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Chris McKenna Pushes Back Against Online Negativity Towards Him and His GH Co-Stars

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

It’s never an easy task to come into a long-running daytime soap opera, and take over the role from another actor, who became popular with the audience and for whatever the reason that actor is no longer playing the part. Most of the time, and over time, the successor usually winds up going over with the viewers and they become the recognized face of the said role.

Former One Life to Live favorite Chris McKenna (ex-Joey Buchanan) took over the role of General Hospital WSB Port Charles bureau chief, Jack Brennan from Charles Mesure. In what was a surprise move to GH fans, McKenna suddenly debuted on-air in the part back on the February 4, 2025 episode. It was eventually revealed that Mesure chose to vacate the role. Mesure had last been seen on your screens on the December 1, 2024 episode of the series.

As has been the experience of many soap opera stars or people in the spotlight, they are often on the receiving end of harsh negative comments typed by people on their keyboards and attacked on social media platforms, poked fun of, and not only include the person they are attacking but their co-workers … in Chris’ case, his GH co-stars.

Photo: ABC

Taking to his account on X, (where Chris is very active in an engaging with his followers) he posted this message on May 6, “Guys, say whatever you like. But there’s no need to @ me with complaints about my friends, cast mates, bosses, and colleagues. @ ing us is a privilege easily revoked. And if you’re worried there’s not enough negativity on the internet you can take the day off. You’re covered. Be nice.”

When asked by some in the comment thread, to show an example of a post that brought about his initial message, Chris shared, “Some lunatic posted on all my insta that I was an ‘old ugly grandpa!!!!’ and ‘how dare you come between Joss and Carly!!!!!” A fascinating melange of delusions.” Responding to another who agreed it was inappropriate, McKenna added, “Lol yeah on one hand they were making fun of me for being an old father irl yet Joss and Carly were also real.

When clarifying a bit more about attacking his GH co-stars, one of the references was about a post of himself along with longtime GH staple, Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on Instagram. Chris added, “I posted that pic of Finola and some commented ‘whenever I see her I keep scrolling’. I said, ‘well apparently not, next time you should do that.'”

Photo: ABC

He shared he got a response back in all caps in vitriol stating,“MY CHOICE!!! WHO ARE YOU HER KEEPER?!” McKenna added, “(I don’t think they realized they were talking to me.) Naw dude I’m her friend. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

Even with some negative messages, McKenna also added in another post on X on May 6, “To be clear 95% of what I’ve received here has been lovely. Which is WAY more than I expected. It’s why I’ve been encouraged to share so much with you folks. Thanks.”

And just for clarification’s sake, a fan commented how they missed the accent on Brennan when Charles Mesure played the role while Chris does not play the character with an accent. McKenna answered, “I don’t begrudge you any of those feelings! Thanks Btw, there was talk of my doing the accent. I’ve done it before. Even British. But in the end they decided to let me be me.”

So, what do you think about Chris standing up against online trolls and negative comments? Are you enjoying his work as Brennan now that we are several months in from his initial debut? Are you rooting for Jack and Carly at this point? Share your thoughts in the comment section,

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This really disturbs me.
I have watched Chris since he was a young teen on OLTL and it’s wonderful to have him back on a soap.
The previous actor CHOSE to leave. I liked him in the part, but Chris has made it his own and I look forward to his story with Laura Wright every day.
There is no room for the mean, negative posts he is receiving and I hope he knows that there are many of us who are enjoying his work and love that he is so generous with his fans.

I totally agree with you! I watched him on OLTL too. I really enjoy his interpretation of Brennan and like his chemistry with Laura Wright!

The way “fans” treat actors is crazy sometimes. It’s also pretty sad that people can’t separate the actor from the role. I mean, Chris is not getting between Carly and Joss – Brennan is. And you know why he’s doing it – because the writers wrote it that way. I don’t mean this as mean, but it’s like a mental disease – people who can’t separate fiction from reality.

Chris is HOT

I’m so sorry Chris has to deal with such inappropriate behavior. Good for him standing up for himself and his co-workers. No matter where you go or what you do, there are always those who enjoy spreading negativity and hate. Personally, I enjoy Chris as Brennan and hope his story expands and continues.

I like Chris and have since OLTL. He is doing a fine job. Some ppl just have to complain. The former actor chose to leave. So I say leave Chris alone and stop complaining when he is doing great!!

Some people have way too much free time.

I swear, soap viewers can be some of the most unhinged, delusional television viewers of all-time.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Elizabeth Thinks of Dante While With Ric; Will She Leave Her Ex in the Dust?

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Liz, Dante and Ric

Clearly, head nurse Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) is trying to deny her feelings for Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) on General Hospital, when she is trying to make up for missed opportunities and dates with her former husband, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst).

On the Friday, November 6 episode, Elizabeth arrived at the Metro Court for her date with Ric. She made sure she thanked the legal eagle for taking care of her house on Halloween when she was called into work.

However, while telling Ric this, Elizabeth is struck by a flashback of her and Dante baking in her kitchen, where a very close encounter almost led Dante and Elizabeth to kiss. After shaking that image off in her head, she goes back to her date with Ric, who is being very sweet to her.

Elizabeth and Ric

Courtesy/ABC

ELIZABETH HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT RIC

Their date gets interrupted when Lulu (Alexa Havins) shows up at their table asking Elizabeth to convince Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) to drop the libel case against her.

