Connect with us

General Hospital

21

Kelly Monaco Fans Mobilize Their Support; Demand ‘General Hospital’ Change Course for Plans to ‘Kill-Off’ Sam McCall

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

on

Photo: IStandWithKellyIG

The soap world was shocked over two weeks ago when it was revealed that General Hospital pink-slipped veteran actress, Kelly Monaco, who for over 21 years has portrayed the character of Sam McCall.

In the original report from SON, the actress was noted as being “blindsided” by the dismissal and the fact that the plan is for GH to kill-off the character of Sam in a storyline-dictated move.

Immediately following the news, Kelly Monaco’s longtime and ever supportive fans launched a campaign to keep their favorite GH star on the canvas and in her job. So far, the petition signatures have reached over 12,800 as of Tuesday morning. And since the fans began to let their voices be heard, you can find Kelly Monaco or the #IStandWithKelly hashtag trending on X a some point of the day trending on X.

Photo: ABC

On Monday, September 9th, when General Hospital was back at work and after a short production hiatus, the I Stand With Kelly campaign took their efforts to to save their favorite actress to new levels. This time, they hired a phoenix truck complete with colored billboard, that was not only parked out front of ABC’s Prospect Park studios, but also driven around the famous studio property.

On the billboard and in full display for GH executives was the message “Rehire Kelly Monaco on General Hospital and save Sam McCall!” In addition, to call attention to how others can be active in their campaign to help overturn the ABC daytime drama series decision as they show you the social media icons for the I Stand With Kelly campaign, so you can follow and help continue to raise the voice of the fans.

Photo: IStandWithKellyX

If you would like to sign the petition to help reinstate Kelly Monaco to her role on GH click here.

Kelly began her journey as GH’s Sam McCall back in 2003, after completing her run as Livvie Locke on the GH spin-off Port Charles when the show was canceled and aired its final episode earlier that year.

So, what do you think of the fan campaign thus far to save Kelly Monaco? Do you have hopes that GH will reverse course and save Kelly and her character from being written-off the soap? Comment below.

Related Topics:
21 Comments

21 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

I have high hopes and truly believe that our campaign to get Kelly rehired is going to work!!! I love her and I would hate to not see her on GH anymore. She’s one of the best actress’ on the show. Sam McCall will always be my favorite character on the show!

Thank you so much for sharing our I Stand With Kelly campaign!

Reply

I love Kelly Monaco,she is a great actress.I’m hoping that Kelly will remain on GH continuing to bring Sam McCall to life.Kelly has been loyal to GH and it’s fans for 21years. She showed up and acted what was written for Sam. Despite the lack of storylines and screen time Kelly remained loyal.
We Love You Kelly!

Reply

When will you have an answer that your efforts worked to save Kelly/Sam?

If it doesn’t work. I wish Kelly the best. This could be a positive move for her. I think she will do well in film or primetime television.

Reply

Shame on the powers that be at GH for letting Kelly Monaco go. Give her a good storyline and she shines. There are lots of other characters that aren’t necessary and could actually be written off. Heather Weber (no reflection on the actress) for one.

Reply

When actors sign up for a gig, they know it could end at any moment. A commercial shoot might take a few days, a movie gig might last weeks, a theater role could go on for months. A TV series, if you’re lucky, might last 5-6 years. She has had a 20-year run, which is amazing. But it’s still an acting gig, subject to end at any time. That’s the nature of the business. Of course, I feel bad for Kelly, as I would for anyone losing their job. But entertainment is about the stories, not the actors. It should provide great story lines for many cast members as the effects of Sam’s death play across the canvas. No TV show should be forced to keep someone in the cast just because they’ve been there a long time, that’s not how it works. I’m looking forward to the repercussions of Sam’s death, and I wish Kelly Monaco all the best. Hope she finds a new role soon.

Reply

Bill Bell said it best you don’t let legacy characters go and this show is continuously bringing on irrelevant characters. Sam is a staple on the show and should stay.

Reply

But this show has a history of killing off legacy characters. They killed off, Alan Quartermaine (core character), Emily, and AJ and others before their time. It should come as no surprise they would kill off a legacy character. Besides, if they could bring back Jason, Nicholas and others who supposedly died, they could bring back Sam/Kelly.

