General Hospital
General Hospital Previews Their Nutcracker Gala With First Look Photos!

Photo Credit: ABC
Christmas is coming to Port Charles, and many of the citizens of the town will be attending The Nutcracker Gala to benefit Toys for Tots!
The upcoming event will begin airing on the December 21st episode of the ABC daytime drama series, General Hospital.
The episodes team GH with Toys for Tots to bring awareness to the annual Christmas drive by the organization. Featured in some first look photos released from ABC are series stars: Tyler Christopher (Nikolas), Roger Howarth (Franco), Rebecca Budig (Hayden), Leslie Charleson (Monica), Robert Palmer Watkins (Dillon), Kirsten Storms (Maxie) , Haley Pullos (Molly), William deVry (Julian), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Michelle Stafford (Nina) and Vinessa Antoine (Jordan). The musical special guest for the Nutcracker Gala is none other than soul songstess Indie Arie!
So, what do you think will happen during the gala? Will it be a night of celebration and good will, or will it turn into a drama-filled evening? Check out a few more photos after the jump, and then let us know how you think the gala will turn out!

Photo Credit: ABC

Photo Credit: ABC

Photo Credit: ABC
It will be both a night of celebration and a drama-filled evening. I suspect it will herald the return of Robin or Scorpio or both. What a great cast! There are some heavy hitters in that group photo. And it’s all for a good cause. Long live GH!
Can’t wait. Love my GH!!!
It’s a soap, if an event goes smoothly something would be very wrong in regard to writing! Lol My money is on Tracey /Monica mayhem. Then of course Franco will bust out the popcorn and maybe throw fuel in that fire.
Looks good…good they included Monica… good cause…
True enough, jimh……but here is our fantabulous “Dr. O.?”
Maybe she will make an unexpected appearance with Krampus but unfortunately that is something Ron C. might have done…i still have my fingers crossed!
Hey, Shay, my love: off topic, but, I saw your much loved JULIE BERMAN on CHICAGO MED tonight. I think she may be a regular. Later.
@CeeCee…..So, what did you think of “Real LuLu?” I’m sure JMB’s character on CHICAGO MED is vastly different from the bold and blonde streetwise offspring of the legendary Luke and Laura that she portrayed on GH, but could you envision her in her original role, and see why we still pine for her version of Lesley Lu Spencer???? The difference between her spunky, gritty “Cupcake,” and the porcelain-perfect princess played by Emme Rylan is like day and night. (That’s no knock on Rylan’s talents….I actually like her presence, I simply cannot reconcile her more refined demeanor with being Luke’s once so spirited and scrappy little girl.) I’ll tell you one thing, CeeCeeGirl….JMB’s canny Lulu would have NEVER tolerated Val-Chops moving in on her man….she would have seen her coming a mile away and stopped her cold in her tracks! Fact!
That should be “where!”
Hey, ShayGirl.
I actually caught a few episodes of GH with Julie as Lulu. From the little I was given, I truly liked her a lot. I do hope you will catch her on CHICAGO MED…..she plays a highly skilled doctor, Toni Zannetti by day, per se, LOL. But, by night, the audience was given a very sexy, revealing scene …..lacy, black intimates and all, with her favorite guy.
I won’t compare her with Emme, since as yourself, I love Rylan. Each is beautiful in her own way. I guess I identify with Emme; same hair and stature; but a bit more endowed, I am, lol.
Dr. Zannetti surely knows how to turn her male counterparts heads. And, I am sure you’re right. She would have given Valerie the one-two and a left hook by now. ‘Nite, babes.
Should read, ‘male counterparts’ heads…’.
@jimh…I do believe the Krampus left the GH building with Ron C….but hopefully, Liesl will come up with another wonderfully cringeworthy antic to crash the Christmas festivities! And she’d better perform at least one number, if not two….a campy and comical opening and a fitting, beautiful song of the season to close the show. Kathleen Gati’s Dr. O. can convincingly do both types of presentations, and it would be a shame not to utilize her versatile talents to the utmost.
