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The Kelly Sullivan Interview – General Hospital

Photo Credit: Joe Henson

Photo Credit: Joe Henson

What on earth happened to Connie Falconeri from Bensonhurst?  When we first met Connie, she had revamped her life and started anew under the name Kate Howard, a world-renowned fashionista!  She also happened to be the first love and girlfriend of a young Sonny Corinthos.  Later, the two would reconnect when Kate moved her business and herself to Port Charles.  They would strike up a romance, and several gunshots and a bloody wedding dress later, eventually break-up.  Flash forward: after Sonny’s recent dissolution of his marriage to Brenda, Sonny and Kate rekindled their relationship.  Only this time something is off, way off!  Viewers have come to find out that Kate has a split personality!  And that other half of her split personality now has a name … “Connie”!

When General Hospital recast the role of Kate Howard, they did so by showing popular fan favorite Megan Ward the front door, and brought in the also talented and beautiful, Kelly Sullivan.  Within a matter of months, Kelly has put her own stamp on the role … and what a role it has become!  It’s a delicious roller coaster ride for her, the characters of Port Charles, and the viewers, as they watch Kelly navigate through each distinct personality.  And on this week’s episode, the lives of Kate/Connie, Sonny, Johnny, and Carly really hit the fan.  Through Connie’s deception and manipulations she gets Johnny in the sack, and both Sonny and Carly walked in on it!  Perfect for Connie, and not so perfect for Kate.  And then the fireworks really begin!

On-Air On-Soaps had the chance to speak with Kelly to get her take on playing the complex Kate/Connie, and to get some insight and a preview of what is to come and where it all might lead.  Needless to say, there are some shocking revelations ahead!  Along with GH head writer Ron Carlivati, who is no stranger to writing DID storylines during his time with One Life to Live, Kelly hopes that this tale of a serious illness will be just as compelling, but in a unique way.  During our chat, Kelly also addressed rumors that have recently been fueled on Twitter, and some other hot button issues. Here’s Kelly! 

MICHAEL:

You had the difficult task of replacing Megan Ward in the role of Kate Howard whose fan base, the Meganites, adore.  She did an amazing job during her run in the role.  Was there any hesitancy for you coming in and taking over the role?  Do you feel enough time had passed between Megan being on air and you coming in, where it worked out to your advantage?

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

KELLY:

That is a good question. I wasn’t hesitant because I did not really know a lot about Megan and Kate’s story.  And, I guess not knowing about it can be good.  Ignorance is always bliss.  But, I was really excited to start and dig my heels in and it was a really good challenge.  Obviously, when I first started I was very much introduced to the soap opera fans, and all the Megan fans. You can’t win em all, but that’s OK. (Laughs) Megan did an incredible job and is such a great actress, and she really set the bar high.  So I looked at it more like a challenge to bring my own life experience to the role.  It’s my version of the character and that is all you really can do.

MICHAEL:

That is all you can really do!  Did you know when you came to GH that Kate was going to have a split personality?  The changes in writers were interesting in regard to your character with Garin Wolf (ex-head writer, GH) starting this story.

KELLY:

When I first came in to audition, I was not aware of the split personality.  But I remember shortly after I started filming, maybe a couple weeks in to it, Garin Wolf was there. I had a meeting with him and that is when he told me about the split personality.  He explained it to me in a very cool way, and that he was really excited and passionate about it, which gave me more excitement for myself.  So I knew pretty soon on, but I did not know exactly how it was going to unfold.  Garin was very secretive about it.  And I remember asking him, “Well, what do you mean?  Is this like a Black Swan sort of a thing?”  And he looked at me and went, “Oh, yeah!  I guess you could say it that way.”   And I had just seen the movie and I was like,”Oooh”.

MICHAEL:

And then you were fortunate that new GH head writer, Ron Carlivati, had so much hands on experience, having written many DID storylines with the characters of Viki and Jessica during his time at One Life to Live.  Did you know about that?  And, because of that, do you feel more pressure to play the illness correctly?

