News
Marla Adams Returns To Y&R As Abbott Mom, Dina Mergeron!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Y&R head writer Sally Sussman continues to mine from the history of the iconic CBS daytime drama series.
News today out of Soap Opera Digest has none other than Marla Adams returning as the Abbott Matriarch, Dina Mergeron.
Adams last appeared on The Young and the Restless back in 2008, where she played Dina for many years, who is mother to Jack (Peter Bergman), Traci (Beth Maitland), and Ashley (Eileen Davidson).
Marla’s return visit will begin on the May 3rd episode, just in time for May Sweeps. Could Dina’s re-emergence on the canvas finally reveal to all that the late John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) is not Ashley’s bio-dad? Let’s hope so! It’s time to let everyone in GC know!
So, what do you think of Dina Mergeron returning to the canvas? Will she drop a bombshell? Comment below!
Love that Marla is returning…Thank you Sally and Kay for bringing back Y&R to the way it should be…
I remember Marla from years ago on The Secret Storm as Belle. She was great on there, and still is.
Wonderful news, I love Marla Adams as Dina Mergeron Abbott. Sign Marla to a contract, she can have scenes with Gloria and Jill.
I am just glad to see “Dina”….. love her. It matters not to me whether she fires a bombshell or not. Will it really matter?
What I anticipate are the cat fights—-imagine, the female Triumvirate: Dina, Gloria and Jill. At each other’s throats??
On another note…I have a sneaking suspicion Cane will cheat on Lily with ‘that’ woman.
Also, it is kind of odd how the Japanese tycoon had not a hint of a Japanese accent. He spoke perfect English with an American accent; American idioms, American expressions which only a native would/could use….as in any other language. Just sayin’.
I ff through a lot of those scenes (Cane’s business meeting). Major boring. And then Cane was so stupid at the end to hug the guy. Who hugs people you have business meetings with? It’s not done in America either.
I can’t stand Cane. They should have kept Scott Elrod ( Joe) for Lily and gotten rid of Cane. He acts like a brat…me, me, me…
IT IS TIME TO FAST FORWARD….
PS.
How about Lily and Scott?
Better yet, Sharon and Scott. They met today, but, weirdly enough, he doesn’t seem to remember her? Did I understand that correctly?
Maybe his family lived here when he was a kid before returning to Japan or even an exchange student who picked up some American expressions…i was friends with an exchange student Inger and she did start talking Americanish and she didnt even have much of an accent from Sweden where she was from…maybe he watched a lot of American soaps like Dallas and Dynasty and picked things up from those shows.-lol..its possible!!!!
Yes, Jimmy, maybe. But, someone who has spent some time in America, his views would be a bit mollified.He was so stiff. And, accents do not disappear so easily. My Gran has been here since she was a kid. Her Scottish brogue is unmistakable.
Again, we must adhere to “it’s a soap” credo, which many of us do not so readily accept.
LOL, is right, Jimmy.
I thought the same thing, Celia…about Sharon and Scott.
Seemed there was a tiny spark there. Scott didnt remember
her, but then she told him it had been so long ago.
It has been so recent that Dylan left, so don’t think Sharon
would jump into anything yet, but who knows, lol. And just
when she told Faith she is happy and complete on her own!
Maybe a new friendship with him would suffice, and that would
be nice too. Sharon has new wings to fly lately, and loving
the way she is being written…independent, secure,
etc. etc. Go Sharon!
Yes, it looks like Cane will cheat. “Cane’s drunken mistake” is says on cover of
new SOD. I was hoping they wouldn’t go there.
I do believe ‘they’ want to break Lily and Cane up. It was coming. Perhaps, that’s why Scotty was brought back.
Just once, when couples on soaps do break up, I wish they were given a grace period and let they lay ‘fallow’ for a while.
Same old, same old, Mo; right? Cane imbibes too much liquor…oh, he “loses” his head and voila’!
Sadly my darling, it looks like Scott will be hinged to that awful Phyllis! EWWWWW!
