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Genie Francis Talks Luke and Laura’s Rape Scene, “I Won’t Defend it,” GH Stars Gone Too Soon, and Teases Her Upcoming Book on Two-Part ‘State of Mind’

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: StateofMind

General Hospital icon, Genie Francis (Laura Collins) is making a rare appearance in a sit-down style conversation with her longtime co-star Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) on his mental health You Tube series, State of Mind. Part one, which drops tomorrow on November 16 will be Genie in a one-on-one raw interview with Maurice. However, part two airing the following Sunday on November 23 will include Genie’s husband, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Jonathan Frakes.

While we have already previewed Genie talking about her Daytime Emmy Lead Actress snubs and an upcoming key scene between Laura and Sonny that will air a few weeks from now that included how Francis was able to connect to the material because of a previous real-life trauma; ahead of the part one premiere, Michael Fairman TV can share some additional sneak peek clips and topics.

In a key moment with Genie and Jonathan, Maurice reads a question from none other than Sarah Brown (ex-Carly, GH et al) about how Genie feels now, decades later, about Laura being raped by Luke (Anthony Geary). The moment happened in story back in 1979. During State of Mind, Genie shares her stance: “As a kid, I was following directions… I played rape.” At the time, Genie was just 17 and she recalls Anthony Geary being a gentleman with her about having to play this tough material.

Photo: ABC

However, Genie remembers that on-camera, “It was just us dancing and then us dropping down out of frame.” But she added, “Looking back on it as an adult, I won’t defend it… It was wrong.”  The legendary star who debuted on the soap back in 1977 also revealed she is writing her memoir and that she has new insight on the hot topic flashpoint in soap opera and television history that she will revisit. Speaking on how the Luke and Laura love story played out and looking at it through a different lens, Genie expressed, “If you were truly raped, I don’t see you fall in love with the guy.”

On Sunday’s show, look for a heart-tugging moment when Maurice asks Genie to reflect on those they have lost from GH history and the cast which included: Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine), Jackie Zeman (Bobbie Spencer) and Tyler Christopher (Genie’s former TV son, who played Nikolas Cassadine).

Francis said of Tristan Rogers: “Delightful… so talented… a very bright star. Brighter than where he landed. He deserved to land in the movies.” For Leslie Charleson, she recalled, “Sweet, warm. My first time ever in live television having the other actor go up was with Leslie Charleson, and watching the terror in her eyes, she forgot her line and I knew she forgot her line. When the scene ended she wept and we held each other and I cried. Utterly terrifying.”

Photo: ABC

Genie spoke of the great Jackie Zeman: “I loved her so much. And I was so afraid when she asked me to go out for lunch or to do something. I had this weird abnormal fear of somebody. She was like on a pedestal, she was like a cool big sister, I wanted to be like her. I yearned to be close to Jackie but it was also, my thing (social anxiety) came up and I was scared, and at some point she stopped asking. And that’s my thing. Missed opportunity.”  And sadly, how life came to a tragic end for Tyler Christopher: “A beautiful angel. So beautiful and so vulnerable,”  recalled Genie. “He was not equipped to live in this world. He was so pure (that) he couldn’t live in this dirty place.”

Make sure to check out the full conversation with Genie Francis premiering at 10am PT, Sunday, Nov. 16 on State of Mind via YouTube and all major podcast platforms. But before tomorrow, check out these preview clips below.

So, what did you think about Genie’s comments on Luke and Laura’s controversial 1979 rape scene, and that she is now writing a book, where she will reveal more of her thoughts on the subject, plus her touching remarks on those we lost from GH? Let us know in the comment section.

