General Hospital
GH's Laura Wright Interview: The Honor Of Playing Luke's On-Screen Mom, Her Pivotal Last Scenes With Tony Geary, CarSon & Head Writer Change!
Courtesy/ABC
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house for those watching General Hospital last week when Luke (Tony Geary) headed to Elm Street to visit the old Spencer house before it’s torn down. Armed with a gun, he intends on ending his life.
But in a turn of events after being visited by the vision of his beloved mother Lena (Laura Wright), who Luke accidentally killed as a young man, their conversation changes Luke’s life course forever. It sets the stage for Tony Geary’s final episode airing today, and gives some closure, and opens new possibilities for the character of Luke Spencer.
Laura Wright received massive praise from fans and critics alike for her touching and emotional turn as Lena, a role she played once before on the series’ 52nd anniversary episode where GH went back in time to 1963, and viewers learned the Spencer family secret. However, in the key scenes last Thursday, Lena tells Luke: “I have been watching you all these years, letting that fateful night define you. It’s time for you to stand up again. You figure out who you are. Better yet, you figure out who you want to be without all of those demons bottled up inside you. The possibilities are limitless. It’s time to move forward.” Luke replies with tears in his eyes: “Momma, what can I do? What can I ever, ever do to make it up to you?” Lena says, “You find the man you were meant to be. You find a way to be happy, and you choose to live.”
On-Air On-Soaps chatted with Daytime Emmy winner Laura Wright to talk about: the emotional defining scenes for Luke Spencer, getting to work with Tony Geary in this tearjerker, and to play the icon’s TV mom, while also playing Carly Corinthos Jax! Laura also weighs-in on: Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) recent marriage proposal to Carly, finding out little Jake Spencer (James Nigbor) is alive and well, and the head writing switch announced last week that will see Ron Carlivati exiting the ABC daytime drama, and Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante taking over the position. With one last look at her incredible scene partner, Tony Geary, here’s what Laura shared with us.
After the airing of last Thursday’s episode of General Hospital, you received major kudos for reprising the role of Luke’s mother, Lena Spencer. It was a brilliant performance.
LAURA: The response has been so incredible, and I have been so amazed that so many people had so many kind things to say.
When you got the script for this episode, it was an important key point to the entire exit story for Luke Spencer. He goes back to the Spencer home on Elm Street with gun in tow with the intent on committing suicide, but he is visited by the vision of his mother, Lena. At that moment, everything changes. Everything she said was so poignant and so touching. It was heartbreaking, and beautifully written. What did you think of the writing? When did you find out you would be playing Lena again?
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: Oh, it was beautifully written. I knew I was going to be playing Lena again about a month before I shot it, but I did not know that the story was going to be that Luke was going to kill himself. So when I received the script, I went, “Oh, my God! I am the person who stops him from killing himself!” You know, thinking: “God, how huge is this!” But it all made sense, because Lena had to be the one that released Luke from the pain. It’s so funny to play the mother that is telling Luke Spencer what he should do with this life. (Laughs) I remember watching old Luke and Laura scenes, and the day that Laura came back from the dead, and I remember jumping on my couch going nuts! And to this day that was one of my favorite soap scenes, ever! That was because of Tony Geary’s reaction and how he played that scene, because that, right there, was why everyone loves Luke. Because when Luke goes for it, there is no thought process. He just jumps over the balcony, he knocks things down, and he would die for her. So then fast forward, and for me to play his mom, I had a moment of, “What?” (Laughs) It was incredible. These scenes were not about me, they were about him. I was the vehicle for Luke to be able to let go. I let those scenes be about the story, and the words, and what she was saying to her son.
And you knew these were going to be your final scenes with Tony Geary! Did you feel the enormity of that in that moment? Did you and Tony rehearse those scenes a lot?
