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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Has Lucky Spencer’s Return Been Lackluster Thus Far? How Many People Does It Take to Rescue Him?

By Michael Fairman

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Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer) is one of, if not thee, all-time greatest actor to perform on the soaps right alongside his TV father, the retired Anthony Geary (ex-Luke Spencer).

When General Hospital announced that the five-time Daytime Emmy winner was returning to his old stomping grounds, there have been high expectations that his story would kickstart things into high gear, but at this point, viewers want to personally pick him up, literally, and lift him out of captivity in Africa and plop him into Port Charles so the story can finally take shape.

Meanwhile, his mother Laura (Genie Francis) and her husband Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) took off from Port Charles to Africa so she can find her son, but we haven’t see them on the canvas. Then, Anna (Finola Hughes) and Jason (Steve Burton) have showed up to try and find Lucky as everyone is on borrowed time, hoping they can locate him to save his sister Lulu’s life. She needs a liver transplant to stay alive (even though she had been in a coma for four years). All that is soon to change now that GH has found their Lulu in Alexa Havins (ex-Babe, All My Children).

Photo: ABC

But, is Lucky even a viable donor? Hold tight! Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson), who is a world-renowned transplant doctor (and Lucky’s friend from Africa) told Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Lucky could be a perfect match for his sister, there must be consideration of the condition of Lucky’s liver since he has been known to drink, plus fans recall his prescription drug addiction.

Photo: JPI

Now on the Friday, September 20th episode of GH, after Lucky is beaten by the guards and thrown in his cell, he dreams of Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) coming to his aid. Talking to imaginary Liz, who is acting like his conscience, he claims to think of her and their  family every day. He says helping people in need was his way to atone for what he did. Imaginary Liz tells him to come home and have the guts to admit he messed up and to be there for his son, Aiden and company.

So, what have you thought of Lucky Spencer’s return thus far? When will Lucky be reunited with his mother, Laura? Are you hoping when he does return to Port Charles that Liz and Lucky will finally get back together? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out the Lucky and Liz scenes from Friday’s episode below.

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Correction ok great child actor big difference when you become an adult happens all the time . Tons of examples he just looks like a kid trying to be a grown up

Ditto Adele. He did a fine job in the role as a child. But, the character has grown and matured. First with Jacob Young as the older teen and then with Greg Vaughan as the adult, married man, police officer, recovering addict. They should have brought back Jacob Young since Greg Vaughan is not available. If Young was not interested, they should recast.

I disagree. Jackson was outstanding when he last returned to GH. There were numerous scenes with Tony Geary, Rebecca Herbst, Tyler Christopher, Julie Marie Burman, and Steve Burton where he gave amazing performances. I have no doubt he will again. I agree the story is slow, but I blame the writers. I think part of the reason Lucky’s return has been slow is so the writers trying to kill time to find the new Lulu. I could have done without all the unnecessary scenes on Thursday and Friday. I am ready for Lucky to be home and for the real stories to begin.

Amen! This is dragging on way to long! BORING!

Jacob Young? The actor who shouted his lines no matter what the scene calked for?No thank you. Jackson is a very talented actor. It’s just Lucky’s great return has been ruined by dreary, depressing, anticlimactic writing. How to ruin a come back of a great actor by bad writing.

Larry Brygmann, Douglass Watson, Jerry Ver Dorn ,David Canary, Roger Howarth, just 5 of the actors that quickly come to mind that impress me more than Jonathan Jackson

i think they are trying to hard they should just get on with it

Far from one of the all-time great soap actors. Very far.

There is one reason this story is dragging – not sure what TPTB was thinking when they scheduled Jackson’s return right during Genie Francis’s annual leave.

She usually comes back in mid-October. That’s when this whole story will conclude – not before.

That’s what I was thinking, too.

I believe he has been back four weeks and the most excitement we have seen is a card game and a fantasy about Elizabeth. I wish GH would have a long-term story arc written out with all the twists and move things along faster. The Pikeman storyline, Austin’s murder and who sent Ava the messages were never given a satisfying conclusion.

Love it; love having him back and I’m fine with the pace. I love how the writers have kept Anna and Jason in each other’s paths; it’s fun to see the show mix it up a bit. Steve Burton finally has a different scene partner to play with instead of Laura Wright and Maurice, and I love how this is turning into a similar type story like back in the day when many of the gang would wind up in a casino to save the day. Jonathan Jackson hasn’t skipped a beat; he’s as ‘lucky” as ever.

