Sunday, October 1st will mark the 20th anniversary of Kelly Monaco’s debut on General Hospital as Sam McCall.  And as the story goes, when Kelly finished her run on Port Charles as Livvie Locke (2000-2003), and the show had been canceled, the three major networks were all interested in her to join their soaps.

In the end, GH won out and fans of the ABC daytime drama series have been the lucky ones to have Monaco join the A-list cast of the iconic soap. Throughout Sam’s journey in Port Charles, viewers have seen quite the character growth. Sam started on the show as a con and hustler, and bloomed into a bonafide heroine and a private investigator.

Kelly shared with Soap Opera Digest in their latest issue, how she viewed the Sam of old, to the Sam of today: “Sam came on to the canvas only having herself and her brother, always taking care of someone, and never being taken care of.  I think the biggest evolution for her is starting from being a really lonely, scared woman and becoming a woman who is still really independent, but is protected by family and friends and love and relationships and loyalty, and she never had that before.”

Photo: JPI

In a very poetic way, Monaco added on her character’s development: “She came in bent and broken, and I feel like there’s a lot of her that’s still broken, but she’s constantly sort of putting the Rubik’s Cube together. All the pieces don’t fit perfectly, yet, but it’s certainly not broken anymore.”

Throughout Sam’s two decades in Port Charles she has been in love, suffered terrible lost, found family members, had children, and has been involved in some of the most dangerous and criminal cases involving many a villain as she tried to help bring them to justice.

Photo: ABC

Currently, Sam is involved in a romance with Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna).  Viewers wonder if Lulu ever wakes up out of her coma, would that spell trouble for their relationship, and in turn, give Kelly some great meaty story to work with?

Now, in the comment section below, share your congrats to Kelly for her 20-year-run on GH. Then let us know, what has been your favorite Sam story over the years?

General Hospital and daytime drama favorite, Roger Howarth (Austin), can now also be seen in the independent feature film, What Doesn’t Float, currently premiering in limited release in New York City this weekend, and then on to Los Angeles next on October 6th.

On Howarth’s Instagram account, the talented actor shared some photos from opening night of the film with his co-stars and said: “What Doesn’t Float has conquered lower manhattan!! Thanks to these amazing creatives. Next is Los Angeles! They are beautiful talents and cool sweet people.”

What Doesn’t Float is dark comedy and anthology that follows seven stories in one city. In it, a group of characters, New Yorkers, are at their wits end. When the dailiness of urban life is suspended by unforeseen conflict, each character must make a decision. While the outcomes vary, a unified sense of the city emerges: New York becomes a mirror to the ego reflecting our true character, while the rest sinks to the bottom.

Photo: RHowarthIG

Howarth takes on the role known as “Paddle Boarder.” Along with Roger, the film stars: Pauline Chalamet, Cindy De La Cruz, Joel Nagle, Larry Fessenden, Declan Eells, Joseph Longo, Chanel & Dior Umoh, Keith Poulson, Lily Sondik, Amir Royale, and Alexra Templer.

What Doesn’t Float comes from the Creative Collective and Gummy Films: Executive Producers David Tedeschi, Bernadette & Michael Fitzgerald, produced by Rachel Walden & Pauline Chalamet, written by Shauna Fitzgerald, directed and edited by Luca Balser.

Photo: JPI

For more on screenings in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and more click here.  But have no fear, if you can’t catch a showing you can pre-order a DVD copy here.

Check out the trailer below featuring Howarth, and then let us know if you will catch a screening in an upcoming city or get the DVD, for a chance to see Roger in another intriguing role in his ever-growing list of TV and film credits, via the comment section.

It is hard to believe that now one year later, television fans will see the final performance of Daytime Emmy winner, Anne Heche (ex-Vicky/Marley, Another World).  The talented actress passed away from injuries sustained in a car crash back on August 5th, 2022.

Heche was officially declared ‘brain dead’ on August 12th, when her reps shared that Anne was “peacefully taken off life support.”  Before she passed, Anne taped what would be her final TV acting appearance in her recurring role on the legal drama, All Rise.

The series formerly with CBS and now airing on OWN, will air Heche’s last performance this Saturday, September 30th at 9pm ET/8 pm CT.  On All Rise, Heche plays lawyer Corrine Cuthbert.  Since season 2, Heche has taken on the recurring role. She appeared in six episodes.

Photo: JPI

In story, Corrine has had a fraught professional relationship with Judge Lola Carmichael played by Simone Missick.  For her final appearance, Heche’s Corrine shows up as part of a trial case.

All Rise dedicated the episode to Heche. As the hour comes to its conclusion, they express: “In Memory of Anne Heche, Our Friend and Wonderful Artist. You Are Missed.”

After this, Heche will star posthumously in the independent movie feature Wildfire: The Legend of the Cherokee Ghost Horse, slated for release in November.

Will you be watching Anne’s final television performance on All Rise? Share your thoughts via the comment section below. But first, check out a teaser for the episode which also features former Y&R star, Wilson Bethel who stars on the legal drama as Mark Callan.

Judge Lola is not the one to mess with and she is making that very clear! #AllRise pic.twitter.com/IBbJrPLCUK

— All Rise (@AllRiseOWN) September 28, 2023