General Hospital
Kristen Alderson and Michael Easton Discuss Coming to General Hospital – Watch the Video!
Courtesy/ABC
In a new video in the “Ask the Stars of ABC Daytime” series at ABC.com, Kristen Alderson and Michael Easton answer fans burning questions on their arrival in Port Charles as Starr Manning and John McBain.
Courtesy/ABC
Having been mainstays at One Life to Live for many years, the duo openly chat about their new on-screen connections to Port Charles, and the future status of the love lives of both Starr and John. For Starr, in particular, with Michael Corinthos, and for John, although he has Natalie and son, Liam back in Llanview, how will the show address or play into the past Easton had with Kelly Monaco (Sam) on the now defunct Port Charles spin-off?
Find out the answers to these and other questions, after watching the video after the jump! Then, let us know what you think of John’s entrance onto the Port Charles canvas? And, how you are liking Starr’s new story thus far?
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of our Lives’ as Rachel Black – Find Out How Long!
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News3 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
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Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
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Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
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OH MY GOD is he the best looking cop,Love that john mcbain is here to stay in port charles.and as far as a entrance goes ,no one does it better then michael easton,welcome to port charles .
Totally Agree barbara t !!!! I adore Michael Easton/John McBain, and I thought his entrance was very John McBain, which I enjoy. While Starr’s storyline is sad (of course), it is quite touching, and you already see two kindred spirits (Starr and Michael) forming a bond. I look forward to seeing that storyline explored, as well as all of the stories unfolding on GH. While this is not part of the story above, wait until Jason finds out about Robin, those will be scene-stealers for sure, and Patrick was heartwrenching today. I see great things for GH ahead!!!!!
I know ,did he make an entrance or what?I love this guy and looking forward to his new adventures in port charles ,this fan will never miss a heartbeat.jason is going to find out about robin and be hurt and pissed off that he was not told the truth,and when he finds out she went back into that lab to get that vial with the cure to save him and she was killed he will live with the guilt from that,good story telling ,Im loving general hospital now.give me a whole lot of john mcbain.
I like Michael Easton alt also!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He one of my favorite’s from OLTL…… Still have an old soap digest book from 2006 with his picture on the cover.. The story on the cover at that time was that he was leaving OLTL & he wanted to try new things.. So glad it didn’t turn out that way…I was broken-hearted when I read that article in 2006….He was suppose to be dead.. Burned to death… But the burn victim in the hosp. was John McBain, but no one knew that. Because his face was all bandaged up.. I had a gut feeling it was John…I recored those episodes & when the bandages came off…………….Natalie somehow knew it was John… And his hair was cut shorter…………I like a bit longer the way he wears it on GH now…. He is a sweetheart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy to see him on GH !!!!!!!!!!!
That thought it was Hugh in the hosp. bed with his face all bandaged up….But it was really John…………… Read all my comments on 3/15 at 6:40am.. And let me know what you think & if you remember all this….Anyone can reply… Want to get another opinion on this>>>>>>>>>>>
thats when michael easton was in the middle of a contract thing and the writers didnt know if he was going to continue with one life to live.I remember it well, the fans wanted him to stay and thank heavens he did.so thats why the bandages stayed on .another actor or person was laying in that bed ,that went On for weeks ,then when the contract problem was solved john was finally the patient behind the bandages and natalie figured out it was john.
They made those burned areas look so real. Think ME said it took hours to apply all of that burned skinned look.
I also love when they show him at the firing range. Looks like he really knows how to shoot a gun. Sure looks damn good shooting it. Looks precise and controlled.
I am so glad that Michael and Kristen are on GH, if they can’t be on OLTL . Now I hope they continue to be on and GH brings more people from OLTL on to GH , iI’m still hope they will bring backAMC and OLTL .
So am I BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OLTL has been gone for 2 months now. It’s nice a few characters have shown up in Port Charles, but I still miss everyone else in Llanview. Life isn’t the same without them. Why couldn’t Roxy have a beauty salon in Port Charles? I could go on about each and every character, but it’s too painful.
I know ,I feel the same way,I miss one life to live and will miss it for a very long time ,when its 2 oclock Im lost ,I think roxy could run the spencers diner have you noticed no one is there to play host?she would fit in perfectly,every boby goes there for a cup of coffee,I can see her now taking the pencil out from behind her ear asking what they want to eat and writing it down and having several remarks about nothing or everything, roxy is classic ,I miss her.she can run her beauty parlor on the side, remember she is multi talented and always has something to do or say ,she tried to save fraternity row,to bad she couldnt.
I agree 100% with comment 0n 3/14 at 2:16pm … I will always miss OLTL !!!!!
Painful it is. I miss this show every single day. Something huge was just snatched away from us. It just stopped. I have the cast poster I ordered from ABC (hated to give them a dime but had to have it) It is gorgeous, I cried when I got it. I have it framed on my bedroom wall & it breaks my heart every day, like looking at your whole family & they are dead. Sorry to be such a downer but I am having a rough day. And without our soaps to get us through it makes things even harder. March Madness overtook CBS today & tomorrow, so no shows there. GH is so sad right now, gotta catch up on Days I guess.
I have the cast picture of OLTL also anf framed it roo…………..I look at it and get angry & sad when I look at it……..I’m sorry put OLTL got a raw deal……..It really pisses me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But what are you gong to do THE BAST–DS tokk it away from millions of OLTL fans..At least I can see some of the actors from OLTL on GH.. Something is better than nothing!!!!!!! Even if it’s not quite the same… Michael Easton ie sexy,,,, Like his tatoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought about buying the cast poster, but I couldn’t stand paying ABC, and I was bothered by the absence of Robin Strasser and Trevor St John in the photo. I also knew I would find it a painful reminder of OLTL’s absence, but I can understand why you did order it. I miss the presence of the characters/actors; I miss their warm, beautiful smiling faces; I miss our Llanview family, and I always will. OLTL made the world a better place to me.
