General Hospital
Michelle Stafford Interview: What To Look For During General Hospital's Live Shows!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Harkening back to soap opera’s humble beginnings, when they were broadcast live across the country, ABC’s General Hospital is set for a two-day network television event when GH goes LIVE from its ABC Prospect Studios in Hollywood. Under the direction of executive producer Frank Valentini, who was also a key part of One Life to Live’s successful live week back in 2002, General Hospital is set to deliver major story revelations and surprises when it goes live next Friday, May 15th, and the following Monday, May 18th. Be on the lookout for a wedding, someone getting caught in the crossfire, twists and turns … and secrets!
Daytime Emmy Award winning actress Michelle Stafford is one of the key members of the cast that will be part of the action, and as she teases to On-Air On-Soaps, even she was shocked when she found out what was going to happen to her character of Nina Clay during the live shows. So just how is this all going to be pulled off? Do you think it will go off without a hitch, or will someone make a major flub? Whatever the case, the cast will certainly be put through its paces, as they actually will be performing two sets of live shows back-to-back each day to air in most time zones (West Coast will get the playback of the live show). During our chat, Michelle shares some insight about working with her scene partner Roger Howarth (Franco) during the live shows, and how she is looking forward to having more scenes in the future with Nina’s nemesis’: her mother Madeline (Donna Mills), and of course, Ava Jerome (Maura West).
So, GH fans fasten your seat belts! The daytime drama series is touting that the live shows will truly propel the stories further, where anything and everything can happen live! To be part of the conversation, make sure to join use #GHLive via social media during the two-episode event. Here now is what Michelle shared to give us a glimpse into what’s ahead when GH goes live!
Michelle, you are the official General Hospital Live Shows representative! (Laughs) What are your thoughts about GH tackling two live episodes?

Courtesy/ABC
MICHELLE: I think it’s amazing. I am really excited about it, and I think its going to be fun. Obviously, I am in it! (Laughs) Actors love this … we are crazy people. We love walking on a tight-wire. When I heard about the live shows I was told I was in it at the same time they told me what I was doing in it. I was like “WHAAT?” They told me what was happening and I thought, “Cool!” Then they told me how it was happening, and I went, “Wait! What?” They surprised me and I don’t get surprised. You, Michael Fairman, and everyone will go, “Wait! What?” And I will tell you this … no one saw it coming. You definitely will not see it coming, but maybe, you will be pleased by it. I have a feeling, you, Michael Fairman; will be like, “Wait! How are they going to do this?” I think then after that you will go, “Whoa,” and then I think you will say, because I know you, “OK, well this could go this way, or this could go this way.”
Are you in scenes with Roger Howarth (Franco) during it?
MICHELLE: Yes, and then based on something I said to our head writer Ron Carlivati, he wrote a scene based on something I suggested between me and somebody else. And I went, “Oh, my God. This is amazing!”
At this point, what do you think is happening with Nina? Where is she at in her mind and in her life, and with Franco?

Courtesy/ABC
MICHELLE: She is trying to make things work and she is a damaged little girl. Nina is really in love with Franco, and completely in love. I like the dynamic and what the Nina character does to the Franco character. We definitely see a different side of Franco. Roger Howarth is such a good actor and he is a leading man. He is very beautiful and sensitive the way that he plays his character. I think it’s interesting that the two of them are criminals and they’re crazy, and they’re off. But I think there is this really interesting element that they find this beautiful and romantic love between them. You will see a lot of that in the live shows, and the romantic side of their relationship.
I am sure Roger was thrilled to do the live shows because he is so spontaneous anyways during his scenes!
MICHELLE: Yes, he is. They have certainly given him quite the challenge. I think three people are really challenged during the live shows, and Roger is one of them. We are all challenged, but three different people, in my estimation, reading the scripts back and forth I was like “Wow! That is some tough stuff you gotta do live!”
How are the live shows being rehearsed? What is the schedule for the cast?

