General Hospital
Holly Gagnier Takes Over The Role of Jennifer Smith On General Hospital!
Courtesy/GagnierFacebook
Those rumors proved once again true as over the weekend General Hospital fans were investigating former One Life to Live and Days of our Lives actress Holly Gagnier’s facebook page, and if you look closely it said on the May 27th post “Big announcement coming soon”. Today, GH viewers learned that Holly is the next actress to play the role of Jennifer Smith!
Gagnier has even posted a picture with herself and GH icons Tony Geary (Luke) and Genie Francis (Laura) whom she shares scenes with this week, as she takes over the role of crime boss Frank Smith’s daughter, Jennifer Smith on the ABC soap opera. Gagnier plays the role once taken on by Lisa Marie, Roseanne Barr, and Sally Struthers … quite the predecessors!
Holly told Soap Opera Digest on her turn as Jennifer Smith: “I really had probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a soap!”
Daytime fans remember Gagnier as Cassie Callison on One Life to Live and Ivy Jannings on Days of our Lives!
What do you think about Holly as the new Jennifer Smith? Were you surprised to see her on GH? Comment below!
She is a good actress…far better than overrated Michelle Stafford…she maybe older but id love her to stay and get involved with Nik…what would Laura think?…I remember her on Days and she is hotter now than way back then…i no longer need my manhood pills…lol
Great choice. I like her and she looks awfully young for her age.
I agree–she’s better than that scene chewing Stafford.
Com’on ..
they are totally different character personalities..
And- different actors..
Michelle is very talented and can project humor and drama, much like Roger..
GH is bursting with great actors..
I never even heard of whatshername … how great could she be LOL ..
Be careful there, Harry !. Leave my Michelle out of this….LOL.
I so agree, Harry!
Here, here, Harry! The kindest thing that can be done for Stafford’s disastrous Nina dud is to write her a good death scene and get her the heck out of Port Charles…permanently!
She was no Cusi Cram or Ava Hadad but she was good. Soooo angry when Cusi Cram left for greener pastures..loved her against Robin Strasser’s Dorian Lord..I got it back with Holly and Blake on GL for a while too..fighting over Ross..LOL
OMG!!! I’ve loved her ever since the movie Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. I’d watch her in anything. Break a leg Holly
Roseanne Barr as Jennifer Smith I would have luved that !!!! Now that would be fun ! (that would rock!
I’m not familiar with Holly Gagnier so no fun there..
I do not like this Luke and Laura stuff.. It plays to the Ol’Timers..
And the great many who weren’t watching GH during Luke and Laura, well who cares about them..All, you ol’Timers should send RC a thank You card ‘cus I’d send him a WTF .. lol
Sigh….you’ve made that abundantly clear, Suoo. Again, and again and again.
You are bored by Luke and Laura…we get it. Hell, even the Pope gets it.
dear Harry..
I said nothing about being bored ^^^ up there..
I mentioned that once with great vigor and enthusiasm to make a lasting impression, and it did (geez I’m good! ahaa 🙂
I never heard of a Holly Gagnier, is what I said so I’d rather have Roseanne Barr ..
(I never heard of ”Jennifer Smith, either..
🙂
Oh gosh Harry how I have missed your comments yo are a riot.
Suoo is NOT the only one who is bored by Luke and Laura.
Way to go, Harry!
Harry,
I could not have said that any better! Post after post after post….so perhaps Su should respectfully just sit it out and let those of us that do remember bask in the last month of our memories of L&L….
Roseanne Barr? Only you, su…only you…that’s why I love you, Girl !! WTF ????
I can’t stop laughing. Thank God for having you on these sites…triple LOL.
Puleeeze, what’s with the O’Timers sobriquet? Don’t like it and don’t like the labeling. We devotees to the Luke and Laura story call ourselves “loyal fans” and discerning viewers of good drama and connoiseurs of great storytelling. So there!
“Put that in your pipe and smoke it,” you whippersnapper! You novice. You johnny-come lately. See? Namecalling is not so good, is it?
Lol, Nancy. Thank you….whippersnappers make the world go ’round. We’ll get there eventually….LOL.
You know, that’s what my Gran used to call my older brothers…not the girls. I always thought the name was always meant for boys. HaHa. See? This whippersnapper just learned something new. WOW.
