General Hospital
Kelly Monaco Fans Mobilize Their Support; Demand ‘General Hospital’ Change Course for Plans to ‘Kill-Off’ Sam McCall
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.
2 WEEKS after Kelly Monaco was BLINDSIDED by her abrupt firing from #GH the fans #UnitedforKelly with over 12K signatures on a Petition and a PHOENIX on wheels in front of Prospect Studios!
Rehire Kelly Monaco on @GeneralHospital and save Sam McCall! 🔥 #IStandwithKelly… pic.twitter.com/Ri7kWQfEUl
— I STAND WITH KELLY (@IStandWithKelly) September 9, 2024
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
I agree and also she refused the payout so that hurt her to
Just so curious how on earth you, or anyone knows what Kelly was offered.
Well said. As an actor, I second that.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Here’s where we agree – Kristen Vaganos as Molly is the breakthrough character/performer of the year.
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
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.
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!
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.
Does Kelly want to stay with GH? Maybe she has other plans.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2023 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.
Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.
When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.
Photo: ABC
LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES
Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.
“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS
Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.
Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
The three-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”
So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route, Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Everyone Turns Their Backs on Sonny; Can Anyone Get Chase to Open His Eyes About Willow’s Treachery?
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the ABC soap opera picks right back up with everyone turning their backs on Sonny (Maurice Benard), and now the one person he hoped would be by his side appears to be abandoning ship when Justine (Nazneen Contractor) doesn’t believe him about ordering the beatdown of Sidwell (Carlo Rota) in the latest spoilers video.
Sonny screams at Justine, “Someone is setting me up.” She says, “It’s over!” He proclaims, “I didn’t do it!” Little do they know that it was actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) who set Sonny up to take the fall for the Pentonville drama that left Curtis (Donnell Turner) with injuries as well.
Then, Lulu (Alexa Havins) is seen using her voice memo app on her phone to record her discussion with Sidwell while he is recovering from his injuries at the hospital. This moment is intercut with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) saying, “I wish there was someone who could get Chase (Josh Swickard) to open his eyes about who Willow truly is!”
Next, Willow is seen happily waving while at a table at a Metro Court Gardens, while Chase, Michael (Rory Gibson), Brook Lynn and Ava (Maura West) all receive text messages. Tracy (Jane Elliot) punctuates the promo stating, “That’s the real Willow,” while the words “The world knows” comes across the screen.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week of October 5-9 below.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5
Sonny challenges Justine. Josslyn takes matters into her own hands. Britt and Willow discuss matters of the heart. Jason is taken to task. Serena finds herself in a bind.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Felicia has welcome news for Anna. Brook Lynn confides in Valentin. Hudson tries to talk Josslyn down. Lulu makes a daring play. Willow and Chase discuss his marriage.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
Carly asks Anna for a favor. Tracy bites her tongue with Gio. Drew and Alexis go at it. Scout tries to broker peace between Danny and Rocco. Lulu pursues a lead.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
Carly supports Sonny. Lulu’s latest article makes waves. Ava pitches a new target to Drew. Curtis gets a shock. Chase throws down the gauntlet.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
Britt offers a lifeline. Anna offers her expertise. Sonny reassures Gio. Portia makes her loyalties clear. Dante’s investigation hits a roadblock.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo for the action this week entitled, “The World Knows” below.
Now weigh-in: With everyone disbelieving Sonny, what will be his next move? Will he hit rock bottom, or rise up and fight back and prove his innocence? Will Sonny enlist Jason to get to the bottom of this, even though Jason is out of Sonny’s business? Meanwhile, can this truly be the week that Willow is exposed for her multitude of crimes … or is this all a red herring? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
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