She has a lovely voice…i do hope the new writers use her…she could recite the alphabet and id be happy!
So true, jimh! KG is multi-talented….comedy, drama, tragedy or the absurd….she’s on top of it, no matter the task at hand! Whilst I love her musical numbers, I especially enjoy when Dr. O. lets loose in German….now if she did the alphabet in her “native tongue,” it would be an absolute hoot!
Well, I am happy to see Monica and Tracy anyway.
Franco and Nina? Square pegs in round holes–they don’t fit and they have zero chemistry. I wish they’d stop trying to make these two work, give up and call it a day. In other words, Bah Humbug!
Bah humbug indeed Harry. yay to the Franco and Nina! Love those crazy “kids!”
I agree. I love Franco and Nina together.
So very well put, Harry! I’m in total agreement about Monica and Tracy….those glammed-up vets are putting their less-elegant counterparts to shame, and your most excellent “square-peg” analogy is absolutely spot-on!!! In fact, it could apply to at LEAST a half-dozen other characters on the current GH canvas, as well! (I know you know to whom I’m referring…..)
Thanks Rodd. I think there are a lot of us in the silent majority who have grown to enjoy and care about this not-too-hard-on-the-eyes duo…these two lost souls who found each other…the development and evolution of each to fiercely loving and loyal. They add heart. Would like to see them more integrated somehow…perhaps with the their new espective jobs.
I LUV FRANCO & NINA!!
the most unique couple, ever..!
I am enthralled when they are on screen !
Yup Harry, Toys for Tots and Franco, what could be more perfect.
Frank will never stop with Franco, he thinks he’s Todd and he thinks GH fans really care about Roger Howarth, wanting to see him more than GH characters and actors that they have loved for years. Hasn’t been the case yet and it’s not going to happen.
Lol, Matilda. Bite your tongue, now!!
Yup, Harry. Square pegs. But, that’s what makes them interesting to me. Besides, those round holes? Well, they should be square….all’s well with the soap world with Nina and Franco in it. TaTa…..lol.
@AJQ.
Hi,
Now, that would be unrealistic, would it not….tuning in just for Franco, that is. I, for one, love my Roger/Franco; by the same toke, I definitely do not watch BECAUSE of him. C’mon! Give those of us who are Franco/Nina fans some credit.
So glad to see Franco & Nina featured in a Port Charles party arc. They are pure magic, just wish they would be allowed to consummate their relationship. The waiting time on this has been totally ridiculous.
Never watched GH until Roger Howarth brought Todd Manning to Port Charles and I do wish he could still be Todd–but Roger has done wonders with the challenge of humanizing Franco. Love his work with Kiki, too. Indeed, I only tune in and really watch the Franco episodes. Hoping that Franco & Nina enjoy a lot of overdue romantic scenes, complete with mistletoe and ring in a happier 2016 with champagne. We need more Franco who deserves much more airtime!!!
Lol! Franco deserves more airtime. When he got all the air time in August the ratings plummeted from the already all time lows. The demo fell from the 450-460K range of june/july to below 400K, down to 369K and 380K on successive weeks.
As soon as Franco was gone and dropped to two episodes in September, the ratings rebounded to where they were before the August of Franco.
If people are tuning in just for Franco, then it begs the question of how many tune out when he’s on and the answer is a lot.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Port Charles.
Great to see “Monica” (Leslie Charleson) back. The hairstylists need to work on her hair–it’s too flat.
Toy’s for Tots is cool and needed..
but– most everywhere I go is collecting toys for the children..
It would have better imo if it were for the homeless ..
mothers and their children sleeping in cars and under bridges.. they need shelter/food/and a Christmas, too ..
Amyways.. it looks like a fun affair..
What a very noble and altruistic thought, su. Believe me, there are a million and one charities taking care of the homeless. In my neck of the woods, things are speeding up as we speak. We try our best for needy families to get a decent meal, especially at Christmas.
