General Hospital
Ingo Rademacher Addresses His Lawsuit & Being Fired From General Hospital on the Heels of Steve Burton’s Return
At the conclusion of Thursday’s primetime special, General Hospital 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling, Steve Burton made a surprise announcement that he was returning to his soap-famous role as Jason Morgan. Previously, Burton was let go from the ABC daytime drama series for not complying with the Covid-19 vaccine mandate that was in place at the time from Disney/ABC.
Ingo Rademacher was also fired from the show for not complying with the vaccine mandate, but then sued ABC back in December of 2021. He lost his court case in June of 2023, which he is now appealing the decision.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, Ingo says he wanted to “clarify” why he was fired from GH and his court case. Rademacher began his video claiming, “I was fired for not complying for the vaccine mandate but in the discovery process (which he explains what that means), we found out they were actually trying to fire me before the vaccine mandate because they didn’t like my political and social views.”
Photo: JPI
Accompanying his video post were these words,”I think it’s time to set the record straight on a few things about my lawsuit against against ABC Disney which is now in appeals. I recorded this on January 1 but hadn’t had time to post it. I say this because the news of Steve Burton coming back on the show was announced today and a big congratulations to him. Also a big thank you to General Hospital for proving me right. I know some of you are going to say well, ‘If you wouldn’t have sued them, maybe you could’ve come back too,’ but that’s not true because what we found out during discovery is that they were trying to figure out a way to fire me (without getting sued) because they didn’t like my political and social views.”
Photo: JPI
Later in his video, Ingo goes on to say that he hopes for certain cast and crew members that his case never sees trial because he will then have to air all the ‘dirty laundry” from how he claims he was treated.
The former soap star says he feels what happened to him was wrong, and that it hurt him and his family, and that is why he is fighting the courts decision with an appeal, and for anyone that got fired for the same reasons.
You can watch what Ingo said below.
So, do you think that Ingo could win his appeal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Just like his Lord & Savior Donald Trump, Ingo always blames his dragonshit on everybody but himself.
Can I get an amen, lol, Well said and so true!
Would the world be a better place if everyone could stay out of other people’s bedrooms?
He acts like nobody knows how soap contracts work. There are “option windows”’ where – for whatever reason – the producers can choose not to pick up the remainder of the contract. For newer performers it’s every 13 weeks. Some veterans have 26 week windows. Covid vaccine non-withstanding, all ABC had to do was wait until that window to not pick up his option.
It’s 2024 and I’m tired of this topic. Ingo is just trying to save face and stay relevant.
Sort of confused by this. Acting on soap operas is a contract gig, usually with the show having the power every 13 weeks to drop anyone they want. They didn’t need to find a “reason” to fire him if they wanted. How many times have we seen actors leave soaps for “storyline-dictated” reasons. Just write a story in which Jax leaves town or is killed, and bam the actor is gone. There wouldn’t have been any reason for a conspiracy against him if they wanted him gone. They had the power.
I support Ingo 100 percent. We need to stop censoring those with conservative views. I am a former journalist who supports free speech all the way, as long as you’re not calling for genocide of Jews or something hateful. Many court cases could explain further the limits on the First Amendment better than I can. The liberals are shredding our precious Constitution, one bit at a time. We need to end it before we end up living in a socialist nation.
The First Amendment deals exclusively with government suppression of speech. It would not apply here, as ABC is not a government entity, so nobody–liberals, conservatives, or any other particular political group–is doing any Constitution shredding, at least in this instance. (If this website wanted to report on IR’s lawsuit, and some government entity tried to interfere with that, then that would be a solid First Amendment issue. But IR’s lawsuit is between a citizen and a privately owned corporation–totally outside the scope of the First Amendment.)
Whether ABC (or any other employer) can fire somebody for not getting a Covid vaccine is beyond my knowledge of law, so it could indeed be a legal issue, but it’s not a Constitutional issue under the First Amendment. As I understand it, some have argued that, if someone asserts religious beliefs as a reason for not getting the vaccine, and then is fired for not getting it, their rights have been violated under the Fourteenth Amendment (not the First), but it’s not cut and dry–you can’t practice polygamy, for example, or human sacrifice, even if you assert your religion believes in it, supports it, or requires it, so the Fourteenth Amendment has limitations–and the courts are still working through the issue, though I gather they’ve largely been ruling in favor of the employers so far. But IR’s political views, and whether or not ABC liked them (or him), would be irrelevant to the argument.
