General Hospital
‘Superstar’ Series Profiles Elizabeth Taylor: “I Know I’ve Had an Extraordinary Life, It’s Like A Soap Opera, Filled with Great Passion”
When iconic Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor wanted to be on General Hospital, and part of the 80’s massive pop culture of the show, of course, then executive producer, Gloria Monty, found a way to create a role that would become enormously famous.
Taylor was cast as the vengeful Helena Cassadine, the revenge-filled widow of Mikkos Cassadine and made her first appearance on November 10, 1981.

Then on November 16, 1981 Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) featuring Taylor, became the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history when over 30 million viewers tuned-in. Elizabeth’s last appearance as Helena aired on November 19, 1981. Later, Constance Towers took over the role when Helena returned to cause more trouble for the citizens of Port Charles in 1997, and has been on and off GH since that time.
At one point, it was rumored that Tony Geary and Taylor had a fling, which years later was put to bed Geary once told reporters, “So Elizabeth calls me and she says: ‘Tony? I hear you told People Magazine that we didn’t sleep together. That’s the worst thing that anyone has ever said about me.'”
Now this Sunday as part of ABC News’ Superstar series, the spotlight is on Elizabeth Taylor – the blueprint for modern celebrity culture. Taylor passed away in 2011 of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Photo: ABC
Known as the original influencer and the first to use her fame to create a fragrance empire and forge frontiers in social activism, on and off the screen, she was larger than life. Elizabeth was married eight times to seven different men, and her fiery relationship with Richard Burton was always tabloid news. Elizabeth was pursued by paparazzi around the globe, and even denounced by the Vatican. She also broke the glass ceiling by negotiating the first million-dollar salary in Hollywood.
In an exclusive interview with Barbara Walters, she once said, “I know I’ve had an extraordinary life. I realized that it’s like a soap opera. It’s not like an ordinary life at all. I can’t do anything half way.”

Photo: AMAS
From the mid-1980s until her death, Elizabeth’s greatest role was that of activist. In a society paralyzed by fear, she used her fame to shine a light on the injustice and ignorance surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She co-founded amfAR and founded The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, receiving many awards for her advocacy.

Photo: ABC
Over a decade since her death, ABC News’ “Superstar” series explores the iconic figure’s life, career and marriages. The star-studded television event features interviews with celebrities such as Fran Drescher, Rosie O’Donnell, Camilla Belle, and Melissa Reeves.
Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor airs Sunday, May 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC and available next day on Hulu.
Check out the promo for ‘Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor; below, plus a blooper reel of the actress in scenes from GH as Helena Cassadine.
Then let us know, if you loved Elizabeth Taylor for her film roles, her humanitarian efforts, and as the OG Helena of General Hospital via the comment section.
I love most everything with Elizabeth starring in it. She many times played a strong independent woman like she did in her real life. Loved Giant, Maggie the Cat, and Cleopatra amongst others. “Stars” and “influencers” today are just a shadow of her talent and beauty. As for her husbands…nobody gets everything right. But it was like a soap following her love life, especially with Richard Burton. So I will be watching the ABC Superstar special.
I did watch the Elizabeth Taylor superstar show. It was okay,
with some interesting film footage. But I was also disappointed. It didn’t have the polished, professional docu-type look and interviews I would expected, especially for her.
A true Dame of her time. And the days of Elizabeth Taylor-type of stars will never exist again.
Well, I’m glad they’re running a special on Elizabeth but, frankly, will the majority audience even know who she is? These past two generations aren’t interested in anything prior to their own lives; they mostly are self-centric, thanks to social media elevating every person’s minutest thought into national importance. Even recent JEOPARDY! contestants couldn’t recognize the faces of Betty White or Robert Redford. Elizabeth Taylor was a fascinating character, balancing her materialistic lifestyle with great empathy and compassion for others. I’m hoping this special does her justice.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Hudson West Wins Big as Contestant on ‘The Price is Right’

You just never know when one of your favorites from a soap opera will pop on TV on another show! Such was the case on the Tuesday, October 6 episode of the number one daytime game show in America, The Price is Right on CBS!
Hudson West, who has played Jake Webber on General Hospital from 2016-2019, and then has been recurring since 2021 and used very sporadically in story, was in attendance in the audience for a taping of The Price is Right. He wound up selected as one of the players and eventually won a car.
Here;’s what happened: West bid $3,000 on a five-night stay at the Bandon Marina Inn in Oregon. His opponent, Charles, bid $4,550, which was too high, so West got the chance to play the game “Any Number” for a prize.

Photo: ABC
The drama became intense as West picked the numbers needed to win a new car with host Drew Carey presiding over the game play. After he won, Hudson fell to the floor in shock before getting up and running in excitement towards his new car!
Later in the show, Hudson got the opportunity to spin the wheel to try to advance to the “Showcase” round, but his opponent named Jenny spun a higher number to qualify, ending West’s run in the game. But, he came away with the new car.
Apart from his role on GH, TV fans have seen West on NCIS: Los Angeles, Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and Grace and Frankie to name but a few.
You can check out what happened when Hudson won a car on The Price is Right on the video below.
Now let us know, what did you think of Hudson’s big win? Do you hope that GH finally has Jake back in story since he is the son of Elizabeth and Jason? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Did the ABC Soap Opera Just Tee Up a Jason and Serena Pairing?

