General Hospital
GH’s Emma Samms Talks on Her Connection with Jonathan Jackson, and the Similarities in their Work Thanks to Tony Geary
Today, on the Wednesday, September 4th episode of General Hospital, Emma Samms reprises her role as Holly Sutton, when she arrives on the scene in Africa where Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) is being held.
This will give longtime viewers a chance to see Samms and Jackson in story together, something that has never happened before. Emma first joined GH in 1982, while Jackson was cast in 1993, and while they have both come and gone from the show, they never crossed paths … till now.
Speaking with Variety on her return and getting the opportunity to work with five-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Jonathan Jackson, Emma expressed, “It’s such a gift that Frank (Valentini, EP, GH) has given me, working with Jonathan, who is, obviously, a very, very good actor.”

Photo: ABC
Emma also noted, “That’s undisputed – but he’s also really nice. And we have a very similar way of approaching the work, and we realized that that is because we were both trained by Tony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer).”
Viewers will remember that Samms was originally brought in as a love interest for Luke when Laura went missing and Genie Francis exited the show. At that time, Jackson was only 11-years-old. Emma recalled the difficulties the series had in finding another love interest for Luke that would stick.

Photo: JPI
“I didn’t realize when I started that I was the third attempt to find somebody for a new romantic relationship for Luke,” shared Samms. “They had tried really amazing people, like Janine Turner and Demi Moore. So I was sort of the last-ditch attempt in that regard. But I had no clue, which is probably extremely valuable and helped me a lot. I just came in sort of innocent, and ‘I’ll do the best I can’ sort of thing. And I just somehow got away with it. I was very fortunate.”
The actress, who struggles with symptoms from Long-COVID, also revealed that this time back on-screen she’s working with a “brilliant, strong, powerful, interesting villain now,” and there’s “going to be some interesting twists with Holly coming back to town.”
So, are you looking forward to Holly’s return on GH and her scenes/story with Jonathan Jackson? Comment below.
I get that JJ is beloved by many sentimental Luke and Laura fans, which makes sense, but I don‘t understand why people keep saying he’s a great actor. Squeezing one’s forehead, loudly dragging one’s shoes across the set, constantly pushing one’s hair to the side, lip-licking, eye rolling and saying Mmkay? for emphasis is literally NOT acting. Yes, I resent that they are writing off so many interesting characters to bring back old stars who probably cost a lot, but if they at least brought back good actors, it wouldn’t be quite so disappointing.
He’s won 5 Emmys. doofus.
Wow, He’s a five-time emmy-winning actor, who plays his role superbly, we’ve seen all of about 2 minutes on screen thus far… Which is really not enough time to tell what an actor can put out!
I’ve seen you write the same exact thing criticizing Jonathan’s acting multiple times. Like you somehow feel the need to keep repeating yourself to try and sell people on your opinion. Particularly the line about the “lip licking, eye rolling, hair pushing, saying Mmmkay”, like he’s a Valley girl from the 1980s or something.
Everyone is obviously entitled to think what they want. But I mean, go back and watch the 2011 storyline when Luke got drunk and allegedly killed Jake with his car, the scenes with Tony Geary and Jonathan Jackson, which both won an Emmy for, and if you still want to say that JJ is a bad actor, then I’d say that you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Case in point, I am very glad to see the talented Emma Samms back. She brings something playful, mischievous and interesting to her performances as Holly. Would love to see her interact with characters beyond Robert. Her brief scenes last time with the spectacular and dynamic Carolyn Hennessy were fun to watch.
What happened is he was good as a kid then he left that’s fine but he never took off in movies like they all thought. He just never grew up as a grown up if that makes sense. This dirty scruffy look I see he has going on does not help. It will not encourage me as a former viewer run back to the show anymore then Steve Burton did been there done that.
Totally agree Adele. Jackson was great as a child. He left and Jacob Young did a great job playing Lucky the teen. Then it was time for Lucky to be an adult and they brought in Greg Vaughan who was wonderful as Lucky the adult. He became a police officer, married man and father. He even tried to get his father to recognize his excessive alcohol use disorder and get help. Didn’t work. Lucky faced and overcame his own substance abuse disorder. Vaughan was an adult and did a great job with everything they threw him. Jackson suddenly decided he wanted to come back and they dumped Vaughan. Jackson stayed what two or three months and left again. What was the point? How long can he spare you viewers this time?
Jackson stayed 2 years after he replaced Vaughan. At that point, the character needed a break (remember the horrible pairing with Siobhan).
Of course this was in 2011, when “temporary” head writer Garin Wolf had some kind of bizzare agenda to destroy the entire Spencer family. Luke was a hopeless drunk who allegedly ran over his own grandson & burned down the family home. Lulu was doing her own acts of arson. Lucky became a pill popping crybaby who abandoned his wife & kids on Xmas eve. And yes, the Siobahn story was pathetic. And Laura at this point was still a blonde wig attached to a rocking chair at the Shadybrook funny farm.
Luke & Lulu were at least able to redeem themselves somewhat (though the Fluke story would ruin Luke all over again). Lucky never really had that chance, because until recently, we only saw him for one week in 2015, and that was of course focused on Luke’s “exit story” so he didn’t have any time to redeem himself. Though he did manage to bring Jake back from Cassadine island as part of that story.
You can bet your soul that Jonathan Jackson would not have agreed to a long term return as Lucky unless it included the chance to finally redeem the character from the horrible corner he was written into back in 2011
Also Rick Hearst. I didn’t think I’d want to see Ric Lansing again but Hearst’s performance is so immediately and intensely creepy and controlling/ manipulative but also with flashes vulnerability. That guy is acting. Can’t wait to see him to cross paths with Sonny.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who is Hudson in Cahoots With After Revealing Phone Call?

