General Hospital
GH’s Johnny Wactor Addresses Baby Liam’s Death, Its Impact on Viewers & Those Who Have Experienced Such Loss
Friday’s episode of General Hospital brought with it the heartbreaking scenes of Brando (Johnny Wactor) and Sasha (Sofia Mattsson) having to say goodbye to their son, baby Liam, who they decide to take off life-support, with no hope for the little one to have any quality of life.
It provided some very heavy material for the actors, and very sad moments for viewers of the series – some who asked why the show would tell this story now during the holidays. Throughout the gut-wrenching story, both Johnny Wactor and Sofia Mattsson tore GH viewers hearts out, but today was especially hard to watch for some.
In story, after taking Liam off life-support and Sasha cradling her son in her arms for the first time, as the overcome parents said goodbye to their son, the late Mike Corbin (Max Gail, in a brief return appearance) was seen, as he would be the one to take the baby back to heaven with him.
After the episode aired, Wactor took to his Twitter account to address the storyline and how he sees it as a performer in the ensemble cast of the long-running ABC daytime drama series.
Johnny expressed: “I want to thank everyone for being so invested in watching Liam’s journey. It’s obviously an incredibly painful storyline that has left many of you with the question, simply put, “Why?” Why tell a story of two new parents, with a shaky foundation, but who have hope to maybe be something together, and then take away the greatest gift they’ve ever had before they even get to truly cherish and nurture that gift, their baby boy Liam? Why this story during one of, if not the roughest stretch of time in many our personal lives? Why during the holidays? Especially, when General Hospital is many of yours escape. An escape that is expected to provide joy in times of need. I won’t speak on the timing, appropriateness, etc, BUT I will offer my speculation from my end as a player in telling stories.”
He went to say: “We tell stories that are often times extreme, rare, and worst case scenario. These stories are painful. Painful to watch and painful to play. This story about Liam is especially devastating due to the child’s innocence and unfair circumstances. Imagine the pain of those families that have suffered these circumstances in their own real lives. This story is for them. To show them that we see them. That something so terrible and seemingly uncommon and unbelievable can be recognized by the storytellers they watch and they get to see their story shared with millions of viewers. Perhaps, that brings them comfort in some way. Being seen. And perhaps as a not so gentle encouragement to people everywhere to be grateful for the things we do often take for granted. One of them being life. Our own life and the life of our loved ones. Especially during the holidays.”
Wactor ended his sentiments by sharing: “So often we can get caught up in buying gifts and receiving gifts and prioritizing such as the most important part of the holidays when really the most important is being with those you love and are still with you on these holidays. Life is precious and fragile and death, although inevitable for everyone, can come unexpected. So… I share this not because it’s the “right” answer to the question “why?” There is no right answer. This is just my speculation. My understanding. And I think conversations that are geared towards understanding are far more productive and helpful to everyone than a conversation where the goal is to be right. I hope my understanding of Liam’s storyline is helpful. That is all. Again, I’m so thankful to all of our fans for watching, the kind praise and truly just honored to have such sparked such fervent conversation with this story. Hope to bring everyone some undisputed JOY in the storylines to follow. Much love. And happy holidays.”
What did you think of the decision to kill baby Liam? What are your thoughts on Wactor’s message to fans of GH, and for those who have gone through the death of a baby in their own lives? Comment below.
Even a Devil seemed to have something stuck in his eye when Ghost Mike showed up to take little Liam upstairs.
The one serious error in the writing of this story was when Sonny was talking to Sasha, relaying his story about letting go of Mike. While that’s true, maybe it would have been more relevant for Sonny to remember that he’s actually lost THREE babies himself….
Lily & her baby in the “clink boom” explosion.
Carly’s baby, when AJ pushed her down the stairs in the Q mansion.
Sam’s “baby Lila” who was stillborn…. but ironically saved Kristina’s life in the process.
And of course there’s also the medical turmoil he & Carly went through when Donna was born, though fortunately that story ended better for the kid.
Are the current writers aware of any of this history??
I think the point was the loss of course, but having to make that choice. Sonny had to choose not to put Mike on a feeding tube, and they had to decide to take baby off life support.
