General Hospital
Genie Francis’ Agent Confirms Drop To Recurring Status On GH: "It Was Not Her Choice To Leave"
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
There has been an official word Monday afternoon from Genie Francis’ (Laura) camp in the form of her long time agent Arthut Toretzky, who commented for EW.com on Genie’s contract status with General Hospital.
Toretzky confirmed that Francis has been, in fact, taken off contract and dropped to recurring status with the ABC daytime drama series. Apparently, GH declined to extend Francis’ contract for another year, but has left the door open for a possibility of a return.
However, Toretzky noted, “Francis will only make her way back to Port Charles if the story and timing were ideal.” He went on to say, “She did not want to leave the show as a series regular. It was not her choice to leave.”
This past weekend saw General Hospital fans devastated and outraged over the news of the iconic Francis being taken off-contract, and her storyline where she was to run for Mayor of Port Charles abruptly taking a left turn. Daytime Confidential first broke the news.
So, what do you think about hearing from Genie’s agent confirming her being taken off-contract? Comment below.
I was so happy that Genie was finally getting a good storyline and running for mayor!
I am extremely disappointed and am sure I’m not alone!!
Talk about out of touch with what your viewers want!
I totally agree with you, Sissy!
Off the top of my head, I can think of at least 10 characters who could EASILY leave the show before Genie and leave little to no impact on the canvas. This is NOT to insult or demean anyone…I am speaking solely from the character and show perspective. Ones that could go buh bye, in no particular order….Jordan, Nina, Valentin, Curtis, Stella, Julian, Amy, Griffin, Ava, Kiki, Franco among others.
Hear me out….I like most of these actors and some of the characters, but in terms of what is true and meaningful GH, many of these are just out of place. I LOVE Maura West, who doesn’t? I like her with Griffin, it he is only connected to Duke, who is long dead. The show made a big mistake with him. He should have been Anna’s son! Who cares how or why …. could have been Robert’s, or Duke’s. Genie is not just a legacy character…she is THE legacy character!!
Like sands through the hour glass…
…so are the days of our lives. This is Macdonald Carey and these are the Days of our Lives.
We will return for the second half of Days of our Lives in just a moment!
And hopefully Genie Francis returns, too!
Genie Francis starred in 323 episodes of DAYS in 26 months. Why not 177 more?!
Recalling all the protests in the past they did no good.
Soaps were cancelled … Vet actors were let go..
We’ve all witnessed; business not emotions.
We will not see Genie back 🙁 🙁 🙁
And I want to mention;
We still do not the story as to the why Genie was put on recurring and not accepting it..
The story has yet to be told …
But we want to know!!
Hey again, su0000,
Her manager has told the story: Her contract was not renewed–not even for another year. She was told she would be put on recurring basis. This was not Genie’s preference.
Not complicated to understand. It’s clear Genie was blindsighted and very unhappy about all this. We do know that she tweeted that the fans’ support made her feel better. So obviously she was feeling bad about the whole situation.
You’re just plain wrong, Sir! Fan protests have worked many times in the past. It does not make you look intelligent to speak with authority when you are in fact, wrong. Sometimes it is better to NOT say anything instead of having a need to be right but actually be wrong. Rebecca Herbst was rehired after her firing caused massive fan unrest. Massive fan letter writing has brought Michael Easton Back to not only to GH, but also to his old stomping grounds of PC. A decade or so ago, John Black was killed off Days, like really killed! Fans were outraged, and their campaign brought him back alive. Many years ago, Katherine Chancellor on Y and R had a brief hint at a lesbian relationship and the fans responded so negatively with letters and phone calls the idea was dropped and never ever mentioned again. Those are just 4 small examples. There are many more, both on the record and off! Fan support has kept shows from being cancelled! If not for its rabid fan base, Guiding Light would have been cancelled at least 15 years before it left the air. Us FANS would very much appreciate if you didn’t come onto a site that is FOR fans, created by a FAN, and tell us that fan support is not needed or necessary, and has no impact or power. The history of soaps is littered with instances where fans have made ALL the difference!
Right Jovin. Fan protests also brought back Rebecca Herbst and Michael Easton.
It’s not just that Genie was dropped to reoccurring status, it’s how badly it was handled. Clearly, the poor writers were the last ones to know.
su0000, how do you know?
Hi nancy..
Just a feeling..
It was too quick and unexpected..
I’d bet the farm there is more to the story than we’ve been told which is next to nothing.
