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GH EP Frank Valentini On Genie Francis' Return: "It's not a guest appearance. We've hired her, we've absolutely hired her!"

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/AccessHollywood

Courtesy/AccessHollywood

For those who have been wondering just what the return of General Hospital soap icon, Genie Francis (Laura) means for the Daytime Award winning actress, and the lone ABC soap that is about to celebrate its big 5-0, look no further than a new teaser of an interview from Access Hollywood with GH executive producer, Frank Valentini.

During the chitchat, conducted at the recent TCA’s (Television Critics Association) Winter Session, Valentini revealed a few interesting tidbits.  First, that part of the reason for Laura’s return is her daughter Lulu’s fertility issues ( and whose surrogate Maxie just lost Lante’s baby).  Valentini commented, “It will involve that and other things. And a big secret that she’s going to return with.”

The executive also revealed how Genie’s return came about stating:  “She’s really awesome, she looks fantastic and she’s a lot of fun and we sat down and said, ‘This is what we’re thinking,’ and she liked the idea and we’re gonna make it work!”

The big question on many GH fans minds has also been, just how long Genie would be sticking around? Would it just be for a just short story arc for the 50th Anniversary in April? Valentini admitted, “No, it’s not a guest appearance. We’ve hired her, we’ve absolutely hired her.”

So soapers are you excited by the fact that Genie will be sticking around for awhile? What secret do you think Laura will have when she returns to Port Charles? Let us know!

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I’m excited for Genie Francis, I’m excited for the Laura fans.

I like Genie Francis and I’m sorry she got the short end of the stick on Y&R. That is all I will say about that – I am just so sick and tired of all this infighting.

I really hope THIS time that Laura is more what she should be – a strong woman, mother, grandmother, and friend.

THE REASON GENIE EVER LEFT WAS , THEY ALWAYS MAKE HER A VICRIM ….SHE IS SO MUCH MORE THEN THAT ! ….SHE IS THE REASON I STARTED WATCHING GH IN 19 79 …GLAD TO SEE HER COME HOME ….DONT DO HER WRONG !!!

Ditto… Fans….. Genie Francis, knocked it out of the park at Y&R… she more than proved she’s just known as a GH ingenue…

This time around… let’s see her kick ass…..

Agreed!

agree she can be great if they dont make her all about Luke and poor poor me. She was tough when she was a teen would love to see a strong independent woman. Still concern about her abadonment of her children.

SIDEBAR: STAT! WHAT IS GH DOING TO lucy coe coe goes CUCKOO?

alright, her comedic talents meshed with Heather Webber… may be all that…

but, would this be like writing her in to a corner? yeah, i understand the “Port Charles Vampire” Lame????? I never watched that show… (ie: she’s only on for a short period of time)

I SO WANTED LUCY TO INTERACT WITH LAURA, SCOTTY, LUKE, KEVIN… AND W/THE QUARTERMAINES – normally…!?!? gives’ her longevity.

Frank Valentini is a true mensch!

all I can say is a huge WOOOOOO HOOOOOO!!

Yay!!! This warms my heart. Lucky ’13 is off to a great start! Ha, a rhyme.

As for “Lante,” is that official? I’d prefer Lulante, but would accept Dantulu.

Love ya, Michael.

Ciao, Marcello! 🙂

I don’t know about you, but I could do without these “smoosh” names or whatever they call them. I would like to see 2013 be the end of this. People need to start SPELLING things again. Everything is an acronym or abbreviation these days. I fear for our future generation.

And it all started with SoHo in Manhattan. The newest I know of is SpaHa (Spanish Harlem). Puhlease!

But the couple’s thing is so codependent. It’s as if two independent people cease to exist and one new entity takes over. Brad and Angelina are two different people, folks!

Haha, Christine….I’m with ya, girl… I’m not into the smoosh names either. I work with college students and let me tell you…the future, isn’t so bright.

