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General Hospital’s Steve Burton on Kelly Monaco’s Exit, “It’s Sad … It’s Sad Anyway You Slice It”

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Fans of General Hospital have been deeply saddened at the storyline where Sam McCall died after a sudden heart attack following liver transplant surgery, where she donated her liver to save the life of Lulu Spencer.

As the episodes played out after her passing, it afforded the soap opera to showcase its stars with one heartbreaking moment after the other as Sam’s family, friends and loved ones found out she was gone.

One of the more outstanding and gut-wrenching performances has come from two-time Daytime Emmy-winner, Steve Burton (Jason). In story, Jason came to Sam’s hospital bedside to say goodbye, and thus officially ending the love story of the once couple known as “JaSam.”

Courtesy/ABC

On the latest episode of his Daily Drama podcast with co-host and GH castmate, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), the two spoke on the loss of Kelly Monaco to the show and the impact playing out Sam’s death had on them.

On Kelly’s exit, Burton shared, “It’s sad … it’s sad anyone you slice it.” As viewers know, GH made the decision to write-off Sam in what was said to be a “storyline-dictated” move ending Kelly’s 21-year run on the show. It was not Monaco’s decision to leave.

Steve expres the podcast, “It was very sad because obviously Kelly was leaving and then the emotion of the characters and all these things. I thought everybody just really did a wonderful job.”

One of the more difficult scenes for Steve to tape was that of Jason saying goodbye to Sam, “From the acting standpoint, I had the monologues, but I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was really at a loss in the sense that I wasn’t sure how to play this. Obviously, we have a huge history. Obviously, we’ve worked together for a long time. So, there’s all these things going on, but I didn’t have a clear vision of how the scene should go and going into a room where there is essentially a dead body to say goodbye.”

Photo: ABC

Burton enlisted his longtime mentor, Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) for advice, before he shot the emotional moments. “I did go to Maurice and I said, ‘I’m not sure as an actor where I’m supposed to be in this,’ and he said, “You’re fine. It’s going to be fine. Whatever happens is supposed to happen.'” Steve added, “It was a very interesting process. It was heartbreaking. And then I (Jason) ended up having to be the one to tell multiple people, which is never great. And to tell the kids, too (Danny and Scout), that was heartbreaking.

Courtesy/ABC

Bradford and Steve also talked about the moments where Jason came to tell Spinelli and Maxie (Kirsten Storms) that Sam passed, “It’s been awhile since you and I and Kirsten have been able to play anything that deep,” Steve recalled to Bradford. He added, “I think it felt good also because we were together. There was trust there. We’ve worked together for years all of us. So, there was the freedom there to feel what I was feeling, obviously not make it self-indulgent…but also let you guys do what you do.”

What did you think of Steve’s comments on trying to figure out the best approach for Jason to say goodbye to Sam in those heartbreaking scenes? Comment below.

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Class ACT!!!!!

Will be listening to this episode ASAP!!!!!

JaSam FOREVER!!!!!!

Steve has done beautiful work in these episodes.

A little confused by his comment that as an actor he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to play the scene. Isn’t the director’s job to tell him how to play the scene? I can appreciate getting advice from Maurice as they have worked together a long time, but shouldn’t Steve have just asked the director “what is your vision for this scene?” Or why would he have to ask? Shouldn’t the director have said, “this is what we’re going for here…” That’s what a director does, and that’s how it would work in most cases, maybe soaps run differently?

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the Valentini regime has been so overtly hostile to the “JaSam” pairing since the moment they took over the show in February 2012?

You might have noticed in that flashback reel of Jason’s memories shown while he was at Sam’s bedside, the only one from the last decade was when Jason saved the drowning & drugged Sam from Faison’s thugs when he first returned in 2017.

So here you have an outpouring of emotion from Jason, towards somebody he hasn’t been allowed to feel anything about for 12 years. That might confuse anybody.

Sure it was hard for Jason to say goodbye to Sam. When Jason acts he.put his heart and soul in acting his part. I am sure Jason had pure heartfelt feelings for Sam and he will miss her alot. I wish Sam all the happiness in her new adventure in acting. I know whatever he said and felt for Sam was real

Wonder how many times we will see Kelly in flashbacks… doesn’t she get paid for those screens airing?

