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General Hospital’s Genie Francis Mourns the Loss of TV Mom Denise Alexander

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

The soap world is mourning the loss of Denise Alexander, who passed away a few months on March 5 at age 85, but who’s death was only revealed publicly on May 9.

General Hospital fans recall Alexander as Dr. Lesley Webber, a role she debuted back in 1973, and who was a huge part of taking GH from the dumpster of the ratings towards the top in 1977, when then head writer Douglas Marland and executive producer, Gloria Monty put her in a major story.

Throughout her years on the show, Lesley and her daughter Laura (originally played by Stacey Baldwin from 1974-1976 and then Genie Francis from 1977 and on) had many emotional scenes. The on-screen chemistry between Denise Alexander and Genie Francis was extraordinarily believable, even in the most unrealistic set of circumstances that soap operas can sometimes deliver. In fact, it was the 1978 storyline of Lesley taking the blame for the murder of David Hamilton, to save Laura from a life in prison that helped fuel the ratings.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto

Honoring her late TV mom, Genie Francis took to X on Saturday and shared two images of herself with Alexander and simply wrote, “Thank you mama, for so much more than u know. #GH”

Throughout Denise’s time on GH as Lesley, the character, also became the foster mom to Blackie Parrish (John Stamos). Alexander stayed with GH till 1984 when the character was killed-off in a car accident, only for her to be resurrected in 1996, and from then on she recurred on the soap opera until 2009. Alexander would appear again in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2021.

As to how General Hospital addresses the death of Lesley on-screen remains to be seen. Sadly, before that, the series will honor the late Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine). Charleson passed away back on January 12th. In story, Lesley and Monica were longtime nemeses, and their final on-screen appearance together was back in 2021.

What do you think about how Genie Francis simply stated what Denise Alexander meant to her for so many years as her TV mom? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out some scenes between Laura and Lesley at different points in their stories from 2006 and 1981 below.

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The David Hamilton murder was one of the earliest GH storylines that remember (being 10 at the time).

As Lesley, Denise always had a calming assurance. And Genie is so right when she discusses how she now often plays a scene as Denise did.

A wonderful actress. I watched her on Days, GH, AW, Pretty, The Inn. She was a total professional and a joy to watch.

I loved Lesley, and Denise Alexander was a huge reason I stayed involved in my early years on GH. Luke and Laura were okay, but Rick, Lesley, Alan and Monica were da BOMB! I remember how shocked I was when Burt Ramsey showed up at the door to tell Rick that Lesley was killed in a car accident. I wish that she had done more through the years, and I hope to see her picture on the wall of fame at GH. RIP, pretty lady!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! It was wonderful seeing Laura and Lesley along with Alice Grant and Amy. Oh the memories that brings up. Lesley mentioned O’Reilly, a wonderful character brilliantly played by the last, great Billie Hayes. I believe this was the beginning of the Ice Princess – Cassadine weather machine story. My goodness, the history.

Rest in peace lovely and talented Denise Alexander.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase and Brook Lynn Sign Divorce Papers; Are You Glad They Ended Their Marriage or Hoped for a Reconciliation?

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Chase and Willow

Any hopes for a last minute reprieve were dashed when filled with sorrow, Brook Lynn Quartermaine (Amanda Setton) and Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers in front of a judge in the Dominican Republic on the Monday, October 26 episode of General Hospital.

The judge asked if they really wanted to go through with this, as a teary-eyed Brook Lynn and Chase both hesitated to sign the court documents. They admit that neither of them wants to get divorced, but they both came to the conclusion that too much mistrust has permeated their relationship, and too much has happened between them to stay married.

With that, Brook Lynn decided to put her pen to paper first. She signs the divorce papers. Next, Chase follows suit. They look at each other with tears in their eyes that their marriage is officially over. When the judge went to filing their divorce papers, Chase and Brook Lynn agreed to split custody of baby Phoebe straight down the line 50/50.

Josh Swickard

Courtesy/ABC

THE END OF THE ROAD

Next, the judge returned and gave each a copy of their paperwork. Chase says to Brook Lynn that he thinks that they should each fly back to Port Charles separately, and that he would take another flight home. Chase says goodbye to Brook Lynn and exits. Now alone looking at the empty room, Brook Lynn utters,“Goodbye, Chase.”

Later in the episode, as Brook Lynn flies back home to Port Charles alone, she listens to the message from Tracy (Jane Elliot) telling her she is doing the right thing by divorcing Chase.

Cut to: an emotional Chase who went to the beach. He looked at his wedding ring. Mourning the loss of his marriage, Chase buried his ring in the sand, at the same time Brook Lynn was removing her wedding ring on the airplane.

The drama won’t stop from here for Brook Lynn, because as teased in the GH video spoilers preview for the week, Jude (Wil Traval) will come calling wanting to see his “daughter,” and potentially staking claim to baby Phoebe!  As for Chase, now that he is a free man, will he begin a relationship with his ex-wife, Willow Tait (Katelyn McMullen), with whom he has been completely duped? Stay tuned.

So, were you happy that Brook Lynn and Chase actually ended their marriage? Were you hoping that the two would reconcile at the last minute and realize love can conquer all, or do you think they were being adult about the situation that they couldn’t get out of their own way and feelings to make their union work? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the scenes from Chase and Brook Lynn’s divorce and its aftermath below.

 

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Bests ‘General Hospital’ in Key Demos

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital ratings

Things continue to look up, up, up for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates. Now, in the latest Nielsen ratings picture, that 15-time Daytime Emmy nominated drama has moved into the #3 spot over legendary soap opera, General Hospital in the key women’s demos, 18-49 and 25-54.

In addition, according to data from Soap Opera Network, Beyond the Gates is closing the gap on General Hospital, even among total viewers. Let’s take a look at the week in question which are reflected in the latest ratings report.

