General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
Friday’s episode of General Hospital brought the highly-anticipated story around the apparent death of Port Charles iconic, Luke Spencer (Tony Geary), although many fans, and even some of the cast of the show, are not sold that Luke is “dead” dead.
During the show, characters spoke of some of the history of Luke in Port Charles, most especially Luke’s sister, Bobbie played by Jackie Zeman. Throughout the years, Zeman is at her best when she is given material through the writing of the show to connect to the history of Luke and Bobbie. She did so when Bobbie was remembering how Luke came to Port Charles to help her break up Scotty and Laura, in a discussion with her daughter, Carly (Laura Wright).
Photo: ABC
As everyone is gathering at the Haunted Star to pay their respects to Luke, Curtis (Donnell Turner) arrives to support Laura (Genie Francis), Felicia (Kristina Wagner) and Anna (Finola Hughes) arrive together, Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) and Ava (Maura West), as well as Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez also show up. It is through Nikolas’ conversation with Laura that we learn why Luke’s sons, Ethan and Lucky, can’t make the funeral and, of course, we know why Luke’s daughter Lulu can’t make it because she is in a coma!
Victor (Charles Shaughnessy) shows up and snipes at everyone and then leaves. Tracy (Jane Elliot), who has arranged the memorial, is with an urn supposedly filled with Luke’s ashes and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finds her on the deck of the Haunted Star and talks her into giving her planned eulogy.
Courtesy/ABC
Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) finds his dad, Sonny (Maurice Benard) drinking at Charlie’s, and later Scott (Kin Shriner) and Robert (Tristan Rogers) stop in and heated words are exchanged between Sonny and Scott. Victor shows up and instead of Scott and Sonny pummeling each other, they get into a fight against Victor.
Courtesy/ABC
As Scott and Robert are about to be on their way to the Haunted Star, Scott stays behind because of his past with Luke. Then, Sonny tried to patch things up with Carly before they head to the memorial.
Back on the yacht, Anna and Felicia find a note and a flash drive, after hearing a commotion on the yacht. When the note says “play me”, none other than Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) addresses Luke’s friends and family from apparently the great beyond. As Helena spews her venom against Luke, Laura has enough and pulls the plug on Helena’s video speech. Tracy looks concerned, like she may want to hear whatever else Helena had to say.
Photo: ABC
Next, Tracy does her best in short order to eulogize Luke. That is juxtaposed with Scott trashing Luke. Later, by herself on the deck, Tracy spreads Luke’s ashes over the waters of Port Charles. Back on the pier, Scott relishes Luke being gone, and that he is still standing saying, “You lose you son of a bitch!” Just then Luke’s ashes blow in into his face. When Bobbie arrives, and see Scott full of ashes, she asks what happened. Scott says, “I caught the bouquet,” an obvious nod to the Luke and Laura wedding of the past, where Scott returned at their wedding and caught the wedding bouquet.
Courtesy/ABC
Back on the Haunted Star, Tracy then has a gift in hand for Laura, but she tells Tracy if that’s the Ice Princess she does not want anything to do with it, and tells Tracy to keep it. Spencer sees this go down and his interest on the diamond is instantly piqued.
Back at Charlie’s bar, Victor has an ominous toast to Luke saying, “The good people of your fair city are in for a big surprise!”
At the Haunted Star, dressed in black with black veil, Jennifer Smith reveals herself to a shocked Laura.
So, what did you think of Luke’s memorial episode? Favorite parts of it? Least favorite? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out Helena’s videotaped speech and Tracy’s eulogy to Luke below.
28
It was nice seeing so many veterans all in one place. Bonus points for the locale of the Haunted Star, the performances of Genie Francis and Jane Eliot, the handsome picture of Geary, the urn, and the windswept ashes into Scottie’s face (although, for the record, I was always Team Scottie!) I could do without 60-something, grown men getting into a fistfight. (I can always do without Sonny, who was at his default setting of menacing and abusive. — Wow! What an awful character to base your show around!) But I digress… It might have been more appropriate to have… Read more »
As usual, James, you’re kinder than I. I don’t care about Jennifer Smith (now if Roseanne were back, that’d be different) or that silly rock and the sight of Helena just makes me recoil. I don’t find evil and sadism entertaining unless they can weave in some humanity or, at least, some humor. She no longer has either. Regarding Sonny: James, how many storylines does this egomaniac require at the same time? Right now, there’s: 1. Getting Carly back 2. Dealing with feelings for Nina 3. Missing Jason 4. Going off his medication. Why? 5. Reclaiming his empire 6. Making… Read more »
First, Soaphound, thank you for your reply, although I’m not sure how “kind” my own character is here today. 🙂 Second, I love how you replied to my unnumbered list with an entertaining numbered list! Seeing in black and white (or is it black and grey?) all the various storylines given to this loathsome, tiresome character, as you have methodically summarized, is appalling. “Enough already!” Indeed! And third, my memory is a bit hazy about Jennifer Smith and the Ice Princess, but I remember four different actresses playing the role (including Roseanne — hey, isn’t she available?!?!). And the Ice… Read more »
Perhaps the producers were not successful in persuading Jonathan Jackson to come back for a short time. Or maybe, the producers did not talk to Jonathan Jackson.
