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GH's Bob Guza on the reveal that Michael was brutally raped!

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

The moment is finally here when on Monday’s January 31st episode of General Hospital is it revealed that Michael was indeed raped in prison, and what everyone had thought all along was indeed true. (Well, sort of)  

The head scribe of GH, Bob Guza spoke in detail with TV Guide in this exclusive look into why the decision to have Michael raped, and how the revelation will come about and how the parents and mentors in Michael’s life, Jason, Sonny, and Carly will deal with Michael’s moment of truth.   Here are a few excerpts!

Guza on if he delayed the reveal due to the uproar that the audience did not want to see rape-plot: ” Not at all, though we at the show felt the same way the audience did. I remember the day we sat down and I was pitching this idea to [ABC Daytime chief] Brian Frons, and we were all going, “We love Michael! Why would we do this to him?” But that was the very reason to do it — because it’s real, because it would happen to a character like him under those circumstances. It’s almost a fantasy to think it wouldn’t! Uproar from the audience was to be expected, but the only honest way for us to tell the story is to really deal with the reality of prison life. We’re doing all the proper research and handling the aftermath as responsibly as possible. We’ve been working closely with the organization RAINN [the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network] and we will be doing a PSA at the end of the January 31 episode.”

Guza on what event is the catalyst to Michael spilling the beans of his rape: “Michael will see Abby (Adnrea Bogart) about to be raped by her ex-boyfriend and he flashes back to what happened to him in prison and goes berserk. In that flashback, we’ll see Michael’s assault in more detail, though nothing gratuitous or titillating. We wanted to make it clear the assault on Abby has visual and physical parallels to the assault on Michael. The incident with Abby — Michael does save her before she’s actually raped — will serve as a kind of catharsis for Michael, and he is finally able to admit to Jason (Steve Burton)  that he was indeed raped. He then tells his parents, Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly (Laura Wright).

Looks like this will be must-see February sweeps soap viewing and the reactions and performances from Duell, Benard, Burton, Bogart and Wright could be five hankie time.  Stay tuned!

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Kara
Guest
Kara

Can’t wait to see this! Will Michael be tested for HIV or have discussions about it with Robin/Jason/Sonny? I think it’d be really interesting to see Carly face her past issues with HIV+ people when her son has HIV.

Also I know this wouldn’t happen but getting Liz and Lucky involved would be great. They could share their insights as Liz’s rape was one of the best stories that GH has ever done. It’d be nice if they had a nod of history towards that!

Thanks for the scoop!

Sean
Guest
Sean

Been waiting for this since June. Emmy-worthy no doubt!

Olivia
Guest
Olivia

Lets make one thing clear to Guza & Frons. You love Michael. I WAS forced to deal with him over & over & over & over again. Not to take away from the actor(s) but I had MORE than enough of Michael. Therefore, I could really give a cruddola what happened to him in prison. I was over the prison story the day it started & I certainly did not want to revisit it. That all being said. I am not watching General Hospital any longer. I stopped watching January 18, 2011 when the announcement of Rebecca Herbst & Elizabeth… Read more »

Keeks
Guest
Keeks

If General Hospital actually wanted to do the responsible thing in the telling of this story they wouldn’t sleaze it up with strippers and hookers. There is only ONE other rape survivor left on this show and that is Elizabeth Webber. But they did the irresponsible thing and fired the very talented, very popular, Rebecca Herbst. If they had included Elizabeth Webber in this story, I MIGHT have thought this offensive, sleazy story could be redeemed but without Elizabeth Webber on General Hospital, my long time loyal viewership to this show is OVER.

Cyndi
Guest
Cyndi

I hate this storyline but to a point I understand it. My problem is that the one person that has been brutally raped on the show should be the one involved with it. She understands what he is going through and has had to pick herself back up and go on with her life. I think the fact of how this storyline has played out is what makes me hate it the most. In order to help an 18 year boy through this first we have someone get him someone to sleep with. Then you set him down the course… Read more »

Ann
Guest
Ann

Guza and Frons don’t have a clue what their audience wants-that is very clear! I have not doubt Guza will mess up this storyline just like he does every other one!

kim
Guest
kim

I Hate the idea. I Hate Abby, she’s too old for Michael, she should ride off into the sunset with her loser ex-boyfriend.

Lisa
Guest
Lisa

Love Michael & Abby & this entire story is why I watch GH right now!
Chad & Andrea are fabulous together & cannot wait for his scenes with Laura, Steve, Maurice, to play out.