Something went down, there was cause an effect ..
That is the way I see it… not a fact, just my opinion.
Except, of course, the times when fan protests did do some good–such as when Rebecca Herbst was let go, but then that was rescinded because of the outcry.
I am inclined to agree with you in this case, su0000–I do not think Genie will be back. But you’re mistaken that fan protests never have any effect.
Fans protested when Rebecca Herbst was let go. They overturned that. Fans DO have a voice.
hi Marko ..
Rebecca Herbst was brought back and she closed the story and then after she was out, again.
Incorrect She was let go after she finished her storyline and the complaints received brought her back and she has been there ever ever since.
Whether Genie comes back or not is not the most relevant point. What would happen if fans never spoke up, never protested, always accepted? What they’ve done is outrageous and they need to be called out for it! And the fact that they’ve done this before with Genie as well as other characters and actors we care about makes it even more necessary to speak out. The fact that it is not only Frank Valentini that has done this on GH in previous regimes, the fact that other actresses have their value minimized on ABC/Disney, these things make it even more necessary to say what we feel. Otherwise we’ll end up with either no show OR no show that we recognize, brings us joy.
Where’s the network response? This is an outrage, how insane that they’re taking this long to respond, they really need to fix this ASAP.
Omg how insulting I just saw the most current tweet from Frank Valentini and he tweeted Laura has big news, well he’ll yeah, you fired her and insulted Her by offering a dozen episodes per year, seriously! He’s so out of touch with what viewers want, I’m so disappointed in him.
That was so insensitive and out of touch.
It was insenstive of Frank–he sounded completely tone deaf in that Tweet.
Maurice Benard is equally as tone deaf as he Tweeted that it’s not the number of episodes that count, but the air time.
Say what? I may be mathematically challenged but even I know that the number of episodes equals air time. This is especially rich coming from an actor who has dominated GH for over twenty years. I do not blame any actors for what happened to Genie. I do, however, blame MB for Tweeting such an insensitive Tweet instead of offering Genie his support and good wishes.
Did Maurice say that, Harry? Wow! I recall that he was very upset when Ron came aboard and put him on the back burner for a while; he didn’t have as much air time/episodes! Wonder if his comment was in regard to Genie being put on recurring…because he sure wasn’t happy about his own downward spiral (which apparently didn’t last too long).
There are some people in GH that I can barely sit through the scenes when they are “acting”! Maurice Bernard is one, actually, he is the main one. He cannot remember his lines, constantly stops to remember them and they do away with Genie? Too many of them in there that could take a long vacation instead of Genie. I quit watching when she is gone, especially when it’s done in this manner! She can’t say that she doesn’t have a fan base, that’s for sure.
Obviously, GH and Frank Valentini have forgotten that it was Genie Francis who helped save the show from cancellation in 1978. As a result of Laura’s pairing with Scott Baldwin the summer ratings that year doubled. Then when Laura was paired with Luke the viewership want through the roof. Thirty million Americans, the most ever for a daytime drama, watched the wedding of Luke and Laura. Genie has consistently drawn in viewership over the years. And how to they repay her? By putting her on recurring status. To add insult to injury, Frank Valentini insults Genie. When they call her to come back for Genie should tell them where to get off.
That’s a real slap in the face to a soap icon.
With the addition of Steve, Tamara and now Anders you can see they had to make cuts somewhere. I will go even as far as saying the Mayoral race ‘b-story’ (more like c-roll) might have plot conflicts with the return of Faison. Perhaps his return was not confirmed at the time the ‘Chales St Conflict’ was derived but we know very well that the writers have written themselves out of some recent jams very poorly, allow me to cite:
– Paul Hornsby as the psycho murderer
– Hayden’s revised backstory
– Sam’s brain ‘illness’
– the un-love for Drew (nuJason) by CarlSon
– Robin-Drew retcon
– firing the Oscar1 for not being white enough to play Drew’s son
– Nelle’s revised backstory
– Anna and McBain part 2 (aka Finn)
– that Cassandra nonsense
etc
Oscar wa recast after Oscar 1’s frst two episodes because that actor got another job. It was in the news coverage of the recast.
Should we believe that Oscar1 was written in as Andrew’s son??.
And now this Faison nonsense?
Yes, considering that soaps are plotted out months ahead of time and the recast happened after Oscar 1s 2nd appearance, yes I do. Soaps frequently cast kids that don’t even have a passing resemblance to the actors playing their parents. To me, Oscar 2 looks more like Nathan than Jason.