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: I did not put too much emphasis on that, because I thought, “Wow! How lucky am I!” Many people didn’t have final scenes with Tony, and I realized I was one of the few lucky ones. So, I didn’t really go too much into that world, because I was in such a grateful place. Tony and I sat down quite a few times sitting next to each other in the hair and make-up chairs, because he had so much stuff going on that day, and it took forever for me in hair and make-up … hair, really. (Laughs) That is because to get my hair to look like it did playing Lena, because my hair is so much longer, and we can’t cut it clearly because I have to play Carly. They had to really work some magic to make it look short. I knew how important these scenes were to the story, but I had to stop and say to myself this is not about you – these are the scenes that make Luke stop and not kill himself. It was about giving Tony what he needed in the scenes for Tony to make the decision to do what he needed to do for his character.
The scenes were the key to everything: Luke coming to terms with his past and letting go, so he can have a future, and find some happiness.
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: I had to realize that, so I could tell the story. If I got caught up in my own emotions or insecurities, then that just ruins it, and it takes away from really what is happening. And when you go, “It’s not about me,” look what comes out of it? Some really beautiful scenes! There was such a bigger picture there that you have to let go, so then you can have it all, basically.
Did you make any adjustments to the lines of dialog in the key scenes between mother and son?
LAURA: I added saying the line, “My sweet boy”. I added that because that was the last thing she said to him before she left, and he never saw her again as the young Luke on the 52nd anniversary episode. There were a couple of other things I changed to try to tie-it in to the last time we saw Lena. I wanted to connect all of that for him, and so when I asked if I could add that line, Tony got tears in his eyes.
What happened when you finished the scenes? Did you get a moment to share a private goodbye with Tony?
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: We finished the scenes and they rushed me down the studio to take pictures with the young Luke (Joey Luthman). I then just walked back down on set as the director was trying to tape the next scenes, and Tony and I just hugged each other. I gave him the biggest hug. There just aren’t any words to say how honored I was to play his mother in those crucial scenes, with Tony Geary, the second to the last day of his career working as Luke.
These scenes are so strong! Would you consider submitting them for next year’s Daytime Emmys?
LAURA: It’s a hard call. The scenes with me as Lena are out of context, and people said I should submit the 52nd anniversary scenes, too. But I think we, as actors, should be able to submit two shows for competition. I am intending on bringing it up at the Actor’s Emmy meeting this week. I don’t think one show is enough to show your work. And I know what their argument is going to be. I totally respect it, and I agree that it’s difficult to get people to watch two shows of work. They are not wrong about that. I am just saying from an actor’s point of view, it’s hard. I think it’s great that they are having a post-Emmys actor’s meeting to hear our suggestions, and for that I bow to them.
Last week, the news broke that Ron Carlivati has been let-go by ABC as the head writer of General Hospital. You took to Twitter with a very nice tweet and thank you to Ron. What are your thoughts on Ron’s departure … and his contributions to GH?
Photo: Paley Center for Media Beverly Hills
LAURA: The Ron and Frank (Valentini) team saved General Hospital, period. Ron came in and made changes that needed to be done. He brought back core characters that had not been seen forever that the audience just loved. The first characters that pop into my head are Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner) … especially Lucy with the Nurses Ball. Frank is definitely a huge part of that as well, and I am not taking anything away from Frank, who is still there and tirelessly working for us. I love Ron. I love him personally, and there is nothing more fun that sitting next to Ron at the Daytime Emmys! (Laughs) I adore him, and his writing, and his talent, and it’s all there. I wish him the best. Ron is so talented, and so I am just calling this a “nice break” for him, because I am sure Ron is going to kick ass somewhere else.
What do you think about the incoming co-head writing team of Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante? This time it’s two women who will be charged with the task of keeping things interesting and kicking in Port Charles.
LAURA: I‘m excited to see what happens. They have a job and they are writing General Hospital now, and so the reality is it’s already underway, and so … bring it on! Let’s see what’s next. I have been doing daytime for 24 years. and when I was on Loving in my first 7 years there, I think we went through 4 head writers and 5 producers. Stuff like this happens, and you just keep going. I look at the change as a positive thing. I got to work under Ron for 3 years and his writing, and before that it was the legendary Bob Guza, and now it’s going to be two women, which is awesome. I just look it as experience, after experience, after experience.
