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GH's Brandon Barash Interview: How Johnny On The Run Became Johnny-On-The-Spot For Lulu!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Sneaking back into Port Charles is sometimes necessary on ABC’s General Hospital, and no one does it quite like Johnny Zacchara (Brandon Barash)!  The son of infamous mob boss, Anthony Zacchara (Bruce Weitz), who has carried the torch in the mob wars against Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), certainly does have a soft spot!  That would be his long-standing feelings for Lulu Spencer Falconeri (Emme Rylan).

Suddenly reappearing on the scene, just as Lulu is dealing with the fallout of her cousin Valerie Spencer (Brytni Sarpi) sleeping with her husband Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), not once but twice, Johnny is more than ready to lend an ear to Lulu.  He actually offers to help take Valerie out of the picture at the request of Lulu!  But just how is he going to go about it?  Will he come through and remove Valerie as an obstacle so Dante and Lulu will give their marriage another chance … or … does he just truly want Lulu all for himself?

On-Air On-Soaps caught up with longtime General Hospital fan favorite Brandon Barash to talk about: Johnny’s return for the holiday’s on the Port Charles canvas, and what viewers can expect to see as his latest current story arc plays out.  In his real life, Brandon shares the joys of raising his beautiful daughter Harper, alongside his wife and GH star, Kirsten Storms (Maxie).  Here’s what Brandon had to say about slipping into the skin of his beloved tough guy alter-ego, Johnny Zacchara, and more!

General Hospital is bringing in some heavy hitters for their year-end storylines, and you return is among them!  The show certainly perks up when you come back as Johnny.  The fans were excited to hear you were making another return!

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  It’s becoming a nice tradition to come back to GH at the end of the year, and put a nice ending to my own year.  It’s been really great, and I was happy to do it.

Did you know when you signed on for this arc that it would be for the story we are seeing now involving Johnny helping Lulu seek revenge on Valerie?  

BRANDON:  I really didn’t.  I knew a little bit about the storyline and Frank Valentini (executive producer, GH) had sort of teased it, but I trust him.  I know he is not going to bring me back to do something that I’m not going to like, or something that isn’t interesting.  But, it’s all very interesting, and a lot of fun.

Viewers saw this week that Johnny, using an alias, helped Valerie when she had was pulled over to the side of the road after her car died.   He sort of befriends her to get some information to use against her to help in his plot with Lulu!

BRANDON:  I had a lot of fun that day with a lot of fun character stuff I got to play between Johnny and Valerie. You’re going to see a side of Johnny, you’ve never seen before, and you will know what I’m talking about when you see it.  He’s pretty perceptive, deceptive, and cunning … all of those things.

How is working with Brytni Sarpy (Valerie)?

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  I had not worked with her before.  She is a stickler for her lines, as I am, and she likes to rehearse and run lines beforehand, which I am a big fan of.  Pretty much everyone I worked with this time around likes to run lines before we tape.  That’s good, because in the daytime environment it’s all about getting scenes done, and getting 70 scenes shot a day.  So you need to carve time out for yourself to do rehearsal.  Brytni was very good in doing that with me.

So, Johnny discovers Valerie’s Achilles heel while taking forever and a day to “fix” her car! (Laughs)

BRANDON:  For Johnny, he discovered that Valerie’s Achilles heel was having a sense of purpose.  To fill that for her was that she wanted to become a cop, and that was very important for him to exploit.

Now that he knows what to exploit, how is he going to do that?  Wreck Valerie’s burgeoning police career?  Do you think his plan is a good one?

BRANDON:  You will slowly see what Johnny’s plans are for her.  I do think his plan is good.

Johnny is risking being caught and being put behind bars.  Does he really just want to help Lulu, or is he helping her bring down Valerie, because he is hoping something potentially can happen with the two of them again?