It is like kindergarten speak ..
Grownups talking like uneducated children who never got beyond a coochiekoo or goo goo .. Or aged and living their second childhood lol
I always seen the smooch speak as coming from people who just never made it 🙂 LOL..
But to each their own 🙂

Oh Christine- don’t get me started on smooshing of names. Perhaps it is my age but it is hard enough remember real names, let only these smoosh ones. Since reading these posts I am getting better at figuring out who they are talking about, but I’m with you girl- it is one trend I would like to see end sooner rather than later. Also glad Genie got a new gig- she was wasted on y&r- though Cane has gotten really boring without his mama and daddy in town.

i for one, was never in to this ie: Lumi… stuff…. Lucas and Sammi!

guess i’m too slow… i have to stop and think what’s typed.

Yes, I’m thrilled she’s back. My guess is that she remarried Scotty. I always loved them together. Wouldn’t Luke just love that. Can’t you just hear their jabs at each other now. LOL Thank you, FV and RC for bringing back the GH I knew and loved growing up. It’s fun to watch again.

Yes, bring back Kin Shriner!

He is coming back also!

Yay! All the good ones are returning. Now, why can’t we see Jackie Zeman, considering she’s still recurring (right?)? Jill Farren Phelps is gone. She’s the one who got rid of Bobbie in the first place (without ever showing us why she’s only been seen once or twice in the last several years–rude!). I guess Zeman and Valentini are talking about it, so maybe. Cross your fingers.

The article I read said that Bobbie would be back for the Nurses Ball, also Audrey might make an appearance there. Now they need to bring back Holly, and Robin!

Finally, we’ll get to see Gran. I’ve grown tired of hearing about how she’s watching Liz’s kids. And, apparently, Holly is visiting Robert in that Swiss hospital, but they’ve only talked about her; we haven’t seen her–yet.

Ah, THANK YOU Frank Valentini!!!! So glad this is not just a guest appearance.

Have no idea about any secrets, but I’ll be delighted to see Genie back. Anything to get us away from “vampire history” will be welcome.

She will be an asset regardless. She did a great job on Y&R, but she needs to be where she is really appreciated. 🙂

Depends on how Laura returns!! (I agree with Christine above) But I’m so bored & over the Luke & Laura love story & their comings and goings. Either come or go LOL. Genie was actually an amazing character on Y&R!! Better than the Laura character by far & much more interesting. . Sad they cut her from Y&R!!

Thank you Rod! I agree with you and Christine. I said something like that about Luke & Laura and got reamed by other posters! “How dare I say that and everyone wants them back together” If Laura is a strong character this time, she won’t want Luke back!

In the words of Ricky Ricardo, aye yai yai yai yai!

Why do soap fans have to be so nasty to each other? It is like my beloved Yankees versus Red Sox!!

I wish people could just accept others have different opinions and be respectful of that and argue in a mature way instead of attacking.

CTwildheart, we don’t always agree on everything, 🙂 but I can always see your point of view. Not only do you always have something interesting to say, but you know how to spell and put sentences together and your posts do not contain foul language (as I am seeing increasingly more and more on this board – a SHAME).

Glad they hired her, and it’s a story Genie is excited about, because she said she got tired of her character playing the victim.

I don’t watch General Hospital, but have seen it in the past. I did catch an episode just before Quartermaine died. The show has really changed. Looks more realistic and up-to-date. I would be interested in seeing the return of Gene Francis and Ken Shriner. Just give me the date and I will watch.

Genei will be back in mid Feb. Kin also but not date on his has been announced.

I believe Genie starts SHOOTING in mid-February, I could be wrong though…

Yes i am excited for a laura return,I have watched since 1963 and am a fan of the old characters.

Diane, I’d love to spend an afternoon chatting with you some day.

