General Hospital
General Hospital Alum Sean Kanan Recalls How AJ Quartermaine’s Ignorance Was Difficult to Portray in Stone’s AIDS Storyline
On June 22, 1995, General Hospital showcased its second ever Nurses’ Ball during the middle of the Stone HIV/AIDS storyline that has now become a classic.
It was at the ball that the character of AJ Quartermaine, played by current B&B star, Sean Kanan (Deacon) was used by the writers to have a character voice what many in the audience may not have been clear about in just how someone contracts HIV/AIDS. During the scenes, Stone (Michael Sutton) admits to AJ, Jason (Steve Burton), Alan (Stuart Damon), Monica (Leslie Charleson), Keisha (Senait Ashenafi) and Lily (Lilly Melgar), that he has AIDS with Robin (Kimberly McCullough) by his side.
On Thursday, a fan posted a clip from that scene and tweeted, “The Storyline That Changed My Life & Led Me To Volunteer As Much As I Could For The AiDS/HIV Community!TY”‘

Photo: ABC
After seeing the clip, Kanan came on to his Twitter account to share his feelings on the challenging scene from the past. Sean shared, “This was personally a very difficult storyline for me to play. Having tons of gay friends as well as relatives I was conflicted. My character, AJ Quartermaine exuded ignorance and a lack of self-evolved understanding. Ultimately I embraced the story because it was the story that was so important rather than my character. I am still very proud of the work the show produced about a socially relevant and humanistically important subject.”
In the writing of the scene, AJ says the following lines to his family after Stone and Robin leave the table: “Who knew he was gay? I didn’t know. Well, what then, drugs? Jason, it’s almost impossible to get AIDS from a woman … sometimes, I’ll grant you that. But it’s far more likely to get transmitted in other ways. I mean, think about it. Stone is practically attached to the hip of Robin for a very long time now and he certainly didn’t get it from her.”
What did you think about the sentiments shared by Sean in 2023 on the actions of his fictional character of GH’s AJ Quartermaine back in 1995? Let us know in the comment section below.
The Storyline That Changed My Life & Led Me To Volunteer As Much As I Could For The AiDS/HIV Community!TY @whitewatercrew @MichaelSSutton @MauriceBenard @VanessaMarcilM @lillymelgar @seankanan @1SteveBurton @wallykurth @KristinaWagnr @RenaSofer @ricky_martin @canyoncatz + #GH ❤️ https://t.co/5NUJNcwzhl
— Lydia (@LitLat) June 22, 2023
I think it was fine and realistic for the time it was written. Not many knew about it, many thought it was a “gay” disease, and it doesn’t seem like “AJ” was trying to be cruel; but was uninformed.
One of the best ever daytime storylines from any soap! Relevant, timely, real… We could use more of such.
It was a story of the times and was brilliantly told, thanks to the brilliance of Wendy Riche (executive producer) and Claire Labine (head writer). And, to think, they originally wanted AJ to be the one battling AIDS, but ABC rallied against it, because of the fact AJ was a Quartermaine.
If a Devil remembers correctly, from something Sean Kanan said himself in a previous interview (possibly an episode of “State of Mind”) the original plan was to have AJ be the one. The problem was how he would have been infected. AJ was a hardcore alcoholic, but not an IV drug user. So the logical implication would be that he had a drunken hookup with some random person, and like most drunken hookups, didn’t practice safer sex.
Problem with that idea is the question of who he would have had this drunken hookup with. Even then they knew that transmission of the virus from women to men was statistically rare, and did they really want to “go there” with AJ being into guys, even if it was only when he was wasted?
Of course they wanted this to happen to a “legacy kid” so it would be a major story. So they chose Robin… by way of Stone. Stone was more or less a blank canvas, so they could give him any backstory they wanted, and if my fuzzy devil memory is correct, they went with the past drug use.
The networks (ABC in particular) were very protective of legacy characters until the 2000’s. In addition to the AJ-Stone switch, ABC rejected an Audrey gets Alzheimer’s storyline and had OLTL switch the gay coming out story from Joey Buchanan to Billy Douglas.
After Frons, Phelps, et al, took over it was suddenly okay to kill multiple Quartermaines and longtime characters such as Dixie Cooney and Gabrielle Medina.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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