EWWWWW…. agreed. We are helpless to say or do anything, my Timmmy. The problem for me (just my opinion) is that Gina’s role as Phyllis is very lackadasical….no effort. Plus, she comes on strongly as “I’m all that”. I loved her on OLTL….as Phyllis? She lacks the dose of oomph I received on a daily basis with Stafford.
can see Scott with both Sharon and Lily
And, the Hilary vs. Mariah thing needs to come to a peak……
I have said from the onset that once there was a trace of an “uprising” between Hilary and Devon ( way before the car accident), TPTB gave me a slight hint that something was ‘stirring’ between him and Mariah.
So, my point? I would have suggested Mariah for Scott, but, unless I am way off, these two won’t ‘unite’ because of a possible romance between Mariah and Devon.
I just want to see Hilary eat dirt, albeit her acting is beyond great….we need this bad girl.
Typo: lackadaisical.
PS, Timmmy,
I forgot to ask what makes you think that Phyllis and Scott will hook up?
But, now that you put the idea in my head, it could make sense. They will probably thrown together because Lauren and Phyllis work together, thus amidst her company.
And, yes….From one woman’s point of view, I think Daniel Hall is hot, hot, hot !!!!
Yup! Victor knows everything.
I wonder if he knows that Hilary is most likely pregnant?
What would have been the point of that “quickie” with Devon, unless a pregnancy was in the works? Sad!! I hope I’m wrong.
Hi Cee, I read a good rumor that Lauren will try and help Scott re acclimate himself to Genoa City and part of that is fixing him up with RED. Also he may write Victor’s book ergo paying the Mustache back his ten million dollars!
I don’t think I can suffer through another one of Phyllis’ love affairs…so tiresome, Timmmbo.
Plus, Scott strikes me as a down-to-earth, cool guy. Phyllis’ prima donna act is so unoriginal and passe’…..too much for him to handle.
But, if Scott was able to handle pandemonium and that middle eastern sand, LOL, he can handle her?? Ughh!! Not looking forward to it.
I just don’t see the sex-kitten appeal. But, I’m not a man, soooo…….
Wait, wait, wait….concerning Mariah; now that Chloe is leaving for places unknown, there’s a chance she and Kevin will revamp their relationship. That is, if she cares about him.
Maybe Scott and Mariah would be a match?
I did mention thst same idea, Timmmy. But, I get the feeling that TPTB are leaving the door ajar for Mariah and Devon. Will they open it all the way? Pardon the pun. LOL.
What I do think? Lily and the photographer. I know ‘they’ want us to think Hilary and he are hooking up, but I have reservations.
I would love for Mariah to be with Scott. She is so cool and I love her sarcasm and dry humor.
We shall see. Perhaps, Hilary and Devon will reunite after a separation?
I thought that divorce took a while, but golly gee, Michael is already on the fast lane?
Cee, I always pick on your buddy Nathan but Cain, my gosh, this guy has NO chemistry with anyone! What a dead piece of wood!
I know…there’s nothing magnetic or inspiring about this character. Did you see the sexy camisole Cane pulled out of his carry-on?
I think he did something ‘ touchy-feely ‘ with the girl in Tokyo( in a drunken stupor) without being conscious of it….( isn’t that always the excuse?) …..OR, she wants him to think that? Another ‘traumatic’ storyline happening? I, surely, hope not.
As far as comparing him to Nathan? Well, I say….at least Nathan is SOME awesome specimen to adore, worship and admire. Alas, I’m married!! Kidding!! LOL.
Kevin and Mariah had heat BUT he screwed her over for Natalie and then he went back to Chloe. Let Mariah and Scott have a chance. F Kevin! No Devon and Mariah please! Devon is the Michael Corinthi of Y&R!
Yeah, Timmmy. I think you know how I feel about Devon ( divan)– Hilary just sat on him for the longest time….finally he stood up to her.
Mariah deserves a guy who wants her as she is…and loves her for her heart.
But, why are they being thrown together…I doubt it’s just because they work together.
Looks like they are copying GH with Cane and Sonny “Cheating” on their wives?