 

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I think if you take a step back, it was just a messed up time back then for young girls. Even before Luke was in Port Charles, look at how the Laura character was treated in the David Hamilton storyline. The newspaper headlines were along the lines of Teenage Lolita kills lover. Laura was made to be the villain in the David Hamilton storyline when she was the victim. They held little girls to the same standard as grown women. Look at Bobbie. In order to get ahead of the media and to not lose her nursing job, she went to Steve Hardy and told him she had been a child prostitute, like it was her choice to have ever been a child prostitute in the first place. No, she was technically pimped by her Aunt Ruby. And don’t even get me started on Aunt Ruby. The irony of how we all overlooked Aunt Ruby’s role in Bobbie’s prostitution. And how we all still fell in love with Ruby in spite of it. Didn’t they actually write Ruby, a former Madame who prostituted her niece, to nanny Rick Webber’s son after Leslie died? Just weird times. It was all around us….it was creepy for young girls and how they were portrayed. Look at the sexualized commercials and movies a very young Brooke Shields was in. Disturbing. Laura falling in love with her rapist?….just another day back then. Ick.

You make excellent points. I always struggled with the way Aunt Ruby was later portrayed as some kind of Saint after prostituting out her underaged niece. You’re right- different times that is hard to process now.

I don’t think much has changed. Girls still dress like hoochie mamas. I saw a girl who was probably around 16 today who was wearing shorts at Outback Steakhouse so short you could see the bottoms of her butt cheeks…..

When you think about it, Rick Webber had poor taste in housekeepers. First, Alice Grant is convicted of killing Diana Taylor (but is given a slap on the wrist because she was supposedly protecting Heather). Later, Rick hires former madam Ruby Anderson. Yet, she somehow became beloved in the community and offered sage advice for the young ‘uns.

And, as much as I loved the pairing of Alan and Monica – he did plot to murder her and Rick. A fine live between love and hate, indeed.

Bravo, Carrie! Such insight! Amazing memory and great points throughout.

Genie Francis is an icon, an incredible actress, and a thoughtful, intelligent person. I like the way she is able to frame her feelings and thoughts on defending that ludicrous storyline (i.e., falling in love with your rapist): she won’t do it anymore!

On a tangential matter, I’m blown away that Benard didn’t seem to know much about the rape storyline; I know it was many years before he joined the cast, but the whole “Luke and Laura” phenomenon, including its inception, not only brought GH (and daytime soaps) its best ratings ever, it was also a pivotal, controversial storyline and one of the benchmarks in GH history.

James
Always appreciate your insights…

Benard seems to have a select memory as it pertains to GH history. In part 1 of Genie’s interview, he claimed to watch Luke & Laura when “he was growing up” and mentioned bring 14. Mo was 14 in 1977 (before Luke arrived in PC).

Maurice (whom I greatly admire) may not have the best memory sometimes. In part 1 of this State of Mind episode with Genie, he says he can’t imagine doing a live broadcast. But they actually did a live broadcast in May of 2015. I remember him in that ordeal and I thought he did well. Whenever I’ve seen GH actors in interviews over the years, Tristan Rogers’ mind and memory was like a steel trap. He recalled old storylines with complete accuracy. Kin Shriner has a great memory as well. Given what these professionals are expected to memorize everyday in their jobs, it’s amazing they can remember anything else once they get home each day. 🙂

I was on a break from GH when Benard came out, but didn’t he have sex with an underage Karen Wexler (Scott’s daughter) when she was on drugs? So technically isn’t he as much of a rapist as Luke Spencer?

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is Sonny Being Set-Up For the Beatdown of Curtis and Sidwell? If So, Who is the Real Culprit?

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Sonny, Sidwell, Curtis, General Hospital

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Sidwell (Carlo Rota) are brought to GH after their brutal attack and Pentonville, with all eyes on Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) as the person behind it. But, is he?

In the video spoilers, Liz (Rebecca Herbst) shows Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) past a curtain to where Curtis has been handcuffed to a gurney. Then, we see Ric (Rick Hearst) sharing, “Jenz and Curtis were just transferred to GH. They were beaten within an inch of their lives.”

Viewers don’t see who Ric is talking to, but it could be assumed it’s his brother, Sonny who recently told his brother about sending ” a message” to a prisoner in Pentonville. All things being equal are making Sonny look like the guilty party responsible for Curtis and Sidwell’s beatdown.

Curtis and Sidwell

Courtesy/ABC

CAN JUSTINE TRUST SONNY?