Be careful, Su. Someone’s got her bloomers in a twist…LOL.
And some young whippersnapper is twisting them!
Hey, those so-called “bloomers” and “granny panties” are back in style! Heard it on GMA–so it must be true–LOL.
OMG!! I’ve loved Holly ever since the movie Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. I’d watch her in anything! Break a leg Holly.
loved pete and ivy on days
Ivy was the other woman.
Pete and Melissa were the couple. Ivy was the sister of Speed. Speed was Pete’s best friend and fellow gang member. Ivy referred to Pete as P.J.
When Melissa was hiding out for dealing (she was hired by Pete’s sister Tess’ ex convict husband to deliver flowers, which contained dope in the flower pots, unbeknownst to Melissa) she stayed with Ivy and Ivy would always talk about PJ!!!
Melissa was all for Ivy to get with PJ, not knowing PJ was Pete Jannings!!!!!!!
Eventually Ivy gave birth to Pete’s son Charlie. They were married, but then divorced to make way for the endgame couple…Pete and Melissa. I really liked Ivy, but my choice (Pete and Melissa) won out…until Lars Englund showed up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
I love her as Ivy on DOOL.
As Ivy Jannings on Days, she was Beautiful, so sweet looking, Now she is just as GORGEOUS, I love Holly Gagnier, I watched her on Days as well, and awesome couple Ivy and Pete Jannings, (Holly Gagnier & Michael Leon). She is great as Jennifer Smith.
She reminds me/and resembles Camila Banus (Gabi) from DOOL. So pretty!
It was indeed jolting to see the character of Jennifer Smith. However, we all know that Roseanne Barr and Sally Struthers were instances of stunt casting, and their appearances were brief. If the original Jennifer Smith (Lisa Marie) were available and interested, she should have been the first choice. Recasting the role for a another brief visit seems silly.
I agree. They could have had Robert come back one for one last adventure.
I think so, too. Maybe Tristan Roger’s twinkle and sardonic wit could awaken Tony Geary from his lethargy. TG is acting like a walking zombie. Maybe he wants to be on that show as badly as he wanted to be on Breaking Bad–LOL.
I Wonder where the original Jennifer Smith is Today (Lisa Marie was great too.)
One quick question for the GH writers: Does Jennifer Smith realize how old Luke Spencer is?!?!
Now, James. Don’t mention age or you’re bound to get your head bitten off. We do not discuss age on this site. SHHHH! Not allowed…. ( sotto voce) …LOL. Later, my friend.
Ok Ron Baby here should have been the story: Lucky is locked in the top floor of Wyndhams Department Store in order for him to be released Luke & Laura have to dance to the song Fascination her in her pink ball gown and him in a tux. Poof the door opens and Lucky is released.
Now this I would have loved to see, K/Kay. Why aren’t you head writer?
Harry…a little off topic but maybe you or Jimh would know. If Luke killed Frank, and Frank’s organization morphed into Sonny’s, wonder where did Jennifer get her protection goons and obvious money to stage the Lucky kidnap?
I love it, k/kay–and second the motion!
She was the BEST Cassie on OLTL and looks like she hasn’t aged a day since! Welcome back to daytime! SIDEBAR: She USED to date Survivor cast member/OLTL cast member Jonathan Penner 🙂
That’s so funny about Holly and Penner. He was kind of a jerk on Survivor but an enjoyable jerk. I don’t recall Penner on OLTL though.
OK, I googled “Jonathan Penner” and “One Life to Live” and got no results. I DID however discover that JP is a cousin of Jason Alexander and played a part in a classic Seinfeld scene (Kramer is pulling a rickshaw containing Newman and Lets it go, it rolls downhill and hits a man crossing the street- JP). Totally off-topic but I just felt like sharing. So sue me.
I swore he was on the show….I was an extra on his movie Religion Inc. back in 1989. He was a jerk on the set as well. BUT, I was invited to the cast party and they were there together and I could have sworn he was somehow involved in the Fraternity Row storyline….I could be wrong 🙂
This was a great reveal! I already love Holly Gagnier in the role, and bringing Jennifer Smith into the fold of this story was a great use of history. GH seems to be using its history really well in story over the past few years. She actually reminded me a lot of Claudia between her appearance, the way she was talking and her manipulation. I’m really looking forward to seeing this story play out and the next twist coming!
