wrecking ball was right outside the door at OLTL. We all worked at a very high pace to try to make that work. And its’ been interesting to come over here and have the same feeling. I think the only way we are going to be able to advance is to have great storytelling, and to try to recapture the audience we may have lost and bring some things that are exciting and different. It woke me up for sure coming here. I think I was in a stupor for the last year and I feel very fortunate. I think the GH audience has been very kind to let the OLTL characters in. I think they realize there is a bit of synchronicity with all the other fans of soap opera and they understand. If it went the other way, we would love having them. I think it’s nice of them to be accepting. I think some of the One Life people are slowly coming over and they are excited to see Roger Howarth and Kassie DePaiva and some of the other people.
Frank, Kimberly McCullough just returned or visited GH, and there was a bombshell that she is alive and receiving electro-shock therapy. What are the plans for her and status with the show?
FRANK: She is back for a little bit. It’s always challenging when actors want to pursue different avenues in their personal and professional life. I think Kimberly McCullough had made a decision to leave the show. Having worked with her for six or eight weeks before she left, she is a really bright woman. She has been exposed to so many aspects of the business in a very short amount of time. She is interest in being a director and so we kind of connected and bonded, because I am interested in being a director as well. I said to her “This is such a wonderful thing you have created. Let’s try to keep it alive.” She is open to it and we are going to try to work together. It’s also good because she lives in Los Angeles.
Photo CreditL MF Soaps Inc.
Frank, has ABC given you indication what matrix you have for survival? Since they have been clearly looking to put on cheaper programming with the cancellation of One Life to Live and All My Children? Do you see the audience numbers significantly change?
FRANK: I don’t think it will change in the near future that the television market that exists in the United States will ever be anything other than challenging. All I can say is that ABC invited us here to me, that is a great sign, and the network is behind us 100%. They are very excited about the show’s 50th anniversary. We will be laying some things out between now and April. I feel you just need to watch the show to catch the energy and the momentum we have.
Frank, GH is moving to its new time slot on September 10th. How do you feel about the change? And, what is the show going to do to enhance tune-in and to gain more notice for the switch? Is their a big umbrella story coming up?
FRANK: I think the time slot change will be great. I think it will shake-up the lineup a bit. I like the way we are being positioned and the shows that will be surrounding us. I know the network is doing a big push to inform the audience of the time change, and yes, we are doing a big umbrella story with lots of fun surprises. We have a lot of terrific stuff coming up!
Tony, you walked off the shot and out of frame, in the end of the very famous GH opening title sequence which featured all the men o f GH. Was that planned?
TONY: That was not planned. I just sort of “had it”. I walked off and they loved it. What I say is you sort of live two lives and I flip in to Luke Spencer at a moments notice as I know how he feels etc. And when I’m threatened or uncomfortable he takes over, and he took over and said, “I have had enough” I was delighted that it was kept in the opening for as long as it did. I was surprised. I said to them, “Why did you keep it? And they said, “It’s because it’s the perfect end.”
So after reading the comments from Frank Valentini and several members of the cast of GH from the panel, what do you think of GH and where it is today? Are you excited about its future and what feels like a significant nod by ABC to promote it and carry it through to its 50th anniversary? Let us know1
I was blown away with Ewen being in charge of doing electro shock on Robin. It was so classic soap. The changes and pace are better than ever. It’s been like mud for 3 yrs so it so great for a looong time soap watcher. This show has grown alot with Frank and Ron and I’m very grateful for bringing back the “great GH” back. Love the Q’s, Jason, Sonny and Liz for yrs as well as the newer folks Johnny, Starr the latest Micheal. There is more balance of love, family and drama. Heather is a great short term addition as well as Anthony. Do miss Cam/Jake, Alan, Emily and Georgie. Would love Georgie and Spinelli together.
Michael, a MILLION thanks for posting this. I read bits and pieces from Twitter feeds, but this is great to see it all laid out for us.
I will say, ABC better not be pulling a fast one on us again. It shows a lot of support by having GH have their own panel at the TCAs, but I hope this means they are here to support it for the long haul.