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  I find this to be incredibly convenient that he shows up in Port Charles right as Lulu and Dante’s marriage is dissolving very rapidly.  In my mind’s eye, it makes more sense to me that Johnny always has people in Port Charles reporting to him as to what is going on.  He finds out this information about Lulu and Dante, and makes his entrance based on that information.  For me, that is what justifies him resurfacing in Port Charles.  Nobody knows this information, but Johnny.  Having said that, this whole time he is thinking, “You know what? Maybe we can hit the reset button and see what we were once going to be.”  The problem is Johnny’s last seven or eight years of wrongdoing has gotten in the way of that.  We will see how he dances around that!

Johnny has always loved Lulu, right?  Why was he on the run this time?  Viewers need a scorecard for Johnny’s crimes!  (Laughs)

BRANDON:  He absolutely has loved Lulu.  However, it’s hard to love someone when you’re on the run. (Laughs)  Right now, he is on the run for the attempted murder of Julian Jerome, (William deVry).

Is he concerned that Julian, and others, could find him while he is in Port Charles?

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  Well, you know Johnny always says, “You can’t prove anything.”  But of course he is concerned about it, or he wouldn’t be hiding out at The Haunted Star!

Will we see you continuing to hide out behind The Haunted Star bar for three weeks?  (Laughs)

BRANDON: (Laughs) Those scenes have been so fun to shoot!

Dante and Lulu’s marriage has crumbled.  Johnny has always brought out the dangerous side of Lulu.  Does he ultimately just want to get her into bed?

BRANDON:  I don’t think his only objective is to get into bed with her.  Of course, that’s what he wants.  He jokes a lot about that as you will see in the coming weeks.  But I think what he wants is to love Lulu again.  I think at this point that love is, in a sense, unrequited.   It was eight years ago that they loved each other.  It seems like almost another life ago.   At this point, it’s not possible for them to love each other yet, because of life, because Johnny is on the run, and because Lulu is in marriage limbo.  So, it has this unrequited sense to it.  I think it’s kind of beautiful.  I think the only way that Johnny can deal with that is through humor.  You are going to find him using humor this time around more than he ever has.

That is what I liked about your return this time, and I noticed that right away.  You, and the writers, have lightened the character and he isn’t so dark.

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  It was important for me to do that.  Every time I come back, I want to bring something new to him and some other element.  I think it’s vital to do that, because he is coming back from a different, for lack of a better word, “adventure” every time.  Last year at this time, when we met him he was being let out of prison after a year and a half.  This time around when we see Johnny he has been on the run.  So last year, you saw a lot of his crazy side, because it was the only way he knew how to survive in prison, and that was to get a little loony.  This time around with being on the run, he had to get in touch with the lighter part of himself.  On the other side of that coin, and this is true in my own life … and I kind of stole from myself in this sense … but when I am in an uncomfortable situation, I will either be completely closed off, or use humor to get out of it.  That is what you are going to see him going through a lot, and using humor to try to cope with how uncomfortable things are for him really deep down.  It was fun twist I got to make with the character.

So, do you like how you are able to come in and out of GH doing a guest arc, while continuing to pursue and book roles in primetime series doing guest shots, movies, etc?  It seems to be working out well for you!

BRANDON:  I have been recurring on a pretty big series on TNT which has been great, and doing a movie here and there, and other guest spots on TV series.  It’s been good.  Obviously, if Frank Valentini has his druthers I would be back at GH fulltime, but I like this for right now.  It’s good, because GH has become a family and a home base for me.  It’s nice to be able to go back and work, and not just to go back and visit my wife when she is there working.  I do enjoy it.  I wouldn’t keep going back to GH, if I didn’t.

Courtesy/ABC

I think New Year’s Eve in Port Charles could bring an interesting moment for Johnny.   What do you think?

BRANDON:  Yes, you will see.  New Year’s could hold a very, very interesting moment and a lot of things can happen on New Year’s Eve … a lot of things.

Have you noticed any difference in the scripts from when former GH head writer Ron Carlivati’s work was airing, as opposed to the new head writing team of Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante?

