General Hospital
Jonathan Jackson On If He Will Return For GH's 50th: "We Tried, But We Weren't Able To Make It Work!"
Courtesy/ABC
This afternoon, the cast and creators of the hit ABC Primetime soap, Nashville took part in the 30th anniversary of The Paley Center For Media’s Paleyfest 2013! This year, as in previous years, Paleyfest 2013 offers seminars featuring the creative teams and the cast from many of primetime’s newest hits and returning favorites.
On-Air On-Soaps was there and got the opportunity to catch up with five-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson (Ex-Lucky GH, now Avery, Nashville) to find out if Jonathan might be making a return to General Hospital in the coming month for the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and what is going on with Avery on Nashville, who has gone from being a complete jealous jerk to possibly showing some signs of having a heart. Here is what Jonathan had to say about it all below!
Jonathan on if he will return for General Hospital’s 50th: “We tried, even up to this point for the actual airing of the 50th anniversary, but we weren’t able to make it work. I don’t know. It’s still possible even within the year, but we certainly tried this time. “
Jonathan on how he perceives his ambitions musician Avery on Nashville at this juncture in the story: “The way I have tried to play the character, and I think this is Callie Khouri’s (Creator, Nashville) vision as well, is that he and others on the canvas are not black and white characters. Every character has layers, complexities, and levels. So for me, even when Avery was behaving like a jerk, I was always trying to have this sense of conflict with him. He’s not acting like this because it feels good to him; he is acting like this because he has these ambitions and conflicts. The fact that when he was first tempted by his manager, he said, ‘No,’ then he came back and thought, ‘Hey, I did the right thing!’ However, then Scarlett (Clare Bowen) freaked out on him. Then there was another moment where he was struggling with jealousy towards Scarlett because she was the one getting this big break, when he was the one who was working so hard. Then Avery came back to her and said, ‘I want you do this. I want to be there for you in the studio.’ So there have been these moments, where he has shown selflessness and trying to do the right thing. But at the end of the day, he has just not been able to follow through up to this point. For me, as an actor, it’s been great. I have that constant tension going on. I see Avery as a good soul who is lost and who doesn’t who he really is. ”
So soapers, are you upset that Jonathan will not be coming home as Lucky to join Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) and the Spencer clan for the big GH 5-0? What do you think of Jonathan’s portrayal of Avery on Nashville? Let us know!
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I guess we cant always be so ‘lucky’. It would have been nice to see J.J. pay a brief visit 4 ghs 50th.
That’s too bad, would have been nice to have had him on … but then we’d probably never want him to leave 🙂
He is the only reason I watch Nashville. Yes, I am very disappointed he will not be able to return for the 50th. I have watched for 47 of those 50 years.
No Jonathan deserves better, plus they ruined his character by ruining Lush, when there were lots of fan support! But the producers could not just say screw Lucky and Liz whom I used to love but had quit! It’s nice to see Jonathan moving on. Love him in Nashville.
nashville is being broadcast around Asian countries. I haven’t read anything abt its foreign ratings though. Is nashville the highest rated among the musical soaps? racist glee’s lowest ratings were a paltry 5 million w/c is really pathetic considering how glee bleeds abt 9 million of idol’s ratings! glee has only beat grey’s anatomy when grey’s aired a repeat. While glee still failed against a person of interest repeat! Giggles. NBC’s whitewashed smash has dipped to a .9 rating for its 18-49 demo while its total ratings are 3 million and yet each episode costs 4 million dollars to make!… Read more »
It would have been Great to have the old Spencer family together again with Luke, Laura, Lucky and Lulu all being in some scenes together. But, since Julie Berman has already filmed her last episodes,guess that wouldn’t be possible anymore. Sadly.
Bummed.
It would be good to see him come back and repair the relationship he had with his children. I can’t believe the Lucky I loved since I was a teenager, would completely abandon his kids and not have any contact with them or their mother.
I hope when he returns someday, even for a short visit, there are scenes with Elizabeth and the kids as well as the whole Spencer family, especially Laura.
Until then I’ll enjoy seeing JJ on Nashville, he gives what could be a one-note character a lot of complexity and makes him interesting to watch.
It would’ve been nice if he was there for the 50th. I’ve always liked him. Cest la vie.
It would have been very special to have him on screen even for a day with both Luke and Laura back and before JMB’s playing Lulu ends. Sigh.
Devastated not to be seeing my favorite acting trio of all time (Francis, Geary and Jackson) on the small screen together for GH’s 50th. The triple L’s are GH! Mr. Jackson is the only reason I watch Nashville. Love his portrayal of Avery. I am so happy for JJ’s primetime success and wish him all the best… but I will forever miss the perfect casting that was/is him as Ms. Francis’ Laura, and Mr. Geary’s Luke’s…. son!!!! ABC do what you need to do to reunite the family Spencer one more time in honor of GH’s 50th!!!!!
