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General Hospital’s Laura Wright Weighs-in on Jack Brennan Casting Switch

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC

It’s always jarring for viewers on your favorite soaps when one day you are expecting to see the actor you have come accustomed to suddenly gone and their recast now stepping in to begin their run in the part.

That was the case this week on the February 4th episode of General Hospital when Chris McKenna first appeared as Jack Brennan in scenes opposite Laura Wright’s Carly Spencer. Previously, and up until the January 30th episode, Charles Mesure was portraying the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief.

Having been a Carly recast herself, Wright knows all too well what it’s like taking over the role when the fans are used to seeing someone else and someone that they liked, as well.

Photo: ABC

Taking to X and addressing the casting switch, Laura responded to fans sharing,  “Big love to Charles, And a big welcome to Chris McKenna! And a big hug to all the fans – we love you so much and we are so grateful for you all.”

When one fan let their feelings be known at how sad they were to learn Charles Mesure opted to leave the show, Wright added, “We were all sad to see Charles go — we all adored him! And we wish him so much love.” She then expressed, “We are so grateful and excited that Chris is part of the GH family!”  Another fan informed Laura that she liked the on-screen chemistry between her and Chris McKenna, to which she replied, “Yes !!! He’s a keeper !!!”

Laura reminded the fans on X, that it was indeed Charles’ decision to leave GH. She summed it up by saying, “I’m just super grateful for the opportunity to work with these amazing actors. We show up every day bringing our best for you all!”

Photo: ABC

Charles Mesure debuted as Brennan back in December of 2023. No word yet on why he decided to exit General Hospital.  Meanwhile, soap fans are getting their first look at a more mature Chris McKenna, who formerly appeared on the soap One Life to Live as a teenager in the role of Joey Buchanan from 1990-1993, and more recently the role of Mark Harding from 2014-2015 on The Young and the Restless, and in 2016 in a guest turn on The Bold and the Beautiful in scenes as a therapist for Katie Logan (Heather Tom).

So, what do you think about the comments shared by Laura Wright on how everyone adored Charles Mesure, but how they are also welcoming Chris McKenna as their newest cast member at General Hospital? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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Good riddance to anyone who chooses to leave. There are plenty of other people looking for work who will appreciate the quality of the show.

That’s show biz…..

except, he did not choose to leave, I think MO forced him out, “Sonny” wants to be the only sexy over 60 on the show (what is with all the shit in his hair?)

Last edited 1 year ago by Beth

Except Charles Measure is 54 years old. I don’t think Mo would be threatened by someone who outshines him in the charisma department (when he’s nearing retirement) but I could be wrong. I agree about his hair. He looked so much better ( and younger)when he allowed his temples to go grey.

For the record, Maurice addressed the issue of his hair color on a recent episode of “State of Mind”. he said if it were up to him, he would let it go gray, but “the powers that be” prefer him to dye the hair.

Which seems a bit ridiculous. Sonny has openly lived with bipolar mental illness for years, and now has a heart condition that requires a pacemaker. But gray hair is where they draw the line?

Even more absurd now that his younger brother Ric has gone fully gray. And even his son Dante is starting to get some gray mixed in.

And what’s your basis for this? That it makes it more dramatic than someone simply quitting?

I’ll take clutching your pearls over trivial bullshit for $2000.

Laura is always positive. Wish we all could be like her.

I feel that the show might send Brennen in another direction that’s unwordly.

Chris McKenna is HOT

We get it Auntie Tom.

Since Charles Mesure choose to leave… maybe it is all “this” what he wanted to avoid. A lots of comments from fans about everything they know nothing about.

Navigating fame and fans appears hard… more so now than ever before.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

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Stacy Keach and Cynthia Watros

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.

In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.

Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC

In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.

STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING

Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”

She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”

Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”

Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!

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Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.

According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.

Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS

MORE BY THE NUMBERS

In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .

BEYOND THE GATES

Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:

Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).

Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:

Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.

Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.

Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.

Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a  benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.

However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.

So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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Antonio Sabato Jr.

Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.

Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU  Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.

The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”

Jack Sabato

Photo: NBC

Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”

He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”

The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”

Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.

Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.

This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.

So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.

 

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A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

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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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