General Hospital
James Franco To Be Roasted By Comedy Central! General Hospital-Inspired Francophrenia To Air Immediately Following On Their Digital Platforms!

Courtesy/ABC
Score another new adventure for James Franco! The multi-tasking, multi-talented performer is now being roasted by Comedy Central! Franco will be on the hot seat on an episode that airs on Labor Day for the comedy network’s annual roast.
According to the L.A. Times, “The special, which will tape in Los Angeles in August, will feature stars, comedians and others taking humorous, sharp-edged aim at Franco. “If only James Franco was a more successful, multi-hyphenated incessant creative risk-taker in different media, he’d be the perfect person to roast,” said Kent Alterman, president of content development and original programming for Comedy Central. “Oh well … I suppose we’ll just have to make do.” Said Franco: “I’ve dreamed about this Roast for as long as I can remember.”
However, there is a big perk for General Hospital and soap fans who never got the opportunity to see James Franco’s 90-minute documentary film “Francophrenia”. Now you can get a front row seat to James’ GH experience, immediately following the broadcast of the roast on Comedy Central, when the network makes “Francophrenia” available for viewing on their digital and VOD platforms!
So if someone from GH should roast James, who should that be? Will you be checking out “Francophrenia”? Do you miss James Franco’s portrayal of “Franco” now that he has been recast by Roger Howarth? Share your thoughts below!
Roger Hawthorn is a GREAT actor and love his acting but I still think he would have been better as an Alcazar on GH James Franco made that role and I just don’t believe ANYONE should have taken it over 🙂 Just my opion 🙂
AGREE !
Good opinion! I agree, both are great actors but they shouldn’t imitate the other even if it is flattering!
I spelled Roger’s last name wrong sorry should have been Hawthorne Was thinking of someone else when I was talking about him lol
I agree Roger Hawthorn will always be Todd, and making him blond is soooo stupid.
It’s Roger Howarth. And I agree.
I liked James Franco much better on GH than Roger. Nothing against Roger but it is like night and day. James Franco made him much more darker and freakier
duh .. this Franco is not suppose to be as the old Franco, this is RC’s and RH’s Franco, do not compare them they are not the same and not suppose to be the same as the Franco that was Franco’s.. 🙂
The ‘Q’ Franco does not act like nor do anything the short lived Franco did ..
RH is knocking his Franco out of the park, and much more to come, nobody knows how this Franco will grow and what he will do in the future, nobody knows.. 🙂
i think either Anthony geary or rodger howarth would be candidates to roast james….
LOL I am looking forward to watching it!!!
also; I love RC’s view/creation of Franco played by RH !!!!
The new Franco does not do anything the original did ..
While James Franco put on a great performance as Franco, I hated the character. Not in the sense of “love to hate”…. just simply hate. Wish he never existed, ruined everything kind of hate. He was too dark and too creepy and icky. Roger knows how to make an icky character someone that you want to sorta root for. As in, “Come on dude, you should know better…”
As for who should roast from GH… definitely Steve Burton or Kelly Monaco… maybe even Laura Wright or Chad Duell….
I completely agree with you that I did not like the original Franco character. I love James Franco and think he did an awesome job with what was written but I thought the character was too dark and disturbing, which really is a tribute to James Franco, that he was able to bring that to the screen. The new version of “Franco” played by Roger Howarth is…interesting. I love Roger and think again that he is doing a great job with what he is being given but I am basically looking at them as two different characters, that’s the only way that I can do it without being frustrated.
I enjoy James as Franco, Roger is a great actor, but I miss him as Todd Manning. First person who comes to mind to roast him is whoever plays Carly.
“Todd” is doing a great job as Franco, but I think James Franco originated this role and it would have been even better if he was able to ply Franco!!~ Don’t get me wrong..Roger Howarh is great in any role he plays, but James is “Franco”!!!!
I look forward to seeing this on Comedy Central!! I really, really miss James as Robert Frank on GH… he was such an intriguing mix of dark and creepy and scary and beautiful.. beautiful on the outside, evil on the inside. I thought he died wayyy to easy when Jason shot him.. so I was really hoping he would come back for at least one more really well written round…… when RH took over the role, I had mixed feelings, cause I wanted James back, but I thought maybe they will do something interesting with this character… but THIS isn’t even remotely Franco at all, so I am EXTREMELY disappointed. This isn’t Franco, this is Todd.. and to make it even worste, they are completely re-writing everything and trying to redeem him. I don’t want them to try to redeem Franco.. if RH is going to play Franco, he needs to play FRANCO and RC needs to WRITE Franco.
Want to add I would love for Steve Burton or Kelly Monaco to roast him 🙂
Britt doesnt know him but she was good at roasting a doll…lol
As I have said before, Anyone playing Franco cannot and should not try to be him. Franco is one of a kind. And I do mean James. Roger Howarth is still Todd Manning no matter which way you cut it! Blonde hair and and all does not do it for me! Roger, go back to Lanview where you created an outstanding Todd Manning……
he will probably want his bff steve The liar Burton and JFP.
I think it should be Steve Burton! And I am looking forward to seeing Francophilia!
I am really having trouble with Franco’s return on GH. I love Roger Howarth, but really having trouble accepting him as Franco. Oh well…. I support General Hospital fully and have for the last half century and so as far as the recast of Franco….it’s too late to worry about it now.
Yes, I miss James Franco as Franco, however, Roger Howarth is also doing an amazing job as Franco! They are totally different people and have played this character differently but, I enjoy both! I am hoping to see some of the General Hospital Cast on the Roast.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Carly Fears Escalating Tensions Between Sonny and Josslyn: ‘I’ve Already Lost One Kid Because of That Man. I Won’t Lose Another’