Someone also mentioned something about Katie Couric and her Twitter timeline from soap fans (hinting that she is getting a lot of complaints) so I checked it out. It is ridiculous all the topics she wants to talk about. We do not need nor want yet another talk show. GAA is not doing as well as they would have hoped, the Revolution died a horrible death. We soap fans are speaking out and making ourselves heard and, I just hope that ABC is finally listening. Just keep GH on the air for another 50 years … please!
I hope GH continues on TV, I’ve watched off and on for 35 yrs. The last 3 yrs I’ve only watched OLTL and was so sad when it was cancelled. I watched GH again because of OLTL characters coming over, six months into the show I’m pretty disappointed. Killing of Cole & Hope, Tea’s baby and JOLIE breaking up, I feel like OLTL ending is being raped for GH. The s/l are old OLTL storylines I’ve already seen just with different actors-not liking it! When Jolie is officially broke up so am I with GH. OLTL was cancelled and the ending destroyed for GH. Should have brought over the actors as different characters. My only idea – 2 hrs of GH and more OLTL characters to be added and please NEW storylines!.
I gave up on GH years ago when it when so far off the rails. It became the Mob/Sonny show and it was terrible and boring! The producers lost site of what made GH great and ignored its rich history and INCREDIBLE cast. Now, since Frank and Ron took over, GH is better than ever! It hasn’t been this good in about 20 years….probably since the days of the introduction of Nicholas and Helena Cassadine…another great example of using the shows history! Frank and Ron KNOW better than anyone about show history and how to use it. They made OLTL the best in the lineup and they’ve done it again AND brought OLTL to PC! How great…now if they just brought a couple more characters on from Llanview, I’d be the happiest fan ever:)
GH sucks
Terribly inappropriate and immature.
Love, love, love GH. Miss OLTL terribly……
GH’s storylines have improved. Love the vets, particularly Anna and Heather. The budding romances are what makes soap operas GREAT! I like how the OLTL cast are being folded into the storylines. Initially I thought the babyswitch was going to be another boring repeat but surprised thus far. The DDSwhatever is so reminiscent of OLTL — I did not care for it then. So far it’s tolerable, but what gives it traction is the actress who portrays Kate/Connie, and the storyline of long lost/abandoned son. In sum, if I had to grade GH, it would get a B+.
OMG! OMG. OMG? I haven’t been cliff-hang’ed… in such a long time.
GH. Tues. 7/24.
Heather, in the Port Charles, police station… sequestered… under scrutiny… “telling” Anna…. Robin’s ALIVE.
Patricks – induced “brain freeze”… visions of Robin… THANK GOD.. that kiss with Lulu, was just that.
1. Heather, shooting of Luke… i was so hoping she wasn’t being written out or in a corner… it looks like she’s still top shelf. HOOT! CAMP. BEACON OF OLE SERIAL.
2. Patrick. this love story… twosome. is stellar stuff. Jason Thompson… is Manning up. He naturally, emotes… sensitive… masculine… fatherhood…. familial… friend… co-worker… you name it. he’s delivering the goods. Jason and Sonny could take lessons from him. I put, Johnny, Todd, EJ from DAYS… heck, even Jack from Y&R. These guys tear up… well.
GH – Patrick “talking” w/Robin.
“Everywhere is EMPTY.”
“The Bedroom…” et. et…
mind boggling – the writing – Kudos! Standing O’vation.
Nice piece – good to hear the read on things from various cast members. One thing Jane’s forgetting – it’s not just nite people that watch GH. There are plenty of us that work during the day and watch in the evening on SoapNet or via DVR. I’ve been watching since I was a teenager, 40 years ago. Thru H.S., college and adult life. Did the same for AMC and OLTL – shows I just miss. I’m surprised not one AMC cast member was picked up by GH. Would love to see more from OLTL migrate inbound also. How about Roxy? They could use a hair salon in Port Charles with a little funk!
We have enough OLTL people, but I agree it would be nice to get some AMC actors on the show…just 2 or 3 like with OLTL.
Ok I give up what was with Tony Geary’s pants??? LOL Maxie would not approve!!!
Lol, I guess when you win 7 Emmys you can get away with wearing yellow pants! 🙂
Hey, he’s stylin’!
Don’t you know that colored pants–red, green, yellow, etc.–are all the rage right now?
