General Hospital
Genie Francis Exits ‘General Hospital’ For Her Annual Summer Hiatus

Monday’s, August 31 episode of General Hospital brought with it the the final appearance, for now, of the iconic Genie Francis as Mayor Laura Collins.
In story, it has been revealed that Laura is taking a leave of absence from her mayorship to go abroad and visit her husband, Kevin (Jon Lindstrom), and her grandson Ace in Ireland.
The timing of the story-dictated moved had to do with Genie’s annual summer hiatus from the long-running ABC soap opera. As per usual, GH fans can look forward to Laura’s return on-screen to come with an impact later this fall.

Courtesy/ABC
General Hospital fans have loved the legendary star since her debut back in 1977, when Francis was in her teens, and was later paired with the late Anthony Geary as soap opera super couple Luke and Laura.
Back in 2007, Genie won her first and only Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series category. She has been nominated four times as a solo performer in either the Lead (1997, 2021) or Supporting Actress categories (2007, 2012). In addition, in 2002, Genie along with Tony Geary were nominated for America’s Favorite Couple.
LEAVING PORT CHARLES
Before Laura left town, she had a meeting with her friend Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his arch enemy, Drew Cain (Cameron Marthison) while at the Metro Court Hotel. It was there, Laura announced to the rivals that she was leaving town soon and wanted them to call a ceasefire while she was gone.
Laura asked Drew to first bow out of the Pier 55 auction so Sonny could regain his property. However, that didn’t go over so well with Drew, who said nothing Sonny does is ever legitimate. However, Sonny informed Drew that he was also a legit businessman (and seemingly out of the mob).
So, will you miss Genie during her summer break? What do you hope Laura’s story will be when she returns? Do you think the series will pair Laura with Ezra Boyle (Daniel Cosgrove) or keep the Laura and Kevin relationship going long distance, since Jon Lindstrom is primarily a cast member on CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates? Let us know via the comment section below.
I don’t see “Laura” & “Ezra” as a couple at all. ” LAURA” needs someone really special. A very strong character. “Ezra” hasn’t been written that way. Having said that, I LOVE Daniel Cosgrove!!! I was a big fan of Guiding Light! I was devastated when they cancelled it! He was one of my favorite characters on that show, along with “Reva”!!! Please mention what all GL actors are up to in the present!!! Find a strong man who will appreciate “Laura” & let her have an amazing love again. She deserves to really shine again! Let ” Ezra be a great special friend to her. Keep Daniel Cosgrove! Thank you! I’m really sorry to see Kevin go! When Genie Frances comes back I would like to see that ” Laura” & “Kevin” would still continue so as to keep it open for Jon to maybe return some day. However, you could also have them taking a break from each other & have “Laura have a love interest for a while, or permanently. Then see how the new guy works out as far as chemistry goes. Ok, I’ve said my piece.
How long is she gone on her summer hiatus?
She typically returns to taping mid-September, meaning she’d be back onscreen sometime in October.
We should see her back in October
Ii will miss her but she deserves the time of
Even though Cosgrove’s a good actor, Ezra is too damaged of a character to be paired romantically with Laura. The show will eventually have to address Kevin’s absence (unless Lindstrom’s BTG contract allows him to appear on GH).
Breaks like Genie’s (and the ones recently taken by Finola and Steve) don’t bother me. It gives other characters a chance to be in the spotlight and those on break to come back refreshed.
Whether it was her own personal stylist, or the GH team, Genie’s recent hairstyle change is very flattering.
Beyond the gates films in Atlanta. I don’t think that could happen
Like the other soaps, BTG has frequent breaks throughout the year. Last year, Lindstrom filmed a set of GH episodes when he was in LA for the Daytime Emmys. They stretched those episodes out over a month. That was just before he went under contract at BTG, which might preclude him from GH filming.
I think that she will get with Ezra
I hope not
I hope not either
GOD I hope that Laura has better taste than Boyle please pair her with someone worthy of being with someone like Laura
Is that jack in the water?
Yes that was Jack they killed him off
Yes that was Jack in the water
I don’t want Laura to be with Ezra, but she does deserve a romantic partner that is actually in town and on the show regularly. I don’t blame Jon Lindstrom for leaving for a show that would actually use him and give him work, but if he’s not gonna be available anytime soon, then I think it’s time to move on. Have Laura and Kevin divorce, they could plant the seeds for it while she’s away visiting him in Ireland, and allow Laura to move on with her life. That’s what I think should happen.
I know she’s been on a long time but don’t get any hype. Boring stuff
When is Laura going to learn about and mourn the loss of her mother Lesley? Since 1977, Denise Alexander and Genie Francis have proved they are the top mother/daughter duo in the history of daytime television.
I started to challenge you on the best mother/daughter duo, but you may be right. On GH, no one comes close. Only Finola Hughes /Kimberly McCullough is worthy of discussion. I do enjoy Kathleen Gati/Kelly Thiebaud but they’ve got a long way to go to catch up.
Lesley didn’t have a lot to do once it was revealed that Helena let everyone believe Lesley was dead for well over 10 years. Alexander and Francis, however, still had that bond.
I hope Ezra and Laura do not get together
Maris was never seen on Frasier, but they always talked about her, so I think Kevin should be like her. Putting Ezra and Laura together would be another really stupid move on the part of the writers. General Hospital really wasted the talents of John Lindstrom by hardly writing for him.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Jeff Kober Accepts His Daytime Emmy Award After Being Unable to Attend the Ceremony