The next reveal I’m waiting for is that Nikolas’s true intentions for taking over ELQ is to hand over the company to Helena in exchange for reviving Emily. I’m convinced that Helena has Emily in a deep freeze, just as Stavros was, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why Nikolas is going after ELQ so fervently, to get back his true love. It doesn’t make sense that he’s in it just for the money, so I’m hoping this is the reason.
I thought she was claudia in the beginning
lol
The actor has said he was bored with his character and wanted a change
@Jimmy…. Your 2nd paragraph is GENIUS❗️When Jennifer made
her entrance and started spewing all that nonsense…. I knew she
couldn’t possibly be the brains behind Lucky’s kidnapping.
Helena has to be the one pulling the strings, holding Father, Son &
Brother emotionally hostage…
Nice scenario, Jimmy. Another option is that Helena put a bug in his head as she did with ‘Jakeson’. Should be an interesting summer in PC.
Shrona…we do think alike. Not only did I say Helena is controlling Nik, but, could Helena be wearing a Nik mask?
Wait. The woman pictured above is playing a character previously portrayed by Roseanne Barr and Sally Struthers? Can I get a little history on this character please?
Kark Y..
If you came in GH after Luke and Laura then it seems Luke’s exit is being written for the ol’Timers.. Stuff we never seen or even know about.. I know nothing lol
I luv RC to pieces but it was nasty of him to write primarily for the ol’Timers when Luke is my Favorite and I could care less about Laura and Their 2 decades past whatevers..
But– I watch every moment in a state of ”HUH??”.. lol 🙂
Sometimes I wonder about what’s in the air there, in Minnesota, ya, su? Keep writing. I’m having the time of my life.!!!!!
Watch Luke and Laura from the very beginning on you tube and you will be fascinated. Better than any crap on daytime today.
Mark, ignore that woman as she did not watch in the 80’s and therefore, knows of not what she speaks. Moreover, Su00 is offering her very jaded and negative opinion on a subject of which she knows nothing about–please disregard.
Roseanne Barr and Sally Struthers were used as stunt casting and really one has to dismiss their their cameo appearances which enjoyed a very fleeting duration.
Mary Y, to answer your question Jennifer Smith is the daughter of Frank Smith, former Kingpin of Port Charles. Luke had to marry Jennifer Smith in order to keep himself alive. Frank Smith is the man from whom Luke and Laura were hiding all that time. That is just a thumb nail’s sketch.
Please disregard Sally Struthers, Rosanne Barr and SUoo as the aforementioned three are totally irrelevant to the issue at hand,
I am not an “old timer”; rather, I am a “vintage” watcher! LOL.
Would that the story had been written true to the Luke and Laura storyline all the time–without the fatal violence TPTB have done to the characters and legacy of Luke and Laura.
I emphatically DO NOT LOVE RC and I care greatly about Genie Francis and the character and legacy of Laura. I loved Luke and the shades that Tony Geary gave the character in the heyday of the and Laura saga. I couldn’t wait to see what Genie Francis and Tony Geary were going to do next with the two characters–as well as the writers in those days. RC has systematically destroyed the characters of both Luke and Laura–with help from Guza.
It’s been a while, Mark, but–when Luke met Laura (basically when he was first in town), he was involved with the mob, and he ended up engaged to the daughter (Jennifer Smith) of the mob boss (Frank Smith) even though he clearly was in love with Laura. Luke and Laura ended up on the run, in that original on-the-run storyline, partly because he couldn’t go through with his wedding to Jennifer. I don’t remember much more about her; she was always (to me, at least) rather a peripheral character, and I think she disappeared pretty quickly after she served her purpose as an obstacle to Luke and Laura. She was brought back later in the form of Rosanne Barr and apparently Sally Struthers (I totally missed that) for brief appearances; I can’t even remember what the storyline purpose of those two appearances was. The original Jennifer was, as I remember, quite beautiful and svelte (though rather an empty shell), so the Rosanne casting in particular was quite a departure. Holly G. is more along the lines of the original.
