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Kelly Monaco Addresses Billy Miller’s Departure From GH

Photo: ABC

In a post via her twitter account, General Hospital’s Kelly Monaco (Sam) shared her heartbreak on her longtime scene partner, Billy Miller’s (Drew) exit from the ABC daytime drama series.  This was the first time that Kelly addressed the situation in a public forum.

Miller came on to GH back in 2014 as Jason Morgan, following the departure of Steve Burton, who then wound up on Y&R.  When Burton returned to GH in 2017, Miller’s part was then turned-in-to, Jason’s twin, Drew Cain.

Through a great portion of Miller’s run on GH, he was paired romantically on -screen with Monaco and the duo were, and have remained, one of the most popular duo’s in daytime.

Monaco expressed the following in her message: “I feel like I have to address this situation. #BillyMiller ‘s untimely departure from #gh. Honestly, I can not come up with the words to describe how I feel about this decision… a decision that may not be what our audience thinks to be true. I’m heartbroken… more to come.”

Share your thoughts on Kelly’s message via the comment section below.

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best to wait for full story…but as for GH the Shiloh story has grown tiresome and needs to conclude…the mind switch story is why soaps do not attract more viewers…it did have it moments tho…i thought the weather story in the early 8os and the alien story a bit much as it is but this isnt Dr Who…yes, its a soap but still it needs to be more down to earth like the more popular CBS soaps

Love Billy Miller great actor wish he wasn’t leaving he was a great Drew Cain. He will be missed.

Billy Miller is a great actor should remain on the show get rid of shilo

Oh, but we still have the Juilliard Bootleg/Parking Lot hire, nuJordan, nuTJ, Shiloh, & Kim ZERO.

Although Billy was great as Billy on Y&R, I like the man playing the Part currently.
He was a past GH character, I remember.

Sad to see Billy leave GH- he is nice to look at and great actor.
I remember him as Billy on Y&R & is was great also. I like the current man playing Billy Abott. Past GH cast member.

I love Billy Miller and think he’s a real talent. I hope he’s leaving to pursue bigger and better things. That said, why must Kelly Monaco post such cryptic messages which incites Miller’s fan base without really offering any real news? It’s a bit irritating.

To all GH executives are you trying to get GH cancelled. You have turned all lead actors into zombies

Absolutely and all these new characters it’s sad drew for example was front and center and gaining in fans and then we have Laura Wright’s boyfriend why? We could have kept Billy miller! Now we have this tad guy coming ??? And Kendra get rid of them and new Jordan useless! New Nina just doesn’t fit the role … no way is she a fashion icon it’s sad really I’ve been watching 47 years what other show has lasted that long? None! Abc stop ruining our show

I love Billy Miller but he got screwed by GH. They as much said “you have no standing here” when they took away the part he was hired to play. Y&R said the same thing to Gina Tognoni when for no good reason, they let her go because Michelle Stafford wanted to return. I hope Gino and Billy find great parts better than those they were screwed out of.

I’m sure Billy knew what the risks were when he took the gig. Recasts of leading characters on a soap (or any TV show, really) are always a risk for everyone involved. By the same token, if Billy wanted to stay in daytime, he could probably walk right back into Y&R tomorrow and get back the job he had over there.

The problem with how GH handled the situation isn’t that they restored the real Jason. It’s the fact that they created a new character, Drew Cain, and then refused to tell his story, even though they wrote at least a basic outline of a backstory worth exploring. Ironically, this is now finally being done in the stupidest way possible, even as Billy’s final air date approaches, with him taking a back seat in his own story, to Frank’s most over-propped pet, Frodd. Or Drodd, as he is now known. Not to mention tying it all in with the never ending cult dragonshit story. I want Shiloh in Hell by Labor Day, damn it!

I concur.

Well, she does have her own job to protect, so she can only say so much. But then she could have just said nothing at all, I guess.

