General Hospital
GH's Jane Elliot Interview: From The Future Of The Soap, Valentini's Efforts, Geary & Hughes, To The Q's!
Courtesy/ABC
She is one of the most respected actresses in the soap genre. She has made viewers laugh, cry, and at times want to throw something at their TV sets over the antics and schemes of Tracy Quartermaine. But it’s a mark of a fantastic actress to make us care for this type of soap character, and who exposes to us that underneath all of Tracy Q’s bravado, she is a very vulnerable and complex woman. That actress is Jane Elliot.
Right now on GH, Tracy seems to be the only one not getting sick by the poisonous toxin released in the Port Charles water supply by Jerry Jacks. What is up with that? And, what is up with Tracy’s love life? Are she and Luke (Tony Geary) a couple for all eternity? Or, will Anna (Finola Hughes) come between them for good?
Recently, On-Air On-Soaps caught up with Ms. Elliot for a “quickie” chat to get her thoughts on: the renewed interest from ABC on the now lone ABC soap, the shows latest executive producer Frank Valentini, what she thinks of Anna, or even Heather vying for the love of Luke, and why she and Tony Geary are pure magic on-screen. Here’s what the incomparable Jane had to say!
GH is moving into its new time slot on September 10th along with a sense of the ABC network firmly behind them. Did you think a year ago that this iconic soap’s ship may sink?
JANE: I never believed the ship was going to sink. I never believed it was going to happen because it would be stupid to wipe out the entire ABC soap opera lineup at the same time. And, NBC still has a show on the air, and CBS still has two shows on the air, and I just never saw it. I always felt General Hospital would be the last soap standing.
How has executive producer Frank Valentini been to work with? He came into a situation with an edict to save this show, inherited many issues that needed to be tweaked, and is by all accounts doing a phenomenal job!
JANE: Frank and I have known each other for 18 years. I observed and shadowed him and two other line producers at One Life to Live, before I went to produce Loving. I spent a couple of months at One Life to Live; five days a week morning till night shadowing him. We maintained a friendship all through these years and I adore him. I adored him then and I adored him the 18 years we communicated. So for me, it was like coming home. I know he is incredibly bright and incredibly smart. He has a really broad stroke and he takes in more information in 30 seconds than almost anybody I know. Frank sees what is going on behind him, next to him, in front of him, as well as having his own inner dialog going on about what is going on, what he wants to fix, and what he wants to change. I love people like that. People like that I find energizing. For me, it’s a thrill. I love working with an executive producer who comes in before everybody arrives and leaves after everybody leaves.
Being one of the most beloved veterans of General Hospital, do you feel the show has a good shot at making it past its 50th Anniversary?
JANE: It’s good business. It’s a good show. Everyone in the cast is energized and excited about what’s ahead. What could you possibly get to replace it that has such a loyal audience and incredible talent?
Courtesy/ABC
Your pal and on-screen acting partner Tony Geary gave you quite the compliment and acknowledgement during his acceptance speech for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series at this year’s Daytime Emmys. What was your reaction when you heard what he had said? Did you shed a tear?
JANE: You know what? I did not know! They pulled the date of the Daytime Emmy Awards show at the last minute, and we knew that we had two dark weeks at GH, and I had a plane ticket for a vacation. I was on the top of a mountain on the Anderson Valley and they didn’t have cable television. But I texted someone, “Did Tony win, yet?” And she texted me back, “Not Yet. The show hasn’t even started yet.” And I said, “Just kidding!” And then five minutes later she texted me back, “He just won!” And I go, “You’re lying!” And the reason I said that was because it was at the top of the show and the timing didn’t make any sense! And she goes, “No. No. He just won! He just thanked you!” So later on I got to watch his acceptance speech and it was so sweet!
How do you like that Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is seriously in the mix for Luke’s affections? And Heather (Robin Mattson) was for awhile too!
Courtesy/E!
JANE: Anytime I get to work with Robin Mattson and Finola Hughes I am thrilled. I love these women. We all have such a long history with each other. Robin and I started on General Hospital together back in the 70’s and Finola in the 80’s. Finola and I both have personal things we share. We both have biological children and adoptive children. At one point, we talked about writing a book together on the subject and the difference, but there is none. It’s everything we have lived life off-camera together informs what we do on camera. And you know what? The truth is … it is a child’s game grown up. It’s called “Let’s Pretend”. And the better you are at pretending, the better the work is. We call it “the work” now, because we are grown-up and getting paid for it. But it is just “Let’s Pretend”, and they are fabulous at playing that game. And, I would play with them over anybody!
