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GENERAL HOSPITAL: What Did You Think of Lulu’s Reunion with Dante and Rocco?

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

On Monday’s, December 2nd episode of General Hospital, Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) emotional reunions with both her ex Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and their son, Rocco (Finn Carr) took centerstage. Throughout the scenes, Alexa Havins reminded everyone, who saw her work as All My Children’s Babe, that she is still a powerhouse of an actress, capable of bringing the tears and emotional range.

Switching gears with beloved characters (when a different actor or actress takes over the part) has happened many times before on daytime dramas for a multitude of reasons. In the case of the role of Lulu Spencer, GH decided to eventually recast the part after they had laid to rest the character in a coma for four long years.

Now back in action, Havins is showing Lulu’s spunk early on as well as her emotional heart. In yesterday’s first scene, after coming to the Quartermaines, Lulu sees her son,Rocco. The two are both in tear and hug. Lulu can’t believe how much Rocco has changed. She finally asks how long she has been gone and Rocco tells her that she’s been in a coma for four years. Shocked and confused, Lulu promises her son they will make up for lost time.

Photo: ABC

At that moment, Dante walks in the front door of the Q’s and is stunned to see Lulu! At first, he is measured and not that emotional wondering when she woke up and how did she get here. Lulu goes into the explanation of waking up and then hearing from her bed at Turning Woods, Cyrus Renault’s (Jeff Kober) voice. She recounts how Cyrus was telling the doctors that he is making decisions for Lulu’s care.

Dante informs Lulu that Cyrus is actually her uncle, and that Cyrus and Laura share the same father. Lulu says she went to their old house and was surprised to see Maxie’s lives there, and then learned that the little boy she saw was Maxie’s son, James.

Photo: ABC

In talking with Dante, Lulu explains what she remembers the night of the explosion four-years ago. She remembers Dustin proposing before he died. Dante says he is so sorry they didn’t realize she’d hit her head after the explosion which landed her in the coma.

Lulu says she is just thrilled to be back with her boys, as Danny Asher (Asher Antonyzyn) is in tears listening to the reunion behind the entre living room. Then, Lulu inquires about the scar she has on the side of her body. Rocco tells her that she had a liver transplant. She is confused as to why. Dante says there is a lot she’s missed and they will eventually discuss, as he becomes emotional knowing that at some point he will have to tell Lulu about Sam being her liver donor, Sam’s death and their relationship, and more.

Photo: ABC

Still to come: Lulu’s reunion with Laura (Genie Francis) and Lucky (Jonathan Jackson).

So, what did you think of the reunion scenes between Lulu and Rocco and Lulu and Dante? Were you reaching for the hankies? Did you wish something else would have happened? What have you thoughts of the performances of Alexa Havins as Lulu thus far? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Take away the instant mobility for a 4-year coma patient with a recent liver transplant, the writing has been very good. And, kudos to Valentini and Teschner for casting Havins who is perfect as Lulu.

Having Danny eavesdrop was an unexpected, yet moving, surprise.

Look forward to Lulu’s reunions with Laura, Tracy and Maxie.

Other names up for the role: Stephanie Gatschet (ex-Tammy, Guiding Light; ex-Madison, All My Children), Jen Landon (ex-Gwen, As the World Turns) & Marci Miller (ex-Abigail, Days of Our Lives). It’s very clear a “name” with award-pull was wanted for Lulu.

As amusing as it would be to have both versions of Abigail Deveraux walking around Port Charles at the same time, I’m just not picturing Marci Miller as Lulu.

Jen Landon is currently on Yellowstone, and it’s up in the air as to whether there will be a 6th season of that show or not (they’re probably basing that decision on whether that show’s ratings hold up in the long delayed season 5b, now that Kevin Costner has left the show) so she might not be interested in a daytime role.

Not familiar with Stephanie Gatschet’s work, but I did see that she had somewhat of a resemblance to Julie Berman, so I could see her being considered. But so far, I would say Alexa Havins is doing one HELL of a job, miracle recovery of her 4 year atrophied leg muscles all aside.

Oh see, I could have seen Marci Miller easily as Lulu. Not to mention, bringing her into the role would undo the continued SORASing the role received with the casting of Emme Rylan. And I do imagine she’d have palpable chemistry with Dominic Zamprogna, and seems to have a good rapport with the General Hospital cast. I’m fairly sure, however, her desires to not be in California are what kept her from the role, ultimately. The fact she was considered makes me excited at the [potential] return to daytime in the future.

Considering Jen Landon was up for the role suggests her contract with Yellowstone is/was up-in-the-air and was entertaining the job at some point. It wouldn’t surprise me.

Stephanie Gatschet did fine work at both Guiding Light and All My Children. But, I wouldn’t have seen her as Lulu.

Lulu’s return just keeps getting better and better every day.

It feels rush, but then again it took a while from the announcement that she was coming back to her debuting for this moment, underwhelming for me, the actress though is doing good job she resembles the original Lulu and Genie Francis, so that’s a plus. She’s gonna hear how much she miss from dad dying, sam donating her liver, then dying, Aunt bobbie gone to as is nephew Spencer, Then there’s that crazy uncle Cyrus. Still think GH 2024 worst year for the show.

It actually was never formally announced by Disney/ABC that Alexa Havins Bruening had been cast, and it also did not take that long from the “confirmation” of her arrival to debut. The fact the recasting process was announced is what caused it to feel longer.

August 5, 2024, is when the “Lauren” casting call was reported (via TV Insider), which resembled the description of Lulu; the following day, Emme Rylan (ex-Lulu) announced they were recasting the role and she wouldn’t be returning. Then, Daytime Confidential published their own report, claiming Havins Bruening had been cast in the role on September 10. And then, she made her episodic debut at the conclusion of the November 19 episode.

So, realistically, two-months and some days had passed from the September 10 report to the November 19 debut. It’s about the same amount of time from the announcement of Jonathan Jackson’s return as Lucky (June 11), to his return to set (August 5), to his episodic return (August 23).

Nope. As dysfunctional as the current writing is, the toilet spiral that existed from November 2021 up until March of 2024 was FAR worse.And before that… well pretty much 90% of what ReRon wrote from 2012-2015.

It’s not just because Jason was missing. It was because they tried to fill the void with Parasite Nina, and made her the most detestable character in Port Charles recent history in the process.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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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’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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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.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

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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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