It will be great to see Genie back but really frustrating to fast forward through most of what Carlavati writes to get to just her scenes as Laura, lol.
And like I said before unless we get a Luke and Laura reunion whats the point. I dont want to see Genie wasted on lame, sluttly Lulu’s paternity issues. She’s a daytime Icon and one of the best actresses in the show’s history. She deserves so much better than that.

I agree Laura should be used more than some fertility issues. this secret better have Laura with her own storyline.

Let’s hope she does not come home with a little sibling for Lulu!

If Genie is back, then they must be going back to Pre-Luke Laura but stronger. Look at Tracy, she is back and better without Luke. I hope Laura is Married and happy with Scotty (Maybe a child too). 😉

Hope she brings a boyfriend with her, over her & Luke. Hope she is a strong woman, not a zombie.

how bout you commit to putting her on as a contract player, and not use the line that she will be sticking around, isn’t the same line that was use for Kristina Wagner, as felicia, and We hardly see her now.

Excellent point. Yeah, what’s up with missing-in-action Felicia. Maybe they’re waiting for Jack Wagner’s return to give her some scenes?

I think Felicia is more recurring like Mac. I don’t think those two characters are ever going to be front burner unless Frisco comes back and tries to throw a wrench into their new-found love and then I think that will only be for a short while until it dies down again.

I hear a lot about how the cast is so huge … “bloated” comes up a lot. I think you can run a show with a huge cast, but people have to realize that their favorites are not going to be on every day. Take the Robin story for example. It is kind of like the movie PULP FICTION to me in that there are other stories going on right now, but eventually we will get back to that story and everything will tie in together. The trick is to not let too much time go before returning to said stories so that the audience does not lose interest and/or hope that these stories will ever have a resolution.

Woo Hoo!!! So glad to see her back on GH!!! Let’s get Luke back too! They are the best couple ever on GH!!! So glad she is not there for a short time! So glad we will have her back and out of that stupid comatose state she used to be in. I hope she is strong and maybe ready to take back some or all of what she lost! Would love to see her go head to head with Helena and win!

Love GF/Laura and congrats GH but I am over GH as a whole. It is better but not even my love for Laura will make me not FF douchebag Luke and tacky and loser Lulu. The Luke and Laura ship has sailed for me due to Luke. Laura should never be with the man who killed her grandchild.

I seriously doubt they plan on putting her back with Luke. With Luke she is always the damsel-in-distress and that is not at all what she wants to play. I hope you read the message boards and if you find out they aren’t together and she is strong that you might give GH another try…

That’s great, but can someone please ask him how long this crazy vampire thing is going to go on?

I love the flash back to Port Charles, it is fun and I like a bit fun mixed in with all the heavy drama..
I’m sure it will be short lived, but it is fun and I laughed and I like to laugh and I laugh way too seldom during the day/soaps ..

su000,

I liked the actual flashback Lucy had today of Caleb. Too bad he didn’t show off his fangs for those who did not watch PC back then it might have added something to what Lucy is dealing with, but they are probably going in another direction.

I’m curious myself. If they were to do it right, and have it more like an inside joke for those of us that watched PORT CHARLES, then they would have it as nothing more than Lucy mistaking John for Caleb, stabbing him, and then having someone get some sense into her thick head. 🙂

However, I fear that they will take this in another direction and truly make this more of an arc than just a few episodes … as it should be. We have already had the funny quips from Luke referring to John as “Lestat” and John not getting it. I think they should just look into some record books and see that John and Sam resembled Caleb and Livvie and leave it at that. Then again, this is how messed up ABC was all that time ago to allow two shows that took place in the same town were allowed to have two completely different things going on like this one did. I still applaud PC for taking the risk and trying to save itself, but looking back and now trying to put THAT story into the present day is quite a task to do so tastefully to the GH history and not making a complete mockery of the PC show and its fans.