KELLY:

Courtesy/ABC

Not really pressure, but when I talked to Ron about it he said this story was already set in motion before he got to GH.  I didn’t really know too much about the One Life to Live storylines, but I was hopeful and excited that it was going to be shown in a different way, and the journey was going to be a new way to show it.  Ron had said, “Obviously, I have done this before.”  But the thing that is really cool is that Ron really knows about DID and how to write it.  I told him, “You know what Ron?  I am fearless.  I will do whatever you write.”   I think he liked hearing that because it gave him the permission to write with reckless abandon for this character.  And, for him to know that I was going to do the material 100% to the best of my ability.  So it’s been great, and every day I get my scripts I can’t wait to read them, which is such a great feeling!  I even try to read ahead because I want to know where it is all going.  It’s just awesome!

MICHAEL:

Is it easy going in and out of the accent when you become Connie Falconeri from Bensonhurst?

KELLY:

No, I don’t get tripped up.  And, because of all my experience in the theatre in New York doing plays and working on various projects, you sort of have a creative license to play broad characters.  It’s funny, because I joked; “You know I used to live in Brooklyn.  I lived there for a couple of years and I just know those girls.”  And of course, I look at my first episode as Connie and the one that aired this past Monday.  Now, I see the evolution.  I feel freer and you get to sort of create a character from scratch.  And then the more you are in the bones of it, and in that world, you find all these wonderful nuances and the parts of the character that you discover as the actress playing the part.  That is the great thing about doing a soap with this character.  It is like a blank canvas that you start drawing on, and as you go, you just keep going deeper and deeper.  It’s been such an amazing experience for me.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

You have to be relieved you were not going to play a boring pretty girl love interest for Sonny!  I say, “Thank God.”  Sonny has had so many transient girlfriends and lovers!  I don’t remember him never having one for any length of time on the show!  So, how is working with Maurice Benard (Sonny)?  He is pretty terrific.

KELLY:

It’s all about Sonny, isn’t it! (Laughs) Maurice is kind of like a dream scene partner to work with.  He is pleasant and he is really an artist.  He has a passion and a love for acting.  It’s great.  He is just the best.  Maurice allows in even the smallest scenes for so much to take place, and I love that.  So that is how I approach it, too.  If anything, we will talk about scenes.  Maurice comes with such broad knowledge and history of being on a soap, and how they work and how to be successful.  He is always open for you to come to him for discussion.  He has been extremely helpful and supportive of me.  And, when you are in a scene with Maurice, he makes you feel like you are the most important person in the room.  There is no ego, and no judgment.  He will say, “We just have got to kick-ass every moment and every second … and we are good.  We are golden.”

MICHAEL:

Is the real alter Connie?  Or, do you think it is Kate?  I have my doubts!

KELLY:

Well, we have not determined that!  I think both sides of that coin are really cool because as you know with DID, you have the host person and then you have these other personalities.  But, I think it would be a twist if Connie were the host.

MICHAEL:

I do too!

Courtesy/ABC

KELLY:

Yeah!  I remember someone tweeted that and I thought, “Oh, my God. That is such a great idea.”  They tweeted that way back when this first started.  There is the possibility of integration and combining the two characters.  That is really cool to me as well.  They are pretty hush-hush over at the place called GH.  I honestly don’t even know what I am doing next week! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

This week, Connie’s’ plan has set in motion a huge mess for so many lives.  Tell me the set up and why she went about it this way, sleeping with Johnny and having Sonny walk in on it. 

KELLY:

Connie’s plan all along was to get Sonny to see her in bed with Johnny and then leave. This week, she has finally succeeded.  She did it in a really devious way.  She sort of blackmailed Johnny and said, “You have two choices here.  You can just do this, or I will say you attacked me, and have fun with that one!”   So Sonny has his reaction and Carly also discovered them together.  Connie just wants to make sure she did enough damage that it will secure her freedom and future away from Sonny.

MICHAEL:

And why does she want to be free from Sonny so badly?

