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Genie Francis Back To Work At GH! What Will Happen When Laura Runs Into Ryan?

Photo Credit: ABC

General Hospital fans who demanded Genie Francis return to her iconic role as Laura on the long-running ABC daytime drama series got their wish, and on Tuesday, Francis shared photos from her GH dressing room.

Genie returned to work with some awesome gifts and a welcome from her passionate and loving fans.  Via a tweet sent out this am, Francis expressed: “Look at the beautiful flowers and balloons that were in my dressing room when I returned to work at General Hospital! A special thank u to the fans”

Now that Laura is back on the canvas, she is immediately headed for trouble, because her man Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) is locked up in Ferncliff, unbeknownst to her.  In his place, is his twin brother, Ryan (Jon Lindstrom), who has a penchant for murdering people.  Will it take Laura, who has fought through all the Cassadine battles, Frank Smith, and more to take down Ryan, and free her true love Kevin?  Stay tuned.

Photo: GFrancisInstagram

As well, General Hospital EP Frank Valentini previously promised in a recent interview with Michael Fairman TV that Laura would also have her own story too, relating: “We have actually two big stories for Genie, and there is a little bit of overlap in them. When she comes back she jumps right into the big story, and the audience will know what the story is when they see her return.”

So, excited to see that Genie is back to work at GH?  What do you think will happen to Laura when she is back on screen come October? Comment below!

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GREAT NEWS, OF COURSE!!

Sidenote to GH producers: Try not to screw it up this time!

Amen!!

Welcome back, Genie!
EP’s of all four remaining soaps you must pare down your bloated casts, utilize vets, and read your own show’s bible/identity. Write with history in mind always…there is no need to create new characters.

I do not watch GH religiously, however, will tune in because of admiration and familiarity with Genie. She is like family.

Make us care. Make us cry. Make us laugh.
Come on, GH, B&B, Y&R, Days…know who you are, what you are all about, and own it.

Do better!

Am with you… The hospital needs to be the center but it takes people, a core family. SPENCER. Laura and her three children and grandchildren. Let’s recast and clean house if we have to. We need a strong core. I would like to move away from violence and science fiction too. Thrilled Ms. Francis is back and hopefully forefront.

Cid, could not have said it better but all too happy to concur, as you’ve touched on things that vex so many of us. Witnessing this genre wither away has been so painful and the prospects for the remaining shows are very concerning. While I don’t have the answer for a resurgence of this wonderful genre, my fear is, neither do they. At least Y&R is trying something different in their storytelling—and they’re doing this as the top-rated soap, so good for them for shaking things up in an attempt to stem the tide of audience erosion! As a GH viewer, no doubt, we have a murderers’ row of a cast, an embarrassment of riches wrought from consolidation, but in so doing, GH lost its identity and has remade itself into something unrecognizable and difficult to root for. Cid, you have passionately implored the EP’s to “read their bibles” and to “write with history in mind,” among other things that we hardcore fans clamor for. As it relates to GH, they show signs (e.g. on abc.com, “The General Hospital Collection: The Best of Jason and Sam”) of understanding and heeding their history, but on screen it’s fleeting or conciliatory at best, and rather insulting to the longtime viewer, as TPTB forge ahead with the who’s who of daytime royalty under the auspices that this passes for GH. I don’t know about you, but certainly not the GH that I remember.

And yet, I hang in and will continue to do so, because I’m part of the most loyal and committed demographic the TV ratings system has ever known, a daytime soap opera fan (albeit a male, who doesn’t really count)! And while not apparent from this post, as someone that’s been conversant with the ABC line-up from Ryan’s Hope straight through to The Edge of Night, I’m actually a huge GH supporter and have great respect and appreciation for the decades of entertainment they’ve provided me, however, I just don’t get the sense that there are any world-beaters at the helm that will transform it, or dare I say, allow it to exist well into the future. My reservations are with the level of caretaking of this venerable show, and at best, it’s pedestrian. Do better, indeed!

Hi Reed,

I totally understand and comprehend that times change…Radio to TV to Online/internet. The soaps are that special art form which connects us, family. The strong have survived and even thrived during foolish network interference and lazy unimaginable writing. I whole heartedly want the “Fantastic Four” to keep on keeping on. Positive there are long-time writers on each show/staff that should have been promoted or given the opportunity to

Something I think about – my blind grandmother watched (listened) to the soaps on radio in the 40’s and later television in the 50’s-70’s…our entire family grew up with daytime. If one cannot “listen” to the shows and cannot follow the acting, dialogue, writing and be compelled…without looking at the screen, that’s the test.