I don’t find it to be that unbelievable for different things to be happening to different people in a small town let alone a city like Port Charles. That doesn’t bother me at all. Perhaps they will explain the whole vampire storyline as something that happened in Lucy’s head??? Just a thought

I don’t like the vampire stories on GH now. It was okay years ago.. But this day & time I don’t really want to see an on going story of this. I prefer Michael Easton as John McBain . I remember watching him as Caleb all those years ago and I liked at that time as the vampire. But I still like him as John McBain the best!

I bet she will end up being Starr’s mom, so she isn’t a Manning.

No. I like Blair being Starr’s mom….

With so many GHer’s returning… why hold the OLTLer’s hostage? Let OLTL have their characters back.

Prospect Park owns the rights to the characters of John, Todd and Starr. They will be back on OLTL. But the actors currently have contracts with ABC, so there are some things that need to be worked out…

Yes, I understand that. My point is that GH has a rich history of characters coming back, that they could easily write the OLTL characters out and back into OLTL.

I completely agree.

I agree Marcello! Speak should start learning to speak ENGLISH again. Enough of the damn short forms!!!

I love that Genie Francis is back on GH, and I so very much hope that Laura’s secret is that she is Mrs. Scott Baldwin ….. SOLAR!!!!!

(P.S. I like th squish names ….)

Genie is one the absolute best actresses on TV- can hardly wait to see her work.

Laura is coming home to “General Hospital.” What a wonderful feeling it is just to say that. Welcome back, Genie Francis, your fans can’t wait to see you back in Port Charles.

Finally Laura Spencer has come back to General Hospital!!!! 😀 I feel happy to see her back. YAY!!! Luke and Laura will be reunited once again!!! I can not wait next month and what’s plan for Scotty ? I hope there’s no more mobster in PC since 1986 Duke Lavery was clean and good decent man,not being mobster(was used to be). I will be watch give big bang on that day.. Long Live GH!!!! I apologized that I’m very so exciting all these great memories. Hurry back,robert Scorpio, We still need you back!!

Love Genie Francis! Will Tony Geary be staying on the show?

Tony has no plans to leave. But his schedule is always come and go…

I hope she comes back with some guy around 10-15 years younger than she is.

YEA!!! Being a LL fan from back in the day… I DO believe that the current show runners for GH – will do HER character justice. He has a passion for this, and it shows. Yea there are things I don’t care for …. but I watch WAY more than used FF thru.. I enjoy how the storylines are weaved in and out with each other…. I did not watch Port Charles…. BUT the throwback to the history and paying homage if you will…. even with Diane (trueblood) and pop culture ….. GREAT JOB…. I mean his pace and timing are FAST even for soapland (how fast did they get to Switzerland)… BUT take the good with the little bad…… At least we have GH.

Over the Moon with the news that she’s been hired, not just appearing. I’m hoping they don’t pair her back with Luke. I absolutely loved them together but feel like they got to a point of being trapped. I’d like to just see them co-exist with their children. Give Laura some good, fun, juicy scripts.

🙂

perfect……….GH is on its way to the #1 spot………I hope she is not wimpy Laura………..I want her strong for her kids and herself………Love Genie always have. I have watch GH since it started 1963 and fell in love with Genie when she replaced the original and became teen Laura, Loved her Momma too andrremember Denise Alexander on DOOL and Another World…..welcome back………..:>)

Incredible news!!

Cannot wait I just hope they write her a good story this time!

well we lost jason(steve burton) and now get laurie (genie francis) return.. what a great gift you could give to us GH fans… thank you.. she is a great actress and this should be a great pick me up to us as GH fans in sorrow of jason leaving.. were back…

I will take Genie Francis any way TPTB bring her back, but I am really trusting their words they they will honor the Laura history with Luke and her family. No better chemistry anywhere between any other actors–she and Tony are the tops. I know Genie cares about the show and will be shining and glorious. Welcome home, Genie. I can’t wait. We have waited so long–so I am so very excited to see you back. Great vindication for you. And your dignity and honesty I so much admire. You deserve the very best.