BRANDON:  I think they are all doing a great job.  Ron was doing a great job, but the network decided to go in a different direction.  I think these writers now are doing a great job.  I think they are doing their best to keep up with the integrity of each character.  It’s a tall order to fill, but I think they are doing exceptionally well.

Johnny has had such a history on the show.  Often times it appears that many actors know their character’s back-story or behavior better than the head writers.  Did you inject any thing into the script or dialog this time?

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  There was some ad-libbing I did, and not because of the integrity of the writing, the writing was great.  However, there are some times that I feel in a script that there is something that can be ad-libbed at the moment that will make it more authentic to the characters.  You can probably see where I take those liberties when you are watching the show.  They were great at allowing me to do that, and still honoring the writing, because it’s great.

How has it been working with both actresses who have played Lulu:  Julie Berman and Emme Rylan?

BRANDON:  I think Julie and Emme are both tremendous actresses.  They both have different qualities about them that make them great.  Of course, they are two different people, but at the end of the day we are telling a love story.  They both do a great job at telling it.

Did you get to have some laughs with Emme on the set between takes?

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  Yeah, it depends on the scene.  It’s important to me off the set to create the environment of the circumstances.  For example: if we are shooting some playful scenes, I will make it a point to be playful in between takes.  If we are shooting some very serious scenes, I will make a point to be quiet and withdrawn to myself.  I like to set that tone and I think it’s very important.  Luckily, everyone I got to work with was respectful of that.  A lot of the scenes are playful, and we did keep that up between scenes and in rehearsals.  I think it’s important to keep the scene alive when the cameras aren’t rolling.

Johnny does not like Dante, and in fact, he certainly wants to avoid Dante finding him out he is in Port Charles, or he could be put back behind bars.  But actually, he probably wants to physically hurt Dante for what he did to Lulu which has caused this rift in their marriage.

Courtesy/ABC

BRANDON:  Yes, he is trying to avoid Dante at all costs.  I’m sure he would like to do a lot more than hit him.  Having said that, Dom and I are very close friends!   I don’t want anybody thinking I want to hit him!  (Laughs)  But, my character Johnny would like to do some very bad things to Dante!

It’s always great to see you in scenes with Johnny’s nemesis, Maurice Benard (Sonny).  From the looks of this story arc, it doesn’t appear that they will cross paths.

BRANDON:  Yeah, it just wasn’t possible this time, unfortunately.  It has been really, really fun cultivating a friendship with Maurice over the years.  Our on-screen relationship we had to keep off- screen this time.

When you look back over the years at your work in the role as Johnny Zacchara, what scenes, or story, or moments are you most proud of?

BRANDON:  I am going to say this period of time right now.  This is the proudest I’ve been of the character and the work, and everything.  It’s been just a perfect storm of a lot of things.  I really had a lot of fun telling this story.  It was a very complete and fulfilling experience.

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Will you cross paths with your real-life wife Kirsten Storms (Maxie) on-screen this visit?

BRANDON:  I don’t know! It remains to be seen.  I’m fuzzy on some of the shooting days, so I’m not quite sure. You will just have to watch! (Laughs)

GH fans are so enamored of your real-life family:  you and Kirsten, and your adorable baby girl (who will be two-years-old next month) Harper.

BRANDON:  That is really sweet of them!  We appreciate their love and support.  It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever done.  Look, beating the odds in Los Angeles and becoming a professional actor, and being paid very well for it to the point where you can support a family is one of the coolest things somebody can do, if they are in this business.  Having said that, being a dad is the coolest thing I will ever do in my entire life hands down.  Having a relationship and a spiritual connection with not only my wife, but with this being that we created together, there is nothing on this earth quite like it.  I realized that over the last two years.  Nothing will ever compare to it.

Whenever I have seen you with Harper, you look so happy and so proud to be her dad!  It’s very special to witness.