I’m beyond disappointed with this decision especially since she had a good upcoming storyline. Growing incredibly frustrated with GH and personnel decisions. Genie deserves far more than GH and ABC have treated her. Shame on them!
Thank you for confirming that it wasn’t her choice and it’s a disgrace of what happen and feel so bad for Genie but I know things will be ok for her…Since all the outrage maybe GH will see what a mistake they made but I don’t think they care at all about what us fans think…
They’ve long ago demonstrated they don’t care about fans–but Genie does.
I think it changes not one thing about Us boycotting everything ABC/Disney, including “GH” and the Sponsors, Primetime, ABC World News…
Because they have treated her like crap for way too long, and #GenieIsGH… If they do not reverse the call on the field, sadly, that is exactly what I intend to do…
#ImWithGenie…
I happen to know that Laura Wright, Nancy Lee Grahn, Maurice Benard, Leslie Charleson, Kin Shriner are all Friends of Hers, and Maurice, Laura Wright, Nancy Lee all pull a lot of weight over at Prospect Studios and should talk to Frank about this… BUT, I am pretty certain, from what I learned over all the Friends I talked to over the Weekend, that this came from above Frank’s pay grade, so to speak…
You know, a lot of people come on here an post “insider” information and claim this relationship and that- even many of the soap websites post false or misleading “scoops” as clickbait. I don’t mean to be rude in the slightest, but I am not buying it. How would all your friends on the inside at ABC feel about your calling for a boycott? I looked for your petition and could not find it. There are endless Buddy Brown profiles on Facebook, by the way.
Genie isn’t just a Vet, she isn’t even just a GH icon, she is GH. I know she hasn’t been utilized much in the last few years, but two things. One, she is loved and treating her like garbage is offensive. And two, a lot of people were excited about her getting involved in the Charles Street story and running for Mayor. It was a good sign for her fans and long time viewers in general and one of the things, like Burton’s return, that had people engaged and watching. Laura was obviously important to the writers as well, but Frank does what Frank does.
Seems like deja vu all over again–and Hollywood all over again. Sexism all over again. Guess TPTB weren’t out marching for women’s causes Mon.–instead some of them were in their “dens” tweeting. Disgusting!
I am so freaking angry. I just deleted GH from my DVR programming. Historically GH has treated Genie poorly — with her return post-Geary, I thought things were different. They aren’t. It sounds like the backlash has been intense. Keep the pressure on…and turn GH off…until Laura is back on contract.
Yes!
Frank strikes again. Genie is a big part of the rich history of GH. Viewers are tired of all Frank’s pets hogging the screen. We want to see our legacy characters front and center not a flock of newbies. This is just more evidence that the powers that be at GH are totally out of touch with their viewers.
I agree can’t all the fans start a petition or boycott the show and see how Frank likes it we need to do something
I no longer will watch….they can find tons of stuff to write for certain characters year after year but not for her?….how about Kevin and Laura buys a house that developer wants..whatshisname?….first he tries to make it look like their new house is haunted…when that doesnt work he makes several attempts on their lives ect….connect the guy to other characters than just Sonny and Julian!!!!!!!!
What is going on at GH? Genie Francis doesn’t deserve this treatment. I have no words.
If you want to fight Genie’s firing, call GH’s comment line and leave a message: (323) 671-4583.
Take action!
Fire Frank. Fire Frodd. Nuke Nina. Assassinate Ava.
Bring back General Hospital, enough of the Zombie OLTL dragonshit.
And annihilate Alexis!
Well, at least Alexis has been around since the 1990s. I’m not about fan base wars here… just saying if a bloated cast is a budget issue, then take out the newbie trash first.
Natasha’s bastard brother Val though… he’s fair game. He was nothing more than fan fiction a year ago. Should have stayed that way.
OMG – I swear… watching Laura asking Alexis to run in her place for Mayor
oh “heck” no… just a big resounding NO
@GH… we have a BAD enough time just watching her mindset grapple with her personal life… what makes you think the audience and ALL of Port Charles want to see her grandstand “her” morals and virtue played out every stinkin’ day
no thanks
I don’t know… I certainly hope it’s not true that even Julian may get in to the race.
Just let it be handsome Ned
I for one miss Mayor Lomax as played by Sheri Belefonte… yeah it was “casting” stunt …but she worked
@GH – get it together on so many levels.
