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GH Head Writers: Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor Reveal More Details On Michael E. Knight’s New Soap Role

Photo: JPI

When daytime favorite Michael E. Knight debuts on General Hospital on September 30th, he will not be coming to Port Charles as his former All My Children alter-ego Tad Martin; but instead will be playing a different character.

EW.com has first look photo of Knight in his new role and spoke directly to General Hospital co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor for the scoop on the ever-popular Knight’s return to ABC.  On GH. Michael will indeed play a new role.

According to the scribes: “There are a number of people in Port Charles who are in trouble and his character will have an impact on how their stories are solved or further complicated.”

Both Van Etten and O’Connor shared: “As we were writing his character, we found out that oh, we have even more use for him! It’s helpful to know who the actors are in this situation. We have lots of ideas on how we can expand his character and cross-pollinate his character.”

As to how long Knight will be sticking around Port Charles, that was not offered-up, but what was is that Michael’s new character will mix it up with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) with whom Knight worked with on All My Children when James played Will Cortlandt.

Because ABC now has the rights back in their possession to use the characters from One Life to Live and All My Children, Van Etten expressed: “We have conversations when we have these actors come back about whether it’s more useful or not to resurrect their characters. “=We’ll continue to have these as the opportunity arises.”

So, what do you think Michael E. Knight’s role will be based on these tidbits from the GH scribe? Share your theories via the comment section below.

 

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Would have been better off bringing on Tad Martin. Sorry, but I am still smarting after all these years on the cancellations of AMC and OLTL and want to see the actors brought onto GH to reprise their former soap roles.

I’m with you, James—–as far as I’m concerned I don’t find GH all that great, comparatively speaking……Especially now with these quixotic storylines and characters. Comedy of Errors….. with Drew/Franco as Dromio of Ephesus……

It’s not really healthy to STILL be “smarting” after all these years. I miss Johnny Carson, but time moves on – and so should you.

Well if Cady Mclain would have been chosen as Nina this would have been perfect

Oh, my gosh, Tony!!
Why didn’t I think of Cady? She would be the perfect Nina—-I don’t know how much longer I can take nuNina ( can’t even think of her name—scary eyes).
Secondly, two birds with one stone—-Tad and Dixie reunited…….and Valentin her brother?? LOL.

I agree, NuNina is a bust! I gave her a chance but she has NO chemistry with Valentin, Sasha or even Jax!

Hi, T,
I have not had time to breathe these last couple of weeks….I’m teaching full time—I’m off sick ( cold–cough)—-missed you, my friend.
Tell me about it—-nuNina is trying too hard. I have been bitten by the Stafford bug—she is the original Phyllis and Nina—-very rarely do re-casts live up to the original—
The Nina/Sasha story was explained away with the notion thst Sasha strikingly resembled Nina—well, no more!! There goes that… They are as physically different as night and day.
Nevertheless, I think that Sasha really is Nina’s daughter, after-all…..would be an ironic twist, if only these writers would have an original idea and a Shakesperean imagination. I see no suspense; no comedy, no artful, dramatic tension offered by our soaps of yesteryear. The courtroom debacle can only exist in la-la-land—-This is a trial? The perpetrator becomes the victim? I guess it’s supposedly a device to create anger and stir the viewer’s sense of unfairness? Not working for me.
Here I go with my ranting again, LOL.
Later, Timmmy❤️

Get well and get some rest!

Hey there, CeeCeeGirl! Welcome back……you’ve been missed! Hope you feel better soon! Incidentally, I cannot agree with you more that Cady would have made an excellent Nina recast…actually better than the original in my opinion! Hah!…(Oddly enough, I had always envisioned her as Nina from the moment Silas first mentioned his so-called saintly wife way back when, and I also suggested her as the perfect replacement to fill that role when we bandied about possible candidates to play NuNina…) What can I say? Great minds think alike….although not always! I guess I’m one of the few not even remotely excited over Knight’s upcoming GH stint…I couldn’t stand Tad, and so to see his portrayer coming to Port Charles leaves me less than impressed. Seems that’s just me though….Lol. Later, mia amica!

