General Hospital
GH's Kirsten Storms On Exit Of Julie Berman, Jack Wagner, Maxie's Pregnancy & The Nurses' Ball!
Courtesy/AccessHollywood
General Hospital is getting ready to celebrate with its fans next week when the show turns an astounding 50 years old! Access Hollywood caught up with one of the fan favorites in Port Charles, Kirsten Storms to talk all things Maxie in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
One things that is certainly difficult for Kirsten, is the departure of her GH closest pal Julie Marie Berman (Ex-Lulu), who filmed her final scenes with Storms. Kirsten told ‘Access’ on Julie’s exit: “I actually got to have Julie’s last scene with her, which was so emotional. We could barely look at each other. It was great. She started a few months after I started. So I really do feel like my entire General Hospital experience has been with her. I feel lost without her now, but I know we have a great actress coming in (Emme Rylan) to pick up for Lulu and we’re just going to keep going with the story lines.”
Kirsten also has gotten the opportunity to work with her on-screen bio-dad during GH 50, soap icon, Jack Wagner as Frisco Jones. Fans have loved Kirsten and Jack’s scenes together since his return to GH. Kirsten related, “I love working with Jack. I was definitely nervous when I first worked him! My mom watched him on Melrose Place when I was growing up. But he’s amazing. Talking to him, he has had a lot of crazy life experiences, and we have been able to put some of that stuff in to our scenes with each other. And, I love the dynamic between Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and Jack. It’s been really cool to see them together.”
As far as keeping the secrets to the upcoming Nurses’ Ball, Storms revealed, “Our boss Frank Valentini (GH EP) strikes the fear of God in all of us! (Laughs) They have been going to a lot of lengths to change the cast names on the scripts, so it doesn’t get out with who is coming back, but we all respect the show. So we are all doing our best to keep our lips shut about things!”
The big question though remained! Will Maxie tell Spinelli she is pregnant with his baby? Or, still give it to Dante and Lulu and pretend it’s their child she has been carrying? Kirsten expressed, “I don’t know if we are going to get the resolution that everybody is hoping for. I think maybe some fans may be satisfied, and I know some people are going to be disappointed, because there are people on both sides of this situation that want Maxie to tell the truth, or don’t want her to. I have no idea what is going on, and they have not told me. I hope I get to keep it.”
Now below, watch Kirsten’s video interview with Access Hollywood, then let us know, if you hope Maxie tells Spinelli that the she is baby is his, and she gets to keep it? Or, do you want Dante and Lulu to raise the little bundle of joy? And, have you enjoyed the emotional scenes between Frisco and Maxie? Weigh-in!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
View this post on Instagram
Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of our Lives’ as Rachel Black – Find Out How Long!
-
News2 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
-
Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
-
General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
-
Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
-
Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital6 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
-
News6 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
-
Days Of Our Lives1 week agoRaven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
Yes! Spixie should raise their own baby. Spin wants to be a father and deserves to know he is going to be one!
I AGREE GET ELLIE OFF SHES TO MUCH LIKE SPINILLIE ITS SICKING LET MAXINILLE HAVE THERE BABY
Jack and Kristen have had some of the best father/daughter scenes iv ever seen lately on a soap. Hope J.W. makes future visits to the show if not staying but it would be better if he could and would stay but ill settle for occasional visits which is better than nothing. I feel Maxie will at the last minute decide to keep the baby. Maybe Ellie, instead of possibly going Britch on us, will learn about the baby and tell Spinnelli which doesnt necessarily mean he’ll dump Ellie for Maxie…at least for awhile.
I hope spin never has to be with Maxie again..
She was terrible, gawdawful hurting him, she tore his heart out ; poor Spin..
Maxie does not deserve him.. Hope I never see them as couple, again..
Spin was her lap dog..
RUN SPIN RUN!!!!!
Maxie needs to tell Spinelli the truth, they belong together anyway. Lulu and Dante will get a child somehow.
nawww lol Spinelli and Maxie are a terrible couple!
Maxie runs shotgun on poor sweet Spin..
I treat the gophers in my yard better than Maxie ever treated Spin..
Spin and Ellie are a perfect match ,,
I agree that Maxie treated Spinelli terribly. BUT she was young, fickle and didnt know who she wanted. Now she does. She has learned along the way and now is carrying hid child, the child he WANTS to have. You and I both know she will keep the baby, and when he finds out its his, Ellie will be history. She loves him but they have a fundamental difference in wanting children. This choice along wirh religion and money matters jave ruined many couples. Better they find this out now than later. We will see who is right. Maxie is going to tell Dante the truth, I believe next week.
Starr should become Serena Baldwin
Tood should become Paul ( Tracy ex husnand, Dillon’s father)
John should be Caleb after some therapy with kevin Collins 😀
They need to leave Starr with Michael they are so cute together, I agree John should be Caleb but Tod needs to go.
Love Kirsten! Really looking forward to seeing how this baby storyline unfolds.
Kirsten –
I miss you as Belle.
This is: currently: my favorite story-line.
Jack Wagner, is impressive.