The shows new regime has done more then we could ever dream of, the fact that so many veterans are returning is a miracle to begin with.. This under the previous regime would of been non existent. So we really can’t expect for everyone to return, and who knows we might be surprise. still not everyone returning has to do it for the shows 50th, hope the show continues to bring people back througout the whole year.
Well said, Aria. So true. Perhaps JJ will return of Nashville is cancelled? If not, I hope they recast Lucky at some point down the road. Lucky, Nickolas, Lulu and Ethan are all part of the Spencer/Cassadine GH legacy and should be on the canvas, even if temporarily.
He’s moved on to nightime. I highly doubt he would come back for a cameo. I think he was miscast in Nashville. And Greg Vaughn has moved on to DOOL, so no Lucky.
I kind of agree that JJ was a bit miscast on Nashville, he should have been Gunnar. I mean, I understand why Avery would be an interesting character for him to portray, and stretch his acting muscles with, but Avery is such an isolated and unlikable character (the tableau outside of Deacon’s party was a perfect metaphor) that his scenes take me more and more out of the show’s “action.” I keep waiting for the writers to start integrating him into the other characters’ lives, but if they don’t do it by the end of this season, I just don’t… Read more »
for sentimental reasons… ie: with Laura back… and seeing a reunion… would have been loving….
ie: Lucky… with JJ… was so dark, gothic, in to himself… that… I always liked Greg Vaughn better….
so… he came back to GH because of the regime… and JJ left on his accord… so… i am not missing his character… too much.
and i’ll stand in line and give back…. Luke and Lucky were golden.
Disappointing news . I was hoping for a Spencer family reunion. It would be great to see Genie Francis and Jonathan Jackson acting together again, would of watched Gh for that. I like others, watch Nashville because of Jonathan Jackson and think he does a fantastic job showing his character’s conflict . He just such a good actor. Oh and I ‘m enjoying Avery’s music.
I think this could be Cartini trying to surprise us and that JJ will be there for the GH50. They did the same thing with Trevor St John on the last episode of OLTL. Everyone was interviewing him and he said that he couldn’t make it work (with a straight face) and then he was in the very last scene of the ABC TV broadcast. So I am not giving up yet and I think we will be lucky and get some Lucky!
I was so hoping he would be able to come back for the anniversary. Too bad they couldn’t work it out. For the anniversary we really need Jonathan back and not a recast… there are so many flashbacks and history there it just would not be the same with a recast. Lucky is an important character and it would be great to have him back someday! I really am happy for Jonathan’s success and wish him the best but was hoping like Tony that he would be able to come back a few times a year at the least. Would… Read more »
He is one special actor I remember him when he was small and there he was in scenes with Luck’s Tony Geary. I used to watch GH on and off with grandma.
Well some things just don’t work out and it’s always nice to asked and then depending on story line’s.
Did it make sense, like in the Patrick/Marty /Cole story on OLTL at the end.
I’m happy about this. Jonathan Jackson was not Lucky for me. I enjoyed Greg Vaughn much more. I’d actually be happy with a recast of maybe Jon Prescott, etc. I think they need to find a better and stronger Lucky Spencer. And then pair him back with Sam (Kelly Monaco).
I agree. Greg was better, hotter with Rebbeca and Kelly. Greg’s Lucky would also work better now opposite Sean and Rebecca
I am disappointed that JJ was not able to make an appearance with the rest ofthe Spencer clan for GH’s 50th. He will certainly be missed. But I do enoy his Avery every week on Nashville!
Nashville gives him hardly any airtime!!! 3 mins an episode is barely a role. I FF the whole show and just watch him and I am a JJ fan. Gotta say I am extremely disappointed! 🙁
That’s a shame. But understandable they couldn’t make it work. Hope we see Lucky later in the year. AND NO RECASTS FOR ME! Hated both of ’em, lol.
Thank God Jonathan Jackson won’t ever be coming back. Maybe the born-again Christian (or whatever) can continue backing his favorite political candidate, Mike Huckabee and they can both continue their crusades against gay people.
You really should keep your negative opinions to yourself…especially since you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Jonathan Jackson has always been a great actor. We can’t take that away from him. TPTB at GH may have a surprise for the JJ fans, so don’t write him off yet. I like Nashville and think it will be around for a while. Yes, it would have been nice to reunite the Spencer clan, but show business can be cruel sometimes. We don’t know how long Genie Francis will stay. They all go where the work is and we can’t blame them.
