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How Will ‘General Hospital’ Handle Jason Morgan’s Story Exit During Steve Burton’s Hiatus?

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

When two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Steve Burton announced on Tuesday that he is taking an extended break from General Hospital until this summer, it left much speculation as to what the GH head writers have done to write his popular character of Jason Morgan off the canvas.

As previously reported, Burton wrapped taping on Friday, February 6 and with no exact timeline of when exactly this summer he will be back. Viewers are looking at a potential 4 to 5 month break. GH has been known to tape about six weeks ahead of broadcasting new episodes in the past, and it is quite possible, that as they did with someone like icon Erika Slezak (Ronnie), she taped 3 weeks of episodes that were strewn over a couple of months, that Burton taped his scenes several months in advance of air.

GH executive producer Frank Valentini did offer up a hint when he shared on Burton’s break from the soap, “We have some great Jason story leading up to spring and look forward to his return in the summer.”

Courtesy/ABC

However, it is also possible, given Jason’s previous exits (where he had been presumed dead from a cave collapsing on him, or being found in a criminalized clinic as ‘patient six;) that GH would simply have him disappear given he is currently trying to save two women in peril on two different continents: Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) and Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud).

JASON HELPING DANNY WITH HIS FEELINGS FOR CHARLOTTE

It has been interesting timing for Jason’s exit, when finally Steve Burton’s on-screen story is heating up. Jason was finally was able to move his relationship with Britt into a full-fledged romance (although to keep each other safe they can’t be together, but wait till Valentine’s Day!), His son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) is all caught up in his feelings for Charlotte Cassadine (Bluesy Burke), and on yesterday’s episode of GH, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) told Jason, Danny needs his father, because its’ clear Danny has a thing for Charlotte, and by going through the Cassadine family tree, GH was trying to illustrate to viewers how far removed Danny and Charlotte are as cousins; all in an effort to make their young romance palpable.

STEVE BURTON LONG TERM STATUS IN QUESTION

Before Burton made his announcement on Instagram, rumors had been swirling that he had planned to permanently leave GH, go on recurring status because his contract was up, or that the summer break is only the beginning of a full exit. In his statement, Steve expressed, “Hey everyone, I wanted to share that I’ll be taking a short break from General Hospital. “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family. I’m grateful for all the support and will be back this summer. Much love.”

CAN JASON SAVE TWO WOMEN?

So the question becomes, as Jason take centerstage for what looks to be the next few months, can Jason save Anna, who has suffered some sort of mental breakdown; with the help of being gaslighted by Sidwell (Carlo Rota), Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and company, and who believes Faison is alive? Can he help Danny sort out his feelings for Charlotte? Can he keep Sonny (Maurice Benard) safe from  WSB Director Cullum, and help Britt replicate the formula of her Huntington’s disease medication that controls her symptoms, before getting himself in complete peril … or, will he get caught trying and taken away somewhere for months? Lots to unpack and to still unfold.

So, given Jason’s current story plights, what do you think GH decided to do with the character to accommodate Steve Burton’s hiatus from the soap? Weigh-in with your hopes and theories via the comment section below. But first, you can check out Alexis given a “history lesson” to Jason’s son Danny about the Cassadine family tree.

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I’m happy for him to be able to spend time with his family and I wish him all the happiness in the world. Regarding the storyline: I really like the chemistry between Jason and Britt. I’m sorry to see Jason disappear again while getting closer to Britt. So here we go again. It is what it is.

I have no idea how they will write Jason out. I know it’s wishful thinking, but I wish Jason would go off to Spain and visit his first born, Jake Webber. I hate that the writers have written Jake off the show. I would like to see Jason return with Jake. Maybe then we can finally see Jason build a relationship with Jake, the way he’s done with Danny. I remember when Jake and Charlotte dated. The fans were unhappy about it because they felt Jake and Charlotte were also cousins, but they are not related by blood but Danny and Charlotte are.

I’m sorry, but I don’t care how these twisted writers try and spin the fact that Charlotte and Danny aren’t closely related by blood when we, the fans, know they are both Cassadines. I personally find this kissing cousins story using minors disturbing. Why would they use kids for something like this? That is a new low for these writers. What’s worse is how they’re trying to justify this by claiming they’re not related. Sorry, they are Cassadines. They need to drop this story.

No one is claiming they’re not related. Did you watch the 2/10 episode? Would I date my 2nd cousin once removed? No. But they’re dealing with it head on.

Not to mention the irony of breaking up Sasha & Cody, because they found out they were cousins after the fact, only to encourage Danny & Charlotte now?

Nope. It’s General Hospital, not Duck Dynasty. These kids can find somebody outside of their own gene pool.

Again, I won’t date my cousin, but 1st cousins (Sasha & Cody) are very different than 2nd once removed. 12.5% DNA vs 1.6%

Even Britt and Nathan once almost hooked up as they discovered they are half siblings

They’re actually full siblings. Faison & Obrecht are the parents of both. Of course Nathan grew up thinking he was Nina’s brother, but that still would have made Britt his cousin, so that would have been a weird hookup either way.