BRANDON:  It’s cool, but it’s not all sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns.  Raising a child is very difficult.  One thing about having a child is that it will test every last fiber of your being.  It will test your marriage, it will test yourself, and it will test your soul.  I feel like as long as you are conscious to it all, and your intentions are to do what’s best for your child, you can really grow a lot as a person, or as a husband, or as a father, or wife and mother, as it may be.  I have never experienced such personal growth, as cheesy as it sounds, in the last two years in becoming a father.  My wife will absolutely attest to that.  (Laughs)

Courtesy/PortChuck.com

Will Port Chuck, your musical act with Steve Burton (Dylan,Y&R), Scott Reeves (Ex-Steven Lars, GH), and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli perform some new dates and venues in 2016?

BRANDON:  Well, we just did a couple of shows in Chicago.  We thought about the possibility of doing some more next year, but it’s making sure our schedules synch up. That is the biggest thing.  When we were all on General Hospital together it was very easy, because we were all dark at the same time as we had the same schedules.  Now all four of us are doing different things.  It becomes increasingly difficult to get us in the same place at the same time.  Of course, we would all like to continue with it.  We all have too much fun together, not to.

In closing, what would you like to say to all of your fans for the holiday season, and those who have continued to love and embrace you when you come back to GH, and miss you so much when you are gone from the soap scene?

Photo Credit: BBarashTwitter

BRANDON:  I would like to thank all of the fans out there who have made Johnny’s residence as solid as it is. They really pull for this character.  He wouldn’t be on the canvas without them.  There is something about him that they like.   I feel very blessed for that. I want to express my love and gratitude to everybody for all of their love and support over the years.  It really means a lot.

So, what do you think Johnny will do to Valerie to help seek retribution for Lulu?  Do you hope Johnny and Lulu rekindle their romance?  Do you think they will hit the sheets?  Do you enjoy having Brandon back on GH?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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I love the guy…and the character. Great interview…..thanks!

Lulu would be smart to let Dante have Valerie and run away with Johnny…better yet. keep Johnny and Lullu and have Dumbte and Valbore run away and disappear!!! lol

I hope Johnny Zaccara (this is the correct spelling: no ‘h’) and Lulu do not jump into bed lickety-split. Building up to it is not only sweeter, but also, I do not want it to be revenge sex. For once, please writers, have the meeting of the mind and body be meaningful! Not wham, bam, thank you, ma’am/sir…lol.
Valerie seems to be working so hard to be one of PC’s finest. Combined with the fact that becoming a cop (perhaps working alongside Dante) means the world to her, if anything were to go awry would be devastating to her. But, of course, this is her Achille’s heel. Johnny will destroy these dreams by making her look incompetent; not worthy to be a police-person.
All I can say is; I hope that’s all he will do. Whether I want Johnny to succeed or not is beside the point, as long as he does not physically harm her or kill her. That would be horrifying. So, I hope that thought is not being entertained by the ‘Hierarchy’. If the Valerie character is to be eliminated, just send her away, or something.
One more thing…..I never really realized how good-looking; how mesmerizingly cool Brandon really is. What a stunning couple he and Kirsten make.

hey CeeCee..
I’d bet- Johnny and Lulu or Val don’t do hanky-panky ..
I don’t see it going that way and Brandon/Johnny is too much a hunk for the Lulu or Val character.. And with his short stay he would only have time for a ”’wham, bam, thank you, ma’am/sir” LOL..
I do not want to see Johnny with anyone I just want to enjoy Johnny doing his bad boy work.
I would not mind watching Johnny destroying Val, but that won’t happen with the creampuff writers, no fears.. Val will survive, be fine.

And–if Val were to be killed on the dock, the pier is magic, the waters save the dead..
heh- 4 bullets, 20 bullets, the pier waters will not let anyone die..
I think it is Alien stuff..

I trust your prophetic words, su. You haven’t failed me yet! Yup; the magic waters of pier 54, is it? LOL.

