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GH Head Scribe Ron Carlivati On Franco's Popcorn Pantomime!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

We have previously written here about the fabulous performance of Roger Howarth as Franco, as he proceeded to destroy his “Hallowedding” to Carly (Laura Wright) on last week’s episodes of General Hospital!

Throughout the scenes, Howarth was at his best, complete with sitting on the sidelines pantomiming eating popcorn as he got a front row seat after dropping his bombshells to the wedding party: Carly cheating on him with Sonny (Maurice Benard), and Michael (Chad Duell) finding out that Sonny shot and killed his father AJ Quartermaine, and that Carly went along with the cover-up!

Now Soap Opera Digest has posted an online interview with GH head writer Ron Carlivati for some behind the scenes insights as to what was written in the scripts, and what was ad-libbed including; that end of the episode devious wink Franco gave to Carly, and the popcorn pantomime.  Here is an excerpt below:

Carlivati on if the Popcorn pantomime was scripted:  “No, it was not. I mean, we indicated that the camera was on Franco at the reveal, to see his reaction. We did not say what that reaction was. Frank (Valentini, executive producer) told me, if I’m remembering this correctly, that (Roger Howarth) did it with the popcorn during rehearsal, and then he didn’t do it when they went to tape it, and Frank was like, ‘Wait, wait, wait, why didn’t you do that thing that you did before?”‘And he was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know, I was just trying it,’ and Frank said, ‘No, no, no, you gotta do it.’ So, it was something that he did when they were rehearsing and Frank loved it and said, ‘You have to do that when we tape it.”‘

Did you love the popcorn pantomime and Franco’s wink as much as we did?  Comment below!

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Loved it; in fact I loved his whole performance that episode!! Howarth has fleshed out the Franco character better than James Franco ever could!

Loved the popcorn and the wink at the end was perfect!

I love Roger’s portrayal of Franco but I wonder how long can Franco last in a town where the the only friend he has is some unemployed, barely out of her teens girl? Plus I am sick and tired of everyone being able to insult him without judgements. Franco made some horrible choices but people forget if it wasn’t for Franco, Michael might be dead and Morgan may be in jail for his murder, after the fight on the docks where Morgan knocked Michael into the river unconscious and he we about to drown. I think we see the writing on the wall , Franco and Nina are going to become G.H. answer to the Adam’s family as a couple.

Franco has replaced AJ as the town punching bag. I was frustrated for AJ and I’m now frustrated for Franco. Let’s not forget, in addition to what you mentioned, Franco also risked his life to save Carly from Heather…actually tried to kill Heather (remember when he buried her thinking she was dead?) to protect Carly. And she runs back to…and sleeps with Sonny…who didn’t lift a finger to rescue her and threatened to kill her when she shot Olivia. I love Roger and he finally has some material to play off of. Unfortunately he’s going to be the town pariah…unless he gets a few people in his corner other than Kiki. Popcorn scene was very Todd…Roger…now Franco. Subtle but effective.

LOVED IT! ROGER IS THE BEST!!!!

Did I love the popcorn pantomine and Franco’s wink? I think it is pretty sad that this is what passes for great acting choices and gets attention. That’s what I think.

Well, speaking for myself, I keep lowering the barometer for my expectations. I thought the popcorn bit was funny, however it was evocative of Todd from OLTL’s past as he simulated the same action when he pulls off similar antics when Todd was supposed to marry Blair.
I do understand why they call him Re Ron. The dialogue at this wedding was almost word for word the same dialogue utilized at Todd and Blair’s wedding. Also Nina’s theft of Ava’s baby is a repeat of Marci stealing a baby. Oh well, it’s been amusing and not painful to watch as of late.

This again showcases why Roger Howarth is one of the best in the business. That wink and the popcorn pantomime were fantastic. Honestly, the scene probably wouldn’t have been the same without it, and it fits so perfectly with the character. Roger finally has the material worthy of his talents, and he’s finally getting me to love Franco. Couple the “Hallowedding” with the other madness going on in Port Charles, and it was GH’s best week of shows in a long time.

Totally agree! He’s finally really playing Franco and is playing it to the hilt!
Great actor..

Franco often shocks me…mostly to the point of laughter! I enjoy Roger Howarth.

grrrrreat!!!!
The pop corn (relax watch the show) was Rogers inner genius when it comes to subtle humor..
I really like the ”’wink” that was so believable for the ”I gotcha” ..
Franco is a very unique character that only Roger could own..
Roger is a soap treasure …

Love love love the wink and Frankco eating pop corn well done acting.

I actually watched this twice (great episode) and had no idea what the heck Franco was doing with those movements. So now I know!

I agree. I didn’t know what he was doing, but it was funny to watch.

Roger Howarth can make reading the phone book entertaining.

He is a talented actor and “makes” the scene…. I would watch him in anything he chooses to do….

having watched Roger for so many years, I knew it was just ‘so Roger’ to do that. You can’t script his humor!

That’s why he’s the best there is.

It just goes to show how off GH’s priorities are that the reveal to Michael about what Sonny and Carly did, about justice being served for AJ, is all. About. Franco. The. SERIAL KILLER.

Roger is just simply the best actor in daytime! They are finally putting him to good use! I also love the “Pepperoni” comment. That was super funny. Roger is just such a peach!

That was hysterical! Roger is a great actor! Has chemistry with anyone that shares scenes with him!

Loved the episodes! Roger Howarth has been and continues to be brilliant !

It seems as though a lot of Roger’s expressions are unscripted-which I love! Roger is very talented, a great comedic actor with great timing. Just continue to flush out the fact that he was brought back as Franco-stop referring to how he was a psychotic serial murderer, etc.

I love Roger, and trying to like Franco. It’s hard when the best character ever was Todd. EVER. Todd had people who loved him because they went deep into understanding where he came from. I’m not there yet with Franco, but that being said, anything that RH does is okay by me. My issue is why the Franco blame? Why not let us sympathize with him. Sonny killed AJ, Carly covered it up. She cheated. Her arrogance is annoying. Let’s not pretend they did nothing wrong. So yeah for Franco for blowing up there world. And Michael, the kid had to know. Just wondering how Franco is going to come out of this by leaving with Cocopuff Nina. She’s an emmy waiting to happen. Oh the wink and popcorn ….classic.

Totally agree. Franco was completely justified; he risked his life to save her from Heather when she was kidnapped! She cheats on him, betrays him in every way…Sonny is a serial killer!!! LOL…it’s as if being a murderer in the mob is SO much more sane than just than Franco’s past actions. Sonny and Carly’s indignation and ridicule of Franco would be so much more palatable if we saw more people in Port Charles side with Franco, even in a private conversation. But they won’t. Just like the scapegoat that was AJ. And actually, Scott. They pick a few people in town who are the pariahs. (They’re usually the ones I side with.)

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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