General Hospital
GH 50: Jane Elliot, Tony Geary & Kin Shriner Talk On Cartini, Monty, and Frons!
Courtesy/ABC
In the perfect interview piece to usher in General Hospital’s 50th anniversary today, TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan sat down for a rapid-fire, informative, and hilarious chat with three of GH’s all-time enduring and beloved stars: Jane Elliot (Tracy), Anthony Geary (Luke), and Kin Shriner (Scott) to talk about working through the ups and down of life in Port Charles in front of the camera and behind the scenes for decades.
One of them more intriguing parts of the interview was when the trio discussed the usage of the veteran characters, and those who went away, or who were at times back-burnered in favor of new characters. This also dovetailed into banter about GH’s latest regime of executive producer Frank Valentin,i and head writer Ron Carlivati, and ousted former ABC Daytime Chief, Brian Frons. Here is an excerpt below!
Geary: “Usually, new producers and writers want to put their stamp on a show. They don’t want to continue what’s working. They want to reinvent the wheel. It’s an ego thing. And once they’ve gotten rid of characters that were well known and deeply loved, they think they can create that same magic with new characters. Frank and Ron did the exact opposite and it saved our ass. Things were pretty rough there for a while, but they got better as soon as (ABC Daytime chief) Brian Frons left. He hated the soap medium. He hated it from the beginning. He wanted reality TV.”
Courtesy/ABC
Shriner: “It’s weird how it all changed overnight. Everybody was firing everybody. Brian fired [head writer] Bob Guza. Then (exec producer) Jill Phelps got fired. Then ABC fired Brian. ‘You’re fired!” “No, you’re fired!’ It was crazy. But, then, out of the ashes came Frank and Ron.”
Later in the interview, the subject of former GH EP boss lady,Gloria Monty’s riff with Jane Elliot came to light, where Elliot decided to come forth and reveal why she left GH for a time! Read the excerpt below:
Elliot: “I quit because Gloria insulted me. I was making, like, a dollar and a quarter a week — horrible money, so little money that I asked for a $50 raise and Gloria told my agent I was unprofessional. Now, you can call me a lot of things but you cannot call me unprofessional. I was so insulted she applied that word to me that I said, “I’m not working for her anymore!” I finished out my contract and left. I went to Knots Landing for a bit, then Guiding Light. I didn’t return until after Gloria was gone.”
Find out about how Jane submitted herself for the Daytime Emmy the year she won, when she had already had left the show, and much more by reading the entire interview! Then, let us know what you thought of Jane, Tony and Kin’s comments?
Brian Frons hated soaps…he wanted reality tv! Now BF(which stand s for BIG F….R!) has to face reality…he is so hated by soap fans!! There is some irony in that!!! lmao!!!!
How ironic that this will be his legacy for ever more! Karma, baby, is indeed a bitch!
M.E., K.A. and R.H. returning to GH as John, Starr and Todd! Yeah!!!
That would be great, but is this really true, as I do not see that posted anywhere yet?????
I hope it is not an April Fool’s Joke
As for the interview above, I love candid honesty, and who better to give us that then Anthony and Jane. Bravo to both of them.
Sorry, my sister, knowing i like Aprils fools day to joke, convince me to pull one here, plus there is different posters, who seems anti gh with these three on the show, that i actually meant this for.
I agree Elhu! Tony & Jane say it like it is which is totally refreshing !! Love them!
They are?? I had heard they would have to be different characters? So glad they get to keep their names and characters!
Sorry, i guess this backfired on me. I meant this as an April Fools joke to other posters who seem anti gh with these three actors and those characters…i forgot to realize others would see it too. I wish they could still work it out for and return to gh in those roles. i hope you accept my apologies.
LOL…my comments above about M.E. K.A. & R.H. are not at all true! APRIL FOOLS!!! lmaosm!!!
