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GH Script Writer Scott Sickles On Penning Final Scenes Between Luke and Helena: "Writing Helena Has Been One Of My Greatest Joys Over The Past Few Years."

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

On Thursday’s episode of General Hospital, viewers witnessed the final scenes between long-time nemesis’ Luke Spencer and Helena Cassadine.  And as we previously reviewed and reported on the episode, it was quite a memorable swan song between long time scene partners Tony Geary and Constance Towers.

After the episode aired, GH script writer Scott Sickles took to his facebook page and related his thoughts on penning the final scenes between these iconic soap adversaries, and getting the opportunity in the last few years to script the scenes for the character of Helena, Luke and to work in collaboration with the General Hospital writing team.

Sickles shared:  “On July 9, 2015, GH aired the final scenes I ever personally scripted between Luke Spencer and his lifelong arch-nemesis Helena Cassadine.  Writing Helena has been one of my greatest joys over the past few years. I have no idea if she’ll ever be back (or do I? Because if I did, well… there’s no way I would tell you… 🙂 We’re in the home stretch with Tony Geary and it’s been an honor and a pleasure. This is a highlight for me.”

Scott went on to say to the many fans that commented on his post: “Credit where it’s due: it was truly a collaborative effort. Most of the magic came from Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, and Elizabeth Korte. I’m just glad I got to add some touches.  Those scenes were a team effort.”

So GH fans, do you think if this was the last time we will see Helena Cassadine? Do you think she will return sooner than later?  What did you think of the scenes between Constance Towers and Tony Geary that ultimately led to the reveal of little Jake Spencer (James Nigbor) being alive, and Sickles touching post on the creation of them?   Share your thoughts below!

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The last two days have been outstanding. JJ made me shed a tear today.

I hope that we will see Constance appear again on General Hospital. The scenes were touching for her goodbye to her arch enemy Luke.

In a way it is time for her to go but I think she will be around when Nick goes over the top or takes a dive? Plus, I love Helena’s scenes with Spencer.

I really loved the last scenes between Luke and Helena. It made me think of all of the “delicious” stories these two have brought to GH. Hope Helena appears again. Maybe as Jake’s adopted Grammy? I’m sure they developed a bond of sorts with each other the last few years.

NOOOO!
I won’t allow Helena Cassadine to be gone!!

The Cassadines are a cornerstone of GH !!
Helena/Constance Towers is a great joy to me, I luvs her!
The Cassadines can vanish, never!

If Helena/Constance goes it will be a very sad thing..

I was very touched, heartfelt, Luke and Helena’s scene..
It was a moment that will always be with me..
Such an eloquent goodbye, so little said, no more needed to be said I could feel it..

I’m sure Helena/Constance Towers has shed tears saying goodbye to Tony..
They were indeed a diabolical dule..
Nemesis at their best !

Well, we only know this was the last scene between Helena and Luke.
Helena, much like yourself, has harbored a long and simmering hatred of Laura.
Therefore, if Laura stays on we have a greater chance that Helena will not leave forever because her work is not yet done.
Pray that Laura stick around, Suoo.

I recently read, Helena will be making another appearance later this
summer. It will involve Nik, ELQ, and Rosalie’s deep, dark secret..

yeah, Helena’s not done, she’s got Nick and Spencer to attend to, meddle with, etc. She’s got further story to tell. Just because Luke is departing, is by no means the same for our beloved Helena/Constance Towers. Luke was Helena’s toy! She’s probably mourning his loss, maybe her character is shifting gears a bit, maybe she’s been doing a lot of yoga and mediation in seclusion, 🙂

LOL, Harry….again, with that undeniable wit of yours.

The acting was the best part…little Jake’s appearance was a little creepy…i expected to hear the soundtrack from ‘The Omen’…imo…time for Helene’s exit story too…i love Constance Towers but its time for another villian to bring havoc to PC…Jennifer Smith wouldve been perfect—even without Luke…she couldve become obsessed with Nicolaus or Jullian!!!

I would love to see Jennifer Smith return, too. And, go after Magic Milo, the show is already majorly campy, so why not? koo-koo Jennifer goes after Ephipany’s man! oh the fun to be had with Jennifer.

nope love Helena cassindine

Doesn’t Helena have to come back at some point because isn’t she holding Robin captive?

Yes she is… TPTB are thinking of recasting Robin…..

They, should I love kmc but Elizabeth Hendrickson wld be awesome while also offering sex appeal

This can’t be the Last we see of Helena… She’s an
equal opportunity hater. She’s still holding onto Robin,
one or more of her son’s is on ice.. Nik and Spencer
still reside in PC.

