General Hospital
GH’s Genie Francis Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
This past Monday’s episode of General Hospital was one of the series best installmnets in recent months filled with long awaited confrontations and reveals.
The cast at the epicenter of it which included the talents of: James Patrick Stuart (Valentin), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Marcus Coloma (Nikolas), Maura West (Ava) all had stellar moments.
Courtesy/ABC
However, there is nothing like getting to see the icon herself, Genie Francis (Laura), do what she does best; the momma bear who is at once shocked and overjoyed that the son she grieved for over three years was very much alive, and the flip side of the anger over the fact that he let her, his sister, and most importantly his son, Spencer, continue to believe that he was dead, all for his vendetta and quest for revenge against Valentin Cassadine.
For it was Valentin who was the man who shot him and now is no longer the heir apparent to the Cassadine throne, now that the codicil said that it all belongs to Nikolas and Valentin was Helena’s son, not Mikkos’.
The thing of it is, everyone is great when Francis does her performances, and you could see that in the work of soap newcomer, Coloma, who you could just see through his eyes the disappointment and despair he caused his mother all these years, by Francis’ mesmerizing delivery.
Beat after beat in that episode, Genie brought the fire, the sorrow, and the wisdom, as Laura to every moment. It was also well-written that Laura did not just have a happy reunion with her son, but a complex one fraught with issues to be ironed out.
Then, in the punctuation of that episode, was there anything better than watching Laura’s jaw-drop when Ava struts in telling Nikolas it’s time to tie-the-knot?
That is why Michael Fairman TV names Genie Francis “The Power Performance of the Week”.
Let us know in the comment section below, if you enjoyed Genie’s performances as much as we did.
But of course…
emmy nominations for sure
Genie Francis is the VERY best of the VERY best. TPTB at GH should appreciate her way more and have her front and center MUCH more often. She is a force and Laura is a character that we cherish. Many of us were kids when we started watching the Left Handed Boy days on GH, which still puts us in GHs prime demographic. They need to respect the core long term audience more.. one way of doing this would be to feature our characters and our families and stop shoving newbies, not connected to the core cast, in our face. Valentine works as a character because of his connection to Laura and Anna. James Patrick Steward who is amazing in the role is lucky in that respect. Others who might be as talented suffer because poor writing and this disrespect of of GH history.And where Genie herself thought that the audience doesn’t know the difference between bad writing and bad acting, I assure her otherwise. We know GH’s failings…. and there is nothing about HER or her performances that would be considered anything else but mesmerizing. She is so incredible, and brings the sincerity, realism, depth and much needed emotion to every scene she plays in, despite the writing. Thanks Genie and thanks Michael for the acknowledgment.
Well said, Sus! Would love to see her EVERY day. She IS under-utilized. She glows!
Loved her performance
Genie Francis gave a wonderful performance but I got admit I really liked it when she smacked his face for letting everybody believe he was dead when I get off of me
Saw that one coming from all the way down here in Hell! First she’s gonna hug him, out of relief that he’s alive. Then smack him upside the head for letting his whole family – especially Spencer – believe he was dead for three years.
Which is exactly how I would expect Laura to react. So at least the writers got that one right.
Agreed!
Exactly!
NuNik just isn’t cutting it for me. He has no sex appeal or chemistry with his co-stars. Has he even hit puberty yet? Is the facial hair supposed to make him look “tough?”
Genie Francis always brings it. Insipid Lulu can go and cover school cafeteria “stories” off-screen.
Hi, DMRR,
We usually agree, you and I, however I find nuNikolas soooo sexy!! His eyes are a little blood-shot, LOL—-but his mouth is perfection ( like my husband’s, LOL)–those lips!!
Genie gets more and more beautiful—-her performance floored me. WOW!! Every nuance was delivered with incredible precision—her movements; her facial expressio–her indignation and hurt. Superb!!
Hahaha. Maybe I am comparing him to Tyler Christopher, who will always be Nikolas to me.
& yes, Genie is incredible!
Also, I wish that they didn’t dress Genie Francis like an old lady.
I remember when she wore purple or lilac a lot. Looked beautiful! Yes, the costumes are too conservative. I’d like to see her dressed informally, in jeans, once and awhile. Her hair looks beautiful. And her face, always.
Yeah! Just because someone is 50+ does not mean they should be dressed all frumpy. The Laura we all know & love would be more free spirited, including her wardrobe. Imho.
Did we enjoy Genie’s performance? It was worth tuning in for! Finally some real emotion about characters we care about and have history with. Hopefully being part of this story will be good for nuNikolas in “raising his game”. Though I like Marcus, right now, Nikolas’ “threats” are giggle-inducing and during his reunion with Elizabeth, she wiped him right off the screen. But I’m still hopeful. Meanwhile, more Laura can only be a good thing.
I agree 100%
GH has the best of the best actors;
problem was- they were given horrible material for the past two years
(if not longer)
Now;
The great dynamic thrilling ”’ Cassadine’s”’ are back!!
GH hasn’t had intriguing villains/the bad guys ya love, for a very very very long time.
With the loved Cassadine back in action, now, it’s in the hands of the writers.
Will they fluff it up
or
give us on the edge suspense, drama, intrigue and mystery..
time will tell.. (hoping for the best!!
Horrible material, yes, Su–and for much longer than 2 years, I’m afraid.
I remember drama–some of the scenes (earlier years) are seared in my brain. So well executed.
NuNikolas has good chemistry with Liz..Franco with Ava..and Britt returns and paired with Valentin while Nina and Jax work the best..meanwhile i hope tptbb seen Genie’s performance and keep her front in center..storywise, i did not like her slap Nik..so kept it from Spenser that he is alive..would laura prefer he remain dead..she should be a little angry but more grateful he is alive!!!!
The legend Genie Francis showing everyone how it’s done. When you see those eyebrows raise up, the “you know what” is about to hit the fan. So many wonderful performances in that Monday episode. GH is on fire right now, and it’s showing in the most recent ratings, +207,000 viewers from the previous week, and very close to catching Y&R in the 18-49 demo. Hope they can keep the momentum going!
She is amazing, & I love her so much!! Hoping, we get to see more of her on #GH!!
of course Genie was great, that’s nothing new, and so was the whole cast. its great when the writers get their ducks lined up and we get to see the whole cast just shine. GH has the best ensemble cast, and when the writing matches their talent then its explosive and epic.
Best ensemble cast–under used.
I love when gene francis is on. She is the best. And as a mother I could see every emotion in her eyes n face!! Job well done Laura!!
Laura you are the greatest still good after all your years on GH
perfection as always !
There is nothing like a Genie Francis performance.
Amen–she sets the bar–and it’s a high one.
IT IS ABOUT TIME ,LAURA LET HIM KNOW THAT SHE,SPENCER,AND LULU HAVE BEEN GRIEVING FOR HIM FOR THREE YEARS
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.
Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).
When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.
Courtesy/ABC
Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.
Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.
What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
General Hospital
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.
Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?
As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.
Photo: Fox
Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”
Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”
Photo: Fox
The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.
As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”
So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’
Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”
‘Knots Landing’s’ Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark Reunite for Los Angeles Ballet Season 18 Gala
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
‘Tracker’s’ Justin Hartley on His ‘Passions’ Soap Start, “They’d Have Me With No Shirt Walking Around a Hospital for Three Weeks. It Was Ridiculous, but I Loved It.”
The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
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