I never heard of Marla Adams .. So, no excitement for me over her return..
I do like new characters, so I’m looking forward to the something new..
By NO MEANS is she NEW. I remember that entire storyline when she first appeared.
She will be a “new” character to me, also.
SuzieQ, Marla is not new. She was the matriarch of the Abbott ‘conglomerate’ LOL……she still is, I suppose.
She’s not a new character – please brush up on your history…
Marla is not new and a bit of a soap legend was a huge star on Secret Storm as Belle Clemens. She is wonderful as Dina.
Yes,Mark…Madame BelleClemensKincaid……..❤#@secretstorm!!!
To all my lovelies, above..
Marla Adams is brand spankin New, to me.. 🙂
Wow cant belive it
This is fantastic news. I hope Dina stays in town a while. It has puzzled me why the last two writing regimes didn’t ever use Dina. The Abbotts are all about family. Dina would never be “Mother of the Year” but it still was striking that the woman NEVER appeared. She was AWOL from granddaughter Colleen’s funeral and, more recently, when Jack struggled with a drug problem. (The answer is pretty obvious: “Yes, it makes no sense that Dina never shows up but these writers don’t have a CLUE about the Abbotts”).
I wish the current/old writers would pick up the pace a little (but not too much!) but, other than that, I’m really enjoying how they refocused on the veteran characters and using their history.
Sally is a very boring story teller with a very slow pace…all she does is break out flashbacks and do some casting to win over history buffs…but the actual episodes since she took over is like watching paint dry and grass grow.
YR is a major snoozefest in 2017…never been so bored and disinterested.
No entertaining stories on the current canvas…weak drama and filler material and no real action.
Wow! Are we watching the same show? I think Y&R finally has the pace and storytelling that Bill Bell always had. Finally a return to brilliant daytime drama!!!!
Newmanwins, I understand what you saying but it takes time to get everything worked out from the mess the show has been it…Sally will pick things up… I do have to say I wish we had a mystery or some shocker of a story but again, Sally and Kay will make things happen.
totally agree ! you can’t write in 2017 a soap like you wrote it in the 50’s . the talking heads soapie over a cup of coffee is just not what viewers want . I have said it before maria arena bell was the best thing that happened to this soap : ashley’s gaslighting by adam , skye and the volcano , sharon on the run , ricky williams , the diane jenkins murder and not to forget the clever and amazing casting of debbi morgan as harmony and genie francis as genevieve . i very much miss the maria bell style of writing and many viewers do , some don’t that’s fair to say . in 2017 and onwards two soap writers will keep the soaps on the air and these writers are ron carlivati and maria bell . Days has thank god hired Ron , hope that Young is clever enough to bring back Maria Bell .
Agreed, Nicholas ( and, it’s not just because you and my seven-year-old share the same name…LOL).
That seemed like the best writer to appease all Y&R fans. I enjoyed that period.
Says you. This is your opinion, Newman and one with which many of us disagree.
I think Y&R has been delivering riveting and character driven stories which are rich with history.
Totally agree Rhonda…The one’s that really know Y&R are once again loving Y&R…
Love my Y&R!!!!!!
Lately, yes, Rhonda. My interest is peaked….glad to see the return of my beloved Y&R. But, Nicholas hit the nail on the head, regardless.
I don’t think you can lose when you honor history. I’m enjoying the conversations between characters of all generations.
Newmanwins
I completely agree!
Who is Ashley’s dad and why has this been a secret all these years? Why reveal it now? Will Jack use it against her?
Her father is Brent Davis whom she still hasn’t met and maybe this time around she will.
No secret she just never met him
I doubt that Ashley will meet Brent Davis. He died in the plot where Ashley learned her lineage.
Thanks, dav. I have been watching for fifteen years and I never knew who Ashley’s bio dad was.
I wonder if he is really dead? He may show up in GC ; coincidentally with Dina.
Jack knows. Victor does too. Dina had an affair with someone and that is who fathered Ashley. John Abbot knew too I believe, but didn’t care. Billy does not know. Billy and Ashley are not biologically related.