I hear you, Patrick!!!!!! Without Laura to assume the moral highground in this tale, the rest is all just a contrived, lame storyline that has no excuse for being…Remember how it all began with the whiny Molly and her apartment woes….most people would have had enough sense to move after the first incident and with her mother as her legal loudmouthpiece, Little Miss Lansing could have broken her lease agreement pronto!!!! However, that convenient solution would have totally negated the so-called justification for the omnipresent Alexis to hang out at Charlie’s with her endless pontification and simultaneous lustfest for Julian! Basta, basta!!! The sooner this ridiculous Laura-less scenario is wrapped up, the better, now that the only acceptable outcome is for Ned to claim victory….and given the sordid escapades of Alexis and her many mafia men, opposition research should be a snap for the Quartermaine campaign!!!!
I take your point, Satan, but when you consider the more worthy legacy characters who receive much less time and attention than this quite disposable player whose main point in life is lusting after an abusive ex and telling everybody else how to live when she cannot even handle her own existence with a modicum of propriety and dignity, then “years served” on the GH canvas doesn’t mean a hill of beans! And as you observed regarding Valentin’s status as a Cassadine b@$+@#&, well, he’s right on par with his sis, “Natasha” in that aspect.
It’s ok Genie will be fine she has been treated this way time and time again ! But she has a time magazine cover and a people
I think Frank Valentini in his ignorance and arrogance has made an almost irreparable mistake. The GH brand has taken a huge hit. The only way to right the wrong is to drop that despicable tool Valentini to “recurring,” and bring Genie back full time. Nothing else is acceptable.
I stopped watching towards the end of the Guza/Phelps reign. I came back for the 50th Anniversary. I’m done again. I have today’s episode sitting on my Tivo. I’ll record the rest of the week. If they make this right and hire her back, I’ll continue, otherwise, my Season Pass is canceled and I. Am. Done.
Me too. I stopped watching when Alan Quartermaine was killed off, then came back when Guza/Phelps were gone. I’m done and this time probably for good. I don’t think they’ll cave in to fan pressure this time. The ABC execs and Frank are too in love with the show being the Sonny and Jason hour.
I didn’t know TIVO still existed.
It’s funny you say that. My friends say the same thing, then when they see how much better it is than other DVRs, they’re believers!
Shameful! As others have said, I hope she gets scooped up by another soap where she will get the respect she deserves. This must have been due to budget considerations, but it is ill-advised and will cost the show a LOT of good will.
Just what we already feared and really expected. They’ve treated Genie shabbily for years and years. She is the consummate professional and actor.
Genie’s performances are my favorite to watch. My heart sank when I read the news. I hope TPTB reverse their decision as they did with Rebecca a few years ago.
I for one have taken GH of my dvr and will no longer watch!Proves to me GH does not get that we longtime viewers want from our show!I am positive this will backfire on gh and abc and that is where the best story watching will be behind the scenes!Boycott take to twitter fb and any other means and let them know bring back Genie and give her a storyline deserving of such a soap icon!!!!
I can only hope that Valentini is held to the fire for this really awful decision. Look, stuff like this happens in daytime all the time. It doesn’t appear that the powers that be never learn their lesson. It’s time for the executives to learn a lesson. Someone made a decision that another actor would be a better value. And sad to say they were wrong. I just want Genie Francis to know that she is loved, valued and cherished by her fanbase. I am one of them. She is dynamic. She is powerful. She is class all the way. It’s time for people to let it all out and express that. The one who should be taken off contract and out of the power seat is Frank Valentini for his poor casting choices and poor story decisions. I salute you Genie Francis. You are a class act all the way!
Class act who must be hurting something terrible.
Nicely said, Mateo.
I say it’s time for Frank to go. He pays way too much attention to his pets at the expense of more deserving vets like Genie Frances.
You’re absolutely right, Harry, about Valentini’s “attention to his pets.” THAT is the problem…
Unreal. Someone really needs to get his or head checked. I’m mortified. And disgusted.
Just terrible. Genie Francis is more than a soap legend. She is an incredible actor whose work idefines acting as a craft and art form. GH has not written her a credible storyline in years. Finally, she had something with the Mayor story. The problem was that she and Lindstrom had zero chemistry. They should have scrapped the boring love story and wrote Laura as an independent woman and local politician. Shame on Frank V and ABC for screwing up. Again.
