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General Hospital’s Executive Producer Frank Valentini Previews, “There’s More Tribute to Come For Monica”

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC

The cast and crew and behind the scenes creatives were deeply saddened when General Hospital’s longest tenured cast member, Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine) passed away back on January 12th of this year.

While we have previously reported GH’s plans for its 62nd anniversary episode airing on Tuesday, April 1, which will include honoring Charleson when her character of Dr. Monica Quartermaine get a new cardiac wing named after her at the hospital, the soap’s executive producer, Frank Valentini shared with Variety, that even after that, there is more in store the.

Valentini teased, “There’s more tribute to come for Monica. But the opportunity presented itself that we would have the anniversary of the hospital be on the anniversary of the show. So it’s a little meta, but I think it’s great. And then to give the hospital a reason to celebrate, that’s how we came up with the the new wing for Monica, which is a really beautiful set. It’s pretty incredible.”

Photo: ABC

The ABC daytime drama will address the death of Monica Quartermaine and the passing of Charleson at a later date, as this anniversary episode was said to be written before the news of the fan favorite’s death.

During the April 1 anniversary episode, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Laura (Genie Francis) remember those who have come and gone and been a vital part of the hospital including: Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon), Epiphany Johnson (Sonya Eddy), Bobbie Spencer (Jackie Zeman) and more.

“As much as we always want to go boldly into the future, I think you can’t go into the future without understanding where you’ve come from, or what the past has taught you,” shared Valentini. “And if there’s anything that it’s taught us, it’s that the hospital is a very interesting and exciting place for story to be told, and the lives and the stakes in the hospital are so much bigger.”

So, glad to hear that there are more plans to honor Leslie Charleson and her contributions for 47 years as Monica Quartermaine down the line? Comment below.

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Happy to hear… but not looking forward to all the tears it will bring. GH tributes always are very touching and emotionally well done in honouring the passing of a cast member.

I most enjoyed the time Monica came to visit Tracy in the hospital, Tracy thinking she would die & be completely honest, told Monica, ” I Love you more than than anyone else in the world!” & began crying.. shortly after, Monica left the room..she had a hard time processing it, because she knew it was true..
After all there fights
Monica was great in that episode

I sure hope they show ample footage of the Alan and Monica wild make out sessions on the heels of one of their infamous marital fights. They were really a super soap couple without actually being called a super soap couple. They were classic!

I loved watching them. They were the most entertaining couple on daytime.

It would bring the house down! So to speak…

love that they honor the history of the show and remember all the departed cast members

Everything they do for Leslie (and Monica) will be beautiful but we’re always going to miss her.

She will be so miss Just don’t understand what took so long

This was written prior to Leslie Charleson’s passing. It’s not like she passed and they just pushed out scripts. That’s not how it works… even at this soap.

Leslie deserves to be honored immensely and forever! I will always remember Monica and Alan fighting!

They were an ideal couple, perfectly made for each other!

Been watching since day one. Saddened we lost Lesley but her tribute will be beautiful. Naming a wing after her is so appropriate and will keep her memory alive to all her fans. Rest in peace, Lesley, you are missed already.

I’ve been wondering when they were gonna honor her! I know it’s going to be a tear jerker. I’ll be sure to grab my box of tissues.

This was written prior to Leslie’s passing.

I have been a faithful fan of General Hospital since 1978. So many characters and storylines have come and gone since then. My mother’s favorite characters, besides Luke and Laura, were definitely Monica and Alan Quartermaine. In both of our opinions, they are central to what General Hospital is today. I am VERY happy to see that Dr. Monica Quartermaine will have a hospital wing named after her, definitely that episode (the 62nd anniversary show), and the episode where the entire cast will honor her in what will probably be the most saddest of episodes (those memorial episodes usually are as they should be). Leslie Charleson was a phenomenal actress. The name Monica Quartermaine will never be forgotten and neither will Leslie Charleson. RIP Leslie.

Wonderful news. A suggestion is to include Sasha Gilmore’s deceased husband’s name somewhere (Johnny ?” who sadly passed at a young age.

Ehh, the context here is legendary characters who were actually employed by the hospital itself. What happened to Johhny Wactor IRL was tragic, but “Brando Corbin” doesn’t fit in this context.

She’s been gone since January

I’m very happy that Monica will be honored in this way. She deserves this tribute. Condolences to her family friends and fans. Condolences as well for all who have passed. I really love GH Stars. God bless their souls and spirits to be protected as they transition to that Paradise where they will sleep for now. Until Jesus returns. In Jesus’s Mighty name I pray. Amen, Amen and Amen. ✝️❤️️➕➕➕⭐⭐

I think it’s ridiculous that they haven’t addressed her death yet. Monica is just up in a room dying all this time? Leslie has been the longest person on the show. The least they could do is address the fact that she is dead. They could then name the wing after her. That would make more sense and honor her life.

They don’t just snap their fingers and bam there’s a script. This episode was written before she passed. Then they tape 6 weeks in advance. When a cast member dies it takes time and planning. They have to see who they’d like to bring back and who could be available. With Monica for example they would want Ned there. But Wally Kurth also works on Days of our lives. So they’d have to be sure he’s available. Once they know that then it’s the planning and writing. Then the taping and editing. We dont want these rush. I don’t mind that Monica is still alive currently even though Leslie is not.

Did you read the story you’re commenting on? This is directly addressed:

The ABC daytime drama will address the death of Monica Quartermaine and the passing of Charleson at a later date, as this anniversary episode was said to be written before the news of the fan favorite’s death.

My mom started watching General Hospital when it was in black and white. I’ve only been watching for 30 something years. We love it, the story lines just keep drawing you in. We love all the actors. Let me tell you we shed some tears when the actors passed away. The best way to sum up GH is they feel like our family. I hope it never goes off air in my life time.

It would be nice if the character of Lesley Webber came back.

I would hope Denise Alexander as Lesley Webber would be included in a tribute to her longtime co-star Leslie Charleson and nemesis Dr. Monica Quartermaine. Those years with Alan and the Webber brothers were so well done. Soaps work best when past characters are remembered and included in current stories. As the World Turns was very good about that. GH remembers at anniversaries, but I wish some of the old guard would be featured more.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

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After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!

In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.

Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.

MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP

Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!

At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC

BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY

Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”

LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER

In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?

So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.

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