JJ is now an Orthodox Christian — he’s distanced himself from that charismatic born again group he used to belong to. Also, he hasn’t backed any right-wingers since Huckabee. In fact while his brother and father were very public in supporting Newt Gingrich and then Romney this cycle (ew) he stayed out of it completely. And the only thing he’s said about LGBT people in recent years was in answer to a gay fan, reassuring him that of course Enation would welcome LGBT fans. #themoreyouknow
Hallelujah! No more St. Schmucky on GH. JJ is a great actor. Loving him on Nashville, but the character of Lucky Spencer was destroyed over the years (yes, blame the horrible writing) and there is nothing redeemable about him. Won’t miss him not returning…then again I quit watching GH altogether.
I am very disappointed to read that Jonathan Jackson won’t be coming back for the 50th. I was really hoping that somehow they could have him come back and work things out with Liz and be a part of Cam and Aiden’s life. Also be back with Luke, Laura, Ethan , Nik and Lulu.I still feel that the writers ruined the whole Spencer family when they had Nik and Liz get together and had Luke kill Jake.
To me, The real Lucky is Greg Vaughn. And he can’t come back because he is on Days, I am loving him there to, He is a good actor.
It would be nice for sentimental reasons but his character is a hypocrite that ignores his recast history while pretending to be a saint. Which I could forgive lots of recast histories are constantly ignored, and characters that do horrible things are portrayed as angels (Laura, love her but no offense) but his worst sin is crying like a leaky faucet. Even in scenes that he clearly wasn’t supposed to.
I only watch Nashville because JJ is on it. I don’t see the problem, he is never on Nashville.ABC could bring him back for a day. he needs to see his family. Children and parents.
As for his politics,hooray for him. Not everyone likes the people in the while house right now.They always seem to have their hands in my pocket.
I am very upset that they can’t work something out! The Spencers all together again would be so awsome. I have been watching since 1972, and lucky was such a great character I feel like I grew up with him. Let’s face it he had the coolest dad and bravest mom. Please keep trying to make even a short visit happen. Thanks J
Very bummed…his whole family is there….not even one episode calling home….ughhhh!
I wanted Jonathan to come back on General Hospital is he was my favorite on that show. I have watched GH for 36 years now and he has been my absolute favorite. He was so cute growing up on there. When ever they show scenes looking back as Lucky grew up, it is so amazing. He is an awesome actor and what he done with that part. The other actors who took over that part are great actors but they had a tough act to follow. No one was Lucky like he was. I hope he comes back someday.
It was fine. Thankfully Ethan stepped in to part that Lucky more then likely would of played in yesterday’s episode. Seeing Ethan was a surprise.
man i was sad that lucky was not back for the 50th but idc i just want to see lucky back on gh even for a little bit bc i dont want liz to end up with aj or nikolas bc lucky is elizabeth’s one and only like she is his and jonathan is the best lucky even though i jacob and greg were amazing as lucky too
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
Is it game over for Nina Reeves (Cynthia Watros), or does she have another trick up her sleeve to keep Sonny (Maurice Benard) to herself, now that he remembers who is he?
On Friday’s dramatic episode of General Hospital, “Mike” looks to be gone and Sonny has come back in full force complete with a super hero moment escaping from being trapped underneath the beam that had fallen on top of him inside the burning Tan-O. Sonny makes his escape after inhaling so many fumes, that he needs medical attention and is rushed to the hospital with Nina going along with him.
Inside the hospital, once given the all clear, Phyllis (Joyce Guy) tells Nina, “Mike” is asking for her, while Jax (Ingo Rademacher) pleads to let the doctors handle this situation. But, Nina heads inside the room to see Sonny. Then came the dramatic moment that many GH fans were waiting for. As Nina calls him “Mike, he rips off his oxygen mask in anger and says that his name is Sonny and he remembers everything! Nina does a pivot, knowing she is caught, and says the name may have have been a fake one, but they cannot deny the way they feel about each other. She tells him that she honestly loves him and Sonny defiantly tells her NOT to say that. Meanwhile Jax confirms to Phyllis that Nina always knew that “Mike” was Sonny and hid it from her and Sonny for months!
Back in Port Charles, Jason (Steve Burton) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) wedding comes to a conclusion! No one interrupts the wedding and the two look lovingly at each other to start their new life together as husband and wife.
Courtesy/ABC
After the ceremony, mobsters Ms. Wu, Vincent, and Charles have a moment where she says “be wary of tomorrow”. Jason and Carly have a moment alone where Jason looks truly in love with Carly now and all of those feelings he had buried for years have now come back to the surface. How will this all play out when Sonny comes back into everyone’s lives, alive and well?
After the reception had ended, Jason and Carly get in their limo to drive away as newlyweds. She asks Jason what Ms. Wu whispered in his ear at the reception, he says she confirmed something he already knew. Meanwhile, Vincent and Charles get in their limo. Charles shares the world is about to be a better place without Carly and Jason in it.