Why do you think it works so well on-screen with you and Tony Geary?
JANE: Again, it’s that trust at being best friends. There is no pretense about it. We both know it’s a game, but we are grown-ups and the trust that we have with each other comes from the fact that we have the same sensibility of what the work is. We never take ourselves too seriously. And we are always grateful and consider ourselves blessed that we are like minded. You know, you get a lot of acting partners and everybody works differently, and everybody has a lot of different sensibilities and attitudes and focus about what they are doing. Tony and I have the same. We are grateful we get to do this, but we also both live another life. He has another life. I have another life. And this is just part of our life and we give it our all when we are there, and then we leave it behind.
Courtesy/ABC
Do you miss having all the Quartermaines around?
JANE: I do, I do. But thank God, I have Robin and Finola!
And speaking of the Quartermaines, look for the return of Edward Quartermaine played by John Ingle who has been away from the General Hospital due to illness, next week in a poignant scene which involves Emma and Patrick … and Tracy! In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, Frank Valentini teases, “I’m excited for the audience to see Edward. I love John and everybody here loves John. He is sort of the godfather of the whole show. He has this really amazing scene with Tracy, Patrick and Emma. I challenge anybody to not cry during those scenes because we sure did. Wait until you see it. I am not exaggerating. We we’re crying on set. I had to catch my breath and yell, ‘Cut’. It’s huge.”
So soapers, what do you think of Jane’s comments on the future of GH, working with Tony Geary, Finola Hughes, and Robin Mattson? And, what do you think the emotional scene will be about next week involving Tracy and Edward? Weigh-in!
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”
Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”
Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)
Chad Duell, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor, who stepped away from the pivotal role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, opened up about: his previous decision to leave the series after nearly 15 years, where’s he’s at now after time away from the demands of a daytime soap opera, and took a stroll down memory lane with some of Michael’s most-acclaimed storyline during his run, during a livestream chat on August 19 on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Viewers last saw Duell on-screen as Michael in January of 2025, and with his successor in the role, Rory Gibson making his debut at the GH Nurses’ Ball in episodes that aired later in May. It was clear that during the conversation, Chad was a bit surprised that the GH brass decided to recast him when he thought he was just taking some much needed time off.
Burn-out of the daily grind of being on a soap was definitely a part of Chad’s decision to take a break. Duell explained “People know when you’re doing something for so long or your character is kind of in the same place for so long or doing the same stuff over and over again, you do get a a little burnt out, you get a little stiff, stale, a little stiff at times. I didn’t want that to be any sort of lasting impression. I have 15 years of a body of work of I’ve done on that show, which is fantastic.”
Photo: ABC
WHILE CHAD WAS AWAY GH RECAST MICHAEL CORINTHOS WITH RORY GIBSON
Chad shared, his mindset when leaving GH was, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens.” Then he added, “Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”
Duell also shared he has not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels he reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the GH, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into it again.”
Courtesy/ABC
Even though he is no longer Michael on GH, Chad was very happy with his final storyline where Michael was set on fire when a bomb exploded at Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) penthouse. “It was fun to put him in a dangerous situation, because I was wanting Michael to be in something scary instead of trying to be a hero character or just things happening around him, but to be the center point of tragedy happening to him. (I always saw) Michael as the heart of the (Corinthos) family.”
When Michael was badly burned the show chose not burn his face, which normally a soap does when they are recasting role and switching actors. Chad weighed-in, “They didn’t burn my face because I told Frank Valentini (EP, GH) I’m willing to come back. It was just a little bit of a break. So, I assumed that if they would have burned my face, they could have brought somebody back looking different than me… if that’s what their plan was.”
Courtesy/ABC
MEMORABLE MICHAEL STORYLINES
One of Chad’s most memorable performances was the in the storyline of Michael’s rape while he was sentenced to prison in 2010 and the confession of it in 2011. “It was so well-written and I was very nervous,” recalled Chad. “When I get really nervous about something, it ends up being really good when I do it, because it just means I care a lot about it”
“I have to put a lot of effort and work into it, and I really want it to be good. I was working with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Steve Burton (Jason) a lot during those scenes, and Laura Wright (Carly). It was great working with Steve and Dominic, especially, during that storyline.
A NEW SOAP ROLE FOR CHAD?