Photo Credit: DuffImages.com
MICHELLE: We are rehearsing all day next Thursday, and then Friday we do the shows. Then we rehearse after that and into the evening, and then I am supposed to be at Nadia Bjorlin’s (Chloe, DAYS) wedding that my daughter Natalia is in. So, Natalia will be going. She will be Uber-ing there. (Laughs) I am kidding! She won’t be Uber-ing. (Laughs) But, I will go be able to attend Nadia’s wedding reception, obviously.
Don’t you think the audience and the GH fans want to see someone screw up during the live shows?
MICHELLE: Don’t you? Do you want to see a screw up … or, do you want to say, “I think a person just screwed up their lines?” Seriously, there are a couple of areas I can pretend that I totally screwed up, and the audience will go, “Was that intentional, or not?”
When One Life to Live did their live week, which is the archetype for the GH shows, it went very smoothly, actually.

Photo Credit: ABC
MICHELLE: It will probably go smooth, because you know how we shoot. We basically have the mindset of being live every day. We go up on our lines sometimes. But because we have all these rehearsals, we will all be perfect on our dialog. We will be rehearsing all day Thursday from early morning to late morning. I also, which drives some of my co-stars crazy, throw stuff out there at the last minute and see if they can catch it. Some of my co-stars dig it, and some of my co-stars don’t dig it so much. I think underneath they do dig it, and they may make fun of me, but I think they like the challenge.
Maura West and you, as Ava and Nina have been so amazing in scenes together. Do you think at some point GH will pick back up that on-screen vendetta, and the two of you will have more scenes together?

