General Hospital
GH’s Chris McKenna on the Potential of Sharing Scenes with Erika Slezak: “What I Wouldn’t Do to Work with Her for One Day Again”
Will General Hospital’s Chris McKenna (Jack, GH and ex-Joey, OLTL) have his wish granted, and get the opportunity to work with his former TV mom, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki), now that the six-time Daytime Emmy-winning icon is headed to General Hospital this fall?
While GH and ‘One Life’ fans will have to stay tuned for that, Michael Fairman TV recently caught up with Chris on the red carpet at the Daytime at Night – A Benefit for St. Jude concert at the world famous Troubadour nightclub in Los Angeles, to get his thoughts on a wide-ranging series of subjects now that he is fully implanted as the recast Brennan.
Chris weighed-in on a chance to work with Erika Slezak again, being involved on-screen with Laura Wright’s Carly Corinthos, all the while Brennan covers up the murder of Cyrus Renault and hides that fact from Carly that her daughter Josslyn (Eden McCoy) pulled the trigger and then he “persuaded” her to secretly join the WSB and she became a spy.
Courtesy/ABC
On ‘One Life,’ McKenna played a young teenaged Joey Buchanan from 1990-1993, and had worked with now GH EP Frank Valentini during his time in Llanview. Chris noted it’s been difficult in his career to shake-off people remembering him best as a young Joey.
THE JOEY BUCHANAN/ERIKA SLEZAK CONNECTION
“I was Joey to everybody … I was Joey to Frank,” shared Chris.”I’m glad, I’m finally changing some of that perception. As far as GH, I loved it from the beginning, but I’m settling in and making the character my own. It has gotten more and more satisfying and gratifying getting to do scenes with more people from the cast.”
Photos: ABC and JPI
Speaking on how he and Erika Slezak have maintained a close relationship over the years, McKenna recalled, “From my first day (on OLTL) she pulled my mother aside, and said, ‘That kid … he’s something.” That meant a lot to me to hear that that from her. It made me emotional just saying it now. Erika has been so supportive. She would pull me aside and she gave me so much attention. She protected me on the set. Erika would say that when the directors are misleading me, ‘to trust my gut.’ She still reaches out to me and we had been in communication. As soon as I got this role on GH, she reached out to me.”
“Erika Slezak means so much to me,” McKenna continued. “She still calls me her son, but says, ‘You’re not my son anymore. You’re so grown up.” I said, ‘Not true. It’ll never be true. I’m always your son.’ What I wouldn’t do to work with her for one day again.”
BEING A RECAST
Back in February of this year, GH surprised us all when it was revealed that Charles Mesure departed the series as WSB Port Charles bureau chief, Jack Brennan, and the role was recast with Chris McKenna. “I knew the challenge it was going to be and I had a like five days to get my head around it, so I was ready for it,” recalls Chris. “Sure. It was challenging, but I was up for it. I was a recast before on The Young and the Restless.”
Photo: JPI
McKenna played detective Mark Harding from 2014-2015 on the CBS soap opera when he became what was a last minute recast for the character of Detective Chavez, and, “When Detective Chavez (Ignacio Serricchio) went away, Harding became the guy, but it was all his lines, just a different character with me playing it. So, I already had a little experience doing this. This one role at GH is bigger, and a much more precarious situation, but it was great. Laura Wright and Eden McCoy are amazing to work, so it felt like home very quickly.”
BRENNAN, GOOD, BAD OR GRAY?
Jack Brennan seems to be towing the lines these days, not giving too much away and keeping his actions and his plans close to the vest. So, are we supposed to root for the guy? “I don’t know if he’s ever going to be a clean-cut wearing a white hat kind of guy. He’s gray all the way through, but he’s got a heart in there,” explains McKenna. “So, we’ll see what it prevents him from doing, or where it leads us. Brennan is going to be conflicted for awhile.”
Photo: ABC
In a huge bombshell that has yet to explode, Brennan has Josslyn working for him and the WSB to bring down Professor Dalton (Daniel Goddard), and she owes him for cleaning up the evidence that could connect her to killing Cyrus Renault. Namely, Brennan removed any trace of the body! “The WSB can cover up many sins,” shared Chris. “I had six scenes in a row of hammering home to Josslyn that she needs to get into the WSB, and all these speeches. Eden gave me a huge hug at the end of that day, when I was exhausted after doing three episodes on my first day, and was so supportive. We have so many more things coming up and it’s going to be lot of fun for the audience, I believe.”
CARLY/BRENNAN ROMANCE – CAN IT SURVIVE?
Everyone warned Carly Spencer to stay away from Brennan, because of his shades of gray, but you can’t stop Carly once she gets her mind set on something. Chris weighs-in on working with the dynamic Laura Wright. “She is wonderful. I have known her since I was a kid, too. She was the pitcher and I was the catcher on a Make-A-Wish softball team, recounts McKenna. “Fast-forward 30 years, and I couldn’t be working with a more incredible actress. We communicate well and we have a lot of fun.”
Photo: ABC
However, what does Chris think might go down, if and when, Carly learns how he has her daughter working as a spy for the WSB and that he never told her that Josslyn killed Cyrus Renault? “When the truth comes out, I think Jack’s an awfully persuasive guy. I know, Carly’s going to have a very serious point to raise and she would be very upset, but I wouldn’t count Jack out,” says McKenna with confidence.
So, do you hope that Erika Slezak might play Brennan’s mother? That way Chris and Erika could be reunited in a unique way on General Hospital? And, do you think Carly and Brennan have a chance, if and when, his secret about Josslyn is revealed? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
I would be over the moon for Chris McKenna and Erika Slezak to do scenes together on GH. They were so easy and natural as mother and son on One Life to Live. I hope Erika’s character enters Brennan’s orbit for a least a little while.
I am loving Chris as Brennan and the scenes of Brennan and Carly sizzle. More, more, more please. To TPTB, please put Chris on contract. He needs to be on more often and his photo definitely needs to be included in the opening titles.
Perhaps Vickie will expose that Brennam is really Joey and have been a secret WSB agent for years.
I really liked Chris on Y and R, but I love him as Brennan. He has done a great job making the character his own. He seems to be laying the foundation and hopefully will be able to stay around for a long time. I never watched OLTL but that picture of him with Ryan Phillippe is absolutely precious! Shall be fun to see the upcoming the Erika story arc:)
I just love Chris McKenna and want GH to start giving Brennan more story. GH needs to realize what an asset he is to the show and keep him on for years to come.
I watched OLTL since day one and it gives me chills to think he and his mom could possibly soon have scenes together again!!
I agree with you Shari. Chris McKenna needs a bigger story and much more air time. He is a tremendous asset to the show and should be on contract for years to come.
Like you, I watched One Life to Live from day one and watched until the end of the network run and the online run. I still miss it every single day.
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Remain No #1 and # 2, ‘General Hospital’ Only Soap to Lose Viewers
The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.
Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.
In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.
Photo: JPI
FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS
Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.
General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.
Photo: ABC
PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL
In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.
Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.
It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.
*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.
So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.
On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.
It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.
Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.
Courtesy/ABC
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.
THE WRONG SUSPECT
Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!
Courtesy/ABC
DINING WITH RIC
At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.
Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.
Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.
Courtesy/ABC
FATHER AND SON
Rocco explained how he followed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.
Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.
Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.
A SHOCKING CALL
Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Remain No #1 and # 2, ‘General Hospital’ Only Soap to Lose Viewers
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Would You Be Down With a Dante and Elizabeth Romance?
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‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Previews His New Role as PCPD Officer Joe Fitzpatrick
Anthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak
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