It would have been nice move to get Jackson there. The fans would have appreciated it. Thanks for your reply, Anne.
Elizabeth should have been there, if not for herself then for Aiden who is his grandson. What about Kevin? Other than the time Luke’s cousin pretended to be him and tried to kill Sonny, Spencer got along with Luke. Was this scene thrown in to prop Ava who had no business being there. Hell, Epiphany would have better reasons to be there. And how can you not have Bobbie speak!!!
John, I totally agree with you on all your points, particularly that Elizabeth should have been there. She could even had said that Lucky reached out to her and asked her to be there for him… Further, Bobbie should have spoken, given she knew Luke longer than anyone, if nothing else…
We can’t forget about Covid maybe it’s not as easy to get people to guest star on the soaps like it use to be. Also maybe they just weren’t available at the time
Good points, Pat!
It is Stupid—-
There is no sane reason to, out of the blue, to kill Luke off..
What would be a logical purpose to kill off Luke= none.
I do not believe Luke is dead–
To bring Luke into a story, after all these many years,
is asinine..
Luke’s death is a fake-out– A stupid one.
Ok, I have a lot to unload here but I won’t Because I just can’t put my thoughts together, but I do have a question, who in the hell is playing Jennifer Smith?
Damned if I know, but she’s probably too young for the part. Jennifer was roughly the same age as Luke. She was de-sorased in that ridiculous “exit story” ReRon wrote for Luke in 2015. As was her father Frank who should have been left dead, and would have been at least in his late 90s(as both actors who portrayed the historical Frank Smith had died of old age related causes by then)… but showed up in that dumb story looking about the same age as Luke himself. The 90s stunt casting versions of Jennifer Smith – portrayed by Roseanne Barr… Read more »
Holly Gagnier, is playing Jennifer now (and her previous visit in 2015).
She played Cassie Callison on OLTL and more recently has been an acting teacher/coach. Her clients include Nicholas Chavez (Spencer).
I think some of these criticisms are a bit harsh. Budget cuts make it difficult to have scenes with upwards of 25 people at a time these days, and I can’t fault the writers or the show if the actors who played lucky or Ethan were perhaps not available to shoot. I think sometimes we need to be a lot more understanding about the genre we all love. It’s not perfect but year in and year out for decades it continues to entertain us. It’s not perfect and the writers are not in control over actors’ schedules when they are… Read more »
I agree, and also there are restrictions due to the pandemic that is still prominent and they are trying to keep everyone safe while being able to still provide drama on a weekly/daily basis. I know that GH temporarily shut down production during Omicron, so obviously they are trying to keep people safe while driving story. I’m very much looking forward to some mystery and intrigue and hopefully it does not result in a mass number of deaths.
That’s an important point. Hairy certain the number of performers in any particular scene is limited to a maximum of 12.
Bravo! I agree, I rarely find anything so bad that it deserves condemnation with regards to GH. It’s a soap, doing the best it can within whatever restrictions it faces. I do hope Luke is not dead & yes, fake deaths are over used, but we’re often delighted when dead characters return, so it’s easy to overlook a fake funeral or two.
Spot on ! 100%
It was a piss poor job! Why not show clips of Luke and the characters that he acted with for so many years? I’m not talking about a rehash of the whole L&L saga. Clips with him and Genie in other stories. Clips with Sonny. What about his kids? Jackson wouldnt or couldnt come back but that doesnt mean they cannot show clips of him and Luke. Tracy was lost in this episode. Why not have someone there to support her? Monica? And no Skye Quartermaine. I know, they only have so much money and time but it was very… Read more »
They would’ve had to pay Geary his last going day rate if they used any clips. If those scenes featured performers not on Friday’s episode, they would’ve had too been paid their day rate as well.
Since Geary is still living (and quite likely, so is Luke) it was not a tribute episode like they did for John Reilly (Sean Donely) last year.