The Tuesday, October 6 episode of General Hospital kicked-off with Serena Baldwin (Kelly Kruger) literally turned upside down and stuck on the Quartermaine roof in front of Jason (Steve Burton), who came to her rescue.
This marked the first time that Kelly Kruger and Steve Burton shared any substantial screen time together since Kruger debuted on the ABC soap opera back in July.
In story, Serena was trying to save the peregrine falcons’ nest that Tracy (Jane Elliot) wanted exterminated. Jason agreed to help Serena relocate the nest to the nature preserve. Said relocation would be put in the preserve adjacent to the property, think where Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) buried Brennan (Chris McKenna)!
Later, when they returned to the Quartermaine mansion, the two have more banter where Serena told Jason they should both check themselves for ticks. Serena has done a full body check in the bathroom, but then asks Jason to go through her hair and look for any signs of ticks. Clearly, one or both may have ticks prompting suspicion if they wind up at GH with Dr. Isaiah Gannon (Sawandi Wilson) as their doctor who previously treated Ava for the tick stuck in her hair!

Courtesy/ABC
ROMANCE SWITCH-UPS
While initially General Hospital fans suspected that the character of Serena was being brought back to the canvas in the form of Kruger as a love interest for Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson), in recent weeks and in admission by Tanisha Harper, it appears that GH is teasing a Michael and Jordan romance. The two have been spending more time together at Aurora, and Michael helped her get accepted into the burn clinic in Germany to treat her facial scars from the car accident.
Meanwhile, after Steve Burton returned to GH after his extended hiatus this June, it was clear that the writers were heading in the direction of a Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) and Jason break-up.
Eventually, a few weeks ago, the duo called it quits after Anna (Finola Hughes) tried to kill Britt, and Jason would not help Britt press charges against his friend, who was suffering from delusions after being mentally gaslighted by Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and company.
So, what did you think of the scenes between Jason and Serena on today’s GH? Do you think Kelly and Steve have on-screen chemistry that you would be open to be seeing how it plays out? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Van Hansis Marks Two Years as ‘General Hospital’s’ Dr. Lucas Jones

It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Van Hansis made his debut as the recast Lucas Jones on General Hospital. It was back on October 4, 2024 that GH fans got their first look at the former As the World Turns (ex-Luke Snyder) favorite in his new soap role.
Hansis became the fifth actor to play the role of the adoptive son of the late Bobbie Spencer and Tony Jones, and the biological son of the late Julian Jerome and Cheryl Stansbury. Prior to Van, C.J. Thomason (2002–2003), Ben Hogestyn (2005–2006) Ryan Carnes (2004–2005, 2014–2020, 2024) and Matt Trudeau (2020–2021) had played the part.
When Van left daytime after As the World Turns sadly went off the air in 2010, it would be 14 years until he stepped back into the updated frenetic pace and grind of acting on a daily soap opera.

Photo: ABC
LUCAS CAME HOME TO PORT CHARLES
Since Lucas has been back in Port Charles, he fell in love with the late Marco Rios (Adrian Anchondo) who was murdered, moved into a new apartment with his current roommate (soon to be love interest?) Joe Fitzpatrick as played by Jonathan Bennett, has become best buds with the “Britch” Dr. Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), and has found himself involved in multiple other storylines. However, now that Van is firmly implanted on GH, might Lucas get a leading storyline of his own? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, to acknowledge his two-year anniversary at General Hospital, Hansis shared via his Instagram a photo montage and some heartfelt “thank you’s’ and words. “Two years ago yesterday, Lucas Jones came home to Port Charles looking a little different. Looking exactly like me.” began Hansis.
“When I took on the role, I was told it would be a heavy recurring for a few months and then we’d see where it goes – being based in NYC at the time, I thought it would be a fun little gig that would bring me back to my old stomping grounds of daytime for a bit.”

Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL HAS BEEN LIFE-CHANGING FOR VAN HANSIS
Next, the longtime New York-based actor confirmed he has now moved to Los Angeles as this new chapter of his life has unfolded, and how grateful he is that the show’s writers and producers have continually given more for Lucas to do.
Van explained, “But then they kept writing for me more and I fell in love with Lucas, and everyone around him (in front of and behind the camera). I wanted to stay a while and am so grateful I have. Being a part of GH these last two years has been life changing. Literally. My family and I are Angelenos now, I’ve made incredible new friendships and have been able to revisit old ones.”
The five-time Daytime Emmy-nominated actor concluded with, “Thank you Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH), thank you Mark (Teschner, casting director, GH), for inviting me to the party. You throw a great one. ”
So, happy to know Van is sticking around General Hospital for some time to come? What has been your favorite Lucas Jones moment over the first two years of Van’s run? Let us know via the comment section below.
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