General Hospital
GH Head Writers Confirm Erika Slezak’s Arrival Comes On the Heels of Monica Quartermaine’s Death
When the news broke this summer that six-time Daytime Emmy winner, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, One Life to Live) was headed to General Hospital in an undisclosed role, soap fans jumped for joy, that this iconic actress would be seen this fall on the canvas in Port Charles.
While many first speculated that she might be reprising her role as Viki, that soon became apparent that wouldn’t be the case especially after Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight) found a letter addressed to Monica that held some important information that we have yet to fully revisit.
Now comes word from General Hospital co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten, that indeed Slezak’s arrival will be timed with the death of Monica Quartermaine, when the long-running soap opera pays tribute to the late Leslie Charleson, who passed away earlier this year on January 12.
Photo: ABC
Speaking with TV Insider in the new fall preview for General Hospital, Korte and Van Etten shared, “Monica’s death will devastate the Quartermaines, none more than Jason (Steve Burton) and Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot). The family will come together with much of Port Charles to say goodbye to a woman who was an integral part of the community for nearly 50 years. For most, it will be an occasion for mourning and togetherness; but for a few, it will mark an opportunity to be seized. Into all this steps Erika Slezak’s character, who arrives bearing surprising connections to the Quartermaine clan and mysterious ties to others on the canvas.”
Photo: JPI
The head scribes also shared, “We’re in hock big time to executive producer Frank Valentini for coaxing Erika Slezak to come west and play with our cast. She’s a class act and a powerhouse. We can’t wait to see how her character challenges the status quo in Port Charles.”
Back on June 12th, Erika Slezak’s official website, shared the news that the veteran actress was coming to GH noting, “Erika has just informed us she has signed a short-term contract with ABC’s General Hospital. Erika will be playing a new character and will begin taping her episodes in September. At this time, Erika does not know which character she will be playing or when her scenes will air, but is excited to be working again with Executive Producer Frank Valentini and the cast of GH!”
So, excited to know that Erika will arrive as her new GH characters during the passing of Monica Quartermaine? How do you think she will shake up the Q clan? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
I cannot wait for the one and only Erika Slezak to come to GH. “Into all this steps Erika Slezak’s character, who arrives bearing surprising connections to the Quartermaine clan and mysterious ties to others on the canvas.” That is very intriguing. Whatever they come up with, I hope the material truly utilizes Erika and pays proper respect to the late Leslie Charleson.
I also hope they do justice to Leslie Charleson, Denise Alexander and Tristan Rogers with fitting tributes to the deaths of Monica Quartermaine, Lesley Webber & Robert Scorpio.
Both Lesley Webber and Robert Scorpio have not passed on GH
Monica’s death impacts many on the canvas while driving story. It sets up the long anticipated plot of who gets the mansion.
For Lesley, while she’s a treasured long term character, her death only impacts Laura. Hopefully, there’s an episode where Laura reminisces and they have flashbacks with the mother and daughter.
If/When they choose to have Robert die, that would require getting Emma Samms, Sofia Mattson, and Kimberly McCullough back for a few episodes. Will also need to wait until Maxie returns and her storyline wraps.
Hope this is more than 3 or 4 episodes
Totally agree Michael. I know Erika Slezak is an east coast person; but, I hope she can stay on GH for a least a few months. Having her on GH is a big deal. I can’t wait.
I was hoping they keep Monica alive. She and Tracy could fight for who is the matriarch of the family. You should keep the character alive and Erica will be a great Monica Quartermaine.
That would be soap opera blasphemy
Agreed. You don’t recast someone who had the role for over 45 years.
Erika is only taking a short-term role.
Sorry, but I’m bothered she’s not Viki. ABC won the rights back to all the characters from AMC and OLTL after that mess with Prospect Park was settled and the network hasn’t even bothered to utilize that victory. I thought sure we would see some of our favorites pop up from both shows.
As much as I do NOT want OLTL characters on GH (the 2012 invasion still turns my stomach) I would almost prefer a brief appearance of her Viki character, compared to these rumors of Monica suddenly having a “sister” who was never mentioned before.
