On the Tuesday, September 1 episode of General Hospital, the body shown floating in the Metro Court pool was identified as Jack Brennan, ending the run of daytime veteran, Chris McKenna, in the role of the WSB Port Charles bureau chief.

McKenna began his time on the ABC soap opera back in February 2025, after replacing Charles Mesure who decided to leave the show. As it turned out, McKenna actually wrapped almost three months ago in June and has been keeping mum, even though reports surfaced that he was exiting the show come fall and Brennan would be killed-off.

Now as a murder mystery begins, McKenna took to his X account on Tuesday, and shared these heartfelt words and clarification, starting with, “Hey, everyone. Just want to say how moved I’ve been by the support you’ve shown me and Jack. As you now know, I left the show months ago, wrapped in June. I’ll say more once my exit interview runs. Until then, from the bottom of my heart- Thank You.”

Courtesy/ABC

THERE MUST BE SOMETHING IN THE WATER

Then, in said “exit interview” with TV Insider, Chris confirmed,  I did my last episode in June, so I’ve had a few months to adjust.” He also added how bittersweet it was when he found out it was the end of the line for Jack.

“It’s disappointing how it’s ending right now, but this was a gift,” expressed McKenna. “Between my son being born and having this place to go to work for the past couple of years, this has been just a fantastic time, and it’s been so much fun. I got to be introduced to an entire new legion of soap fans who weren’t familiar with me, got back into the daytime world and did some powerful work I’m really proud of, so it’s been a great experience. I have no complaints.”

Previously, Chris played a young Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live where he got his first big break from 1990-1993. Decades later, he took on the role of Mark Harding on The Young and the Restless from 2014-2015.

Photo: CMcKennaIG

CHRIS MCKENNA AND PAIGE HERSCHELL LEARNED THE SAME DAY THEY WERE BEING WRITTEN OFF

While Chris did not get a major exit scene with lots of emotion or dialog, he still appreciated a departure by water! “I would have loved to have had a big, heroic martyrdom or a big grand speech. Unfortunately, I just played my dead body floating in a pool for two days,” joked Chris.

As it turned out, Chris wasn’t alone in finding out he was being pink-slipped from the soap. He learned the news the same day as Paige Herschell found out they were writing Jacinda out as well.

McKenna had one hope for the story in the months to come adding, “Though it’s not the end I woulda chosen for Jack, I hope this generates months of riveting television around ‘Who killed Brennan?’ And I hope that Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) killed him. It’s time she graduates to full-on murder.”

So, what do you think of the events that transpired of when and how Chris McKenna learned he was exiting General Hospital as Brennan? Who do you think murdered Jack?  Are you sad to know that today marked his final episode (unless there may be flashbacks?) of Chris’s GH run? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

The Kelly Clarkson Show aired its last episode on Monday, August 31 after seven seasons on the air, plenty of Daytime Emmys, and leaving a large hole in the talk show day-part.

Going out on plenty of high notes with an hour of a special edition of “Kelly Clarkson By Request,” the Grammy-winning vocalist performed songs of hers and others as selected by fans in the studio audience, as she reflected along the way in the most personable of ways.

Before she kicked off what would be the grand finale, Clarkson addressed the crowd stating, “It is a bittersweet day for all of us. After seven amazing seasons, it’s our final episode.”

Photo: NBCUniversal

AN HOUR OF MUSIC CLOSES OUT THE TALK SHOW

Clarkson explained the decision of a day of all-music to close out her run: “From the very first episode, music has been the cornerstone of this show. We’ve done over 1,000 Kellyokes, talked to hundreds of guests about songs that inspired their work, and then everyday people who’ve used the power of music to transform their lives and the lives of those in their communities. We even created a segment dedicated to honoring others’ work because I’m a super fan of other artists, ‘Songs & Stories,’ we’ve really enjoyed that, a lot of life heroes I was able to sing with on the show, a blessing. Music is simply the way we connect with everybody, so we hope you’ve enjoyed it.”