Absolutely disgraceful treatment of one of the genre’s biggest stars. Genie’s Laura was in large part the reason GH wasn’t cancelled back in the late 70s and later helped set viewing records with the wedding of Luke and Laura. Sadly, I don’t think Genie has ever been given the same credit for the show’s success as Anthony Geary despite the fact that his character most likely would not have been as successful without his pairing with Laura (who had been on the show long before Luke Spencer showed up).
For a genre that bases so much of its ratings success on a female viewership it seems ironic that one of the most beloved — and recoginizable — actresses would be treated so badly.
Genie Francis is an icon on General Hospital. Her character Laura kept General Hospitals ratings up. Genie Francis is a very talented actress and does not deserve this kind of treatment. Frank Valentini made a incorrect choice. Without Genie Francis the ratings will go down.
repeating myself : “Where is the love, you said you’d give to me”
Love truly exists on Daytime. Laura and Spencer married Kevin. WOW
Mac and Felicia – always a dream
Ned and Olivia – he’s a lot of man
FOR ALL THE LACK OF WRITING FOR; anyway
when YOU DID venture into the rest of the cast… and the audience would at last get a morsel… a dream sequence, glimpse’ , a remember when… a let in to ALL THE REST
I for one… look past.. the dullard focus… and either knew… we’d one day get to see the rest of the cast… or , what? knew they were on the chopping block… to expand the Corinthos lot in life ?
Sonny / Carly / Jason / Sam / Michael / Nelle / Finn … ARE NOT good actors
it’s such a quick fix and lame excuse for laziness and weak character driven show
with no appeal or long lasting reason to tune in
Laura and Kevin and Spencer are a ready made family that was on the horizon… WE WERE ALL JUST WAITING for their honeymoon to end and on with the festivities
I bought in to this 3 some. because it was easy to see how much Laura and Kevin and Spencer piqued curiosity and the obvious natural ease in which Laura and Kevin shared a love for each other and with Spencer.
@GH severed for all intent and purpose have blindsided the audience and until the focus – the focus – starts changing… this is dead on arrival every day
This is the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. We’ve heard rumors & innuendos concerning the backstage politics & the disparity of the female actors contracts/salaries versus that of their male counterparts, which we now know is a common practice for General Hospital, but to have confirmation of it blatantly thrown in our faces in the midst of the #MeToo & #TimesUp movements in addition to Vanessa Marcil & Sarah Joy Brown’s disclosures about Pay inequality, by bumping The Queen of Daytime down to recurring status in the midst of one of the most interesting storylines currently playing on GH not to mention potentially one of the most socially relevant stories they’ve done in a decade? Unacceptable.
Did Frank think we wouldn’t notice? Wouldn’t care? The arrogance of a hireling daring to flaunt his parade of OLTL actors, industry friends, and friends of friends is obscene. GH is barely recognizable anymore, yet he believes that this show can go on living after he’s ripped the heart out of it? It defies logic. This is not OK for any reason or by any stretch of the imagination. Genie should be able to write her own ticket on this show but instead, in the year 2018, she’s being treated worse than a dayplayer on the show that she helped save from cancellation almost 40 years ago.
I refuse to watch or support a show that continues to treat women in such a disrespectful manner while bending over backwards and jumping through hoops to give men any and everything they want in the way of salaries and benefits. What TPTB have not understood and what we have failed to make them understand is that women don’t watch soaps for just the men! We watch them for the women who remind us of our sisters, mothers, friends. We bond with them over love, life, family, struggles, triumphs, tragedies… SOAPS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE A PLATFORM FOR LESSONS IN OR EXAMPLES OF MISOGYNY AND GENERAL HOSPITAL IS RIFE WITH IT!! IN FRONT OF THE CANERA AND BEHIND THE SCENES.
Genie Francis deserves a place of honor on this show. She deserves to be held in high esteem. Frank is renting out space in the house that SHE built (to borrow a phrase from our friends at Daytime Confidential). He has NO RIGHT to take that away from her or General Hospital fans. She is beautiful, vibrant, and still so unbelievably talented and WANTED!! We still want her on this show. Not just for nostalgia but because she still has so much to contribute and still has the ability to make us FEEL! Genie Frances doesn’t just go through the motions & exercise of her craft. Her performance demands you watch & listen with your heart.
I hope the executives of ABC listen with their hearts and do something about the injustice that’s been done to this most beloved actress. It’s unfair to her, it’s unfair to the women who have supported this show year after year and day after day, and it’s exposing an ugly part of the ABC Network that needs to be addressed and fixed.
So well said, Shelly!
