General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Alex Is ‘Wicked’ To Anna; Franco Receives Devastating Diagnosis

Friday’s episode of General Hospital brought with it a clever play on the Broadway smash hit musical, Wicked, but no there was no singing, instead we had the always brilliant Finola Hughes, playing the good witch and the bad witch, in the form of portraying twin sisters, Anna and Alex as Halloween night comes to Port Charles.
In story, Anna, who is dressed for Halloween in white as a good witch, reads the report in front of Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) that proves that Faison did not have the marker for RA (rheumatoid arthritis) which then proves that since she did not have it, nor Faison, that Alex is the biological mother of Peter August (Wes Ramsey).
All this time, as Anna says, she blamed herself for being with Faison only to find out that was a complete lie. Anna becomes so incensed by all of Alex’s machinations that she smashes a glass just as the power goes out. Valentin tells Anna he was also used by her sister where Peter was concerned. Anna questions whether she should warn Peter, that Alex might be after him and his unborn child with Maxie (Kirsten Storms). Valentin is convinced they need to get rid of Alex, before she does something to them.
Anna does decide Peter should show know the truth, as Valentin leaves to find out Alex’s whereabouts. When the lights come back on at Anna’s, she is clubbed over the head by Alex who is dressed in black as a bad witch. Later, when kids come to trick-or-treat at Anna’s, she has switched places with her sister offering the kid’s candy after stashing Anna away in the basement and most-likely locking her in there.
Peter is in a whole heap of trouble as he keeps getting creepy phone calls from Helena saying they have “unfinished business”. We later see a trap is being set by Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) and Sam (Kelly Monaco) in a secret location. Sam is using a voice-alternating ‘Pro Tools’ like audio software program to simulate Helena’s voice to spook Peter and to set him up!
Back at the hospital, Terry (Cassandra James) delivers terrible news to Franco (Roger Howarth). His test results show he has a malignant tumor again on the front lobe of his brain, and that it is inoperable and cannot be removed through surgery. She tells him she wants to run more tests to see what options they have.
When she asks Franco if he has developed any symptoms, he flashes back to the night at Wyndemere when Ava’s (Maura West) painting was revealed and ruined with C077x spray-painted across it and a haunting dream he had, but denies to Terry that he has had any problems as of now. When she tells him they need to tell Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst), Franco says he does not want to tell her, or the boys, about this. When Liz enters the room, Terry and Franco keep mum as to his condition, for now.
Roger Howarth showed once again why he can always be counted on to bring poignant moments to his scenes as Franco. Be on the lookout for what happens with this story. In a November sweeps preview in the current issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, GH head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor teased about the medical crisis that it “may hold the key to unlocking one of the biggest mysteries in Port Charles – something that has been in the works for years.”
So, what did you think will happen next in the Anna/Alex saga? What do you think will ultimately happen to Franco? Will he become the ‘killer’ Franco again? What could be the mystery the co-head writers are referring to? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I’m intrigued by the Franco story and what the secret is. I appreciate the potential emotional impact we may get when Franco tells Elizabeth about his diagnosis. Roger Howarth and Rebecca Herbst bring such passion to Franco and Elizabeth that we know they’ll bring only their A game with this story. I hope we see the entire Webber-Baldwin family facing this together as a strong family unit. The possibility of losing the only stable father figure in their lives will be devastating for the boys and all three young actors have the acting chops to convey it. We needed a family centered story and the Webber Baldwins are just the right family to be at the center of those
Another brain tumor story? The only mystery is how a horrid character like Franco has been able to stay on canvas. Well, I guess that’s not really a mystery, it’s because Roger Howarth is great. But even he can’t save this mess of a character for me.
sonniorsolita
I happen to like the actor and the character. They sure did a good job of rehabilitating Franco better than some of the others who are always rotten. He’s a good husband and step-father and if as that Dr. said , the tumor is inoperable and he starts exhibiting some of his old ways I can just see him taking his own life before hurting anyone or putting his family through such misery and pain.
I am loving that Franco and Elizabeth and their family seem to have a big emotional story coming. The stakes are high because we watched this family lovingly built over the years. And the actors all have the talent to handle this material.l and truly make us feel!
I am also loving the Valentin and Anna dynamic and seeing them come together against a common enemy.
I’ve been unhappy about the lack of focus On beloved characters and couples of late and am hoping this is changing!
Not sure what to think about the tumor story yet but looking forward to Friz having their own frontburner story for a change. I know Becky & Roger will rock the material. Hoping that the Peter story doesn’t drag on too much longer.
ITA Jenn.
Well, if Oscar’s brain cancer was incurable, then they damn well better not cure Frodd’s.
The real Franco died when Jason killed him. Trying to resurrect him as a way to rebrand Todd Manning never made any sense at all. They have really wasted too many years trying to redeem a character who is essentially a serial rapist, posing as a dead serial killer.
With all the rumors going around about huge cast cuts coming to GH, they damn well better not find a way to “save Frodd”. Or Whiny Heiny, for that matter. Let Alex take her son out the way Ryan’s mom did in the 1990s. (only without the eventual resurrection this time)
Satan–
They have not yet done all the testing etc
to know exactly what Franco is facing.
He/Roger is a star and will not die.
He’s not going anywhere, nope..
If ay one is to be killed off, then I vote for;
Anna and Alex to kill-off each other.
60-70yr old grandmothers portrayed as a super-spy is more than ridiculous.
I’m still not seeing any purpose Ann has; her time has come and gone..
Good for Robert/Scorpio for holding on- he has a purpose as AG/whatever his position is now.
I luv Valentin, hoping he and Franco get up-front in exciting/intriguing/suspenseful stories 🙂
I’m counting on the men to bring the drama!
the GH women have become dull/boring measly yawn.
I need some dark exciting action LOL 🙂
Finola just turned 61 and is one of only 2 contract performers over 60 (NLG being the other).
While the majority of the audience got one thing we wished for this week (Peter is not Anna’s son), the next is to see her return to the strong woman she traditionally has been.
Looking forward to her eventual showdown with Liesl when the truth finally comes out.
When did Alex become evil? She was sweet/normal on AMC. I only remember her on GH when Ron/Frank came on board and she was changed then? Did I miss another time of Alex on or mentioned between AMC and Ron/Frank time?
I wondered the same thing!
Thanks- finally an exciting Franco.!
Franco and Liz are one of the dullest/lacklustre/boring couples, ever.
Hope Franco goes back to the dark side!
I have heard; Roger plays crazy dark in a bravo way.
looking forward to tumour Franco doing his dirty deeds..
Also- doesn’t Franco know the Peter/Hinrik secrets etc?
Anyways- good move GH, bringing Franco back to life!
The Webber-Baldwins are truly the heart of this show for me..Putting Franco and Elizabeth together was a smart move, putting Roger Howarth with Rebecca Herbst has proven to be simply brilliant..The slow build in making them such a strong family unit will make the stakes of this storyline so much higher. The boys finally have a stable strong family, I hope we get to see the emotions of every member of the family as they face this together..Roger, Rebecca and the boys are all powerhouse actors, I’m looking forward to watching them deliver!
With Alex pretending to be Anna, Iam wondering how far she’ll take it. Will she sleep with Finn and her other interactions will be interesting to say the least? I still think Robert is Peter’s father not Faison. Cant wait to see this story play out!
Bring back Todd…
At this point I could almost tolerate Todd… as long as they keep Blair and the annoying little Disney princess bubblegum autotuned twit out of it.
I LOVE Franco and Elizabeth together! This stupid black-mail story has finally come to light and now we’re saddled with a retread of Oscar’s inoperable brain tumor. Sigh! Can’t we have a few moments after Mike’s death to breath? Terry better be able to save Franco or she’ll became the Dr. Rick Bauer (GL) of GH. Not really looking forward to this story if it doesn’t have a happy ending. Sigh.
OMG, Peter was sure lapping up Mommy Dearest’s ridiculous performance today. Those two deserve each other.Hope they can save Finn from Alex’s clutches.
Breaking News
Donna Mills, Linda Gray, Nicollette Sheridan, Morgan Fairchild, Loni Anderson to Appear in Lifetime’s 80s and Soap-Themed Holiday Movie

