General Hospital
Jack Wagner Says He Still Gets Called “Frisco” from ‘General Hospital’ More Than Anything Else; Is It Time For a Return Visit?
One of the all-time most popular General Hospital alums is Jack Wagner, who in the 80’s and early 90s played heartthrob Frisco Jones – former lead singer of Blackie and the Riff Raffs- turned police officer – turned WSB agent.
Wagner became one-half of soap super couple Frisco and Felicia played by Jack’s ex-wife Kristina Wagner. On GH, Frisco and Felicia share a daughter, Maxie Jones, and the late Georgie Jones. Jack appeared on GH from 1983-1995 and made his last return in 2013, even though the character is often talked about off-camera.
Currently, Jack Wagner is starring on the Hallmark Channel series When Calls the Heart, and the former Melrose Place star (where he played Dr. Peter Burns) visited the Still The Place podcast to talk with his former castmates and co-hosts of the show, Daphne Zuniga, Laura Leighton and Courtney Thorne-Smith.

Photo: JPI
Jack explained during the podcast that the fan faction and fervor for When Calls the Heart is similar to when he played Frisco on General Hospital, noting how the soap, “Was my big break. That fan base of that soap opera is still there.” Wagner, who has appeared on numerous television series and motion pictures including his turn as Nick Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful, shared that no matter who else he plays, or what other project he appears in, Frisco is number one with the fans.
“I still get called Frisco probably more than anything. When a fan base starts to fall in love with the characters, it’s very real for them. It (When Calls the Heart) reminds me a little bit of the GH fans back in the ’80s.”

Photo: FOX
As to why When Calls the Heart is so popular with “Hearties”, Wagner theorized, “I think people look for something that’s safe. We don’t show blood, we don’t show sex, we don’t show nudity, we don’t use profanity, but yet we can shoot a gun.”
When Melrose Place ended its run on Fox in 1999, it was none other than Wagner and Heather Locklear (ex-Amanda) who appeared in the series final scene. Jack remembered, “I felt really honored to have the last scene of the show to be Heather and I, having bought this island and faked our death and doing our vows and walking off on the beach in the sunset. (It) was like, wow, what an honor to kind of carry the old guard into the last scene of the show, right?”

