General Hospital
General Hospital Exploring Ways to Keep Easton, Howarth & Alderson!
Photo Credit: ABC/Getty Images
After the statement made by Michael Easton (John) today that he would not be taping new episodes of General Hospital as of February 8th due to legal reasons, (which has to do with the negotiations between rights to the characters of One Life between ABC and Prospect Park), a General Hospital spokesperson gave Soap Opera Digest some encouraging news that the lone ABC soap intends to keep Easton, Roger Howarth (Todd),and Kristen Alderson (Starr)!
The spokesperson related, “General Hospital is excited about Michael Easton, Kristen Alderson and Roger Howarth staying on the show and we are exploring ways to allow that to happen.”
The latest update on the situation is: the characters of John, Starr, and Todd are expected to air through March on General Hospital. In addition, GH hopes to resume the use of all three performers, who are under contract to ABC most likely as different characters.
SOD Reports that, “Prospect Part meanwhile, is said to intend to recast the roles of Starr, John and Todd for its OLTL reboot. ” So what do you think of the updated news? Would you be up for Howarth, Alderson, and Easton playing new roles? Or having the roles of John, Starr and Todd recast in the OLTL reboot? Weigh-in!
General Hospital
Kimberly McCullough Shares Remembrance of the Late TV Legend Norman Lear on the Set of ‘One Day At a Time’
Television legend, Norman Lear passed away on Wednesday at the age of 101 years old. The comedy genius who created, wrote and produced some of the greatest sitcoms of all time died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Lear’s body of work included: All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Maude, The Jeffersons and Good Times, Sanford & Son, plus the soapy, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
General Hospital’s beloved Kimberly McCullough (Robin) has been working as a director in the television industry for years now and upon learning the news of Lear’s passing, shared a very touching moment via her Instagram that stayed with her through her directorial career. McCullough had been a director on the reboot of One Day at a Time that featured EGOT winner, Rita Moreno.
Photo: JPI
McCullough expressed: “My hat goes off to your, sir Norman. What a wonderful life you lived. In my very first directing job, only 6 weeks after having a baby, I was feeling fragile and not quite ready to get back to work. On the set of One Day At A Time, you squeezed my chin and said ‘Look at you! A baby directing our show.’ It wasn’t condescending at all. In fact you seemed thrilled by how far we’d come in the industry, giving young women a seat at the table. I replied, ‘I’m not a baby. I just had a baby.”‘
McCullough added: “You gave me nod of approval saying, ‘Even better. You let me know if you need anything.’ That meant the world to me. Thank you for your service of the television industry, of our country and being a stand up human. #ripnormanlear”
In a previous post pictured with Norman Lear, Kimberly shared: “Thank you changing the world with your storytelling. Honored to say I’ve been able to work with you. One time I heard you say “but where is the HEART of the story?” I have a feeling you’ve asked that question a lot…”
The Lear family also put out this statement on the death of the iconic TV genius: “Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather,” the Lear family said in a statement. “Norman lived a life of creativity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being.”
Tonight, across all network television, an in memoriam card will air at 8PM ET/PT to pay tribute to Lear and acknowledging his influence in the medium.
Share your thoughts on Kimberly’s touching tribute to Norman Lear and the passing of the TV legend via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What are Your First Impressions of Charles Mesure as ‘Mr. Brennan’?
There’s a new villain in town and things are about to get turned upside down for Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) as General Hospital circles back around to the looming mysterious ‘Pikeman’ story and who was the target of the shooting at the Metro Court that put Curtis in a wheelchair.
Last Friday, and into yesterday’s Tuesday, December 5th episode of the ABC daytime drama series, viewers were introduced to “Mr. Brennan” who has to turn out to be the dastardly “Pikeman.”
If his portrayer looks familiar, actor Charles Mesure has appeared in numerous television series and film roles including: Once Upon a Time, Castle, The Mentalist, Desperate Housewives, Bones and more. Mesure is also British-born, but moved to Australia when he was younger, accounting for the fabulous accent “Mr Brennan” has on GH.
