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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sean Donely’s Funeral Brings Unexpected & Emotional Moments for His Friends and Loved Ones

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

If you caught Friday’s emotional episode of General Hospital, it was the airing of the highly-anticipated tribute episode to the late John Reilly with an homage to his beloved character, Sean Donely.

What made this such a well-conceived hour of television was it truly harkened back to the 80’s hey day of GH, had a built-in story that brought Reilly’s real-life daughter, Caitlin Reilly, into the fold, found ways to integrate classic clips of Sean and his spy friends and colleagues, and viewers even got to hear the voice of the one and only Sharon Wyatt as Tiffany Hill Donely.

Photo: ABC

The episode starts in Ireland where Sean’s gravesite service has concluded and things are icy between Anna (Finola Hughes) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner).  As Anna tries to reach out to Felicia she is not having it, but Mac (John J. York) hopes the two longtime best friends will find a way to work this out.

Meanwhile, Annie (Caitlin Reilly) points Sean’s friends (who have traveled all the way from Port Charles to Ireland to be there for the funeral) to the Inn where they will be staying.  Robert talks to Annie about applying to the bureau. She says she went through the training program, took the oath, but was never called for the final test. She just assumed she didn’t make the cut.  Robert also explains they need access to some of Sean’s old files on another matter of dire consequences, but Annie won’t give up the code.

Photo: ABC

As Laura (Genie Francis) goes outside to call Tiffany, we hear the voice of Sharon Wyatt talk to her dear friend, the Mayor of Port Charles, and Laura tells Tiffany how much she misses her old friend, as Tiffany recall her life with Sean and viewers see a montage of Sean and Tiffany scenes through the years.  Next, Laura is grabbed and a clue is left behind in her room – a Mexican flag and a toy gun as a remembrance of when Sean ran illegal arms and was on the wrong side of the law.  Next, Monica (Leslie Charleson) is seemingly grabbed, and a clue is left behind, a trinket from Mount Rushmore.

Courtesy/ABC

Later, Felicia rips into Anna for allowing Peter into their lives and not protecting Maxie. Anna promises Felicia she’s trying to put Peter behind bars for good and to find justice for Maxie.  As Felicia and Anna flashback through moments in their lives with Sean, Felicia tells Anna that he would not have wanted them to be at odds and so she forgives Anna, and the two women hug as Mac looks on.

Photo: ABC

Mac is the next friend of Sean’s to apparently get kidnapped. That is followed by Robert (Tristan Rogers) getting conked over the head.  Annie finds Robert’s phone, and she finds a magnet in Anna’s purse which wiped out the computer earlier that Anna and Robin (Kimberly McCullough) were trying to access to check the security footage at the Inn.

Annie now believes Anna and Robert are in on what’s happening. Anna again says she wants access to Sean’s file, but Annie refuses to grant access to her. She says she’s loyal to the WSB. It is then Anna tells Annie that this was her final test for the WSB and she passed it!  As all of Sean’s friends who ‘disappeared’ return to watch, Robert gives Annie her dad’s WSB badge number and they congratulate her in a very hankie-inducing moment.

Later, everyone gathers to toast Sean, as they raise their glass it is Tristan Rogers, who broke our hearts when he says there will never be another one like Sean.  In real life, Tristan was close to John Reilly and publicly had admitted how devastated he was by his former castmates passing.

Photo: ABC

In Port Charles, it was nice to see Bobbie (Jackie Zeman) and Maxie (Kirsten Storms) part of the tribute episode to, and in a touching scene BJ’s heart that beats inside Maxie was brought up reminding everyone of that emotional story as well.

Photo:A BC

The episode was filled with several hankie moments and how wonderful was Caitlin Reilly as Annie!  Her dad would be so proud.  And as for Finola Hughes, Kristina Wagner, Tristan Rogers, Kimberly McCullough, Leslie Charleson, Genie Francis, Sharon Wyatt by audio, how touching it was for longtime viewers to see all of these GH veterans together to remind us all of what brought us into GH in the first place.

Kudos to head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor and their team for a clever way to honor Sean Donely with the passage of his daughter into the WSB.

Photo: ABC

So, what did you think of the John Reilly tribute episode, the performances, and the story? Comment below. But first, watch some moments from the beginning of the episode where Laura calls Tiffany.

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John Reilly was fantastic as Sean and I remember him a bit with Tiffany and I’m sorry to hear of his passing. And, I’m sorry but I was heavily disappointed in this tribute, the only thing I truly enjoyed the most was the various flashbacks especially at the end with Sean & Tiffany’s wedding! That was a hoot and a holler.