Photo: ABC
So, do you think it’s time for a guest stint by Jack Wagner with a solid story for Frisco Jones, to return to GH given that Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) and the WSB has set up a bureau in Port Charles? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out when Frisco rehearsed with Blackie and the Riff Raffs during his early days on the soap opera, followed by his brand-new visit to the ‘Still The Place” audio podcast.
Is it time for a return visit? In a word, no. There’s plenty of characters I’d love to see back, but Frisco is NOT on the list.
As much as I would like to have Frisco back, I don’t want any more short storyline arcs. There are too many stories that need to be resolved instead of continuing to bring on new characters with no focus. In addition, can the writers please resolve the murder of John Cates?
Frisco has family in PC a daughter Maxie and 3 grandkids.
Frisco was close to Anna.
Maybe Frisco can solve John Cates Murder.
Frisco is goes back to 1984 so he not New.
He is so cute yes come back
1No… he needed to come when Maxie was in danger with Peter August. If he couldn’t show up for that, what could he possibly show up for now? The Brennan / Valentin situation? He’s no longer in charge at the WSB.
I am okay without a Frisco visit. Not really needed, especially with an already overly bloated cast.
I remember Frisco very clearly from back in the day. Felicia just mentioned her time with him while trying to warn Carly about being with Brennan. All the characters Frisco was involved with have moved on and have their own lives, including his surviving daughter. There is no reason for him to show up on canvas again.
Jack was quite verbal about his disappointment with his last visit for the show’s 50th in 2013.
While I’m pushing to give Felicia a storyline, Frisco’s return would not be a top choice. However, they did allude to Mac’s 6 month absence as being off to help Frisco, so they could revisit that.
Would love to see Jack back on GH
There’s no need for Frisco to return. The canvas is full enough.
Jack Wagner would be a real breath of fresh air and a shot in the arm this show needs.
Love him and wish he’d do it.
You could get rid of over 50 percent of the current characters and they wouldn’t be missed.
Yes! Frisco needs to go to PC and take his woman back!!
General Hospital
Troy Lennon Appel Joins the Cast of ‘General Hospital’ in Contract Role of the Mysterious ‘Hudson’
There are even more newbies coming to General Hospital with the news today that Troy Lennon Appel is joining the cast of the ABC daytime drama series in the contract role of “Hudson.” Look for Appel to make his debut on the July 30th episode.
What we do know is that Hudson is a business executive with mysterious ties. As first reported by TV Insider, Troy has already been enjoying his time on the legacy soap opera. He enthused, “Working on GH has been nothing short of an incredible, fast-paced experience, Everyone is very professional; they’re on top of every intricate part of this very established, well-oiled machine, and I’m just trying to keep up and not halt the process in any way.”
In a statement, General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini expressed: “Troy is a terrific guy, and we are excited to have him join our cast. And fans will be intrigued to see how his character fits into the story.“
FOUR NEWCOMERS IN SHORT ORDER
Appel’s casting comes on the heels of three other major additions coming to Port Charles, and all should be landing on-air next month in July. As previously reported, Dean Geyer has joined the cast as Tristan Robert and is set to debut on the July 13 episode. Daytime vet, Kelly Kruger (ex-B&B and Y&R) has signed on to play the new Serena Baldwin and Kayden Brenna Tokarski is the new Scout Cain, the daughter of Drew (Cameron Mathison) and the late Sam (Kelly Monaco).
Apple added on his GH experience thus far, “So many of the cast and crew have gone out of their way to welcome me, and I am immensely grateful for how simple and easy this transition has been. I owe it all to them. They know what they’re doing, and I hope to learn as much as I can and add to the show, to the best of my ability.”
Troy’s previous credits have included: Revenge Best Served Chilled, Blackmail, Lies and Murder, and Lethally Blonde. Finding Master Right and Menflix, and he appeared with The Goldbergs star Hayley Orrantia’s music video for her single, “Find Yourself Somebody.”
So, what do you think about the casting of Troy Lennon Appel to General Hospital? Who will Hudson actually have ties to, since it is a contract role? Will you be intrigued to see all the new arrivals next month in Port Charles? Let us know via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Avery Pohl Joins Cast of Netflix’s ‘Scooby-Doo Origins’ Series
Previously on General Hospital, Esme Prince caused so much trouble for Spencer Cassadine (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) until the character went overboard and was presumed dead back in January of 2024.
Esme’s portrayer, Avery Pohl was heralded by GH fans as one of the great young baddies in recent memory. And now, Pohl is taking her talents to the new Netflix series, and joining the Scooby-Doo universe in an undisclosed role in the upcoming show, Scooby-Doo Orgins!
News of Pohl’s casting came via Deadline when they revealed 12 actors joining the upcoming live-action series which also includes notables: Sara Gilbert (ex-The Talk and The Connors), and Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks), plus previously announced, MacKenna Grace (ex-Faith, The Young and the Restless) who plays the central role of Daphne Blake. Tanner Hagen takes on Shaggy Rogers, Abby Ryder Fortson plays Velma Dinkley, Maxwell Jenkins is Fred Jones, and even Paul Walter Hauser also appears in a secret role, and not to be left out, Scooby-Doo himself.