I am not aware of anyone else, other than Jack, knowing the identity of Ashley’s bio dad. I think John, himself, thought he was her father.
Besides Jack ( and Ashley herself?), I believe Dina is the only one who knows.
Victor knows EVERYTHING!
Probably B&Bs Eric Forrester is her dad…
Pretty sure John knew & I seem to remember him & Ashley having some very touching moments about it. Jack & Dina know but that’s it. I think!
No John never knew Victor knows I will be honest can’t remember if Jill ever found out all this played out in the 80’s yes Jack used this against Ashley she flipped out lost her memory etc etc etc
K/kay if memory serves John knew. Jack knows. I’m almost sure it was Ashley’s choice to never meet her real father because John was it for her.
Jack is the only sibling that knows her true paternity. John didn’t even know the truth. Although they don’t always agree, I doubt that Jackie would do anything of a personal nature to hurt his sister.
I hope not.
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!
No, I for one hope that that particular secret stay a secret. Those already knowing about it is enough. Ashley is an Abbott through and through.
The secret will come out, Ashley is not a Abbott, bring out the drama and skeletons out. Ashley needs a storyline, and now that Dina is coming back let the games begin.
Ashley was raised an Abbott so she is one.
Exactly, Joshua. What difference would the revelation make, at this point? Is there something to this secret so astronomically dramatic that it will change the cosmos? Matter of life and death? Let it go, I say!!
Could it be possible that Jack would use Ashley’s non-Abbott paternity to prevent her from running Jabot?
@JJ.
That’s a thought, JJ. Would Jack be so despicable to turn on his sister like that.
Well, after his heartbreak ( Phyllis), Jack did seem to revert to his dastardly ways of old.
There must be something in the works for Dina to return.
I agree, do NOT change history like they seem to enjoy over at GH!
I agree with Joshua. I’m all for a good plot. However, it is kind of nice that this secret has stayed just that…. a secret. It is nice that the writers never took the easy road with this story: a plot where John learned the truth. Ashley always viewed John as her father, NOT biological dad, tennis pro Brent Davis.
It is funny that the most recent writers introduced (unknown) biological, adult offspring who were raised by other folks and, after the big reveal, these offspring started treating the biological parents just like family with hardly any mention of the folks who raised. (I’m specifically thinking about Tucker McCall, Dylan who never mentioned his dead “father” after learning about Paul and Nikki. In a related way, Adam belongs in this category —- He never discusses Hope or Cliff, the folks who raised him and really were his parent, while he is always in conflict with Victor).
The character of Ashley has always been a good one because the writers never took the “cheap”/”easy” way to a plot by churning up the Brent Davis business. It is a nice “twist” on an Abbott that she is not biologically one while, in reality, she was the favorite child of John Abbott and the one who seems to value his legacy the most.
I’m glad Dina’s coming back. However, let’s hope it is to stir things up with the family (It would be interesting if Jack and Ashley had divided feelings about her — Jack willing to welcome her back into the fold and Ashley refusing to overlook her abandonment of them for so long) and scrapped with John’s other wives, Gloria and Jill. Also, Billy Abbott not being related to her could be another source of issues for Dina — treating him as inferior and not a true “Abbott” as she isn’t his mom.
Sally Sussman gets it, GH does not, you have to respect the history of the show and give mega fans what THEY want!
Just saw today’s episode Scotty met Sharon let’s go there ok man I am up for a scandalous affair I really am and Case can sell it Queen Sharon back breaking hearts!
I wish they would undue the Lauren/ Jill being sisters. It kills a lot of possible stories and ruined some stories. Lauren being jealous of Jill was good story. Catherine and Jill were so entertaining to watch. Lauren knowing Catherine had more with Jill was interesting. TPTB sometimes make crazy decisions.
Even if Ashley is not Jack’s sister, I never want them together. It has the yuck factor. It is a fact that Jack/Ashley match each other in acting skills. I mean the actors of course. They need a strong, experienced age appropriate actor brought on and teamed with Ashley character/actor.