In other Carly news, she just accepted Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) marriage proposal! Do you think it was too soon for her to do so, given the nature of their often combustible past?
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: I am loving working with Maurice, and it’s so much fun. We love our storytelling. We have a blast working together. And he better say the same thing about working with me, by the way! (Laughs) I loved the dialog where she said, “I know we have done this before, but we haven’t done this wedding. This time it’s a new beginning that ends in forever.” I think she believes that. Sonny and Carly are different now. He is saying, “I am old-fashioned, I love you, and I want you to be the mother to my daughter.” I think life is more important to them now. They both get that loss is huge, and when you have someone who will stick with you through thick and thin, it’s worth more than anything, and that the love is deeper, and richer, and more important. Now I don’t know what Carly will do when she finds out Jason (Billy Miller) is alive, or what Sonny will do if he finds out that she knew that “Jake” was working undercover. And we don’t know what they are going to write now with the new writing team. So, I don’t think it’s too soon for her to have accepted his marriage proposal, because we are riding this fun wave. It’s really sweet and romantic, but they are still Sonny and Carly at their core. They still bicker, but it’s not as intense as it was. I think they are wiser.
Courtesy/ABC
I have to say; I got a kick out of the scenes where Jake tells Carly that little Jake Spencer (James Nighbor) is alive. She then has this moment of clarity and shock realizing, if little Jake is alive, then who’s kidney does her daughter Josslyn’s have inside of her? (Laughs) You were great in those moments, by the way.
LAURA: Those were the hardest scenes! (Laughs) Billy Miller and I had the most fun doing those scenes, and we couldn’t stop laughing! But when Carly saw little Jake, he was so adorable, and it was so emotional. They had him looking just like Steve Burton! (Ex-Jason, now Dylan Y&R) (Laughs) So you have to make it as an actress plausible for yourself, so I was like, “Really, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst)?” (Laughs)
In closing, Monday on General Hospital it’s an end of an era as we watch Tony Geary’s final episode as Luke. What are your final parting thoughts on Mr. Geary?
Courtesy/ABC
LAURA: The first time I worked with Tony he said he wanted to change a line, and do something fun in the scene. I think it was my second or third day with dialog basically on GH. Tony goes, “I would like to juggle, tap dance, and sing all in the same scene. Is that OK with you?” I am like, “Yeah!” Tony is, was, the most giving, funny, talented, in the moment, supportive person to work with. It’s almost like you don’t know who you are working with, Tony Geary or Luke Spencer, and all that stuff that goes with that. You don’t see that. He is just an actor on set. That’s the beauty of Tony Geary. I will miss him. Yes, he’s Tony Geary, and he played Luke Spencer, but I am going to miss working with an incredible actor.
So, what did you think about Laura Wright’s performance as Lena Spencer in scenes with Tony Geary as Luke for the final time? Did you reach for the hankies? What do you think about how Laura paid tribute to Tony with her acknowledgement of how honored she was to have had the opportunity in her career to play his on-screen mom? Laura also shared her thoughts on the state of CarSon … do you think it will last under the in-coming head writing regime? Share your thoughts and comments below!
awe love what Laura said about Tony. I loved their last scenes Laura and Tony always worked well together as niece and uncle and as mother and son LOL.
I also love what she said about Mo. She and Maurice shine together on screen and as a long time S&C fan (since hate sex of 99) I hope they dont break up S&C and keep them for the long haul together. IMO Sonny and Carly are a perfect match, each other soul mates and there is so much more to tell for S&C as a couple. I also hope the show has Carly adopt Avery like Sonny adopted Michael.
Tony and Laura = awesome!
The scenes were heartfelt..
Laura gave one of her best performances, we will remember those last moments..