The mysterious Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) is clearly in collusion with someone as witnessed on the Tuesday, August 24 episode of General Hospital.
Since Troy Lennon Appel made his debut on the soap on July 30, we already know he “appears” to be the true biological father of baby Phoebe, and is quite the bad dude after roughing up Ethan in Norway.
Now in Port Charles, claiming he is there for JJE (Jasper Jacks Enterprises) business, and with the edict to contact Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and let her know her father named her the CEO of his company while he is “sailing” abroad, he was initially met with resistance when Josslyn refused to accept the job.

Courtesy/ABC
I’VE CHANGED MY MIND
However, after a recent turn of events, where Brennan (Chris McKenna) told Josslyn, the WSB has her next assignment, and it is to find out what’s going on with her father’s company, they demanded her to accept the CEO position. Now Josslyn is caught and has to back-petal after initially telling Hudson to bring her qualified candidates and she would pick one as her replacement.
In all-new episodes, while at the Quartermaine boathouse, Josslyn informed Hudson that she was now taking the CEO position. Josslyn cited that she realized she wanted to honor her father’s wishes and uphold his legacy.
Hudson is stunned and tries to dissuade her, and is quite suspicious over her sudden change of heart. Realizing no matter what he said Josslyn was not backing down, Hudson says he hadn’t been on board with Jax’s decision to give the company to Josslyn, but now he could see that maybe he’d been wrong about her.
HUDSON HAS A PROBLEM
Josslyn says failing herself, or her father, isn’t an option and when she commits to something she goes all in. She tells Hudson that she would appreciate his support. Hudson says she has it, as she turns to walk away after dropping her bombshell decision on him.
Next, a very pissed off Hudson, picks up his phone and makes a call to someone and tells them that Josslyn took the job. He intimates that this is bad news and will screw up their plans. He tells the person on the other end that he is going to make her change her mind!
So, where is this leading? Who could Hudson be working with on the inside and who did he call? How do you see General Hospital weaving in Josslyn taking over JJE as their new WSB mystery story? Put your creative hats on and let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
But first, check out the GH teaser below for today’s Wednesday, August 26 episode below, where Josslyn tells her mother, Carly to accept her decision of either taking the job at JJE or staying with the WSB!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Recalls Emotional Moment After His Final Scenes with Michael Easton, and Favorite ‘Chase’ Storyline

Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase, General Hospital) is the special guest on this week’s all-new episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart. The GH fan favorite and leading men opened up about his life pre and post GH, his marriage to actress and producer, Lauren Swickard, and some of his toughest and most memorable moments during his eight-plus years as officer Chase of the PCPD.
One of the most heartbreaking moments came when Josh had to say farewell to his on-screen brother Finn played by soap veteran, Michael Easton. It was back on the Thursday, June 27, 2024 episode of General Hospital.
In it, Chase drives Finn to a rehab facility and the two brothers share a heartfelt talk in the car. Finn thanks Chase for allowing him to say goodbye to his daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love). Chase promises to take good care of her. However, Chase warns Finn to not to take any shortcuts on his way to sobriety and to always think of Violet’s wellbeing. It is apparent, the brothers don’t want to say goodbye, but on the count of three, Finn leaves Chase’s car and walks through the door of the rehab facility, while Chase in tears beats the steering wheel before drives away.

