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‘General Hospital’s’ Nancy Lee Grahn Reveals Contract Status, Memoir in the Works Detailing Family Court Battle For Her Daughter

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

In a revealing conversation on this week’s edition of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, the besties and co-hosts welcomed three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis, General Hospital).

While there were several eye-opening moments, GH fans were in for some great news when Nancy shared she just signed a new three-year deal to remain with the soap opera as everyone’s favorite legal eagle. Grahn expressed, “I just re-signed my contract — another three years, and I’m so grateful for this part of my life.”

As soap fans know, Grahn began her role as Alexis back in September of 1996 after her very successful and Emmy-winning run of Julia Wainwright on Santa Barbara and previously her time as Beverly Wilkes on One Life to Live. This coming September will mark Nancy’s 30th anniversary with  GH which will continue her having the longest-running consecutive tenure of any actress in the cast.

Photo: CBS

HAVING A CHILD

When Nancy sat down for this taped interview with Rebecca and Greg, the subject of the book she had previously mentioned she had been writing was brought up. Grahn says when she finishes it (although it still has a long way to go), will be more like stories from her life than a true memoir. However, one very tumultuous part of her life after becoming pregnant with her musician artist, Kate Grahn is detailed as a story for mother’s everywhere if having to go to family court.

Nancy explained, “One of the reasons I started writing the book was I was going to write about family court because I ended up having almost four years of it. It was brutal. I stopped writing it at one point, and said I’ll come back when I’m not so angry and that was like 10 years later.”

Detailing what occurred, the three-time Emmy winner noted, “I wanted to make a baby. So, at 38 and a half, that relationship did not work out. I was recurring on two or three different shows at the time. So. I was working, I was making money. My ex-boyfriend when he moved, he said, “What can I do to make this better?” I said, ‘You can put sperm in the bank.’ So he did, and then he moved to North Carolina, and then I called General Hospital and said, ‘Does anybody want me?’

Photo: ABC

THE BEGINNING OF THE FAMILY COURT BATTLE

Michele Val Jean (former writer, now head writer/creator Beyond the Gates), Wendy Riche (former executive producer and Richard Culliton (former head writer) told me I had a job. To get pregnant, I did not end up going to the sperm bank. I don’t want to reveal everything, because then nobody will read my book. But I will say, it did seem that I would need a miracle.”

The three-time Emmy winner told Rebecca and Greg, “I went and sat on this bench on Fryman Canyon every day, and I’d visualize, and I thought, ‘I’m going to make one last attempt to meet someone,’ and I’d visualize meeting this guy, and he’d say this to me, and then we’d go here and do that, etc. That’s exactly what happened  I saw this person for two or maybe three months and saw behavior that was unacceptable to me, and then found out I was pregnant two months later. That person did not want to be involved, and we were not together anymore. And then when Kate was five, he served me with papers. I was stunned at what could happen. Stunned. Four women (legal counsel) showed up out of nowhere that ended up saving Kate and me.”

Photo: JPI

SONNY TAKES KRISTINA FROM ALEXIS IN COURT

Explaining how life can imitate art on a soap opera, while Nancy was going through this ordeal in her personal life, Alexis was having her child, Kristina, ripped by her in court by the baby daddy, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard).

Grahn recalled,”The storyline at the time was Sonny was taking my (Alexis) child away from me, a mobster, a criminal, had gained custody in court of a child. So, I remember going up to the head writer at the time, begging him to, ‘please don’t do this to me.'”

“Back to the family court battle,” finished Grahn. “It was so incredibly intense, but everything worked out. I was awarded full custody. I thought the court is where when you get inside that justice happens, but wait till you read this in the book, a lot happens.”

You can check out the full conversation with Nancy on the Soapy podcast below.

So, glad to hear Nancy has signed on to General Hospital for three more years as Alexis Davis? What do you think of her revealing story about how she was taken to family court to retain full custody of her daughter, Kate after her ex resurfaced wanting rights to their child after previously wanting no part of it? Let us know via the comment section.

 

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So happy that she’s sticking around for another three years! She is amazing as Alexis and cannot wait to see what might come from Alexis.

I loved the days when it was Alexis, Stefan and Nikolas. Those were my favorite Cassadine times. I loved the relationship between Alexis and her brother Stefan. I still miss Stefan (Stephen Nichols) after all of these years. He was such complex and interesting character.