Courtesy/ABC
In story on GH, as Sonny was telling “Mr. Brennan’s” minion, Hume that he would no longer run Pikeman’s shipments through his territory, the guy showed up at Kelly’s Diner with an ominous message for Carly (Laura Wright), although she doesn’t know it.
On Tuesday, in his room at the Metro Court, Brennan is upset that Sonny won’t work with him and tells Hume he plans to stay in Port Charles to make sure the shipments to Canada are ready to go. We also learn that apparently the head of the WSB has taken a leave of absence. Brennan reveals that being the director has its benefits. He then says he got rid of Frisco and he can work remotely and now things are falling into place.
Hume asks Brennan who the intended target is in all of this, and he says both Sonny and Anna. “Brennan’s” goal is to force Sonny’s hand to continue the shipments and more. Meanwhile, Curtis on the case as to who is behind his shooting and more.
So, what has been your impressions thus far of GH’s newest baddie as played by Charles Mesure? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Proposes to Brook Lynn; Kristina and Blaze Share a Kiss
Finally, many GH viewers got their wish, when on the Monday, December 4th episode of the ABC daytime drama series, Chase (Josh Swickard) got down on one knee (a few times) and proposed to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton).
At first, Brook Lynn balked at his attempt as she believed Gloria (Ellen Travolta) and Lois (Rena Sofer) were pressuring him to do so. When she tells Chase marriage is off the table he pulls out an engagement ring. Chase reveals he was planning on proposing at Christmas, so he had the ring ready to go. A romantic Chase shares that he doesn’t want to waste one more day as he clearly knows what matters now … her! With that, Chase gets back down on his knees and proposes again, and this time Brook Lynn says, “yes!” The two seal the deal with a kiss!
Molly (Kristen Vaganos) breaks the news to TJ (Tajh Bellow), that she now wants to accept her sister, Kristina’s (Kate Mansi) offer to be their surrogate, after all the failures they have been through in trying to find a candidate that will stick. While TJ voices his concerns, he eventually comes around and tells Molly, “Let’s have a baby,” and now seems excited about the prospect of Kristina being the answer to their prayers. They seal the deal with a kiss!
Photo: JPI
Kristina and Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) get together with a bottle of champagne, since Blaze’s latest song just hit number one on the charts. During their conversation, Kristina asks what is Blaze’s real name? She reveals it’s “Alison”.
Courtesy/ABC
Later, Kristina opens up about her past and her abusive relationship with Keifer, her short marriage to Trey and then how she went away to college and fell for her professor Parker Forsythe (formerly Ashley Jones). She then reveals Parker went back to her ex. However, Kristina’s takeaway was she realized she was clearly into women. That leaves the moment open for Blaze to make a move on Kristina and the two share a kiss.
Photo: JPI
So, three kisses moved the stories forward on this episode of GH. Which are you most happy about? Chase and Brook Lynn getting engaged? GH moving forward with a same-sex romance for Kristina and Blaze, or TJ and Molly coming together to agree to let Kristina be their surrogate? Three kisses, three different stories. Let us know via the comment section below.
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: An Emotional Nikki Shares, “My Four Years, Eleven Months & Twenty Four Days of Sobriety is Over”
Y&R’s Courtney Hope Gives Update Following Car Accident & Turning the Situation into a Positive
Kimberly McCullough Shares Remembrance of the Late TV Legend Norman Lear on the Set of ‘One Day At a Time’
Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Exes, ‘Melrose Place’ Alum Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig Are Dating
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What are Your First Impressions of Charles Mesure as ‘Mr. Brennan’?
J. Eddie Peck ‘Thanks’ Fans For His Return to The Young and the Restless
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What are Your First Impressions of Charles Mesure as ‘Mr. Brennan’?
Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Nominee Luncheon; The Tradition Continues
General Hospital’s Jon Lindstrom Shares Heartfelt Message to Mark His 30-Year Anniversary as Dr. Kevin Collins
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Talks On the Revelation That Shocks Claire, Vendetta Against the Newmans, and Working with Her Co-Stars
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: An Emotional Nikki Shares, “My Four Years, Eleven Months & Twenty Four Days of Sobriety is Over”
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Crowns Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy Winners of Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy
Y&R’s Hayley Erin Talks On the Revelation That Shocks Claire, Vendetta Against the Newmans, and Working with Her Co-Stars
Lifetime’s ‘Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas’ Brings Epic Food Fight and “Slapfest Coup de Grâce”
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General HospitalNovember 28, 2023General Hospital Pays Tribute to Tyler Christopher at End of Episode, ABC Exec Nathan Varni Shares: “You’ll Always Be In Our Hearts”
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General HospitalDecember 6, 2023GENERAL HOSPITAL: What are Your First Impressions of Charles Mesure as ‘Mr. Brennan’?
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General HospitalDecember 3, 2023Daytime Emmy Lead Actress Nominee Luncheon; The Tradition Continues
I would think this would be a great opportunity for Roger Howarth to play someone other than Todd with all his baggage.
We could have Roger Howarth play someone who is not a rapist, with no ties to Blair so we don’t have to listen to the complaints day in and day out. A clean slate.
I am all for Michael Easton playing the mortal Caleb or whomever they can think of. He is needed for Kelly Monaco’s Sam.
As far as Kristen Alderson. I’m sure they can come up with a new character for her too.
We soap fans are asked to suspend reality every day. It won’t be that hard to take three characters off and replace them with three others.
I will say it again, it is NOT fair for the ACTORS to be pushed out of their current paying gig just because Prospect Park appears to have gotten its act together. I support the actors.
I would like the charactors of starr and john to stay gh.
Awwwwww!!!! Oh No I will really miss you on prospect park but I am greatful that G.H. put all three of them on G.H. I am glad that OLTL I mean Propect Park is coming back but sad that Todd ,Starr& John Are going to be Diff cheraster.
Hey Peggy, Ok i am totally confused what is Prospect Park ( are you not in USA) I watch GH and used to watch OLTL but have no idea about P. Park and that Starr / John &Todd characters are moving to that show????
I would like them to stay as starr todd and john .
I want them to be Star, John, and Todd……….don’t change their character, give them nicknames……….aka’s and let them be who they are now……….I love Michael and Star together. Don’t mess with that, let him call her something else!
I totally agree.
I can’t picture Todd and Blair anymore, Todd and Carly Rock, Sam and John Rock, Michael and Starr Rock….
PP waited way too long to get things rolling and now the characters have moved on
I think they should stay who they are and where they are. characters come and go all the time. these actors need to stay in their roles and stay on GH. OLTL can run without them for now. they can always crossover from time to time and eventually be written out of GH and back into OLTL. I would hate to see them recast and I would hate to see them abruptly yanked from GH. I am a die hard lifetime loyal fan of both shows. keep the same actors in their roles transition them properly from GH back to OLTL. the new OLTL story lines can include what has happened to their characters since the show had ended, especially because Tea’ and Blair have bounced back and fourth too. I am sure the writters can weave it all together appropriately.
I agree with Heather in her statement. That is excatly how I feel. I am a die hard fan of GH for 30 yrs. and I miss OLTL too. They are very imporant in the new role ‘s they play in GH. I love them. It is bad enough we lost Jason to YATR….I really don’t care much for Sam’s role…sorry…When are you going to bring back Robin, enough already….to long. I don’t like the Doctor that Patrick is seeing, she is awful…tired of her. The meek nurse, forgot her name she is so sweet and inocent….I really like her, but not with Patrick, only Robin. The little girl is the cutest!!!! I love Star and Michael so much…Glad you brought back AJ, I love him too, glad he is tryng to be a good person. The bad one’s you get a little tired of them all the time. I really like Todd too, he is a great actor. I love John, I am glad you brought him in. About, vamprie’s really not reality…. Not sure, but is OLTL coming back??? I miss them all too….That was my other favorite soap. I miss them all.
Well said! I completely agree with you. Hopefully the PP and ABC will also come to that conclusion.
