General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lenny Dies In Episode Featuring Heart-Tugging Ensemble Performances
When the performances and a great script all come together it makes for daytime drama at its best, and on Friday’s unexpected episode of General Hospital, the long running ABC daytime drama series delivered just that.
The juxtaposition of two stories which at its epicenter is Maurice Benard as “Mike”, and as Sonny (as conjured up as sort of Carly’s conscience) in the present, and how they intersected made it all the more poignant.
In Nixon Falls, and back at the Tan-O, Lenny (Rif Hutton) and Phyllis (Joyce Guy) are on the porch just relaxing and watching the sunset. Meanwhile “Mike” and Nina (Cynthia Watros) talk about how they can create a fishing trip just like when Lenny and Phyllis met, since they want to give them some moments for them to remember before Lenny eventually dies. However, they won’t get the chance. When Phyllis come inside to freshen up their ice-tea and “Mike” and Nina tell her they will fill her in on what they were talking about, “Mike” heads outside to get Lenny. Once he gets there he sees that Lenny is unresponsive. “Mike” checks on him and realizes he is dead. He then walks into the bar emotionally overcome with tears in his eyes. Phyllis drops the ice tea pitcher and realizes from the look on “Mike’s” face, Lenny must have passed away.

Courtesy/ABC
Nina, “Mike”, and Phyllis head outside, where Phyllis, at first, calmly tells them it was quick and peaceful and she is thankful for that, but she asks for a moment alone with her husband. It is then, Phyllis lets out a wail and is just devastated in a heartbreaking moment played beautifully by Joyce Guy. Inside, a moment seems to almost jog, or starts to jog “Mike’s” memory, when he says to Nina that he can’t imagine losing a spouse like that and how it must be like a “never-ending pain”. Nina gets a fretful look on her face, knowing what her deceit must be doing to Carly (Laura Wright). “Mike” does not want Phyllis to go through this loss alone and Nina takes his hand and says the two of them will be there for her together.

Courtesy/ABC
As this is playing out, Carly is visited by the conscience of Sonny, as she tries to come to terms with marrying Jason and moving on in her life without him. The scenes between Laura Wright and Maurice Benard here, were simply stated and very moving. Carly tells Sonny, that marrying Jason (Steve Burton) will mean she’ll finally have to let go of Sonny. She wants him to know she’ll never love anyone like him, and she’ll love him forever. He says “Right back at you”. Before he vanishes, Carly tells him that their relationship was so torrid … the love, the break-ups, the heartache, the passion … but it was all worth it because she can never love anyone like him. She also tells Sonny she is worried what marrying Jason will do to her longstanding friendship with him. Sonny advises her to have this part of her conversation with Jason and not with him.

Courtesy/ABC
Jason has come to see Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) at the hospital and tells her he is there out of concern for her. Joey Novak may make her a target because of their history. She tells him no one has bothered her, and that their “history” is over. Jason then goes into how proud he was of her for finding out she had the marker for Huntington’s disease and the courage that it took to do that. He expresses that he wishes he could be there for her to help her through this. Britt is overcome with tears, saying that he can’t be with her, and tells him to take care of himself. Once again, Kelly Thiebaud was flawless in these moments.

Courtesy/ABC
At the end of the episode, Jason comes back to Carly’s and he asks if everything is okay … and with a smile on her face, she says “It is now and that she’s glad he’s home.”