You are right Jim, there are lots of GH “haters” out there…and I wish you statement were true just to tick them off…its funny how they try to rub it in that GH can’t use the characters, but I know they are upset that they won’t have the actual actors…LOL
And i dont understand gh haters exct(i dont likeb&b but i dont hate it…i know others like it and i hope they continue to watch to help keep the genre alive) Just not too long ago we were all upset thinking our soaps were gone 4 ever, and now what hopefully appears to be a turnaround some seem to find ways to destroy them? Why complain about ABC not supporting the genre and then turn around and do almost the same thing…those are hypocrites!
Some are still angry that their show was cancelled and seem to wish the same ill on GH fans. Sad, because I support all soaps and began watching Y&R and B&B to support the genre (of course GH is my favorite).
I don’t get GH haters either Jimh — GH is must see TV for me!!! I get excited everytime it starts and the fact that it just celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary and that i’ve watched it for 35 of those 50 years makes me proud to be a viewer! Do I agree on all the stories? No.. but the cast is soo rich that I love sticking around for more of what is in store. Just seeing Genie & Tony on there makes me a happy, happy viewer!
Loved your reply Ces…you feel and i feel exactly the same about GH. It felt good to hear that instead of all the other negative stuff. A BIG THANKS!!!
Thanks jimh! 🙂 There’s a simple solution for the negative folks, if they don’t like the show, then stop watching it and stop annoying everyone else with negative remarks. Frank & Ron have made this show fun again!
Just LOVED the interview…what a time they must of had…I don’t understand why writers don’t ask these people (The actors) what would be good…they are the ones doing the leg work and they know their characters! I am glad as well that Calvatini is in the helm…they at least honor the past of the show!
I agree…they should have confrences with the actors but they should also read these threads on occasion to see what the majority of what us fans know about the characters and what we like to see done with them as well.
Well, we always knew he did, didn’t we? Franz walked away from the dirty work of ruining soaps a millionaire many times over. If I were him, I wouldn’t eat in restaurants frequented by soap fans.
Fabulous interview though! I always had a feeling the GH set had to be party town, whether or not GM liked it. It was entirely obvious that everyone was having a wonderful time!
These 3 need a sitcom……seriously……
Frons can kiss my ass
LOL ..
Frons left ABC with a 3 million dollar bonus/whatever and truthfully he is of the type of personality that actually does not care what anybody would think of him; much on the line of a sociopath .. 🙂
Call him names throw mud at him, he really would not care of your/anybodies feelings, not in any manner..
Maybe he does care and maybe he doesnt…but no matter which one it is we are letting each other and maybe him(he could always see these threads) know what we think of him and we dont care if he cares or not!
P.S. saying what we think of him is our way of never welcoming him back in the entertainment world…which he could always try to do no matter how much money he has.
I wouldnt want him anywhere near my donkey! LMAO!!!
The guy is a complete idiot!
What a wonderful interview. Reading it really brought back memories. Thanks for posting the link.
I HATE ABC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love these 3 and their honesty! Also love that GH has show runners who embrace the glorious history of GH! Frank and Eon are.giving fans what they’ve wanted for years now, the splendor of 1980s & 1990s GH. The magic is back!
Frons is a jerk & doesn’t care about our soaps at all! He is an still is mean & rotten assuming that we want to watch cooking/info/talking shows over our soaps! What planet
does he come from?????? Audry Hardy is back ! WOW! Wasn’t sure she was still around. I was surprised to see her! I guess she is back for the 50th Anniversay!
how nice to see Audrey!! Must also say Laura Wright was amazing as always today.
Was Genie Francis in the mix in the good ol’ days? She’s talked often and poignantly about her desire to belong.
PS Saw Alan today–and so did Monica AND Tracy–is he alive or an apparition??
Thats gotta be Rick Webber Luke and Laura found on the boat…i hope!
It was ethan…just as good
Nancy.
Genie was 14 when they basically handed her the ball and said “run with it” in ’77 (the David Hamilton storyline) So, yes she was a member of “the gang”-but she suffered the most damage because of it-she battled substance abuse throughout the 80s. It wasn’t until she married Johnathan Frakes (Star Trek TNG) that she was able to get clean. And it’s taken her this long to be truly at peace about playing Laura, IMO
Yeh! Could Allan be alive because both Tracy & Monica see him. Or was it an April
Fool thing yesterday.