Justine (Nazneen Contractor), who is now deeply involved with Sonny in a romantic relationship, pays a visit to Sidwell herself at the hospital, and asks him, “Who was behind it?” Sidwell utters,“Who do you think?” Cut to: Justine confronting Sonny, asking him to look her straight in the eye and tell her if he was behind the prison beatings of Curtis and Sidwell. Sonny looks stunned.

Suddenly, the scene turns to another attack, but this is something personal between Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr), where Danny hauls off punches his “brother.” outside of the boathouse. But why?

DANNY UP IN ARMS

Has Danny learned that Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) is, or was sent to boarding school and away from Port Charles, and blames Rocco for opening his mouth about Charlotte’s attempt to blackmail Drew (Cameron Mathison) gone wrong… or did something else happen?

As the video preview comes to a conclusion with a split screen shot of a battered Curtis and Sidwell, the voice-over is Dante who says, “They’re not sure he’s gonna make it.” Who may not survive the attack? Stay tuned.

Take a look at the official GH teasers for episodes airing September 28-30 below.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Valentin opens up to Anna. Lucas puts Carly on the spot. Charlotte tries to sway Lulu. Sonny makes Gio an offer. Rocco gives Danny bad news.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Britt makes a bold declaration. Jason supports Danny. Dante’s suspicions are confirmed. Jordan confides in Michael. Monet courts a new client.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Ava and Drew are horrified. Sonny questions Jason. Ric attempts to do damage control. Curtis’ claim baffles Jordan. Michael reassures Molly.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Dante confronts Sonny. Willow pulls some strings. Lulu seeks out Tracy. Scout and Danny clash. Michael counsels Brook Lynn.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Sonny is crushed. Trina and Josslyn find common ground. Jordan gets life-changing news. Gio surprises Emma. Chase shuts Brook Lynn down.

Check out this week’s General Hospital promo, “Was Sonny Behind It” below.

Then weigh-in: Do you think Sonny was completely set-up? Did Sidwell actually set-up his own beating in an effort to trap Sonny and to free him and Curtis from Pentonville? If so, will Curtis then be blackmailed by Sidwell? If Sidwell is not behind it, and it’s not Sonny, who could be the culprit? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Marks 30-Year Milestone as Alexis Davis; Co-Stars Share Heartfelt Video Tributes

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Nancy Lee Grahn and co-stars

It was back on September 26, 1996, that Nancy Lee Grahn took General Hospital by storm as legal eagle, Alexis Davis (born Natasha Cassadine). It’s hard to believe its been three decades since Alexis came to Port Charles, and along the way, Nancy took home two of her three Daytime Emmys for her enduring run on the ABC soap opera.

As the layers were pulled back on the life and times of Alexis, viewers learned she was the illegitimate daughter of Mikkos Cassadine. Helena Cassadine, Mikkos’ jealous wife, had slit the throat of Alexis’ mother, Swedish opera singer, Kristin Bergman, which as a young girl Alexis saw happen which caused her years of suppressed trauma.

GH fans have seen Alexis be very unlucky in love during her three decades, with several of her former suitors ending up dead! While others, she has a complicated relationship and past with including half-brothers, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), whom she shares a daughter, Kristina (last played by Kate Mansi), and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst), with whom she shares another daughter with in Molly (Kristen Vaganos). Alexis lost her eldest daughter, Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) when the character tragically died, and who was a result of a fling with Julian Jerome (William deVry).

Alexis and Neal

Photo: JPI

NANCY LEE GRAHN RECEIVEs HIGH PRAISE FROM GH COLLEAGUES

Over the weekend, many of Nancy’s longtime fans, and several of her General Hospital co-stars and friends, saluted her with touching and witty video messages that were included in a special video released by Nancy Lee Grahn Events team.The video also harkened back to Grahn’s first scene as Alexis and a montage of her performances through the years.