The key demographics are the baby boomer and gen x. My young nieces and nephews could careless and do not have the attention span or time to invest. What the suits/writers/networks should be doing, in my opinion, is court and market to the retiring folks who made these shows so successful in their heyday…my mom, aunts, uncles, cousins. Tell the stories about those second marriages, grandkids in college, getting older, starting over after a death or career change. How the world doesn’t tell you or prepare you that being an adult never ends. And do not write down to the viewer, make us think, connect. The audience isn’t stupid.

Elieen Davidson’s Emmy reel from her, Days, win is the perfect example. Click on that YouTube clip – one does not need to watch the screen, you can listen, understand the plot, history, and the voice acting was compelling. It’s in the writing. The truth is easy to understand and clear. Not convoluted or difficult to follow.

I love thes shows, champion these shows, respect these shows.

This interaction/dialogue with you, Reed, is what these shows are about. Immediate connection. A bond.
Soap fans are like family. And we never forget!

Felt good to get this off my chest.

Greeting from SF Bay.

Cid

Bold, who are you?
Young, who are you?
GH, who are you?
Days, you are finding your groove.

I’ve been preaching the same. Be Bold, the Gen x, Boomers & OLDER (parents in their 90’s) should be target audience. WE have $ & in a lot of cases more than the youngsters and we influence their buying(message to advertisers). Daytime Serials formula has always been a 2-4 families and the people in their lives. The hook is your families are still their decades later, with kids, grands maybe a new spouse. Most people don’t know contract killers/mobsters that never go to prison and are welcomed at all social events.Most aren’t happy your kid is marrying the local killer. Of course we need bad folks, drama, but there is so much happening in this country to draw on and entertain us ..love in the afternoon doesn’t have to be soft porn, sometimes the sexiest things are in words, looks.
Bring back music, dialogue that can tell the story if you out site from the visuals..up the vocabulary and the age focus of “the stars” (bring back our peers), parents, grandparents. ** Think of Laura on GH “waking up” after 4 (ha) years, finds out what the kids have been doing, but her family was around her, same house, same hospital. But babies had been born, ex husband re married, son became a cop… It should be the same when someone who has been watching but misses a few years because of work, family obligations etc. “HOME”, where you know everyone, familiarity.writers, have you taken a look at “the villages”, or the housing developments that Jimmy Buffet inspired? $$$$$$ and the time to watch your show. DO Better #GH.. Do better, daytime.

Cid (and Rose from Kelly’s Diner), you’ve articulated so very well the best the medium has had to offer–and still can offer! These shows are pillars, unlike anything we will ever see again on our screens, because let’s face it, nobody’s looking to create a new serial, there’s just not the wherewithal to do so. The best that we can hope for is that TPTB truly understand and appreciate the place in our culture, society and hearts, where these shows reside. Society places great importance on history—we have museums, statues, landmarks, endangered species, and other designations to preserve that which deserves protecting. At the same time, we have companies, some of them once vibrant and venerable, and yet they have fallen by the wayside, due to their inability to adapt and offer what the consumer demands, or in some/many cases, due to mismanagement and neglect. So, where does the unique medium of soap opera fall? Relegated an artifact of The Paley Center for Media? Placed on the endangered list? Or, perhaps chapter 11 bankruptcy (at least then we can restructure and reorganize!)? While I appreciate the continued outlet the networks afford our remaining shows, a place in their line-ups, I do question their motivations beyond that. Is there even the slightest hint of innovation or synergy going on at these companies that can be extended to these shows? We’re no longer talking about standalone TV networks, these are multi-media conglomerates covering many platforms, some of which are actually delivering the content into our homes via streaming, cable, wireless, and satellite—services we pay for! And if “content is king,” why are they not doing more to leverage their assets to ensure the best product—even if the origins of that product date back to 1937 and The Guiding Light? Since when did “old” equate to no longer viable? Such an apathetic bunch, the whole lot of them!