Photo: ABC
MISSING HIS TV BROTHER
Josh spoke to the “Soapy” podcast hosts about it and recalled, “In our last scenes together, and it was like his last day. Michael was like, ‘It’s okay.’ And I was like, ‘No, it’s not.’ I was supposed to be crying in the scene, I think. I was like a little glassy-eyed, a little glazed over. And then they were like, “And cut.” I was like, “Great.” I just like went behind the car and wept.”
Speaking of his professional and personal relationship with Easton, Josh expressed, “Michael is an awesome guy. He’s such a sweetheart. We’ve done fan events together in New York and he would show me things, like, ‘This where I used to live …’ He’s like an older brother to me.”
Not only did Josh lose his on-screen brother, but he also lost his on-screen father, Gregory, played by Gregory Harrison, when he was killed-off the show after the character battled ALS. “I think I was more just mourning friends that play family on a show, but a show that goes year after year, year round, and so they become family,” explained Swickard. “So, that part’s been hard for me of just losing friends that while, yes, you get to see each other, you get to call each other, it’s different (when they leave).”

Photo: JPI
CHASE IN A COMA IS FAVORITE OF JOSH’S
When asked, what has been his favorite storyline during his run on GH thus far, Josh took it back to when Chase became became critically ill after being poisoned by a toxic from Peter August (Wes Ramsey) meant for Finn. Eventually, Finn had to rescue his brother with the antidote for the toxin. That story played out from April to June 2021.
Josh explained, “Where I was in a coma and I was seizing and coughing and I had no blocking for like four months! It was great! It was a storyline where I was about to die and I had to say goodbye to a lot of lovely people and it was so exhausting. You get in the car and you feel like you got hit by a train every day because your body doesn’t fully know what acting is, apparently. I remember multiple days being like, ‘Oh, this is why I signed up for this.'”
Swickard also answered if there were moments in the storyline if he felt Chase was not going to survive. The GH star answered, “There were moments that I wondered. However, I think they were pretty upfront with me. They were like, ‘This isn’t what’s going to happen.'”
Check out the full conversation with Josh on the ‘Soapy’ podcast via the comment section below.
Now let us know, what has been your favorite scenes of Josh as Chase on General Hospital during his run? Do you miss the relationship between Chase and his brother, Finn? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?

This week, all-new episodes of General Hospital tease a long-held secret revealed, a surprise cellmate and a life on the line. On Monday August 24, ABC released their weekly promo entitled “Keep Brennan Busy,” raising eyebrows that this could the beginning of the exit of the character, after it was reported that Chris McKenna (Brennan) is leaving the soap come this fall.
In the spoilers video: First, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is telling Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that she has known the truth all along that she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison), even though she was her legal counsel and defender her during Willow’s trial of shooting the former congressman.
Willow is shocked, and her face shrinks up. What will she say in return? Will she just say, “yes” I did it and then blackmail Alexis to also keep her quiet, like she has been able to do to so many others?

Courtesy/ABC
DREW’S BACK TO HIS OLD SELF WITH A VENGEANCE
Next, Drew is suddenly on this renewed warpath to take down Sonny (Maurice Benard), but before he deals with that, he want to get the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief out of the way. He informs his partner in crime Ava Jerome (Maura West) over drinks at the Metro Court his plan for Brennan. While Drew tells Ava his agenda, we cut to: a woman’s hands pouring a packet full of powder into a drink at the Metro Court pool area.
Drew gives Ava her assignment, “I need you to keep Brennan busy while I search his hotel room.” The question becomes, who is the woman who is drugging Brennan? Is this the first attempt at taking out the guy foreshadowing the future, or could this be the demise of Brennan?
YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE IN THE SLAMMER
At the end of the video, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is seen in his cell at Pentonville. He gets what appears to be his new cellmate, and utters, “You?” Is this when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) has manipulated someone from the inside to visit Curtis and begin a plan to get what he wants from Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and use her lover to do his dirty work? Stay tuned.
Take a look at the rest of the official spoilers for the week of August 24-28 below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Valentin makes a pitch to Jason. Brennan confronts Willow. Josslyn has news for Hudson. Laura briefs Anna. Tracy issues a warning.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
Jason encourages Carly. Obrecht wants answers. Anna is tempted. Ric jumps to conclusions. Lulu offers relationship advice.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Nina is enraged. Jordan makes her loyalties clear. Michael seeks Sonny’s advice. Tristan opens up about his past. Felicia stonewalls Brennan.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Gio and Emma overhear an argument. Drew vows revenge. Ava feels slighted. Justine gets a shock. Alexis makes threat.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Sonny makes a promise to Laura. Carly and Valentin make a decision. Anna offers support. Ava sets a trap. Drew is waylaid.
Check out the the latest GH promo, “Keep Brennan Busy” below.
Now let us know, do you think Drew’ plot against Brennan will be the untimely end of the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief? How will Willow keep Alexis from opening her mouth about the fact that she shot Drew? Share your predictions and theories via the comment section below.
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