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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: Elizabeth Thinks of Dante While With Ric; Will She Leave Her Ex in the Dust?

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Liz, Dante and Ric

Clearly, head nurse Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) is trying to deny her feelings for Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) on General Hospital, when she is trying to make up for missed opportunities and dates with her former husband, Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst).

On the Friday, November 6 episode, Elizabeth arrived at the Metro Court for her date with Ric. She made sure she thanked the legal eagle for taking care of her house on Halloween when she was called into work.

However, while telling Ric this, Elizabeth is struck by a flashback of her and Dante baking in her kitchen, where a very close encounter almost led Dante and Elizabeth to kiss. After shaking that image off in her head, she goes back to her date with Ric, who is being very sweet to her.

Elizabeth and Ric

Courtesy/ABC

ELIZABETH HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT RIC

Their date gets interrupted when Lulu (Alexa Havins) shows up at their table asking Elizabeth to convince Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) to drop the libel case against her.

Later, when Liz talked with Willow, and Willow shared she appreciated the head nurse looking out for her, she asks her friend if Ric is the kind of man she wants her life?

Willow is pointing out, as she had in her relationship with Drew (Cameron Mathison), does Ric really love Elizabeth  … or is he using her to get what he wants? That comment puts more doubt in Elizabeth’s mind over reconnecting with Ric, and giving her more credence to follow her feelings for Dante.

So, where is this leading? Will Elizabeth cut things off with Ric? If so, will he snap? Is Ric using Elizabeth? And what about Dante? Are you enjoying the growing closeness between Elizabeth and Dante, or do you prefer Elizabeth with Ric? Let us know in the comment section, But first, check what went down on Ric and Elizabeth’s dinner date which lead to more questions than answers below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit

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Jane Elliot

General Hospital viewers became concerned when on the Thursday, November 5 episode, Tracy (Jane Elliot) was preparing to leave Port Charles to go help her son, Dillon Quartermaine, who got arrested while trying to film in Thailand.

Tracy informed Jason (Steve Burton), that she had to leave and was counting on him to look after things while she was away. That included: making sure Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and baby Phoebe were safe from the likes of Jude Jax (Wil Traval) as well as the Quartermaine businesses since Ned (Wally Kurth) still can’t overexert himself since his heart attack.

In Tracy’s final scenes, for now, she tells Gio (Giovanni Mazza) and Emma (Braedyn Bruner) to be there for Brook Lynn while she is going through her ordeal after divorcing Chase (Josh Swickard) and Jude trying to claim baby Phoebe.

Brook Lynn and Tracy

Courtesy/ABC

HOW LONG WILL JANE ELLIOT BE GONE FROM GENERAL HOSPITAL?

However, GH fans! Have no fear. Tracy’s exit was written into the show to facilitate Jane Elliot’s annual vacation. Same time last year, Elliot exited the canvas around this time after the entire Ronnie Bard/Martin Grey debacle; where they conspired to make it look like Monica left the Quartermaine mansion to her sister, Ronnie (Erika Slezak) instead of Tracy. In that storyline, Tracy took off for a spa in France for some much-needed R&R.

Now, according to Soap Opera Digest, while viewers are just seeing the beginnings of Jane Elliot’s temporary leave, the soap opera confirmed that the long-running star is already back taping new episodes. GH roughly runs about six weeks ahead of air in its production schedule.

Jane Elliot

Photo: JPI

ALL ABOUT JANE

Jane Elliot started her GH journey back in 1978, and has come and gone a few times including an announced retirement back in 2017, only to eventually come out of retirement a few tines, and rejoin the show full-time in 2023.

Along the way, Elliot has won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress back in 1981, and in 2025 was honored for her 50 years of excellence in daytime television becoming a Gold Circle honoree from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

Michael Fairman TV spoke to Jane at that time, immediately after receiving her honor on-stage. You can check out that interview here.

Now below, watch scenes from Thursday’s GH where Tracy informs Jason she has to leave the country and go help her son.

Then let us know, with the mention of Dillon Quartermaine on today’s GH, will the soap opera FINALLY recast the role? Will you miss Jane while she is off-screen? Glad to know she is already back taping all-new episodes of the ABC daytime drama series? Let us know in the comment section.

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GH’s Finola Hughes and Laura Wright Tease Anna/Valentin/Carly, “It’s Not Your Typical Triangle, We’ll Say That”

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Finola Hughes and Laura Wright

On General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are now dealing with the fallout of their discovery, the dead body of Jack Brennan. While Carly became a suspect, now the two need to figure out just who was responsible for the former WSB Port Charles Bureau chief’s sudden ending.

Meanwhile, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is trying to put her shattered life back together, after almost killing Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), hallucinating she was seeing a dead Peter August (Wes Ramsey) and trying to shake off years of trauma at the hands of Cesar Faison (Anders Hove).

While it has become apparent that Valentin and Carly love each other, the same holds true for Valentin and Anna, but is it differently, now that the former lovers are apart? However, it appears when Anna is in trouble, Valentin shows up to save her. That is not lost on Carly, who up until now has tried to be adult about the whole situation, but how long will that last?

Carly and Valentin

Photo: ABC

Michael Fairman TV caught up with both Daytime Emmy-winning Lead Actresses on the red carpet at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards and asked them to weigh-in on what viewers can expect, and what’s it has been like working with leading man, James Patrick Stuart.

Laura Wright explained, “James is hilarious. I would say most of our dress rehearsals are laughing it out because we’ve got to show up for taping, but he’s very funny.” Finola Hughes echoed that with, “He’s a very funny person, always,” adding, “I couldn’t be in a scene with him and Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn, GH). It was him, me, and Amanda one time. We couldn’t get through the scene!”

Valentin and Anna

Photo: ABC

The discussion turned to if GH viewers will see Anna and Carly fighting over the love of Valentin. Laura Wright shared, “Not in the way you would think. It’s not your typical triangle. We’ll say that.” Finola Hughes concurred, “It’s not your typical triangle!”

Watch our chat from the red carpet with Finola and Laura below, and make sure to check out all the moments from Michael Fairman TV at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards here.

So, do you think Valentin will be caught in an actual love triangle between Anna and Carly, or will he be fully in his relationship with Carly, only to find himself constantly coming to the rescue of Anna Devane, causing an ultimate riff in his relationship with Carly? Who would you like to see Valentin with … Anna or Carly? Let us know 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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