As to a future soap opera role, Chad is open to the idea and would love to jump back in to a juicy role, “I know people over at The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless. They know that if they’re interested, I would love to come in for a screen test or something, and they can see what I’m doing.”
Meanwhile, Chad has been busy putting out new music under the moniker Duelly and during the interview he explains how he creates his EDM tracks and much more. You can stream his latest single, Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.
You can check out the full conversation with Chad Duell below.
Now let us know: what show would you like to see Chad cast on down the line? BTG, DAYS, B&B, Y&R, or a new role on GH? What did you think of his thoughts on the casting switch while he was away in the role of Michael? What was your favorite Michael storyline during Chad’s 15-year run on the ABC soap opera? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ric’s History of Jealousy Where Elizabeth is Concerned Has Come Back Around
On General Hospital, Ric Lansing (Rick Heart) is about to fall back into dangerous old patterns by the foreshadowing during the Wednesday, August 19 episode. After first coming to see his brother, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and telling him of his plan to propose to Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) his longtime love tonight, Sonny has concerned.
Next, Sonny reminds his brother of what has happened in the past, when things have gone south with Elizabeth and wonders if it’s too soon for him to propose to her. What Ric did not tell Sonny is that he has seen the developing closeness between Sonny’s son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Elizabeth, which is propelling his urgent need to propose.
Meanwhile, Dante ran into Elizabeth at the park during a break from their mutual team softball games. She needs help with a bookcase after the game at her house. Dante wants to put it together for her. Later, Dante arrived at Elizabeth’s house, limping after injuring his knee during the game. Head nurse Liz wanted to check out the injury as much as Dante protested, which required him to take off his pants.
Courtesy/ABC
RIC BEGINS TO UNRAVEL
Outside Elizabeth’s widow, Ric arrives with a bouquet of roses and the engagement ring. When he leers through the widow he is shocked to see Elizabeth rubbing Dante’s leg while Dante is in his boxer/shorts. He storm troops into the house, demanding to know what is going on here? Both Elizabeth and Dante look surprised by his reaction. In the pick-up of today’s Thursday, August 20 episode (see GH video teaser below), viewers will learn the upshot for all three characters.
A VENGEFUL PAST
As longtime GH fans know, Ric has done some horrible, vengeful things in regards to Elizabeth starting back in 2003 after she lost her baby after Ric’s ex, Faith Rosco pushed her down a flight of stairs. Ric accused Sonny for the accident and to get revenge, Ric kidnapped Carly (who was married to Sonny at the time), and stashed her in a panic room below the house where he was living with Liz.
On top of that, Ric fed his wife Elizabeth birth control pills to keep her from getting pregnant so that they could raise Carly’s baby together after it was born. Eventually, Elizabeth found Carly in the panic room but ended up having a pulmonary embolism. When she woke up in the hospital, Elizabeth was all confused by what happened, and Ric convinced her that her vision of Carly was just a bad dream. Eventually, Elizabeth learned the horrifying truth and divorced Ric.
Years later, Ric noticed the connection between Elizabeth and “Jake Doe” who eventually turned out to be Drew (Billy Miller) A jealous Ric hired Hayden Barnes to show up and claim to be “Jake’s” wife. Elizabeth stepped aside, and when Ric planned to propose to Elizabeth at the 2015 Nurses Ball, Carly exposed his manipulations, and Elizabeth dumped him yet again. And those are just two examples of the lengths Ric will go to for Elizabeth!
So, we ask you, given the history of Elizabeth and Ric, how do you see this playing out with Dante in the picture? How will Ric derail their growing bond? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
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‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
‘Guiding Light’s’ Grant Aleksander Shares Heartfelt Remembrance of TV Daughter, Hayden Panettiere On What Would Have Been Her 37th Birthday
Sydney Malekeh Joins the Cast of ‘Days of Our Lives’ in Mystery Role: Who Do You Think She’s Playing?
‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles
How John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
John Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
‘Guiding Light’s’ Grant Aleksander Shares Heartfelt Remembrance of TV Daughter, Hayden Panettiere On What Would Have Been Her 37th Birthday
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ric’s History of Jealousy Where Elizabeth is Concerned Has Come Back Around
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy and Carter Get Lame Excuses From Their Spouses, and Try to Shake Off Their Night Together
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LOVE IT!!!!!!
I love that they have been using Jane so much currently. She has been wasted for far to long. I hope this marks a Tracy Q resurgence!!! Jane Elliot is THE BEST!