SoapStud79
Guest
SoapStud79

This is one of GH’s stronger stories. Chad Duell should be very proud his performances lately. Great young actor. 🙂 I, too, would like to see some scenes between Robin and Michael.

laurie
Guest
laurie

I love the story. I think it will definately bring depth to all invovled. Chad is a great actor and is doing this story very well. For all those who feel that Liz should be involved is just crazy. Why? I feel bad she is leaving the show, but this is about Michael, not Liz. And for all those who are not going to watch anymore because she is leaving, and feel that this soap will be nothing without her? Really? what does that say for all the others on the show. Come on Liz has never really been a… Read more »

moni f.
Guest
moni f.

I think the General Hospital rape story was one of the greats. It just goes to show you we should always pay attention to our children and whats going on with them by talking!!! Oh by the way i think the Elizabeth story lines are out of gas, I think she will find something else real soon.

General Hospital

General Hospital Alum Briana Lane Mourns the Loss of Her Husband

Heartbreaking news to report.  Briana Lane, who took over the role of General Hospital’s Brook Lynn Quartermaine while Amanda Setton was away from the series, shared that her beloved husband, John Lange, passed away on March 14th.

Lane posted a photo of herself with John on her Instagram expressing: “I will love you forever my sweet John. Til we meet again.”

Photo: ABC

In August of 2020, Lane started subbing for Setton as Brook Lynn, and her performances won the hearts of GH fans.  She stayed with the show till November of that year and returned one other time in 2022. In addition, Amanda received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work in the Outstanding Guest Performer category in 2021.

As for the love story of Briana and John, they wed in December of 2016.  As many know, Briana is not only a great actress, but also has a successful music career and John was very supportive of her professional life. Lange was remembered as a walking encyclopedia of television knowledge, a dog lover, and a lover of comedy.

Friends of Lane’s have set up a Go Fund Me page, to assist in giving John the memorial he deserves and to help Briana as she navigates this next chapter of her life.

Many of Briana’s former GH co-stars shared their grief and support in her IG post including: Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Katey MacMullen (Willow).

Share your condolences for Briana on the loss of her husband in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GH Alums Chloe Lanier and Johnny Wactor Guest Star on ‘Station 19’

You can catch two of your favorites, who you first came to know from their work on General Hospital, on tomorrow night’s March 16th episode of the ABC primetime drama, Station 19 (8 p.m. ET).

Look for Daytime Emmy-winner Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle) and Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando) to appear within the hour-long show.

In the episode titled, “Even Better than the Real Thing”, Lanier will play the role of Ciara.

According to ABC in story: a simulation fire training goes dangerously wrong; Maya tries to make amends, and Bailey encourages Carina to listen; Jack’s sister shows up at the station with a friend, an injury and an attitude.

Chloe took to her Instagram to share,  “I get into a bit of trouble on Station 19 this Thursday. Directed by the incomparable and lovely Paris Barclay! (I’m a big fan) Had such a great time working on this one and I can’t wait for you all to see it.”

Meanwhile, Wactor looks to be playing a fireman in the episode, and took to his IG and shared: “Catch me on Station 19 this Thursday, 3/16 at 8 PM. I’m excited. Too bad I can’t do a live watch party on here. I’ll have to do some research because a watch party would be fun!”

Will you be checking out Chloe and Johnny on Station 19? Comment below.

 

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A post shared by Chloe Lanier (@chloelanier123)

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General Hospital

Jane Elliot Returns to General Hospital This April

Although it was previously announced back in January (during ABC’s TCA Winter Press Tour) that Jane Elliot would be returning to General Hospital, the soap opera and Soap Opera Digest have confirmed that Jane’s first episode back will air next month on April 17th.

While Elliot won’t be a part of the Nurses’ Ball which airs the week of April 3rd, as part of the show’s 60th anniversary episodes, the Daytime Emmy-winning fan favorite will be back in action during the anniversary month and beyond.

As viewers know, Jane originally decided to retire back in 2017, and so Tracy was written off to join Luke Spencer in Europe.  Since that time, Elliot has come back to the show for a few appearances.

The last time we saw Tracy was at the beginning of 2022, when she came home to Port Charles to give the shocking and tragic news that Luke had been killed in a cable car crash.  Tracy eventually went back to Amsterdam, where they had been living, to settle his affairs following his death.

Will Tracy’s return help bring down Victor Cassadine (Charles Shaughnessy) who is believed to be behind Luke’s death? Could Tracy learn Luke is really alive after all? Stay tuned.

So, excited that Jane Elliot’s return to GH is just around the corner? Comment below.

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