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‘General Hospital’s’ Jane Elliot and Erika Slezak Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC

How do you cap an extraordinary short-term story arc, featuring the two greatest actresses to ever appear in daytime drama? You give Jane Elliot (Tracy Quartermaine) and Erika Slezak (Ronnie Bard) meaty, emotional moments that they can sink their teeth into and give General Hospital viewers the treat of their soap lovin’ lives. That’s how you do it!

Last week in episodes that aired on Monday, November 3, Tuesday, November 4 and Thursday November 6, the rightful owner of Monica’s house is finally given the keys to the mansion, in scenes that showcased the immeasurable acting talents of Jane and Erika.

For Jane Elliot, the way she is able to keep up Tracy’s armor and defense mechanisms up, and to live by the Quartermaine way to squash the families enemies, is juxtaposed by showing the vulnerable and tender heart that she tries so hard to cover up. Never was that more clear, when she is overcome with tears at reading the note Monica left her when she located the late doctor’s real last will and testament. Now armed with the truth, she heads back to the Qs from Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) to stop Ronnie who is in the process of selling the house to Drew, per Martin’s (Michael E. Knight) blackmail.

Courtesy/ABC

For Erika Slezak, she played the guilt-ridden sister, who knew selling the house to Drew (Cameron Mathison) is a mistake, but also knew she was trapped and being threatened by Martin. In the end, Tracy reveals Monica’s actual wishes, and an emotional Ronnie says that now her sister’s true wishes can be honored. Next, when Tracy learns that she is the true “sister of Monica’s heart”, and that she, not Michael (Rory Gibson)has ownership of the house, she kicks Ronnie out even after Ronnie apologized. That set off Tracy’s family and they all walked out on her too.

In the climatic episode, that brought the story to its conclusion and marked Slezak’s final episode, Tracy has summoned Ronnie back to the mansion in a lame effort to apologize to her, per the demands of her family or they won’t even consider moving back in, if Tracy should left them. And this gave us the heart-tugging last scenes (for hopefully just now) between Erika and Jane. At first, Ronnie is appalled by Tracy’s attempt at an apology and tells her it’s not accepted!

Photo: ABC

However, Ronnie says she really grew fond of Monica’s family and doesn’t want to deprive them of their home, so she’ll just tell them that Tracy apologized. Tracy smugly says she did nothing wrong, and did nothing that wasn’t warranted. Now upset, Ronnie says that Tracy judged her from the second they met and that it was clear she thought Ronnie was a working class woman who she thought less of.

In a beautiful moment by Slezak, Ronnie shares that all she wanted was to say goodbye to her sister and meet her family. She realizes Monica’s final gift to her was a family, since she didn’t have one growing up and all the years they were separated. Ronnie demands that Tracy give her a proper apology or put a sock in it!

And there was the moment, when it locked in for Tracy! She realized that Ronnie is Monica’s true sister and that she can’t treat her with disrespect any longer. “Put a sock on it” was the phrase Monica would tell Tracy, when her sister-in-law would go on verbal tangents. It is here that Jane Elliot, made us all reach for the hankies, when she FINALLY truly apologizes to Ronnie, with sincerity and tears in her eyes. Tracy says that she’s sorry Ronnie didn’t get to reunite with Monica before she died. She’s sorry she judged her before she got to know her, and she’s sorry she doubted her love for Monica, and hopes Ronnie can forgive her.

Courtesy/ABC

What followed was the Quartermaines coming home to Tracy, and Ronnie heading back to North Carolina after a tender scene with Gio (Giovanni Mazza). We could have given Erika Slezak and Jane Elliot the Power Performances of the week, every week during their run, but these final three episodes really pulled at our heartstrings, and both women should be nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2026 for their work. All this to say, that’s why Jane Elliot and Erika Slezak are  Michael Fairman TV’s picks for The Power Performances of the Week.