LOL, su. But, do you remember Carmine from Y&R? Well, that guy was the hunkiest, albeit too short for my taste. He was matched up with Emme ( Abby, at the time)…so, I don’t know…..
Valerie? Many fans sing her beauty’s praises. If she were beautiful, I’d agree. I don’t know if there are true beauties on GH. And, I truly do not believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, either.
I have seen picture of yesteryear; I find that Bobbi/Jackie Z was a real beauty. Then, there are true beauties in the world; but as soon as they open their mouths, all that beauty fades. You know to whom I am referring? I would shoot myself if I had to listen to that voice 24/7.LOL.
But, today, we never really can appreciate beauty because mostly everyone, both genders, young, medium and old (lol) have had some kind of work…..soooooo……

I agree, two wrongs dont make a right! It cheapens the victim and gives DOGnte ammunition! What if Val runs off with Johnny and Lulu hooks up with Dylan and Dante is left with his pistol in his hand?

Oh Ho!!! You really did it this time, Timmmbo! HaHaHaHaHaHa. Best symbolism/ play-on-words, EVER!! Love it. Too funny!!

I love having Brandon Barash back on GH as Johnny. Makes me happy. I would love to see Johnny and LuLu rekindle the romance but I do t see it happening this time

I love having Brandon/Johnny back, my all time favorite..

and-

A big *THANK YOU* to Michael Fairman.. You are loved !!

I really appreciate your love for the soaps and your time spent bringing us great interviews. Michael is the King of soap news !!
And- his interviews are unsurpassed/ superior in achievement or excellence to any other..

Michael is a wonderful host to his guests, us..
He gives us freedom to express, it doesn’t get better than that.

(my lips are getting chapped, but yah he is all that) just want to say..

Hand over the chapstick to me su0000! I also appreciate Mr. Fairman’s site here. It really gives us a chance to discuss something we all love and the interviews are wonderful!

I love Johnny Z back stirring it up! I hope something happens between them. I always felt that Lulu should hop into his car and ride off into the sunset with him someday. I’m sure this plan is going to cause drama.

I would love to see Johnny and Lulu have a little fling. Emme has more chemistry with Brenden then with Dom.

I really enjoy when Johnny comes back to Port Charles. He makes for some interesting storylines. I would like to see him come back more often!!!

Love the interview! Love Brandon & Johnny. Dante & Valerie can have each other, Lulu ahould look no further than this handsome devil!! No contest Dante the fool!! Can Valerie just leave?

I like bad-boy Johnny, and I don’t want him to ruin Val’s chance to become a cop, or worse. Certainly not for Lulu…don’t want to waste him on her. I don’t like what Dante and Valerie have done, at all, but Lulu helped set it up with lies and hasn’t really taken any responsibility for it except a few token apologies. And how many others wouldn’t have been suspicious after finding Lulu and Dylan’s hotel room in disawry? So I don’t have much sympathy for her. And she can be just as impulsive and hot-headed as Dante. At least Dante hasn’t set up a hit of sorts on anyone in revenge.

Oh, please, Rose. No one can set anything up when it comes to cheating. They are adults. Dante and Valerie, the slut, knew what they were getting into. We are all responsible for our actions. You sound like Liz who blames Sam for how despicably she has acted towards Jason, Sam, Danny, Monica and her own son, Jake. Dante and Valerie had an itch….it was palpable. We saw it. Lulu sensed it. Dante decided to allow a stupid visit to Canada, walking into a hotel room, which to his cretin brain, looked ominous, without confronting his wife first…..Dante decided to dismiss his wedding vows by diminishing what said vows mean, without confronting his wife first. Dante decided to desecrate his and his wife’s marriage bed with her cousin, no less, without confronting his wife first.
You don’t like what Dante snd Valerie have done? They crossed the line!! You are dismissing that, and you are equating that to Lulu’s lie. She had promised her parents not to tell because her brothers’ lives were at stake. Lulu found herself between a rock and a hard place. That is no excuse for Dante to do what he did. He wanted it! He had wanted to bed Valerie for a long time. And, so did she.
I am truly nonplussed, Rose. It is, of course, your opinion, and I do respect that, albeit I protest. But I am also entitled to my opinion. It strikes me as strange, though, that you berated me about calling out Ashley’s age as to Ben, yet, you sound as if Lulu brought her husband’s cheating upon herself??
With all due respect, my friend; that does not compute with me. I suppose I must have a distorted way of looking at life.