I’d actually forgotten that happened – or almost happened – but that’s probably because I’m subliminally trying to purge the ReRon years from my mind entirely.

It’s a very hard NO to a romance between Danny and Charlotte. We don’t need or want kissing cousins on GH.

Ashley and Miss Melly were cousins in Gone With The Wind and no one batted an eyelash. It’s a soap opera relax and enjoy it.

No.

Exactly! Its reel life, not real life, every storyline requires that you look past reality.

He and Britt will marry and go on extended honeymoon

Well summer is before Sept. Why 4 to 5 month break? Seems alot.

I can think of two scenarios that could account for Jason’s absence without any dumb comas or “presumed dead 3.0” foolishness.

1) Jason has been talking to Britt about getting a vial of her “mystery” HD medication, so it can be reverse-engineered and replicated, so Britt would not be dependent on the Legion of Dumb for this medication. Jason happens to know a brilliant research doctor named Robin Scorpio who could probably do this work. She’s currently located in California, so it’s plausible that Jason could deliver the meds to Robin in person (offscreen) and stick around while she does the work. After all, Robin might need his help with security, if the Legion of Dumb finds out what she’s up to. Now of course, Britt isn’t Robin’s favorite person, given the history with Patrick & Emma back in the day, but Robin knows what it’s like to have your life disrupted by Faison’s goons, so she might be agreeable to all this. Not to mention it would be a great accomplishment for her as a doctor if she could successfully produce a HD treatment and get it “on the market”.

2) If Willow’s insanity becomes known to everybody, Mikey is probably going to want his kids out of Port Charles and stashed away somewhere safe. So Jason flies them off to Sonny’s island. If Wiley and Amelia aren’t seen for a few months, it really wouldn’t impact the story all that much. I don’t think Amelia has even spoken a word yet. Mikey could always fly down to the island for visits, but he obviously wouldn’t be leaving town.

Either of these scenarios would be preferrable to the literally unbelievable idea of Jason being kidnapped by another corrupt supposed “law enforcement” figure. I.e. Cullum doing a carbon copy of the NuJagger scenario, which was used to explain Jason’s disappearance after the November 2021 cave-in on Cassadine Island.

Those scenarios might’ve worked before Jason became Danny’s sole guardian. Doubt he leaves with Michael’s kids and abandons his own.

Maybe Jason remembers he has another son and goes in search of a missing Jake.

It’s all in the stupid tabloids he and his ex are fighting over their youngest child custody etc some fool got hold of their texts . Divorce is always hard on the kids and with his job they get to read about it also.

Probably Carly and her daughter Skippy will take over Jason’s storyline just like they did for Anna.

Nobody’s mentioned the obvious choice (based on the character). … prison. Might actually be sent for something he did not do.

I hadnt thought of pre-taping scenes… I hope they go this route versus presuming dead or locked in a room for 3 months.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint

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Christian Howard

That was quick! Christian Howard, who now looks to have literally stepped in for Nathan Dean to wrap up a few episodes for the character of Ethan Lovett made a quick exit on Friday’s July 31 episode of General Hospital.

GH viewers were stunned earlier this week on the Monday, July 27 episode when a voiceover announcer shared that Christian Howard was now playing Ethan Lovett. Next, Ethan hits the sheets with Ava Jerome, played by three-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Maura West. All seemed to be moving forward when suddenly at the end of the Thursday, July 30 episode, Ethan spots newcomer Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) at the Metro Court Pool, and makes a quick getaway.

Then, it’s revealed after packing his bags at Lulu’s (Alexa Havins) house, that out of nowhere, Ethan received a lead on an incredible opportunity so he has to say goodbye to Lulu and run out of town and was leaving Port Charles.

Courtesy/ABC

RUNNING OUT OF TOWN

In fact, Ethan was in such a hurry, he forgot to say goodbye to Ava who had been waiting for him at the Metro Court pool. There is clearly a connection to Hudson and baby Phoebe after Ethan spotted the guy, because Ethan also glanced over to the baby and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) at the Metro Court pool, before he ran to Lulu’s to pack his things. All of this points to Howard being an emergency recast for Dean.

It’s definitely been a week of change on-screen on the ABC soap with the news of Maxie, Spinelli, James, Georgie and Bailey all suddenly leaving Port Charles for Australia, after Spinelli got an offer he could not turn down.

That exit was written because Kirsten Storms is at this time,, and the very foreseeable future, not returning to General Hospital and is living in Tennessee. As she had documented via her Instagram stories and posts, she has been going through several personal ordeals. In addition to Storms, Ryan Paevey also exited the series earlier this month when he ended his run as Cassius Faison, while leaving the door open for his return down the line.

So, will newcomers Kelly Kruger (Serena Baldwin), Dean Geyer (Tristan Roberts) and Troy Lennon Appel fill the void of the multitude of exits? What are your theories on Christian Howard’s departure as Ethan Lovett on GH? Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’

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Donna Mills, who at 85-years-old is still turning heads, booking film and TV roles and co-hosting the We’re Knot Done Yet podcast with her Knots Landing pals, Michele Lee (ex-Karen) and Joan Van Ark (ex-Valene), is now joining the world of Only Fans.