Getting rid of Robert Guza, Jr., Jill Farren Phelps, Brian Frons AND steroid boy himself Steve Burton brought this show from near-cancellation to literally being the best soap opera on daytime AND nighttime. Look for an Emmy sweep this summer!
Great interview!!!
LOVE these three so much! I love how Geary spoke out about Brian Frons’ hatred for soaps, something all of us viewers knew for a long time. I also love the admiration they give to Frank and Ron. They really did help to save GH and now the show is the best it has been in years! It has also been great to see GH getting more promotion! Sure, ABC is probably just doing it because it’s the 50th, but it’s still nice to watch primetime shows and see a GH commercial! 🙂
What a fun interview! Really enjoyed it. I enjoy them on GH, too.
Loved the interview and you guys are right Fronz is scum!!!!
Not wanting to start a fight but Erika Slezak in a complete interview with SOD said Frons did not have the power to cancel OLTL & AMC she blamed it more on Disney. It is done and over with viewers are getting back their soaps only in a different forum so I say be happy and move on and hopefully the last 4 will stay. Times change and it is the older viewers that have saved these and mourned for them your younger crowds could care less.
I feel most of the younger crowd today is more interested in following facebook than soaps. I cant speak for all of the current generation but out of all the younger members in my family…16 to 33 in age, only 1(the oldest) out 15 watch a soap(gh) and the rest could care less, even when told they could watch anytime. They have facebook, skyping, and video games ect they are interested in more now. But i still hope there is enough of them out there who do watch- will continue to do so and help us keep them on the air. According to the ratings there seems to be but if theyd count all viewers and everyway they view them it seems all soap ratings could actually be much higher than just counting those from tv sets.
Once the 50th hoopla is over and all these old faces go back to their homes- what is next for GH? It looks like the same tired story lines… Guns, Violence… is it really any better…? I don’t think so… I say it is on the web by the end of the year…
here here
In celebration 4 the shows 50 years, they are paying nod to the shows rich history by refreshening old storylines which i feel is a great way to reintroduce our beloved vets and to help newer fans understand who they are, how they are part of the shows history, and to allow them to catch up what they had missed out on what some of us were so lucky to see the first time. Not all vets are leaving and im certain after the 50th and all the reintros are done the show will move on to newer and exciting storylines. And i doubt itll be web show b4 the year ends because abc signed the show 2014. We all have a right to express our own opinions but since you think the show is so bad(many of us dont think so) then why watch?
In watching the show today I won’t say too much for those who have not seen it most of it was really done well made me sad to see the old faces and mad at the same time that 3 of them who are in a scene today with Monica & Tracy were wiped out by an EP & writer that were obsessed with the Sonny & Jason hour. I just started back taping it again about when FV & RC started I tell you I do not miss Steve Burton one bit and the fact I am having him shoved down my throat on Y&R scares the hell out of me.
What guns? Frank and Ron have completely put an end to the mob violence Jill Farren Phelps madated as the number one theme of the show for ten years.
I loved that Jane Elliott doesn’t care about the awards, but is still delivering brilliant work after all these years.
She’s great! She is one of my favorites on GH!
Nice to see ABC fix it where GH opened up the stock market yesterday.. it shows they still care, and hopefully, still committed to GH in the long run.
I am no great fan of GH, but no hater either.. I never really got into that show growing up like I did AMC and OLTL. I will say that I’ve watch GH when ever I get a chance to, not only for ratings support, but it’s nice to see characters we CARE ABOUT.
Geary had it right, it makes no sense to replace characters who we have an attachment to and know their history with some unknown, who we have to get use to and learn to love or hate. The legacy characters are what make these shows, they are the core.. new people can’t come in and be a core character.. you have to grow into that role, until then they are in support roles while legacy characters should always be featured.. Carlivati and Valenti understand that.
The interview was a riot, ts so nice to know that they all have these friendship offscreen, and they sound fun to hang around with. Kin, you can call me any time …
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
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