Now below, let us know if you agree with our picks of Jane and Erika, and tell us your favorite moment from last week during the  Tracy/Ronnie story as General Hospital wrapped up this arc to honor the late Leslie Charleson and the character of Monica Quartermaine, via the comment section. 

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I would love to see Robin Strasser make a guest appearance.

I miss all the wonderful actors from OLTL, or I wish ABC would reboot a OLTL version.

Hopefully the success of Erika Slezak visit will get them thinking.

OG GH fan – I couldn’t agree more.

I can just picture it now! Robin going at it with Jane…can I say “soap heaven” We’ve had the utmost pleasure of Erika with Jane, with Genie, with everyone else. Robin Strasberg…what a joy it would be.

Oops, I meant Strasser! The crazy auto correct thingy changed it before I caught it.

Strasser, not Strasberg! The auto correct gizmo did this before I caught itt.

Erika Slezak and Jane Elliot, that’s how it’s done.

The way Jane Elliot’s voice cracked as she really apologized was heartbreaking. I would watch her read names out of a phone book.

She truly is royalty among her peers.

Every scene between Erika and Jane was worthy of an Emmy. I don’t know if we’ll ever get to see two powerhouse actresses go toe-to-toe like this again but at least we can say that we did with Erika and Jane and that’s something to remember for all time!

I kept thinking how are they gonna get Tracy out of this mess? But when Ronnie said put a sock in it & Tracy froze I did too because I knew Monica said that to Tracy! I said this is it & it was. I could have cried all day watching this. And Gio! He is precious. Love the actor & love the character. He is so wise , so kind. So gorgeous.

As for Gio, it is so refreshing to see a young man without facial hair and tattoos all over the place. He is the finest talent to come on in many years.

Indeed!

Erika Slezak is a gem. I watched everything she did on GH, and they wrote her dialogue carefully. It actually seemed like the writers wanted everything she said to make sense. Not like on Y&R where Eric Braeden confessed he interjects his own words into what Victor is saying to make it sound more logical. I hope Erica returns for short visits, she is now part of the GH family.

It just doesn’t get any better than these two actresses. Their scenes together have been riveting and I feel we have all been treated to a master class in acting.
What a privilege to be able to watch the very best!

Agree 100%

Erika Slezak’s performance on GH truly deserves to win a Daytime Emmy. Her acting brought me to tears on more than one occasion playing the humble role of Ronnie and pitted up against that viper Tracey who shocked me into believing anyone could be so ruthless and heartless. Jane Elliot is an extraordinary actress who is more than capable of evoking every human emotion. Good luck to each woman at the Emmys. I’ll be cheering you on!

When Tracy heartfelt apologizes for her aggressive behavior to Monicas real sister and asks for her forgiveness. So touching powerful and moving to me . Regretfully due to u-tube tv I can not view General hospital I watched before Luke and Laura’s Wedding. Peaked at a store.

Seeing Ms. Slezak during this run was truly wonderful. I don’t usually watch GH but made it a point during her run. Her scenes with Ms. Elliott were AWESOME. Reminded a bit of those Viki – Dorian scenes. I still miss OLTL.

Absolutely agree!!!! I’m so happy it ended like that and Ronnie telling Tracy to put a sock in it… Tracy melted. What a beautiful way to honor the respect and love between Monica and Tracy and Leslie. They deserve more than performance of the week and thank you for giving it to them.

Please keep Erika GH for as long as she’d like to stay. Tracy and Ronnie are a match made in soap heaven. There are stars and then there are Superstar-Jane and Erika!!!

The scenes with Jane Elliot and Erika Slezak were like a master class in grand dame hood in acting. Their final scene just was amazing. I’d love to see Erika come back for holidays and such and see her and Tracy become friends. Itbwas wonderful!

I loved the moment when Ronnie said “Put a sock on it!” And when Tracey sincerely apologized. That’s a first for that tiger!!!

I want Erika back full time. She said she would be delighted if they ask her back.
Think about it please Erika.

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? 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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