General Hospital
Chris McKenna Pushes Back Against Online Negativity Towards Him and His GH Co-Stars
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,
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…— Chris L. McKenna (@ChrisLMcKenna) May 6, 2025
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 Preview: As Dante and Elizabeth Grow Closer, the Green-Eyed Monster Has Gotten Hold of Ric

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) are getting closer, much to Ric’s (Rick Hearst) chagrin and he make a plan to take action to stop it, while a new dangerous alliance begins to take shape while bitter enemies have a meet-up, of sorts.
In the GH video teaser for August 17-21, while Dante and Elizabeth are enjoying some time together, a jealous Ric warns Lulu (Alexa Havins),”There is a growing connection between the two of them. And if we don’t break it, you and I are going to lose the loves of our lives.”
Could this be the character turn of Ric Lansing, where before his green-eyed monster has wreaked havoc on the life of others? Will Lulu agree to conspire with him to keep Dante and Elizaheth apart …. or want nothing to do with his plan? Stay tuned.
Elsewhere, Drew (Cameron Mathison) is determined to destroy Sonny (Maurice Benard) by any means possible. He hopes teaming with Ms. Ava Jerome (Maura West) is the ticket to make it happen. “Together, we can take Sonny down,” says Drew to Ava over drinks. Is GH heading for a Ava and Drew pairing, next?
Then, as previously reported, Carlo Rota is back as Jenz Sidwell after the character was sentenced to Pentonville for 31 years for his crimes. Sidwell’s first visitor seems to be Sonny Corinthos, who has made it known to others in Port Charles, he wants to take over Sidwell’s business assets.
“It was only a matter of time before you showed up,” Sidwell snarls, as we see the prisoner meet his arch nemesis in the visitor’s section of the prison. Sonny sees Sidwell and snipes, “Beige is not your color.” What is Sonny hoping to gain from a conversation with the nefarious criminal who tried to destroy his life and those who he loved?
Now below, check out the official GH spoilers for this week.
MONDAY, AUGUST 17
Carly enlists a new ally. Josslyn wants Michael’s assistance. Lucas and Joe bond. Brook Lynn is floored. Serena pushes back.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18
Jason’s news shocks Britt. Anna and Sonny find common ground. Josslyn inadvertently says too much. Lucy is rattled. Ava is concerned for Lucas.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
Ric gets an eyeful. Sonny offers his blessing. Drew and Nina have a tense encounter. Jordan receives an unexpected offer. Kai is uneasy.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
Carly makes a realization. Anna introduces Tristan to Josslyn. Liz opens up to Dante. Lulu has words with Valentin. Ric spirals.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Drew offers an olive branch. Ava reassures Portia. Sonny pays a surprise visit. Jordan gets a vote of confidence. Laura makes a request of Rocco.
Check out the latest GH promo “Beige is Not Your Color,'” below.
Then weigh-in: Do you want to see Ric turn back into the villain that he once was? Are you rooting for Dante and Elizabeth to be together? What will be Lulu’s agenda in all of this, if any? Does she even want Dante back? And, are you down for a Ava and Drew pairing? Glad to see Sidwell? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell to Chat Live on the Michael Fairman Channel

The former Michael Corinthos of General Hospital, Chad Duell, will participate in a livestream chat to discuss his new foray into music, his time on the ABC soap opera and much more. Circle, Wednesday, August 19 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT, when Chad visits You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Recently, Duell has launched a new side of himself under the musical name “Duelly” and has released two EDM-style tracks. The most recent, Static in the Quiet Room which dropped in August, and previously If You Need Me which dropped in June. In his new musical venture, Chad is said to primarily be the songwriter, producer and pianist on his tracks.
Previously, Chad stepped away from his Daytime Emmy-winning role as Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son after a nearly 15-year run. A decision he made towards the end of 2024. Viewers last saw his version of Michael on the January 21, 2025 episode where Michael was recovering from severe burns and injuries suffered in the penthouse explosion at Sonny’s. The character was recast with Rory Gibson, who debuted at the end of May 2025 during the GH Nurses’ Ball.

Photo: JPI
CHAD ON DECISION TO STEP AWAY FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL
Chad has previously sat down for a conversation on The Able Show seven months ago, where he doubled-down on his decision to walk away from General Hospital when he did. Duell explained, “I’m blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have. But what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened.”
Sadly, Duell suffered the devastating loss of his beloved father in 2024, which also was very difficult for him as he detailed, sharing, “On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

Photo: CDuellIG
BEING A DAD TO SON DAWSON
In addition, after exiting General Hospital, Chad had been busy raising his young son, Dawson who will be 3 on August 30, along with his partner, Luana Lucci, while continue his aspirations of putting out music and continuing his acting.
If you have a question, you would like posed to Chad during the live broadcast, but cannot be with us on Wednesday, drop it in the comment section below and we just might ask in live on the air! For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams and special event coverage make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, would you like to see Chad find success with his music, return to the soaps on another show in a new role? If so, where? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Is ‘Jarly’ the Best Relationship in Soaps? Should Jason Go Work for the Quartermaines?

General Hospital’s Carly (Laura Wright) and Jason’s (Steve Burton) bond will never been broken, and they reaffirmed that on the Friday, August 14 episode of the ABC soap opera.
For the first time since making his decision to leave the mob and work for Sonny (Maurice Benard), Jason sits down with Carly in her kitchen and breaks the news to her. She is shocked.
Jason explains that his time in Jakarta imprisoned by the WSB gave him time to think, and that he came to the realization his priorities are mixed up and he needs to put his son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) first. When Carly asked how Sonny took the news, a tearful Jason explains that Sonny understood. Carly defends Jason’s decision as the right one.

Photo: ABC
The two share a heartfelt moment from across the kitchen table when Carly takes Jason’s hand and acknowledged how difficult it must be for him, considering his loyalty to Sonny all these years. That prompted Jason to apologize to Carly for the all times that his loyalty to Sonny had to come first over his loyalty to her. Carly says she married Sonny five different times and had his children. She understands it’s difficult to walk away and about loyalty, through her tears.
LIFE AFTER SONNY
When Carly asks Jason what is he going to do now, Jason tells his bff he hasn’t figured that out yet. Carly can’t believe she’s going to say this, but the Quartermaines could use his help. She believes Jason has a perspective that could help Ned (Wally Kurth) and Michael (Rory Gibson) at ELQ and Tracy (Jane Elliot) would love to have Jason at the company. Jason says he has to think about, and that it can’t interfere in his relationship with his son.
At the end of the discussion, Jason and Carly love lives are brought up. Let’s not forget, they previously married each other in September of 2021. This is when Sonny was presumed dead, only to show up before the final paperwork was signed, which nullified the best friend’s marriage to each other, and they suddenly went back to being friends.
NO QUESTIONS ON THEIR CURRENT LOVE LIVES
Now in 2026, Carly wonders if Jason told Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) he has left the mob, to which he informs her he hasn’t told her yet, while Carly tells Jason she will keep her relationship with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) out of their friendship.
They both know the other is not too happy with their current romantic partners. But, whether Jason and Britt can actually get back on sound footing, and pick up where they left off before Jason was taken by the WSB, is still left to be seen.
In the end, any scenes that showcase the ongoing bond between Jason and Carly in the hands of Steve Burton and Laura Wright, is always moving and played to perfection by these two long-running staples of the General Hospital brand.
So this all begs a few questions: Should Jason go work for the Quartermaines? Do you think it would be interesting to see him in business, or do you think he would hate it and be bored? Do you think of all the friendships on the current landscape of soap operas still on the air that Carly and Jason’s is one of the best? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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