None of those storylines had to do with making a medical decision.
They most certainly were. But probably didn’t want to remind viewers the fate written for too many innocent little babies born on GH
Despite the revisionist history, Carly fell down the Q stairs during an argument with AJ. He did not intentionally push her.
AJ didn’t push Carly at all, either intentionally or unintentionally! She flew back and fell on her own accord! I hate the vilification of AJ and how Sonny got away with cold blooded murder. I also hate how Carly, the gigantic bully, retreats into the land of victimhood when she suffers the consequences of her actions.
This shtick is starting to get old.
I think the reason Sonny brought up Mike was because Max came back to the show to escort Liam to Heaven.
Remarkable comment, Satan. I had the same reaction—-I thought it was weird for Sonny to speak and bemoan his father’s death. I can appreciate that, losing one’s parent(s) must be heartbreaking, but it cannot compare to the death of a child, I’m sure—-especially if said parents live to a “healthy” age. It is not a tragedy. I don’t know about Sonny’s other “lost” children—-I wasn’t watching at the time—only aware of Morgan. As parents, we should not survive our children—goes against nature, right?
But, who says nature or what is “natural” always makes sense? The will of God?
Losing a child makes a body question and challenge the universe and the force which controls it. Metaphysics? THAT’s natural. Then, one comes back to esrth and learns to adapt and accept and believe in a higher power.
So, how remiss of the writers—to put it mildly.
I lost a child a few years ago—-the ache in my heart is constant, always with me. One learns to live with the pain; to control it—-but, my baby’s image is omnipresent. He came and went like a sweet summer’s breeze. But, oh, so cherished.
Sofia was outstanding and so very credible—as the tears streamed down her beautiful face, I cried with her! She deserves an award.
A beautiful perception on a very well told extremely sad reality.
I had a placental abruption a few weeks ago and this story was triggering and upsetting. Thankfully my baby is healthy and home after 2 weeks in the nicu. But I had to stop watching as a new mom this was upsetting me to see.
Caitlyn, I’m sorry to hear of what you went through. So happy to hear that your baby is healthy and home from the hospital. All the best.
I think that GH set a new standard in soap opera storytelling back in 1994 with the BJ / Maxie heart transplant storyline. Since that time.. literally EVERY soap opera on the air (including all the now canceled ones) tried some variation of a organ transplant story…some more than once…hoping to ape the success of that one.
I think at this point, children dying on soaps is just cruel and gratuitous. We are living in a time when children are being abused every day by being forced to wear muzzles and to take poisonous injections they don’t need or want. It is depressing and disheartening.
There was a time when soaps were fairly good at telling social issue storylines. There was a time when these types of stories could earn some kudos and accolades. There was a time when Daytime Emmy’s rant something. Sadly, those days are gone.
As well, Sasha and Brando are sideline, secondary characters at best…with a lack of strong canvas connections. These types of stories have no real impact when not told with deeply rooted legacy characters.
I also think this is going to lead to Brando going back to the mob…to be Sonny’s enforcer, and then we will just get Jason and Sam 2.0. Been there, done that.
I think the show missed an opportunity to tie Sasha in by making her Martin’s child…which would make her Laura’s niece, and thereby linked to the very heart and soul of the show. Sofia Mattson has grown into a very impressive actress in her own right, but if she is going to remain on the show, they are going to have to give her some connections.
All in all, not happy with the direction this story took. I was expecting the child would die…but the time to do it was weeks ago if they HAD to go down that route. It was heartless to give the characters hope…to hint that we might get a meaningful, impactful storyline about a child living with disabilities, and then kill the child. The timing is wrong, both given the Christmas season and what is going on in the real world.
Just…wrong on all levels.
Muzzles and poison lol — you’re not sane enough to comment on this or anything else connected with reality! The actor’s take on the story is very lovely.
I totally agree with you Kiki.
You are entitled to your opinion, of course, but some of your statements are just not true.
Sasha and Brando have no meaningful canvas connections? Sonny is Brando’s cousin. Literally, the star of the show and his wife, who is GH’s leading lady Laura Wright, have been at the hospital for this whole storyline. It was Sonny who gave Sasha the courage to do what had to be done.