Courtesy/ABC
Kudos to Maurice Benard, Cynthia Watros, Joyce Guy, Rif Hutton, Laura Wright, Steve Burton, and Kelly Thiebaud for some great work throughout the episode.
So, what did you think of Lenny’s death and this episode of GH? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I’ll be eternally damned if I know what the whole point of Lenny’s illness & somewhat sudden death was all about. Clearly it’s a plot point vehicle of some sort. When Lenny originally had a heart condition – which for whatever reason they changed to cancer one random day – it seemed the story was leading up to where he would need some sort of specialized medical treatment, and inevitably somebody would refer him to a doctor in Port Charles to treat his condition.
Now, of course, Lenny’s condition isn’t treatable, so where’s the plot point here? Is this where Phyllis decides it’s time to sell this bar (which obviously isn’t making any money, as they haven’t had a customer in months!) and get a nursing gig in Port Charles.
So then what would Nina do? Tell “Mike” he needs to buy the bar (with what money??) and stay in Tricky Dick Nixon Falls forever? Which we all know isn’t going to work, because – memory or not – Sonny’s going to be crashing the Jason/Carly fake wedding. You can bet your soul on that!
They didn’t have to kill off Lenny though… sure the Nixon Falls mess has got to wrap up eventually, but he could have bought a bar in Port Charles. What the Hell happened to “Charlies” after Julian died? I think they showed Nick & Ava in there once, going through boxes or something. Ava presumably would be the legal owner, unless Jules left it to his kids… neither of whom he was very close with (nor do I think either Lucas or Sam have any interest in owning a bar) On the other horn, Ava would rather drink alcohol than sell it, so it seems only natural that she would want to sell off the business. And Sonny with his memories (and bank accounts) restored would have been more than happy to help Lenny out with finances. That’s how this Devil would have written it anyway.
Satan,
I think you are probably right on all counts. My take on Lenny dying is that it gives Nina reason to take Phyllis back to P.C with her. We all know by now that Sonny is returning, wether it be before, during or after the wedding.I’ve read lots of spoilers and don’t like to advertise them to others who had rather be surprised, but one thing I know is I am going to be watching when it all hits the fan, and we know it will!
Me too, Violet. I’m only into this story for the blow-up coming. Though I do think Joyce Guy is a wonderful actress, I doubt Phyllis will be on the canvas much longer. Too bad, I’d love to see her put that nosy buddinsky Aunt Stella in her place. Hey, how about Phyllis and Stella as estranged sisters? It’d be a better story than watching Cameron M. destroy the Drew character.
Soaphound,
While your sister idea is good, I did read that Phyllis may have another realative at GH, we’ll have to wait and see. I would rather see her being a nurse also than running another bar as someone else suggested. Yes, that nosy Stella can never keep her mouth shut, can she?
If they’re going to give Phyllis a PC relative, I doubt it’d be Stella. Shawn or Portia have no relatives other than their offspring.
And, how is after 7 years we still don’t know what Jordan’s maiden name is?
I am in agreement with you, it seemed pointless to kill him off ♀️
Kathy,
But was there really a point in keeping Lenny? I have a feeling Phyllis will be written out too when Sonny & Nina leave. There is no point in bringing Phyllis to PC. The cast is too bloated now!
The whole Nixon Falls storyline was just filler to keep Sonny occupied while he was “dead” and the sooner it’s over, the better.
I agree Sonny n Carly belong together enough already let Jason find some true happiness like he had with Sam before the writers ruined that one too!
And Nina can leave too.
Satan, Lenny’s cancer was found when he went in for tests of his heard condition.
Yes, but it was still very “random” to do it that way. Just the heart condition itself was a enough of a message “Don’t get used to Lenny… we ain’t keeping him around much longer”.
Isn’t great that us fans can usually see the hows and when’s of the train wrecks coming, but we are still glued to the story to see them happen. I will admit, I have liked the Nixon Falls story. Like Nina it was refreshing to get away from Port Charles for a while. My time out. Loved Phyllis and Lenny. And I have liked “Mike” and Nina together. It showed another side to Sonny and Maurice.
rose,
I read on another site how surprised M. Benard was at how many fans have not liked this Nixon Falls SL and Nina’s deception in most of it. So who else would we blame? She knew full well that she was keeping a man and his family apart and did nothing. Yes, a lot of us want to stick it to Carly but not that way, especially having poor Jason marry her, when he has feelings for Britt.
