General Hospital
SOAPY/Knots Landing: Donna Mills Talks GH Emmy-Winning Role and its Challenges, Greg Rikaart on Joan Van Ark’s Run as Y&R’s Gloria
Two of the iconic stars of the beloved primetime soap opera Knots Landing tried their hand at acting on a daytime soap opera later in their careers. Of course, we are talking about Donna Mills and Joan Van Ark.
The women and longtime friends, played rivals Abby and Val on the CBS series that ran for 14 seasons. Recently, Donna, Joan and their co-star, Michele Lee (ex-Karen) launched their We’re Knot Done Yet podcast where they discuss their time on the iconic show and bring on memorable special guests from the series as well.
However, on Tuesday and on the season 3 premiere of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart (and in their new set), Donna Mills was the special guest. When talked turned to Donna’s run as Madeline Reeves on General Hospital (2014-2015 and brief appearance in 2018), which actually won her her first Emmy in 2015, she reconfirmed her previous statements on the challenges she faced working in the medium, which was the same thing Joan Van Ark experienced when she originated the role of Gloria Fisher, Kevin’s (Rikaart) mother on The Young and the Restless (June of 2004 till early 2005).

Photo: CBS
GENERAL HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE
On her time on General Hospital, Donna Mills explained why it didn’t work so well for her long-term, “I loved everybody there: Frank Valentini (EP), the producers, Ron Carlivati (former head writer) and all the other actors, Laura Wright (Carly) Michael Easton (ex-Silas), and Michelle Stafford (ex-Nina). I loved working with them. But it’s hard work. I don’t know how you guys do it. It really is. The soaps that I did years ago in New York, it was different. First of all, you only did one show a day. Second of all, you went in the the afternoon before and rehearsed, went into a rehearsal room with the director and other actors, and you actually rehearsed. And then, the next day you come in and do camera blocking and stuff like that. So it was an acting experience, but what I found in doing two, maybe sometimes three shows a day, there’s no time to rehearse. I didn’t find that satisfying.”
Mills said she would leave the set for the day, and it all went by so fast, sharing, “I would drive home and go, “What did I do today? I don’t even know!” Then, I end up winning an Emmy. I give actors on soaps so much credit. I mean, it is the hardest acting you can do. And people who do it, time after time, after time, it’s just ‘Wow.’ I have so much respect for it. I really, really do. It just wasn’t something that I felt good about.”
LOVING JOAN VAN ARK
Greg Rikaart recalled, “I remember when Joan Van Ark played my mother on The Young and the Restless, I also know that that was a concern of hers, that the pace was just frenetic.” In addition, Greg would talk about Joan’s pre-scene rituals. Donna Mills responded, “Joan is the sweetest, the nicest, the most loving person in the world.” Greg added, “I loved, loved, loved working with her.”
As Soapy came to a close, Donna revealed that she, Joan, and Michele will be taping some shows of their upcoming episodes of the We’re Knot Done Yet podcast from the original cul-de-sac (fictionally known as Seaview Circle) of ‘Knots’ which is located in Granada Hills, California, in the very near future.
You can watch the full episode of Soapy featuring Donna Mills below. Now let us know, did you love Donna as the evil Madeline Reeves on GH and Joan Van Ark as the original Gloria on Y&R? Let us know via the comment section.
Might we find out soon that Liesl was pregnant with twins? Madeline (Magda) told her one of the sons died in childbirth, but actually gave him away – thus the “Nathan” we currently see?
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Rocco is Coming Apart at the Seams
On the Tuesday, May 12 episode of General Hospital, Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) was at its epicenter and the secret which is destroying him. Previously, Rocco shot WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) in the back to stop him from killing Jason (Steve Burton) and to save Britt (Kelly Thiebaud).
However, the consequences of Rocco’s actions are weighing so heavy on him, that now he is starting to crack, and with good reason! While Rocco has been suffering in silence, he is wracked with guilt over Jason taking the fall for him, being carted away by the WSB, and worse yet, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) losing his father.
While Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) confronts “Nathan” (Ryan Paevey) about how he covered-up and “advised” Lulu (Alexa Havins) to stay quiet about the night on the pier which saw Rocco shoot Cullum, Dante can clearly see that the man in front of him seems off. His responses and demands and insights are not those of the good-natured “Nathan.” Will Dante be the one, or the last to know that “Nathan” is really Cassius Faison?