Jill Marie
She was probably just pissed at the time at the injustice of why or how he left and couldn’t contain herself. The last statement she made is the one I am most interested in, says she can’t describe the way she feels about a decision that was made that we, the fans may not feel to be true. I am still trying to figure that out, so hope we get some more answers.

They , didn’t give him a romantic partner. What a waste of a talent

Leave Billy in General Hospital.. Y&R are trying to get him back as Billy…
totally not right.. we dont want him to come back.. we love Jason as Billy

I liked Billy Miller a 100 times better than the emotionless robot Steve,,
Billy brought emotions to the Jason character and he handled a gun just as well.
Billy/Jason was wonderful with his mother Monica…
When Steve came back to GH then it was ”to hell with Billy Miller”

Billy was stabbed in the back by Steve coming back and the writers put all their powers into Steve/Jason, the robot.

I wish Steve would walk out of GH again and Keep Billy ..

Billy Miller is a great actor. He deserves a great role to play!

Couldn’t agree more! Love Billy Miller! He and Kelly Monaco have much better chemistry than her other pairing.

Let’s face though Billy did do the role of Jason Morgan justice, Steve Burton will always own the character of Jason Morgan and will always be the preferred pick on that role.. but your right GH fell terribly short on the character out of Drew Cain, Billy’s an awesome actor they should of really missed the mark on not allowing him to play out that storyline.

Billy Miller was screwed. So, he’s hired to be a Jason recast, but…. they changed that story when Steve Burton returned. Well, that’s ok, because at least there will be a steamy love triangle between he, Sam and Jason, right? No, Sam couldn’t decide between the two and dumped them both, only to reunite with Jason. But at least Kim could be a possible love interest because at last he has a family with her and Oscar, his son. No, they killed off Oscar and had Kim get together with Julian. Well, enough of that, he is a business man who owns Aurora Media…until Jax takes over the Crimson portion of it. Surely he will finally get his memory back – dangled over we viewers since Jason’s return. No, his memories are implanted in to Franco. Seriously GH? Waste of a fantastic talent. Good lucky Billy Miller, take Kelly Monaco with you to Y&R.

That’s a great synopsis of how Billy Miller was mistreated at GH. They really wasted some fine talent.

I love the relationship his character has with Elizabeth. If Franco keeps Drew’s memories I could see these 2 together as before when he played Jake Doe back in 2015. There would not be any undermining their relationship by either Carley or Sam. Elizabeth’s kids already love Drew!

Spot on assessment of TPTB, namely the writers, not knowing how to write character or proper story. Why don’t we all just watch the digital series Chabi in Paris and forget what the networks have done to daytime drama? Yeah…I’m definitely NOT watching that either LOL.

And as for the lukewarm executive response to rebooting One Life and AMC, even ABC knows the train wreck GH is and have ZERO interest in rebooting anything. Period. You’re not fooling me. They’ll do it with the worst relic writers they can find and it will be a bust again. No thanks ABC.

I am truly upset. I hate this love him so on GH. Makes me so mad.Hate some of story lines.

So bummed Billy Miller leaving! Watching GH less and less. GH only soap I do watch! Personnel changes (Nina) aren’t working for me.

…may not be what our audience thinks to be true. Do tell!

I’m thinking she should be glad for Billy Miller to take advantage of any other role that would offer him more of a challenge–and, most importantly, a character that he could sink his acting chops into; TPTB jerked him (and his character on GH) around badly. Here’s to a role to match Billy’s skills. Too bad, GH, you blew it royally.

If Kelly Monaco is so distressed, she can walk out the door with him. Her character and barely audible voice are long past their shelf life. Tired of seeing her just moping around.