I totally agree with Christine. I’m very much enjoying the crossover, but I don’t like the “Port Charles” Crossover. Enough is enough. They have done a very good job witht he OLTL and GH crossover, no need for anything more.
keep them all in the same roles………..don’t want them to change was happy to see them come to GH…….leave them be
Keep all 3 of them ..tired of all the changes ..love the way it is!!! This is what makes viewers stop watching..I thought combining oltl characters within General hospital is great …if it is not broken why try to fix it!!!
I’m seriously so pissed.
I think they really waited WAY too long. I no longer care about AMC or OLTL, and I was a big fan. But after 2 years, the PP thing will never work. I’d guess half the audience feels like me. AMC ended really badly. Does anyone really care who JR shot? Not so much. And Erika and Jack? How sick was that? Was there really ONE storyline we cared about on AMC? Loved David, but they totally screwed with his character. I’d like it, maybe if David moved to OLTL. Back to Erika…what a horrid way to end a character that lasted – what? 40 yrs? Her being a total bitch, dumping Jack for….Hollywood? Oh Please!!!! Really? Actually, after that, I wouldn’t watch AMC if they paid me. We were supposed to believe that Erika really cared more about some stupid career in Hollywood than being with Jack?
Had PP given us Todd, Star and John I might have tuned in to OLTL. I did not watch before. I would have tuned in because of Blair and Tea and Natalie to see what was going on. BUT they want to be stingy so NO i will not be tuning in to PP. Glad that We still get too keep the actors.PP had their chance and TEHY BLEW iT!!! Can’t wait to see what Ron comes up with. OHH and ME can be Caleb!!! he is just mortal now 🙂 He’s come back for his LOVE SAm aka Livvie!!!
I’m with you. Not tuning in to PP.
Screw P.P. !! They dragged thier heels and lost 3 great actors. OLTL has been off so long that I don`t care about it anymore. M.E., R.H. and K.A. should be able to stay on GH as the characters that they are playing now. I rather hope PP project fails, as they are beng asinine about it!
The way I feel about it is this. PP dragged their feet and made promises and broke them. GH brought 3 of the character we love the most back onto the screen, integrated them wonderfully into Port Charles, and they have real soap lives there now and THAT is where they belong as Starr, Todd and John…………………..I’m one of the ones who rallied and faxed literally 50 faxes a day, and called and did all that stuff to get our soaps back, but I am sad to say that if my beloveds are not on GH I won’t be watching PP.
After PP let us down, and hearts were broke, I got use to AMC and OLTL being off the air.
I watch both shows. I can see why PP wants there characters back. I will wach both soaps and AMC. I hope the new actors and actress will bring something new to the characters but stay true to Todd,Starr, and John.
Remember when I asked if this vampire storyline was a sly way for Easton to be kept on GH several people yelled at me. Now all of you guys take it back. Lol!
The PTB already said that they weren’t doing a vampire story. They are just doing a nod to PC because Lucy is back.
I heard that too, many many times. RC said it’s just a nod to PC, what’s he going to do now with Michael E.
Quite honestly, I really enjoyed Starr (Kristen Alderson) on OLTL and I hate her on GH so I think she’d do better on OLTL or another show. Todd Manning (Roger Howarth) is an integral part of OLTL so he needs to go back and at least finish the Victor Manning storyline. Someone PLEASE Get Trevor St.John at least temporarily.
Michael Easton’s transition to GH made more sense and as much as I love JoLie, I think he’s a good addition to the GH cast. I love him and Bob Woods working together so I’m torn but I think Easton could be beneficial to GH in the long run. Alderson and Howarth need to go.
Foremost I hope FV and RC do right by the actors and do EVERYTHING they can to keep them on GH.
So it looks like that all the people who screamed for the characters to go back to OLTL 2.0 will get their wishes .
We´ll see how happy they are with the recasts.
Ugh. These re-boots are sounding worse and worse. I’m agreeing with those folks that are saying these will be a watered down version of the originals. I will watch in the beginning out of curiosity but I would have much preferred a brand new soap (different names) that incorporated the OLTL and AMC characters with the actors that wanted to continue along with new and younger characters to attract more of an audience. Like they did with Port Charles. AMC could have been centered around the hospital/police department – hence no need for Susan Lucci. OLTL could have been centered around the University – hence no need for Michael Easton or Melissa Archer (who then could have legally gone over to GH).