Hi Shelly – REAL’ly Nice Read
this is hitting home or registering with me on so many levels.
especially, when some one posted.. that Sarah Joy Browne.. even with: 3 emmy wins… was not even making any where near the amount… let’s say: what Maurice Benard and Steve Burton and Michael Easton and even Chad Duell, make.. heck the whole lot.. what is Billy Miller truly worth ?
In this genre… where it’s the women who make the show go ’round. and HECK YEAH, I’ll go with what you posted… OF COURSE we watch for the menfolk. CUTE is as CUTE as you get. if you do not ACT. there is no point in your being on this show. there are too many other MEN who want your job. the corinthos lot all stink . yes, it’s time for Carly to go… lets’ drag Sam out of here. w/Nelle.
this stink will not go away. Frank Valentini.. has dug a hole
Ageism… happens
veteran cast and endearing characters WHO – are – the reason – we tune in in the first place… etched in our heart and mindset. Laura is invaluable in this respect
you’ve got to cover the bases and give back across the board.
this MOB BS expletive is so lame. even I know it’s easier to write for.. and then it’s back to square one with the dullard clan.
Hallelujah! What you said is right on and let’s not forget Greys Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo who wrote an entire essay in the Hollywood Reporter about how ABC/Disney discriminated against her for years with her pay always being less than costar Dempsey’s when she played the lead and title character. In the past year, she signed a new deal that will make her dramatic television’s highest-earning actress so I would hope some could see the parallels with Tony and Genie in this situation and believe in more for her and the others who have issues due to ageism, sexism, racism or other reasons.
Hot rumor on twitter
Julian is running for mayor against Ned instead of Laura.
A picture leaked from the set of at a recent taping.
WDV should be taken off contract over GF.
Story was good. Story now ruined.
This is what I feared. The day they had that scum bag, wife abusing Julian giving Ned, an all around good guy who treats women with respect, the what for, I had a hunch he’d run for mayor after Laura dropped out.
This will be insult to injury for me. Not only do they drop Genie’s contract to give room to newbies like Julian, Kim and Laura Wright’s boyfriend, they prop up the murdering, wife beater Julian at Ned’s expense.
Well, Harry……It’s even far worse than that….NOW we’ve had real insult to injury…..and just as CeeCee and I predicted!!!! Seems the actual method to the utter madness of dumping Genie and packing Laura off to Europe was to “pump up” NLG’s obnoxious character of Alexis, yet once again! What a lunch-losing moment that was!!!! It also immediately brought to mind that famous quote which began with “If a woman can’t run her own house…” Enough said….other than, “GO NED!” (Make Port Charles Great Again….)
Franco Finn Ava Julian Nina should GO.
Laura should STAY.
All those….except for Finn! (Alexis can have his bus ticket out of Port Charles…..)
Call and let them know you won’t be watching!
GH Comment Line
(323) 671-4583
i hope genie for once and for all tell general hospital to kiss her ass,,if she chooses to do another episode of this piece of crap show then she will lose my support and respect,,ive watched general hospital ever since the david hamilton murder…but this past weekend when this news broke i took g,h off my dvr,,and even if genie returns i wont,,im so sick and tired of the disrespect trhey have given her over the last 30 years,,,so genie hold your head up high and just leave to other projects,and please please do not return to general again,in fact spit in there faces as they have you,,
Totally idiotic! Just realized I can live without General Hospital even though I am a viewer for close to 40 years
Yes, me too!
I don’t watch GH, but this is a shoddy way to treat someone of Genie’s history.
I vow to never watch that broken soap opera again.
This is another move to get rid of the age group who grew up with Genie. I believe the producers are trying to change the audience to the 18-49 group. I personally will not watch the show if only 30 somethings and below become the key players. I have watched the show since April1, 1963 and will have no reason to continue watching if my age group is not represented. I believe the writers are looking to write throw away stories that do not reflect the original format. I do not watch night time “soaps” because they are not based on continuity nor viewer loyalty.
MARY…WELL WRITTEN. US PEOPLE OVER 49 DONT MATTER!!!!! WE ARE THE ONES WATCHING THEIR SHOWS AND BUYING SPONSERS PRODUCTS….AND WE DO NOT MATTER ONE BIT…I LOVE IT….. GENIE FRANCIS A CLASS ACT AND SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED THIS WAY…..
The 18-49 do not watch GH like the viewers of 40 plus years—which makes us (gasp!) a “bit” older. So sue us! Better yet, we’ll drop GH like a hot potato and then see who watches.