Ashley and Jack have the same mother so they are half-siblings.
they would still have the same mother and be half siblings; there won’t be a romance plot for Jack and Ashley.
Irene, Ashely and Jack are siblings. They have the same mother: Dina.
I do not think anyone suggested anything romantic between the two. That’s called incest, as you say, it has ‘the yuck factor’.
I agree, both great actors but the Jill/Lauren story ALWAYS sucked and never made sense! Just like Cane, he is a mutt with no rightful place but all he does is whine!
Yes, undo Lauren and Jill as sisters…If I remember correctly Sally Sussman said it didn’t make sense and hopefully she will correct this situation. So much damaged has been done to the show since 2006…
This is the best news!!! I cannot wait to see her back in Genoa City, hopefully she will stick around for awhile!!
U-h, N-O!!!!! N-e-x-t……….
Hi, Jay!!!!! Welcome back. Missed you….
Thanks, Celia!!!!! It feels GREAT to be back!!!!!
Later, my friend.
@Nanci.
Hi, Nanci,
In the years I have been watching regularly and understand the plots ( I remember watching as a little girl with my Gran, but, storylines didn’t connect, LOL), Dina made an appearance now and then. From what I gleaned of her persona, she wasn’t ( isn’t) bad, per se, at least, not in the evil sense.
She was just fast, loose and furious, LOL…..much like most of her contemporaries.
I, actually, liked her style and personality. I hope she stays long enough for you to form your own opinion. I think you’ll like her.
I really hope this means big story for Ash… Love to see Ash tormented by her mom and ashs real paternity. Be nice to see flashbacks and hope ash leans on victor who also knows her secret. Vic and ash may have been at odds lately but they ve always leaned on eachother in the past and do share a fondness
They are wasting Eileen’s mega talent with that computer geek! Let Phyllis have the Geek Squad and leave town forever!
Always liked Dina classy lady.
But why let the cat out of the bag after all these years.
I wouldn’t say she’s “classy” the way she’s been written, especially ignoring her whole family all this time for a cruise or whatever she’s doing.
I wasnt watching back when Dina was on the show, but from
what I heard, she was a mean, nasty person!
Dont you know, if your old, rich and dress well, you are classy!
Happy to hear that Marla Adams is reprising the role of Dina Mergeron. Now if we can only get back Roberta Leighton as Dr. Casey Reed. Casey needs a real buddy to talk to, and now that Katherine is gone, she doesn’t have any close friends. Nicki needs her sister back, now.
I meant to say Nicki needs a real buddy to talk to.
I always liked Casey, but can you imagine what she looks like after all those years of smoking?
Y&R would do well to hire Marla to full-time contract and have her play a major role in the storylines like the Katherine Chancellor role–a matriarch with a punch! The show could use such a character again!
I agree.
Yeah, I see your point but the actress is older and may not want to work full time. Good idea, though. Kathrine should have been recasted anyway.
I agree with you–Marla is in upper 70’s so she may not want to work full time although she would be great—–the role of Katharine was the most interesting on Y&R–at least, to me–it should have been recast! Thought Jill might become more like her and fill the slack but either it’s not in her make up or the writers can’t finesse it!
Sorry to be off topic but OMG this Scotty, son of Lauren looks as old if not older than her & Michael. Ugh. Get rid of this storyline before it begins. A real misstep with the new regime at Y&R, the first actually-in my opinion.
I thought so too. Maybe when he cleans up after the ordeal and gets a haircut he’ll look younger.
This actor’s age has to be a very well guarded secret for some reason. I have Googled him up one end and down the other , in every possible way. Wickapedia, Imd, etc. Can not find a clue, except that he has been in a lot if older movies , and was also on the GL years ago. So , he is no spring chicken , or should say rooster. In the blown up photo, he looks close to forty to me. In any other circumstance, who cares, but why would they pick someone of his age to play Lauren’s son?
Maybe being in a war torn country and kidnapped has aged him.
IRL Tracey does have a son in his 20s I believe. I have to keep telling myself that. I do this actor looks a bit old. I guess it’s a testament to how great Tracey looks.
