General Hospital
GH's Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo on Sonny/Brenda wedding, Dante & contract renewal!

Courtesy/ABC
Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo (Brenda Barrett) has a very frank and direct conversation with TV Guide’s Michael Logan in a brand new interview out this week centering on the upcoming wedding that kicks off this week of General Hospital’s Sonny and Brenda. And while Vanessa gives insight into the wedding itself and previews the aftermath, she also fielded questions about if she might renew her contract, (since she only signed on to GH for one year), and her thoughts on where Brenda’s relationship could go with Dante played by Dominic Zamprogna. However, Vanessa admits it is her admiration and desire to work with Maurice Benard (Sonny) that compels the actress to enjoy her current storyline. Here are a few excerpts below:
Vanessa on if she will renew her contract, and if so, doesn’t she need to let the series know soon: It’s always going to be about scheduling and family for me. It’s no secret I came back to GH to work with Maurice, not only to honor my roots but to honor him specifically. When I was the new kid on the show, he took me under his wing. He really saved me. The week we shot the wedding was the best week ever because I was in scenes with him all day long, every day. Working opposite him is like listening to music — it’s beautiful and emotional and surprising and nostalgic and I feel all that at completely spontaneous levels. This is literally the most fun I’ve ever had acting. Right now my happiness is at its peak, if that answers your question.
Vanessa on the sparks between Brenda and Dante, and if she feels there is potential for a relationship between them: I was very much playing that because [GH head writer Bob Guza] wanted to make sure that [the possibility of attraction] was established and intact. Of course, at that point Brenda and Dante didn’t know they had this crazy connection, but I do like the serendipity of it all. I think Brenda was drawn to Dante because he’s basically a younger version of Sonny, who is the love of her life. There’s something kind of pure about it. [Laughs] Even though in theory it’s a little alarming. I can guarantee nothing like that will ever happen (referring to relationship with Dante) now that Brenda knows he’s Sonny’s son. Never! Now we’re getting into Jerry Springer territory.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Kelly Monaco Reveals She’s Six Months Sober

Longtime General Hospital favorite, Kelly Monaco (ex-Sam McCall), took to her Instagram on Tuesday, September 15 and shared that she is six months, seven days sober from alcohol. Monaco played Sam for 21 years on the ABC soap opera.
Accompanied by a screenshot from the I Am Sober app that tracks the progress of anyone struggling with or trying to not drink, Monaco wrote, “Now the whole 6/7 thing makes sense! #duces.”
Monaco has kept a very low profile since her final episode on General Hospital aired back on October 30, 2024, when Sam had a shocking heart attack and died. It was later revealed that Daytime Emmy nominee, Jeff Kober (ex-Cyrus Renault) injected Sam’s IV with a fatal dose of digitalis.

Photo: JPI
KELLY MONACO HAS KEPT MORE TO HERSELF SINCE LEAVING GH
This year, Kelly has posted on her Instagram account a total of four times, most recently to celebrate her mother, Carmina’s birthday, who turned 70 just four days ago.
Jumping into the comment thread on Kelly announcing her sobriety were several of her former GH co-stars including Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny, GH) who shared, “Love this. Congrats! 👏👏👏,” Ingo Rademacher (ex-Jax, GH) who just posted the hands up and heart emojis, and Lexi Ainsworth (ex-Kristina, GH) who wrote, “So proud of you 👏 badass.”

Photo: ABC
DANCING WITH THE STARS BEGINS NEW SEASON; KELLY WAS THE SEASON ONE CHAMP
With this season’s Dancing with the Stars about to kick-off tonight, in which Kelly was the first-ever celebrity winner in season one and returned for an All-Star version, might we hear from her on her picks or thoughts on this year’s batch of contestants?
One thing has remained a constant with Kelly’s unwavering fan base, they want her back on General Hospital, because as we know in the soaps, many characters somehow come back from the dead, so why couldn’t Sam?
Share your thoughts for Kelly and her six months of sobriety via the comment section below and if you would still like to see her back on General Hospital or even another soap opera within the next few years.
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Breaking News
Soap Alums Remembered During In Memoriam Segment at 78th Emmy Awards; Patrick Muldoon Omitted