Wowza! Now here’s a line-up of soap opera and primetime favorites all in one movie! Coming up for the holidays, Lifetime has revealed they have an 80s and soap-themed film starring: Donna Mills (ex-Knots Landing, General Hospital), Linda Gray (ex-Dallas), Nicollette Sheridan (ex-Knots Landing and Dynasty), Morgan Fairchild (ex-Falcon Crest, SFT, DAYS et al) and Loni Anderson (ex-WKRP in Cincinnati).
Filmed earlier in 2023, Ladies of the 80’s is said to follow five soap opera divas (how fun and perfect!), as they reunite to shoot the final Christmas episode of their long-running soap opera!
In story, the producer, Alex (Travis Burns) and director Nell (Taylor Ann Thompson), who happen to be old college friends, do their best to keep things on the rails but as the ladies come together, old rivalries resurface that threaten to tear the production apart. With the show nearly canceled before it even begins due to the ladies’ famous diva behavior, they reluctantly agree to set aside their differences and past secrets to “act” as if they all still love each other. When old sparks reignite between Alex and Nell, the ladies become eager to play cupid and conspire to bring the couple together.
But wait, there’s more! In addition to the five leading ladies, the cast also includes: Days of our Lives favorite Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy), Alec Mapa, and Donna Mills’ real-life daughter, Chloe Mills, plus 80s heartthrob, Christopher Atkins.