Cee Cee….Wow!wow!wow! I just said a couple of things and you assumed much, much more. Careful with assuming.

I greatly disapprove of cheating. I think both Dante and Val are totally responsible. And the writers have really set it up for their excuse to get to bed with each other. BUT I don’t think poor Lulu either. Hypothetically if she saw her behaviour the way some of us did, and especially hotheaded, give-me-a-reason-to-suspect-cop-Dante, maybe she might have told him from the outset what was going on. Not saying he would have like it or approved, but why would she keep such info from the husband she loves and father to her child, even if it was supposed to be a Spenser family secret? So now this is the fallout…fault on all three houses.

As for Valerie, obviously she let her eyes and her heart go in the wrong direction after Dante helped she and her mom during the Fluke thing. But I don’t begrudge her trying to make a profession for herself..life’s been emotional and tough since she came into the story…but maybe in another city away from Dante. I just hope Lulu and Johnny’s little plan doesn’t jeopardize this. Punishing her in this way won’t eventually turn her into a better person who won’t need her knight in shining armor, Dante (ugh). And full disclosure…I liked the idea of Val in the beginning, good another Spenser…but I don’t like what the writers did to her, secretly fawning, and maybe understandably having a crush on Dante, and then crossing the line. But I have liked the possibility of her getting out of her victim rut and making a career for herself.

As for Ashley, Ben and age differences. I don’t like the foursome that’s gone on, in fact I almost ff their encounters. I’ve never liked the Ben character, and wondered how three intelligent ladies could fall for him. Small mercies, at least they weren’t married like Dante and Lulu…but they were family which isn’t good either. But I can understand how a one-timer in the shower might have happened…like I said adrenalin on projects can bring strange bedfellows together…but I also don’t see a real future with them, and age doesn’t have anything to do with it. And maybe, after the big fire at Newman Tower, the initial flame between Stitch and Ashley is burning out. Now for Dr. Neville and Ashley…what a lot of us have suspected and hoped for.

Sorry you interpret my ‘ defence of older women’ (I think there is also a book by this title), or Ashey’s age or “giving up her rainbows”, as “berating” you. Wish you didn’t’ read it as berating, not my intention, no more than you in giving your opinions. But sometimes commenters will say things about “older” in general that can make some of us not-so-young cringe.

@Rose.
Well, dear friend. I am not accustomed to taking flippant remarks lying down. ‘Flippant’ was your word, not mine when you assumed much, much, much on my reference to Ashley’s age. You sound like someone else. I made a comment and you ran with it. So, it is a soap. You have your opinions and I have mine. Let’s call it a draw.

So that there are misunderstandings…..I have pointed out that I most definitely am opposed to violence of any form, on more than one occasion. Valerie snd Dante are equally despicable. I do not want you to think badly of me, Rose, that I promote what Lulu is asking Johnny to do. I vehemently object to that. Honorable people just don’t do that, on either side. Dante is a weakling. He will regret it….not by revenge, but from the fact that it wasn’t worth losing his family over a two-bit affair. This thing that he started is spiraling…..Hope not too far out of control. I just have this feeling that Valerie will become a has-been, somehow. Then, Lulu will have to pay the piper; not Dante.
I do hope Valerie’s aspirations of becoming a cop come to nought….fizzle out! Dishonest people should have no part or right to be in law enforcement. I know that’s a naive way of thinking, but, I would rather have a white lie from my spouse than his cheating on me. I think most people would agree with me, yes…LOL.
I am not very happy with Lulu’s retribution. But, to extricate Dante from cheating on his wife because the room was in ‘disarray’, as you suggest, Rose, is no excuse. There should be NO reason for cheating, no matter what. Are you married/have a significant other? LOL. I suppose I have a different set of values….too old fashioned? Too prudish? Even if I thought my husband had cheated on me, I would never go out and do the same to him. I would just show him the door. No absolution whatsoever.

