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QUEENS OF DRAMA's Vanessa Marcil Chats On Girl's Throwing Drinks, Donna Mills & The Man In Her Life!

Courtesy/POP

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

When former General Hospital star Vanessa Marcil joined the cast of Pop’s reality series, Queens of Drama (Wednesdays 8PMET), her long time fans were stoked to get to see the woman who played the feisty Brenda Barrett on the ABC daytime drama series from1992- 1998, then returned in 2003 and won a Daytime Emmy for her work, and then returned one more time in 2010 for a longer stint, and followed that up with guest appearances in 2013 surrounding the GH Nurses Ball! Marcil also went on to star in the primetime drama series Las Vegas as Sam Marquez.

If you watched the first four episodes of Queens of Drama, you know that Vanessa along with Crystal Hunt, Lindsay Hartley, Hunter Tylo, and Chrystee Pharris are trying to come up with an idea to pitch to a television network for a new show using their soapy background and expertise.  But, they have run up against and joined forces with the formidable Donna Mills, who doesn’t allow anything to get past her, and is trying to executive produce this all-girl creation and steer the gals in a certain direction.

Tonight on an all-new episode, the “Queens”, since Vanessa has made it clear she does not want to act in front of the camera in the girls production concept, but would rather remain behind-the-scenes, they had to Palm Springs for an outing and the drama ensues … and we finally get to the bottom of that promo where Vanessa looks to be the first girl to throw a drink!  But where does it land?

Marcil sat down with On-Air On-Soaps to give us some insight into shooting the docu-series, the drama in front of the camera, and gives us the scoop on how her new fiancé, a police officer, swept her off her feet!

What was your overall takeaway from being part of Queens of Drama?  Everyone is talking about the scene in the promos, where you get mad saying, “I don’t care what Donna wants” and then we see you throwing a drink.  Can you elaborate?

Photo Credit: Twitter

VANESSA:  I can tell you this: it was a hilarious good time, and just like with all jobs that I have had there are days when I wanted to punch somebody in the face.  But just for the record: I don’t throw drinks on girls … and I don’t call girls, “bitches”.  That is not my nature.  I am not a mean girl.  If you see me do anything, I would act more like a mob wife: punching someone in the face! (Laughs)  I am saying this because everyone thinks in Queens of Drama I throw a drink at somebody, and I am saying for the record, I don’t throw a drink at anyone, and I don’t throw drinks at girls!  There is one moment where I get pissed and I throw my drink off the table.  Now if it was Brenda on GH, she might throw a dinner role at someone, or whatever.  Someone tweeted, “Are you going to throw a dinner role at anyone, because Brenda threw one at Carly (Laura Wright)?”  I enjoy stuff like that, because I think it’s very funny.  Brenda thought that was hilarious!  (Laughs)  I mean, I would get into a fist fight with somebody if they really hurt someone I loved.  All the other stuff is boring to me.  I think it’s silly.

When you found out that the premise of the series is that they wanted these “Soap Queens” to create an original new show, and would collaborate to come up with a concept to pitch a network, did you like that part about it?

Courtesy/POP

VANESSA:  Yes, and that was the whole pitch to us.  I love docu-series, and behind the scenes stuff, and blooper reels.  So it really was: you girls are going to get together and create a female production company and create a show and try pitching it – which means – it could happen, or could not happen.  And you know me, I am a risk-taker and I love that.  And that was a big appeal to me for being in this show – having that underdog feeling to it of: Can we actually pull this off … or, will we tragically fail?

There are some very controlling personalities amongst the women on Queens of Drama!

VANESSA:  Halfway through I thought these girls are crazy, and I can’t work with them!  I have had that feeling many times at work. You know what I mean? That’s the way you feel at times. It’s not that different than any job anyone has in the workplace.  My sister is the CEO of a company and she said it’s the same thing in her work.

Had you ever watched Donna Mills as Abby Cunningham on Knots Landing?  You have quite the interesting relationship with her on Queens of Drama!