David –
I think your sentiments of “OLTL made the world a better place to me” is so true for myself and many of us.
Best,
Michael
YES, OLTL made the world a better place. I am not the same without this show. And, crazy as this sounds once when I couldn’t sleep I started counting (instead of sheep) the people who should have been included in the photo & came up with 16 additional actors who I wish were on it. It would have to have been huge-it is not that big but it is gorgeous. EVERYONE looks heartbreakingly handsome/beautiful. I would have moved 3 or 4 people to make it just perfect but I love it although it is an everyday reminder of a big loss in my life.
I love seeing these two on GH, however, I do not want to see a ‘takeover’ of OLTL cast to GH. GH is GH and always should be. I love how they have integrated the OLTL cast and can’t wait for more. I do like the chemistry of Michael/Starr and hope for both to find each other in more than in friendship. John and Sam?! Might be fun!
I also enjoy Michael Easton to have a smart cop in PC might be fun! Now can someone answer me this,it is about Sam did she not get a huge bump in a short time? Jason had brain surgery and not even a band aid? Too funny!
yeah,now the bad guys can really go to jail and stay there for a very long time ,poor matt always felt bad about him looking like a fool and sonny and jason getting the last laugh,thats right not one bandaid on jasons head,thats weird lol.and sam did get a bump over night,good thing babies dont grow that fast or we wont be in alot of trouble.
I miss my Roxy, Nat and Liam w/John. Give me’em and i’ll be a happy camper. I wanna hear Roxyisms and see John’s eyes roll. Also want to see “daddy John” and the love/passion in “Jolie’s” relationship and collaboration as detective and forensics tech.
I agree 100%. Please bring on Natty and Liam and Roxy. OMG how I miss my OLTL!!! I feel anyday with a OLTL actor on my screen again is a gift.
Thanks Terri:) I know, I’m hurt’n too. I feel your OLTL pain. Hopefully oneday….
Emily i do not beleive you will be seeing either one of them both actresses live in New York and the new guys have to be careful cause my understanding is they are on a tight budget.FY! my understanding is only Kristina Wagner and Robin Mattson of the oldies are coming back and KW is short term.
I read in ABC Soaps that Melissa Archer (Nat) was “open to it” a possible stint on GH and when they hired RH (not a orig contracted crossover) like KA and ME, I was real hopeful. I go back and forth wondering if they’ll add on any more OLTL ppl, but I can hope/dream…..
gh is doom its more of the shit
gh is doom it’s more of the same shit start by bob guza .I expect more from FV and RC.
I don’t understand what you meant by your comments…What does this doom stuff?????????? comments on 3/16 at 11:13am 0r 3/16 at 11: 09..
It’s more of the same we have seen for a decade the show is about sonny and jason
Robin funeral could have been so much better . I Hope FV and RC return the to
greatness.
Iv’e been a loyal ABC soap fan (all of them) since 1970 (my mother got me started). I am so disgusted with ABC-and my only reason to tune in to it is to watch GH.
I am a loving fan with the right to complain once in a while and the following comments are JMO- I am going to vent,but will offer some praises at the end.
Though I will continue to support GH, I must confess I do not like what my show has evolved into, and hope new regime = dream team. and turns GH it into a force to be reckoned with
First, I am sooo tired of the cartoon gangsters on the show( especially Sonny), and references to crime syndication and/or mob doings as ” the, or a, business”. Don’t TPTB care about the message younger viewers get from the show’s obsession with gangsters and glorifying what they do ande stand for? Why not call the show General Hospital( aka Murder Incorporated.)Why not highlight other professions ie Physician/Nurse, Teaching,or other wonderful professions to aspire to along with the focus of being an upstanding citizen.
Secondl I hope Epiphany is made to have a great epiphany and realize that Head Nurses wouldnt daret talk down to /order around the Chief of Staff’ or any other Doctors/or staff for that matter,the way she’s done since day one, without getting reprimanded or fired
. Third, I’ve always loved the characters of Anna, Robert and the whole Scorpio clan,but was totally incensed with Anna’s venomous,decimating, vebal attack on the suffering, grief stricken, Patrick.. I can understand her displaced anger and trying to assuage her guilt for being an unavailable, absentee Mother/grandmother, but the conversation (?) about Patrick’s infidelity should have waited for another time, if at all. Anna’s weak attempt at an amends to Patrick would have been greater had she expressed her love for him the way she told Luke about it. I am glad that Patrick’s unavailable, absentee Dad was present for him to give Anna a bit of flack.
Fourth, the character whose gotten on my final nerve is Carly. I can’t take her her audacious, rude, interfering, disrespecting shrewish out of control ways anymore. She is the pot calling the kettle black every time she refers to/calls everyfemale in her path a slut etc- and how lame do the writers think us viewers are to think that always ona the ball Sam,after Epiphany clues her in that Carly was still trying to get to Jason,,would stay away from her husband’s room long enough to allow Carly to achieve her mission,, .
Fifth and last complaint for now is that of Star’s over the top insistance that Sonny is responsible for the demise of her loved ones emphasized by unflattering facial expressions. Starr has always been a smart and fair person She has the best of both parents. I hope the writers maintain the character’s integrity.
On a different note, kudos to the incredible acting by all actors on the canvas the past several weeks.Im sad but happy seeing some of the flashbacks of Kimbery McCulloug’s journey on GH. I just loved the the repartee between John McB and Sam McC Morgan and thought it was a clever piece of writing for their first encounter;- I was a “Port Charles devotee- that being said, I want Sam to stay with Jason.