What was it for you that elevated the medium of TV viewing? Was it Aaron Sorkin’s The West Wing, something written by David E. Kelley, perhaps 24, or maybe the Sopranos? TV has evolved and gotten so good, so there should be no dearth of creativity there, even if we are in revival and reboot mode. And not for nothing, but how many times can you remake these super hero movies? The answer being, I suppose, until they stop making money. So why can’t the soap medium benefit, be elevated, experience its “next act?” Considering soaps have been the proving grounds to launch many a career, you would think the entertainment industry would hold a fierce fondness for a genre that keeps so many employed. How about giving back to a medium that has given so much to so many, and to an audience whose time commitment can be measured in hours, days, weeks, years, and decades–far exceeding any commitment of price of admission, or cost of a DVD or download. If there’s not even an inclination to “take care of their own” within the entertainment industry, infusing it with renewed creativity and purpose, then I’m not sure what the lowly fan can do to ensure its continued existence, other than keep watching, I suppose.

Long live the remaining four! And you can do better GH, but I still love you!

RoseKellyPC/Reed,

Sad you both do not live in SF Bay…you could join my free Meetup Group “Soap Dish”…gathering of soap lovers daytime/nighttime discuss the state of soaps, 2018, and also reminisce about those moments acting, writing, humanity and humor. If I get enough members, a holiday party or masquerade ball is the plan.

I do enjoy the mysteries, twins, villains, and back from the dead…when produced with insight, thought, and intention or long term planning. Keep us wanting more!

By the way, it does take two…Deirdre Hall’s sparring contribution was also key to Eileen’s, Days, win.

B&B (viewer since day one, 10th grade): had a huge opportunity with, Sheila’s, last return. Such a shame it was rushed and not paced correctly. Showdown with Eric/Quinn/Family COULD have been 6-9 months!

Y&R (adult viewer since 8th grade): make attempts to watch when I can. As a toddler, vividly recall car going off the cliff and the hospital scene with Phillip. My aunt said I must have been 5 years old.

Days (on and off viewer since 7th grade): not a die hard fan, OLTL (has my heart), my show and Santa Barbara. DAYS does get props/credit/accolades they are doing soap opera and writing for their audience.

GH (viewer since 2nd grade): Mom had me watching, Barbara Jean, and her bad deeds. I love Laura, however, Bobbie can make me cry too.

As an 11 year old – I would stay home sick 2 weeks to watch AMC/Nina or OLTL/Tina. Finally my mom got me my own VRC in high school..so did not have a reason to cut class. Shocked that I got into a good college in SO CAL with all my absences.

Give me a reason to come home and unwind or marathon watch with coffee on a Sunday. Been fast forwarding GH and Young. Bold is an easy 20 minutes working from home and having it on in the background. Days has had me in my office with ear phones on lunch or ferry ride to SF.

Happy these comfort shows are here. Family. You cannot pick your family, however, you can love them anyway. Doesn’t mean we have to like them all them time!

Pardon any spelling or grammar, SNAFU’S.

Have a greet weekend EVERYONE.

Please let it be involving Nikolas. It’s been way too long for the character to be gone without a body turning up and i can’t stand seeing Valentin on the screen being somewhat of a decent guy at times when we are supposed to think he killed Nikolas. It’s time for that part of the story to come to a resolution.

JPS has been hinting recently that his time on the show might be ending soon. Valentin is sure to play a part in the reveal of the mystery Cassadine.

I don’t know what ya’ll see in that Laura character…
I’ve never liked her.
must be that whoopie wedding deal, it sure brought her fame.
Anyways, I can only hope this time around Laura won’t irritate the bejesus out of me.

heh! well, always a chance that Ryan will off her lol ..

ohh before ya throw shoes at me; not everyone has to like Laura ..

and to the anyone that confuses the actress with the character, not me, nothing to do with the actress.
Laura stinks lol

Oh, suOOO, can’t you let us Genie fans have a moment of unbridled joy? Come on!!!!!
PS When did you climb under a rock 🙂 Climb out now; I won’t even throw rocks at you metaphorically speaking, of course!!!!
PS 2 It wasn’t “that whoopie wedding deal” that makes us love Genie; it her ability to take the role/writing and wring out every bit of drama from it. Give her that, please! Remember that GH was her second role–she’d only played in one episode of family–and, with her acting she garnered lifelong fans. No small feat!

You Are consistent.

I won’t hold it against you SuOOO. You’ve only watched GH in the bad years, you didn’t watch it when it garnered 10-12 million viewers. You don’t understand the actors that help build the show you’re now watching. I won’t hold it against you that you can’t show some appreciation to a woman that, like it or not, helped to save this show from cancellation in 1978.