Exactly what she said

She is pregnant with Scotty’s baby and it will be a boy and will replace the son that Lulu killed , Logan or she will be Lulu’s surrogate. One of the two.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Josslyn Gets a Visitor in Obrecht, Chase Makes A High-Profile Arrest … But Who is it?

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, after Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) chloroformed Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati), she winds up thrown into the secret room at Wydemere with Josslyn Jacks. Now, both Obrecht and Joss are under the thumb of Cullum and Sidwell  (Carlo Rota) for different reasons.

However, what will Cassius (Ryan Paevey) think of the news that his mother is being forced to finish Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) work on Faison’s final project?  Cassius gets very alarmed when Sidwell informs him in the Monday, June 8 “Next on General Hospital” video teaser, that, “Locating Britt is no longer a priority.”

Meanwhile, Portia’s (Brook Kerr) baby shower is here, which could wind up in an all out war between Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) and Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner). While Curtis is lawyering up with someone, Portia wants Isaiah to “just hold off for now.” Is she referring to him suing Curtis for destroying his ability to operate after injury his hand, or to stay away from the baby shower?

Courtesy/ABC

KRISTINA’S PLANS

Kristina Corinthos-Davis (Kate Mansi) pays a visit to Lucas Jones (Van Hansis). It appears she drops the news of her decision to leave Port Charles to attend medical school at UCLA, which paves the way for Kate Mansi’s upcoming exit. When talking with Lucas she says, “A lot of people are going to be surprised by this.“ Is it that she wants to become a doctor, or is something else also going on?

By week’s end Chase (Josh Swickard) is going to make a major arrest! Who gets hand-cuffed and taken to the PCPD? Is it Sidwell, who Lucas was trying to set-up or someone else? Stay tuned.

Now below, check out the official GH spoilers for the week of June 8-12.

MONDAY, JUNE 8
Laura relishes her victory. Jossyn’s days may be numbered. Kristina issues a request. Curtis seeks Alexis’ help. Kai worries about Trina.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9
“Nathan” makes a major confession. Portia’s baby shower is a tense affair. Sidwell is on the warpath. Willow is blindsided. Brook Lynn issues an apology.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Carly takes action. Trina makes a bold decision. Dante gets bad news. Willow receives a tempting offer. Curtis and Portia clash.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11
Valentin cautions Carly. Ava has a guilty conscience. Sonny is taken by surprise. Nina checks in on “Nathan.” Cody scores points with Molly. Danny and Charlotte make a plan.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12
Ethan weighs his options. Tracy has harsh words for Willow. Brook Lynn seeks Sonny’s aid. Chase makes a high-profile arrest. Alexis is persuasive.

You can check out the General Hospital preview video for the Monday, June 8 episode below.

Now weigh-in:  Will Josslyn and Obrecht work together to escape Wyndemere? Who is Chase going to arrest? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Cullum Kidnaps Obrecht as Britt’s Replacement to Finish Faison’s Final Project

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WSB director Ross Cullum is truly as despicable villain as they come, and played with steely intensity by Andrew Hawkes. For the double agents latest crime, you need to look no further than the Friday, June 5 cliffhanger of General Hospital, where in the episode’s final moments he sneaks up on an unassuming Dr. Liesl Obrecht (Kathleen Gati) after hiding in the back seat of her car.

Next, he chloroforms her with his intent clear. He plans on forcing her to finish the last leg of Faison’s final project at Wyndemere, since her daughter Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) left town with Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) in tow to get away from Cullum!

In what led to the kidnapping, Cullum had a terse conversation with his business associate and co-conspirator on the project, Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota). It is Sidwell who is preoccupied with wanting to bring Marco’s killer to justice (not knowing it’s the man right in front of him!). Sidwell told Cullum if bringing Marco’s killer to justice wasn’t a priority for the WSB director, then why should protecting Cullum be a priority for him?