It better not of been the last time! I love Constance Towers (Helena) she’s an asset to General Hospital!! I would be very very mad if they don’t have her back! She needs to be on GH full time, IMO. Plus, she has Robin, and Lulu’s/Stavro’s Embryo.

Remember though, Constance is in her 80’s…maybe she doesn’t WANT full time work. I hope we haven’t seen the end of her with the unresolved issue with Robin and Lulu and Stavros embryo, but I doubt it will be a full time role.

I totally want Constance Towers to return in the fall as Helena. She’s a gem, and like you said an asset to GH. FOR SURE. She’s stunning at her young age, and she knocks it out of the park in her scenes. She’ll be back, she always has more to do in Port Charles.
Maybe, she’ll take a short rest, but she’s always got an angle to work, with or without Luke.

i sure do hope Helena will be back, after all the character is connected to more characters on the show then just lule, i’m sure she would still love to get back at Laura and theres Nikolas, and the two jakes and elizabeth i’m sure will have something to say to the queen of evil, so yeah, Helena got more people to make miserable.

We all know it wasn’t the last time we’ll be seeing Helena. No reason to kill off the character as long as the divine Constance Towers is still going strong. Helena will never die, just like Faison will never die, Jerry Jacks, Heather Webber, the great villains never die.

As for the scenes between Tony Geary and Constance, loved them! With the reveal of Jake being alive, the return of Jonathan Jackson, I thought this was a great week overall for GH.

I think it was good…but, again…flashbacks would have added so much more. Their love to hate each other relationship throughout the years, the teasinfpg, flirting as they threatened to kill each other…and the many times each one tried, coupled epwith a respect for the others wit, the way they challenged each other…all that and the many adventures they took us on.

Yes, I think and hope Helena will make other appearances…but I doubt that chemistry could be duplicated. Sad…just another ending. C’est la vie…

Rebecca, I am craving flashbacks as much as I am craving a hamburger.
I will gladly pay you on Friday for a flashback on Thursday.

Regards,

Weezy

Harry, That entire response just FLEW over my head. Lol…and I pride myself on my superlative quick wit!

So I’ll de deuce, knowing you like Helena, that you DO crave hamburgers and would like to see flashbacks, too. Since I’m a vegetarian, lol, I’m actually craving an avocado roll…

Weezy. Hmph. Jefferson? Okaaaaaayyyyy. She’s cool….

Harry, are you allergic to hamburgers or Helena? Is that why you’re sneezing? LOL.

I love Helena always have always will….she will be back!

Geary was obviously not into it…

Truly I’M So Tired Of Helena…Really!! Love the final scene with Luke but it’s time to rest her. Going to miss Luke….

While Constance Towers continues to be a consummate actress in the soap field, I find the whole storyline — from Luke’s exit to the overly-unacceptable resurrection of Jake — to be quite underwhelming, horribly executed and not written in strong context. This is not a story that should be told, but since it [unfortunately] is, it is not one that should be rushed in a limited-run of appearances by Jonathan Jackson’s Lucky and the soon-to-be exit of Anthony Geary’s Luke, an exit mind you that is long over-due. The past few years of Mr. Carlivati’s reign of terror on General Hospital has been a rocky and boring one; he is not the strong head-writer that everyone kisses is ass to be. He’s subpar, at best, and is very much into recycling storylines and ignoring the history of a show, history mind you, that he had a part in writing and ultimately destroying. It is high time that ABC executives let Ron out of his contract and hire someone with the talents acceptable to bringing this soap back to its prime.

My most favorite reveal about bring Jake back was to have the return of James Nigbor to the canvas. It had such impact to me! I don’t know what will happen in the future, but that moment was the best!

LOVED seeing Constance and hope they find good, ingenious ways to use Helena in the future.

The scenes between Luke and Helena have always been fun to watch, this last one brought tears to my eyes.

Luke and Helena !!!
what an extraordinary diabolical couple..
I loved every second of Luke and Helena, none better..

I am looking forward to seeing the great Constance/Heena at Windermere!
There is still havok for her to create 🙂

I hope Helena is gone for good.