a man “should” meet any one.. 1/2 way… he will come around… reveal his “heart”

gawd! one can hope

“infidelity” absolutely not… all hope is gone

no matter how you spin it

I just think all this is being written to prop Emme Rylan’ Lulu

going by the wayside.. is Dante
going by the wayside… and possibly out… is Valerie

??? huh

argh! it pains me… seriously… it does… I have liked from the start… ER’ take on Y&R as Abby… and am devoted to her for some reason

she’s no… Julie Berman

hence… I am now demoting… Dante… as husband material

OK.. ’nuff said

Patrick… is leaving
Danite… is ending…
Nicholas.. is still smoldering
Ned… is MIA

what? is Lulu.. going to hang with Dylan? the bubble gum machine is still jammed… no matter how I continue to hang with Lulu… it’s not taking

I actually care more about Dante and Valerie

My main bone of contention is with Dante. He goes all the way to…..well, I forgot where but it was pretty far! Once he is there, he discovers clothes and PJ’s in disarray in Lulu and Dillon’s room but he doesn’t bother confronting his wife or give her the benefit of the doubt. I mean, those were one piece bunny PJ’s, not Victoria Secret’s lacy lingerie philandering wives usually choose to wear for their trysts. It seems to me that Dante sought a one way ticket to Valerie’s pants and once he found it, he was dead set on sleeping with that trollop. Dante just doesn’t seem to be that into his wife. However, he doesn’t seem to be that into Valerie either.
He’s not the passionate and romantic Dante with whom we were first introduced. That Dante would not have given up on his Lulu (then played by Julie Berman). He would not take “no” for an answer and he courted the heck out of her, I remember him taking her to a Puccini opera and it was all so sweet and romantic.
Now, Dante cannot even wait until Lulu’s spot on the bed is cold before moving Valerie in her place. Dante is the problem here, not Lulu and not Valerie. If this were real life I would suggest he is suffering from depression and an early mid life crisis.

@Rose.
PS.
This would not be the first time you have made derogatory remarks to me, Rose. I let it slide. The reason? Unbeknownst to me. I am a pretty friendly person. However for some reason, two or three posters sort of ‘nudge’ me. I do respond.

@Patrick.
You are very keen, indeed. Of, course it is done to prop Emme. But when taken out of the abstract and put into reality, intimating that it was Lulu’s fault, it is not a soap anymore, is it, Patrick?
The idea of fear of not being able to express an opinion is downright ridiculous; and, when compounded with the fact that what another says should be considered gospel, then it becomes ludicrous.
And, yes, Patrick. I agree with you, to a certain extend. But, I definitely wish doom and gloom upon Dante and Valerie. Do I thing I’m right? Of course not. It is just our opinion. I just don’t want Lulu and Johnny to hurt Valerie, that’s all.

CeeCee…I don’t think badly of you. Hope you don’t think badly of me. In fact we probably have more in common than you would suspect. And certainly some spirited conversations at times. I also come from old-fashioned values, but at the same time life and experience has added layers to some of them compared to when I was your age. I mostly don’t deal in absolutes anymore (the closest being “do unto others” and the Commandments which seem a reasonable way to try to live with each other. But life changes, most of us aren’t perfect and make mistakes, so hopefully people have a chance to change too..that’s probably why I give Valerie a little rope. But I also think “once bit shame on you, twice bit shame on me” when I give this rope. So Val has one ore chance with me. 🙂

@Harry.
Yeah, Harry. I think we basically have the same philosophy (see eye to eye) where love and marriage/relationships are concerned.
As I have been saying, Dante is a spoiled little weakling who cannot keep either his house or (to use Timmm’s pun) his pistol clean. It does stem from him.
I especially agree with your words, “give her the benefit of the doubt”.
After having been married for a while and knowing of what ‘stuff’ each is made, he should have known better and should have had more faith in her. As I said, the writers wanted this to happen. And, as Patrick said, Emme/Lulu is being prepped for something….what, Je ne sais pas!!