Courtesy/ABC
MICHELLE: I am sure we will. Those two women are not at a good place with each other, but there is simpatico between them, even though Nina hates her! I don’t think she will ever be supportive of her.
Donna Mills (Madeline) is back at General Hospital! At the Daytime Emmys she revealed that this time out, she thinks viewers will learn more as to why Madeline is the way she is. What are your thoughts on Madeline and Nina’s mother/daughter steely relationship, especially as we head into Mother’s Day this weekend? (Laughs)
MICHELLE: Donna and I were talking, and there was a moment in a scene when I decided to hug her and she doesn’t do anything. She just stands there. This was stuff that aired months ago. I thought that was such a good moment and so “Ordinary People” that Mary Tyler Moore moment in the film. I said, “That’s their relationship!” I also said to Donna the other day that we should discuss with Ron and Frank (Valentini) what are the elements that make up these women. We saw the first part of their relationship, but now I think the audience wants to know: What is up with Nina and why is she this way? Why is Madeline like this? Why do they hate each other? What did happen between them? I think you want to see that to bring a human element to these characters.
So, what do you think about General Hospital’s upcoming live shows? What do you think is going to happen to Nina Clay during it? Who will get married? Who will get caught in the crossfire? Are you rooting for Franco and Nina to stay together? Comment below on what Michelle previewed during our chitchat!
Franco and Nina are cuckoo for cocoa puffs. They both can star in their version of two people who flew over the cuckoos nest.
Agreed
Agreed
Maybe…but I am completely under their spell. I love this couple to the moon and back.
It is time for Michelle to be an adult, writers!!! Show her stuff, now!!! Tout-de-suite.
I am so happy she is finally appearing on the GH stage as I am accustomed to see her. Stylishly dressed and in-your-face esprit. And, that willowy figure? Wow!!
I am thankful that Ms Mills is coming back. We need to understand the dynamics between mother and daughter. I do think there is love there, but obviously something went awry for having created this angst…this antagonism…this distance between them.
Maddie’s stay will not be prolonged, so I hope she and Nina will finally let it all out…whatever it is. Nina will be much more receptive at this point, yes? I mean, she is ‘cured’, yes?
This is one storyline I await with excitement and hope for a very very happy ending. Well, I would love to have Kristen back as Kiki, and for her to be Nina’s long, lost baby. There is always the possibility that Maddie is back for this very tumultuous revelation.
As I re-read my post I realized that I did not make clear that the rift between Nina and her mother must have existed pre-coma. The contempt and repugnance which we have witness from Nina toward her mother after her “awakening” ( in more ways than one), that is; Nina is now aware of what her mother did to her and her baby, is merely only one reason, albeit the biggest.
This enmity and resentment goes deep into the past….perhaps as far as when Nina was still a child. I think Maddie kept Nina under lock and key ( figuratively speaking) as a child and beyond. I also believe that Nina went through something very traumatic ….thus, the childlike behavior.
However, we are beginning to see a more mature Nina….a more stable Nina; contrary to Shay’s estimation…LOL. Okay , Shay, I can practically see your ears perk up….I can hear your brain thinking of a fitting response…double LOL.
Just teasing, Shay, girl! I do hope she will not be recast, though. Michelle has too much to offer, …..Timmm said it for me. All she needs is a ‘custom-made’ storyline with the right dialogue and the right direction.
I have watched her in action since I was a young teen……she has always wowed me, even as a starry-eyed kid. And, albeit the fact that Harry believes that Gina Tognoni represents the Phyllis character in a better light than Michelle, I must respectfully disagree. Gina overacts….tries too hard. Her dramatic entrance and departure into and from a scene are forced….a spectacle, not spectacular. But, Michelle’s Phyllis? Oh my!….the natural fluidity of her motions……the flair in which she exited a room caught and held the viewer’s attention…one could not help follow those sinewy, feline movements. I wanted to be her…!! Regrettably I stopped growing …LOL.
“… I am completely under their spell. ”
ditto
Michelle Stafford and Roger Howarth… are their own show… and magnanimous
triumphant
Maybe there will be flubs on the live show that will be more entertaining than the flubs on the taped shows…lol…soooooo many dead eps so i look forward to the live ones…lol…i suppose Franco and Nina will get married—hope Heather is their and cuts the wedding cake and Ninas throat…lol…OMG, i sound like su talking about Sharon and Y&R…lol
aha!
Jimh, good one lol
I luv Franco and Nina !!!
they are an interesting, intriguing, entertaining couple..
Franco and Nina are indeed totally out of the box of soap couple (a rare couple) a rare love ..
Roger and Michelle are magic together..
Roger is a humorous guy, I’m sure he will give us some of his own throwin words lol
What you said, Su.
I love this couple.
I am still patiently waiting for the Kiki reveal..
No one – no one – brings crazy like Heather and I love crazy.