No…sorry, I do not like the idea of recasting the roles for OLTL or the actors taking on new roles to stay with GH…
Mainly because the time lapse between the characters “leaving” and returning in new roles will be short. It won’t be like when Tamara Braun left as Carly and came back as Claudia years later…
Sorry to say, but looks like ABC will mess this up too !
What if Easton, Howarth & Alderson don’t want to do this dumb reboot? I feel for those three — they are happily ensconsed in a great show with great leading actors and their lives are in upheavel with this stupid mess.
No, I don’t want to see these actors play different roles on GH, I am happy with the roles they are currently playing.
God, what a mess …… I’d be soooo sad if Roger Howarth had to leave. Love Carly & Todd!! BOO, HISS to PP & ABC!
Prospect Park has balls. They dropped the ball a year ago and now that they finally have these shows up and running they are making it difficult for these three.
Personally, had these three characters disappeared when OLTL did we wouldnt be talking about a reboot today. PP needs to suck it up and move on, they have plenty of cast for now. It seems counterproductive to recast three extremely popular character. There is no other Todd Manning unless you get Trevor St. John, who I highly doubt will even be interested. I hope they do stay on GH as different characters if need be. I was looking forward to more crossover stories but I guess thats not gonna be happening. I want to support PP and the reboot but this is leaving a bad taste.
Having any of three, all-of-a-sudden, play “different characters” on GH would be STUPID. Having the same characters on OLTL/PP that are on GH – as recasts – would be STUPID. If I remember correctly neither Roger nor Kristen originally signed on with PP, so they weren’t interested 18mos ago. Let Michael Easton flop back and forth until his contract is up. If Roger and Kristin want to return to Llanview in the future, when their GH contracts are up, then so be it. And in case I didn’t make myself clear – new character names on for the three actors on GH or recasting the OLTL characters with new actors – is STUPID STUPID STUPID!
Of course I am for them playing new roles! They should continue on GH and play new roles. Cuz PP is recasting!
Too confusing with actors who are very identifiable on GH as Todd, Starr, and John if they return to GH too soon as different characters, and a mistake for ABC and PP not finding mutual ground and doing a crossover stories which could bennifet both with higher ratings. PP will be the biggest looser in the long run if they recast these three major characters. They did with Todd when on abc with some success but im not sure if doing all three so soon is a good idea. I could be wrong. OLTL could work without all three in the beginning, and if they do recast there is nothing we can do about it. I just hope it doesnt have a negative effect on gh or oltl whatever happens, now that the genre is enjoying a successful turnaround.
Can they just change the names of the characters or does PP own their backstory too? Should someone have forecast this happening? They should have waited until the contract expired or brought them on as different characters. Sounds like someone was asleep at the wheel.
I was really hoping they could blend them in to reboot OLTL and keep them on GH. I’m not too keen on recasting 3 major OLTL characters all at one time. What a mess.
I don’t like the idea of these actors staying on General Hospital, potentially as different characters. This will not allow the storylines to make sense, especially the baby switch storyline with Tea and Sam, as well as the death of Cole & Hope. How will they explain this in the OLTL reboot? If Prospect Park decides to recast these characters, it will not be the same. We’ve seen Kristen Alderson play the role of Starr Manning since she was a little girl. The fans of OLTL were excited when Roger Howarth returned for the final year of OLTL before the final broadcast of ABC to reclaim the role of Tood Manning. Wonder if Trevor St. John will return for the reboot? They have to finish that cliffhanger with Victor being alive.
Michael Easton is a great actor, and has played the role of John McBain very well. Especially, the scenes witih Melissa Archer, who plays Natalie Buchanan. Overall, I hope the original actors can return for the OLTL reboot, potentially a shorter term contract, possibly a year, with a potential return to General Hospital.
Recasting these three important roles would not be a good idea, especially since so many of the original cast members of OLTL have already signed on for the reboot. Only time will tell, but hopefully an agreement can be made that will allow these characters to return to their original roles. Do understand they have to do whatever is best for their career. Still many issues that need to be resolved, but hope that it’s a decision that will please the fans.