GH was rolling along so nicely. The new writers seemed to be really improving and moving the story lines along. So what happened? I know Genie Francis has left and returned before but her current story looked so promising. She would have been a great mayor. I hope Alexis runs…and wins. Or maybe there should be co-mayors. Why not. it is a soap opera. And Faison…only returning because Jason wants to know why he was taken. Anders Hove is terrific, but Faison will soon be done. And Nathan. On we go.
I’d support Faison for mayor before Alexis….well, I’d support anyone before Alexis!!!
Shay…me, too. Yep.
I thought it was only fitting that Laura would be running for Mayor-her character seemed to be coming full circle, then, this happens. Disgusted. I have never been a fan of Valentini-always thought he was a phony. Yesterday, I watched a classic episode from the early 80’s where “Think of Laura” played in the background, and I loved it. The cast was smaller, MUCH MORE TALENTED, and the storylines and writing were MUCH MORE INTERESTING than today’s drivel.
Her contract gave her a lot of money per episode so she averaged only about one episode per week. Increasing her storyline meant she was going to be paid a lot of money and GH didn’t think she was worth it. She should have been paid at least as much as Jane Elliott. Laura had become more of a supporting character. Tamara Braun is more of a lead actress
Tamara Braun’s character is more of a lead actress and they could do a lot more with Kim than Laura. They probably paid Tamara the big bucks and she is a great actress. I think Genie wanted to get past the whole Luke and Laura Spencer thing. I think that’s why she married Kevin so that she would be known more as Laura Collins. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to shine as this character as GH thought more about the other actors and actresses.
yes, please, let’s make way for Tamara Braun’s brand new character that I have no and many viewers have no interest in. Are you saying that they couldn’t do anything with the character of Laura? Laura has history with or is connected to almost every character on that show.
Exactly, Justin! If you’d combine the resources GH has just squandered on the new Braun character, the actress who plays Jordan and Laura Wright’s boyfriend—-A contract player, really?—then there would have been more than adequate funds to provide proper emuneration to an icon the caliber of Genie Francis. Seems quantity is much more important than quality in Port Charles these days!
Insane and ridiculous timing. Viewers were thrilled to see Laura in a healthy relationship, and running for Mayor, and key in several other stories. Laura IS General Hospital. There are a lot of viewers that will find this a last straw and stop watching. Are they trying to kill the soap? I am stunned at the stupidity of this move. Goodbye GH.
Yes, “killing” it! “In Port Charles with a gun, a knife, etc., etc. —No, make that a firing, a tweet, the stroke of a pen, the dagger though the heart of Genie Francis.
Tweet #GenieIsGH to Frank V and let him know we are angry he let her go and we want Genie back as Mayor of Port Charles or another good storyline. Keep the hashtag trending. He needs us to keep watching.
For the GH fans, I’m sorry about this development. Francis should remain as a visible presence on the show.
As a Y&R viewer, I hope that this does NOT result in Francis ultimately returning to the role of Cane’s mother!! Nothing against Francis but anything that justifies the need to show Cane on the air is not desirable. Rather than adding family members to Cane, I would prefer to see him move back to Australia and never return to Genoa City.
No wonder GH is the worst soap on, what a sh** show
SAD, SO VERY SAD !
I GIVE UP ON YOU ABC TV !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Totally disgusted by this news. It’s an insult to GH fans and Genie. Very, very poor decision. I can’t support this show anymore by watching it. I’m totally disgusted by this. Looking forward to seeing a soap with some integrity give Genie a contract. I’ll tune into that one.
Laura/ Genie always gave the appearance of consistently being at least one decent person in Port Charles. She may have had some weak moments and baggage, but she never seemed to stray from being a positive figure in a city which dearly needs at least one. Well maybe you can add Anna to this list as well.
And then what do they do yesterday? Bolster Sonny’s time and story yet again. Does he have to be part of everything?
I think it stinks that Genie Francis has been put on recurring status. Her character of Laura just got married and was really happy and now this? I don’t think it is fair to the fans to have our favorites taken away from us. How can she have a storyline with her husband if she is on recurring? That is just rotten.