She’s been a great add. Looking forward to what’s next.
Sorry, but this interview reinforces everything I dislike about Franco and Nina and a lot of it stems from the actors and their approach. I don’t like watching schtick and that’s what I see, actors doing schtick. It takes them out of the character and it makes the character less believable if believable at all.
That is evidenced when Ms. Stafford says “there are a couple of areas I can pretend that I totally screwed up, and the audience will go, “Was that intentional, or not?” If that is the reaction you are going for, you are no longer presenting a character to the audience, you are an actor doing stuff and relating to the audience outside of the character. That may work if you’re doing skits on SNL. It’s the same thing with Howarth.
When she says she drives some of her co-stars crazy because she likes to just throw stuff out there, to see if her co-stars can handle it, it tells me even more. It’s one thing to improvise a bit, but if it is driving your scene partners crazy, you’re doing it wrong. There needs to be give and take and how often do we hear actors talk about other actors being “generous” and “giving.” Throwing things out there to “test” your co stars is neither and the fact that she admits that most don’t like it, tells you something.
I couldn’t disagree with you more. Nina and Franco are magical together. When they are on, I never fast forward. I hope the writers figure out a way to redeem their characters. Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford are two of the best actors on television. They are so spontaneous and never seem to be just reciting lines, like some of the other actors. I can’t get enough of them.
AJQ..
Michell was referring to the ”live” show ..
Not the day to day regular shows ..
I wanted to see Michael Easton in the live shows. I guess not. Where Is Dr Silas Clay? I and a bunch of his fans want and need to know why he is not being used more.
I’m wondering about this, too. Silas is not integrated into the GH canvas at all and I can’t figure out why.
Love Franco but cannot abide the Nina character – still, I am looking forward to GH live. I think it will be fun to watch.
Can’t wait for the live show excited and looking forward to it wonder who will get married wow excited.
As I heard of the live episodes, I thought they’d show other actors from GH. So it’s going to be about Nina and Franco. Would they stick to their lines? The episode is going to be different, I am sure.
Really do not care for Stafford’s character at all.
Laughing at Michelle’s responses above… at times, she sounds like Nina magically thinking out loud! 🙂 Looking forward to what they all have in store. BREAK A LEG, ALL!
I like Nina and Franco and I was rooting for them but I think their relationship is going to be over very soon. I think both characters will be moving on to other people.
Michelle is SO talented. I hope they figure out how to properly write her. She alludes to being shocked on her character twist so maybe they are re imagining Nina Clay?
Sorry, Timmm, but the only way to “reimagine” Nina is to recast her….an action of which I would heartily approve!!!! (I know, I know…..you won’t like this suggestion, nor will CeeCee!!!! LOL….)
Well Shay, I loved Michelle on Y&R BUT she is really talented and would want to keep her. However, this is one of Frank’s few miscues, the character Nina is a bust! They either figure out how to use her or send her packing. No recast. Same with Franco. I hate that character but love Roger.
Of course the west coast gets screwed again
I think I will skip it. So far the characters I don’t care about are the ones going to appear. So Michaelle and Howarth both throw stuff out. No wonder I just FF all their scenes.
Thanks for this great interview. I love Franco and Nina. Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford are daytime legends and have formed a truly magical soap opera super couple (and they haven’t even made love yet). Having followed Roger in daytime for over 20 years, he is my main reason for watching GH and I have sorely missed seeing Franco and Nina recently. Last we saw, she actually threw him out of their Metro Court suite. Therefore, it’s wonderfully reassuring to read Michelle’s view points on the state of their relationship. Nothing would be more marvelous than to witness Franco and Nina exchanging wedding vows on the upcoming live shows!!! Michelle and Roger are absolutely phenomenal performers and their characters deserve more screen time and a long reign as General Hospital’s #1 love story!!! Thanks again.
Mea Culpa: I forgot the salient fact that Nina is still married to Silas Clay so there cannot be any nuptials between Nina and Franco at this point.
Plus, it seems that Franco and NIna are currently scripted for a rather stormy relationship scenario including insults, mistrust and seeking forgiveness.
Again, sorry for my mistake.
“… Nina is really in love with Franco, and completely in love. I like the dynamic and what the Nina character does to the Franco character. We definitely see a different side of Franco. Roger Howarth is such a good actor and he is a leading man. He is very beautiful and sensitive the way that he plays his character. ”
this is thee answer: and, why… this pair is leading
it’s two powerhouses… who, are worth waiting for… but… at the same time… are taking too long! and it’s more for MS’.
GH has supercouples … moving :