Photo: TiffanyX
There is even a Ladies of the 80’s theme song, performed by none other than 80’s pop star, Tiffany!
In a statement on the project, the movie’s EP Larry A. Thompson shared: “The opportunity to bring together Donna, Morgan, Loni, Linda and Nicollette, five powerhouse women into one holiday movie, has been like finding the perfect gift under the Christmas tree.”
The official airdate of the holiday movie will be revealed shortly in the networks’s A Wonderful Lifetime Holiday movie schedule. Deadline first shared the news.
What do you think of this upcoming soap opera-themed movie featuring Donna, Linda, Nicollette, Morgan and Loni? Comment below.
General Hospital
General Hospital Preemptions This Week for MLB Wild Card Playoff Games

This week, General Hospital will be preempted on Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5, and potentially again on Thursday October 6, due to Major League Baseball’s wild card playoff games airing on ABC.
In the best of 3 games, the Texas Rangers face the Tampa Bay Rays in an American League wild card series, starting on Tuesday with a 3:08PM EST start time. If the series goes a full three games, then Thursday’s GH will also be preempted.
Encore episodes of GH will be seen on the east coast on Tuesday and Wednesday, while all other time zones will be preempted for the game.

Photo: MLB
In addition, GH will not be streaming the episodes on Hulu or ABC.com as is it a nationwide preemption. That way, everyone will begin to see the all-new episodes on the same day when they resume.

Photo: ABC
Hopefully, Thursday, GH will resume with an episode that teases: Spencer and Trina affirm their feelings, Tracy has a slip of the tongue, Valentin surprises Anna, and Sasha is in danger.
So, going to miss GH for the next few days? Comment below.
General Hospital
Gregory Harrison Talks His General Hospital ALS Storyline, Battling Addiction, ‘Falcon Crest’ on Maurice Benard’s ‘State of Mind’

Film and TV star, Gregory Harrison is currently appearing on ABC’s General Hospital in the role of Gregory Chase. In story, Gregory is trying to come to the terms with the fact he has ALS and is now displaying symptoms of the disease that will ultimately claim his life.
On the latest episode of Maurice Benard’s (Sonny, General Hospital) You Tube series State of Mind, the actor opens up about the challenges of playing a character with ALS, how he has battled addiction, his prime role on Trapper John M.D and Falcon Crest and much more.
In fact, it’s actually the the 40th anniversary of Harrison’s solo TV Guide cover as Dr. George Alonzo “Gonzo” Gates on Trapper John, M.D.

Photo: ABC
Speaking on his General Hospital storyline, and Gregory Chase’s battle with ALS, Harrison detailed: “He’s a complicated character any way, but we’ve added now ALS into the equation and that’s a really fun technical calibration for me. It’s a relatively quick demise – three to five years, generally for ALS, and it moves along pretty quickly. The body deteriorates pretty quickly and things happen, and there is an emotional kind of reaction to those that my character has. My character reacts to the loss of things and that’s what I am starting to be able to play.”
Harrison added, on how he is playing the nuances of ALS in the scripts he is given, “Where am I going to put in that slip and fall? Where am I going to put in that tremor in my hand? Where I am going to put in the stumble, or the slur of this word or that word? That’s real technical stuff, but I have to layer that on top of emotional honesty of what’s going on. So, for me, it’s a buffet and I love that.”
Benard and Harrison also delved into the fact that Gregory he has been sober for 36 years. Harrison opened about how addiction changed his personality at a time when his career was riding high: “If I was the kind of person who would be regretful, then I would say that during my prime, I was busy using all my acting skills to disguise my addiction instead of building my career. ”

Photo: ABC
As his fame rose, Harrison also started his own production company. He admitted to Benard, that at the time, he was barely getting through jobs and projects: “I could act, but I wasn’t doing as good as I should have been doing. I was just persevering … pouring massive amounts of energy into enduring my addiction … not into the creative artist that I was inspired to be. And then I found my way back.” At one point, Harrison sought help at the renowned Betty Ford Center. Gregory shared that he had to hit rock bottom, in order to build himself back up again.
At the conclusion of the episode, Maurice asked Gregory how he enjoyed being part of the cast of the defunct CBS primetime soap, Falcon Crest, to which Harrison said he loved playing the role of Michael Sharp back in 1990. He compared that character to the likes of Port Charles’ Sonny Corinthos.
Check out Maurice and Gregory’s conversation below.
Let us know, are you emotional invested and enjoying Gregory Harrison’s portrayal of the ALS storyline on General Hospital? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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