Breaking News
Kelly Monaco Tapes Final Episode and Wraps Her Run as General Hospital’s Sam McCall
Friday, September 27th marked the last tape day for GH veteran, Kelly Monaco in the role of Sam McCall, a part she has played for 21 years on the ABC daytime drama series.
The word of Monaco’s final day on set, came from her mother, Carmina Monaco, who shared an emotional and heartfelt post about her daughter’s exit. Kelly started on GH back on October 1, 2003.
Carmina began her post on X, “I want to take this moment to reach out to Kelly’s incredible fans and express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering love, loyalty, and support you’ve shown her throughout her time on General Hospital. On this final day, just four days shy of the anniversary of her first episode on October 1, 2003, Kelly will close the door of her dressing room for the last time.”
Photo: ABC
Kelly mom’s went on to say, “This moment is a difficult one, but knowing that she has had such an incredible, devoted fan base has given her strength. You’ve stood by her through every twist and turn, celebrating her achievements and providing comfort in the hard times. Your love and dedication have meant more than words can express, not only to Kelly but to all of us who care so deeply for her. Thank you for being there, for believing in her, and for reminding her of the impact she’s made. We will always be grateful for you standing with her through it all.”
Photo: ABC
The news of Kelly’s impending departure, did not go quietly with GH fans, in fact they launched an incredible campaign, #IStandWithKelly, to save Monaco from being written-off the show, in what has been shared as a storyline-dictated move, since sources also revealed the character of Sam was going to be killed-off.
The fan campaign as of tonight (on September 27th_ had over 16,000 signatures on petition, plus the group took out a billboard in Times Square and a truck with a billboard to drive around ABC Prospect Studios to call attention to the dismissal of their favorite actress and hopes she would be reinstated to the show.
While GH has never given any official statement on Kelly’s exit, nor has Monaco herself spoken on her social media about the departure as of yet, soap fans are gearing up for the end of the run for this major star.
So, sad to hear that today marked Kelly Monaco’s final tape date at GH? Comment below.
I want to take this moment to reach out to Kelly’s incredible fans and express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering love, loyalty, and support you’ve shown her throughout her time on General Hospital. On this final day, just four days shy of the anniversary of her first…
— Carmina Monaco (@kellysmom1) September 27, 2024
I’m really disappointed in GH decision, this is such a great mistake, the only thing I can hope is that we don’t see the character die on screen so that she can show up later being much alive once GH keeps getting bonbarded for making such a bad decision.
Yes I hope so
The day Kelly Monaco leaves GH is the day several people I know stop watching permanently. They do not care about the return of Lucky or Holly.
I will be one of those people who stops watching GH permanently. Kelly was my girl. All you GH fans who dedicate your time watching your favorite on the show remember they didn’t care about Kelly or her fans and they not only fired her they killed her character. Your fav could be next. No one is safe as long as FV, and all the other goons are gone for good!!
I don’t think that’s actually her mom, I think that’s an account that’s been trolling the fans for a while. Why would you call yourself Kelly’s Mom when you’ve got 6 other kids? And isn’t KM almost 50? Either way, I wish her well and can’t wait to see how this plays out!
It’s her mom. And why would she call herself Kelly’s mom? Because her other kids aren’t actors with followers on social media. She addresses comments that concern Kelly on GH, Kelly and Billy, Kelly’s reaction to Billy’s passing, etc.
Yes, I know what the account does…and it’s a little odd when KM is almost 50 and can speak for herself or through professional representation. Just saying, if I was publicly fired, I wouldn’t want my mom guilt-tripping people online over it! That might resonate with the fans, but I don’t see it going over well anywhere else lol.
Sad that abc Disney allows those in charge to repeatedly do this… Finn was written into a dull corner, then written out, same w roger howarth…so when they stopped using kelly we all knew the writing was on the wall… sadly the 5-6 sets of writers in the last year or two are not always up on show history or fan favorites… and ewww w Drew the stalker…
I blame Disney too…they are squeezing ABC. Leave the soaps alone!
I miss RoHo as Franco and will miss KM’s Sam, but I don’t miss Finn. They wrote some many characters for him and none really worked on the show, IMO. I like that they’re bringing back some legacy characters and rebuilding the Laura’s family. I wish they’d also bring back Nicholas, Cameron and Jake.
I’m sorry that Kelly/Sam will no longer be on GH. I know Sam will be killed off, but this show has repeatedly brough back multiple characters from beyond the grave in the past, whose to say it won’t happen with Sam.
I wish Kelly all the best in her future endeavors. I hope Kelly gets the attention of Ryan Murphy or Tayler Sheridan, so she will find much success in primetime or films.
I for one will continue watching GH because the show is bigger than one character. I will continue to support the ensamble cast and crew because they deserve the fans loyalty for all the work they put in to the show.
Pretty sure the photo is from the last good detective-oriented storyline Sam had with Cody saving Sasha last year. I hope that GH does Sam’s character right and at least give her final scenes with each cast member on screen for one last time. That will make the death much more meaningful.
She hasn’t been interacting with many of them for months now – it will make those last scenes so much more powerful.
Also, not sure that in real life her Liver would automatically go to Lulu if she was a match. Lulu is not on the list. But if Sam is brain-dead – then a good story about her being able to donate her organs would be nice.