Now below, here is what her GH co-stars, then and now, had to say about Nancy:

Dominic Zamprogna (Dante): “Nancy, I can’t believe you’ve been doing this since you were like five years old because you’ve been on the show for 30 years, and you can’t be more than 36-years old.  I love you. I think you’re amazing. Since day one, you’ve been one of the best actors on this show. I am honored to call you friend, and have me over for dinner again soon. Happy anniversary. Chow for now.”

Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina): “Hi, mom. Happy anniversary. I love you so much. You are an icon of icons. Look, I’m just your little student walking to rehearsal with my backpack and my lunchbox. But I miss you so much. No one’s like you. No one does it like you. No one acts like you. No one puts in new lines like you. No one. You’re just one of one, ma. I adore you. Congratulations on your anniversary. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but I’m sending you so, so much love.”

Kristen Vaganos (Molly): “Nancy! Mama, I could not have asked for a better TV family. I have said this a million times. I am so grateful to be born a Davis girl. I adore you. I think you are the most amazing, most hilarious diva that has ever lived.  I am sending you a huge, huge congratulations. I love you. I promise to ridicule your shoe choices, remind you how hot you are, and remind you of you’re blocking for the rest of time. Love you.”

Nancy Lee Grahn and Maurice Benard

Photo: JPI

THE MEN OF ALEXIS DAVIS

Wally Kurth (Ned): “Nancy, I am wishing you a happy 30-year anniversary on General Hospital. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years, but yet, I can. I have felt every year with you. I’m thrilled for you. In fact, I remember quite vividly when you came on the show. I think it was a Christmas episode and we were firing rubber bands at Christmas ornaments on a tree in some bar.”

He continued, “I just remember at the time, three of my favorite people and the creative force behind Ned had left the show. Claire Labine (former GH head writer) left. Francesca James (former director/producer), she had left, and Rena Sofer (ex-Lois) had left. I was really quite lost on the set. I didn’t know what I was doing there. And then you showed up, and you were fired up, and you wanted to make the best of this role. You wanted to make the best of your time, and honey, you did. You have made the best of it. You have made a mark and the audience I know adores you, and I adore you, and I’m thrilled for you. I wish you another 30 years. Actually, I don’t. We will be so old, no one will want to see us in another 30 years. (laughs). Anyway, Happy 30th anniversary.”

Rick Hearst (Ric): “I’m coming to you live from my hotel room where I stay when I come into town. Occasionally, but sometimes, I stay with you and we have dinner. So everybody thinks that we’re really married. God knows, we could be. The whole purpose for this, obviously, is to be one of the many, I’m sure, that’s celebrating your incredible 30 years on General Hospital alone, and you’ve also had such a long and illustrious career.”

He continued, “You are one of the most, and I say this with kindness, unique, loving, passionate, loyal, fierce people I know.  I am so, so happy for you. You brought life to everything that you’ve done. Whether it be in your family, whether it be in your work, whether it’s in your writing, or whether it’s in your advocacy. You are so many things to so many people. But to me, you will always be my dear friend, my second wife, and one of the most cherished relationships that I have in my life. I thank God for you, and I salute you. See you on set. Bring your script! ”

Julexis

Photo: JPI

Maurice Benard (Sonny): “Hello Nancy. First, I wanna say I don’t know how you do it. I know you’re talented, you’re funny, you’re cool, all that kind of stuff, and we did have the best sex scene in the history of General Hospital. Nobody can dispute that, even if I did have a cane. 30 years, it’s a long time. You’re one of the best. I always tell you that!”

William deVry (ex-Julian) took to Instagram and shared: “Nancy, congratulations on 30 years. I know how difficult that is for multiple reasons. Starting with more than 12 head writers, multiple executive producers, many leading men, many husbands. My God. The juggling one must do. The politics. Congratulations to you. 30 years, what an amazing accomplishment, what a career you’ve had. I look forward to seeing you soon. Take care.”

Now below, watch the ‘Cheers to 30 Years’ video in honor of Nancy Lee Grahn’s latest milestone with General Hospital.

Then, share your congrats for Nancy via the comment section and let us know your favorite Alexis Davis moments through the years too!