Socialism is an economic system (not a political system, which is what the Constitution deals with) in which economic gains are distributed differently than under capitalism. (That’s a very simplistic definition, for sure, but will do for this discussion, and full disclosure: I’m not a fan.) Many socialist societies have constitutions (such as a number of the major western European economies), and it would certainly be possible to maintain the current US Constitution and have a socialist economic system. One thing has very little (if anything) to do with the other, and there’s actually little to nothing in the Constitution–that I’m aware of–that guarantees US citizens the right to live in a capitalist society. It’s also entirely possible, as I mentioned, to have a socialist economic system and a political system that’s a democracy; see Sweden, for example, and other western European democracies.
We already are
As a former journalist you should have a better grasp of free speech and the First Amendment. The government did not stifle Ingo’s speech or ability to express himself. A private employer (Disney/ABC) set a workplace condition that Ingo chose not to meet, as was his right. Therefore, the employer terminated his contract, which was their right. This is a labor issue, not a free speech issue at all.
Ingo was not a team player . He throws his cast mates under the bus when ever it suited him . Ingo is racist, transphobic, doesn’t care about his fans , he turned on the network . You can’t sue your boss and expect to keep your job .
Ingo was bullying his coworkers so he better hope things don’t come out. We literally saw him saying things about Nancy Lee Grahn to Maurice Benard. He’s an idiot.
Exactly
As others have pointed out, he’s either seriously deluded (if he believes what he’s saying) or lying to his fans because he wants to save face (if he knows better–and I find it hard to believe that he’s been around soaps as long as he has and doesn’t understand how his contract works).
Soaps can get rid of just about anybody they want to, four times a year; they don’t have to try “to figure out a way to fire me (without getting sued) because they didn’t like my political and social views.” All they have to do is wait for the end of a 13-week period and write someone’s character out of the story; that’s the way soap contracts work. They don’t even have to have a reason, really, because nothing is implied about job performance, etc.: “we’re just choosing not to have this character on screen anymore.”
Largely because of this, soap actors who have tried this kind of argument in court before have not been successful. He may break that mold, I guess, but it’s hard to argue there’s some kind of discrimination at work when not just your contract, but EVERYONE’s contract, has these same kinds of out-clauses. And it’s been that way the entire time I’ve been watching soaps (going on 50 years now).
I guess he’s counting on his fans not understanding this basic fact about the way soap actors’ contracts work; if they do (understand soap contracts), his post makes no sense at all, and they’d be left scratching their heads.
I wonder if he’s hoping that he can use ugly publicity to try to pressure ABC into settling out of court, but I suspect they’re on such solid ground legally that they’re laughing at him.
I don’t care about anyone’s religious or political views this is supposed to be a free country but Isn’t Steve Burton fairly conservative? And the networks can get out of a contract with a snap of a finger and for most soap actors it’s every 13 weeks.
I have heard “rumors” about Steve’s politics, but I have never heard him say anything overtly political at all. Cameron Mathison recently signed a contract with an ultra conservative media company, but he still works for GH. Jen Lilley works for that same company, but she came back to Days of Our Lives for a while. I doubt that being a self described “conservative” has caused anybody to lose their job.
Now being a racist, transphobic bigot who cheers on open treason against the US, like Ingo did, well that’s a different story. And it should be.
Love your post. The Satan we all know and love is back in full force!
Im curious I was Roger let go because Steve is coming back?? Hmmmm
Probably. They have to maintain a casting budget. So trade one top-tier paid actor for another…
It will be interesting to see if Steve has the same episode guarantee as in the past. Kelly M has noticeably been reduced (and rejuvenated as a character). Roger’s guarantee must have been low since we’d sometimes go weeks without seeing Austin (and barely noticed).
There’s no evidence to support that. But if it was a question of a GH legacy character who has been around since 1982 (and an actor who started in 1991) vs an OLTL transplant on his third failed character, then yes, that’s an easy choice to make.
Or.. ABC could do OLTL version 3, and give Roger his massively great role of “Todd Manning” again.
I would say the odds of that happening are slightly less than me shoveling 666 feet of snow off my sidewalk tomorrow morning.
While ABC seems to be slightly supporting GH these days, there’s no indication they’re going to invest in any other daytime programming other than so-called “news” shows.
Could I get you on my side if they were to go back to original name ” Between Heaven and Hell” ?
Ingo is conflating his right to free speech with experiencing consequences for his actions.
Sorry. Nothing against him personally, but I don’t miss him or Jax on GH. End of story for me. I don’t think he’s necessary to the story.
Sounds like he’s threatening to spill the Beans or rather spill the text of some of his coworkers. Just not cool.