SIDWELL VS. CULLUM

The two finally put aside their differences as they have to complete Faison’s final project for it will be highly lucrative for them, useful for their mutual gains, and groundbreaking. In order to do that they need a great mind with a scientific background to finish it up and get them to the finish line since Britt as disappeared.

Later, outside of “General Hospital,” Obrecht is headed back to her car after searching Britt’s office for any clues as to the whereabouts of her daughter. But when she got in the car to drive away, that’s when the aforementioned Cullum strikes!

Courtesy/ABC

BROOK LYNN GETS ADVICE FROM A FORMER ADULTERESS

In other key developments, after Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) keeps inserting herself into Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) life, all with the seeming pretense to pay back Chase for helping her clear her name at the trial, and standing by her, she brings good news in person about baby Phoebe’s adoption to Alexis’ (Nancy Lee Grahn) law office to Chase. Once Brook Lynn heard Chase was on her away over with paperwork, she decided to hightail it out of there for an “emergency” appointment for Deception.

As we come to find out, Brook Lynn meets up with Lucy (Lynn Herring) at the Metro Court pool, She then proceeds to inform Lucy about Willow sniffing around he husband. Lucy says she knows a thing or two about being an adulteress. Brook Lynn wants Lucy to help her send a clear message to Willow to stay away from her husband, or else!

Now below, check out the scenes before Obrecht was kidnapped where she visited Willow, Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) and suspects Willow is up to no good.

Then let us know, with Lucy taking Brook Lynn under her wing, what plot do you think the two will come up with against Willow? What do you think will happen to Obrecht? With Lucas also at Wyndemere trying to bait Sidwell into an attempted murder charge, will he winds up thrown in the secret room with Josslyn? Share your thoughts and theories on the latest GH via the comment section below.

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Beyond the Gates

2026 SDSA TV Award Nominations: All Five Daytime Dramas Score in Best Achievement in Set Decoration

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The Set Decorators Society of America has revealed its nominations for 2025-26 SDSA Awards for Television, which recognizes the work of the set decoration and production designers in primetime, streaming and daytime series.

This year, all five soap operas: Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless all received nominations in the Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Daytime Series category.

In its official SDSA rule book, to qualify for the category of a Daytime Series, which includes daytime dramas, daytime talk shows, daytime game shows, and daytime children’s programming, all episodes must air before 6:00pm and must have a credited Set Decorator. For daytime dramas, the content must contain multiple plotlines that are carried over from episode to episode.

Photo: JPI

WHICH EPISODES CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPETITION?

The eligibility year for episodes runs June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.  Founded in 1993, the SDSA is an international nonprofit professional association dedicated to promoting excellence and preserving the legacy of the art of set decoration in motion pictures and television.

Several popular primetime and streaming titles that have wrapped their final seasons also received nods including Euphoria, Stranger Things, Hacks, Outlander, and The Boys. Popular titles such as Bridgerton.

Take a look below at the nominated scenic design teams from your favorite soaps:

Best Achievement in Décor/Design of a Daytime Series

Beyond The Gates: Set Decoration by Cynthia Slagter with Production Design by Bruton Jones

The Bold and the Beautiful: Set Decoration by Prim Rosales, Beth Wooke, Prerna Chawla, Charlotte Garnell, Chelsea Mondelli, Michelle Hall, & Linda Louise Sheets with Production Design by Lou A. Trabbie III

Days of Our Lives: Set Decoration by Adele Caine & Sarah Holmes with Production Design by Tom Early & Dan Olexiewicz

General Hospital: Set Decoration by Jennifer Elliot with Production Design by Andrew Evashchen

The Young and the Restless: Set Decoration by Jennifer Haybach, Justine Mercado, Maria Dirolf, & Monica Lowe with Production Design by David Hoffmann

So, which soap opera from the calendar year of basically June of 2025 to a week ago in 2026, do you think has had the best looking sets? Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital, or The Young and the Restless? Make you pick and drop it in the comment section below.

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Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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