I adore Genie Francis and have been a fan for decades. I am not happy about her having the remainder of her contract pulled and being treated poorly. I was really furious over the weekend. I saw her tweet thanking Robin Strasser-actressed supporting actresses. Then I thought- I didn’t hear a word from her when they did the exact same to Rebecca Budig-only she was not offered recurring. Monica and Bobbie were taken off contract years ago and have hung in their on recurring-I think she should have done the same-while looking for another job if she wanted to. I think it was a big mistake to bring her back and basically make her mama bear and marry Kevin. She became Ruth Martin or Kate Martin,even- and the shows are not putting these beloved actors on contracts anymore. It is a shame, but fiscal reality.
I would have liked Genie to have found her own way when she returned 2 years ago. I don’t understand how she has any money to support herself-i don’t remember her last job-Luke never seemed to have a job-she was in vegetative state for years-who paid for her care? She never went to college yet is placed on GH board and interviewing Nelle for a job there? Same with Mayoral race- Ned is only candidate who has not killed someone and made a success in business.
Love Kevin Collins. But he is not compelling. Could be, if they would utilize his psychiatry degree and interactions with disturbed patients. I did not find his romance and marriage with Laura sweet-what I saw was Danger Danger Will Robinson. If she does come back, they are going to have to do something different to make her story more compelling-she certainly has the chops-she is a really good actress and pleasure to watch- but not as granny or mama bear -those characters are the ones getting 12 eps per year.
Things also change. Monica and Bobbie I am sure were just as pissed off as Genie but have still managed to be on the show on a pretty frequent basis-would love to see them receive a story of their own but doubt it.
Genie is a huge part of GH- but there have been many years when Genie was not GH and was on Y&R or Days and also had some primetime successes. So what was GH then-not GH?
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2023 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.
Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.
When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.
Photo: ABC
LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES
Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.
“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS
Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.
Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
The three-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”
So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the ABC soap opera picks right back up with everyone turning their backs on Sonny (Maurice Benard), and now the one person he hoped would be by his side appears to be abandoning ship when Justine (Nazneen Contractor) doesn’t believe him about ordering the beatdown of Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in the latest spoilers video.
Sonny screams at Justine, “Someone is setting me up.” She says, “It’s over!” He proclaims, “I didn’t do it!” Little do they know that it was actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) who set Sonny up to take the fall for the Pentonville drama that left Curtis (Donnell Turner) with injuries as well.
Then, Lulu (Alexa Havins) is seen using her voice memo app on her phone to record her discussion with Sidwell while he is recovering from his injuries at the hospital. This moment is intercut with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) saying, “I wish there was someone who could get Chase (Josh Swickard) to open his eyes about who Willow truly is!”
Next, Willow is seen happily waving while at a table at a Metro Court Gardens, while Chase, Michael (Rory Gibson), Brook Lynn and Ava (Maura West) all receive text messages. Tracy (Jane Elliot) punctuates the promo stating, “That’s the real Willow,” while the words “The world knows” comes across the screen.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week of October 5-9 below.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sonny challenges Justine. Josslyn takes matters into her own hands. Britt and Willow discuss matters of the heart. Jason is taken to task. Serena finds herself in a bind.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Felicia has welcome news for Anna. Brook Lynn confides in Valentin. Hudson tries to talk Josslyn down. Lulu makes a daring play. Willow and Chase discuss his marriage.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Carly asks Anna for a favor. Tracy bites her tongue with Gio. Drew and Alexis go at it. Scout tries to broker peace between Danny and Rocco. Lulu pursues a lead.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Carly supports Sonny. Lulu’s latest article makes waves. Ava pitches a new target to Drew. Curtis gets a shock. Chase throws down the gauntlet.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Britt offers a lifeline. Anna offers her expertise. Sonny reassures Gio. Portia makes her loyalties clear. Dante’s investigation hits a roadblock.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo for the action this week entitled, “The World Knows” below.
Now weigh-in: With everyone disbelieving Sonny, what will be his next move? Will he hit rock bottom, or rise up and fight back and prove his innocence? Will Sonny enlist Jason to get to the bottom of this, even though Jason is out of Sonny’s business? Meanwhile, can this truly be the week that Willow is exposed for her multitude of crimes … or is this all a red herring? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
TUNE-IN: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Banneker Homecoming Episodes, EP Sheila Ducksworth Speaks on Impact HBCUs Have in Real Life
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
GH’s Kayden Brenna Tokarski Addresses ‘Positivity and Negativity’ That Has Come Her Way as She Embraces Playing Scout Cain
BEYOND THE GATES Preview: Who’s Trying to Silence Hayley?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Sally’s Bachelorette Party and Billy’s Bachelor Party Take Center Stage
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
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