He seems unhinged
I don’t understand his point of view at all. According to him, ABC was looking for reasons to get rid of him because of his political views.But as many here have pointed out, they don’t ‘need reasons’ because their out for whatever reason comes around every 13wks. And more importantly, that IS. NOT. WHAT. HAPPENED. IN. REALITY. Let’s just go with his argument – they were trying to find a reason. But then circumstances completely changed in the world and COVID came along and they instituted a policy to protect their employees that everyone working on GH needed a COVID shot. He chose not to get that shot. And had to be released. Same thing that happened to one of GH’s personal jewels with Steve Burton (whether you agree with that jewel assessment or not), as well as perhaps, a couple of other actors. So in the end – no matter what he said was thought about or discussed or wanted by ABC – he was NOT released for his political beliefs. He was released because of the COVID shot mandate.
And then all of sudden, he was being treated unfairly. And he had a religion he had never discussed or revealed before (which is odd right, since he seems to be rather proud of espousing political views but not his religious views). Of course, I wouldn’t put it past him at this point to believe they came up with the shot mandate just to get rid of him, and were willing to sacrifice Burton to get to Rademacher – which is ludicrous.
And it’s been my experience that people who try and turn themselves in martyrs for the ’cause’ of punishment for political views tend to have a much different view of their vocal expressions than do the people who have to listen to and experience them. In other words, I have a feeling, think, perhaps, maybe he was more obnoxious about the whole thing than he likes to admit – and people were probably sick of him. Because GH has brought Ingo back several times over the years, so his personal political views couldn’t have been a secret to them, so something had to be different this time around that made the circumstances different. And since by his own admission, there are people there that share his views, it’s not just about his views (hey, they brought Burton back). So what exactly was different this time specifically relating to Ingo? Probably not the innocent persecuted lamb he likes to portray.
And again – what he says happened that was so wrong, actually did not happen when it came right down to it.
Ok let’s release the texts/emails and see what’s he’s got and GH release your text/emails and let’s see what you’ve got–let it all come out. Would not surprise me if Roger was let go d/t Steve coming back either. Glad for Steve he’s coming back. Does anyone rememer if Victoria Rowell situation with Y&R turned out well? Is she back? How many years has it been? Just sayin. What it basically boils down to is if your work/employer requires something to be employeed and you don’t comply you can be fired.
If they cared aboutvratings or fans they’d bring him back
Hell no! It’s Disney you’re going up against. I wish you luck but not in this lifetime will you come out victorious in this fight . You will never see the win. I however always remember you never walked away from a challenge on G.H .I hope you are somewhat like your character on the show .I for one miss you sweeping in to save the day. I wondered why you didn’t show up for Carley when Nina blew up her life as she knew it.
General Hospital
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Nikolas Cassadine will be back on your screens next week but now via Pentonville. That means, that actor Adam Huss is back for a visit for all-new episodes of General Hospital.
In story, Ava (Maura West) comes to visit her ex in the slammer. So, just what does Ava want now? She clearly has been working an agenda on Sonny (Maurice Benard). Is she working with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart)? What will she tell Nikiolas? stay tuned.
Meanwhile, once news of Huss’ return broke earlier on Friday via Soap Opera Digest, he also announced his return on his Instagram expressing, “For all those who’ve been asking, cat’s out of the bag;) Thank you to all my #Nikolas #GH fans for your unwavering support. I don’t take it for granted for a second! (Even when I can’t answer 😊) #generalhospital”
Photo: ABC
Huss took over the role of Nikolas back in January of 2023, after Marcus Coloma left the soap opera. Previous to that, Huss filed in for Coloma in September of 2021 and November of 2022. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Nikolas gave Ace to Laura and Kevin to raise, while he eventually turned himself into the police for kidnapping Esme and keeping her hostage while she was pregnant and Wyndemere.
Photo: ABC
The return of Huss comes on the heels of multiple reports that his on-screen son, Nicholas Chavez is not returning to the show as Spencer Cassadine, while in story Spencer is believed to have drowned int the Seine River after falling off a boat in France, when drugged by Esme.
So, looking forward to seeing Adam Huss back as Nikolas? Do you think GH will eventually have him more full-time? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.
Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).
When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.
Courtesy/ABC
Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.
Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.
What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Arianne Zucker Reveals Her Last Days of our Lives Airdate
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
Y&R’s Allison Lanier Lands Her First Daytime Emmy Nomination and Shares “Being a Recast Can Be Daunting”
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
Wally Kurth Talks on His DAYS Daytime Emmy Nomination, His Emotional Scenes, and Remembering John Aniston
Y&R’s Eric Braeden Pays Tribute to Former On-Screen Wife, Meg Bennett: “She Was Such a Bright and Gentle Lady”
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
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