I hope the storyline gets better. And how is Lauren going to repay Victor $10 million.
I agree, look like they could date each other.
Daniel Hall ( Scotty) is hot!!! A hunk!! Ruggedly gorgeous. And, he looks his age. He is a pro, to boot. Christian LeBlanc ( Michael) is about sixty. May not look his age, but he definitely looks much older thsn “Scotty”.
Tracey looks great….young for her age….that’s Hollywood, Gloria…LOL
When Scotty returned in 2005, I remember watching between classes ( while still a sophomore in College), he was supposedly in his mid twenties. Now, he is in his mid thirties, I guess. Lauren is in her early fifties. So, there are enough years separating them to be mother and son.
At least, it’s not as unrealistic as Phyllis (Gina) and her son Daniel ( Michael Graziadei) who are almost the same age.
Agree, I don’t like this Scott at all, way too old for the role and too angry / needs a haircut. The ONLY good thing would be if he causes Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) to FINALLY resurface after a decade to wreak more havoc (and fun for the viewers) in boring Lauren’s life.
Great that Dina is returning to GC, RIDICULOUS that she NEVER visits her family. NOW, let’s continue the great returns with SHEILA CARTER (ONLY Kimberlin Brown PLEASE – no more visits to the plastic surgeon!). Lauren has been boring as heck all these years without her arch enemy, Sheila, and Scott’s return is another reason for Sheila to resurface. Though THIS Scott is way to old to be Lauren’s son and could use a haircut too.
He is not too old, Paul. Chronologically, since 2005, his last appearance, he is the right age. Everyone ages on this soap except Lauren ( she is beautiful), but has had a lot of help looking the way she does. She looks the same since I’ve been watching….unchanging. She is not so young. She is older than Phyllis/Gina by ten years…..
So, when Lauren and Scotty are seen together, we take a step back because he does look the same age as his “mother’. But, in reality, she is older. She had him young? LOL.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Fen came back in his late twenties.
I actually thought Dina was dead! We haven’t heard about or seen her in so long. Scott needs a haircut & so does Lauren for that matter. She has the worst hair on the entire show. I know we have to suspend belief every day on the soaps & most of the actors are too close in age to be the relations that they are on soaps but they need to at least find people who LOOK younger than their onscreen parents. I have a hard time with Olivia & Dante on GH being mother & son. But I forget about it when I am into the show, ha.
I agree with Scott but disagree with Lauren. He hair looks great. Maybe extensions, maybe too much hairspray, dont really know but Tracey looks terrific!
You are correct about Olivia and Dante. He needed to be older than Michael and Morgan but not this old and the beard makes him look even older! Then again, Lisa who play Olivia looks younger than she is and thats a compliment! LOVE her and Ned together!
Well, Dina did leave her husband and three children way back when, so no surprise she doesn’t visit!
Scott is the right age. I recall the Sheila/baby switch storyline while I was on maternity leave 25 years ago. lol, showing my age. A Sheila return? Hmmm
The oldest whose the daddy plotline in soaps. I predict ultimately to the great satisfaction of all Ashley Abbott will turn out to be the biological child of John Abbott.
That’s a phenominal thought, lecia. Wouldn’t that be a bombshell??
Perhaps, this is the reason for Dina’s visit.
Thats the best comment here, maybe Dina will deliver that info. Great idea!
So thrilled to have her back. Her prickly relationship with her children is very realistic. Soaps will only survive if they continue to revisit familial connections. I, too, would like to see Casey Reid back on the canvas. Love interest for Jack, perhaps?
I thought it came out years ago that John Abbott was not Ashley’s father. That it was that tennis guy from the club. And I believe the main reason she abandon the family is because she got in an argument with him and hit him over the head with a golf club. Thinking she had killed him, she ran.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric

General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”

Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”

Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
Beyond the Gates
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’

While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.
According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.
Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene, Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.
WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?
Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”
The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”
MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE
In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.
Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.
So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)

At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.

Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”

Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”

Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
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