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: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
Friday’s episode of General Hospital brought the highly-anticipated story around the apparent death of Port Charles iconic, Luke Spencer (Tony Geary), although many fans, and even some of the cast of the show, are not sold that Luke is “dead” dead.
During the show, characters spoke of some of the history of Luke in Port Charles, most especially Luke’s sister, Bobbie played by Jackie Zeman. Throughout the years, Zeman is at her best when she is given material through the writing of the show to connect to the history of Luke and Bobbie. She did so when Bobbie was remembering how Luke came to Port Charles to help her break up Scotty and Laura, in a discussion with her daughter, Carly (Laura Wright).
Photo: ABC
As everyone is gathering at the Haunted Star to pay their respects to Luke, Curtis (Donnell Turner) arrives to support Laura (Genie Francis), Felicia (Kristina Wagner) and Anna (Finola Hughes) arrive together, Nikolas (Marcus Coloma) and Ava (Maura West), as well as Spencer (Nicholas Alexander Chavez also show up. It is through Nikolas’ conversation with Laura that we learn why Luke’s sons, Ethan and Lucky, can’t make the funeral and, of course, we know why Luke’s daughter Lulu can’t make it because she is in a coma!
Victor (Charles Shaughnessy) shows up and snipes at everyone and then leaves. Tracy (Jane Elliot), who has arranged the memorial, is with an urn supposedly filled with Luke’s ashes and Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) finds her on the deck of the Haunted Star and talks her into giving her planned eulogy.
Courtesy/ABC
Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) finds his dad, Sonny (Maurice Benard) drinking at Charlie’s, and later Scott (Kin Shriner) and Robert (Tristan Rogers) stop in and heated words are exchanged between Sonny and Scott. Victor shows up and instead of Scott and Sonny pummeling each other, they get into a fight against Victor.
Courtesy/ABC
As Scott and Robert are about to be on their way to the Haunted Star, Scott stays behind because of his past with Luke. Then, Sonny tried to patch things up with Carly before they head to the memorial.
Back on the yacht, Anna and Felicia find a note and a flash drive, after hearing a commotion on the yacht. When the note says “play me”, none other than Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) addresses Luke’s friends and family from apparently the great beyond. As Helena spews her venom against Luke, Laura has enough and pulls the plug on Helena’s video speech. Tracy looks concerned, like she may want to hear whatever else Helena had to say.
Photo: ABC
Next, Tracy does her best in short order to eulogize Luke. That is juxtaposed with Scott trashing Luke. Later, by herself on the deck, Tracy spreads Luke’s ashes over the waters of Port Charles. Back on the pier, Scott relishes Luke being gone, and that he is still standing saying, “You lose you son of a bitch!” Just then Luke’s ashes blow in into his face. When Bobbie arrives, and see Scott full of ashes, she asks what happened. Scott says, “I caught the bouquet,” an obvious nod to the Luke and Laura wedding of the past, where Scott returned at their wedding and caught the wedding bouquet.
Courtesy/ABC
Back on the Haunted Star, Tracy then has a gift in hand for Laura, but she tells Tracy if that’s the Ice Princess she does not want anything to do with it, and tells Tracy to keep it. Spencer sees this go down and his interest on the diamond is instantly piqued.
Back at Charlie’s bar, Victor has an ominous toast to Luke saying, “The good people of your fair city are in for a big surprise!”
At the Haunted Star, dressed in black with black veil, Jennifer Smith reveals herself to a shocked Laura.
So, what did you think of Luke’s memorial episode? Favorite parts of it? Least favorite? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, check out Helena’s videotaped speech and Tracy’s eulogy to Luke below.
General Hospital
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
General Hospital
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Lisa Brown to be Honored In Virtual Interview With ’42nd Street’ Co-Star Lee Roy Reams
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
GH’s Kristina Wagner On Felicia’s Concern Over Maxie’s Emotional State
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Ashley Jones Reveal They Want Brooke & Bridget To Deal with Their Shared Past with Deacon
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Helena, Jennifer Smith & The Ice Princess: What Did You Think of Luke Spencer’s Memorial?
All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Brooke Reels When Hope Says Douglas Saw Grandma Kissing ‘Santa Claus’
Remembering One Life to Live on the 10th Anniversary of its Final Episode on ABC
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Michael at a Crossroads; What Did You Think of Christian LeBlanc’s 30th Anniversary Episode?
‘Soapdish’ Series Adaptation in the Works for Paramount +; Whoopi Goldberg to Reprise Her Role
Y&R’s Christian LeBlanc and Michelle Stafford Talk On Their Enduring Friendship, Sharing Scenes & Preview Special Episode
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: A Shocked Brooke Exclaims: “Oh, My God! I Was Drinking Last Night!”
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General HospitalJanuary 19, 2022FRIDAY: Luke Spencer’s Family and Friends Gather To Say Goodbye On General Hospital
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 24, 2022Days of our Lives Preemption Schedule During 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
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All My ChildrenJanuary 18, 2022TONIGHT: All My Children’s Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams Together Again on All-New Episode of ‘Our Kind of People’
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General HospitalJanuary 21, 2022(WATCH) GH’s Genie Francis Shares: “I Just Have a Hard Time Believing, In My Heart, That The Great Luke Spencer Died in an Accident”
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 19, 2022DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Did You Think of the Life-Sized Duke and Ava Scene?
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General HospitalJanuary 18, 2022ESPN Sports Personality and ‘General Hospital’ Guest Star, Stephen A. Smith Reveals COVID-19 Nearly Took His Life
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Days Of Our LivesJanuary 22, 2022All My Children Alum William Christian to Debut on Days of our Lives
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General HospitalJanuary 17, 2022GH’s Kristina Wagner On Felicia’s Concern Over Maxie’s Emotional State