Can we all be honest for just a minute ?? MB only wanted to work with SB so once Sally showed SB the door over at Y&R he campaigned to get him back! Anybody remember how Greg Vaughn got treated when he played the role of Lucky ? Yep only Tony Geary stepped in for JJ to come back ! For once try running a show and tell the actors to do their job and quit letting the nuts run the asylum! Ugh

I agree with you. He played a great part in Gh. And he played it good. I was so happy you two had gotten married and sad when you split. Felt so bad for Drew . He played the part so well when his son died also. I think you and Billy should be together in real life.I had heard that you two hang out off the show. I bet if you do you have fun together. Well enough said Good luck Billy!!! Well miss you! As well as your casts on the show! And fotmr you Kelly break a leg!!!!

I really wish Billy was staying, I think he really does an amazing job of the role.

Can we FINALLY have him back on Y&R??

Why couldn’t they have given Billy Miller the memory storyline a long time ago? Why didn’t he get a love interest? General Hospital’s ratings are so bad, why do they keep making these poor decisions about storylines and characters?

Please explain why Billy Miller is leaving. He is awesome and he storyline ties with the Franco memories is intriguing. Now doesn’t seem the best time for leaving…. there’s lots more story there……

As most agree GH PTB has totally lost its damn mind. Losing BM is honestly my last straw. He is a FANTASTIC actor and has more talent than many of the actors that take up screen time.
I have watched the actors on their social media posts,,brag, fist bump each other and not one,,with the exception of Kelly have this mans back. Between the AWFUL storylines that are drug out forever,, the attitudes of the actors in real life makes me sick. As soon as BM is done on screen,,I’m out.

I did read that on his social media, Kin Shriner (aka, Scotty…) publicly issued warm farewell and best of luck wishes to Billy. Just goes to show that not everyone on GH is totally devoid of class! But you are so right about the cliquish atmosphere surrounding most of the current GH cast and their juvenile highschool-styleTwitter antics, which seems to have trickled down from the top dogs over these past few years. Those who won’t play the same game simply don’t last.

We have new Jordan who is unimpressive lulu who just can’t act at all and this new Nina? Now we have two more out of work soap “stars” w tad and Dustin bad decision by the powers that be , Billy had a fan base! How many Jason Thompson’s and Dominic’s have to leave before they start writing stories for the cast we have? I likebilly so much more then Laura Wright’s boyfriend but he gets tons of screen time…

To get rid of Billy now that he’s got a following and people are emotionally attached it’s almost as dumb as the outdated ratings system that doesn’t take into account those who watch online

Bad enough losing Billy, but not even a goodbye to anyone, including his little girl Scout. Guess they didn’t want to prolong the agony of long goodbyes. I kind of figured when the elevator closed on him, that was our last time we’d see him…on G.H.

I want Billy Miller back

I.willl him

Billy Miller came on to GH as Jake Doe, where he was paired romantically with Elizabeth (BH), he became Jason Morgan about 2 years into his tenure at GH and was paired with Sam (Kelly Monoco) for a little over a year, at which point he became Drew Cain for his last two years, certain Fan bases commonly confuse their supposed “real” life relationship (which they deny) with their “reel” relationship on the program. It was written physically very sexually, but often lacked the maturity, intimacy and chemistry that Kelly Monoco had with Steve Button’s, Jason. Billy was quoted as saying that he did not research the iconic character before taking on the role, created and played brilliantly by Steve Burton, that Frank V and Bully were trying, in fact to make him more like Jason Quartermaine, which is why the character as played by Billy Miller never, aside from a small fanbase was embraced by the larger audience and with that, the powers that be brought Steve Burton back to reprise the role. They created a new character for Billy Miller, but you could see from his acting or lack there of, that he was unhappy at GH and the opportunity given to him. I will say that losing a three time (on Y&R) emmy winning actor is a lose for GH, but losing an inflated ego that refused to act because he lost a character, he played for maybe 13 months out of his five years tenure on this show, is no loss. Loved BM on Y&R. Not the same actor in GH. So happy Steve Burton is once again playing Jason Morgan and hoping they recast Drew, there is a ratings goldmine of storyline between Drews past and the twin storyline that will be a breathtaking ride for the audience if given to an actor that wants the part and is written well . Love GH

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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