General Hospital
Jonathan Jackson talks on his hopes, the future, and his decision to say goodbye to GH!
Courtesy/ABC
What a Christmas bummer for soaps fans! We have to say goodbye to the talents of four-time Daytime Emmy winner who is exiting the canvas of General Hospital as Lucky Spencer this week.
Jackson caught up with ABC Soaps In Depth to discuss his decision to leave the show, what he had hoped would happen with the Lucky/Liz pairing, and if he might reconsider his decision in the future and return to GH. Here are a few excerpts!
Jackson on the challenges with the Lucky/Liz love story: “It’s difficult to tell love stories in a day in and day out medium. It can easily become a little bit mundane. I think there’s a way around that, but it’s not easy. The answer can’t be to always have one of the two people betray the other one and have the whole thing fall apart because the characters end up compromising everything about themselves. There has to be another way to have drama without the characters themselves doing that to themselves or doing that to each other. That would be the challenge: how do you create drama and suspense nuances but maintain the integrity of the characters? That’s really difficult to do.”
Jackson on if he might return in the future: “I hope that the show can continue to thrive and be successful. The world is a fluid place. Things change and evolve. Everything in this world is temporary and transient to some degree. It’s the eternal things that matter and the relationships with people that matter. Those are the things that I try to focus on and hold onto.”
ABC Soaps In Depth goes on to say, “With the behind-the-scenes regime change at GH in the new year, all this might, indeed, change, and Jackson might be back on your screens after a quick negotiation and compromise. Jackson fans, cross your fingers.”
Are you sad to say JJ go? Do you think a deal will be struck with Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati that will bring Jackson back to GH and in a creative forum that works equally for the show and for the actor? Let us know what you think!
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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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
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I agree with what he said about the love stories being a little mundane….because it does become all too familiar and predictable sometimes with soaps. I mean, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sitting in my living room watching a soap, and can say the lines or predict the actions before the characters act them out. It would be nice for someone to surprise us every now and then….and rather than drag a story out to nauseam, they actually get to the point….or have the characters say what any normal person would say or do in a real life situation. That would be a twist and a change that would be well received by the audience.
I love JJ’s Lucky Spencer and I want him back on the canvas pronto!
At this point it would be a surprise if Lucky and Liz got back together. GH is in free fall and disintegrating, about to crash and burn, with so many characters written off and actors leaving. Bringing back Lucky and reuniting him with Liz would help, and FV and RC are probably smart enough to figure that out. But whether anything or anyone can save GH from Katie is another issue.
I do hope that the new regime is doing their homework and that they are studying the history of this great show and its characters. I hope they don’t turn GH into OLTL. I’m not saying one is better then the other, they both stand on their own legacy. So yes, I’m hoping they realize how valuable Jonathan is to the show, as well as Nathan Parson who i hear is also leaving, and do everything possible to keep the people we want to see, and not make the mistake of bringing in new people to soon.
What I was sad about is how the last year they have written for this character and his exit story was awful obviously they did not feel inclined to write for him in a positive way. Get prepared for all out of work OLTL actors over here and how does that help, look how Y&R has been ruined. GH just start working with your cast and get back to basics. JJ good luck! Go back to movies and your band and be happy!
It is so sad when the powers-that-be allow these kind of travesties to happen! I’m appalled that such an asset to the show is leaving and with the current changes in cast. Lexie & Nathan have a gold mine of potential, but alas they screwed that too. If/when GH is cancelled, they have only them selves to blame. What a shame!
Cant replace Lucky nor Cole on OLTL.
*gets down on knees and prays like a 6 year old hoping Santa comes soon* Please please please let this work out! GH w/o JJ has always seemed less alive.
This mans talented and maybe knows GH is next to be cancelled.
So go out while hes fresh in peoples minds.
I wish more HIM luck, he’s just a great actor and deserves a BIG shot at the Big Screen.
GH is looking to be cancelled, first they don’t jump at the chance to have Genie Francis return and now they are letting Johnathan Jackson go. The writers must want to crash and burn.
PLEASE PLEASE ALL YOU NEW WRITERS BRING JJ BACK HE IS THE WHOLE SHOW NO ONE & I MEAN NO ONE CAN PLAY LUCKY AS HE WILL ALWAYS BE LUCKY & LUKES COWBOY I PRAY EVERYDAY THAT IN 2012 THEY WILL FIND A STORY LINE FOR A REUNION WITH LIZ AS I WATCHED THEM TOGETHER IN THE 90’S THIS IS MY NEW YEAR DREAM PLEASE PLEASE BRING MY JONATHAN JACKSON BACK HE IS A 4 TIME EMMY WINNER HELLO GH WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT HIM AND RECAST???? OMG NO NO NO PLEASE!! NO ONE CAN BE LUCKY BUT JJ HE IS THE REAL LUCKY I HOPE YOU WRITERS ARE READING THIS BECAUSE WE ALL WANT JJ BACK PLEASE!!!
Please bring jj back..I love him..Work it out with him please..
Love lucky…
Please come back.
He is the original Lucky. The writers should bring him back and Luke too. I liked Luke as the wonderful drunk he was. Luke being sober… A 32+ year fan! I remember the Campus Disco when Luke raped Laura and the whole Frank Smith saga! Bring JJ back…
I understand why Jonathan is leaving. How much doom and gloom can a person subject themselves to as an actor. They could have added some fun in the mixture and maybe he would stay. Ridiculous, all the great actors on GH are leaving. Personally, who really cares about the Shawn character. Bring back Jax to stay.
I hope they do bring Jonathan Jacks back at Lucky he is so good.