What if he played Jeff Webber

Hi Celia,
Welcome back, you’ve been missed by many. I told Shay a few days ago that I was a little worried, that I had not heard from you since M.V.I figured you were back teaching and so busy with your own kids as well. Sorry you haven’t been feeling well.I am a big fan of Vitamin D -3 and take 2000IU daily. Have not had a cold in years, knock, knock. I have some news to share with you, and as I told Shay, it is amazing how small this world is.I was notified by Ancestry DNA that I have a relative living in NY. Turned out, she is a niece living in Sag Harbor, where she and her husband own an Italian restaurant. I could not believe it. Right away I thought of you and the possibility of you dining there. My, my such excitement for this old lady, huh? I know we are of track and should be soap talking. I am so ready for Michael to get his baby .Hopefully that little one will let go of the thing that’s always in his mouth. Poor kid is uncomfortable with all the handling.I wonder when Nelle comes into play. I had read she escapes also, to keep Shiloh away from Wylie. How are you liking Robert as DA? He hasn’t done much yet. I too would have liked Cady M. as Nina. I even liked her on Y&R when she was seducing Jack away from Phyllis. Well, feel better, hope to hear from you.

Hello, Miss Violet,
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness…..
I’ve had a pretty rough week.
I thought I had left ear infections behind me in my childhood……hadn’t had one in eighteen years, as a teen. Go figure—I have vertigo, from an ear imbalance. …much better now.
I am getting very frustrated with GH—too messed up and incoherent—-has no flow!! This Peter thing just popped up out of nowhere—–but, I guess it’s not much of a surprise considering his sire. I am not even convinced Anna is his mother—-more like Alex.
I have missed a few eps—will catch up tonight, albeit halfheartedly—-Shiloh, Peter, Franco, Sonny, Sam, Carly, Nina—-practically all the cast—even Bobbi—–all getting on my last nerve.
Have a great day—little chilly this morning —-here I go battling traffic!!
Soom, my friend. Stay well. ❤️

Hi Celia
Hope you are feeling better by now. Those infections can really drag on.Well at least we are rid of Shiloh, now to deal with the aftermath.Can’t wait for the autopsy, showing whether that flare actually killed him or something or someone else did.Is Lulu really going to blurt out her eavesdropping info, breaking her daughter’s heart about her beloved papa? Certainly there could have been a better way.
Glad you are feeling better, now keep it that way, o.k?
Oh, I wonder if you would want your kids going to a bar, mornings before school, or would you meet your students there? That whole thing really bugs me. Am I just being old fashioned?

i have had that cold/cough for two weeks now…also being checked for other problems…why i have rarely been here

Awwww….get well soon, Jimh! (And “Double C,” too!) It’s a lot less fun around here when the two of you aren’t regularly posting! As for your suggestion that Knight play “Jeff Webber?” Even though I would love for Liz’s daddy to visit Port Charles, I don’t think that Knight is age appropriate for that particular role. Keep in mind that originally Jeff was mentioned to be a “tad” (no pun intended…) younger than Monica….thus, I somehow cannot picture “Tad the Cad” as Dr. Quartermaine’s ex! Lol….

On Edge Of Night Nicole went from 40ish to 20ish with a recast so a younger Jeff why not…..anyway wish he was Tad…i think Gordon Thompson would make an ok Jeff

@Jim…I would love to see Gordon Thomson on GH, although I’m not so sure as Jeff! Dynasty’s former Adam has such an elegant, sophisticated vibe, whereas Jeff was much more laidback and casual…I would prefer someone who better captures the essence of Richard Dean Anderson as a Jeff recast. Quite frankly, GT would have made an excellent Cassadine! I suppose it’s not too late to make that happen…

Hope you’re feeling better, Jimmy—-I hardly ever get sick—got me “but good”. LOL. For some reason cough syrup upsets my stomach——so, I had to weather it cold turkey…. pardon the pun. HaHa….
Glad to see you peeking in ( as I do) once in a while.
As far as Michael Knight possibly cast as Jeff, I am not familiar with him at all—-except from references made on the GH sites, now and again.
I would think Michael is too young to play Lizzie’s father; but, this is Soapland—-Sam and Julian are less than ten years apart, I believe—so, age is irrelevant.
You may be right. What I don’t like is bringing in new characters, especially someone as well known and beloved ( at least, that’s how I perceive him) as Michael, for a short sojourn……I am anxious to see exactly what his role will be.
Well, Jimmy—I will truly be looking forward to hear you are feeling yourself again—-among other things—-next time you post. ❤️

i havent been well in three years but recently more problems popped up

I remember, Jimmy—-you had Barrett’s Esophagus? Protonix works very well—-however, all this new science comes along with negative reviews ( Gastric carcinoma)….makes one’s head spin. What to do??
I try to stay away from meds, even the over-the-counter offerings. Dependable ‘drugs’, for sinus, headaches etc. have consequences, if abused….
Take it easy, my friend—hang in there. I hope you have a good, caring and patient doctor. It makes a big difference to your well-being and state of mind.
I do hope to hear from you. I miss your take on plots, characters and which path a storyline should take. ❤️