And this story has no real impact just because Sasha and Brando are the couple most affected? People are tuning out because of the sad impact. We are literally having this conversation because so many viewers were impacted by this story. It may not be the impact the writers hoped for, as many have reacted negatively, but there clearly has been an impact.
Also, it’s worth pointing out that everywhere viewers complain that the hospital isn’t front and center. This is the type of story you get if you want the hospital to be the focus. From Elizabeth’s stoicness to Britt trying to control her feelings to Epiphany trying to console Britt, it was a strong look at what medical professionals endure in their jobs and made for compelling hospital-based drama.
You are 100 percent right, the hospital is front and center and people still are not happy!
JJ
Yes, unfortunately, children are being abused every day, probably right this minute by some horrible person or persons. The masks and preventive vaccines you refer to have saved many children’s lives and will continue to do so as long as kids still have scientists that perfect these vaccines and parents that love them enough to see that their child receives them. Iam so sick of people like you and your lousy, sick ideas. If you had a brain,you’d really be vdangerous!
JJ, beautifully said. I agree with your every point. Kiki, you can disagree with someone without questioning their sanity. You owe JJ an apology.
Right after I posted this comment, I realized I made a mistake. I tried to delete and edit it but I was not afforded that power. I am often in a hurry and I read JJ’s comment in haste and my comprehension was compromised. So while I agree with JJ about the storyline, I certainly do not agree with him/ her about vaccines and masks. So I guess I am the one who owes Kiki an apology. I’m sorry. I completely misunderstood your point.
Harry,
A big sigh of relief coming your way. When I read your first comment, I couldn’t believe it. I was thinking oh, no,not our Harry and your saying to offer JJ an apology. Well you don’t have to know what I had to say about that, made my cat put her ears back with fright.and now reading your explanation of what happened is very understandable, so don’t beat yourself up. A beautiful holiday to you and yours.
JJ I agree with you that the writing is depressing, redundant and gratuitous. Where we part ways is when you speak of poisoning children with a life saving vaccine or tormenting them with masks. I work in education, and I can assure you that children are doing fine with the masks. They are more resilient than we know. It is the parents who are in a state of outrage about the masks.
I agree. I do not like watching children suffer or die—not on soaps or films.
I also agree with you about children injected with the present vaccine. I will wait—-It’s one thing for healthy adults getting vaxxed, another when it comes to kids.
Children are too precious. And, not enough is known about the risks and reaction.
There is homeschooling!! Am I stupid? Oh, well—sobeit!!
I think Johnny Wactor’s message was very well spoken. But the storyline of baby Liam was incredibly sad, anytime…not just more so during the holiday season, in times which have been hard on many people for many reasons. Maybe the story should be a reminder to be thankful for what we have, and those we love and have in our lives.
And I think thats it Rose, the story is depressing BUT it hopefully reminds everyone how lucky we are and embrace those we love. After all, people lose loved ones on any day of the week and sometimes its near or right on Christmas! Its sad but true.
Please don’t use the term kill…..Liam had no chance of life off the breathing machines…..His body would have never grown. It would have slowly gone away. They did the right thing.
They didn’t ‘kill’ Liam!! This was just one of the sad things that happen to a baby and family that’s hard to accept.
I think they mean that the writers killed the baby, not the characters. And really, did anyone need to see this when Peter continues to rise up from the dead again and again like Michael Myers? No question that the performances were outstanding, but the writing was lazy, depressing, joyless, cynical and cruel.
Hi Harry, they are trying to make Peter out to be as evil or worse than his father. It just isnt working. I never liked the character. The casting of Faison’s son should have been someone who looks more dastardly and and has an innocence and shows a bit of compassion. Ander Hove was a legend on GH. If you want an evil son, you have to search high and low and not just pick Laura’s boyfriend!
Thank you, Timmm. I love every aspersion cast on Peter Puke and the cartoon-level performances that accompany him. Reminds me of Boris Balkinoff from the ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE cartoons, twirling his Poirot-like moustache with a bad accent and tossing off empty threats. Watching Peter taunt Sonny was laughable…like a four-year-old bartering with mom for a later bedtime.