Yes, Lucky’s return has been lackluster so far. Very lackluster, I’m sorry to say.

I was so happy when I heard Jonathan Jackson was coming back. He’s one of my all-time favorites. I was looking forward to the story they had planned for his return. But they’re dragging their feet just like they’ve done with many storylines. They did the same thing when Steve Burton returned earlier this year.

The story is all over the place and just a mess, which is unfortunately the state of GH as a whole these days. The never ending card game, this guy Sidwell that is basically a Dollar Store villain that we have no connection to whatsoever. I like Emma Samms, but I still have no idea why she’s involved. Laura and Kevin leave to go look for Lucky and have seemingly fallen off the face of the earth, so they can shoe horn this Anna/Jason pairing they’re clearly pushing where it doesn’t need to be. Laura should be the one to find her son. Maybe she still will be.

I’m holding out hope that they have some better things planned for Lucky once they get this tedious Africa story arc over with.

Ric’s return over Lucky’s BIG TIME!

Mr. Hearst hit the ground running, interacting with literally the entire canvas while peaking interest to existing storylines.

We know Alexa is going to BRING IT when Lulu returns so this studio adventure with Lucky needs to wrap up like yesterday because so far all we got is Lucky saying a few lines here and there whole looking completely deshelved.

Lucky’s lackluster return is also do to poor scheduling. JJ returned to filming while Genie was on her summer break. They might’ve considered delaying his return by 6 weeks or so to permit mother/son scenes to be shot.

Storyline wise – it’s not hitting the mark. That said, Isiah seems like a character with lots of long term potential.

I love Jonathan Jackson, but don’t care for how long they’re dragging this storyline out, honestly. How many days did we need to see him playing poker for his life against Sidwell? Or begging Holly to get a message or for help, only for her to put her own interests first? I was too young for whatever her history was, but every time I’ve seen her on canvas in recent years, she’s been running a con, which okay, but they mention a history with legacy characters that those characters seem to think she’ll commiserate with, but she’s always self first. Just an overall unlikable character.
Back to Lucky, all of his scenes after rescuing Isaiah, have been sitting in a room playing poker for his life, with idle, meaningless chitchat. We’ve had more meaningful conversations about where he’s been all these years from Isaiah, who admits he doesn’t know everything than we’ve had fun the character we were looking forward to having back on screen.
Laura and Kevin went to rescue him how long ago? Anna and Jason made it in a day, right to their gambling den? Of course, now things are heating up, but why did we need to waste so much of the time that we’ve had? Why not have him and Isaiah get out together? Or Holly do the right thing for once? Just a coordinates SOS text to Anna or Laura? Sidwell wouldn’t have known it was her, and Lucky would’ve been back in PC weeks ago.
Just seems like the writers like to drag some storylines out for no good reason right now, change some characters out of the blue, and just don’t seem to know what they’re doing with other characters.

This return has brought the show down to boring. It didn’t take long for Lucky to start the tears again. Seeing him go right back to crying through his scenes and an empty bed for Lulu for weeks is really bad writing.

Its been lame! I see why they have half of PC looking for him; Lulu needs a liver! He came back a month too early. Him and Liz could rekindle their romance? Lucky is like Luke, you just cannot domesticate them. So what do you do, put him on the PCPD payroll to? Too many cops. And most arrests are dismissed anyway. Like Michael, those two boy-men just don’t age so it’s a struggle to write for them unless they are in danger? Ric Lansing, god bless, what a return! [A little less grey please.]

Lucky and Jason’s return has been VERY lack luster. What is happening with the new writers? Don’t like it very much! Been watching this show since the 1980’s!!!!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by Shelia

I will be glad when Lucky is finally rescued and back home in PC. It seems part of the problem with JJ’s return is timing. I assume the delay is Lucky’s rescue is Genie Frances is on vacation and the show had to cast the new Lulu. Now that Lulu has been recast, I hope they dont continue to drag this out and Lucky is rescued soon.

I look forward to seeing scenes between Jackson, Genie Frances, Rebecca Herbst, and Steve Burton.

Omg, this comeback was of to a bad start from the get go.
1st Laura and Kevin go MIA (yes I know ms. Francis is on vaca) bad timing.(shouldn’t somebody send someone to rescue them?)

2nd so then of course it becomes about Carly saving the day because of course she’s the one with WSB connection.