LOL
I’m impressed with the work Frank and Ron and all of those involved have put into remodeling GH in the past several months. There is much more to be done, however. At present, the show has as much going for it as it does working against it.
Here are some random (mostly minor) gripes:
The “Mob Princess” reality series story plays like an after-school special. It’s also an insult to loyal daytime drama fans who choose to watch this soap opera over reality shows competing in the same time slot, and it’s especially demeaning to those who still feel burned by ABC’s replacement of GH’s sister shows with lackluster factual entertainment… The introduction of the now recast Kristina to Port Charles has been a complete fumble. GH has shown absolutely nothing endearing or redeemable about this character since her return… The coupling of Starr and Michael comes across as forced, just like most teen-oriented story arcs of soap opera summers past… The D.I.D. story line is underplayed. At first it started off at full boil, then suddenly it fizzled into a subplot to sustain a larger mafia-related story that nobody really cares about full of characters that nobody really cares about: Joe Scully and his secret son, Trey, and the murder of John McBain’s sister, yada yada yawn. I thought daytime’s version of The Sopranos left the building along with the previous executive producer. What gives?… While I like their friendship, I just don’t see any romantic chemistry between Anna and Luke. Ditto regarding John and Sam. .. Jane Elliot as Tracy is so delicious to watch, so why is she practically M.I.A.? She should be on at least four days a week!
Here’s what does work for me:
Robin Mattson’s Heather always has my eyes glued to the screen. I can’t take my eyes off her for a second or else I’ll miss something! She is a girl gone wild and then some. I just hope GH is smart enough to keep her around long term. Admittedly, I’ve felt slighted greatly by the tease of veteran actors and their classic characters returning to the show in what later turn out to be mere cameo turns. Sorry, ladies and gents, but don’t bring back Emma Samms as Holly and have her leave just as fast as she arrived! That’s criminal. Thankfully, we have Finola Hughes as Anna back in PC front and center. Finola is an incredible actor in a league of her own and surely pure joy to the writing team. I hope those same writers feel the same of Kelly Sullivan as Connie/Kate (I like street-wise Connie much better than boring Kate). She is nothing short of amazing in expressing this fractured character’s vulnerability and versatility. Lisa LoCicero, Laura Wright, and Nancy Lee Grahn further the notion that GH enjoys an embarrassment of formidable female actors as much as it does their equally impressive male counterparts in the likes of Roger Howarth, Jason Thompson, and Brandon Barash, etcetera (among the usual Emmy-winning suspects, of course).
Lastly, I’m devastated by the loss of Jen Lilley as Maxie. She’s a cool kitten who will land on her feet somewhere special without a doubt. Maybe her old boss Jill Farren Phelps can create something new and exciting for her over in Genoa City. Fingers crossed. Eyes, too! As they say in showbiz, break a leg, Jen! (Preferably not your own.) : )
“I just don’t see any romantic chemistry between … Ditto regarding John and Sam.”
Whoa, Jeffrey, are you watching the same show I am? Ha! Ha! My goodness Michael Easton and Kelly Monaco are ELECTRIC every time they are together and always have been. And the way the smooched on the pier, stood up, turned around all while holding hands, and then he just pulled her into him. Gosh! That is sexy!
I think MOB PRINCESS is ending very soon, but you have to remember it is summer and that is the “teen” time. Hooray for it ending soon!
I agree with everything you said about Heather. 🙂
I’m not sure what you are getting at regarding Lisa LoCicero, Laura Wright, and Nancy Lee Grahn, though.
I agree about Starr and Michael, but they have potential.
Trey reminds me of Stifler from AMERICAN PIE, but hopefully this character has some legs.
I don’t think they can just wipe out the mob in one day. It is like weight gain – it didn’t happen over night, you can’t get rid of it overnight.
I guess I see it more positively because this show has me hooked every night whereas it would put me to sleep when they brought Brenda back the last time (and wasted her) and when they misused Sarah Joy Brown as Carly 2.0, I mean Claudia.
@Jeffery.
Olivia – Lisa LoCicero. floored me… with her “girl from the bronx”… Nutting Up on LSD. Way to go Lisa… You go girl. For Reals.
