General Hospital
James Franco Issues Statement on the Deposing of Jill Farren Phelps as GH's EP!
Courtesy/ABC
This day just gets wackier by the moment! Now General Hospital’s ever returning guest-star Oscar nominated actor, James Franco has issued a statement on the firing of Jill Farren Phelps as executive producer at his favorite daytime home!
Franco apparently responded via email from the New York Magazine.com’s Vulture section asking the actor for his take on the Phelps firing for the hiring of One Life to Live’s Frank Valentini.
James Franco wrote: “Jill is a pro. She is experienced, innovative and loving. I had nothing but great experiences with her for two years. She was open to experimenting on General Hospital in ways that I have not found on any other film or television project. Jill helped create daring story lines that blurred the line between fiction and reality — she allowed us to do a special episode at MOCA in LA for which they won daytime Emmys, she was always open to taking the show in unexpected directions. She and I plan to work together in the future because we enjoy collaborating so much. Anyone in Soaps would be a fool not to want to work with her.”
So could Jill Phelps next project be with Franco? What do you think of the actors statement? Let us know!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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I don’t like to pretend that James Franco added anything to General Hospital with his appearances. Coming in for a few days and taping scenes with no real purpose and interspersing them over months does not make it innovative. It merely took screen time away from other characters and actors who deserved their own storylines.
I so agree. He’s just kissing her posterior because she indulged him in his lame obsession with GH and the ridiculous over the top character he created there. He was a complete waste of air time on the show and I have never seen him give worst performances.
Ive watch GH for 42 yrs and I have never seen a worse EP in the show’s history. She was completely inept. James take your lame but back to feature films and get off daytime. Your over-sized ego has had enough stroking.
i really love franco and i think that maybe you just dont get it. he has been doing a great job with his serial killer character and when he sends the dvds he allways looks like he is on the edge.
Seniron , who cares? Ive been watching soaps, TV and movies all my life. Ive watched some master actors over the years. And I have never seen worse performances than James Franco did on gh. On the edge my ass, that’s not acting, he just yells and screams and leers and makes an ass of himself. I know good acting when I see it and this isnt it. I’m so saddened back the lack of sophistication among soap fans. Any garbage they throw you, you lap it up like fillet Mignon. Sad indeed.
Wow.
On one hand, that’s a really lovely statement he’s left for a member of the soap world. Very kind, professional gesture.
On the other, JFP really isn’t worth the time it took it write such a lovely statement.
Just….wow.
Sorry, but what the @#$% does Franco know about soaps?? His GH appearances have been clearly nothing more than vanity pieces for him. He came in to a genre, to a show, that he clearly condescends to and IMO did nothing to help the show. He wasn’t woven into the canvas, he is the guest star who took over the show for his own entertainment.
Granted, the show has been pretty dreadful with or without him, but it’s been even worse with him.
I think Franco is a good actor. But I am not as impressed with his Renaissance Man impression as he apparently is. Franco’s ego is as overblown as Frons’ talent.
Thank you so much for this Boes. Im so glad that people werent deceived by his so called love for the show. He’s an egotistical jackass who needs to just get lost and take his lame, underdeveloped, melodramatic character with him. He just irks the hell out of me.
Dont get be started about Frons.
Francos good , I’ll like a scene with him & Sonny saying to Franco ” You Sick Freakin Bitch.”
I watch youtube never again ABC.
I can understand his loyalty to Jill , she was good to him, but to GH fans she had run her course. We were stuck in a rut for a very long time, and GH suffered because of that. I don’t really know whose to blame, is it Jill, or Brian Frons? or Bob Guza?, but i do know this, under all three of them, GH became the mess that it is today, and they all allowed it to happen for far to long. I’ve said this time and time again, GH has an awesome cast, great history, and fans who begged, and prayed for the show/network to hear them, and we went unheard for the longest time. Under the “right” team, theres no reason why GH, can’t rise again. But its going to take the right team, and ABC. I wish they would cherish what they have in their hands, instead of trying to kill it.
“Anyone in Soaps would be a fool not to want to work with her.”
Franco, glad you’re temporary.
thats mean, but you opinion.
There are certain notable exceptions, but stunt casting rarely ever works. The point is to generate buzz to attract new (or lapsed) viewers and then get them hooked on the story. What happened here is that people tuned in, saw something incredibly stupid, and tuned out. The problem is that current GH fans tuned out too because it took away screen time from people they actually wanted to see. Anyone who thought this was a good idea needs to be shown the door. Somebody lock it before Franco gets back in.