Yes, Holly G. is definitely more along the lines of the original Jennifer Smith. I believe she watched old footage of the original actress too. She is speaking in the same high pitch and has the ditzy airhead characteristic down. Roseanne was brought on in an ABC cross promotion in the early/mid 90’s. LnL appeared on Roseanne’s show and vice versa. Roseanne’s GH episodes includeded Tom Arnold as Jennifer’s sleazy husband and those episodes were campy. LnL got into Jennifer’s safe and obtained incriminating evidence against them to keep Frank off of their backs for a short while. I have only briefly looked at the Sally Struthers version. It seems Sally (as Jennifer) held Luke captive demanding he marry her.
Apparently Laura’s not the only one on NutriSystem….
Great casting choice, so far… though, she;s a bit younger than her predecessors, however, I enjoyed Holly as Jennifer Smith.
It would be great if she were offered the chance to return to Days Of Our Lives as a new character, she would make a great DiMera… Chad’s mom returns from the dead!!!
Actually she is 57 and perfect age for Jennifer Smith. The original Jennifer Smith was attractive. It was a big joke when the character returned in the 90s as Roseanne. During that particular storyline, Laura was feeling a little insecure about Luke being near Jennifer again because of how attractive she was in 1980…but then they learned she had let herself go and had ended up with a sleazy husband. It appears the character hadn’t changed too much by the time 2002 rolled around and they cast Sally Struthers. In 2015 they have brought the character full circle.
it was quite hilarious, and silly. Hey, but that’s Jennifer Smith for you. I hope we see Damien Smith & Frank Smith again! She can’t be the only one in on this, can she? I don’t think so, or I hope not anyways!
TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE! I know Roseann is ill and probably wouldnt have accepted the role but why not Sally Struthers? I’m sure she was available OR why not cast someone like Catherine Zeta Jones who hasnt been in anything in a while and get some publicity for GH. Remember how cool it was to have Liz Taylor as Helena. This to me is lazy and cheap on GH’s part! Please, this is not a knock on this actress. She seems capable BUT I expected a big pop and all I saw was a big flop!
Timm, Sally Struthers and Roseanne Barr were puzzling cases of stunt casting and they bore no semblance to the original Jenifer Smith.
I like this actress–she works for me.
What I don’t like is the idea that she went to all this trouble for a role in the hay with Luke. I hope there is more to her motive than that.
I Hope and am sure Luke won’t sleep her , he will find another way to search for Lucky.
Harry, I think what it boils down to is Jennifer wants Luke’s sperm and a fat old lady wasnt going to cut it! Whatever, but I am happy the she was on OLTL and is employed again on daytime.
Harry, I can’t help but think that Jennifer is married to some wheeler-dealer who can’t get her pregnant and she needs a baby to inherit big time from her husband’s family…or she lied to her husband and said she was pregnant to get him to merry her. If I’m right, this story will remind me of way back on ANOTHER WORLD when Cecile tired to get Cass to impregnate her so she could give her husband, the king, an heir to the throne. LOL!
Hi, Timmm.
As I said above to su, …Roseanne Barr?? The comedic spin would have worked for me, also, especially when Jennifer made that not-so-suttle pass at Luke. It would have really thrown me over the edge if it had been Sally Struthers.
The ridiculousness and humor of the situation was lost, not captured by Holly’s characterization of Ms Smith. She is just too perfect looking to have made the same comedic impact. The same would have applied to Catherine.
I did appreciate the jocular looks Luke and Laura exchanged when Jennifer propositioned Luke. I did see a hint of how Luke and Laura of yore…I think?
Yore right.
Hi, Timmm.
Agreed, so far this so called BIG adventure is a major DUD!
Hopefully the next few weeks will make for this nonsense …
Bring on Holly, Ethan, and our beloved Lucky.
I’m not giving up this soon but I thought they would stunt cast Jennifer. I’m over it. I did see a little flicker of hope between L&L. Not that their reuniting but they did have chemistry back in the day and whether they like each other or not, they have “It!”
@Timmm
We saw it again..when they briefly reconnected at the triple L,
The misty, dewey look in their eyes, the slight hand holding..
Love lived strong in their history together…
I love Holly Gagnier, she is a wonderful actress.
If this character goes back to early Luke and Laura days and Frank Smith– shouldn’t she be older???? I mean Tony and Genie look ancient next to her— if Holly G is the same age as them- then damn she aged well, but if not, they should have cast an actress who would pass more as contemporary of Luke and Laura. I find so hard to believe this beautiful young looking woman is so hot for Luke she would have kidnapped his son so she could sleep with him? Frankly, she looks more Luke’s daughter than an old flame. Then when I heard the role was previously played by Rosanne and Sally S. I just have to scratch my head on this one.