The story where most of GH’s veterans hop-skip and jump to County Kerry, Ireland from New York in less than a day… really? (well, it is a 7+hour flight)… But, wouldn’t it have made more sense for the memorial to take place in Port Charles where stories with Sean, Anna, Felicia, Frisco, etc, etc. took place? The daughter Annie, could’ve flown out to lay Sean’s ashes somewhere important in Port Charles. Don’t get me started on the foolish writing just to test Annie – who became a WSB agent in the “test” of vanishing characters. Silliness! I expected more from GH.

However, I will say, that all I could think about besides the passing of John Reilly… was… why didn’t GH casting cast Caitlin Reilly (Annie), as the new-LULU! I kept watching her and thought she’d be perfect for a LULU recast. In my opinion, I think GH missed it big-time with the tribute. And, there were scenes with Peter (in Port Charles with Maxie – so gross). I look forward to read what others felt about this so-called “tribute”.

I’m sure the reality of losing a beloved friend was the biggest reason for the captivating and convincing scenes that played out onscreen. That being said, the writing and the acting are superb on GH right now also. I’m an avid DAYS fan, but have to say GH is by far the best soap on the air right now.

I absolutely loved it — hearing Sharon‘s voice again was so moving, knowing all that she has gone through over the past decade. Hats off to the writers and the actors…a fitting tribute to a beloved cast member. Well done!

The piece de resistance was Sharon Wyatt as Tiffany Hill Donely! Everything else was icing on the cake!

Overall, we’ll done. The right cast members were there (knowing Jack Wagner wouldn’t return, which would’ve been awkward anyway). This had to take place in “Ireland” to explain why other characters (not necessarily key to story) couldn’t be there. Each of the characters featured had meaning interaction with Sean and/or Tiffany back in the day.

Always a treat when Robin makes an appearance. And the year-plus absence of Felicia on screen was handled well by giving Kristina Wagner some meaty material. Hopefully, she’s back on a semi-regular basis.

I even understand why Peter was in the episode. For lapsed viewers returning for this “very special episode” something needed to be shown as to why Felicia was so mad at Anna. Luckily, his appearance was short and Bobbie showed him who’s still in charge after 40+ years.

Would I have liked more clips, sure, however I know it’s difficult finding scenes that were airable. Any scenes featuring Sean that had a character not on Friday’s episode (i.e. Frisco) would’ve meant paying the actor for a flashback. Was the Anna & Felicia talking pizza scene riveting? No, but it was still fun to remind us of their 30+ year bond. Best flashback was the fight on the gondola.

Kudos to the writers and producers for giving longtime viewers (and John Reilly) a darn good episode.

I think it was a hit and miss for me, as viewers we always want more more more, but overall I liked the episode, I was confuse in the beginning with Laura and Monica first disappearing and everything that was taking place but then In the end when it was explained it made more sense and the episode enjoyable, I wish they would bring in the Annie character into the fold w/ her now being a WSB agent it would be great if some international plot would take place in port Charles. She is after all the daughter of two legacy characters and goddaughter of Anna.

Still waiting for Jessie Brewer’s tribute episode … 30 years later.

Absolutely fantastic point, Kian! Emily McLaughlin’s Jessie Brewer was an iconic character and should have been given a tribute. I meant to reply to you sooner…

Plus, if memory serves, I think Bobbie and/or Steve Hardy made a comment, years after the fact, that Jessie had passed away.

I didn’t watch GH back in those days but was well aware of Mr. Reilly’s work there. I thought the hour was well written and gave the vets I love to watch, some really good material. I mean, how great was Ms. Wagner’s Felicia ripping into Ms. Hughes’ Anna? Miss that lady on GH. And Caitlin Reilly was wonderful as Annie. She really held her own against such power performers. It was also nice to see Mr. York back in action as Mac, Ms. Charleson back as Monica, Ms. Zeman back as Bobbie and Ms. McCullough as Robin again. I don’t know why Ms. Wyatt couldn’t be on but it was so wonderful to hear her voice.

Like I said, I didn’t watch GH back when these actors were at the forefront, but I really appreciate any soap that pays homage to their vets.

Great job to all!

Enjoyed the episode so much! A throwback to the 80s GH adventure/mystery storylines, tied up neatly in an hour, lol; a worthy tribute to the Sean Donnelly character. The actor’s daughter did a phenomenal job jumping into the storyline and holding her own, I thought. Glad that Tiffany had a part to play – it wouldn’t have been as satifying if she had been absent from the show, and I’m glad the writers found a way to include her which was acceptable to the actress!

Hooray for the vets and showcasing their loyalty and talents! Bring back Felicia and Mac more regularly; what a waste of characters that should be enriching the storylines and character interactions across the canvas!

Thank you writers and all who gifted longtime fans (and actors) with this fun hour. Kudos to all!

General Hospital

‘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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