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ for the #3 Spot in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The ratings are out for the week of September 7-11, 2026 and while all of the long-running daytime dramas were down in total viewers week-over-week, it was the newest soap opera on the block, Beyond the Gates, that showed gains and much promise. Let’s take a look.

According to Soap Opera Network, not only did Beyond the Gates add +12,000 tuning-in for the week, it is narrowing the gap between itself and current #3 soap, General Hospital in total viewers, and tied with the venerable ABC series for actual household ratings share.

Beyond the Gates averaged 1,689,000 for its audience for the week while General Hospital had 1,769,000, that’s just an 80,000 difference that separates the two shows. While Beyond the Gates had a year-over-year increase for the ratings week, GH showed the biggest loss of all the soaps year-over-year with -231,000 and the biggest loss in viewers week-over-week with -142,000.

Beyond the Gates

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

In addition, Beyond the Gates once again bested GH in the key 18-49 women’s rating share and also for the week, the women’s 25-54 ratings share, now putting them firmly in the third place. It should be noted that both Beyond the Gates and General Hospital aired an encore presentation on Labor Day, September 7.

Here’s what had viewers tuning-in on Beyond the Gates: Hayley (Marquita Goings) faced mounting pressure as Bill (Timon Kyle Durrett) grew suspicious of her lies and a major secret came to light. Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) went through a paranoid spiral noticed by Dani (Karla Mosley), while Heather Armstrong’s (Ashley Jones) behavior became increasingly unhinged, Deanna (Angela Fairley) reached a breaking point under mounting pressure and decided to return to school and Smitty (Mike Manning) was digging deeper into the death of Lia Whitmore.

Ned and Brook Lynn

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

On General Hospital, the week in story was highlighted by: Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) admitting she was the other driver in Jordan Ashford’s (Tanisha Harper) accident, leaving Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) furious and demanding answers and ultimately Chase (Josh Swickard) walking out on Brook Lynn!

In addition, viewers witnessed, Anna (Finola Hughes) nearly killing Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), but instead firing a shot at a hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) as Jason (Steve Burton) tried to talk Anna down. Meanwhile, Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ava (Maura West) dealt with the fallout and complications surrounding the disappearance of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna).

Steffy

Courtesy/CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Over at B&B, the soap remained in second place behind sister soap, The Young and the Restless for the top spot in total viewers; although it should be noted they continued to close the gap for the race to #1. For the ratings period, The Bold and the Beautiful average 2,695,000 tuning-in, but was down week-over-week -83,000, but with the biggest soap gains year-over-year at this time with +228,000.

In other good news for the show, it came in at #1 for the key women’s 18-49 rating share defeating Y&R, and came in #2 for the women’s 25-54 rating share behind Y&R.

In story for the ratings week: Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) goes into panic-mode after a positive pregnancy and breaks the news to Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor). Katie (Heather Tom) tries to meddle in Will’s (Crew Morrow) love life with Dylan (Sydney Bullock), thus having Katie visit Electra (Laneya Grace) and telling the young woman to try to win Will back. Finn (Tanner Novlan) tries to give surrogacy advice to Carter and Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) unaware of his wife Steffy’s drunken night with Carter, and the true cause-effect of that moment.

Nick and Marie

Photo: JPI

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Once again, Y&R remained as the number one most-viewed broadcast television daytime drama of then all, clocking in with 3,059,000 tuning-in, but down -130,000 week-over-week, but still up + 159,000 year-over-year. Y&R also remained in the top spot for household ratings share and atop the key women’s 25-54 rating share.

In story for the week: Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) escaped custody and tracked down Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Meanwhile, Kyle (Michael Mealor) and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) continue their affair and are almost caught by Phyllis (Michelle Stafford). Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and Marie (Jade Harlow) shared a heartfelt goodbye before she leaves town to continue her recovery. Jack (Peter Bergman) sets a trap for Patty as he collapses at Society.

Of note: Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, what do you think about the latest ratings picture and how Beyond the Gates is gaining on General Hospital in total viewers while already besting them in both key demos? Which soap opera is piquing your interest the most? Which is not doing it for you? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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

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