General Hospital
How did James Franco fare as Oscar co-host? – Let us Know!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Last evening, General Hospital’s recurring superstar, James Franco co-hosted the 83rd Annual Academy Awards with Anne Hathaway. At the beginning of the Oscar Telecast, a very clever opening sequence imposing both Franco and Hathaway inside scenes from the nominated Best Picture nominees was to set the tone for the show. (See clip below). What followed was some straightforward announcements of the proceedings to keep it moving, and some sight gags, ala Franco in drag. The New York Magazine Vulture Column thought Franco and Hathaway did a great job. Still others in this round-up of reviews in this morning’s Hollywood Reporter felt Hathaway was on point, but Franco seemed like he was bewildered at times.
Whatever the case, we ask you, the soapers, what you thought of Franco. Let us know in the comment section below. We have also posted two clips we enjoyed of the night. The opening sequence of the Oscars with Franco and Hathaway and then presentation of the Lead Actor Oscar by Sandra Bullock, in which Franco was a nominees for 127 Hours. Watch the clip as Bullock references Franco’s appearances on General Hospital as part of her introduction of his nomination and clip. It was very cute.
Remember, James re-appears today’s episode on General Hospital!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
-
General Hospital4 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News5 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
sorry he was a little boring ….kept to script…which is fine…but for hosting a live show…you must have some spontaneity to help move the show along……..think this proves he maybe able to be a comedic actor but is NOT a comedian ….any way just an opinion folks
James Franco seemed a little bored to me like he really want to be there that’s my opinion..
I see a lot of negative press and posts. I didn’t think he was that bad. ITo be honest I never watch and he was the only reason I even tuned in.
I enjoyed the show. James Franco and Anne Hathaway did a good job. Considering that they have never hosted an event of this magnitude before, I was impressed. They kept the show moving, and it was only a few minutes over schedule. They were funny and gracious. Hathaway was joyous, and Franco’s “LIVEOSCAR” video tweets were amusing to watch during the commercial breaks. I love that he incorporated new media in hosting.
I don’t really understand all the criticisms. Then again, I enjoyed the show when Letterman and Gervais hosted the Oscars too, and both of them were critically panned. Billy Crystal receives a lot of praise, and he did have his good points, but I got tired of the continuous jokes aimed at creepy Jack Nicholson in the front row. They were certainly better than the time Ellen hosted when the awards were handed out in the aisles to save time, but the show was severely over schedule.
It was nice to see the people in my generation host this time around.
He look bored and then he look high! Poor Anne Hathaway, she tried to compensate but it was a hard job.
Twp thumbs down for Franco!
He looked and acted stoned. He was horrible. The show was a huge bore. I hope I never see this guy again. I thought Anne tried but she should stick to acting. Next time let someone who knows what they are doing host the show.
I thought he did a good job. They really tried to make it light and enjoyable. I loved her dresses but not his. He may be over exposing himself too much but he is handsome and talented.
did not enjoy him or the show at all – they should have selected someone more interesting……………jmo
I think he was exhausted from the coast-to-coast travel. And tired or not, that smile gets me every time.
Thought that it was one of the worst hosted Oscars in my lifetime of watching. When Billy Crystal came on stage, I thought he should have just taken over the rest of the show. Anne at least showed more personality than James Franco! Not surprised the ratings dropped.
I agree. Im a movie fan before a soap fan and watch the oscars every year and watch nearly all the movies that come out. This years hosts were not clicking and I agree that James looked bored and when Billy Crystal came out on stage- that was the first time I heard the audience actually laugh. Bad choice of hosts that had no experience. Congrats to Colin Firth and Natalie Portman though who were awesome in their roles!
He looked spaced out, bored…couldn’t look directly at the camera. He kept looking up and away somewhere. Total BOMB and I like JF, what a shame.
Terrible. He is so handsome and a talented actor. Hosting is better suited for a comedian.
I love him and thought he did a fine job. Would like to see all of you critics pull off a similar hosting gig of this magnitude in front of the same number of people. He is not a comedian and neither is Ann H so lighten up folks.
I’m sorry, I respectfully disagree. Hugh Jackman isn’t a showman, nor is he a comedian, but he was one of the best host the show has had in the last few years. Sunday being no exception. I love James Franco as an actor, always have, always will, but I’m sorry, IMHO, he was not a very good host that night. He was better hosting SNL, which was FILLED with comedy skits. Anne on the other hand, I felt did the best she could with what she was given. But when a number of the viewing audience is still asking if one of the host was on some sort of substance that night, there’s a problem.
To counter my previous post, for the record, they say he wasn’t on anything, but heavily exhausted. I still love James, like I said, always have, always will, but it was clear from his hosting that it was all coming down hard, seeing the heavy load on his back as of late, between GH, school, movies, and hosting gigs.
He looked bewildered! But in fairness Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, & Billy Crystal are hard acts to follow it takes a special gift to host the Oscars!
I thought they both did great, especially considering it was their first time. I really think they were trying to keep on point, not let the proceedings run too long, and they did so admirably. I, for one, appreciated that the usual banter was kept to a minimum. I enjoyed the whole show greatly, and normally I find the Oscars to be a colossal bore.
Loved him –He was a breath of fresh air and adorable! Loved his Marilynn Monroe outfit –saggy boobs and all. Hope to see more of this actor in future films –He’s a keeper!
TERRIBLE IN OSCARS,,,,,WORSE THAN THAT ON GH….I cant say on movies because I havent seen any BUT in these things Ive seen…BEYOND TERRIBLE!!!:(
I thought James Franco looked bored and he was boring. He hardly ever looked at Ann Hathaway. She was trying to keep it interesting and lively, but he just kept dragging the energy down. I don’t understand why he was selected to cohost.
I thought that the acadamy awards show was suppose to be classy, and first rate. In my opinion,having two,not so great actor’s to begin with, who obviously had very little experience in front of a live audience, was a giant mistake. Know matter how many dresses that Anne Hathaway changed into, it did not do anything to change the fact that she was not funny, not all that attractive, and seemed to be nervous and uncomfortable on the stage. I think that” Mr. Class”, Alec Baldwin, who is a great actor, very handsome and funny, as well as extremely intelligent would be a great host.
I thought he was: a, full of himself and smirky, b. over his head and outclassed not only by Ms. Hathaway but Billy Crystal, c. boring, d. done. I’ve had it with his self-centered smirk, his mediocrre acting, and did I say, ego?
LOL right on target
The only thing that is on target is the poster’s need to use Spell-Check.