Hi Violet…As much as I don’t like Carly, I don’t like Nina continuing the deception either…as “sweet” as she and Mike are together. But it has shown a nicer part of Sonny hidden somewhere in the deep background of his mind. But we know it will hit the fan when Carly and Sonny/Mike find out. I think Jason and Britt will survive when the deception is revealed.
Lenny died so Phyllis can start her new life in Port Charles…and she’s probably Jordan or Portia’s mother. Another new character here to stay at the expense of GH vets. Instead of recasting Lucky, bringing back Dillon, AJ, more Mac, Scotty, Lucy, where’s Felicia…we get Stella and Phyllis. Sorry; the soap is fine as soaps go. But it lost its history and connection to GH long ago…
Rebecca 1…GH isn’t the only thing that has lost history and connection to the past. Real life has, too, as I see it. Everyday something and people seem to slip away. Sad.
Hey, Rose. Yes; agreed. That’s why it would be nice if SOME THINGS stayed the same! Soaps were always about continuity of legacy families; characters. They’ve let go of so many vets, dropped so many or have them on for mere minutes; think Mac, Lucy, Scotty, Scorpio. And yet we get so much airtime with newbies. I resent it. If they wanted to start a NEW soap I’d be all for it and enjoy the various characters. But this is just a different soap banking on the GH name.
Losing its history and connection to G.H. long ago to me means from day one when General Hospital began – April 1 , 1963.
Yeah it has been bugging me that place has zero customers, especially after they claimed business was booming again in Nixon Falls. All the other sets are filled with extras.
For once I agree with Satan. I can’t make this a habit!
Ok, it is time for this Mike and Nina story to blow up! What Nina has done is deplorable! And done to avenge Nell? Come on! And the recent dewey eyes between Jason and Carly is roo much! Come on GH writers, enough is enough! Set this right and give Sonny back his memory and back with his family. Jason with his newfound love, Britt and Nina and Jax, wherever they land, after the fallout.
Yes that’s right Lew S
Both Nina and Jax need to go. ASAP
Just wish they’d get Sonny back to Port Charles. Not enjoyung the Carly Jason story at all!
Me either it’s like marrying brother and sister. Nina is so disgusting for what she is doing, it is not just hurting Carly, they will destroy her when this comes out.
Hi, Paula—I can’t be sure, but weren’t Jason and Carly involved at one point? So, if that’s the case, no brotherly or sisterly love there.
Glad the writers didn’t have this go on and on. Very good acting from all it was moving.
I’m glad that Ben &CIARA are together
It was a definite hanky episode. I cried right along with Phyllis. Joyce and Rif made Phyllis and Lenny such dear characters. I was sad to see him slip away, but knew it was coming as they headed out the door to watch he sun set.
I’m so torn between rooting for Nina and Sonny/Mike to remain together because Nina knows better. What she’s doing is wrong. Of course, while I like her and “Mike” together, we all know he’ll eventually get him memory back. At that point, I fear for Nina’s life! And, I don’t see a way out of this story for Nine, which is so sad. (Oh, wait, I think I just came up with a way…read on.)
Can’t imagine Carly shrugging when she finds out Sonny has been alive all this time.
And I LOVE Jason and Britt together! Dump Carly and get those two together stat!
I think Carly and Jason should just hire a fake minister to “marry” them. “Mike” falls and hits his head, forgets about everything that’s happened in Nixon Falls and returns to claim his place in Port Charles. Only Nina and Phyllis will know the truth. Phyllis isn’t going to say anything so she can protect Nina. If Sonny ever does remember Nixon Falls, Nina and Phyllis will be able to help him remember how good he had it back there and how much he liked it. Thus, he’ll forgive Nina…even though Carly won’t. LOL!
Rodd,
While your idea is a good ending, you know we don’t always get good endings especially after all this Nixon Falls stuff, a lot of it created by Nina. I think many of us are expecting a s–t storm, and I for one hope we get it!
I used to like Nina and except for the obcession with her long lost daughter, thought she was a good person. She might have been vindicated a long time ago, but I think it’s too late now. I can not find one good excuse for withholding “Mike’s” identity from him and his family.
,
If all of these other characters are being vindicated; so , will Nina.
I was surprise what did it do, I believe the best is yet come
Debbie Downer here—
At the risk of sounding harsh, I felt nothing tugging at my heart. Did not know him long enough.
Furthermore, his death was a “conduit” —that is. Phyllis’ transportation to PC. Not interested in this storyline. Sonny–Nina–Carly–Jason–etc. ugh!! Now, it seems that Jax and Britt may “connect”—hmmm—we shall see. I really liked her and Jason together.
Another heartbreak? Oh, Lord!! Mathison is Drew?? Why, oh why!! This is true punishment. —-adding insult to injury–isn’t it enough that Miller isn’t coming back, but must I suffer through watching Mathison be my beautiful Billy ?
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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