As far as I’m concerned, I could not care less what James Franco has to say about GH unless he says he’s done with it. His storylines are drawn out and boring and like the rest of GH under JFP, and Brian Frons watch, unwatchable. Been to GH’s own message board, a large majority agree. For a 30+ year viewer I have never seen one “star” have so much pull, who has absolutely NOTHING to do with this soap. Veteran actors who have given ABC more than 10, 15, or 20 years were pushed aside for a “top tier” actor, (in case you can’t tell that was sarcasm) who sounds like he’s reading the script for the first time)so just like it does to its fans, ABC disrespects its actors too as it has done for years. (can anyone say Rebecca Herbst)-still waiting on a s/l worthy of her abilities. Bringing back Alcazar or Ric Lansing would’ve brought more ratings than JF.
STFU Franco! You have NO say-so in anything!
Jill was partially responsible for destroying GH. And the Franco stories were horrible. If JF liked working with her so much, he can have her.
Huh? That’s all I have to say.
When did James Franco get a say? With Guza’s obsession for him & Vanessa?
Surely, he was never a fan of GH’s legacy…
Where was he when the soaps came under attack and two have been cancelled? She just must have kissed up to him and let him dabble and play in our stories. Our shows are not his lab for experiments…to try new forays in the blurring of fantasy and fiction …in HIS mind anyway. He needs to snap out of his famtasy and either shut up on things he has no real knowledge of or stand up for the story telling and professionalism that all soaps do. Good luck to both, maybe now GH can become the great show it once was and will be. Don’t tell me, he is good friends with and a friend of serial killer frons too!
JFP has caused each soap she was on problems…
Beverlee M. left
Killed off Maureen Bauer
Killed off Frankie Frame
Everything she destroyed on GH, don’t know details never watch GH
Not sure about SB never watch that soap.
Need I say anymore.
Don’t forget she was also responsible for Robin Strasser to leave OLTL in the early 2000s. I totally forgot she killed Frankie on Another World.
Well, I guess you can say there s not too many jobs in daytime anymore for her since we are down to four soaps.
Anyone notice he’s the only one supporting the woman that killed off Alan?
Glad that James Franco said something about Jill Farren Phelps and hope this does not want him to return to GH. Love him!
I am always upset when I see people lose their jobs. Unless it’s politicians! lol! Even Guza, Frons and JPF. I can’t help it, it’s just how I am. I also believe that while these people did great damage to the show I love, that doesn’t mean they are evil horrible people, we have no idea exactly how these things came about and knowing how it is at my job – the CEO makes a choice and the rest of the EVP’s have to follow suit and make it happen. Sure, the EVP’s take the heat for following through on the CEO’s choice, but they also get paid to take the heat. So it’s essentially what they are paid to do.
I believe that we have demonized Guza, Frons and JPF too much – I think this will be evident when nothing really changes on the show despite them being gone. That means it’s all coming from ABC higher ups.
I say all of this because I completely understand how James Franco, and other actors, have had such great things to say about JPF. We don’t know her, we have made quite a few declarative statements regarding how horrible these people are (I see them in this thread of comments as well as in all the internet gossip sites and message boards) but the truth is, they aren’t evil. I am OK with people having positive things to say about any one of them. I don’t have to agree, but I am kind of tired of us fans and insiders being so harsh on people who I believe are mostly just following orders – if they don’t then they get fired and news ones come in.
I am sure I am being a bit naive in some aspects here, but I am kind of tired of people acting like Guza, Frons and JPF are horrible people – not just horrible at their jobs.
I hate what has happed to my soap (GH) as well as with OLTL and AMC, but I don’t think there is ANYTHING Guza, Frons or JPF could have done to change the future – because ABC/DISNEY wanted it this way. So if they didn’t deliver, someone else would have.
I think we need to start going higher up on who we complain about destroy daytime. We need to go to the source, and that source does not begin with the head of ABC Daytime, we have to go higher.
Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. I guess the point is that James Franco and others who enjoyed working with JPF or Guza or even Frons just goes to show that while they might be horrible at business, that doesn’t mean they are just plain horrible.
Obviously James Franco has no idea of JFP’s horrendous track record. She wrecked Another World and it was cancelled after her stint there as EP. She tanked OLTL and for the last decade or so she has done a complete hatchet job on GH. She is inept, unimaginative and a just plain hack.
JF can go on kissing her backside till the cows come home for all I care as long as both she and he take their useless carcasses off the GH sound stage.
Innovative,Jill Phelps,I think not. being a woman, she should have stop women being butt monkeys on GH. Females should have been shown stronger and not always depending on a man. Innovative don’t mean being raped on a honeymoon and worrying about your baby being a child of rape. thats totally gross. The best thing Jill P. could have done is that Franco and his storyline with her when she left.