The on-screen father/son combo of General Hospital’s Dante and Rocco Falconeri as portrayed by Dominic Zamprogna and Finn Carr were part of high emotional stakes scenes on episodes airing May 11-15.

First, Finn Carr’s Rocco is so guilt-ridden and burdened with the secret that he shot WSB director, Ross Cullum that it’s eating him alive. So much so, that he gets into a heated argument with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and Danny (Asher Antonyzyn). Rocco feels so badly that Danny’s father was taken from him for parts unknown by the WSB, all because Jason refused to implicate Rocco as the shooter.

In a heartbreaking scene, Rocco shows up at Britt’s door and lets her know he can’t take it anymore and that the secret he is keeping is tearing him apart. The fear is palpable in Rocco’s eyes. Britt calls Rocco a hero for saving her life and Jason’s and he has to remember that. Britt hugs him and promises that he can come talk to her anytime. In that moment, Rocco felt seen and felt safe.

Courtesy/ABC

ROCCO ON THE EDGE

All of the beats mentioned above were played with depth and acting maturity by Finn Carr; that it is so very clear why the writers and the producers are so comfortable giving him the ball in this umbrella story. He steps up to the plate every time and hits it out of the park.

Rocco also overheard his parents fighting over him after Dante figured out that Rocco was responsible for the shooting, and confronted Lulu (Alexa Havins) for withholding the truth from him. As their argument escalated and their relationship was further threatened by the lies, Rocco listened to the whole thing from the outside porch. 

Eventually Dante, who had learned the truth by having Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) help him piece together what happened the night Cullum was shot, has a heart to heart with his son. He asks Rocco to tell him in his own words the events that transpired, and promises Rocco, that even though he is the police commissioner, he is going to help him. Rocco goes step by step over how Cullum was about to strike Jason with a weighted-baton and how the gun was loose on the ground and he shot him. Dante says his actions saved Jason and Britt’s life, and that he is going to help his son from here on out. He just wished everyone had come to him sooner, because as the father it’s his job to protect his son, not the other way around.

DANTE COMES TO TERMS

Still later in the week, Dante is visited by Elizabeth, and they discuss how they are going to cover-up any evidence that Rocco was at the hospital the night of the shooting with a hand injury, and that Dante is going to make sure the evidence against Rocco disappears. Something that is a huge disconnect for anyone that knows what a fine and upstanding cop Dante has been through the years, but he is determined to help his son stay safe and to keep him close.

However, Cullum is on the hunt for said evidence, and thinks Danny may have shot him in the back (or does he … and he knows Rocco shot him?). He visits Dante’s office and wants the evidence in the shooting. Meanwhile, bets are we are a few story beats away from Danny learning Rocco shot Cullum.

Throughout all the material given to Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna they rose to the occasion. Finn, getting the opportunity to play the often uptight Rocco on the edge, and Dominic, showing us how he can make us feel what Dante is feeling just by watching the emotion and hurt in his eyes. Therefore, Michael Fairman TV names Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna our picks for the Power Performances of the Week.

Now below, let us know if you agree with our picks of Finn and Dominic as the standout performances of the week, and if so, what moment really tugged on your heartstrings featuring Rocco and/or Dante via the comment section.

Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) took some moments to share stories and remembrances of two of the all-time greats of General Hospital, who also happen to have played his television parents, the late Stuart Damon (ex-Alan Quartermaine) and Leslie Charleson (ex-Monica Quartermaine).

The moment came during the release of Sunday’s all-new episode of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve and Bradford Anderson. The episode featured questions from fans of the actors; one of which was for Steve that asked, “What it was like working with Stuart and Leslie as your parents?”

The two-time Daytime Emmy winner, who is currently in the last part of his extended hiatus from the ABC soap, always talks fondly of Stuart and Leslie and often gets choked up doing so. Stuart Damon passed away back in June of 2021, while Leslie Charleson passed away more recently in January of 2025. Burton debut as a young teenaged Jason Quartermaine back in 1991, and as he tells it, without the influence and help of Stuart Damon, his GH career may not be where it is today.

Photo: JPI

STUART DAMON’S WORK ETHIC

“Stuart was super consistent in how he worked. Super structured. I learned a lot from Stuart about his work ethic, his discipline, showing up, treating people kindly, being grateful,” recalled Burton. “If that’s what you can learn from somebody … that’s amazing. It was just something special about being in the Quartermaines. We had something. It was a special family put together.”

As viewers know, just by watching the death of Monica Quartermaine episodes earlier this year, just how close in real-life Steve was to the late Leslie Charleson. “Leslie was a firecracker. You didn’t know what was going to happen or when it was going to happen,” shared Burton. “I always tell the story about how I would come in chewing gum. I was this little cocky teenager and she’d be like, ‘spit it out now!’  Leslie was such a nurturing person. She loved to help, and had amazing sense of humor. I couldn’t have had two better onscreen parents ever.”

GH did a complete about face with the character of Jason Quartermaine after his motorcycle crash on New Year’s Eve in 1995, and he became Jason Morgan, who is now one of the all-time most beloved characters in the history of the show. But as Burton explains it, it may not have happened if it wasn’t for Stuart Damon.

YOU GOT TO GIVE THIS KID A SHOT

“Stuart was the biggest cheerleader of mine. Not often does this happen where somebody would go up to the fifth floor to whoever’s the executive producer and he says, ‘You gotta give this kid a shot. Give him more, see what he can do.’ That was really nice of him,” acknowledged Steve. “So, if it wasn’t for Stewart … I always speak very highly of him because he was amazing, In real-life, Stuart was just a beautiful soul would give anything to anybody. I always give him credit and Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos), because without the two of them there, I wouldn’t be where I am for sure.”

You can check out the entire episode of the latest edition of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.

Now, let us know, do you think that Stuart Damon and Leslie Charleson as Alan and Monica were two of the greatest TV parents in the history of soap operas? What did you think of Steve’s remembrances? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.

Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.

In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.

Photo: JPI

FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS

Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.

General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.

Photo: ABC

PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL

In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.

Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.

It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.

*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.

So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.