Reply

I agree with you. Between real life deaths and retirement, GH has lost a lot of legacy characters and actors. They shouldn’t be killing off the legacy characters and giving the boot to the longtime actors who’ve played them. Soaps aren’t the same genre as prime time or a limited series. They’re about immersing the viewer in characters and families they come to know for decades. It’s ridiculous to kill off a character for one story. I still miss AJ. There are barely any Quartermaines from back in the day left. Now with Tracy, Lois, and Jason back, adding AJ to the family scenes, giving Michael his father back, would be keeping the family alive. Same with the Davis girls. There is no reason to kill off one of the sisters. Keep the legacy characters and families alive. Send them off canvas for a story if need be but leave the door open for a return…

Reply

I agree and also she refused the payout so that hurt her to

Reply

Just so curious how on earth you, or anyone knows what Kelly was offered.

Reply

Well said. As an actor, I second that.

Reply

I understand fans are upset. I also hate to see her go, but they should be careful their actions don’t have more of a negative impact instead of the outcome they seek.

A petition to keep Kelly on the show is good, and I hope it works. But is it true this group is also circulating petitions demanding the firing of other cast members, writers or producers? If so, then that’s borderline harassment. That sounds more like a hate group than a fan club trying to save their favorite character/actress.

At this point, TPTB might see this behavior negatively and stick with their decision to fire her.

Reply

You need money to keep Kelly? Thin the herd! Stella, the black guy who always wears a hat, cut them. They dont move any story forward. Trina, without Spencer, they have nothing for her to do.

Reply

So, why are you only pointing out Black cast members for cuts? Both Stella and Marshall are recurring and are only paid when they appear as opposed to Sam (a contract performer). And, neither are in heavy rotation. Marshall was recently shown at the baby’s funeral (first screen time since April).

Final note, both Vernee Watson and Robert Gossett have won multiple Emmys on GH.

Reply

What am I supposed to do, list a white, black and Hispanic character so you and all of Hollywood can drink your milk and eat your cookies! Kelly probably makes more than the three of them combined so yes, the dollars wouldnt fall from the sky to retain Kelly but you also need less people on the show. The three characters I listed are not used much right now. Offer them a chance to return if they are needed. The Lulu story and Jagger murder will take up lots of time from anyone not tied into those two stories. But anyway, since you are already mad with me, I would also love a TJ recast. The Nu-Molly acts circles around the dude who is currently portraying him. His reaction to his dead daughter was lacking effort. That was an important moment. Kristine and Molly kicked ass!

Reply

Here’s where we agree – Kristen Vaganos as Molly is the breakthrough character/performer of the year.

Reply

Everyone is going nuts doing all of these things to keep Kelly and that’s fine do as you think will maybe work but I will say this in order for her to come back she will have to take a huge pay cut like they said in the beginning she said no and also yeah in the past these petitions probably worked but Everyone is going up against Disney where the real actors do acting like Jhonny Depp who had a bigger come out on his petition and they refused it I understand Everyone is upset with there decision but also remember in order for her to go back she is going to have to compromise with them on her contract it is if she is willing to do that

Reply

Alot of people are failing to understand that sometimes shocking events on soaps will actually drive story. Before social media, stories did this and while we may have been upset seeing a favorite character meeting their demise, we still tuned in because we had to see the outcome of the storyline. I am sure we will see Kelly somewhere else sooner rather than later.

Reply

Shame on GH and Frank and the writers. Kelly Monaco is a 20 plus year veteran who has been on the show before horrible Frank took over and messed everything up. He only lets his favorites and his pets be on the show and get the storylines. When the writers actually write good material Kelly Monaco soars high but Frank won’t allow it instead he fires all the good writers like Patrick because they don’t fit his twisted agenda. It’s Frank and the writers who should be fired not our beloved actress Kelly Monaco who plays an excellent Sam! There are unwanted and unnecessary characters that could leave but not Kelly! I stand with Kelly! Most of us fans could do a way better job than these writers too!

Reply

The person that should be fired is whomever leaked this story to begin with! Had Sam been offed without anyone knowing beforehand, it would have been a great story! With much less embarrassing publicity. Now the clamor has gotten so far out of hand that any impact this story would have had will be anti-climactic, and a true disservice to the character.

Reply

Does Kelly want to stay with GH? Maybe she has other plans.

Reply

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

Published

23 hours ago

on

June 22, 2026

By

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

Published

2 days ago

on

June 21, 2026

By

With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maurice Benard (@mauricebenard)

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

Published

3 days ago

on

June 20, 2026

By

In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Genie

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

21
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x