She added that, “This hour is dedicated to everyone who’s been so supportive for seven seasons.” Clarkson sang many songs from her iconic career including: “Since U Been Gone,” “Sober,” “Stronger,” “Piece by Piece,” and debuted a brand new single entitled “I’d Be Lyin.”

However, the topper was her rendition of the Oscar winning track “Golden” from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. For months, people have wanted to hear Clarkson sing the tune, because not many vocalists can hit the high notes so perfectly live, and Clarkson hit it out of the ballpark, as expected.

KELLY AND HER KIDS

Before the curtain came down on The Kelly Clarkson Show, her children, River and Remy, were in the audience and she introduced them and asked each what would they miss most about the talk show.

Kelly’s son Remy shared, “I liked talking to Jason Momoa and singing with the band,” while her daughter, River made her cry when she said,  “I liked watching you shine every single day.”

In the end, River and Remy joined their mother on stage, where Kelly said her farewell, leaving viewers with the following message after thanking everyone behind the scenes at the show.

WORDS OF WISDOM

“For seven years, I’ve ended each episode by saying, ‘Have a great day, and if it’s not, change it.’ I say that because while we have to accept that life is totally out of our control, each moment, though, truly depends on how we choose to respond or react to it,” she said. “You don’t have to attend the negative party you were invited to, I’ve been told by a therapist, so there you go,”

Kelly continued, “And if you remind yourself once a day that you have that choice, you know to respond how you really want to be and who you really are inside, I promise that habit is going to become a part of you, and your life will respond to you in return.”

Finally, she left us with, “I loved being in your homes each day. I’ve loved seeing my kiddos grow up on this show as well. I have immeasurable gratitude for everybody, the crew, the band, everybody here, the audience of years. Thank you so much. It’s been an incredible opportunity. Thank you for connecting with us one last time from this chapter.”

As the credits rolled, Clarkson add one last thought, “Before we turn the page, have a great day, and if it’s not, change it.”

Now below, take a look at Kelly’s last words on The Kelly Clarkson Show and her performance of “Golden.”

Let us know, will you miss The Kelly Clarkson Show on your daytime TV viewing? What did you think of the final episode? Share your thoughts as daytime loses one of its better talk shows in recent years from the TV landscape.

Monday’s, August 31 episode of General Hospital brought with it the the final appearance, for now, of the iconic Genie Francis as Mayor Laura Collins.

In story, it has been revealed that Laura is taking a leave of absence from her mayorship to go abroad and visit her husband, Kevin (Jon Lindstrom), and her grandson Ace in Ireland.

The timing of the story-dictated moved had to do with Genie’s annual summer hiatus from the long-running ABC soap opera. As per usual, GH fans can look forward to Laura’s return on-screen to come with an impact later this fall.

Courtesy/ABC

General Hospital fans have loved the legendary star since her debut back in 1977, when Francis was in her teens, and was later paired with the late Anthony Geary as soap opera super couple Luke and Laura.

Back in 2007, Genie won her first and only Daytime Emmy Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series category. She has been nominated four times as a solo performer in either the Lead (1997, 2021) or Supporting Actress categories (2007, 2012). In addition, in 2002, Genie along with Tony Geary were nominated for America’s Favorite Couple.

LEAVING PORT CHARLES

Before Laura left town, she had a meeting with her friend Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and his arch enemy, Drew Cain (Cameron Marthison) while at the Metro Court Hotel. It was there, Laura announced to the rivals that she was leaving town soon and wanted them to call a ceasefire while she was gone.

Laura asked Drew to first bow out of the Pier 55 auction so Sonny could regain his property. However, that didn’t go over so well with Drew, who said nothing Sonny does is ever legitimate. However, Sonny informed Drew that he was also a legit businessman (and seemingly out of the mob).

So, will you miss Genie during her summer break? What do you hope Laura’s story will be when she returns? Do you think the series will pair Laura with Ezra Boyle (Daniel Cosgrove) or keep the Laura and Kevin relationship going long distance, since Jon Lindstrom is primarily a cast member on CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates? Let us know via the comment section below.