Last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards, Jeff Kober’s name was called as the winner of the Outstanding Guest Performer in a Daytime Drama Series for his role as murderer and all around misunderstood bad guy, Cyrus Renault on General Hospital.
Kober added a second Daytime Emmy to his collection for playing Laura Collins’ Genie Francis) half-brother. He previously won in the Best Supporting Actor category in 2022. He was also nominated the year prior.
Due to appearing in a “theater gig,” the actor revealed in a videotaped acceptance speech why he couldn’t be at the Hollywood Palladium on October 30 for the livestreamed ceremony.

Photo: ABC
In his acceptance speech, Kober shared, “I want to say thank you to all of the actors who made this happen, and thank you especially to GH and my GH family. What a treat it has been to be with them. Sorry I wasn’t there last night. I had a prior commitment with a theater gig.”
He added, “I’m really sorry I didn’t get to see Genie (Francis) and the recognition by the Emmys she so richly deserves. Love you guys. Oh, also, congratulations to my pal, Roger Howarth (Matt, Y&R, and ex-Franco, GH). Maybe now GH will bring our characters back from the dead. Who knows? I see a storyline. Love to all. Thanks.”‘

Photo: JPI
Last night, Genie Francis received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Television of Arts and Sciences for her body of work since she joined GH initially in 1977 as a young teenaged Laura Vining.
Meanwhile, Howarth made history for the longest gap between Emmy wins for actors. It had been 32 years since he won Outstanding Younger Actor for his performance as Todd Manning in One Life to Live back in 1994.
You can check out Jeff Kober’s video acceptance speech below. Then let us know, what you think about the idea of Cyrus Renault returning from the dead, via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Winners Walk (Photos)

