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
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project
WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.
Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!
In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?
SIDWELL VS. CULLUM
The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.
Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC
BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS
In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.
As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!
Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.
Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration
The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.
This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.
In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI
WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?
The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.
Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.
Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:
Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series
Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones
The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III
Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz
General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen
The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann
So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.
General Hospital
Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’
The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).
In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.
Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC
A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:
PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY
After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.
An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?
In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.
So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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