Easton new role, the other two, don’t really care.
I could deal with Easton playing Caleb Morley, but I’m not sure about Alderson and Howarth playing new roles, and I don’t want to see Starr, Todd and McBain recast. I love all three actors, and the characters. It’s hard to think of someone else playing them.
No!!!! Keep the actors in their roles…. OLTL can make it without them! Let them come back as John, Todd and Star….please! Prospect Park needs to bend a little here too. They have the rights to the show, give a little too! Or better yet, ABC give Prospect Park the rights to air the show on your network for a fee of course with the stipulation that these three are allowed to return to GH once OLTL has launched.
The actors and the roles should remain on GH. PP should not recast the roles on the new OLTL. ABC/D and PP should agree to a limited crossover arrangement. I don’t want to see these actors on GH as other characters when I’ve already invested in John, Todd, and Starr. Different characters would be too jarring. I still have some trouble not seeing Michael as his character from DOOL and Roger as Paul from ATWT.
What a quagmire !!!
I understand they (Todd,Starr,John) being characters original to OLTL.
I understand that Michael signed on to be on PP’s online version,then things went belly up.
Roger and Kristen didn’t sign on to PP.
It’s just a mess – they should be able to play on both shows or at least have John go back to OLTL and resolve the storyline between himself and Natalie,then return to GH.
As for Todd and Starr leave them right where they are on GH – AND DITCH THE VAMPIRE STORY….PLEASE !!
I agree with you 100% Lisa. Leave the actors on GH as their current characters.
ABC should do whatever is necessary to make that happen. Having those three playing other roles on GH would be irritating at best.
And the sooner they kill off the storyline of the undead, the better.
It’s going to be interesting, given that I’m a GH fan to the end I can only imagine how upset I would be if the reverse was happening to beloved GH characters so base on that I hope things workout, but I’m game if all 3 actors whom all want to stay with GH come back as diff ent characters, I. E Cassadiness, anyone?
They just could not use the characters names.. No need to change their personalities..
Todd can go a bit off and simply decide to break all ties with his family and take a different name..
Who knows how it will be played out, but I do not believe any of the 3 want to return to OLTL.. RH would not go on with PP a year ago so chances are he will not go with PP now. ..
Let them have new roles – the others are OLTL characters and they belong in Llanview. I hate the fact they’ll be recast, but I’ll remember ABC did this to the actors/actresses, fans and the many other people that depended on OLTL before it was cancelled due to POOR judgement. Will miss Michael Easton & Kristen Alderson.
Too confusing to bring all 3 of them back as different characters IMO. Plus RC will make a mockery of it. Let them out of their contracts and let PP have them. The characters belong on OLTL and the 3 actors won’t make or break GH.
Anything to keep Michael Easton on GH!
I agree !!!!!
Been debating this on twitter this am. It’s a mess. Best scenario is ABC and Prospect Park reaching terms that allow the three actors to tape short term for nuOLTL and temp. leave the GH canvas. Actors are compensated for short-term stay in NYC/CT (over and above their contracted salary) to bring the high value and promotable characters back to help launch nuOLTL. ABC and Prospect Park cross promote the hell out of the appearances (GMA, The View, Kimmel, etc.) ABC has a financial stake in the OLTL success through the license agreement with Prospect Park and PP could use the promotional vehicles ABC has at their disposal. The actors/characters return to GH and they try this on a limited basis when it makes story sense. PP would have to get it that these actors/characters would not be available to them for most of the year. Frankly there’s no high-value in PP recasting these roles as their value is in the actors playing them. So everybody play nice in the sandbox and share and all benefit. Yeah, right LOL
I think you got it right; the actors won’t want to move over to a smaller, riskier, less paying soap just because the characters have to. To an extent, McBain could actually join back OLTL as a recast and ME stays on GH as Caleb. For Todd and Starr, they could probably do the stint to close storylines, perhaps do cross-overs a few times a year (similar to what they did with Tea and Blair on GH), but that’s about it. I don’t see how they can go beyond that.