Somebody please give my three headed dog Cerberus an Xmas present… send his favorite chew toy, Whiny Heiny, back to Hell!!
I loved the story line. So well done. Unfortunately I gave birth to twins born prematurely in December many years ago they died and my husband and I had to deal with that very situation. Timing is not always an option.
Didn’t care for the timing of this storyline.
Carrie
Is there ever a good time?
Quite frankly, I prefer they not do the story at all. But if they are going to, the holidays (in my opinion) is terrible timing. If this story brought healing to some viewers during these holidays, then fine. For me, not so much.
I’m tired of all the sad, horrible, devastating storylines. I’m tired of some of the more ridiculous storylines. My feeling is it may have been a story to tell regarding Liam but it was the wrong time ND possible the wrong couple. I’m kind of getting done with GH. Some storylines are hard to watch whether they are sad or just stupid. I think the writers may he trying g to push watchers away.
Sue,
I agree with you but unfortunately, sad, horrible, devastating is what life really is. If we watched a show where everyone was in la la land with all sunshine and lollipops, it wouldn’t hold our interest very long. You also said ridiculous SLs. Do you watch Days Of Our Lives? Now that has got to be the worst. I bitch and complain but am drawn in like everyone else that said ” oh, I’ll never watch that stuff about the devil” Hang in there Hon, some of these crazy comments make up for the bad SLs. Can you imagine believing in some of the stuff some people believe in?
I still haven’t watched yesterday’s episode yet. I will soon,and Iam prepared. I appreciate GH and whatever the writers write, I understand. I love GH,been watching for 50 plus years.
Must have been hard for Sofia Mattsson to play, given that she is a new mother herself.
D-Man
I kept thinking the same thing myself watching her grief and suffering.
I thought the episode was very touching and well acted. Sofia really hit all the tragic notes in a great piece of acting. I truly felt bad for them. Naturally, Carly was on hand to make trouble for Nina and probably try to make it all about her and Sonny.
The timing was horrible, the storyline was pointless. The actors performed beautifully, and just ripped your heart out . However, It was just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong! Just like the story with Leo possibly being on the spectrum, I’m sure the writers will muck that up too! The writers need to do better.
A lot of life is wrong wrong wrong…get over yourself! Life and death don’t look for right or wrong, they just happen…I’m thankful GH shows both sides of life…the happy and the tragically sad.
I lost my baby with
the exactly the same thing. With difference being that mind never made it from the delivery room and I wss so close to death that I bleed out on the table.
I was a week over due.
I do not like this with letting baby Liam pass. Not good writing. As Shasa just had a baby in real life days n then she looses 1 on gh. Not good. To many bad things happening on gh.
I really didnt think the actors who play Brando and Sasha had this in them but they were awesome! And its also good to see Max Gail. What a find for GH!
Saying it was a decision to “kil” baby Liam is a misnomer. He was a baby without any ability to sustain life or any ability to process feelings. Letting nature take this child to a place of redemption rather than mechanical life in a facility was the best blessing. There is no great time for this event just like in life. I appreciate the love and thoughtfulness given to this story. Bravo actors.
As a frontline critical care nurse, I thought the story was very well done. This Unfortunate type of thing happens and timing has nothing to do with it. Seeing these things on a daily/weekly basis keeps them very real and for many pretending or not knowing they occur works for them, that doesn’t change the facts. The storyline was executed so well by both of the actors and it told a terrible story of parents making a heart-wrenching decision. This is still daytime drama, if this is too much for some, perhaps a cartoon would be a better option. I respect everyone’s opinion but this feed has gotten cruel and far too personally political in my opinion. Great job to the writers and the actors. I believe GH is the best soap opera on the air currently and was not a GH fan prior to the cancellation of the CBS soaps GL and ATWT.
Worst story line ever! It is Christmas we’ve been thru Covid and now someone thought this would be enjoyable??
Horrible , the writers could have chosen for Liam to survive and we could have watched his journey with a disability.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
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