I would like to point out, su, that every child needs to receive a toy. His/her joy is priceless to watch….what is Christmas without a toy for a child? Mentally and emotionally, makes these kids feel worthy; gives them a sense of belonging; makes them feel loved. Peace on earth, my friend!!
hi CeeCee,,
All the big retailers as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Costco, Toys r Us and the list goes on and on, all donate a truck load of toys for tots, also..
Most every organisation donates toys…
It is HUGE the toys donations.. HUGE! there is more than enough toys for the tots..
I still would rather that much help went to the homeless, they greatly suffer..
@su.
I understand, su. But, I have first-hand knowledge of how much effort is put into feeding, helping or sheltering the homeless. The sad part, su, is that most of them do not want to be helped. They do show up for a meal; they do show up for shelter on freezing nights; but, an overwhelming many slip out as silently as mice. There are, however, those who are more than willing to be ‘rescued’. We never give up, su…..
The children are our future. Regardless, I would never let a child suffer; not if I could help it. My hand is always open…palm up!!
Where are ALL the VETS!! This is ridiculous! Lucy & Kevin, Mac& Felicia, Anna, Jason, Sam, Laura, Scott,etc… That does not look like much of a Gala.. smh
It’s premature to start whining. We have no idea who will be at the event. It’s just one picture. No one said those cast members are the sum total of the attendees. Besides, Lucy and Kevin are not on the show at this time. Same for Scott and Felicia. They’re not in any current story and it’s a holiday celebration not a reunion.
Tracy’s dress is amazing! Monica looks absolutely lovely. Same for Laura. She shed 10 years right along with all those pounds and looks fabulous. Glad she signed a contract with GH before Y&R came sniffing around again.
There is always drama when PC throws a party & this one will be no exception. I bet Liz shows up & there will be fire works btw Sam Carly & Monica. Also I’m so mad that GH did not include Ric in this. Can he have at one holiday celebration with his daughter Molly. At least I hope his name his mentioned & after this Rick Hearst (Ric) gets back on screen with a story & a love interest. It’s long overdue for him.
I agree Helen. I like Rick.
This is nice to see. It gives the cast another chance to shine and show off other talents. Indie Arie does nothing for me. Since its such a great cause I bevel they could have scored someone like Barry Manilow or Michael Buble? Anyway, TFT is a great charity and it would have been nice to see GH get a prime-time spot to air their show and have a live call center for donations? BUT, this is just me thinking out loud, I’m not complaining about ANY of this and cannot wait to see that Frank has lined up? I hope they do this every year. Oh, one other thing, since this is a charitable event for kids I hope they let Emma, Spencer and Cam do a number together.
Where is Genie Francis
This was their charity of choice last year, with the multiple plugs. This will be different, I imagine a sub for the NB
Remember folks, these are “first look” photos and don’t show everyone that may be in the episode. Enjoy the pictures and look forward to more and watching the episodes. Theses are just teasers.
I hope that this, much like the Nurses’ Ball, because an annual event.
I am happy to see Leslie Charleson involved in this celebration. I have missed seeing Monica on screen. It will be a real treat seeing her and Tracy!
I’m still waiting for the scene where Monica confronts Sonny for murdering AJ!!!
Charday, I totally agree. The Qs should make it their mission to destroy Sonny.
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.
View this post on Instagram
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.
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoDAYS Stephen Nichols Remembers Drake Hogestyn as the ‘Most Vital, Enthusiastic, Committed Man I Ever Knew’ Ahead of the PanCan PurpleStride Walk
-
Days Of Our Lives5 days agoDAYS Stephen Nichols and Co-Stars Walk in Honor of Drake Hogestyn at PanCan PurpleStride LA, ‘I Felt Him With Us’
-
General Hospital4 days agoBrandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
-
General Hospital1 week agoPaige Herschell Marks One-Year as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jacinda Bracken
-
General Hospital6 days agoGH’s Giovanni Mazza Performs Violin Version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ at LA Lakers Playoff Game; Co-Stars Heap High Praise
-
General Hospital1 week agoSteve Burton’s Wife, Michelle Lundstrom, Raises Alarm on AI Scammers and Hoaxes, Pretending to be the ‘General Hospital’ Star
-
Days Of Our Lives3 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?