I’m 10)% in agreement with you, Stefan & Nicholas (the greatly missed Tyler Christopher) were a wonderful addition to the show. I loved them with Laura & that whole storyline when they arrived in Port Charles & the breakup of L&L. I loved Genie & Stephen together, the best of times when the Cassadines arrived!

Yes! I miss those days so much. They are my favorite to rewatch on YouTube. Huge Stefan fan, especially in scenes with Alexis.

She’s so damn smart. Nancy would make a great writer or EP.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Secrets Exposed!

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, official spoilers, and the latest teaser video, indicate that the truth is about to come out on many fronts which could put several Port Charles residents in harm’s way, but who will double-cross whom?

First, Nina has been carted away by the WSB, after she is the prime suspect in the disappearance and possible murder of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Now it appears that her daughter Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) is willing to do anything to find her mother. (probably for fear she will somehow implicate Willow!)

Ava (Maura West) meets with Willow at the Metro Court Gardens and informs her, “If Nina is being framed. I may know by whom.” Would Ava risk the ire of Drew (Cameron Mathison), if she throw’s him under the bus and admits he planted Jack’s wallet in Nina’s car, or is she about to accuse someone else to protect him?

Meanwhile, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Justine’s (Nazneen Contractor) romance is about to become public, or at least fall into the wrong hands! The two are being spied on while making out in a dark location thinking they are alone. Next, Ava’s voice is heard saying, He had to go down!” Is she talking about Sonny who she had teamed with Drew to take down? Cut to Sonny telling Ric (Rick Hearst) “Let ’em try.”

Finally, the action turns to Pentonville, where Curtis (Donnell Turner) is in a dangerous situation, when outside his cell, another inmate suggests to him, “Find a reason not to be in your cell after lunch.” Later, that man and two others, enter the cell as Sidwell (Carlo Rota) just reads a book, as he looks concerned as the men encircle him. Does Curtis come to the rescue of Sidwell? Stay tuned.

SPOILERS

Here’s a look at the official General Hospital spoilers for the week of September 21-25 below.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Willow seeks out Valentin. Anna shares her fear with Jason. Carly makes a discovery. Rocco reassures Scout. Britt confides in Isaiah.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Jason and Sonny catch up. Carly does damage control. Britt and Anna come face to face. Jordan sees something she wasn’t supposed to. Lulu opens up to Dante.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Sonny strategizes with Ric. Tracy enlists a new ally. Drew takes note of an encounter between Chase and Willow. Trina makes a big decision. Kai receives an offer.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Ava confronts Sonny. Tracy reveals her agenda. Jordan is in for a shock. Michael and Drew put their cards on the table. Alexis meets with a potential client.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Carly levels with Jason. Lulu is stunned. Josslyn refuses Michael’s request. Jordan wants answers. Hudson assists Brook Lynn.

Now below, check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Out Secret’s Out.”

Then weigh-in: Do you think Ava truly helps Willow save her mother by pointing the finger at Drew? Do you want Drew to go down, or do you want him to exact his revenge on Nina and Willow? Who do you think is behind Sonny and Justine’s romance being exposed? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Hayden Panettiere’s Memorial Service Attended by ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum Jonathan Jackson and More

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Hayden Panettiere and Jonathan Jackson

Over the weekend, the loved ones of Hayden Panettiere (ex-Sarah, One Life to Live, ex-Lizzie, Guiding Light and ex-Juliette Barnes, Nashville et al) gathered in Malibu, California on Saturday, September 19 to honor and celebrate the late actress’ life in what has been reported by TMZ as an extremely moving memorial service just one month after her tragic death.

Attending the funeral were several of Panettiere’s Nashville co-stars and closest friends including: six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky Spencer, General Hospital, ex-Avery Barclay, Nashville), Connie Britton (ex-Rayna James), Claire Bowen (ex-Scarlett O’Connor), Lennon Stella (ex-Maddie Conrad) and Charles Esten (ex-Deacon Claybourne) who performed one of Hayden’s song from the series with a band set up at the church.

In addition to Panettiere’s Nashville co-stars, her dear friends, Evan Ross, Paris Hilton and Ruby Rose were among the 150 or so guests, and the celebration of life was organized by Hayden’s family, including her father, Skip Panettiere.