Nikolas and Hayden : are stirring ALL my senses !!!! YES… keep them! Tyler Christopher is dynamic… welcome Rebecca Buddig.. isn’t she the teasingly “dangerous” counterpart to Nikolas stamina… and world turns his way
Jake and Liz: romance… love… teasing… force … being a part of something
that they can’t control? they have already solidified this twosome… when Jake finds out… it won’t matter… his heart already knows… draw this out GH production… just to see Rebecca Herbst layer !!! fiesty, fierce, foible, bitch back… take us with her
Franco and Nina : GET THIS PAIR trusting each other… and loving each other… with lust, fire, passion, unrequited !!! it’s them against the world… and they’ll win
do it now!!!! Mac and Felicia forefront frontburner… take the time to figure out a story for these two… it’s history veteran magic… I love them…. Felicia
sigh! I dont’ know yet what’s going on with Duke… tears… couples who have it… and if this is Anna tragic … then i’m in… just wish … WISH it was not at the expense of thee forever Ian Buchanon
Carly and Ric Lansing : !!!! ??? huh? whats to figure ? this works… I don’t know… you can’t tell me… with this new team… of RC/FV that they;ve done anything worthwhile with Carly…
i’m sorry that Wally Kurth’ Ned is leaving the show… i’m sorry that it’s at the demise ?? and expense once again… of Lisa LuCicero’ FUN from the bronx… Olivia… she would be so MUCH BETTER with Julian… than will tread over and over… Alexis…
MORGAN: with? Ava…. recast kiki… with Kelly Missal ! please… you want sexual
Brad and Lucas : dang ! it works for me… where’s that waterfront clinic… so Lucas can be featured more… make Brad a nurse along with lab tech… just to see these two working together
couple w/ honorable mention??? just not on the same tier as above mention
Sean and Jordan
Maxie and Nathan
Lulu and Dante
potential : I like Sabrina w/Michael… tone down his machismo… and loud behaviour like Carly… just doesnt add up….
I LOVE Michelle Stafford and Roger Howarth
Ava and Silas : sure, why not… a mature relationship… that Ava will route… because she’s recuperating, on the mend, and all she knows is her daughters… and fills Silas with….
but… once up and running… she runs in to Sonny ! LOL
if GH has to keep Sonny… he does work it with Ave(s) (2)
dang! (Jon Lindstrom) Kevin
and : Brandon Barash : Johnny Z
would be good RIGHT about now
” I “love” Carlos”
Jeffrey Vincent Parise
can do it
drama, comedic, foible… mix… draw… turn… and dang! all of it
I see Carly , Sabrina, Rosalie.. Valerie… Ava…
LOL any one missing…
the guys gush about him… ie: the actors … in SOD issue
ie: can you imagine : if Kiki was again recast with the acclaimed Kelly MIssal
should blew me away on the nuOLTL
she acts gangbusters and takes
as Dani, she had two of the best fathers…. Todd and Victor…. or vice versa
dynamic stuff
picture her on GH as Kiki… her OWN two mothers… Ava and Nina
???
POWERful scenes and big time stuff
Oh, my gosh, Patrick! Kelley Missal would be perfect. Why didn’t I think of her? I loved her as Dani…how ironic though, …. Starr’s sister !
Can’t get enough of Nina and Franco. Hope Ron finds a way to integrate them into some of the main storylines so they are not always off to the side as they have been for some time. They deserve to be front and center along with the likes of Sonny, Carly, Jake, Liz, Nikolas, etc.
I don’t know about “integrating” them … as these two are so heated, disliked by all of Port Charles
I posted about : Franco (aka Todd) owning or taking over that magazine or newspaper ??? was it “the Crimson magazine” that he tookover from Connie ???
why not have Franco and Nina …. as a newspaper team… magnates …. in your face Port Charles residents… nothing goes unnoticed by this duo… as this commanding duo “learn” report … and use to their advantage … and build an empire that only these two should
I like that idea a lot. Not sure TPTB would be willing to put Franco in charge of a newspaper because they’re still embroiled in the Todd/Starr/McBain lawsuit, but if they made Nina the owner and Franco a reporter that would work.
I think that would be a great storyline, Patrick. Once Nina recovers her assets, the sky’s the limit.
I would love to see her and Franco as a team in the workplace.
Furthermore, what Nick D. said.
I should rephrase that… as these two powerhouses… irregardless of like or wont
will take over
LOL
once the court frees up Nina’ inheritance…
there’s no stopping this magical duo….. can’t wait
Happy to see my new favorite couple Nina and Franco will bit on the live shows! Can’t wait the watch!
So Michelle Stafford said she likes to “throw stuff out there at the last minute” Kind of like that time she SPIT in Victoria Rowell’s face on The Young & Restless….hmm ok girl
I know that Roger Howarth will be totally awesome. He was great on OLTL when it went live so I know in my heart he will be awesome again. He is a professional, I am so curious who the other two who is to be challenged in this show. Can’t wait to see it. I love this show and love Roger.
Love Roger, do not like Nina at all!!
I am pumped over the live shows. Only thing, wish we could have seen it here on the west coast. Am sure,
everything will go smoothly, because they the players are terrific in their roles, and the audiences all over will have a blast. Thank you Messrs Valentini and Carlivati for your genius
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.
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.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)