The 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards are in the record books, and after the winners names were announced many of your favorite soap stars took their new gold statuette and then posed for photos at the Winners Walk.
For the first time in her career, Tamara Tunie won a Daytime Emmy, and for her leading role as Anita Dupree Williams, the matriarch of the Dupree family on CBS’ Beyond the Gates.
Tunie became the second actress in history to win for the newest soap in the competition, after Ambyr Michelle won earlier in the evening and became the first performer in the series history to win gold. Michelle won in the Outstanding Emerging Talent category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
EMOTIONS RAN HIGH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series went to The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton, who won his fourth Emmy overall and second in Lead for his touching performances as Liam Spencer during Liam’s medical crisis storyline for an inoperable brain tumor, which turned out to be a ruse.
During his acceptance speech, Clifton shared, “This means so much to me, not the thing, the attaboy from my peers. I can think of few things that bring me more joy than that.”
Speaking on his fellow nominees which included the likes of Y&R’s Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) and GH’s Steve Burton, (Jason Morgan) Clifton said, “I am in awe of all of you, and you’ve taught me so much. It was a really hard year, and you made me invincible. You are my existential oxygen tank. And I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you, and I am grateful to you.
DECADES BETWEEN
In the Outstanding Supporting Actor and Actress categories, two longtime names synonymous with daytime drama, Roger Howarth (Matt Clark, Y&R) and Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott, Y&R) won their second Emmys in their career. Roger 32 years after his last Emmy playing Todd Manning on One Life to Live in 1994, and Beth Maitland for winning 41 years after becoming Y&R’s first performer to win Emmy gold back in 1985.
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini and his producing team took home the gold for the sixth year in a row for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series for the ABC soap. He later shared a moment with Scott Clifton, who started his daytime career as Dillon Quartermaine on GH.
During the ceremonies, the iconic Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) was presented with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband actor and director, Jonathan Frakes. After Francis received the award she posed for some snaps for the photographers in attendance.
Take a look at the photos below:

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Beyond the Gates‘ Ambyr Michelle with the well-deserved gold!

Photo: Hutchins Photo
Y&R’s Beth Maitland winning 41 years after her first Supporting Actress victory for the moral center of the Abbott family, Traci Abbott.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Genie Francis proud of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions and performances as Laura on GH.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Mandi Line, the costume designer for The Young and the Restless, took home the gold in the costume category.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, sharing a backstage moment with former GH star and now four-time Daytime Emmy winner from The Bold and the Beautiful‘s Scott Clifton.
So, who were you thrilled to see win a Daytime Emmy from those who appeared in the Winners Walk after their big wins last night at the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Heather Webber Makes a Surprise Return Stunning Trina; Alley Mills Weighs-In on Her Comeback

The Friday, October 30 episode of General Hospital came to a conclusion with a one-two cliffhanger. The first, as Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) finished rehearsing their song at the Cats Eye Lounge, a woman’s feet where seen entering the club.
When the camera panned up it revealed a well-dressed Heather Webber (Alley Mills) applauding and yelling “bravo!” at the two young performers, but with Trina absolutely shocked to see her!
While General Hospital fans knew two-time Daytime Emmy winner was rejoining the show as the supposed reformed “Hook” killer (after cobalt poisoning due to her hip surgery played with her mind), what is Heather’s ‘state of mind’ now?

Courtesy/ABC
For months, GH has been teeing up the mystery of who is stalking Trina, with someone adding clippings of Trina to their “obsession” board.
Many viewers have felt that it will wind up being Heather who is seeking revenge on Trina, since Heather’s daughter Esme Prince (Avery Pohl) went overboard a boat and into the Siene in France, and is believed to be dead, after Spencer (last played by Nicholas Alexander Chavez) saved Trina from her.
Speaking with TV Insider about her GH return this fall, Alley Mills shared on her first scenes back: “That was so fun because I love working with Tab, but I’ve never worked with the other kids before. I’ve seen them on TV, but I have never met them before, and they’re really talented, and they definitely got in Heather’s face. And the blessed Shawn Reeves, the wonderful costumer, put me in this fabulous outfit.”

Photo: ABC
With Heather soon to mix-up with the residents of Port Charles, Mills added that Heather now has some wealth to boot! “It’s been an uphill battle, and she just hopes that people will understand and forgive her,” explains Mills. “But with the wonderful voice of Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte (co-head writers, GH and this year’s Daytime Emmy winners for Outstanding Writing in a Daytime Drama), she just has so much spunk.”
Mills added, “I love the way they write her (Heather). She doesn’t really have a ton of boundaries and social awareness and softness. But she just won’t let people get her down. She’s like one of those dolls outside the gas station. You throw them down, and they pop back up. I feel like Heather is kind of like that now, but in Gucci.”
So, were you stunned to see Heather Webber dressed quite elegantly and showing up at the Cat’s Eye Lounge? Do you think that now more than ever Heather is Trina’s stalker? Let us know via the comment section. But first, you can check out when Heather makes her presence now below.
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