I cannot wait to see that Patrick, Emma, Tracy & Edward scene. Sounds amazing. These people have Robin in common so I’m guessing it will be about Robin. I remember that John Ingle had to take his leave not long after they started taping the aftermath of Robin’s death so we weren’t able to see Edward at the funeral. I’m guessing he’ll finally get to say his piece directly to Patrick & Robin. Anyway, back on topic, I love Jane Elliot. Her work has been one of GH’s few consistent bright lights over the years. And I love how Tracy’s airtime is intersecting with more characters these days. Finola Hughes, Tony Geary & Robin Mattson are a good start and then this week, she got to meet & snark back at Todd Manning. LOL FV & RC’s GH is amazing for jumping on these storyline opportunities alone.
I hope it is about Robin since it would be a rich nod to GH history. Always felt Robin should have been talked about to Emma. GH missed so many opportunities. Edward, Lila and Alan connect to Robin.
Love Jane and loved the interview Kimberly McCullough did with her before she left GH. You can see Kimberly loved and admired Jane from the interview.
Tracy deserves better than Luke. Love her and Joe. Anna would never forgive Luke for what he did with Robert/Ethan. Anna belongs with Robert.
Better than Luke but you’re cool with Joe? Yeah he’s a great guy.
Always love watching Jane Elliot, She is one of the very best and I love every scene she is in.
Tracy and Anna… are giving us Long-Term Fans…”Romance” – what a Treat!
Vulnerable. OK… as only these two woman can give. Men have to think… LOL.
Tracy and Joe, Jr. – they consummated rather quickly… twice, i might add. I teared up when Joe.. gave Tracy the antidote.
Anna and Luke… Luke fessed up to Anna… just before she finds Duke. I can’t find the right words to describe how entranced I am with Finola Hughes portrayal of Anna. Geez! Mother to Robin… and fully embodying… womanhood with Luke… ala.. still police commissioner’ing… A mother in search of her beloved Robin. How beautiful.
It’s a treat to see two women.. Tracy and Anna.. in their – 40’s – 50’s embracing love and romance…
Men know these women tick… are a treat… are viable beings… ooh la la… ! We’re cheering you on and rooting for you… as always.
I am a 42 yr viewer of GH and while I have no problem with older women having romance I dont support the Tracy/Luke or Luke/Anna pairing. Tracy and Luke are great comic relief but romantically they are as dull as watching paint dry.
As far as Luke and Anna go, I can’t stomach it. TG looks great for a man in his 60s and still fairly youthful but he just looks too old in my opinion for Finola Huges. Finola has aged remarkably well as would be much better suited with a younger man perhaps in his mid to late 40s or early 50s.
And besides that there is no story line romantic history between luke and Anna. Anna was devoted to Robert and Duke. Luke’s only true love will always be Laura. But since Genie Francis is not on the scene I think Luke should play the field and gravitate back to his old fornicating ways.
There are several out of work soap actors in their 50s who would make suitable love interests for Jane Elliot ( Richard Steinmetz, Scull Jr doesnt cut it). The trouble is that they need a good story .
As for Anna I wouldnt mind a Anna McBain fling or a revisitation of the Robert, Anna Duke triangle from the late 80s. I also wouldnt mind an Anna, McBain, Sam triangle. Id like to see Sam stop playing the whiny so called hero and go back to being a down and dirty man eater. That would be much more interesting to watch that to see her drowning Jason in glycerine everyday.
Cray cray.
50’s-60’s! They are both fantastic actors, always loved Janes, wit, loving scenes with Daddy, and her evil side. Plus she is so funny!! Where is her Emmy?
if emma & patrick is involved then it has to be about robin – edward adored robin!
Kimberly McCollough ( Robin ) has not returned to the show full time. Her appearances will spasmodic and limited because she is pursuing a new career as a director.
yes i know that – i am saying that the emotional scene with edward/patrick/emma will probably be about edward talking about robin because he adored her so much…..i was not implying robin would be in the scene
found her to be a bit impersonal and pragmatic with too much emphasis on the “business.” as a soap fan it’s nice to feel that the actor has a bit of an emotional attachment to the character he/she plays and to the show itself. got the feeling that she loves playing “pretend” and gettng paid for it…but there’s no emotional investment…just a job. found her take on it, though understandable and realistic, disappointing. if she has no emotional attachment to Tracy or her Quartermaine family…how silly is it for we, the fans, to have one?