It’s not just about PP and ABC, it’s about these actors; they are under good contracts and I highly doubt they’d want to break it.
Really don’t like this idea. Either keep them on GH as their true characters, or go back to OLTL.
how in the world are they going to be different characters on GH? they’re already established as Todd,Starr & John (though they are monkeying with John being Caleb which i think is dumb because there’s no way he can survive on GH as a vampire). Are they going to make Todd.. Victor 3.0? change Starr to Michelle Smith? keep John a vampire? this is going to be crazy no matter how it works out.
They need to stay on GH. They are a fabric of the GH canvas now. i would prefer them to stay as their characters, but if not, keeping the actors in alternative roles is a creative contingency plan.
I feel it could be somewhat confusing storywise to many gh fans to have all three actors who play john, todd, and starr, suddenly disppear from the canvas and then reappear too soon as complete new characters with no ties to the original ones. Maybe if they wait three to five months to bring these actors back as different characters could work for some viewers but not for me who have watched them for years as todd, star, and john. pp and gh should have worked it out where they both could use them in crossover storylines which i felt wouldve been good publicity for each show.
I think they should go back to OLTL.
Sounds a little crazy! Why don’t they have them go back and close out there time in Llanview and head home to Port Charles? I have total faith in FV and RC, but recasting Alderson, Howarth & Easton as new characters, would be as strange of the current vampire story with Lucy! I am curious how that one will play out.
Nope. Don’t like the idea. It stinks on both ends.
The only way I can ABC/GH keeping ME, RH and KA making them all different character from those associated with OLTL.. ME already has a head start through portraying Caleb on PC. KA can come back as Abbey’s younger sister. Roger can come back as the missing Quartermaine heir.
That’s the only way I can see ME, RH and KA remaining with GH.
Just my theory.
What a horrible idea! First of all, OLTL would be recasting 3 of its major characters.. Which would be HORRIBLE for OLTL! As for GH, who wants to see Howarth, Easton, and Alserson playing another character all of a sudden? These 3 were MADE for the roles of Todd, John, and Starr!
just change the names of their characters, leave them the same in all other ways, and just don’t have any big deal or reaction from the other characters, so they’d behave to (example) Det. John Ravaine the same way they would any other day as when we went by John McBain. Make no mention of the name change, make as if this has been their name all the time….
same for Todd & Star. We all know what’s going on , so no need to explain it by storyline (like they do sometimes for actor changes – ‘i look different cuz I had plastic surgery’ mumbo jumbo.
The last statement from SOD is just bologna! You can’t just recast 3 popular characters (maybe one or two) like that. I can see maybe a new Starr and I know they tried (and did well with Trevor St John) with Todd but now that we know that the real Todd (Roger) is back the OLTL fans do not just want the character, they want the actor. John McBain IS Michael Easton so there is no recasting there. Just keep them on GH where the fans have embraced them and let them go over to start up the online version. If they don’t do this they are going to be sorry and really pi$$ people off (including the actors).
I want Todd played by Roger on GH. I will still watch Roger on GH, but I want him playing Todd or even Victor.
I think Prospect Park is making big mistake. They have more to lose and should be negotiating an arrangement in which the characters stay with the actors on GH (after all, GH has helped to keep OLTL alive in mind of viewers while characters on show — and the characters would continue to provide interest for the new OLTL product.) In exchange, ABC would allow the actors — if actors agree, of course — to appear a negotiated number of times on OLTL for coordinated storyline purposes.
GH has been good to Prospect Park with its references to AMC and OLTL places/people/history (granted less AMC but I caught a Fusion reference once!) Llanview is alive and well in the minds of many eager OLTL fans due to the GH team. No one wins under this plan. OLTL fans are stuck with recasts in primary roles, after watching the “right” actors five minutes earlier and knowing these actors are still in Port Charles. GH fans get screwed after becoming invested in these characters and their stories. Both sets of fans are annoyed and frustrated when efforts should be invested in getting fans excited/supportive of both shows, particularly since Prospect Park has to bring viewers to a new media platform.
