General Hospital
Genie Francis on her decision to go to Y&R & her disappointment in GH!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The newest cast member of The Young and the Restless, soap superstar, Genie Francis opened up to EW.com on how the move to come to the number one soap came about, and how her appearance on Oprah really was the beginning of a new chapter for her, and yet it felt like her General Hospital life may have come to an end. Here are a few excerpts from the interview from the fantastic Francis!
Genie on how she was offered the role of Cane’s mom on Y&R: “I got a call from [Y&R Executive Producer] Maria Bell three or four weeks ago. She explained to me that she had seen me on Oprah and liked the idea of what I wanted to play, and she had an idea of how to write that, how to incorporate that into A story on Young and the Restless. She would create a new role for me. I wouldn’t be coming in to replace someone. She called me personally to ask me if I was willing to listen to an offer, and I said, yes, I’m willing!”
Genie on how she thinks her fans will respond of her moving away from GH: ” What I have found is that my fan base will follow me to whatever I’m doing. They gave me a big tune-in for Hallmark. They were just happy to see me working again, and my job is not to disappoint them, not to cheat them. And I feel like the last little appearance on GH cheated them. I welcome the opportunity to do something new to continue to entertain my audience. What I loved about Laura — and what people loved about Laura — is that she is a terrific memory, but it’s just not there anymore. [GH] cannot conceive a Laura who is 48 years old, a grown woman. So that’s that. I’m a little surprised, too, since this year is the 30th anniversary of Luke and Laura’s marriage. (The wedding aired on Nov. 17, 1981.)”
Genie on her Oprah Show comment where she stated, “there is nothing in me that is willing to play a victim anymore.” when Oprah asked whether she would ever return to GH: “I guess I didn’t really think about how it would be received. I just felt like it was time to talk from my heart, and tell the people that yes, I’d love to come back to work, but I want to work in a way that uses all of me so I’m not just cheating my audience. I felt for a while with the GH appearances, they were kind of using me as a media trick, bringing me on for three or four weeks, saying I was back on the show, but not really writing for me. And then I would be gone. I just didn’t like that anymore. I guess it was me putting my foot down. I would have loved to come back to [General Hospital], but I needed them to write a real role for who this woman would be now. They didn’t respond. I didn’t hear anything. And that’s a shame. I was willing to put it out there, see what could be done. But I did receive a lovely call from Maria!”
Breaking News
General Hospital Heading To Elvis Presley’s Graceland For Fan Celebration Weekend
Big news for GH fans! For the first time ever, Elvis Presley’s Graceland will host a special “General Hospital”- themed fan celebration. The event kicks off Friday, January. 18, and will include numerous exclusive events held in various locations throughout the Graceland Campus; including: Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex, and the AAA-rated Four Diamond luxury resort, The Guest House at Graceland.
Beginning today, Friday November 16th fans can log on to Graceland.com/GeneralHospital and purchase tickets several GH-themed parties, such as “The Live Nurses Ball” and the “Metro Court Hotel Lounge Party, ” as well as catch screenings of classic episodes, blooper reels and never-before-seen content.
Additionally, several stars of the series will appear including: Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos Jr.), Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), Briana Nicole Henry (Jordan Ashford), Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), Wes Ramsey (Peter August), James Patrick Stuart (Valentin Cassadine), Josh Swickard (Detective Harrison Chase), Donnell Turner (Curtis Ashford), Laura Wright (Carly Corinthos) and executive producer Frank Valentini. The cast and EP will share their favorite memories from the show, answer questions from the audience, and participate in autograph signings and exclusive photo opportunities.
Photo: ABC
Valentini said in a statement on the event: “I’m excited to meet with the fans and have them spend the weekend with the extremely talented cast of ‘General Hospital.’ It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in a historic location.:
Various levels of packages are available for immediate purchase. For more information and details, please visit Graceland.com/GeneralHospital.
In addition to all the GH-themed events, attendees will have the opportunity to tour Graceland. Fans will be invited to visit the iconic mansion that Elvis called home; Elvis Presley’s Memphis – a 200,000 square foot entertainment complex filled with museum exhibits, shops and restaurants; and Elvis’ custom jets. Guests in attendance will also have the option to purchase exclusive General Hospital merchandise only available to attendees.