OK my two cents. Helena is a wonderful character. Let her go. But I enjoyed the goodbye scenes but. Why and exactly how did she end up with little Jake ?he looks like the next brainwashed character from the Cassidines. Sure some fans wanted him back, and LUCKY was great in the scenes. Luke has gone fine. TG can take Ron with him also. The show even the goodbye to Luke is a trashed joke. Nothing explained. Nothing for the fans to be happy about. No answers. Guess Ron will tell everyone to go to twitter to get the answers. Karma’s coming Liz. Nick and Jake they have all taken kids that were NOT theirs. payback time. How can anyone be happy Liz will be getting her son, Danny needs his father also. Does Nick know about this, is it payback for Aiden and Spencer .As for Constance Towers her stick is getting old. As was Tony’s drinking. Luke’s drinking. He still ran the kid over and didn’t care so no. forgiveness for him. Dui

I’m really not sure of much of what you said except your wrong recollection of Luke “not caring” that he ran over Jake. He was devastated.

I love general hospital have been watching it for forty years I don’t like this bringing people back from the dead some of the plots are to far fetched

I love her, but I hate when she is real bad..I like her soft side.
She could be a wonderful grandmother , to all her grandkids.
Hate to see Luke go but ,,,,,, we know he wants to.
Give Laura some good story lines.
Her and Danta, fighting, her helping LuLu go on with her life.
Paul is hot , put him and Laura together, Tracy too.
Good cat fight.

I loved the scenes with Helena and Luke,I do have 1 hope and that is that this one time she had a shred of decency and there are no games with little Jake,that she “saved” him because of her respect for Lucky and Luke.no brainwashing or other games.just this 1 time let it be human compassion.

I absolutely love Helena Cassadine/Constance Towers!!

the little Jake story line good but I have a question why did she choose to tell him now

I am going to miss Tony as he is truly an exceptional actor… Helena I can take ONLY in SMALL DOSES. As for bringing Jake back, I do NOT like any one coming back that is truly dead ( i.e. run over, shot, disease ridden, etc) now if they go into a coma or leave town for a little while than bringing them back is quite all right…but from the dead…..a definite NO. I am not pleased with the way the general storyline for GH is going ( not including the exit of Tony in this). The actors/actresses seem to be trying to play a role that we are not used to them playing. So sad….I do not relish the olden days of GH but I do respect HISTORY and do not want it re-written for any reason. JMO.

Nope Helena will be back later this summer, she is part of the “big” secret Rosalie is hiding.

All the things Helena has done to the residents of Port Charles, how is she not dead yet?

@mike.
Yes, yes, yes….Elizabeth H would characterize Robin to the letter. From what I have read about Robin, Elizabeth is a perfect match….petite and smarting ( as in sharply witty). She, also, lends a resemblance to Anna, in mannerisms.

Beyond the Gates

TONIGHT: Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 Live: Nominated Guest Line-Up

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Now that this year’s 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Nominations have been announced, several of the acting nominees will share their reactions and more to learning they are going for gold when the ceremony rolls around on October 30.

However, tonight on Tuesday July 14 beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Michael Fairman once again host his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations special live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Scheduled to appear thus far are: Beyond the Gates stars, Lead Actress nominee: Karla Mosley (Dani), Supporting Actress nominee: Trisha Mann-Grant (Leslie), and Supporting Actor nominees: Mike Manning (Smitty) and Timon Kyle Durrett (Bill).

From The Young and the Restless: Lead Actress nominee Michelle Stafford (Phyllis), Lead Actor nominee Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Supporting Actress nominee Camryn Grimes (Mariah) and Supporting Actor nominee Sean Dominic (Nate).

In addition look for General Hospital’s Supporting Actress nominee Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), from Days of Our Lives, Outstanding Guest Performer nominee, Christopher Sean (Paul) and from The Bold and the Beautiful Lead Actor nominee Scott Clifton (Liam) and Supporting Actor nominee Lawrence Saint-Victor (Carter) plus more featured guests.

So, what did you think of this year’s Emmy nominations for Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless?

Be with us in the live chat with your questions and comments on this year’s nominations and for our special guests.

For upcoming celebrity features, livestreams, special event coverage and more, make sure to “subscribe” to the Michael Fairman Channel.

So, looking forward to tonight’s special show with the nominees? Let us know via the comment section below and if you can’t be with us live, if you have any questions you want posed to our special guests and we just might ask during the broadcast.

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Beyond the Gates

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16

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The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.

The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.

The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.

Photo: CBS

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”

“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.

Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!

Photo: JPI

Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful

Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates

Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital

Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View

Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri

Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra

Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court

Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre

Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”

Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program

Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273

So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’

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The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.

Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.

Photo: JPI

FOR LESLIE CHARLESON

Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”

Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).

Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.

“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”

Photo: JPI

SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?

During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.

Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.

You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.

Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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