General Hospital
James Franco's Mom, Betsy Franco Makes A Return To General Hospital!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
So the rumors of this were once again proven true! Betsy Franco, the mother of motion picture star James Franco (who was the actor who portrayed the original “Franco” on General Hospital) is returning to the ABC soap opera for an appearance!
According to a GH rep who informed Soap Opera Digest, you can look for Betsy to be reprising the role of Franco’s adoptive mother, also known as Betsy, but who as fans recall was also went by the name of Karen!
Betsy was first seen in 2010 on GH, and she reprised her role again in 2013. It shall be interesting to see if Roger Howarth (the current “Franco”) shares scenes with James Franco’s mom! Could Betsy end up hiding out with Ava and Sonny or Morgan’s baby, now kidnapped by Franco and Nina (Michelle Stafford)?
What do you think of the casting news? What do you think brings Betsy Franco back to GH? Comment below!
wow luv it!!
RC and team always add more meat to the stew to make it awesome..
Betsy Franco!! This will be good..
GH gathers no moss!! exciting stuff ahead !! .. gotta luv it !!
She was awEpsom before so I have no doubt she’ll be again
What a stupid idea. Moreover, the woman is no actor. She cannot act. Why, why why? This is the worst example of stunt casting ever. It makes no sense and will not help ratings nor will it help propel a good character driven storyline.
ohhh Harry.. No cookies for you!
she is simply a guest appearance, a story tool ..
There is purpose for her appearance, we just have to wait for it, again, she is story tool..
And–
it will be fun, !!
Something different, and nothing much to with rating as she is not a famous person nor an actor.. But she is a ”purpose” :)… lol
Well, it doesn’t make any sense. She can’t act. Her scenes with her son were embarrassing to the say the least.
And if this were Y&R pulling this stunt casting you’d say the same.
Harry,
She doesn’t have be an actor, she just needs to entertain me and she will.. I’m sure I will have a giggle or two watching her..she is only a guest probably a couple of scenes..
She is apparently needed for this story, she does have a purpose for the story..
It will be good.. I’m looking forward to seeing just why she was brought in, that is what is important 🙂
I can’t wait to see her with Roger/Franco..
that will be awesome; her and Roger! LOL!! that could be a riot..
And– Y&R people do not have the moxie to even pull a stunt, they are so stale they are moldy.. LOL
Harry…agree…she’s no actress. At the time she piqued my curiosity just because she was James Franco’s mom and I liked him….and I know he’s all about being outlandish and experimental. I guess he had enough clout that they wen with what was probably his suggestion at the time to hire her. At this point she’s probably coming back for continuity; probably a very small role; not worth a recast. It’ll be fine…
@Su0000 The tptb would kill for the ratings of the “stale” and “moldy” Y&R even in amongst the younger viewers Y&R beats GH. 🙂
Well it makes me think James Franco is going to be there also. Not my favorite, but it would get RoHo out of being Franco and could expose him as someone else. I’d like it better because I love RoHo & think Franco is the worst character ever. Not RoHo’s Franco. Just Franco in general.
It will more likely be her just hiding Nina, Franco, & baby Corinthos.
In other news, Kelly Monaco tweeted out a pic of her & BM (Jake) yesterday morning on set reading lines together it seemed. He cut his hair all off again & spiked it like SB’s Jason, it seems, and he’s wearing a black t-shirt. YIKES!! I hope they are effing with us and that was a joke! I do NOT want the 2nd worst character ever, Jason Morgan, to take over GH again. Just NO!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL—Since when does someone need know how to act to be on a soap? I think everyone on this site can rattle off a dozen or more names that worked on a soap, or are presently on a soap that fit that bill—-
She was already been on as this character’s mother, sure at the time, her real son playing he adoptive so might had something to do with her getting the part– but regardless, if they need Franco’s adoptive mom to be part of the story it only makes sense to get the person who played her before. She won’t be on long and she can’t be any worse than some ‘actors’ I’ve seen over the years on soap.
Nope she is appearing to inform everyone that this Franco is really an imposter that he is really Todd Manning from Lllanview!
sigh You’re probably right, Kay.
Again, strenuous measures are being made to remedy mistakes of the past.
The handy dandy brain tumor didn’t do the trick so let’s try a case of mistaken identity.
lol
The brain tumor made Franco a serial killer..It made Franco do horrible things.,
Heather’s DNA made Franco ”odd” ..
the only thing Franco has done wrong is help Nina kidnap ava’s baby, yet he is not the actual kidnapper/not his deed/plan..
Franco is crime free…
What he did at the wedding was from Heather’s DNA.. lol
and not a crime, nobody died ..
Franco is not killing anybodt hw how ever coniving
LOL the last sentence came from Dragon auto correct or something..
I dont know what it is… lol …
K/Kay, I think this Franco was exposed as Todd Manning a long time ago 🙂 This is just a way to get attention, nothing more, nothing less. There will be no major reason to have her on, there will be no big reveal, and even so, it would not need her to deliver it. This is how TPTB generate interest in the show and it’s pretty tiring. I wouldn’t mind things like this if the primary focus of the show was on good writing and storytelling, but it is not, so we get this kind of stuff instead.
Actually I was being sarcastic about RC and his writing but considering the response I am getting back maybe he would pull this. With this bunch never say never!
Why doesnt Roger Howarth’s mother play Betsy?
Glad she’s back. I hope she stays.
No offense to the real Franco but I could care less about NuFranco. I hope she takes him home with her.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
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