Johnny Z is finally back in town

and that will make Dante frown

charming the women of Port Chuck

who realize their men don’t measure up

a trip to see Maxie is an absolute must

while good guy Nathan begins to cuss

a single Olivia wants him back for one night

but he was critical of Dante so they had a big fight

a return to the mob will be on the way

but he must get these charges to go away

only a matter of time till Val falls for him

and that will certainly not make Dante grin

ticking off all the men one at a time

while they remind him of his past crimes

whenever he played the piano Lulu would just melt

now if Dante saw this he’d hang himself with his belt.

a trip to see Maxie is a must

while Nathan begins to cuss

NICE!

of only this happen

Zachara smolders; without doubt

perhaps it is big time

and Johnny fires it up with HOTTIE Olivia

wouldn’t this add UP Julian

and leave Alexis ; she’s so dour… “I’d leave her immediately”

Yes, sir, Patrick. Let’s keep it in the family snd share and share alike….musical beds. Just like Y&R with all of Ben’s concubines…..young and old, sisters and cousins, mothers and daughters…..the more the merrier. Let’s have an orgy. LOL.

Bravo! Well done.!!!

Newmanwins…wonderful!!! And I really want Johnny to meet up with Olivia again. They are both at loose ends right now, and had a nice thing going once. Plus it will really upset Dante…sob! And no CeeCee, I don’t want them to even think marriage…just spend some “quality” time together for a while.

So glad to see Brandon back as Johnny Z. His presence has compelled me to watch, and actually enjoy, a storyline I hated before his return. Great interview.

It was indeed a great interview.
Brandon is so loaded with talent and charisma that all the actors who come into his sphere pale by comparison. I just wish he had come back for something more worthy than helping stupid Lulu with her stupid plan.

Brandon is beautiful, Harry. Nathan better watch out!

I agree. But at least it makes this storyline watchable.

I love Johnny&Lulu. He’s the one that was her real first and true love. I want him to stay and do a JoLu reunion. He brings out the real Spencer in her.

I love Johnny V. If he would work at GH full time he could one day be up there with other soap icons. One thing I pray for is that Frank brings back Bruce Weitz. I know Anthony is dead but he could have had a brother? Bruce was so good as Anthony!

He was fabulous. I wish Bruce Weitz could come back too.
I will take Anthony over that icky Paul Hornsby any day.

Yes Anthony’s twin brother Andy and Heather’s twin sister Hanna! Why not?

Dear President Obama,

I know Special Reports are important, but you have given two in the last couple of weeks that have interrupted General Hospital…and today was the The Nutcracker Gala fans had been waiting for. Maybe the Gala isn’t as important as some of the world affairs you are dealing with, but for many of us soap fans they are a time out from more serious news.

So suggestion…why not time your afternoon Special Reports to 3pm est. This way no frustrated General Hospital fans wondering about Jason/Liz/Sam, they are not interrupting one of ABC’s good afternoon shows (the others leave much to be desired), and there’s still plenty of time to have your highlights hit the evening news programs.

Thank you Mr. President, and may you and your family have a lovely Christmas.

Rose

LOL

I love the hint of sarcasm and repose

rofl

1… i’m so glad ABC told the audience… hold on to your horses…

2… I wish NBC did this for DOOL

I tune in to more news… than anything… so … I selfishly guard my serial time

Patrick..thank you…it was supposed to have a bit of an “edge” ( if a cartoon maybe a tilted head with demurely blinking eyes?) except for the last good wishes line…it was genuine.

He is so hot! Great to see him back on GH!

Oh, yeah, he is, Charday! I think I saw chest hair. I love a man with a hint of chest hair ( just a sprinkle…has to be somewhat dark, though. LOL). It adds virility and manliness. Yeeessss!!

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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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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