She actually dies get paid a full day’s salary for any episodes featuring flashbacks. They can show her still picture for free.

It’s not meant that a director tells his actors what to do all the time.There has to be the emotion of the actors to make it real, and they have to find where & how to approach that. You want the emotions in the portrayal to be genuine, not solely dictated. Directors can’t be that tight-fisted in guidance – they trust their actors. It’s a collaboration. These scenes happen to be difficult, especially given the time Steve and Kelly have been together. That’s deep set emotion & you want it true, not maudlin, insincere, campy. Steve did what an actor does… find the place inside to express his character’s feelings. Also, don’t forget he’s Jason… tough guy, “stone-cold.” It’s a tough situation for an actor and it’s right to seek other’s thoughts, whether his director or fellow performers. Whatever Steve did to get himself into the frame of mind – it worked.

I was so happy to see Alexis & Sonny together on Thursday. I just wish Sonny had mentioned his baby girl that he & Sam lost before Alexis & Sam knew they were mother & daughter. And the fact that that baby girl’s stem cells saved baby Christina. At that time Alexis was pretending that Ned was Christina’s father. Point being Sam let her little baby who was dying save Christina who Sam had no clue was her 1/2 sister! Does anyone else remember this?

Yes, but because Sam was in a long term relationship and engaged to Dante, the writers don’t necessarily want newer viewers to be confused by that.

I remember the story but considering how the current writers seem so clueless about GH history I wouldn’t be so shocked to find out they didn’t know at all about the circumstances of how Sam found out Alexis was her mama.

I’m so sad about Sam’s firing on gh I’m not watching show no more whoever did this to her needs fired to they even deftly don’t know a good actress when they see one an rating r declined wonder why think about it bring her back as real not ghost she’s important to the show

Bring Sam back to Gh I have been watching GH since 1968 with. My moma which she is 98 yrs old

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project

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WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.

Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!

In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?

SIDWELL VS. CULLUM

The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.

Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC

BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS

In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.

As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!

Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.

Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration

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The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.

This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.

In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI

WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?

The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.  Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.

Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.

Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones

The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III

Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz

General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen

The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Marc Forget Exits ‘General Hospital’

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The Thursday June 4 episode of General Hospital paved way for the end of the line for Jenz Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) butler/fixer, Pascal (Marc Forget).

In the pick of the June 3 cliffhanger, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) was the hero and stopped the evil-doer from fleeing Port Charles for his part in aiding and abetting his boss with the cover-up of the murder of Professor Henry Dalton (Daniel Goddard) among other crimes.

Today’s episode did indeed mark the final appearance of Marc Forget who joined the ABC soap opera when he debuted back in July of 2025. Viewers met met Pascal when Kelly Thiebaud returned to the soap opera as Britt Westbourne and she was being blackmailed to work on Faison’s final project while at the Five Poppies in Dalmatia.

Courtesy/ABC

A General Hospital rep confirmed to Soap Opera Digest, that the June 4 episode, “Will be the last viewers will see of Pascal for now, but notes that in the world of Port Charles, comebacks are always possible.” So, how did Pascal get written-off the canvas? Here’s what went down:

PASCAL GIVES LUCAS KEY INFORMATION BEFORE BEING DRAGGED AWAY

After Sonny intercepted Pascal on his desperate attempt to get out of town, Sonny informed him hat Sidwell would stop at nothing from trying to get retribution for whoever killed his son, Marco, and promptly turned around and said that he would help Pascal flee the country, only if he turned on Sidwell.

An absolutely terrified Pascal had evidence for Sonny that he could use against Sidwell. However, he feared he would get killed on sight if he tried to retrieve the incriminating photos of Sonny and Laura from the safe at Wyndemere. So instead, Pascal gave the combination to the safe to Lucas (Van Hansis), so he could get the blackmail photos himself. But, did Pascal just set up Lucas to be killed since he loathes him for being the man to win the heart of the late Marco?

In the end, Sonny had one of his henchmen drag Pascal away and whisked off to an airfield to fly away to parts unknown, and hopefully never to be heard from again. But what now? Is Lucas going to end up being pegged as Marco’s killer and taken down by Sidwell if he gets his hands on the incriminating photos for Sonny and Laura? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think of Marc Forget’s run as Pascal? Sad or happy to see the character go? Do you think he will be back down the line? Share your thoughts 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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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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