Those day rates for Geary and others would have taken a serious amount away from GH’s daily budget. So I think it was a choice of either showing clips of Geary with Genie Francis etc or having Jacklyn Zeman and others physically on the set.
As usual, Timmm, you speak truth. I’ve always felt that tribute shows should be JUST THAT… appreciation of past episodes and performances. No need to dredge up false sentiment and imagine phony reactions. Jennifer Smith…REALLY?? I feel the same about those Kennedy Center Honors specials. Rather than see an artist’s work desecrated by a generation of performers that don’t understand and/or are incapable of interpreting the work adequately, JUST SHOW US the original work. Did you see that “tribute” to Bette Midler last month? Disgraceful!
Luke is alive.’Hate him, or enjoy him, like or love him, he is alive. The older sexxxi man himself, bad to the core at times VICTOR showed it, his smirks, to him saying, right in the camera, “The citizens of Port Charles, are in for a big surprise.”[Or said something to this affect.] No way, he is dead. I hope 1 day mid 70’s, yes old now, senior citizen he is, but i hope just 1 day, even 1/2 of epie or a few epie’s, a short 3 month contract, the great LUKE SPENCER (Anthony Geary) return soon. No way… Read more »
Agree no way is he dead! I can’t wait until this story progresses and the great luke Spenser comes back to save the day!
Loved it!! Seeing all the vets together was wonderful. Yes, it obviously would’ve been great to have all of Luke’s kids back but they pulled off surprises and humor and touching moments all in one episode. Well done!
I didn’t shed a tear which says it was a very poorly written memorial service. I’ve watched GH since it started and expected so much more. Where were the flashbacks of some iconic scenes.
Didn’t Tracy just get through telling Laura at Liv and Neds vow renewal that she had a piece of the Ice Princess that she was going to use to finance her future endeavors? I was not watching back when all that stuff was going on, so who does the jewel really belong to?
I agree that Luke’s death came out of nowhere and certainly will serve other story; otherwise, there’d be no reason to bring it up. If he really is dead, the memorial service itself was really disappointing for the arguably the most well known character on daytime. Also, I couldn’t believe that Scorpio was wasting all that time with Scotty and did not have once scene with Laura reminiscing about Luke. Curtis had more interaction with her. And also why haven’t they talked about Victor too!
General Hospital
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
Last Thursday night during a livestream interview, General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight chatted with Michael Fairman on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel about returning to daytime in the role of legal eagle Martin Grey, and mixing it up with some of the most famous notables and actors that currently and historically have graced the screens on the ABC daytime drama series.
In case you missed it, the replay of the conversation with three-time Daytime Emmy winner is now available. During the chat, Knight reveals what is has been like to play the on-screen half-brother of Genie Francis (Laura), if he enjoys the courtroom scenes in which Martin had to defend some of the most notorious in town including Nelle Benson (Chloe Lanier), and more.
Courtesy/ABC
Fans of GH are also enjoying the romantic pairing of Lucy Coe and Martin, pairing Knight with another soap vet, Lynn Herring. Michael shares that it’s nice to see, and appreciates, the writers creating a fun relationship for a couple that is middle-aged instead of always seeing the younger sets escapades all of the time on daytime TV.
All My Children fans, of course, recall Michael’s memorable performances through the years as Tad Martin, where he became synonymous with Pine Valley. After AMC came to its conclusion in 2011 on ABC and 2013 with Prospect Park, Knight finally returned to soaps in 2015 in the recurring role of Dr. Simon Neville on The Young and the Restless before joining the cast of GH in 2019.
Photo: JPI
During the interview, Michael shares behind the scenes stories of working with his on-screen parents, Mary Fickett (Ruth) and Ray MacDonnell (Joe), his enduring on-screen love story with Dixie (Cady McClain), and the heyday of AMC in story, with his on-screen sister, Jenny played by Kim Delaney. When Michael came to GH, viewers recall he actually got to share an inside moment with Kim and the fans, when Martin met Jackie Templeton, then played by Delaney.
During the livestream, Michael recalled several of Tad’s wives, and when one fan asked if Cady McClain might come to GH as Dixie, and that maybe she could be a woman from Martin’s past, Knight shared that it could be interesting.
Photo: ABC
In a surprise appearance later in the livestream, James Patrick Stuart (Valentin, GH), who has an enduring friendship with Michael, and happened to be at Knight’s house, shared some memories of his time as Will Cortlandt on All My Children. Now decades later, things have come full-circle for the good friends as they share screen-time on General Hospital as Valentin and Martin.
