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Kelly Monaco Celebrates 20 Years on GH and Sam’s Evolution: “All the Pieces Don’t Fit Perfectly Yet, But It’s Certainly Not Broken Anymore!”

Photo: ABC

Sunday, October 1st will mark the 20th anniversary of Kelly Monaco’s debut on General Hospital as Sam McCall.  And as the story goes, when Kelly finished her run on Port Charles as Livvie Locke (2000-2003), and the show had been canceled, the three major networks were all interested in her to join their soaps.

In the end, GH won out and fans of the ABC daytime drama series have been the lucky ones to have Monaco join the A-list cast of the iconic soap. Throughout Sam’s journey in Port Charles, viewers have seen quite the character growth. Sam started on the show as a con and hustler, and bloomed into a bonafide heroine and a private investigator.

Kelly shared with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue, how she viewed the Sam of old, to the Sam of today: “Sam came on to the canvas only having herself and her brother, always taking care of someone, and never being taken care of.  I think the biggest evolution for her is starting from being a really lonely, scared woman and becoming a woman who is still really independent, but is protected by family and friends and love and relationships and loyalty, and she never had that before.”

Photo: JPI

In a very poetic way, Monaco added on her character’s development: “She came in bent and broken, and I feel like there’s a lot of her that’s still broken, but she’s constantly sort of putting the Rubik’s Cube together. All the pieces don’t fit perfectly, yet, but it’s certainly not broken anymore.”

Throughout Sam’s two decades in Port Charles she has been in love, suffered terrible lost, found family members, had children, and has been involved in some of the most dangerous and criminal cases involving many a villain as she tried to help bring them to justice.

Photo: ABC

Currently, Sam is involved in a romance with Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).  Viewers wonder if Lulu ever wakes up out of her coma, would that spell trouble for their relationship, and in turn, give Kelly some great meaty story to work with?

Now, in the comment section below, share your congrats to Kelly for her 20-year-run on GH. Then let us know, what has been your favorite Sam story over the years?

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Kelly is gorgeous and a wonderful actress and sometimes I don’t think she gets the credit she deserves. Congratulations on 20 years you are truly a Daytime icon.

I agree with you. She is talented and very pretty. Kelly has changed her character into a very strong woman? I wish they would show her kids more often then we could see the mothering side of Sam. We think she needs more story as Kelly has great talents. My husband was amazed at her dancing skills.

Sam has been my favorite GH female character since day one. Love how her relationship with Jason evolved and always maintained. Kelly plays her beautifully.

Congratulations Kelly You’ve Done It Well !!!

Congratulations

Sam has become more likable the past few years. Being out of Jason’s orbit and onscreen less has reinvigorated the character. Some of Kelly’s best work was when Sam’s brother Danny died. The cat scratch fever and giving birth to Scout with her jeans on were memorable for different reasons.

I love Kelly’s acting she has had me as a fan from day one! I really enjoyed her kicking butts to show she can handle what ever they are throwing her way! She can be funny at times and serious when need be. She has plenty of talent just wish she was in more of the story lines, she has a lot to offer and I for one know she can handle it! And she can dance very well too! Congratulations Kelly, job well done

Congratulations Kelly!
Thank you for entertaining us for 20 years and here’s to many more!!❤️

Was running old GH shows on a streaming the other day. The show where Brenda meets Sam and she tries to explain to Brenda how Jason and Sam ended up together. It was hilarious. Those old shows are the best and I am thankful to whoever stashed them for us.

GH and ABC are losing a goldmine by not replaying all of them in better condition on ABC or Hulu. Some of those old shows with the cast is so young are the best TV out there.

The residuals they’d have to pay the actors who are no longer on the show and any of the “under 5” day players makes rerunning those shows on broadcast or streaming cost prohibitive.

Thank you Kelly for entertaining us for 20 years! Here’s to many more years with you coming into our homes! Have enjoyed you since Baywatch and Livie!!❤️

Kelly’s work as a daytime actor has been a joy to watch. Sam has been so multifaceted and enjoyable to watch. Watching her with her family of “Davis women”, reminds us of OLTL ” Cramer women” or “Buchanan women”, soap families of strong women ĵoined at the heart. There is something special about her work with Steve Burton, they sizzled even in a blizzard! However, that is nowhere the roaring flames that she and Michael Easton created as Livvie and Caleb. Many of us would wish the GH would create their own “Bobby & Pam” dream and bring Caleb and Livvie alive again, even in a dream for a fleeting moment. Congratulations Kelly!!