Next, Carly tells the driver to start the car, and we see a bomb device under a car and the chapel blown up as the show comes to its conclusion.
Our bet is that the Novak/Buscema car was blown to bits, not Jarly’s limo thanks to a Wu double-cross, but we shall see next week! Great performances from Maurice Benard, Cynthia Watros, Laura Wright, and Steve Burton throughout this one.
So, what did you think of the moment Sonny told Nina he remembered who he is? What did you think of Jason and Carly’s nuptials? What do you think will happen next? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
After nine months of being “Mike”, Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) had a major breakthrough as his memory is all coming back to him now (as the Celine Dion song says), and in the process the Tan-O has burned to the ground, signaling the the probable end to the Nixon Falls arc of the story.
As the story picked-up on Thursday, Nina’s (Cynthia Watros) plot to keep Sonny for herself and away from Carly majorly backfired on her. Not only does Phyllis (Joyce Guy) now know that Nina lied about “Mike’s” identify the entire time, but Peter August (Wes Ramsey) is running wild and free heading back to Port Charles to claim his baby and Maxie (Kirsten Storms), after setting fire to the building.
Courtesy/ABC
Since “Mike” ran in to save Nina and got hit by a beam in the process, he is alone in the burning Tan-O enveloped by flames, but that triggers the beginning of his memory coming back.
Meanwhile, back in Port Charles, Jason (Steve Burton) and Carly (Laura Wright) are at their wedding, with the five family mob bosses present with a plot of their own and everyone wondering if Jarly will say “I do'”. The two light a candle together for those loved ones no longer with them … ah, Sonny!
Back the burning Tan-O, Sonny is visited by the vision of the real Mike (Max Gail) who tells him it’s time for him to go home now. A conflicted Sonny tells Mike he is very happy in Nixon Falls with Nina, but Mike tells him he needs to know his past in order to move forward. When Sonny has flashes of his violent past it frightens him, and he says whatever family he has is better off without him in their lives.
Jax (Ingo Rademacher) tries to text Maxie while still in Nixon Falls with Nina to watch out for Peter, but she is attending and managing Carly and Sonny’s wedding, so she doesn’t pick up the phone!
Inside the Tan-O, Sonny sees a vision of woman, who when she turns and faces him is Carly. While Sonny is lying on the floor and is engulfed in flames and trapped, Mike tells Sonny he can die as “Mike” or live on as the man he truly is, Sonny. It is then Sonny calls out “Carly!”
So, what did you think of the episode? Do you think Carly and Jason will get married? Will Sonny tells Nina he remembers? What will Nina’s next move be? Are you glad Sonny seems to have his memory back? The episode featured another strong performance by Maurice Benard. Share your thoughts below.
General Hospital
Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
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Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
Jamison Jones to Debut on Y&R as Jesse Gaines
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason asks Carly to Marry Him and She Responds “With All My Heart”
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Ron Carlivati Talks on the Creation, Scenes & Cast of ‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’
Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
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WATCH: Kimberly McCullough Reunite and Visit with Maurice Benard on ‘State of Mind’
B&B’s EP and Head Writer, Brad Bell, On Bringing Back Sheila Carter
‘Days of our Lives: Beyond Salem’ Drops Trailer; Announces Charles Shaughnessy and Jackie Cox Cast Additions
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Sheila’s Going To Make Sure She Has Jack & Finn Right Where She Wants Them
Carrie Ann Inaba Officially Departs ‘The Talk’
THIS SATURDAY: Jen Lilley, Ryan Paevey and Linda Dano in Hallmark’s ‘A Little Daytime Drama’
WATCH: GH’s Maurice Benard Duet with his Son Joshua On ‘Elvis’ Classic
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 18, 2021Days of our Lives Kicks-Off Possession Storyline Revisted with ‘Doug’ Twist Cliffhanger, Followed by Fall Preview
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General HospitalSeptember 14, 2021Briana Nicole Henry on Her Decision to Exit GH: “I Decided It Was Time to Move On”
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General HospitalSeptember 17, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Remembers Carly Just as She Is Marrying Jason
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NewsSeptember 10, 2021Jamison Jones to Debut on Y&R as Jesse Gaines
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Days Of Our LivesSeptember 13, 2021Days of our Lives Revisits ‘The Possession Storyline’ This Fall
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General HospitalSeptember 18, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Nina He Knows Exactly Who He Is; Jason & Carly’s Wedding Comes to an Explosive Conclusion
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NewsSeptember 15, 2021Janice Lynde Making a Return to The Young and the Restless
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General HospitalSeptember 11, 2021GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason asks Carly to Marry Him and She Responds “With All My Heart”