So will you be heading to Graceland in January to see the stars of GH and participate in this one-of-a-kind fan experience? Comment below. But first check out this just released promo for the event!
ATTN: #GH SUPER FANS: We’re invading #Graceland for a one-of-a-kind celebration, Jan. 18th-20th, 2019! @VisitGraceland
CLICK FOR TICKETS: https://t.co/J0sIDrb4Vx #GH55 pic.twitter.com/VQ1u23gizr— General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) November 16, 2018
Days Of Our Lives
LISTEN NOW: Soap Nation Live! With Jon Lindstrom, Beth Maitland, Freddie Smith & Linda Dano
Tonight on the November episode of Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman, get ready for a dynamic line-up of some of your favorite soap stars.
Join Michael and his special guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin), Y&R’s Beth Maitland (Traci), DAYS’ Freddie Smith (Sonny) and soap icon, Linda Dano (Ex-Felicia – AW, ex-Gretel – OLTL, GH, AMC, Port Charles, and ex-Cynthia, ATWT) for this 90-minute broadcast, plus you never know who might pop up during the show!
Make sure to listen in for our trivia game show segment, when one lucky caller has the chance to win a Days of our Lives goodie/swag bag, and a personalized autograph picture from our guest, Freddie Smith.
To call-in and pose a question, or a comment to any of our guests, dial the exclusive listener-line at 818-295-2130.
The season premiere begins its stream-live at 7PMPST/10PMEST. You can also head on over to the Soap Nation Live! page at Spreaker.com, if you have any trouble listening to the show here.
Portions of the broadcast can also be viewed at Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/michaelfairmanTV
Now, listen to Soap Nation Live’s all-new episode below in the player.
If you are tuning-in shortly before 7PMPST, you will hear some musical interludes before we go live for showtime. Make sure to press the play button on the player below and enjoy the show!
Days Of Our Lives
THURSDAY NIGHT: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom, Y&R’s Beth Maitland, DAYS’ Freddie Smith & Soap Favorite, Linda Dano
General Hospital Heading To Elvis Presley’s Graceland For Fan Celebration Weekend
LISTEN NOW: Soap Nation Live! With Jon Lindstrom, Beth Maitland, Freddie Smith & Linda Dano
‘The Bachelor’ New Key Art Revealed Playing Up Colton Underwood’s Virginity
THURSDAY NIGHT: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom, Y&R’s Beth Maitland, DAYS’ Freddie Smith & Soap Favorite, Linda Dano
Robin Givens Tapped As Lead For OWN’s New Soapy Family Drama, ‘Ambitions’
Karla Mosley Back To Work At B&B; Hunter Tylo On The Way Too?
GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
Kimberly McCullough Directs Episode Of ‘The Conners’; Shares Pics From Show Night
Max Ehrich On Why He Was Not Back At Y&R To Reprise His Role As Fenmore Baldwin
Ex-Y&R Favorite Mishael Morgan Welcomes Second Child
Y&R Brings Back The Role Of Devon’s Sister, Ana Hamilton
GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
DAYS Launches The DOOL App, A First For A Daytime Drama Series Featuring Exclusive Content With The Cast & More
Kimberly McCullough Directs Episode Of ‘The Conners’; Shares Pics From Show Night
DAYS ‘Before The Year Ends’ Mega-Promo: Surprise Returns, Secrets Revealed & Tables Will Turn
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
Thia Megia Joins The Cast Of DAYS; Paul Telfer Set To Return
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
REPLAY: Days of our Lives 53rd Anniversary Facebook Live Event From The Set: A Special Tribute, Preview Of The DOOL App & Fun Moments with the Cast!
DAYS ‘Before The Year Ends’ Mega-Promo: Surprise Returns, Secrets Revealed & Tables Will Turn
WATCH: Live With Kelly And Ryan’s All My Children Halloween Reboot
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Die In Ryan’s Halloween Murder?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Special Halloween Episode On Tap With Some Very Spooky & Familiar Faces
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Abbott Family Drama Leaves Ashley To Make A Game-Changing Decision
Eileen Davidson Farewell Y&R Interview: From Her Exit Storyline, To Her Co-Stars, And Her Decision To Leave
Genie Francis Talks On Her Return To GH, Fans Outcry Of Support & Her All-Time Favorite Storylines
Eileen Davidson Looks Back At Ashley’s Life & Times As She Says Goodbye To Y&R
Breaking NewsNovember 9, 2018Max Ehrich On Why He Was Not Back At Y&R To Reprise His Role As Fenmore Baldwin
General HospitalNovember 4, 2018GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sasha and Valentin’s Secret Out Of The Bag: So Where Is Nina’s Real Daughter?