During last night’s 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony, as it does every year, the television academy paid tribute to those in the industry that they’ve lost over the last year; since the previous Emmys held each year in September.
Starting with an emotional tribute to the late Catherine O’Hara by three of her co-stars, Schitt’s Creek’s Annie Murphy and Dan Levy and Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin, the segment then dovetailed into Noah Kahan performing “Bridge over Troubled Water” as the faces and the names of those being remembered were shown on the screen.
Daytime soap alums, who either stayed in the genre for the majority of their career, or went on to primetime success as well, were honored including: Anthony Geary (Luke, GH), Hayden Panettiere (Sarah, OLTL, Lizzie, GL, Juliette, Nashville), James Van Der Beek, (Dawson, Dawson’s Creek, and Stephen, ATWT), Gil Gerard (Alan, The Doctors), June Lockhart (Mariah, GH), Patricia Crowley (Mary, Port Charles and GH), Randolph Mantooth (Clay/Alex, Loving and The City, and Richard, GH) and Jon Cypher (Alex, ATWT and Arthur, Santa Barbara).

Photo: TVAcademy
THOSE HONORED AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT
However, in a glaring omission, the producers of the In Memoriam failed to include Days of our Lives beloved star, Patrick Muldoon who played the OG Austin Reed and also Richard Hart on Melrose Place. Muldoon passed away in April of this year at 57.
After Kahan concluded his performance, a special tribute to Rob Reiner began with Jamie Lee Curtis taking to the stage to share some warm words about her late friend.
In a ironic and sad twist, Curtis shared ,“Last week, Robbie won an Emmy for guest actor in a comedy series for his beautiful work on The Bear, and he now holds the record of 48 years for the longest gap between acting Emmys, which was previously held by his father Carl Reiner, at 37 years.”
Reiner, who along with his wife, Michele Reiner were killed by their son, Nick Reiner, is currently awaiting a decision if he will stand trial. Prosecutors on Tuesday, shared they will not seek the death penalty if he is convicted at trial, but instead life in prison. Curtis said of Rob, “He was generous and kind and funny as hell, and a friend to all. We all miss Rob and Michele and all those we lost this year.” The Emmys then faded to black and went to commercial break.
So, were you happy to see those who you know from their work in soap operas included in the 2026 In Memoriam tribute at the Primetime Emmys? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, you can watch it below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Break Up After Realizing They Can’t Trust Each Other

Trust issues were cited as the reason for the break-up of Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) and Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) on the Monday, September 14 episode of General Hospital, ending the their complicated romance once and for all.
The episode began with the pick-up of Jason and Britt’s argument over Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) at the Quartermaine boathouse. Britt is in disbelief that Jason continues to take Anna’s side, and that he will not back her up as her witness, as she wants to report Anna’s attempted murder of her to the PCPD.
Jason tells Britt that Anna had been pushed to the brink through the mental torture she’d endured while held captive at Wyndemere, and accused Britt of doing nothing to save her, when she knew exactly what was going on as she was at Wyndemere as well. Britt told Jason that she’d been a victim of Sidwell and Cullum too, and by the time she figured out what was happening to Anna, they had moved her somewhere else.

Courtesy/ABC
BELIEF SYSTEM BROKEN
Then, Jason clearly lets Britt know he doesn’t believe her version of what transpired. An enraged Britt fires back at Jason in disbelief, that he is siding with Anna instead of her, when he was on Mount Emerson and saw for himself how Anna was planning to kill her. Suddenly, Britt wants to know if Jason would have helped Anna cover her tracks, if Anna had killed her.
Next, Jason argued that Britt seemingly needs to believe Anna would have killed her when he knows deep down Anna would never have murdered her. Jason thinks Britt is trying to absolve herself of her own guilt and complicity in keeping Anna locked up.
Britt shouts “You need to believe that! Otherwise, you’d have to admit that your friend is unhinged and dangerous. And she would have killed someone you say you love!” Now at a complete impasse, Britt walks out on Jason realizing they don’t trust each other and calls it quits.