KELLY:

Connie is looking at this as complete self-preservation, and if Kate goes, then Connie goes.  She believes that if Kate needs to be with Sonny, the possibility of violence and the possibility of her getting killed or injured or hurt, are really high.  So Connie feels that for her survival and Kate’s, she has to get away from him.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

Isn’t Sonny being a doofus? (Laughs) I mean, can’t he tell that there is something really off with his beloved Kate, er Connie? (Laughs)

KELLY:

I know! You might say it’s a little contrived, but it has to be played that way because Sonny can’t figure it all out yet.  He knows that something is up. Sonny is a very smart character where you think he would say, “OK, let’s talk”.   And, every single time poor Kate tries to tell him what is going on, it’s Grand Central Station in his house!

MICHAEL:

How is working with Brandon Barash (Johnny), your pseudo-blackmailed co-conspirator in Port Charles?

KELLY:

He is an amazing and a consummate actor, and someone who is passionate and takes his work very seriously.  Brandon is fun.

MICHAEL:

Over the past weekend there was a firestorm on Twitter where rumors began swirling that Brandon was exiting from the series and will be murdered in May.  You alerted him to let him know what was being said via a tweet, and also came to his defense.

KELLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I know, and it’s funny because I don’t know where people get all their information.  I don’t know if it’s a spoiler or someone trying to be mischievous.  I think he is such an integral part of all the storylines and such a good character.  Brandon is my dear friend, and someone who I think is such an asset to the show.  I don’t know where people get these rumors, but you never know what is going to happen.  The fact is: I have strong feelings towards everyone on GH and I think everyone there is incredible.  And then, Frank Valentini tweeted this week that Brandon isn’t going anywhere, which is so nice, too!

MICHAEL:

Speaking of the head honcho, how is working with the talented and new executive producer, Frank Valentini?  I know he is always on the floor during taping of the episodes, which I think is hands-on and terrific.

KELLY:

He is always on the floor.  I love it, and that is the environment I am used to.  And when I first started on GH, it was a totally different experience, because I felt like you have your directors and they tell you where to go, etc.  I have a lot of questions, because the character of Kate, when I started to play her, already had a lot of history with a lot of people.  It’s nice to have another pair of eyes.  I love it and it’s a real cohesive environment.  Frank knows how to tell a story.  I think he is an incredible editor.  He is always thinking ten steps ahead.  He also thinks of all the little moments that as an actor you might not be conscious of, or get every little thing.  I feel very taken care of.  I feel Frank is there for the good of the show.  I really enjoy his presence a lot.

MICHAEL:

Wouldn’t it be great if Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) popped in to Port Charles to help Kate/Connie with her DID?  Fans have been tweeting that also!

KELLY:

Courtesy/ABC

I have heard that on Twitter and that Bree should come and help, too!  And I say, “Bring it on.”   This disease is something that exists and it’s a scary thing.  It’s a mental illness and it’s terrible, and how you work through it to get healthy is such a journey.  That is why I am really happy that Ron is here at GH.  There is a very specific way to deal with this illness.  I don’t know much, but I know that they are going to take their time to work it out.  It’s not something you can just move past all of a sudden and she is fine.

MICHAEL:

So as the aftermath of Connie’s deception rocks Port Charles … where do you think Sonny is with all of this at this point?  And, Connie?

KELLY:

Sonny doesn’t understand at first.  Sonny thinks that Kate got raped or attacked.  Then he tries to get Connie/Kate out of Johnny’s.  And Connie said, “I am where I want to be.” She doesn’t really explain, and Maurice played it very well, because he is sort of shocked a little bit and he pulls out a gun.  Then you think, “Oh, God.  Now what?”  But he ends up leaving, and then as he is leaving Carly shows up and has a whole conversation with Johnny about it and leaves.  And then Connie says to Johnny, “Congratulations, we did it.”  And then, she and Johnny get into an argument and Johnny gets in her face.  And he is yelling at her about, “What have we done?  This is a terrible idea”  And then Kate comes back and everything hits the fan.  Then, Johnny tells her what just happened.  Thus begins the aftermath of trying to pick up the pieces of this disaster.  Sonny is not buying it at all.  So Connie is like, “I did it.  I am out.”  And … she tries to skip town. 

MICHAEL:

Carly and Sonny have a kiss this week!  What do you think that will mean in the long run?

Photo Credit:: Michael Tammaro

KELLY:

I was not there for the filming of those scenes, but that is an interesting moment between as well.  How that is going to play out, will be really great!