The past 3 weeks were an emotional closing of the Tony era …
She was just amazing!!! She should submit these scenes for emmy. She certainly deserves it!!
LW looks best as a 1950s mom…wish she could keep that retro look on the show but she also needs a white pearl necklace and a hoover vacuum…lol
She also needs to call Micheal ‘Wally’ and Morgan ‘Beaver’…lol
And Franco as Eddie Haskell.
And she seriously needs to STFU as Carly. It boggles my mind that they have one of the most beautiful, luminous, talented actresses and they make her a delusional, screechy, narcissistic, violent mob moll. Laura Wright deserves so much better. I am glad she gets a reprieve from playing Carly, however briefly.
That’s certainly telling it like it is, Aden. Whilst I have no quarrel with LW, per se, I do take issue with her Carly for all the reasons you list. Her “bull in the china shop” approach to everything life throws at Ms. Jacks is a bit much–to say the least—and fails to permit this actress to share her more nuanced, softer side that the skillful portrayal of “Lena” twice beautifully highlighted. Although I have no real expectation that Carly will ever be allowed to shine in this traditional, more feminine manner, it would definitely not go amiss to see Wright given future opportunities to present this far more appealing aspect to her onscreen persona….she is actually quite likable and enjoyable in that particular mode.
Yeah, Aden…the same could be said about the ultra-talented, Michelle Stafford.
“oh, Aden”
I love your words
I don’t mind getting slammed about my take on Carly
you said it best
because Laura Wright’ Carly is dynamo… “stunning” and her Carly has been so lost
don’t we all miss her
here’s to the new writing team
LOL
Yes, Aden…
i Will always have a soft spot for Carly and Jax. If Jax ever came back and Carly is now permanently with Sonny, I hope Jax and Carly can be friends and that the new writers pair Jax with someone really good.
Jax is a bore!
I find Carly and Sonny #3672 a bore, but hey, to each his own. 🙂
I will say one thing abut LW she knows how to say the right thing. Everyone is wonderful, and she loves everybody. OK no one will be mad at her. She should have given Tony a few lessons on not bitting the hand that feeds you. How to not make the fans all happy to see Tony go. I have no respect for Geary. he burned his bridges and good riddance. So I guess he gets to take some of the blame for Rons lousey exit.I guess its hard to write for someone who won’t allow it, and TIIC allow said character to run the way he will play it. I saw Laura come on and shut the show off and went to the gym. Ron may not have all the blame for this Fluke mess , but he certainly wouldn’t listen to what the fans wanted to see. This show is all mobs and I don’t want and will not watch that. Laura can act, we saw that on loving, Carley with Sonny is just a good chance to ff quicker.
Janet, maybe Laura is just a sweet person who doesnt hold grudges and is grateful for what she has. You know not everyone is bitter in life.
You could be right. Guess LW is not Carly. Who is though ?
Yeah, Ron brought some beloved vets back but doesnt know how to write for them…he kills AJ and Duke off…Kevin?…Felicia—her picture with Mac need to be put on a milk carton asap…time will tell if the next writers are any better…or worse!!!
heeey Jim ! 🙂
AJ wanted to go back to DOOL..
He was making the deal behind Ron and FV’s back, set it up and said he was leaving.. he wanted love scenes lol So yah, he needed to be killed off for what he did lol..
Felicia was a shorter stay.. she had been making/producing movies or some such thing with her hubby and avtively working for some cause and has a business..
Kevin had other things in the fire when he came back in..
Some of the returns just wanted short stays ..
Not every actor who was with GH wants to be back full time etc..
some don’t want to back at all aha!
can’t write long involved stories for people who don’t want to invest the time or want to do long term 🙂
AJ, Sean Kanan, was never on DOOL. nor did he broker a deal to go there..