Agreed bring back Kady

I propose two choices—–Michael will either play the lawman or the outlaw. Either way, all the baddies in PC ( and its outreach) will have something in common—-Faison and Helena.
I pray Michael is a good guy….love him to pieces…
I anticipate the ousting of Kim, Shiloh, Peter, Julian , Brad and maybe Franco—-not sure yet (Did I forget anyone?). None of them is to be absolved.

i Would had cast him as Liz’s father Jeff

Congrats to Mr. Knight and his return to daytime! Waiting to see what the new writing team can bring to the GH canvas. I still support bringing back OLTL and All My Children as a 1/2 each lead-in for GH. GMA Day needs to be cancelled, as it is dragging down the ratings for GH. ABC Daytime–wake up!

They needed to bring him back as Tad Martin so when #AMC makes a comeback he could step right back into that role

HAVE to say that I agree with Ellen, it would be great if he could join the show as TAD MARTIN visiting from Pine Valley….it could then have him saying something like “I still have unfinished business in Pine Valley….” and help serve as a Lead-in to the show’s re-launching. I know that there is a lot of talk about bringing back ALL MY CHILDREN and this would help support that.

Love your idea. I basically had told someonethe something but in a different way. Bring back #AMC and #OLTL. There is greeting way to many talk shows and court shows inn tv any more

Lets just hope GH uses him better than Y&R!

Shouldn’t we has a WOMAN head writer also? Tell me, don’t we need a woman’s point of view on GH–BADLY??????????????

@Nancy…Instead, how about a head writer who actually respects and mines the rich legacy of GH by implementing modern-day characters and storylines that honor that history? That’s what is really missing from this soap in its current state!!! Good writing is good writing, no matter the particular chromosomal aspects of the person from whom the words emanate!!!

Can we have an interesting, dynamic character that already knows who he is–and has not had a memory transplant–oh, the horror!

I agree, Nancy. GH is one un-HOLY mess right now. Why did Howarth’s Drew turn out to be such a selfish, son-of-a-bitch when Miller’s Drew was a kind and heroic man? Right now, I detest Franco/Drew. He’s a selfish, callous creep.

Agreed, Harry—I also regale Kim with those same colorful words, ….true description of Franco. What a jerk!!
And, Kim? The subdued, grieving mother who is so out of her head with her feverish thoughts of replicating Oscar–Drew’s memories transferred into another’s head makes no difference to her—she wants what she wants. She’s as “touched” in the head as Franco—-two solid freaks. These writers must have gone to the same school of Bedlam.
I mean, he’s physically not Drew—-I have another word for her—-but, I will contain and restrain myself.

I thought the same thing, Harry–re the difference between “Drew” and “Drew.”
🙂

I’d prefer to have kept Billy Miller! They got everyone interested in his story and now we r supposed to believe a navy seal couldn’t save himself?

Please keep general hospital alive by writing for the actors from Core families!

I hope this man is great at his job and that he comes and gets killed off quickly maybe taking Shiloh and Heinrich w him!

I 100% agree. Billy Miller should have gotten the memory story a long time ago along with a new love interest and much more screen time. It was absurd. The other stories are just not cutting it either. Now it is just not exciting to hear about new characters anymore because of the bad writing for the characters who are already on the show. When will it change if ever?

Well, someone needs to take the reins @ Aurora ’til Drew returns or not.

A specialist Dr for Carly’s baby

So…… how do all the Michael Knight fans feel now, that we know he was apparently brought in just to prop the psycho Nelle?

Sure, there’s always the possibility he could stick around longer, but right now it looks like a case of Frankie Valentini propping up his pets once again.

Not an AMC viewer, so I don’t have a three headed dog in this fight, but just thought I’d ask…..

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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