I have always admired the character of Sam. She was such a strong, independent woman! But, in the last several years, the writers have portrayed her as a simpering, whiny, insecure woman…….huge waste of a huge talent!
I couldn,t have said it better myself
I just don’t understand the writers and producers firing and killing off Sam’s character.This is a mistake I hope when the ratings drop( which they will)they will reverse!I just don’t get it
Why do people say such silly things the ratings will not drop because of one character never has never will. They haven’t used Sam in a storyline for I don’t know how long which probably why they feel she is expendable like they did when Lulu was put in a coma, or when they killed Alan, Emily or A.J off one character won’t effect the ratings one way or another
Their decision to kill Alan and AJ Quartermaine off was horrible! Two legacy characters from a legacy family; they decimated that family. What a stupid, stupid, decision. Stuart Damon was blindsided and devastated from what I read. I don’t blame him….
Thank you Hallie for being reasonable. I’ve been watching GH since the mid 80s when Luke and Laura made this show popular. I have seen many of my favorite characters killed off (Alan, Emily, Jake, Jason, Robin, Franco) and others come and go over the years, but I never stopped watching the show. I’m sad to see Sam go, but I will keep watching for as long as the show is on the air.
Writers don’t make the decisions on who comes and goes.
Whatever is going on, I wish nothing but the best for Kelly and I’m keeping her in my thoughts.
i will never understand why they are doing this to kelly sometimes it dosent pay to be loyal to a tv show it so incredible to beleave they can do this to kelly i will never understand why they dident reunite her with steve when he came back to general hospital they were and will alway be a magical couple.
Well it does seem there was some issues between her and Steve which could be why they didn’t reunite them but since they broke them up Kelly got less airtime and very little story. This isn’t something new for any show characters come and go some get to stay long term some don’t they have killed off many characters that were on for years look at Alan Q. There is no guarantee for any actor on any show this isn’t the first time won’t be the last but there does seem to be some backstage issue at play here
Some fans claim she wasn’t happy when SB returned as Jason in 2017 as his return pushed then Billy Miller out of the role of Jason. But I actually liked BM more as Drew Cain as opposed to Jason. I understand she and BM were close friends and she was loyal to him, but the character of Sam only became popular because of her connection to Burton’s Jason. If KM decided she no longer wanted to work with Burton, then maybe she put herself in this situation. I was surprised to see so many JaSam fans hating on her when Jason returned and she didn’t want Danny around his father. So that could have all factored into this decision.
No one missed LuLu . Everyone will miss Sam !!! Big mistake GH !!!
Don’t make this about “Sam vs Lulu”. Lulu’s comeback was long overdue. The Spencer family has been part of GH’s core since 1978.
Bottom line is if cast cuts were inevitable, they should have drawn a hard line in the brimstone and started (and ended) with characters created after February 2012.
Please don’t generalize not “everyone” will miss Sam. Most long term characters need breaks. Lulu had a good long rest and many (not saying most or everyone) of us are looking forward to the recast.
She will land on her feet more drama back stage then on the show
Soap stars have “ died” on screen and miraculously come back to life at a future date. We have hope for Kelly.
I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion… She was employed for 21 years (or 24 if you include PC). She was let go. If it was for an illegal reason, she and her lawyers will deal with that. But as for the show, Sam has been on the backburner for so long. What has she been doing other than complaining about Jason? And those fans who say “what about her kids?” What a crazy comment. First, it’s a TV show. Second, even if it were real life, parents die. Third, the Quartermaine ophanage has room for them. KM hopefully was wise with her pay over the past 24 years. I’m sure she’ll be fine. Me, I’m looking forward to the story and hope they do a good job with it. I just don’t want Alexis to turn to alcohol. That’s lazy writing.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday afternoon, Extra kicked-off the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations with the reveal of two major categories. First, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and second, Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host.
Previous Emmy winners all, the men who will be vying for daytime’s most coveted prize are: Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), General Hospital, Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful, Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Christian Jules Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless.
Let’s take a look at the actors Emmy resumes: Eric Braeden has been nominated nine times for Lead Actor and won once in 1998. Steve Burton is a two-time Daytime Emmy winner, both in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category for GH as Jason Morgan and Y&R as Dylan McAvoy. Today’s nomination makes it his 10th overall, and his third time in the the Lead Actor category.
Photo: NATAS
Scott Clifton has won three times previously in 2011, 2013 and 2017 and has the distinction of being the only actor to win in Younger Actor, Supporting and Lead. This is his 8th nomination.
Thorsten Kaye is a two-time Lead Actor winner in 2023 and 2024. Christian LeBlanc has also won three times as Lead Actor in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and this is his first nod in over a decade.
Photo: NBCUniversal
TALK SHOW HOSTS
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, the nominees are: Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro, The View, Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall, Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and Sherri Shepherd, Sherri.
Both The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri have come to their conclusions as Sherri was canceled after 4 seasons and Kelly Clarkson decided to end her talk show after 7 seasons.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are set to be handed out in a ceremony on October 30 in Hollywood with more details forthcoming. The complete list of 2026 Daytime Emmy nominations will be revealed tomorrow on July 14 beginning at 12pm ET/9am PT via The Emmys.TV social channels and website.
So, what do you think of the race for Lead Actor in a Drama Series? Surprised by any of the nominees? Who are you rooting for? What do you think about the the talk show host category? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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