Stuart is a Daytime Emmy nominee this year for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category at the upcoming 49th annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and we took a moment to congratulate him on being acknowledged by his peers for the second year in a row. Currently, James is pulling double duty shooting his Disney+ show, Villains of Valley View, while also taping GH.
Photo: JPI
Watch the replay of the livestream with Michael E. Knight below.
Then let us know, are you enjoying Martin and Lucy together? What do you think of the idea of Cady McClain coming to GH? Do you want to see more Valentin and Martin scenes? And, what are your favorite memories of Michael’s time as Tad on All My Children? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Breaking News
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
On Thursday, ABC’s General Hospital reached yet another milestone in its illustrious history. The daytime drama taped its 15,000 episode.
During the tape day, the cast, crew and creatives posed for a photo on set to mark the occasion with cake.
GH’s 15,000 episode will air next month on June 17th.
ABC 7’s entertainment guru, George Pennacchio was on set with a first-hand report, interviewing the likes of Genie Francis (Laura), Maurice Benard (Sonny) and the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini.
From the sounds of it, the 15K episode will center around the character of Laura, and according to Valentini, “It will be happy, it will be sad, it will be dark, it will be scary, it will be fun, it will be thrilling and it will be exciting, but most importantly it will have almost every single cast member in it.”
Check out the segment and on set report from Pennacchio below.
Now, let us know if you are excited to see the 15K episode of GH via the comment below and congratulate the long-running soap for another historic milestone.
#GH celebrating ep 15,000. Will air June 17 and focus on Laura featuring almost all the cast pic.twitter.com/CG3JhyptyC
— Fe. (@moiraswigs) May 12, 2022
General Hospital
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
Fox Announces Primetime Soap ‘Monarch’ On Fall Schedule
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
Jensen Ackles Becomes Series Regular on ABC’s ‘Big Sky’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
FRIDAY: Y&R Alum Michael Graziadei Featured in Netflix’s New Series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
The CW Cancels ‘Dynasty’; Show Will End With Current Fifth Season
DAYS Daytime Emmy Nominees: Arianne Zucker, James Reynolds, Stacy Haiduk & Lindsay Arnold Chat On Their Reels, Reactions, and Co-Stars
Steve Burton Shares Details On Boarding ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ On the Latest ‘That’s Awesome’ Podcast
Josh Kelly Joins the Cast of General Hospital
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
Evan Hofer Makes His General Hospital Debut as Dex: What Were Your First Impressions?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
Chrishell Stause and Singer G Flip Confirm Relationship
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
Carmen Cusack, Wife of DAYS Paul Telfer, Scores ‘Lead Actress Musical’ Tony Award Nomination
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang Injured; Breaks Ankle
WATCH: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2022 Replay
The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy Nominees Talk Reactions, Reels, and Their Co-Stars
GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
FRIDAY: Y&R Alum Michael Graziadei Featured in Netflix’s New Series ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’
General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
TONIGHT: General Hospital’s Michael E. Knight Live! – 8 PM ET/5 PM PST
DAYS Daytime Emmy Nominees: Arianne Zucker, James Reynolds, Stacy Haiduk & Lindsay Arnold Chat On Their Reels, Reactions, and Co-Stars
THURSDAY: General Hospital and All My Children Favorite, Michael E. Knight Livestream Interview
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Remembers Sheila Shooting Finn. .. and Her, Then Vows Revenge
WATCH: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2022 Replay
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 8, 2022Steve Burton Shares Details On Boarding ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ On the Latest ‘That’s Awesome’ Podcast
-
Breaking NewsMay 11, 2022Josh Kelly Joins the Cast of General Hospital
-
Breaking NewsMay 12, 2022General Hospital Tapes 15,000th Episode; Featuring Genie Francis with Almost Every Single Cast Member Appearing in It
-
General HospitalMay 7, 2022Evan Hofer Makes His General Hospital Debut as Dex: What Were Your First Impressions?
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 14, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES PREVIEW: Peter Reckell Returns as Bo Helps Ciara and Steve in Their Time of Need
-
All My ChildrenMay 7, 2022Chrishell Stause and Singer G Flip Confirm Relationship
-
General HospitalMay 15, 2022GH’s Michael E. Knight Chats On: Taking on the Role of Martin Grey, Friendship with James Patrick Stuart, and All My Children’s Tad
-
Days Of Our LivesMay 9, 2022Carmen Cusack, Wife of DAYS Paul Telfer, Scores ‘Lead Actress Musical’ Tony Award Nomination