MICHAEL:

So, are the townsfolk of Port Charles now finally going to figure out what is up with Kate?

KELLY:

What is funny is that no one in town really knows what is up with her except Dr. Keenan, and Johnny.  How everyone is going to deal with Connie and how people are going to slowly figure out what exactly is going on will happen in the next week and half of air shows.  It’s almost more interesting to be the other characters, because the audience is in on it.  It’s going to be very intense.  I can tell you, the next coming two weeks, I was all over the place with both characters.  I was really exhausted, but it was so great to play every tiny second to its biggest moment was a real challenge.   I think everyone is going to be happy with it.  The aftermath Kate/Connie for sure is huge!  And the interesting thing is seeing how Kate got stuck in the mirror and Connie is free.  And then, seeing how she is going to go back and forth from Kate and Connie, and who is going to prevail and take control.

MICHAEL:

What if a third alter “Bonnie” were to pop out? 

KELLY:

I know!  But you know if that were to happen, it would be very ver. batim for the disease. But you know, Connie is there for a reason.  They are going to explore that, coming up in therapy.  I can tell you that is going to be very cool because these things happen from trauma.  Something very bad happened to Connie/Kate.  And, I don’t even know.  I can tell you they have not told me too much, because they don’t want me to know too much ahead of time.

Courtesy/IMDB

MICHAEL:

I know we are going to need our hankies at some point here.  Something very bad has to have happened to Connie when she was growing up in Bensonhurst!

KELLY:

Something tragic happened, and something so terrible had to have happened that you could not even imagine! So I am anxiously awaiting those scripts.

MICHAEL:

There are also rumors going around that it is actually Connie/Kate that will be murdered during May Sweeps.  What would you say to that?

KELLY:

Well, you know what?  To my knowledge I am on, but you never know. (Laughs) I think whatever happens is going to be really great.  To my knowledge I am not being murdered and no one has told me this.  But you never know! (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Who’s more fun to dress up as Connie or Kate?

Courtesy/ABC

KELLY:

Well, Connie has these skinny jeans and I feel fabulous when I wear them. (Laughs)  And the lipstick is great. I get to wear my hair down and feel fancy free, but Kate has a great closet.

MICHAEL:

Are you a clothes horse in real life?

KELLY:

I am!  I love getting dressed up and dolled up and going out.  But you know, I also enjoy being in my PJ’s and my hiking gear.  I like to be comfortable.

MICHAEL:

Are you at all a fashionista like Kate Howard?

KELLY:

Yeah.  I wish I had someone who would go shopping for me and go, “Here are ten new outfits,” and they would all work.  (Laughs) That is my dream.  At GH, you go in and try an outfit on and then they get someone to alter it to your size.  It’s a dream.  I wish I had that in my life.  You go to the store, and you try something on and it’s like, “Oh, this almost works, but um, not this part of it.” (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Are people coming up to you now on the street and yelling, “Hey Connie! Hey Kate?”  Or even worse, wanting to clock you one for thinking you are really Connie for hurting Sonny? (Laughs)

KELLY:

A couple of times people have stopped me and said, “We are enjoying the journey and you are doing a great job.”  And no one else has said, other than Twitter, “Kate’s gotta go. Connie needs to stay.”  (Laughs)

MICHAEL:

I think Connie is becoming more popular than Kate!

KELLY:

Yes, I know!  Connie is going to be doing some very sneaky mischievous things coming up.  She is the villain right now, and it’s fun to play the villain.

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Hate this storyline — I think it is contrived and dumb. I also think it is hurting the ratings and the Connie/Kate storyline is getting far too much airtime. I’ve seen a lot of negative comments about it. Kelly Sullivan seems like a nice young actress but I don’t care for her portrayal or her storyline. I hope her character is written off as rumored.

I would be willing to bet that it is just that, a rumor. Same as with Brandon Barash. I actually heard the Johnny rumor for at least weeks if not 2 mths, not days and, not true.

