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: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!
Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).
GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Courtesy/ABC
A VISIT WITH DAD
Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.
Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!
Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.
Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!” The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR
While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).
Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.
An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process. As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”
CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER
At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.
Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.
So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.
General Hospital
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof

Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.
Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.
In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?

Photo: HOORAE
The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.
The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.
General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.
Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.
Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).
In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.
Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Courtesy/ABC
BOATHOUSE BRAWL
In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.
Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.
However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Courtesy/ABC
Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.
WILL SCOUT WISE UP?
At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.
Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.
So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.
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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.