Breaking NewsNovember 3, 2018RATINGS: DAYS Moves Into #3 In Key Demos: 18-49 and 18-34; B&B Gains Most Total Viewers
Breaking NewsNovember 9, 2018Ex-Y&R Favorite Mishael Morgan Welcomes Second Child
Breaking NewsNovember 8, 2018Y&R Brings Back The Role Of Devon’s Sister, Ana Hamilton
General HospitalNovember 13, 2018GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
Breaking NewsNovember 12, 2018GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
Breaking NewsNovember 8, 2018DAYS Launches The DOOL App, A First For A Daytime Drama Series Featuring Exclusive Content With The Cast & More
Leave a Reply
Ring My Bell!! Good For Genie Y&R is going into May Sweeps Full Speed Ahead!!!!!
Good for Genie and good for Y&R.
No wonder Y&R is #1 they are so frickin smart over there. Thanks for posting this, GH can be sooo stupid sometimes, this is so one of those times.
What a smart woman. Y&R are lucky to have such a talented actress. Gh is hopeless!
Yay Genie! 🙂
I agree with YOU, Genie! GH should have had the intelligence to write Laura as a smokin’ hot Cougar who’d recovered physically & mentally through some soap opera miracle. She could have arrived back in Port Charles with a “boy toy” in tow and put the entire town on its collective ear. Ignoring Luke, after finding him married to the shrewish Tracie, she could also have come into money somehow and just had a blast with the entire cast. She could have been written so completely opposite of the victim she once was and now be the strong, determined and beautifully avenging angel, taking no prisoners for all those who had betrayed or wronged her in the past! Wow, it makes me dizzy thinking of what the GH writers (are they really?) could have created with a grown up and dangerouslly beautiful Laura. Oh, well…. Y&R is #1 for a good reason—–Maria Arena Bell and thank God she was INSPIRED to call Genie! I cannot wait for the fun to begin when GENIE HITS GENOA CITY!!!
Boy, do I agree…GH has hired writers fromOLTL which was cancelled. I guess GH will be the next to go. Love you Genie
You tell em honey! Kudos to you! Stupid is as stupid does, and GH is nothing if not stupid.
Go and kill it over on YR!
She hit the hammer on the head. They don’t know how to write a 48 year old Laura. Shameful the way Frons and GH treated Genie. It was Luke AND Laura’s wedding that was the daytime high water mark. Frons and ABC forget that.
genie i am so glad you put your foot down with gh – i was glad to see you back on gh but so disappointed the way they wrote for laura – your fans deserved much better than that – best of luck on y&r – can’t wait to see you in genoa city!!!
I am so excited ! I will follow her to Y and R ! She will be great with Tristan Rogers. They had great chemistry on GH!
Absolutely correct Ms. Francis they never appreciated you GH is always about the male characters! Thank you Y&R if Genie had went back to GH I would have had to start watching that poor excuse of a soap again!!!!
genie is so rite general hospital does not know how to write they did the same thing to Emma samms also when she came back and when Kristen Wagner and robin mattson .abc should just cancel general hospital !!
But, but…she will be playing the mother of a 37 year old man!!!
Hi Genie,
I love watching you on Y & R and was really surprised that you have a shop in Belfast, Maine. I live in Canada but only about a three hour drive from there. We go down that way often to Bangor and Portland shopping and am excited to stop by your shop. Do you live in Belfast too?
Have a great year and hope to see you on Y & R for a long time to come!
Wendy
GH and I go way back to its roots. I have watched on and off thru the decades. Luke and Laura were my super couple. Now retired, I’ m again hooked. Luke and Tracy don,t do it for me. I have waited for Laura to reappear because ther is so much reference to her in the script. I guess they write for the youger generation but look how many boomers are about to retire and would watch to see L&L celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary!! I watched Y&R just by chance and saw Genie! So I seached her out. No chance for a GH comeback…boohoo