Courtesy/ABC
PICKING UP THE PIECES
Later, Jason finds Carly (Laura Wright) at the Metro Court, and while in an elevator fills her in that he doesn’t trust Britt, and that as much as he loves her, he doesn’t trust her like he does Carly. Britt is back at the hospital.
A concerned Tristan (Dean Geyer) tries to talk to her about what transpired with Anna. However, Britt clams up and walks away from any discussion.
Now in the General Hospital teaser video for the action on Tuesday, September 15, Jason ask Carly (over beers and a game of pool) “When you lie for a living, how long before you start lying to yourself? Take a look at that below.
Let us know, are you glad that Jason and Britt finally called it quits? What about the reason that the couple broke-up, over Britt knowing about Anna being locked-up at Wyndemere and Jason not willing to back Britt about Anna trying to kill her? Is Tristan the next man for Britt? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section.
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Sounds to me like she’s sticking around.
Kill me now, ugh!!!, please do not resign.
Vanessa, please leave and don’t come back.
Maybe u shouldn’t watch the show, Brenda and Sonny are the show
Agreed Kemp should watch something else, although he/she will probably get their wish b/c Guza sucks. Half my friends began to watch GH again when Brenda came back and the other half laugh at me for even watching what GH has become. For those who will now tell me to watch something else, I will once VMG leaves. Can’t watch Sonny with anyone else now; Clair and he were gross!!
Please keep Vanessa! Please get rid of that whiny little hipocrite Elizabeth!
lol, I love how “please do not resign” can have two entirely different meanings depending on context/pronunciation. I know you don’t want her back, but I can read that and feel like I agree even though I am hoping for the opposite outcome. I hope she doesn’t resign/quit! *^^;*
There are a LOT of things I am unhappy with that they’ve done to make the fans hate her; it’s gotten so bad I almost can’t enjoy having her around cause I just see everything she does that is going to make people rant about her on any given day, but I still absolutely love her on the show. I really don’t think she will stay, there is too much chaos between budget cuts and choppy story writing, but I hope she can come back again and maybe be less hated by then.
“lol, I love how “please do not resign” can have two entirely different meanings depending on context/pronunciation” — LOL!!! I didn’t even notice that person said “ugh”, then they say…”Please do not resign”..LOL!! Good observation on your part. Funny:-)
Brenda/Vanessa dont let them with thier negative comments bother you please resign you are a great actress and Brenda is Gh history she is the past present and future and I love my Carly and brenda cat fights now we need claudia to come back from the dead and that would be a sight to see LOL so I hope you decide to stay around for awhile because it would be sad to see you go so soon. A year is not long enough when things are just getting started.
You know what?? I’m SICK AND TIRED of all you newbies who’s been watching the show for 5 years or so, thinking you actually know something about the characters from the past. If you newbies and haters have done your homework before making a judgement about Brenda, you’d know that her character has changed a great deal…but there is no way a lot of people (like myself) could hate her because of how much history she’s brought to the show.
The girl isn’t even all that bad… at least she’s tolerable compared to the likes of Carly who I CAN’T STAND!
It’s an absolute SHAME that Headwriter Bob Guza has changed Brenda for the WORSE (to many people)…They (GH) have tried SOOOOOO hard to make people hate Brenda it’s sickening. They have written her character TOTALLY off the wall it’s a shame. I still love Brenda though and am PRAYING that she re-signs.
Anitra, I couldn’t have said it any better myself! It’s always obvious as to who the newbies are… They sound like idiots… They don’t know anything about Brenda’s character or Sonny and Brenda’s history… I have been a fan of GH since 1994, and have ALWAYS been a fan of Sonny and Brenda! The writing now is pathetic and if it weren’t for VM’s return, I wouldn’t even be watching today.
I say to the newbies… You don’t know what you are talking about.
Thank you. Your reply is appreciated.
I’ve been watching all my life.. so I guess you can say, from the early 80’s and on (was born in 79′).
I see that newbies don’t really care about how a character was portrayed from back in the day. They just see what’s on the TV screen now, and assume that THAT is how that character has ALWAYS been. They see Sonny & Brenda’s relationship as boring and they want to see more JASAM (Jason & Sam) or LANTE (Lulu & Dante). HAHA! I just learned that that’s how everyone is phrasing their couples.. Anyway.. I’ve stopped watching for probably 6 years..well, after GH tried to forcefeed the audience Sonny and Carly, I left all together…then came back when VM came back in 02. I left in 03’…I left right along with her. I started watching again this past august to see what GH was up to. I didn’t even know that she was going to come back during that month. I think I came back watching RIGHT after they had a Brenda Marathon on the Soapnet Channel.. I was upset that I missed those episodes.