Nashville Cast with Hayden Panettiere

Photo: ABC

INSIDE HAYDEN PANETTIERE’S CELEBRATION OF LIFE

The report shared that Connie Britton and Charles Esten made speeches about their late friend and colleague, and it appears guests watched as doves were released outside the church before moving inside for the ceremony in tribute to the 36-year-old star.

Hayden’s mother, Leslie Vogel was reportedly not invited to the memorial. However, she denies this according to TMZ, and shared that she had a family emergency which precluded her from making her daughter’s funeral. In addition, Hayden’s boyfriend, Brian Hickerson and his brother, Zach Hickerson, were also not  invited to the memorial. It was Zach who first found Hayden unresponsive in an Airbnb in Greenville, South Carolina.

Page Six reported, that Hayden’s ex-fiancé, Wladimir Klitschko, and their 11-year-old daughter, Kaya, were not photographed at the event.

CAUSE OF DEATH STILL UNCLEAR

Additionally, recent reports from September 14, have indicated that Hayden’s cause of death is related to her taking a fentanyl-laced oxycodone pill. According to TMZ, multiple law enforcement sources connected to the case believe she took one fatal oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl the morning of her death, Sources with direct knowledge allege that Panettiere had a “long time drug dealer” in Los Angeles who provided her with several black-market prescription drugs, including oxycodone.

However on September 16, a rep for Panettiere told ENews,As reported by the Greenville County Coroner’s Office, Hayden’s death remains under investigation pending the completion of toxicology results, despite reports from some outlets stating otherwise. Recent reports attributed to unnamed sources are unverified hearsay and have attributed to conflicting information that continues to circulate.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

So, are you glad to know Hayden was given a memorial service and that so many of the main cast of Nashville showed up for it? Are you saddened to hear the most updated reports on how the extremely talented actress may have died? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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‘General Hospital’s’ James Patrick Stuart Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’

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James Patrick Stuart

Sometimes not overplaying moments within two-person scenes, carry the weight and the gravitas of the situation and tug at our heartstrings. That’s exactly what General Hospital’s James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine) was able to do on last week’s Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16 episodes of the ABC daytime drama series in scenes with Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) and Laura Wright (Carly Spencer).

We know last week saw many emotional turns from the likes of the aforementioned Hughes, plus her GH co-stars, Kelly Thiebaud (Britt) and Cynthia Watros (Nina), plus The Bold and the Beautiful’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy). All the actresses delivered noteworthy performances. However, for us, James Patrick Stuart’s Valentin, showed his deep love and care for a woman torn to pieces by the WSB and the sadness he felt seeing this great love of his in so much turmoil, while also trying to hold on to the new woman in his life, which pulled us in.

In story, Valentin hightails it to Anna where she explains how she almost killed Britt Westbourne, and how she faked her recover at the clinic in France, when all along she was seeing visions of Peter August (Wes Ramsey). Anna is in such a state that Valentin offers to run away with her. Carly shows up at Anna’s door and sees Valentin is there and makes a quick exit.

James Patrick Stuart and Finola Hughes

Courtesy/ABC

VALENTIN IS HEARTBROKEN FOR ANNA

Anna tells Valentin that he needs to go after Carly and explain to her that he was just visiting her to check in and to take care of an old friend. Valentin says share so much more than that, which Anna says she knows. After Felicia (Kristina Wagner) comes to watch over Anna, Valentin leaves, but is heartbroken over Anna.

SMOOTHING THINGS OVER WITH CARLY

When Valentin arrives back at Carly’s he wants to explain to her what has happened to Anna, but Carly says she wants to respect Anna’s privacy. In a very adult conversation, Valentin tells Carly he believes Anna will come back from this and land on her feet as she always does. He adds that he hopes that one day she can find some peace, just like he has now with Carly. Valentin realizes how good Carly has been for him, his outlook and happiness. The two share a hug.

Throughout all of these beats, James Patrick Stuart was able to shift from gut-wrenching concern, caring, and panic, to self-awareness, and hope for the future. It certainly touched us and we hope many viewers felt it too.

It does go to show that sometimes on the soaps, the big histrionic performances are not always the most memorable ones. Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that sneak up on us. All you needed to do was watch Valentin’s eyes in the scenes and you knew exactly how he was feeling.

So, for all the reasons stated above, Michael Fairman TV names General Hospital’s James Patrick Stuart, as our pick for the Power Performance of the Week.

So, do you agree with our choice of James Patrick Stuart, or do you think someone else should have been gotten our recognition? If so, share your picks and thoughts via the comment section below.

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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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