I think fans loose sight that this is a business for the actors. Jane has been in daytime for decades and she has played many characters besides Tracy. Acting is a job just like any other. If actors took every character home with them they would go crazy.
I dont think the fault lies with the actors but with the fans who immerse themselves in the fictional world but unfortunately seldom take the time to learn much about the actors and the business end of TV.
I loved the Tracy character in the 70s and 80s ( I think she’s been dumbed down today like most of the show). But conversely Ive been reading about soap actors since the age of 7 when I begged my mom to buy my first Rona Barrett’s daytimers’s soap mag back in the 70s. I’ve always made valiant effort to learn about the actor’s real lives, research their careers and learn about the business end of TV since it has always interested me.
So I think its unfair to expect the actors to be so caught up in the characters. This is their job its not just entertainment as it is to viewers. Tony Geary has also been one who comes off as extremely professional and fiercely private. When ever I have seen him interviews or read about him he never comes off like Luke Spencer. Quite the contrary his off screen persona is radically different. And one can tell that he’s not too crazy about over zealous fans that may have difficulty distinguishing him from Luke . He even has warned fans never to bug him if they seem him out eating dinner, lol.
Well dg Tony Geary would not have to worry about me bugging him do not get caught up in that they are a character on the show. When I lived in LasVegas for 14 years I saw Andre Agassi every week at Starbucks and the grocery store we lived in the same area never stopped and said oh my goodness I agree they put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us. lol! I like Jane Elliott and Tony Geary’s humor but no she Tracy is not the love of his life that will always be Laura.
I have not lost sight that it is a business. Actually, I’m in publishing and have friends who have appeared in soaps as well. However, when watching a film, television show, etc…the only way to truly enjoy it is the ability to suspend your disbelief. The same with reading a book…the viewer, reader, etc gets lost in the fictional town/character…and it is that ability to travel in one’s mind to a “make-believe world” that allows us to immerse ourselves.
I do think that when one takes on a role, whether it be on a TV show/soap and/or film…there probably is some attachment to one’s own character, especially after playing it for so long. I don’t need a business course from an actor. When I’m reading about him/her I want some insight into the actor himself…as well as his take on his/her role.
For instance, Michael asked: How do you like that Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) is seriously in the mix for Luke’s affections? And Heather (Robin Mattson) was for awhile too!…Jane’s answer was how she enjoyed working with Finola and Heather….not what she thought of the direction her stoyrline was going.
I don’t need to know she has a “real life.” I would assume/hope so. But during an interview about the soap she’s in…I personallyo would have enjoyed hearing her speak about her character, her eveolution, perhaps that she missed her soap family, the Quartermaines…another question she gloosed over.
So, for me…her almost detachment came across as all business…no play.
but acting is “pretending”, it is playing. as our voice teacher at drama school used to say, if you genuinely believe you are the character you’re playing, it’s not a stage costume you should be wearing, but a strait jacket
acting is the best job in the world, but let’s not act as if it’s something mystical.
What article were you reading? After playing a role for over 30 years, of course she has an emotional attachment to her role.
But it IS a business too, and I’m sure all the actors feel that way. Otherwise why would they quit their jobs if their salary negotiations didn’t go the way they want?
If you read any of Jane’s interviews since she was first on GH they are always about business. Rarely, does she get “emotional’ in an interview. Jane treats GH just like we treat our jobs. Jane used to not socialize with the cast off set. I was shocked to see a tweet from Robin Mattson saying she was having Jane and Nancy Lee Grahn over for lunch!
I think she spot on, GH is an iconic show and it would be stupid of ABC to let it go. She’s one of the great talent of this industry and i love seeing her interact with everyone, because she always knocks it out of the park..
I love Jane, and Tracy is awesome. I hope ABC keeps GH longer than its 50th. 🙂
John Ingle the godfather of GH? Give me a break Jane. The godfather of GH is Maurice Bernard. Like most of the Q family and the other older vets like Leslie Charleson John has been pushed to the geriatric back burner while Bernard, Monaco, Burton and Wright eat the show.
As far as GH’s future, If Jane and the rest are willing to trust Disney I think they need to thing again. Jane is a great actress but her character has seen better days and much better stories.
Rather than disguising her as a romantic lead. Id much rather see her in a strong business story. Id also much rather see her inter acting with Leslie Charleson and John Ingle. The Luke, Tracy, Anna triangle is ridiculous and a total snore.