The news came Mills herself in a statement, where she shared to Variety, “I’ve always appreciated the incredible support and encouragement I’ve received from my fans over the years. Social media has been a wonderful way to stay connected, but I’m excited to join OnlyFans because it offers the opportunity for a more personal and direct connection.”

While OnlyFans is primarily known for its steamy content, Mills is taking a different approach, explaining that she will be “sharing moments from my daily life, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and engaging with fans in a more meaningful way. It’s simply another platform to spend quality time with the people who’ve supported me throughout my career while staying true to who I am.”

Photo: JPI

WHY DID DONNA MILLS JOIN OTHER CELEBRITIES ON ONLYFANS?

Andy Bachman, CEO Creators INC who presides over OnlyFans also shared in a statement, “This is not about changing who she is. It is about giving her longtime fans more access to the personality, style and behind-the-scenes moments they already love. Donna has always been fearless and ahead of her time. She told me, ‘YOLO — let’s do it,’ and that perfectly captures her attitude. She is approaching OnlyFans on her own terms and creating a space that feels authentic, personal and completely true to her.”

Mill’s move to OnlyFans comes on the heels of others in Hollywood who are pivoting to the platform not only for its revenur, but to control their own narrative of what they want put out into the world about themselves. One example is Shannon Elizabeth of American Pie and Scary Movie fame, who told Variety that since April she has earned more than $1.2 million in seven days via her OnlyFans account.

Photo: JPI

FROM THE CUL DE SAC AT SEAVIEW CIRCLE TO PORT CHARLES

While Donna Mills is best- known for her role as Abby Cunningham Ewing on Knots Landing from 1980-1989, 1993, she also won a Daytime Emmy for her role of Madeline Reeves on General Hospital. Mills played the evil mother to Nina Reeves (then Michelle Stafford) and sister to Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) from 2014-2015 and again in 2018.

The veteran actress also had a leading role in the soap opera, Love is a Many Splendored Thing, where she and GH’s late, great sister, Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine, GH) played sisters Laura and Iris Donnelly from 1967-1970. Mills began her soap career on The Secret Storm back in 1966.

So, what do you think of Donna Mills joining OnlyFans? Do you think the once exclusive provocative content platform, which is going more Hollywood, will ultimately be where big named celebrity post their own content? Share your thoughts via the comment section below, and in case you missed it, you can check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s most recent chat with Donna Mills from earlier this year and our livestream with Donna, Michele and Joan from 2025 below.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Troy Lennon Appel Makes His Debut as ‘Hudson’: Is He a New Love Interest for Josslyn? Baby Phoebe’s Bio-Dad?

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TROY LENNON APPEL

Towards the conclusion of the Thursday, July 30 episode of General Hospital, Troy Lennon Appel made his debut asa “mysterious and shady businessman” going by the name of “Hudson.”

The person who first saw Hudson was none other than Ethan Lovett, who is now played by another soap newcomer Christian Howard, who replaced the exited Nathan Dean in the role.

From the looks of things, Ethan was not at all happy to see Hudson at the Metro Court Pool. It looks as though Ethan doesn’t even want Hudson to know he is in the same town. So, how do these two know each other? Is Hudson the father of baby Phoebe? Is Hudson possibly a Quartermaine? Like Dillon Quartermaine … or someone else from the Q clan? Stay tuned.

Kelly Kruger, Lynn Herring

Photo: ABC

TROY LENNON APPEL JOINS KELLY KRUGER AS THE LATEST ARRIVALS ON-SCREEN TO GH

Meanwhile, for his premiere airdate, which also marked the first on-screen episode of Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin, Troy spoke to TV Insider and shared a bit about the character he’s playing and more.

Appel expressed, “Hudson is a shady businessman, and you’re not clear as to his motives, He goes one way, but then leans the other, and so he kind of keeps you on your toes. So far, what I’ve played, this guy is way cooler than I am, so it’s been so cool to play him. But he’s just been a force to be reckoned with so far, and I’m not even entirely sure as to all of his intentions in Port Charles. I’m excited to see where his journey goes, because I’m very lucky to be playing this character.”

As GH casting lore goes, Troy actually read for the role of Joe Fitzpatrick that went to Jonathan Bennett, but the producers were impressed by him that they created the role of Hudson with Appel specifically in mind. And stand by … according to Appel, he screen-tested with Daytime Emmy-winner, Eden McCoy (Josslyn).

So, is Hudson the new man for Josslyn?  All Appel would say was, “I did a chemistry read with Eden much later when I kind of cemented that I was going to be playing another character, and it all just happened and I’m insanely grateful that it did.”

With Troy Lennon Appel, Kelly Kruger, Christian Howard, and Dean Geyer (whose character of Tristan was revealed to have ties with the WSB) all appearing on the latest episode of General Hospital, was it jarring for you, or are you excited for what’s to come? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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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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