As I have said–
It has Nothing to with the actress.
It the Character, I find the Character annoying.
As for the actress I have nothing.

(word for the day — comprehension 🙂

And as I keep telling you, that character is what saved this show. Do some research! Watch the show from 1977-82, maybe then you’ll understand that the show centered around the character of Laura.

So happy that Genie has returned. So looking forward to Laura In Action! I want her to be an active character on the screen and lead. She’s a brilliant actress, so we hope ABC and GH executives keep their promise. I hope to see Laura at the forefront for a few years. I wonder if we will see a recast Nicholas and Spencer. I know, I know, the show is overpopulated, but it is time, that the show, writes off many of the characters that aren’t serving the show. And, actually, I’d love to see a recast Lucky, too. Why not? He is such a legacy character as well. Well done to GH for listening to fans, finally.

Delighted to have her back! Genie is always a sight for sore eyes. But poor Laura! She will come back to discover her husband is suddenly different and just not that into her but he will be clearly into Felicia. This isn’t the first time Laura has had a husband who fancies Felicia over her. Remember when Luke had an affair with Felicia? Laura is going to channel her inner Jan Brady and say with a huff,”I swear. It’s always Felicia, Felicia, Felicia.” I just hope Laura doesn’t start wearing a black Afro wig while trying to be the new Laura Spencer.
(footnote–frame of reference-The Brady Bunch).

Funny Harry.

The Luke- Felicia temporary pairing was only surpassed in ick factor by Sonny-Emily.

Agreed, Steve!

not sure Sonny/Em surpassed it.. both make me queasy.

Kristina Wagner and Genie Francis are the same age, yet Luke seemed much older with Felicia than with Laura.

Laura doesn’t need a Jan Brady reference to put on a silly black wig. She’s probably got one in her closet from the “Lloyd & Lucy Johnson of Beecher’s Corners” days.

Satan, I was thinking the same thing.

Cannot wait to see her back on my TV! Welcome back, Genie!

The jokes on Ryan…Laura isnt really Laura but a fake who is one of Ryans thought dead victims killed off camera!!!!-lol

If i was doing this story i would feature Felicia more…she would have disturbing visions of Ryan’s murdered victims causing her great streess and anxiety…Felicia is in a one car accident striking a tree…she is injured and in a wheelchair for weeks…Mac convinces Felicia to seek treatments for her mental health and they visit Dr. Kevin Collins unaware he is the evil twin Ryan…one dark and stormy night when Mac is away helping Robert…Felicia is alone in her wheelchair when a Ryan breaks in wearing a mask ect and attacks Felicia nearly killing her…meanwhile Laura notices a change in Kevin/Ryan who blames his distance from her because she was away from him way too long…will he convince Laura their marriage could be over…will Laura discover Kevin is really Ryan before he makes another attempt on Felicia’s life…by mistake Ryan kills Amy thinking she was Felicia!!!!

wonder if Ryan adds a bullet scar..or if Laura will even get to see that the scar isn’t there? I really don’t want Ryan kissing Laura, he might say something about an old sweatshirt.

Can’t wait! I continue to be amazed TPTB continue to de value Genies/ Lauras meaning to so many in the audience. Instead story continue to be focused on the same tired characters and new characters we are not invested in

At least give them credit for giving Kevin/Ryan a major storyline. Never thought that would happen. Lindstrom is still captivating in the dual role.

Welcome back, Genie! NOW I will begin to watch GH again. 🙂

I really wish ABC and General Hospital would promote Genie’s return. They need to add her to the GH Cast page. They never had her on this last time.

I’d settle for a solo last page on the opening credits like Burton apparently negotiated. Looks kind of ridiculous when the first two panels have 4 characters each then “Just Jason” on the final panel.

Love Genie. So glad she is back and hopefully to stay. Love Genie and Jon acting together.

I love Genie and the character of Laura. I think she raised the bar as a young actress for all of daytime back in the day. Her and Leslie have one of the best mother/daughter relationships in daytime history. She’s still the best crier, lol!And I like her and Kevin together. This could turn out to be a really good story for all involved and for the fans.

Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Breaking News

‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”

When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.

That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.

Photo: Freemantle

Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.

Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”

Photo: Freemantle

For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.  New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.

Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee

The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.

Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.

So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.

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Breaking News

Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix

There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.

After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.

The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner.  King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.

Photo: JPI

According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”

Photo: Hulu

As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.

So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.

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