I hate this storyline as well. It is contrived and dumb, and this actress is HORRIBLE! Why would GH hire someone who can’t even maintain an accent in a role where one is required? Sullivan may think she doesn’t “get tripped up,” but in actuality she goes in and out of the accent at the wrong times so often that half the time I don’t know which personality is speaking. I also don’t really care because frankly if Carlivati expects us to take D.I.D. seriously, Sullivan’s portrayal of someone with it is abysmal, like GH’s ratings. Her portrayal does not elicit sympathy. It is so absurd it makes me laugh and shake my head.This character cannot be written off soon enough for me, and this storyline is a bust and a complete waste of airtime. Sullivan’s name shouldn’t even be uttered in the same breath as Slezak’s. What a joke!

I totally disagree that this storyline is a waste of time. I think Kelly is portraying the D.I.D. role really well. Connie is entertaining. Kate I felt sorry for especially when she was explaining to Sonny her condition and he was ignoring her. I actually was emotional these past few days. That is what makes an actor/actress great when he/she can play multiple roles and get the audience to have mixed feelings on their characters. This week happens to be mental health awareness week. I have great empathy on that topic because I had studied that a bit and actually know people who have mental health issues. I am looking forward to more storylines on the topic.

She’s doing an EXCELLENT job! I’m enthused by the whole turn of events at General Hospital. It’s not just one or two characters I’m interested in; it’s everyone and how they interact with each other. Watching has been a pleasure.

KELLY ,is doing a great job !

I just want to say to Kelly that she is actually the image of what I thought Kate should be. The first time she came on screen, and was dressed with class and elegance, her hair and make-up, I said out loud, “Now that is what Kate Howard is suppose to look like”! There is no frump to Kelly at all. I also LOVE the Kate/Connie DID. The first thing I wondered was who was really the alter and I bet that it was Kate Howard who left Sonny standing on the street corner in Bensonhurst…………..Finally, great s/l again on GH

My first attraction to soaps was Vicki/Nicki way back in the day, so this storyline rocks for me. I’m especially loving when Connie pretends to be Kate. She plays the voice just a little higher and the personality just a little prissier than the actual Kate. I think Kelly is playing this to the nines!

I’m enjoying this storyline a lot. Reminds me of when Lois was on!

Kelly is doing a great job, thank you michael for another great interview.

Love the interview. I think Kelly is doing a great job. It’s hard as hell to come into a character that has been played by someone else but I think Kelly has made this character her own. I actually enjoy the craziness of Connie and hope she isn’t written off the show! Nice Job Kelly 🙂

I’m on Team Connie! And I love, love, love, Kelly Sullivan. She is not only absolutely gorgeous, but extremely talented. I think she has done a tremendous job with the DID story line. Bashing actors to me is mindboggling. Those of you who do, need to think – what if one of your co-workers posted on facebook or twitter what a shitty employee you are and how everyone just hates working with you? I’m thinking that wouldn’t be a very pleasant event for you at all. Just saying…

totally agree

me too!

Loving the kate/connie( did) story ,always was a fan of vicki/niki/ all the others,erika slezak was the best and Kelly sullivan is doing ok.I like connie ,nice accent.but she needs to be locked up, then vicki and jess can come to visit her and explain to kate how to live with her other personality they have to learn to live with each other .poor Ewan she really walloped him.But seriously Sonny has to figure this out because its obvious kate is nuts and I cant believe he is so dumb and hasnt caught on yet.Looks like he may be putting two and two together,I hope so.

She has very big eyes……………….They put too much black eyeliner underneath her eyes…I think it makes her look hard………I like Viki/Nikki the best….Connie is a menace …….Unpreditable…A loose cannon…………I like her better as kate……………………Not her alter…………..They again, need to lighten up on the eyeliner….It almost looks like she has two black-eyes………….She is a pretty woman, but the eyeliner has to go.. It makes her look older & hard looking…Again I like Viki/Niki the best over all!!!!!!!!! OLTL fan……..

Yes ,They do put to much of that black eyeliner on kate/connie and maxi,and your right viki/niki/and all the others, were the best no one does the multiple personalities like Ericka slezak,she is the best.I like connie,she is something else.