Tracy Quartermaine was originally written as “the house bitch” as Frank Maxwell ( ex Dan Rooney coined the term way back in the late 70s). She has been excellent as a spoiled, greedy, power mad dysfunctional daughter of a billionaire business man. She also excelled as Monica’s blackmailer and tormentor. But under Guza and Cartini her character has been watered down to comic relief with Tony Geary. I want Tracy’s edge restored and I want her out of that whole Luke/Anna mess.
Jane deserves a strong business, family centered story with a suitable leading man. Im sry but neither Tony Geary or Richard Steinmetz ( Scully Jr) fit the bill.
ITA on the most part, that Tracy needs to go back to being the spoiled Bitch. I think Tony/Luke mellowed her too much and for 9 yrs (the longest she has been with the show at any given time.) Her stories have been not very memorable. She needs to go back being the female Todd Manning.
The Best spark has been with Joe, Jr. (He is like Paul Hornsby and Mitch Williams) I don’t believe he is a Rapist/Murderer. (I think he and Connie (the alter) hooked up and Kate thinks it was rape) For the murder, I think it was an accident or someone else did it. Joey truly has a heart. He isn’t as dangerous as Joe, Sr.
Love Jane and Tracy! Great interview! Can’t wait for the scene with Tracy, Edward, Patrick and sweet Emma! Love GH and hope it stays around for many years! They have the best cast!
I’ve been a fan of Jane’s forever. Love her!! Hoping to see more of her in the coming months. She has great chemistry with everyone on the show but I just love her scenes with Tony Geary the most! Too bad Stuart Damon wasn’t still on the show though; they always worked great together.
Jane Elliot is awesome and vital to GH and Port Charles. She brings class to every scene and story, and is so watchable. As an actor, she IS Tracy Quartermaine. I am never sure why she is not included as much in discussions of iconic daytime actresses as an Eileen Fulton, Erika Slezak, and Susan Lucci, and the like. She has been a constant presence, a highly regarded player, and created a character so multifaceted and interesting. BRAVA!
I fell in love when she withheld Edward’s meds in 1978/79 (ish).
Not to be nit -picky, but….Jane Elliot did not work with Robin Mattson on GH in the 70’s. The role of Heather was played by Mary O’Brien then. Robin Mattson played Heather from November 1980-November 1983. Tracy (Jane Elliot) left Port Charles prior to November 1980. However, Robin and Jane did work together as Heather and Tracy on GH from June-December 2004…Just saying..:)
You are wonderful Jane, Tony & Finola & Joe Jr.!!! Frank & Ron too!! thank you for not forgetting that older romance exists & is usually more complex than teeny boppers..thank u…& much more interesting too…
It’ll be great to see John Ingle back as Edward, he has so been missed, but I’m glad to see Jane Eliot still hanging in there. Nobody, and I DO mean, nobody can play bitchy ol’ Tracy like she can! Speaking of the Q’s, any possiblity of Leslie Charleson coming back as Monica? She’s just as missed, and we need to have all of the few remaining Quatermaines back again!
I love Tracy Quartermaine and love that Jane Elliot is getting screen time with story lines that the previous regime would have never given her! She’s a class act and true talent.
Jane Elliot always comes across as highly intelligent, warm, personable and a class act. When it comes to the character of Tracy, she brings it each and every day. Love her!
I love Jane. What a Pro!! With women like her and Finola Hughs and Robin Matson they can keep this show going for another 50 years. Congrats to Frank Valentini for being able to reunite all of these veterens on one show. And that includes the actors from “OLTL: as well.
And now Ian Bucanhan too?! How much better can it get?!!!
Like Finola, Jane is a pro–and very down to earth–and frankly spoken. She makes a lot of sense. However, I agree with the poster who says that her character has been dumbed down. The one blind spot seems to be her–as well as Tony–thinking the audience will accept that they love each other.
I’m sure she well remembers the brilliant sparring between the two characters when they would run into each other at the hospital. She called him “something that got stuck to the bottom of her shoe.” She knew him well. He knew her well. They called it like it was–and that the relationship they should have maintained over the years. Her mooning and pining for Luke is painful to watch when I remember who they were to each other over the years. She was wayyyy too savvy to know that she could compete with Laura in any real way for Luke’s affections. Luke has one woman who consumes him–Laura.
Don’t know why Tony Geary has resisted this obvious chemistry–BUT he is warming to Luke and Laura again–and the fans–most especially me are grateful. That’s the real story all these years. Genie Francis shows so much of this in her eyes and voice and touches–and Tony is warming to it again. Hallelujah!