VANESSA:   No. I never watched Knots Landing, and that’s hilarious, and here is where there is six degrees of separation. Donna played my baby daddy’s (Brian Austin Green) mother on the show.  I should at some point watch a clip that the two of them are in together.  It would be cute to see.   Now that I am in Queens of Drama with Donna, the two of them send love through me to each other.

You are now engaged!  What about this guy (MC) worked for you to decide to accept his proposal?

Courtesy/POP

VANESSA:  Yes, I am now engaged, and we are planning our wedding for next summer.  For 20 years I never got married, and I was never the girl that wanted to, and then I decided to marry my last husband because I felt it was the right thing to do. I had known him for 12 years and it didn’t work out.  And then I said to myself, “See, it’s not meant for me to be a married girl.”  Maybe, I thought it wasn’t meant for me to fit into society like that, because I was thinking I should do this to fit into society!  (Laughs)  But now this happened!  So, I learned to say, never say never about anything!  Every time I say, “I’m not doing this.  It’s not for me,” look at me now?  I am now planning a wedding with an Iraq war vet who is a police officer!  I have no secret message, or how you know this is how you know someone is the right one.  I just know that when he asked me I genuinely wanted to say, “Yes!”   He was on one-knee in his police uniform on the side of the road.  I just knew that I meant it when I said, “Yeah! I would like to do this!”  But again, who knows?   It could turn out to be wrong again, but you got to trust your gut, and follow your heart, and when you fail you learn stuff from it.

And you met you man getting a speeding ticket?

VANESSA:  Yes! He pulled me over. You will see more about that story coming up in a new project I am working on.

Courtesy/ABC

Finally, are you staying in touch with your General Hospital people: former cast and crew?

VANESSA:  Oh, always!  Are you kidding?  I have stayed in touch with almost everyone I have worked with, and it’s really meaningful to me, and the best job I have ever had.  I grew up in Indio, California working at a Wienerschnitzel, and I cannot believe that I am lucky enough to do this.  It’s unreal to me.

So, what do you think about Vanessa on Queens of Drama? Are you enjoying watching how the story unfolds and the dynamics between the actresses?  Share your thoughts below, but first watch the promo for tonight’s fifth episode via Pop!

Queens of Drama 105 Preview

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Quit pissing around with this stuff and get your butt back on GH!

I know! I love her as Brenda so much! That show needs her back!

There is no room on GH for any more lead actresses who are over 40 with major storylines who receive a big paycheck to boot. It’s chock full of those kinds of characters. I never thought I would write this – but where is the younger generation on GH? Are TJ & Molly it? Maxie, Lulu, Dante, Michael – believe it or not, they are in their 30s. GH really needs some young adults with character. Kiki & Morgan aren’t cutting it for me. They are unemployed and stupid IMO.

She’s said she doesn’t want to be an actress right now

Thats sad to hear but she needs to me happy. Maybe someday.

I love Vanessa Marcil, she is a wonderful actress. Vanessa needs to come back on General Hospital as Brenda Barrett. I miss her so much. She looks very sexy with her glasses. LOL.

Ok, at first I bought the press that this was a documentary series, but it’s clearly a scripted series. Why are they not honest with the audience that we’re watching a scripted soap opera? In any case, I have been enjoying the show so far–especially Donna Mills.

I knew from the sneak peak it was a bunch of BS!

We need you back on G.H

It definitely comes across as a scripted series – what is the truth about it? I also want to know: do people seriously pitch a series without having worked out the characters, storylines, and even have at least one spec script? Bizarre…. and why, if this is supposed to be about girl power (or woman power) do they have a male showrunner? WTH? Donna Mills is coming across as pure evil – controlling, and infuriating – what’s up with her being “too busy” (???) to go to the Palm Springs meeting? WTH? Ridiculous! It’s my guilty pleasure show right now – it’s so ridiculous and fun fun fun!

I am having fun watching this show! Didn’t think I would like it but it has a very pleasant surprise.

like the show but like the fact that vanessa worked at my favorite fast food place ever der weinerschnitzel. best chili cheese dogs ever.

can’t say I care for donna mills, interesting to see joan Collins. don’t know the other women. hunter tylo – what in god’s name did she do to her face – just awful

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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