Courtesy/ABC
ZOINKS, RUH-RO AND JEEPERS!
Avery Pohl took to her Instagram upon the reveal of her new project and said, “Dog’s outta the bag. So grateful to work with so many talented and kind individuals.” Immediately many of her former GH castmates congratulated the actress including: Tabyana Ali and her predecessor in the role of Trina, Sydney Mikalya and Eden McCoy (Josslyn).
According to the official loglines for Scooby-Doo Origins, its a, “Modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog. During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.”
The series, which introduced supernatural mystery-solving teens Fred Jones, Daphne Blake, Velma Dinkley, and Shaggy Rogers and their talking Great Dane Scooby-Doo, originally aired on CBS from 1969-76. It then moved to ABC, where various versions of the show aired until 1986. The Scooby-Doo franchise has also released three movies more than adozen animated series, and over 40 animated home entertainment movies.
WILL ESME PRINCE RETURN TO GH?
Pohl received a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2025, in the Outstanding Guest Performer category and initially debuted on GH back in 2021.
In case you missed it, Avery participated in a livestream chat last year along with GH’s Katelyn MacMullen (Willow) and their acting coach and soap alum Holly Gagnier (ex-Days, GH, and OLTL) on the Michael Fairman Channel. You can check it out below.
Now, share your congrats for Avery on landing her upcoming role in ‘Scooby-Doo Origins’ Let us know, if you hope GH brings back Esme one day and Spencer Cassadine via the comment section.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sidwell is Set Up By Lucas and Company, Cassius is in the Right Place at the Right Time
On the Wednesday, June 10 episode of General Hospital, after Sidwell (Carlo Rota) shoots Lucas (Van Hansis) three times, he is surrounded by PCPD commissioner Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna), Joe (Jonathan Bennett) and other uniformed cops. Laura (Genie Francis) and Sonny (Maurice Benard) show up and the mayor runs to Lucas as Joe checks his vitals.
Lucas comes to and reveals (as we all predicted) that he was wearing a bulletproof vest. That reveal sets Sidwell off that he was played as Dante says there is evidence enough to arrest him for attempted murder.
Sidwell though, tells Dante that he needs to arrest Laura and his father, the mobster Sonny Corinthos, for Professor Dalton’s murder, but admits he no longer has the proof because Lucas broke into his safe and stole the evidence.

Courtesy/ABC
LUCAS GETS BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS
Just then, “Nathan” (Ryan Paevey) shows up wondering what he missed. Sidwell says his lawyer will get the charges thrown out since Dante, Laura, Sonny and Lucas conspired against him. However, Dante mistakenly allows “Nathan” aka Cassius to be in charge of taking Sidwell to the PCPD and to book him.
Lucas is still uneasy. Laura wants him to go to GH to be checked out. Dante asks Laura and Sonny and Sonny about Dalton’s death, but they play dumb as if they know nothing about it, which is not lost on Dante that they are lying.
Later, none other than Joe takes Lucas to the hospital, and for the first time we see the two characters truly in a one-on-one moment together. Lucas talks about Marco and Joe waits around till the nurse comes to get Lucas to get checked out. Do you get a sense that Joe likes Lucas, or is that all in our minds?

Courtesy/ABC
SIDWELL GETS AWAY
Taking a side road, Cassius gets Sidwell out of his vehicle, and tells him he cannot protect him from an attempted murder charge, so the only thing Jenz can do is to get out of the country and disappear for good. Sidwell says he has many contingency plans in place, and also warns Cassius that he will expose him if he does not comply with what he needs him to do.
To make it look good, Sidwell asks for Cassius’ gun. In the final moments of the show, Cassius is seen with a gash on his head calling Dante, and informing him that Sidwell’s thugs jumped him and Jenz got away!

Courtesy/ABC
THE PLAN TO BLACKMAIL DREW BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE
Elsewhere, Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) is freaked out that Jack (Chris McKenna) is able to grab her arm and talk! Just then, Nina (Cynthia Watros) shows up. Willow learns her mother hasn’t been injecting Brennan with the paralytic drug. Jack says he can stop Sidwell and Cullum from coming after her and has evidence she can leverage against Drew.
Willow learns, that according to Brennan, Drew misappropriated federal funds and he has the proof, and if that should come to light, Drew would be sent to prison. Nina says Drew won’t risk being sent to prison again, so Willow can stop drugging him.
However, Jack has a plan. He says he’s the only one with the information on Drew. He thinks they should continue to let Cullum and Sidwell believe he’s still in a locked-in state to give him cover. Willow is told as much as she hates continuing to drug Drew, she will only need to do it 1 or 2 more times, to give Jack time to set everything in motion.
So, were you annoyed that Cassius freed Sidwell when he was caught shooting Lucas Jones? Where do you think Sidwell will go? Do you think Joe and Lucas might be potential boyfriends, and what do you think of Jack’s plan? Did Drew really misappropriate federal funds? Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, check out the scenes between, Nina, Willow and Jack.
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