I’m getting ReRon flashbacks here, from when he used the death of two legends on Days of Our Lives to introduce cartoonish characters that added nothing of value to the show. One of them being an “old friend” of Victor Kiriakis who turned out to be an enemy, and the other an alleged namesake grandson of Doug Williams, whose first act was to steal a diamond necklace from his grandfather’s family. His last act was to give it back, and did absolutely nothing worth remembering in between.
OLTL never aired down here, so I have no attachment to any characters or stories from that show. But I think we can say honestly, after multiple attempts to make Roger Howarth and Michael Easton part of GH have failed, that it seems to be a losing strategy to bring these folks on board. Not to mention a certain AMC transplant who is dragging the entire show down into a sewer, even as we speak.
That “certain AMC transplant” has surprised many with his take on swarmy villainy. The show is in a much better place this year than last.
I can guarantee that Erika Slezak won’t be cartoony.
I fully agree but will add… would it not be easier for ABC to relaunch a version of OLTL rather than trying to work them into GH ?
I wish they would just keep Monica upstairs or at a conference or something & not kill her off. I love the way they mention her almost daily. Makes me really think she’s upstairs!
I totally agree with you
Agreed they really need to do this
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
As had been teased since Jason Morgan’s (Steve Burton) captivity by the WSB and his release on General Hospital, he is clearly having issues speaking about what happened to him, after he was dragged away from Port Charles when he took the fall for Rocco (Finn Carr) who shot WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Now. as Jason tries to reacclimate to life back in Port Charles, he has already displayed that he wants to do better for his son, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and the people he loves and to show up for them.
In addition, things took a turn on the Friday, July 31 episode where after Sonny (Maurice Benard) questioned Jason if he was having an issue with Ric (Rick Hearst) working side by side with his half-brother, Jason had something to say.
Courtesy/ABC
An emotional Jason tells Sonny, “I can’t work for you anymore.” The moment left Sonny dumbfounded, and viewers won’t know the pick-up of the conversation till Monday’s August 3 episode of GH.
Could it be that this time Jason will cut ties with Sonny and the mob for good? If so, it would be the end of an era for Jason and Sonny, sort of the Batman and Robin of GH with a twist.
Previous teases from the GH co-head writing team of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte, and Burton himself on his podcast That’s Awesome ,seem to indicate there is a change coming for Jason that sends him off in a different path in his life.
However, we should learn Jason’s reasons shortly, and if Sonny can talk him back into the mob, or can just wish Jason the best and let him go. But now the question becomes, if Jason exits life as Sonny’s right hand man and henchman, what do you see him doing with his life? We do know that Jason is aware that Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) has tied to the WSB, since he escorted him to Port Charles via Jakarta on the plane which may be a clue.
Weigh-in below: Do you want Jason to go work for the Quartermaines and truly join the family in full? Do you see him doing something to help those in need, or do you see him going undercover with the WSB to expose some of the treacherous things they perpetrated on him and others, or do you see Jason doing something completely different with his life? If so, what? Let us know your hopes and thoughts for Jason in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
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.
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
GENERAL HOSPITAL: If Jason Leaves the Mob, What Will He Do Next?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’
Y&R Alum Brenda Dickson Breaks Silence On Her Arrest, ‘Everyone in the LAPD Knows Who Jill Abbott Is’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
‘General Hospital’ Writes Maxie Jones and Her Family Off The Show
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘Knots Landing’ Favorite Donna Mills Joins ‘OnlyFans’
Y&R Alum Brenda Dickson Breaks Silence On Her Arrest, ‘Everyone in the LAPD Knows Who Jill Abbott Is’
‘The Young and the Restless’ Eric Braeden Talks Daytime Emmy Nomination, State of Nikki and Victor’s Marriage, and His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew and Willow Have Their Long-Awaited Showdown; Only She Gains the Upperhand and the End of Their Marriage
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Emerges from Nina’s Murder Attempt Ready to Confront Willow
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