For the week of October 5-9, 2026, Beyond the Gates is inching closer to an average of 1.8 million viewers tuning-in with the ratings week at 1,756,000. While down slightly from the previous week by -9,000, the series taped in Atlanta, is still up year-over-year +161,000.

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

As for the all-important demos, Beyond the Gates delivered a 0.22 ratings share in women 18-49, which is up +0.02 week-over-week, while General Hospital fell to fourth place in ratings share for the demo with 0.21, which was on par from the previous week. Then, in women 25-54, Beyond the Gates scored a 0.32 ratings share; that’s 0.05 points more than GH who came in with 0.27 of the ratings share and up + 0.02 week-over-week.

So, what had viewers tuning-in to Beyond the Gates the week of October 5-9 2026? For starters: Hayley Lawson Hamilton’s (Marquita Goings) blackmail plot falls apart as Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) intervene to stop her in her tracks. Meanwhile, Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) proposed to Shanice (Ernestine Johnson) in the Big Apple.

In addition, Smitty (Mike Manning) refused to participate in Martin’s (Brandon Claybon) upcoming political press conference due to liability concerns, and Andre (Sean Freeman) confronted Dani (Karla Mosley) about her near-death experience the night of the tornado and what it has to do with her ex-husband, Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett)!

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over in Port Charles and General Hospital, the ratings week saw a slight uptick in total viewers of +6,000 with a total viewer average at 1,898,000, and up overall +20,o0o year-over-year.

In story, GH brought viewers, ADA Justine Turner (Nazneen Contractor) breaking off her secret romance with Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) as she seemingly struggles to believe his professed innocence in the prison beatdown of Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). Then as Sonny cannot get a single person to believe that he is telling the truth, his ex-wife, Carly (Laura Wright) shows up and stands by his side.

Elsewhere, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Brook Lynn) marriage continued to crumble, as Lulu (Alexa Havins) published explosive allegations that Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison), after recording Sidwell in his hospital room, who later denies he said anything about Willow and Drew to Lulu.

As per usual, the number #1 and number #2 soaps of the week were The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. The sister soaps also saw the gap close between the two for the top spots with Y&R adding the most viewers for the week with both soaps losing the most viewers for the ratings period.

In total viewers, Y&R came in with 3,015,000 while B&B 2,628,000, which means there is less than 400,000 viewers separating the two.

So, what do you think of how Beyond the Gates outperformed General Hospital in the key demos for the week of October 5-9, 2026? Do you think its just a matter of time before Beyond the Gates overtakes General Hospital in total viewers for the #3 spot, or do you think the iconic daytime drama series can stave them off and maintain its hold on #3 in the viewership? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Brook Lynn Gets a Shock from Jude, Nina Gets a Reprieve, and Ava’s in the Hot Seat

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General Hospital Preview

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital airing October 26-30, a secret relationship is revealed, a new lead on the case of the missing Brennan (Chris McKenna), and a knock on the door that may alter the life of Brook Lynn Quartermaine’s (Amanda Setton) happiness take center stage!

In the just released GH spoilers video for the week, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) gets an eyeful when he walks into the Quartermaine stables and finds Rocco (Finn Carr) kissing his sister, Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi). Things have already soured between the “brothers” as Jason (Steve Burton) tells his son, “You and Rocco can’t be so quick to throw that kind of friendship away.”

Meanwhile at the PCPD, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) is going over the case of MIA former WSB former Port Charles bureau chief,  Jack Brennan with Joe (Jonathan Bennett). When Dante asks what leads he may have, Joe shares, “Ava Jerome.”

Courtesy/ABC

Just then, Agent Baines (Alimi Ballard) is seen sitting in a dimly lit room with Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros). Viewers have not seen Nina, since the WSB whisked her away presumably to Steinmauer, because they believed she was the culprit who did away with, or caused, the disappearance of Jack Brennan after Drew (Cameron Mathison) framed her.

Now, Baines says to Nina, “We may have rushed to judgment.” Does this mean, Nina could be sent back to Port Charles, if everyone now zeroes in on Ava (Maura West)?

Then, in the shocking conclusion of the video preview, Brook Lynn opens the front door of the Quartermaine mansion to find Jude (Wil Traval) standing there with a demand! “I’m here to see my daughter,” he tells BLQ as she looks stunned.

Will it turn out the Jude is the biological father of baby Phoebe, and if so, what his relationship to Hudson Parker (Troy Lennon Appel), who viewers recall beat up Ethan Lovett over the little girl? Stay tuned!

SPOILERS

Now below, check out the official GH spoilers for the action this week in Port Charles.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26
Carly and Valentin take on a new mission. Jason issues a warning to Willow. Curtis gets bad news. Scout and Rocco’s secret is at risk. Lulu doesn’t like what she hears about Charlotte.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27
Sonny confronts Alexis. Portia comes to Ava’s rescue. Dante worries that Gio is headed for heartbreak. Scout opens up to Drew. Danny issues an ultimatum.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Ava lawyers up. Dante defends Lulu. Britt’s news stuns Willow. Carly shares her suspicions. Tracy drops a bombshell.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
The Quartermaines are rocked. Anna has a breakthrough. Tracy prepares for battle. Joe questions Carly. Ric makes a request of Alexis.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30
Jason grills Josslyn. Dante and Elizabeth are shaken. Danny makes a confession. Trina and Emma are alarmed. Lulu gets disappointing news.

Now below, watch the latest GH promo entitled, “Secrets Come Home.”

So, do you think Nina comes back to Port Charles and the WSB takes Ava into custody? Do you think Jude will prove he is the biological father and takes baby Phoebe away from Brook Lynn? Who actually killed Jack Brennan? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Video Du Jour

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

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