Courtesy/ABC
STAY AWAY FROM MY SON
In yet another confrontation, Lulu and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) go at it over Rocco. Lulu blames Britt for Rocco being on the pier at all that night, because Rocco cares about Britt, and she warned her not to get close to Rocco, but Britt did anyway.
Then, at the Quartermaine boathouse, Rocco was shocked to learn that Danny overheard Sonny saying that Jenz Sidwell was responsible for Jason getting taken away, and confided in Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) the intel several weeks ago. Rocco tried to cover his guilt as Danny and Charlotte explained they hadn’t confided in him because he has been so withdrawn lately.

Courtesy/ABC
ROCCO AND DANNY AT ODDS
Next, Danny asks Rocco to help him and Charlotte break into Wyndemere. Danny is determined to get info on Sidwell to try to find Jason. It’s at that point Rocco loses it. He shouts that Sidwell is a dangerous man and Danny needs to stay away from him.
In the most surprising turn of event, Rocco threatened both Charlotte and Danny that if they tried to sneak into Wyndemere he would turn them in.
Danny loses his cool and firmly tells Rocco, that unlike him, he didn’t have parents to clean up his problems for him and told Rocco to stay out of his way. As Rocco walked away, he asks Charlotte if she was coming with him. When she refuses, he tells the both to screw off.

Courtesy/ABC
THE ONLY PERSON I CAN TALK TO
Later, Britt returns to her room at Bobbie’s and finds Rocco waiting for her. He begins to share with her how freaked out he has been feeling over shooting Cullum. Britt hugs him and attempts to comfort Rocco letting him know he is a hero for saving her life and Jason’s. Britt tells Rocco she can talk to her anytime, as the two hug one more time. We fade to black.
Finn Carr delivered another excellent performance within his storyline. It’s clear GH made the right call by giving this young actor the ball with such a high stakes dramatic and emotional storyline to play.
So, do you think Danny will find out what Rocco did and come after him for letting his dad take the fall for shooting Cullum? Do you think Rocco will continue to turn to Britt, further upsetting Lulu? Will Dante get a clue about Cassius? Share your thoughts in the comment section. But first, in case you missed it, check out the emotional moments between Rocco and Britt on yesterday’s GH below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina is Frantic, Sonny is Mistrustful, Chase and Willow are Being Framed
The highly-anticipated Monday, May 11 episode of General Hospital picked right back up with the drama; which also sets the tone for today’s next installment of the ABC daytime drama series.
In another excellent performance by Daytime Emmy winner, Cynthia Watros, Nina is watching things unravel right before her eyes, and she is always playing defense to try to cover for the events that just transpired.
Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) ends up on the floor of Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) house unable to move after Nina injected him with the paralytic drug dose meant for Drew. Her intended target was Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), but during the Jack/Valentin Brawl, she struck the wrong guy! Valentin helps Nina turn Brennan on to his back and then makes his exit before anyone sees him as she calls the paramedics who rush Jack to GH.