Great analysis, Alyson! And great idea for that dream…

I am thrilled that Kelly is getting so much love here, as I have found her to be a joy to watch since day 1. She is a talented, beautiful actress. For my money, she should have been declared the winner on DWTS. Not the first time they got it wrong… Congratulations, Kelly!

Congratulations Kelly!! And the best and only one for Sam is Jason. Period. Writers messed everything up after the big reveal of Jason being alive and not bringing them back together permanently. They need to get Steve back and make it happen. Cause Sam is just not legitimately Sam without Jason.

They did try bringing them back together. The vibe just wasn’t there between Steve and Kelly when he returned. Even Luke and Laura didn’t last – Jason and Sam had a good run, but it reached its expiration date.

I think Sam and Dante belong together. It would ruin the beautiful love story if Lulu came back. I think they should write that Lulu passed away in her coma. She’s been in a coma too long and there hasn’t been any news of her.

Violet went to visit her mother this summer and Lulu’s been mentioned a few times since. The coma is just a means to keep the character active until the writers decide there’s enough story to bring her back.

With Britt (screen), Epiphany and soon Bobbie passing, the audience won’t be subjected to another long term character passing.

Meant to say Charlotte visited her mother. Violet doesn’t know where Hayden is and never mentions her. They’ll need to circle back to that eventually.

When they had the Jeff Webber stand-in a few months back, did he even mention his supposed other daughter even once? Seems to me they’re trying to “disappear” Hayden from memory. The existence of Violet makes that problematic, obviously.

Of course it was silly to give Liz another sister in the first place… they should have brought Sarah Webber back instead.

Apparently Rebecca Budig was so disenchanted with the way she was abruptly dismissed twice, that she’s sworn off returning again. Didn’t like her character at first, but I grew to appreciate her toward the end of her first run.

Sarah was surprisingly mentioned when Finn went behind Elizabeth’s back before Jeff returned. Is Steven Lars (a dull character despite his birth parents) still languishing in prison for the organ harvesting issue? And now a whole summer went by without Cam returning home for a visit.

Hi KELLY MONACO! You are one of the MOST TALENTED BEAUTIFUL daytime actresses!! I LOVE the romance with DOMINIC ZAMPROGA’s character DANTE FALCONERI, but I want to see more scenes with you two together!! SAMANTHA MCCALL is a GREAT character & I can not believe anyone else can play her to the perfection that you do! I also LOVED you with STEVE BURTON as JASON MORGAN & MICHAEL EASTON as JOHN MCBAIN!! You have had 3 GORGEOUS TALENTED actors to play across!! Lucky you!! HAPPY 20th ANNIVERSARY on GH & here’s to 20 more!! GOD BLESS YOU & YOUR FAMILY, have a very BLESSED day & always STAY SAFE!! I LOVE YOU!! I have been a GH fan since 1968, when I I was 9 years old!! I am 64 now.

Congratulations! Been watching GH since I was a kid and I’m 42 now. So, proud of Kelly. She went to Northampton Community College which is only a few blocks from my house. Love her I’ve never met her but I am super proud.

Congrats kelly On October 1st it’s a Special Day for you Happy 20 Years On General Hospital and it’s my Birthday you are a Beautiful Awesome Person And Actress looking forward seeing many more years On General Hospital Congrats you go girl Kelly

I love the Sam character and how Kelly plays her. Sam is flawed, but unlike some, she owns it. She is kindhearted, despite having many reasons to harden her heart. She is a great friend even though GH has often left her practically friendless. She is truly resilient, the bounce-back queen. She’s tough, yet vulnerable. Kelly does so much with the very little screen time given to her. Well done, Kelly. Thank you for persevering!

I love how GH kept Sam in the Sonny circle. She came on pregnant with Sonny’s baby. Was married to Sonny’s best friend Jason. Had a baby with Jason and his twin brother Drew and now in love with Sonny’s oldest son Dante. Isn’t that weird?

Congratulations Kelly!!!!!!!!!!

Sam is The Great character I loved Kelly Monaco as Livvie on Port Charles. Some of her greatest scenes were done when she was with Drew Billy Miller. I am forever team DreAm. There was a montage on YouTube of their scenes together it made me cry.

Sam is a great character. I loved her as Livvieb on Port Charles. I was team lDreAm all the way.My favorite scenes were when she was with Drew Billy Miller. They posted a montage of their scenes together on YouTube it made me cry.

I am shocked but elated on the great chemistry that Sam and Dante share. They appear to enjoy working with each other and seem like a real couple in love!