3rd so she sends the towns unofficial antihero Jason who clearly got PTO from Sonny, to go save the day ( because we all know Jasons main job is to cover sonny crimes.)

4th then we gotta wait for NuLulu to wake up, when she does will she think she’s in pine valley?

5th. I love Holly and Anna, but I’m not really enjoying this story arc their in right now.

General Hospital

Troy Lennon Appel on Auditioning Six Times for ‘General Hospital’ Before Being Cast in the Role of Hudson Parker

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Troy Lennon Appel

General Hospital introduced the character of Hudson Parker back on July 30, 2026 marking the first appearance of Troy Lennon Appel in the role.

Quickly, we learned there was some connection to Ethan Lovett, after Hudson tracked him down and beat up the guy, the potential that Hudson is the biological father to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) adopted daughter, Phoebe, and that he is now Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) right hand man at JJE.

On Sunday, October 25 in a brand new episode of the That’s Awesome Podcast with Steve Burton (Jason) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the Stone Cold and the Jackal duo welcomed Troy Lennon Appel to the show to delve into his background, landing the role of Hudson, and what may come next in a teaser for upcoming episodes of GH.

Jonathan Bennett

Photo: ABC

A NEW CHARACTER CREATED JUST FOR TROY WAS THE TICKET TO PORT CHARLES

As it turned out, Troy revealed that he had actually auditioned for General Hospital on six different occasions before being cast as Hudson, the last audition being for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett.

Appel explained, “Every time I showed up (to audition), I was like, ‘All right, I gotta nail this because it’s General Hospital.‘ It was my sixth one where I auditioned for Joe Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Bennett’s character. That was last November. Then, it was February of this year when I came in for an in-person callback. My wife and I were just like, ‘You gotta nail this.’  I didn’t get that character. Obviously, Jonathan got that, but then, they created Hudson Parker for me. I’m shocked I’m even on this show right now!'”

The General Hospital newcomer was even more stoked when he realized that not only did the producers and writers create a role just for him, but that he was going on contract as a series regular.

Appel recalled, “All at once, they were like, ‘We’re going to offer you a three-year contract and we’re creating a character for you.’ It was just something you never expect to hear. I was on the phone and I just fell down to the ground. I went through the range of emotions you could have. I know I cried. I hyperventilated. I’ve never hyperventilated in my life. But now, I get to essentially live the dream I have.”

Photo: ABC

HUDSON AND JOSSLYN

Eden McCoy shares many a scene with Troy, and he gave her major kudos for getting him through the beginning weeks of his run as Hudson. “We did a chemistry test, together and I give her so much credit because obviously, she’s a pro. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ll do scenes with her where I’m like, ‘I got to just try to meet her where she’s at because she’s just so talented.'”

Troy added, “Eden took me under her wing, and just helped me out so much with understanding the process of all of this and even just knowing where to go, when, when to be where I need to be. I don’t know how I would be feeling if I didn’t have her always working with her and just helping me out the entire time.”

The mystery of just who this guy is will become clear in the weeks ahead as Appel revealed, “We actually just shot what Parker’s background is. Right now, I am the Vice President of Operations for JJE. I manager the company’s financials, essentially. But, there’s more to Hudson which we will eventually find out.” Getting the chance to mix it up with the cast, Troy added of Hudson, “He’s up to some stuff.”

Check out the full conversation with Troy Lennon Appel with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson below.

Now weigh-in: what do you think about Troy having a role specifically creating for him after 6 auditions for GH? What do you think will be revealed of Hudson’s background in the weeks to come? Do you want to see a Josslyn and Hudson pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

 

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GH Alums Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan to Reunite for Special Fan Event

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Greg Vaughan and Kelly Monaco

General Hospital fan favorite Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall) will be making a rare public appearance teaming up with her longtime friend and former leading man, Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky Spencer), at a special fan event.

The announcement came from the stars on their social media accounts, but you can circle, Sunday, December 13, at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey as the spot to see Kelly and Greg at this meet and greet.

As General Hospital viewers know, Monaco spent 21 years as Sam McCall before being killed-off on the October 30, 2024 episode. Before that, she had become soap-famous for her dual roles as Livvie and Tess on the GH spinoff, Port Charles.

Kelly Monaco and Greg Vaughan

Photo: UncleVinnie’s

Vaughan is currently appearing on daytime’s newest soap opera in the recurring role of Dr. Kial Rollins, a role which he debuted back on December 8, 2025. Throughout his daytime career, Greg has appeared on The Young and the Restless (ex-Diego), Days of our Lives (ex-Eric) and as GH’s Lucky.