It makes sense to leave the characters and the actors at GH. All three of these actors have relocated to LA and have established their lives and families there. They should not have to up root again to go back to the east coast to work on OLTL. I’m a OLTL fan and loved their work there but ABC created this mess and these people should not be put in the middle like this. Let those characters be GH characters now. New characters can be developed for the new OLTL.
May the powers that be at ABC/Disney Corp (BF, AS, RI, etc) get their just reward.
It seems such a shame that Prospect Park is being so short-sighted.
What a tremendous boast it would give their re-booted OLTL if
Todd, Starr & John could occasionally go back & forth between
shows ( lend-lease??).
For example: on a Friday afternoon, Starr could say: “Well, I’m off to
Lanview to visit Mom & Aunt Dorian. See you in two weeks.” GH viewers
would then be encouraged to follow Starr & watch the new OLTL (if they
aren’t already).
Otherwise, PP will end up recasting those roles & further alienating
die-hard OLTL fans.
Also, the PP shows are (at least for now) only going to be half-hour
shows. They’ll end up with too much cast & nothing for them to do.
Stop being so stubborn, PP. Instead of being “enemies” & possibly
confusing new-old viewers, they should be working together with GH
to increase the audiences of both shows.
Just my two cents.
P.S. – My own position is that I am a big GH fan, who feels
the added OLTL characters (& of course, Frank & Ron) have
truly revitalized the show. It would be a shame to see all that
positive progress go to waste. Thanks.
Prospect Park dropped the ball and should plan accordingly. They initially were going to bring our shows back and didn’t. Now after a year and a few months they want to disrupt things. The characters of Todd, Starr and John should be planned for accordingly and left alone at GH. It is the actor’s choices and it is going to be unrealistic to kep all thee chaacter as someone new or different. Almost as hoaky as DOOL once was. I am not interested i them being someone new on GH. The show is fantastic at this point, I would hate to see them mess that up.
ABC KNEW these characters were owned by PP and only leased them for a year. PP has every right to these characters. It was ABC’s arrogance and stupidity that has caused this situation. Let the characters/actors go back. You can’t have these three actors that have basically had the most screentime come back a few months later as different characters. ABC/Frank/Ron are the ones that have caused this mess.
If I read this correctly what the hell is ABC/D talking about when it says “GH hopes to resume the use of all three performers, who are under contract to ABC most likely as different characters”? How can you just rename or reinvent the characters of John, Starr and Todd? What are they going to do make the last year a dream? ABC/D started this mess when they cancelled AMC & OLTL and they wonder why ABC is in last place!
I am actually shocked that a situation where they go back and forth could not be worked out. I’d rather see Todd and Starr move to Port Charles and continue their story there. It will be very hard to accept other actors in those roles.
I think I’m confused about Star, John and Todd’s characters… it sounds like ABC won’t let them go to Prospect Park – but, the actors that play them, can no longer play them? Do I have that right? If I do, then your question is, do I want to see them come back to GH as completely different characters?
NO! It get’s very confusing for me.
No, the actors don’t want to go back to OLTL. They like it right where they are. ABC has them under contract and the characters are owned by PP. I think this is all settled now, or at least I hope so, but PP dropped the ball when they decided not to run the show and then a year later changed their minds and now want the whole enchilada. I do not see this as the fault of ABC at all. It is PP who planned horribly and these characters are now well loved fixtures on GH.
I want John, Starr and Todd to stay on General Hospital. They can recast their roles on OLTL that will be online. I’m not going to watch tv shows on my computer. I watch television while I work on my computer.
I am a g.h. fan. Please leave the characters where they belong. I hope you guys will stay. They are all doing great jobs. going back on oltl would be foolish. their lives there are done. stay you belong here on G. H. Like the old saying goes; If it anint broke don’t fix it.”
Lynne
South Portland, Maine
It would be ridiculous to have them as new characters on GH, they are too well established. What they should do is work out a cross promo deal so that the 3 roles can be on both shows as needed. This has long been done between the 3 shows with actors moving between them for various story lines.
Keep the characters authentic on both platforms!