On the Thursday, November 12 episode of General Hospital, as battles line are drawn by Carly’s (Laura Wright) ex-husband, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and her daughter, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy), she realizes things are about to get a whole lot worse, and she expressed her fears to Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart).
After Sonny came to see Carly to get her daughter to back off of him; especially when Josslyn lit into him in front of nuAvery (Ayla Bullington), Carly is terrified that Sonny could retaliate against Josslyn. Realizing, Josslyn is in danger, Carly won’t sit by and let anything happen to her. She tells Valentin, “I’ve already lost one kid because of that man. I won’t lose another.”
Viewers won’t soon forget the devastation Carly felt when Morgan (Bryan Craig) died in a car bomb explosion back in 2016 because of Sonny’s dealings in the mob in a complex story involving Julian (William deVry) and Olivia Jerome (Tonja Walker).

Courtesy/ABC
SONNY IS READY FOR WAR
Meanwhile in the aftermath of his visit with Carly, Sonny told his brother Ric what went down when Josslyn disrespected him in front of his own daughter and hurt Avery. Since Josslyn already make it known that she no longer considers herself part of Sonny’s family, he’s decided to treat her accordingly.
Sonnys first step in payback is to take away her support system at JJE by approaching Hudson Parker (Troy Lennon Appel) again, but this time in a much less-friendly way.
Ric points out that this would go against every move Sonny made as a legitimate businessman in Port Charles and would mean he’s back in the mob? Sonny doubles down, saying Josslyn changed the game when she involved Avery. While he showed concern of how bad Carly would feel over all this year, he said he is ready to finish what Josslyn started.
At the Metro Court, Ava (Maura West) is listening to Avery explain what happened between Sonny and Josslyn and how much she hates Josslyn right now, which Ava seems to be OK with.
WILL JOSSLYN’S WORLD BLOW UP ON HER?
Speaking of Josslyn, she is on the pier still after her talk with Hudson and still crying over her confrontation with Sonny and Avery overhearing it, and what she told her sister. Lucas comes across her at the pier while out for his run.
Explaining how badly she feels for what she said about Sonny to Avery, Lucas says that eventually Avery will discover the truth about Sonny. He explains to Josslyn that even though Avery hates her now, she will come to realize that what she said about her father was the truth, and that Josslyn was not lying to her at all.
So, what do you think about Sonny ready to play dirty to take down Josslyn? How will Carly ensure her daughter does not wind up dead? Who do you think is in the right here? Is Josslyn’s vendetta against Sonny justified, at the cost of the relationships with her family? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.

Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
-

News4 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
-

Previews5 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
-
General Hospital4 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
-

Days Of Our Lives5 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
-

General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
-
News7 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
-

Interviews2 days agoB&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)