SAM AND LUCKY

It was back in 2007 that in story, Sam started pursuing Lucky (then played by Greg Vaughan) as a form of revenge against Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Sam was furious after learning that Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) had a child with Elizabeth while Sam and Jason were broken up. That child was Jake. Eventually, Sam and Lucky became a hit with viewers and would continue to cross each other’s paths.

Uncle Vinnie’s comedy club took to their Instagram and shared, “The fans asked and we always deliver!!” Tickets going fast! Order on our website.”

In addition, Shanna Moakler, who is in a relationship with Vaughan, took to the comment thread and exclaimed, “My two favorite people.” Moakler and Monaco had previously announced in March of 2025 the start-up of their podcast called Bad Bunnies. It was expected to cover pop culture, personal stories, and Hollywood secrets.

Then, in July 2025, it was confirmed that Kelly Monaco would no longer be participating. At the time, she stepped away due to personal family matters, focusing on maintaining a private life, and new work commitments.

So, would you love to see Kelly and Greg together again? Happy to see that Kelly is making a public appearance for her fans? Let us know via the comment section below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Hesitate to Sign Divorce Papers, Elizabeth Reveals Aiden’s Leaving For Paris, Willow Flashes Back to Her Crimes

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Brook Lynn and Chase

As the week came to a conclusion on the Friday, October 23 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) wrestled with becoming an empty-nester, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Monet (Blythe Howard) conspired to keep Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Ric (Rick Hearst) at legal bay, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) frozen relationship thawed, but how much?

Let’s take a look! First, in a moment that was written to bring Liz and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) closer, the GH head nurse is wistful over the fact that she just learned that her talented bakery chef son, Aiden, secretly earned his GED and got into a prestigious pastry school in France and to top it off received a scholarship to attend the school.

Liz is concerned that allowing him to go wasn’t the smartest move because of his young age. Dante suggested that maybe it’s her fear of being alone that is causing her to feel hesitant for Aiden to go abroad. He shared a story about the support her received from Olivia when he moved away from home for the first time; that he understood mothers and sons are close, but she needed to let him go build his own life.

Elizabeth

Courtesy/ABC

After coming to terms with it, she revealed that Aiden is leaving in four days and had to make cupcakes for the Halloween party, Dante offered to help her do the baking. They smile. So, what this means to GH fans? All of Liz sons: Cameron, Jake, Aiden are all now officially off the canvas!

WILLOW VS. LULU

At Miller & Davis, Willow strolls in to meet Monet to go over their strategy in their meeting with Ric and Lulu. While discussing their next move, Willow flashes back to the night she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison) twice in the back, and then later, how she first stuck a needle in his neck to use the paralytic drug that kept him in a locked-in state for months.

Willow

Courtesy/ABC

When Ric and Lulu arrive, the four end up in a stalemate. Willow refused to drop the lawsuit, and Lulu refused to retract the story on her. Willow’s stance is that Lulu had been manipulated by the Quartermaines, who wanted to take her children away, so Michael can have sole custody of them. Lulu fired back that she was doing her job as an investigative reporter to expose crimes perpetrated by a congresswoman.

Now at an impasse, Ric and Lulu tell Monet and Willow they will see them in court as now a judge will hear the case. Not what Ric wanted that to happen, but now he tells Lulu, they will figure out a way to bring Willow down.

DIVORCE BLUES?

Finally, Chase and Brook Lynn head to the Dominican Republic to get a quickie divorce after how their lawyers dredged up awful things about both of them in Port Charles. While on the plane, the two discuss that they still want each other to be happy.

Once in front of the judge in the Dominican Republic, he asked if the two were mutually consenting to this divorce, but instead, the two sang each others praises.

This left the judge to ask if the two wanted to go through with ending their marriage and he left the room. Later, when he returned with the divorce documents to sign, Chase and Brook Lynn stared at each other hesitating to sign on the dotted line.

So, what do you think will happen next? Will Brook Lynn and Chase end their marriage, or decide to try to make it a go? Is it upsetting to you that all of Elizabeth’s sons are off the canvas? Should the soap recast them all, like they did with Alexis’ daughters and restart the story of these young men? Do you think now will be the time that Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed, and she will lose her kids and her seat in a congress? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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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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