His stoic, delivery.. is sexy!
he’s leaving it to us… viewers… what to think about Frisco. and it’s sizzling… to imagine… well, maybe not… ie: a matter of choice… however… it’s catching to respond.
you can see… the chemistry… the understood LOVE… Felicia and Frisco.. have. the underlying schematic… he’s “restless”, for adventure… and not entirely about Love.. settling down. sounds obvious… but…it’s a mother’s trial… she’s not undone by knowing LOVE w/ another.
Mac.. is that good guy… like Spinelli… that I root for.
it’s with age… you have that picture…. and you let go…. ie; when Felicia and Anna… turned the page… (the picture over)… they released that pharamone.
————–
has Maxie dissed Spinelli too far gone? Yes… had their been no child?
it’d be amazing to watch Maxie… GROW. graduate from child to Woman. honest revelation with her being.
—————
Finally.. acting… for Kirsten to revel in….
Jenn Lilly… was Kirsten… and now… Kirsten can capture her back.
Thank you Maxie… for standing your ground… and to your “father” …. You Love Mac.
watching Maxie make those baby steps…to maturity…
Frisco needs to go and so Mac and Felicia can get on with their relationship.
Love her! Maxie and Kirsten Storms are just the best. Her scenes with Jack Wagner were some of the most memorable for GH 50th Bring him back full time!
I hope Maxie remains front and center for a long time.
Love Maxie and Kirsten!!! Totally a SPIXIE fan!!! Hope she tells Spinelli and she keeps the baby!
Absolutely adore all the scenes with Jack and Kirsten… they are doing a phenomenal job and I wish there were more!!!
Hope she tells the truth & keeps the baby, but I will be happy either way!
I think Maxie and Spinelli should have the baby. ( sorry cant not spell)
I’m in the minority, but I really hope Dr. Britt was wrong and the baby is Dante and Lulu’s.
me too
Oh yes! I agree!
Hope Maxie & Spinelli get back together & keep the baby. Also love to see Frisco back. Hope he stays or at least comes back from time to time.
On a negative note: hate the Roger Howarth,Michael Easton, Kristen Alderson situation. I love Todd, Starr & McBain. I heard that PP was impossible to deal with. Doesn’t surprise me. I love both shows but this is a lose/lose way to resolve- or not resolve this issue. Now we have the GH actors being forced to play different characters while OLTL re-casts the roles.
I want Spinelli and Maxie back together also! Since he wants to have children in the near future and Ellie doesn’t want to have children at all!
I AGREE
Frisco if he wins her back, will go charging off to save the world and leave her again. Its what he does, and who he is. He loved his girls but he left them for Mac to raise and be a father to them. Its not biology that makes a parent, its the one
in the trenches, there day in and day out, being there. Frisco is the dasing, romantic, still sexy bad boy
We all have one in our history but rarely do we marry them cause we know they dont last!
I think Felicia should stay with Mack! Frisco can’t stay in one place for very long! He never did. Mack alway’s has Felicia’s back! He is true blue ! He adores her & Maxi, who he raised not Frisco. Felicia told Mack & Frisco that she loves them both! Who will she pick to stay with??? I think she will pick Mack!
Maxie will give up Jackal Jr. & the truth will be revealed @ the most inappropriate time after Dante & Lulu have had some quality bonding time with the new baby. That’s how soaps work. Sidebar: hope one of the 3 departed/returning actors will be the missing Q heir.
THAT MIGHT BE STAR
Why don’t RC WRITE FOR SAM AND MAXIE?
I DONT UNDERSTAND IT!!!!!!
THEY WERE FRIENDS……..
I’m really tossed up in the air about the baby that Maxie is Carrying. So we will just have to see how it turns out..I’m actually on both sides. However when Maxie had her Sonogram and Spinelli accidentally walked in She was just about to tell him and Ellie walks in (So uncool)
tell everyone one the dam truth I hate her for what she did to ellie I want ellie to beat the crap out her once the kid is born she deserves it and dante and lulu turn on her then find out what brit knows and whats shes doing I want ellie to hook up ith matt hunter patricks brother Jason cook we all know tony killed lisa niles maxie is a bitch she trated matt like shit and I want her gone from gh
bring matt back for ellie im pro matt and ellie
Bring Matt back, period. He’s an amazing actor and easy to look at, too. Get rid of the oltl’ers because they’re pointless.
Yes she needs to tell Damien it’s his baby. And she should keep it!
I think Brit will grow a conscious and tell that she implanted herself with Dante and lulu’s embro. And maxie tells the truth about her baby. So donte and lulu get there baby and maxie gets to keep hers.
I think Britt is having LuLu and Dabte’s baby from one of the embryos so LuLu will get a baby and Macie will keep hers.
I am so hoping that Maxie will tell Spinelli, and that they become a couple and get to raise the little girl.
I love Maxie,she should tell Spinelli,but not get back with him.She treated him like a dog,but when he met Ellie,she wanted him back. Britt should tell Dante and LULU that the baby she’s carring is their’s.I hate her,will Patrick’s wife ever return.