The actress is 56 or so they say what is in her drinking water?
She is in her late 50s(older than Genie about five years)…and looks better than she did 30 years ago when on Days…i actually look worse…sigh!!!…lol
I feel your pain, Jimh. I’m a year younger than Holly and I WISH I looked that good. If she’s had work it’s pretty damn fine work. I think she is the definition of ‘unbotched’.
Hi Mary,
Holly G. is actually three years older (56) than Genie Francis (53). Furthermore, Robin Christopher (Skye) is actually younger (50) and Luke was with her, same with Kristina Wagner (51) who plays Felicia.
My first thought too, Mary SF. However, Holly G is fifty-six–she is 4 years older than Genie Frances.
Holly is a few years older than Genie, it’s just some plastic surgery and too much make-up. I think she looks awful, but I guess it fits the character since her last appearances were played by huge character actresses in total camp (although watching Holly chew the scenery in the same campy way is painful). I’m disappointed with this story twist. Had it not been done twice before already (and better), and the character was being written more like her original characterization (which I guess would have been impossible after Roseanne and Struthers), an appearance by Jennifer Smith would have been more threatening and had more impact.
Okay if she is 56, then I must schedule an eye exam because honestly when I first saw her I thought she was in her late thirties– LOL.
Nothing against the actress–but a more believable story line would have been if Jennifer had requested one night with Laura!
Sad, just sad what the writers are doing to the legacy of Luke and Laura–and Genie just standing there looking so beautiful and pained. And, I’m guessing, gritting her teeth.
So Tony Geary is all right with TPTB suggesting a night with Jennifer Smith and not with Laura, the woman who, in Luke’s own words, kept him whole with her love for lo so many years? Where is his brain(don’t answer that!0–and, most importantly, where are the brains of TPTB?????
SAD, SAD, SAD, SAD I was so afraid that something like this would happen–and it did.
I can think of how many ways the writers could have gone in righting the horrible mess they made of Luke with the so-called–and ego-driven–Fluke storyline. But, alas, TPTB must not be able to think about the waist.
Hold on, Nancy!
It might get better!
Thanks, Harry. Love your optimism, Harry–and I will try to hold on. I just can’t believe this is the way the deal is going down.
@Nancy
I Wholeheartedly agree! Evidently TPTB have saved the BEST for last…
Lucky, Ethan, Holly… And perhaps some other favorites. I was really
hoping for more scenes like Anna and Luke’s final goodbye…
@Harry
I’ll follow your lead, and remain optimistic.
Nancy, I agree with you. My favorite Luke is a jealous Luke. I think it would have been more interesting if we learned Laura is perfectly content dating an older dashing gentleman and hasn’t felt the need to brag or comment about it. I would love to see a story where Luke was dreading and praying Laura wouldn’t be begging him to take her back…then he finds out she’s been dating Robert Scorpio for a while and had no intentions of bothering Luke. In other words, I would love for the writers to get cheeky and pay homage to the “sticky door era” storyline where Luke was super jealous of any and all attention Laura received from other men….especially from Robert….the very storyline where Laura asserted some independence and gave Luke some space. It made Luke perplexed and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Yes, I agree. Would have made a much more exciting storyline. And created some tension/conflict badly needed between the two–anything but TG/Luke’s apathy.
I, too, loved the “sticky door era.” What fun, what humor, what passion–and how whiz-bang entertaining for us fans of the breathless Luke and Laura storyline.
Not surprised to see Jennifer, to answer the header question. At this point, nothing is surprising–and nothing is uplifting.
SAD, SAD, SAD, SAD.
Saw todays show, she kidnapped Lucky just to get Luke in bed????? Stupid. Or did I miss something???
Ohh dear lord!
Is Luke gonna do the nasty with whatshername ..
Now, that would be interesting..
Luke being forced into sex to save his son… aha!
(Luke not having sex is one of the reasons I luv him and Tracy together..
((( eventho Tracy got it on with Fluke … ohh crazy stuff !