Chad Duell, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor, who stepped away from the pivotal role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, opened up about: his previous decision to leave the series after nearly 15 years, where’s he’s at now after time away from the demands of a daytime soap opera, and took a stroll down memory lane with some of Michael’s most-acclaimed storyline during his run, during a livestream chat on August 19 on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Viewers last saw Duell on-screen as Michael in January of 2025, and with his successor in the role, Rory Gibson making his debut at the GH Nurses’ Ball in episodes that aired later in May. It was clear that during the conversation, Chad was a bit surprised that the GH brass decided to recast him when he thought he was just taking some much needed time off.
Burn-out of the daily grind of being on a soap was definitely a part of Chad’s decision to take a break. Duell explained “People know when you’re doing something for so long or your character is kind of in the same place for so long or doing the same stuff over and over again, you do get a a little burnt out, you get a little stiff, stale, a little stiff at times. I didn’t want that to be any sort of lasting impression. I have 15 years of a body of work of I’ve done on that show, which is fantastic.”

Photo: ABC
WHILE CHAD WAS AWAY GH RECAST MICHAEL CORINTHOS WITH RORY GIBSON
Chad shared, his mindset when leaving GH was, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens.” Then he added, “Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”
Duell also shared he has not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels he reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the GH, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into it again.”

Courtesy/ABC
Even though he is no longer Michael on GH, Chad was very happy with his final storyline where Michael was set on fire when a bomb exploded at Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) penthouse. “It was fun to put him in a dangerous situation, because I was wanting Michael to be in something scary instead of trying to be a hero character or just things happening around him, but to be the center point of tragedy happening to him. (I always saw) Michael as the heart of the (Corinthos) family.”
When Michael was badly burned the show chose not burn his face, which normally a soap does when they are recasting role and switching actors. Chad weighed-in, “They didn’t burn my face because I told Frank Valentini (EP, GH) I’m willing to come back. It was just a little bit of a break. So, I assumed that if they would have burned my face, they could have brought somebody back looking different than me… if that’s what their plan was.”

Courtesy/ABC
MEMORABLE MICHAEL STORYLINES
One of Chad’s most memorable performances was the in the storyline of Michael’s rape while he was sentenced to prison in 2010 and the confession of it in 2011. “It was so well-written and I was very nervous,” recalled Chad. “When I get really nervous about something, it ends up being really good when I do it, because it just means I care a lot about it”
“I have to put a lot of effort and work into it, and I really want it to be good. I was working with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Steve Burton (Jason) a lot during those scenes, and Laura Wright (Carly). It was great working with Steve and Dominic, especially, during that storyline.
A NEW SOAP ROLE FOR CHAD?
As to a future soap opera role, Chad is open to the idea and would love to jump back in to a juicy role, “I know people over at The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless. They know that if they’re interested, I would love to come in for a screen test or something, and they can see what I’m doing.”
Meanwhile, Chad has been busy putting out new music under the moniker Duelly and during the interview he explains how he creates his EDM tracks and much more. You can stream his latest single, Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.
You can check out the full conversation with Chad Duell below.
Now let us know: what show would you like to see Chad cast on down the line? BTG, DAYS, B&B, Y&R, or a new role on GH? What did you think of his thoughts on the casting switch while he was away in the role of Michael? What was your favorite Michael storyline during Chad’s 15-year run on the ABC soap opera? Let us know via the comment section.
-

General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week agoHow John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
-

Breaking News6 days agoJohn Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
-

Days Of Our Lives5 days ago‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
-

General Hospital5 days ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
-

Breaking News1 week agoHayden Panettiere, ‘Guiding Light’ and ‘Nashville’ Alum, Dead at 36
-

Recaps1 week agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Sharon, Nick and Marie Struggle in Aftermath of a Relapse; Jade Harlow Shares She’s ‘Really Proud’ and ‘Grateful’ to ‘Show How Addiction Can Touch Anyone’ (Exclusive)
-

News1 week agoB&B’s Don Diamont Recalls His Soap Start on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and Confrontation with Exec Prod Al Rabin (Exclusive ‘Soapy’ Preview)