Later, when Liz talked with Willow, and Willow shared she appreciated the head nurse looking out for her, she asks her friend if Ric is the kind of man she wants her life?

Willow is pointing out, as she had in her relationship with Drew (Cameron Mathison), does Ric really love Elizabeth  … or is he using her to get what he wants? That comment puts more doubt in Elizabeth’s mind over reconnecting with Ric, and giving her more credence to follow her feelings for Dante.

So, where is this leading? Will Elizabeth cut things off with Ric? If so, will he snap? Is Ric using Elizabeth? And what about Dante? Are you enjoying the growing closeness between Elizabeth and Dante, or do you prefer Elizabeth with Ric? Let us know in the comment section, But first, check what went down on Ric and Elizabeth’s dinner date which lead to more questions than answers below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit

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Jane Elliot

General Hospital viewers became concerned when on the Thursday, November 5 episode, Tracy (Jane Elliot) was preparing to leave Port Charles to go help her son, Dillon Quartermaine, who got arrested while trying to film in Thailand.

Tracy informed Jason (Steve Burton), that she had to leave and was counting on him to look after things while she was away. That included: making sure Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and baby Phoebe were safe from the likes of Jude Jax (Wil Traval) as well as the Quartermaine businesses since Ned (Wally Kurth) still can’t overexert himself since his heart attack.

In Tracy’s final scenes, for now, she tells Gio (Giovanni Mazza) and Emma (Braedyn Bruner) to be there for Brook Lynn while she is going through her ordeal after divorcing Chase (Josh Swickard) and Jude trying to claim baby Phoebe.

Brook Lynn and Tracy

Courtesy/ABC

HOW LONG WILL JANE ELLIOT BE GONE FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL?

However, GH fans! Have no fear. Tracy’s exit was written into the show to facilitate Jane Elliot’s annual vacation. Same time last year, Elliot exited the canvas around this time after the entire Ronnie Bard/Martin Grey debacle; where they conspired to make it look like Monica left the Quartermaine mansion to her sister, Ronnie (Erika Slezak) instead of Tracy. In that storyline, Tracy took off for a spa in France for some much-needed R&R.

Now, according to Soap Opera Digest, while viewers are just seeing the beginnings of Jane Elliot’s temporary leave, the soap opera confirmed that the long-running star is already back taping new episodes. GH roughly runs about six weeks ahead of air in its production schedule.

Jane Elliot

Photo: JPI

ALL ABOUT JANE

Jane Elliot started her GH journey back in 1978, and has come and gone a few times including an announced retirement back in 2017, only to eventually come out of retirement a few tines, and rejoin the show full-time in 2023.

Along the way, Elliot has won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress back in 1981, and in 2025 was honored for her 50 years of excellence in daytime television becoming a Gold Circle honoree from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Michael Fairman TV spoke to Jane at that time, immediately after receiving her honor on-stage. You can check out that interview here.

Now below, watch scenes from Thursday’s GH where Tracy informs Jason she has to leave the country and go help her son.

Then let us know, with the mention of Dillon Quartermaine on today’s GH, will the soap opera FINALLY recast the role? Will you miss Jane while she is off-screen? Glad to know she is already back taping all-new episodes of the ABC daytime drama series? Let us know in the comment section.

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General Hospital

GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright Tease Anna/Valentin/Carly, “It’s Not Your Typical Triangle, We’ll Say That”

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Finola Hughes and Laura Wright

On General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are now dealing with the fallout of their discovery, the dead body of Jack Brennan. While Carly became a suspect, now the two need to figure out just who was responsible for the former WSB Port Charles Bureau chief’s sudden ending.

Meanwhile, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is trying to put her shattered life back together, after almost killing Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), hallucinating she was seeing a dead Peter August (Wes Ramsey) and trying to shake off years of trauma at the hands of Cesar Faison (Anders Hove).

While it has become apparent that Valentin and Carly love each other, the same holds true for Valentin and Anna, but is it differently, now that the former lovers are apart? However, it appears when Anna is in trouble, Valentin shows up to save her. That is not lost on Carly, who up until now has tried to be adult about the whole situation, but how long will that last?

Carly and Valentin

Photo: ABC

Michael Fairman TV caught up with both Daytime Emmy-winning Lead Actresses on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards and asked them to weigh-in on what viewers can expect, and what’s it has been like working with leading man, James Patrick Stuart.

Laura Wright explained, “James is hilarious. I would say most of our dress rehearsals are laughing it out because we’ve got to show up for taping, but he’s very funny.” Finola Hughes echoed that with, “He’s a very funny person, always,” adding, “I couldn’t be in a scene with him and Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH). It was him, me, and Amanda one time. We couldn’t get through the scene!”

Valentin and Anna

Photo: ABC

The discussion turned to if GH viewers will see Anna and Carly fighting over the love of Valentin. Laura Wright shared, “Not in the way you would think. It’s not your typical triangle. We’ll say that.” Finola Hughes concurred, “It’s not your typical triangle!”

Watch our chat from the red carpet with Finola and Laura below, and make sure to check out all the moments from Michael Fairman TV at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards here.

So, do you think Valentin will be caught in an actual love triangle between Anna and Carly, or will he be fully in his relationship with Carly, only to find himself constantly coming to the rescue of Anna Devane, causing an ultimate riff in his relationship with Carly? Who would you like to see Valentin with … Anna or Carly? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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