He went to B&B not Days…and it was because of RCs terrible writing for his character AJ…RC still didnt have to kill him off…just put him in a coma for 20 years!!!
ooops my mistake .. BB it is, thanks
Su…sean kanan was very happy to be asked back to GH. He had no intention of leaving and has said he was disappointed in tbe writing for AJ…”relish and panic attacks.” He also thought he would have a relationship. Ron didnt respect Sean or even attempt to meet him half way when he expressed his dissatisfaction. And let’s not forget the jabs at SK’s weight gain. Ron led SK, and fans of the actor and character, to belueve he would finally be a formidable presence in the Q fold…that he’d finally come out on top. It was disappointing for lot ofong time viewers…reducing AJ once again. Killing him? Big time mistake./
Felicia is the cleaning lady on the Haunted Star!
I wish Felicia was that lucky…and as for the other reply, i forgot about Eddie Haskell!!!
Great interview! Sounds like some dialogue was cut from the proposal that was beautiful-wish we would’ve heard that.
I truly hope the new writers keep S&C together & show what a real marriage is-working through good & bad times. It would be a shame for them to break them up after they just reunited but anything could happen.
If they break them up-I hope they give Carly a decent story & love interest but my choice would be to keep S&C together for the long haul but like she says it’s a soap
Beautiful heartfelt scenes between Lena and Luke! I think Laura is a wonderful actress who never seems to phone in any of her scenes. I appreciate that about her, and her wonderful grateful attitude as well. A class act!
loved the interview. But CarSon? I thought, what is that? I don’t like these cutesy couple names.
She was amazing and she’s the best Carly ever I’ve been watching GH for 50 yrs and she is the perfect Carly
They had four and one was bad, the other three were all good! I loved when they brought all three Carlys on for one day. So much talent!
Laura’s portrayal of Lena Spencer was spot on..from the moment
she reappeared to confront Luke tête-à-tête, I knew it would be
emotionally moving and incredibly special.
Laura was excellent as Lena. I never saw Carly when I watched those scenes. She also blew me away in her scene where Carly saw little Jake. Carly always seems in control, even when she is upset or angry. Laura always plays her as strong, so it was a surprise to see Carly so stunned, so shaken, and so out of control. Again Laura proved yet again how truly talented she is.
I got the same impression, as you did, TMJ. Carly’s face had such an incredulous, real look that it made me feel her power of owning that moment. I was also blown away by that. The woman can act….unfortunately Sonny’s, I am He-Man, persona blurs what Laura/Carly has to offer. Yeah, I know…it’s always about Sonny with me. LOL.
Carly stands up to Sonny boy. At least she is stronger than Nicky. She cowers everytime the Mustache mumbles!
Laura is right in her concerns about the Emmy structure. It’s not right to force an actor to chose a full episode to submit. Sometimes a episode includes a beautiful moment, such as Carly seeing little Jake, but not enough else to showcase the actor. The Emmy committee should set a time limit (one hour?) and let the actor or the producers decide which scenes to chose, and how many clips from different episodes to include in the reel. This way an actor can pick special scenes from the beginning, middle, and end of a storyline to showcase themselves. This would also showcase the actor’s work over the year, and not just on that one day with that certain script. Then we would get a better judgment of overall talent, and not just a reaction to one particularly emotional scene or story point.
I love Laura and her characters she plays too.I love her with uncle luke, sonny and bobbi. Good scenes.Both actors were brilliant. I will miss the legend A,G as Luke so much. Now it is time for Sonny to take the reins and with Carly by his side. GH will not be the same with Luke gone. Very good interview.
I think they did it right both in acting and writing. It was weird this week so far not seeing Luke. But now the serious stuff will come to head with Jake and Liz which I like together but really Liz is in deep and it’s just wrong of Liz.
Tony took a lot of time off so to me it isnt so strange that he isnt around YET!
You either like Carly or you dont. I always liked her because she mixes it up with the boys. My best friend is a girl and Carly and Jason remind me of the friendship I have with my girlFRIEND. Laura was great as Lena and the first go around on the 52nd anniversary show I didnt even realize it was her at first! I[‘m a fan and she seems like someone who would be friendly and loyal in real life.
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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