Congratulations, Kelly. You are an amazing actress n very beautiful. 20 years ago by fast. You are loved.

She has been my favorite female Character from the beginning. Congratulations Kelly Monaco! JASAM FAN FOREVER.

She’s great with Dante never liked her with brain dead Jason

General Hospital

Lane Davies Joins the Cast of General Hospital Setting up a ‘Santa Barbara’ Reunion with Nancy Lee Grahn

Some very intriguing casting news out of General Hospital. The ABC daytime drama has cast former Santa Barbara favorite, Lane Davies (ex-Mason Capwell), in the role of Fergus Byrne, an attorney who crosses paths with Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn).

According to TV Insider, Davies will make debut the week of May 22nd.  As soap fans know, together with the aforementioned Grahn, they created the Santa Barbara supercouple of Mason and Julia Wainwright. Davies portrayed Mason Capwell family from 1984 through 1989.

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time in Port Charles for Lane. From 2002-2004 he played Dr. Cameron Lewis and also shared on-screen story with Grahn.  At that time Davies, played Xander Smith’s father.

Photo: NBC

GH fans are wondering about the last name of Davies new character, “Bryne”. If you recall, Alexis got herself involved with therapist Dr. Neil Bryne, who died when Harmony broke into Alexis‘ house and killed Neil by injecting him with opioids.

Photo:

Taking to her Instagram, Grahn shared her excitement at the upcoming on-screen reunion with Davies, “It never gets old. We do 😂…. but it doesn’t 😍. Lookin’ forward to another romp.”

So, what do you think about Lane Davies returning to GH to play an attorney in Alexis’ orbit? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nikolas Gets an Earful from Ava About Sonny and His Meds; Nina and Drew Can’t Seem to Resist Each Other

Ava (Maura West) seems to feel she has a confidante in a jailed Nikolas (Adam Huss) on the Monday, April 29th episode of General Hospital. In story, Ava heads to Pentonville to visit her ex-husband before he is set to get transferred out of state.

When discussing her living relationship with Sonny (Maurice Benard), which Nikolas already knew about, Ava says she is happy about how her relationship with Sonny has been evolving, Nikolas ask if she’s in love with Sonny. Ava denies it, but goes on to say how great it is for her daughter, Avery to be living with both her parents, who are on the same side and not at odds.

Nikolas believes that Ava loves being in Sonny’s inner sanctum and the power that comes with it. Ava fires back that she spent years looking in from the outside and that everyone despised her. When Nikolas brings up Nina (Cynthia Watros), she says Nina never really could understand the true type of man that Sonny is.

Courtesy/ABC

Then, Ava launches in on Carly (Laura Wright), and how she would love to stick it to her, for all the times she blocked Ava from seeing her child and Carly’s attitude towards her. Then, Ava admits to Nikolas that she knows that Sonny has a watered-down version of his bipolar medication, which is making him more vulnerable and she’s capitalizing on it for her own gain. She says she needs to figure out who is responsible, but Nikolas voices concern for Ava’s plan and that if Sonny ever found out she knew about it and did nothing, he would be on the warpath against her. Ava promises she knows what she’s doing. When she says goodbye to Nikolas, he looks upset and sad, as he still seemingly cares for Ava.

Courtesy/ABC

Meanwhile in Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) office, Nina walks in complaining about Carly giving her a hard time about maintenance in her office. Nina wants payback for Jason (Steve Burton) buying Carly the hotel, but Drew is not up for playing games with her.  She says they both want revenge on Jason and Carly, which Drew denies. Next thing you know, Nina grabs Drew and kisses him. Although, it seems he might walk out the door and away from her, he locks it, and the two proceed to have round 2 of their hate-sex.

Courtesy/ABC

Elsewhere, Anna tells Jason about her shooting Charlotte and her concern about Valentin’s (James Patrick Stuart) involvement with Pikeman. Meanwhile, Valentin visits Jack Brennan (Charles Mesure) in Pentonville, where threats are laid out to make Sonny look like the guilty party in eliminating Jason, while Anna is the line of fire, if she doesn’t keep her nose out of Pikeman business, which worries Valentin, who doesn’t want Anna getting hurt in any of this.

So, what do you think about Ava’s plans? Did you like seeing Nikolas back on the canvas? Are you all for a Drew/Nina continued affair? Will Anna get caught in the crossfire only to be saved by Valentin? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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Breaking News

Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash

Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.

The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.

According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.

Courtesy/ABC

According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.

Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”

Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.

Photo: Pasadena PD

Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.

The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.

Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.

So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.

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