It’s something… to see a character/Actor… really step outside themselves… and reel scene stealing show. I was so used to her… as Dante’s mother… and Steven Lawrence’ girl.
I am impressed that, with a nod to the traditions of teens in the summer, GH still has the main story lines focus on cross generational stories (and the best threads for the vets in years, years, years). Starr and Michael are really quite sweet–nice (along with Mollie and TJ) to have teens with some happy, infatuated moments rather than all murder mystery, serial killer, angst all the time.
While Mob princess is a little cringe worthy, some attempt to poke on what’s creepy and exploitative about reality tv is worthwhile–and it allows another frame of reference to comment on the mob without the “bad guys with the hearts of gold” absurdity that has dominated GH for the last decade. That along with both Sonny and Jason suffering some consequences for their actions within their families and personal relationships (alienation of sonny’s kids and the notion that using your thug clout for your kids gain might not be what they want; the possibility that jason’s sending goons after John contributing to Sam’s son’s death–even if the big reveal is that the baby is alive, there was still a several month period that jason, and the audience had to think that roughing up your opposition might bite you in the ass).
And as for putting the rooting for bad guys crap fully to rest, how better to accomplish that than to have kick ass, take no prisoners Anna Devane in charge. (and if cartini can figure out how to accommodate Jonathan Jackson’s desire to not be all tragedy all the time, they might be able to bring him back to a competent port carles police department and not just as a nod to eliaeth lucky fans as the show is cancelled)
And while cartini have carried on the tradition of dead babies and rapes far too much, I can see why they wanted to free Starr up to be a young romantic lead in terms of story lines (and ratings). It would be nice to have Hope pop up with David Hayward part of a larger mind control, organ harvesting, body resurrection plot line but Cole (like each of erica kana’s earlier husbands, did eventually have to go). of course AMC’s resurrection plot lines were absurd, as was the two Todds final twist with OLTL. But certainly no more than the ice princess and other nut job plots with GH–and they are all terribly wonderfully and absurdly soapy. Such plot twists (the old west and 1968, going to heaven, what three or four times, and even eterna) were part of OLTL’s charm. And if that chutzpah can be brought to bear to have David Heyward, Helena, and Irene Manning part of a three soap (two posthumously) crossover to bring back Alan, AJ, some worth additional soul from All My Children to wind up that cliffhanger, and maybe Nash so Jessica could have her happy ending (even if totally off screen) from OLTL–so be it. And I like the idea that these “dead” characters have appeared as ghosts really from the intensity of their connection to their loved ones while they were prisoners and/or in a coma as a way of soapily explaining it all away.
i’m excited but i hate the new opening, lol, that really needs to change, theres other stuff too, but then this email would be too long, overall i’m happier now then i was a year ago when GH was under the dark shadows of Phelps and Guza but i still think that FV and RC could tone it down with the cheesyness. I’m not a fan of cartoon villians, split personality but they won me over the minute they brought back Finola Hughes.
I don’t mind the short new opening…what’s the point of a longer one? Just takes more time away from the show and who really watches it anymore anyway? I record the show and FF through it every day.
I have not been THIS GLUED to my GH TV set since Luke and Laura. This storytelling is SO fantastic. I’m still in shock about Ewen being behind Robin’s kidnapping. I agree, total classic soap storytelling. This is what got us hooked oh so many years ago and this is what will keep us hooked and entertained for many years to come. Thank you, everyone at GH!
I have watched gh since Laura killed David Hamilton.i couldn’t agree more with ur comments.
Thank you for asking about Kimberly McCollough’s status on the show. I am a Robin fan, too. I am glad Frank is as well and want to work with her to keep Robin a part of the show.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
-
As The World Turns2 days agoScott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
-
Beyond the Gates6 days ago‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
-
Breaking News4 days agoRandolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
-
General Hospital4 days agoSteve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
-
Beyond the Gates2 days ago‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
-
General Hospital2 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Rory Gibson Ties the Knot with Alicia Ruelas
-
General Hospital6 days agoKelly Kruger Set to Debut on ‘General Hospital’: Why Serena Baldwin Comes Back to Port Charles Revealed
-
Beyond the Gates1 week agoRATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ and ‘General Hospital’ Score Highest Weekly Viewer Increase