I’m still shaking my head in disbelief after having read Genie Francis’ interview where she said she had to ask if Tony Geary wanted her to come back to see him through his last appearances. GENIE FRANCIS ASKING TONY GEARY’S PERMISSION TO COME BACK TO GH AND PLAY OFF HIM??????? How disgusting is that! Genie was there before TG, and she had already established herself as a memorable actress at the tender ages of 14-16.
And I have also been digesting TG’s cold persona in his scenes with Genie. It’s like he doesn’t want to look at her or touch her. And he is not invested in the scenes at all. The TG of yore would have taken on a tender persona each time he gazed into Genie’s eyes, and the magic of Luke and Laura would be there instantly. But not anymore. TG just look non-committal and tired. No light in his eyes, no spark in his demeanor. Just going through the motions, walking through the scenes. He’s not being generous or giving Genie anything to play off of. SAD.
I’ve picked up on that as well Nancy. It’s so sad to me.
Thank u for saying exactly what I also think! I noticed TG dead fish stares and am not enjoying this lame storyline, hopefully it will get better:)
I think you’re reading too much into this. She didn’t need his permission, she just wanted to know if he was interested in her returning for his exit. It’s HIS exit storyline, and she was willing to be a part of it if he wanted her to be, and not otherwise. And they are playing the storyline the way it is written for them. The characters aren’t in love anymore, and they are in a forced situation. There is nostalgia, but their focus is on Lucky.
nancy.
You are wrongly informed..
Genie never asked Tony for permission, never..
She was called to come back and she asked if Tony wanted her back too- and she was told, yes absolutely he does..
If Tony did not want her back she would not be back, not until after he left..
Genie is back and all is well..
also- Luke and Laura are not a couple nor are they meant to be couple this time around..
There will be no 2 decades past romance and love between them, don’t look for it don’t expect it 🙂
They are simply working together to save their son, nothing more..
Methinks you doth protest too much. I believe Genie Francis. If it wasn’t an issue, she wouldn’t have had to answer the question tactfully yet honestly. Genie is classy and seems considerate of everyone. And, she is respecful of her long-time fan base. Kudos to Genie.
Tell me this story isnt tony’s send off?? Holly looks great and loved her on Days as Ivy. Not loving this story otherwise but we’ll see.
I remember her as Ivy on Days of our Lives. I kept looking at the actress and saying to myself that she looked very familiar. Now I know why.
I was very surprised, stunned, and totally speechless, (the 3 S ‘s) But I am a total fan of Holly Gagnier, I’ve watched her on Days as Ivy Jannings, and on One Life to Live as a recast Cassie Callison, Dorian and Herb Callison’s daughter. I’m amazed at how well she can play Jennifer Smith, she does the part very well, and is a great actress. Welcome Aboard G.H. Holly.
Doesn’t matter it’s a short term story anyway, and so far Luke’s “last adventure” is pretty lame.
I’m sure there is more to this story than jennifer smith
This post is for the oldies that loved L&L still live in the past that means none of you young whipper snappers are invited. We shall all meet at the Triple L Diner have some shots of Tequila some homemade brew scarf down some chicken wings and salute to L&L. Oh and by the way all wheel chairs, canes, walkers & scooters must be legally parked out front. See you all there!
Love it, Kay!
I think Holly did a great job! She is a beautiful and talented actress-however, I would have liked to have seen Roseanne Barr or Sally Struthers again-for comedic and history sake(s). The storyline is somewhat lackluster-someone cares THAT much about having everyone believe that Luke and Laura are back together? Just seems dumb. Lulu is just annoying-she is not a mature wife and mother. Does she work? Where is Rocco when she is at the Quartermaine’s and calling her husband-lying about suddenly going to visit her grandmother who is in need of medical help (which, by the way was not a medical emergency). I do enjoy the history of Luke and Laura; although, I am not enjoying the storyline-as much.
On another note, why is it that when Michael throws a hissy fit and starts in on “my father” (AJ)-all I hear is the voice of a petulant, spoiled child-not a grown man who is a CEO of a global company. Lucy was right-he does have some growing-up and learning to do.
Love seeing Holly Gagnier on GH as Jennifer Smith! She is so talented, beautiful and fits right in with the cast! Does she ever age?!! Love to see more of Jennifer Smith/Holly Gagnier
Love her! Hope you keep holly on as a regular cast member. She is beautiful, talented and makes a wonderful Jennifer! Please keep her
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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