Courtesy/ABC
MAN DOWN
In the meantime, Drew, who has overheard all the screaming in the other room, starts to have mobility in his hands and is trying to reach for the phone since his weekly dose went to Brennan instead of him. Now at the hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) has questions for Nina on how Jack ended up like this; which Nina claims one minute they were talking and all of sudden he dropped to the floor.
A panicked Nina calls Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), who went out for a run and ran into Chase (Josh Swickard). She tells her daughter using cryptic words that Jack got the dose of meds meant for Drew. Alarmed, Willow runs back to Drew’s, but not before having conversations with Chase about how she will help ensure he and Brook Lynn have the best chance at keeping baby Phoebe, after all, they had been through so much when she lost their baby.
SNAPS TELL ALL?
The moments of closeness between Willow and Chase are snapped by a photographer or someone hiding in the bushes as it seems like Michael’s plan to implicate Willow and Chase by making it look like their having an affair is underway. How far will this go?
Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) went at Lulu (Alexa Havins) for keeping him in the dark about Rocco (Finn Carr) being the person who shot Cullum and their elaborate cover-up. Things get worse when Lulu mentioned “Nathan” also knows and helped Rocco the night on the pier of the shooting. Dante is livid that as Rocco’s father, she felt he could not be trusted, and it was for him to figure out how he would navigate the information to protect their son; even if he is the police commissioner. Lulu also shared she did not want to tell him, because of what happened when Michael went to prison all those years ago.

Courtesy/ABC
BROTHER TO BROTHER
At Ava’s (Maura West) art gallery, Sonny (Maurice Benard) with gun in hand, rails at Ric (Rick Hearst) for lying and deceiving him. Ric confesses he was being dishonest, but not about anything to do with Sonny or the business. He shows Sonny the secret art transaction he was working with Ava. The reason is, he wanted to surprise Elizabeth with it as they have a special weekend planned. Ric explained that the sale had to be be done covertly because of a legal conflict involving the seller’s divorce. Eventually, Sonny lowers his gun. Cooler heads prevail and the two brothers hope there will come a time where Ric’s loyalty to Sonny will never be in question.
Carly (Laura Wright) learns what happened to Jack from Valentin, and feels badly for Jack. Valentin also tells her Jack does not know where Josslyn is and now that he is incapacitated that means that Cullum will take over the day to day of the WSB bureau in Port Charles and things are about to get worse.

Courtesy/ABC
In the final moments of the episode, Willow runs into Drew’s house and stops Drew from dialing the phone near his wheelchair. She scolds her husband and says, “Looks like no one can be trusted to keep an eye on you except me.” we fade to black.
So, what did you think of the performance of Cynthia Watros? How much longer can Nina and Willow get away with what they have done to Drew and now Brennan? Elizabeth already mentioned to Lucas, what are the odds that two men have the same medical issue at the same house. Are you glad Willow and Chase are being framed, or annoyed by it? Weigh-in via the comment section. In case you missed it, check out the scenes below with Sonny and Ric, and Ethan and Ava.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Previews His New Role as PCPD Officer Joe Fitzpatrick
Those expecting Jonathan Bennett’s new General Hospital character of Joe Fitzpatrick to be the latest doctor to arrive in Port Charles. Think again! When Joe arrives on the scene he will be an officer with the Port Charles Police Department (PCPD).
That might be good news for the police force, who has had a lot of trouble (pretty much always!) solving cases, and with Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) pretending to be cop, Nathan West, and Chase (Josh Swickard) working his back up the ranks, police commissioner, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) who could use a some helping hands, unless they are corrupt?
In the latest issue of TV Guide Magazine on newsstands now, Bennett shares a little more insight into what we can expect from Joe, when he first gets into the mix. You can circle next Monday, May 18 for the actor’s GH debut.
THE MYSTERY OF JOE
“Returning to daytime television was not on my bingo card for 2026.(However) I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play.”
As soap fans know, Jonathan started his career on All My Children as JR Chandler from 2001-2002. Since that time Bennett went to fame with the motion picture Mean Girls, playing Aaron Samuels then continued on a path acting and producing and hosting where he had become a mainstay on the Hallmark Channel and Food Network. Bennett’s Hallmark reality-competition series, Finding Mr. Christmas was just nominated for three Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Speaking on GH’s Joe and the PCPD, Bennett teased, “I’m feeling excited, and I’m also laughing because I can’t wait for the world to see what Joe Fitzpatrick is really all about.”
Could Joe Fitzpatrick be a closeted cop? An out cop? Neither? Will he be a good guy who might help crack the case of who shot Drew and help Willow get her comeuppance? Will he be investigating the shenanigans that might lead him into the path of Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis)? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
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