After S&B’s wedding… I want an S&B baby..lol! What’s one more child for Sonny? LOL! If Sonny even THINKS about cheating on her with Cujo (Carly)?????? OMG! GH lost me FOREVER! I tell you though… after VM leaves…I’m leaving also.
Thanks, Vanessa, for coming back. Ignore the negativity. You are my favorite character of all time
If GH is keeping Rebecca Herbst on the show as Elizabeth, then her character needs to change. Elizabeth needs to toughin up as a single mother and go after what she wants like a real single mother does. I’m sure people are tired of looking at the simple character she is. Make Elizabeth a tougher person. Make her get child support from Nicholas or Lucky and get rid of Brooklyn. She is an unnecessary character on the show and sounds like fake ass Bensonhurst native New Yorker.
Bring back Keesha Ward so she can snap Jason out his robot phase. It’s been too long!. I’m tired of seeing her run behind Jason. Sam needs some real self esteem and live a normal life for a change. Her needy ass is getting ridiculous!
I hope Sonny and Brenda work out this time so that Sonny can retire from the MOB.
Let someone else take his place in that violent lifestyle. As for Carley, she needs her ass kick and will get exactly what she deserves. Jacks and Sky should get back together and get married. The two make a nice couple. Mack and Alexis needs to stop playing games and get it on. Michael and Abby would be good together and it’s time for Morgan to get a girlfriend. He’s getting older or GH might make him gay. It would be interesting to see Donte with a black woman like Maya. That shit would be while for the show. It’s been a minute since Jason Q. and Keesha Ward in the 90s. Ha! ha!
If Maurice leaves …I leave . HE is the life of General Hospital..His vulnerability makes me wanna cry…His love for Vanessa comes through,,,,,when they were younger ..Maurice had all the right moves..I would have welcomed him into my life( mob & all) He is still super sexy..the way he dances with VM is so charming, sweet .loving and remains central too his core .. When he wants someone …you see him and it is incredibly mind boggling how this man is not on the best movie list.. I am and will always credit him with saving me through my depression….I feel like i know what he goes through in his real life. I wish him…the best…because ..he is a lovely, gracious…eloquent man with dimples to die for and a empathy for his audience…LVE YOU Maurice and Thank YOU…for being my PRINCE of ABC..may God bless you. You have helped so many people! caroline from Massachusetts
Brenda needs to stay. For all of you saying that she has to leave obviously haven’t been watching the show long enough to know that the show is finally good. I watched it when Brenda started and stopped once she left because it was so awful. Now I am finally hooked on it again, so stop being negative and writing these ridiculous comments. She needs to stick around.
Agree completely; I only came back for her after sooo many years. With these “official” comments of her leaving I feel very disappointed. Yes they gave us an S&B wedding but there is so much more the fans deserve for the couple. If she was only coming for a year I wish it would have been the year before Maurice retired so they could leave together or at least given us more time and story. I got so excited with her return and now am really let down if she leaves. No story line will change that feeling for me 🙁
like almost everyone on here, i’m watching GH now only because of vanessa marcil giovinazzo. there’s just something about her. she acts with her eyes and allows us all to really access her character and feel everything she feels. maurice was a fine actor, and prolly still is. however, he’s had more or less 1 role his whole life and he’s bored as all hell. i’ll always love sonny out of respect for history, but maurice’s acting has become indifferent and one-dimensional. vanessa, on the other hand, gets better and better over time. but she’s in a tough position with guza writing, jill phelps producing and maurice as a formerly-awesome but currently indifferent co-star. i admit since the wedding maurice is getting better — and when i say better i mean he’s getting his mojo back that i haven’t seen since vanessa was last on GH. finally vanessa and maurice are getting to access their mad chemistry. we need guza to up the ante and start writing powerful scenes. we need vanessa to RENEW HER CONTRACT and maurice to step up to the acting plate and also influence storyline development. fans have waited many, many years. we deserve it!