John mcbain did have a blue shirt on the other day,Wonder if it does mean anything or maybe all his black shirts were at the cleaners,You made me laugh when I read that ,because it can mean something.Dont you love the way he acts around all the general hospital veterans? he fits right in beautifully.And I loved when john and luke were talking vampires.I love michael easton.

Yes John McBain fits in very well with GH veterans…………….What is going on with him & Sam….They have that connection going on….Calap the vampire…Like John McBain character better………….Will he be loyal to Natalie??????????????????? I read in soap digest that Kathy Baeir might visit her brother-in-law John McBain..It is just talk it isn’t definite yet…

Marcie(Kathy Baier) I mean………..from my comment on 4/29 at 4:31pm

Kelly is a great actress and I’m enjoying this storyline very much. I love the set up for it and that she is in and out of each personality rather quickly. I think the show has been awesome the past few months and I love how all the characters are connected, it’s really a nice balance and blend. Thank you Frank Valentini for turning GH around!!

I am one of those PROUD MEGANITES!! 🙂

That is no longer relevant. She is no longer in the role. It is sounding like a lot of people like Kelly and think she is doing a great job.

Great storyline.Kelly is knocking it out of the park!

Kelly is doing a great job with this storyline. I didn’t like it at first, but this past week everything has kicked up a notch. From this interview, she seems like a really cool person. I’m glad she’s on the show.

I like Kelly very much! she puts so much spark into Connie and she changes personalities bettter than anyone else IMO. I think that Kelly is doing a perfect job as Kate/Connie and I love her with SONNY! Also we don’t need any more characters from OLTL ! I think a few are OK but I certainly hope TPTB remember that this is GH!

I am so OVER the DID stories. They did it to death on OLTL and now on GH.

Viki/Niki was the best…Erika Slezak is so talented. And I miss her & the rest of the cast of OLTL..Niki was better than Connie………I just prefer Niki over Connie…

If I had a choice I would chose niki over connie ,Erika Slezak was the best actress in daytime television.And she is missed very much by this big fan of hers and I would love to see vicki move to port charles.Then again I wish abc/disney had a change of heart and put back my beloved One life to live.But a heart they dont have its all greed now,no one running that mouse house has any class or even knows what it is.how they are making money on 2 shows that are not bringing in the viewers like all my children and one life to live did, I don’t under stand them keeping that awful trash on,bring our soaps back we want drama,not dopy news,talk,and food shows.Afternoons will never ,ever, be the same without all the soaps on all the networks.ABC,NBC,CBS,BRING BACK THE SOAPS.

This is such a great story, with a possibly very interesting twist, being that Connie is the host and Kate has been the alter all these years. I must say that I am a confirmed Megan Ward fan, and I really don’t understand the recast. HOWEVER, Kelly Sullivan is doing an awesome job and is winning me over very quickly (even though I think she’s a little too young for this role). Keep up the outstanding work, Kelly, Ron and Frank. (Long live ONE LIFE TO LIVE.)

Great interview, Michael. I think Kelly is doing an outstanding acting job with this dual personality. She must be exhausted at the end of the day going back and forth from Kate/Connie. That role could only be done by an accomplished actress. I cannot picture Megan Ward in this role. Hopefully, the writers including Ron will handle this illness with finesse. Because there are people who unfortunately have this illness. They have to be sensitive to that. Meanwhile, let us all watch the developments as we anticipate the outcome and the fall out!…

i detest this storyline as well! while kelly was good at the beginning, the D.I.D. storyline is proving too much for her to handle. she is NOT convincing as connie. and worse, she’s making me dislike sonny.

I like her as connie to bad she cant stay and kate can go ,or come out once in a while.ME, this is the first time in a very long time that I am feeling sorry for Sonny and I’m starting to like him again.Could be that the mob stories are not taking over like they were,I look forward to general hospital It’s for me,watchable again.

I hope GH don’t drag the DID storyline too long. I don’t like to see Sonny weak and dumb. He is supposed to know Connie/Kate better than anyone.
By the way, I think Megan Ward could play this role beautifuly, no doubt about it. As it was mentioned in the interview Megan set the bar high.
Thanks to FV and RC for saving GH 🙂

I am not enjoying this storyline at all. DID on soaps is so trite and this version is so WTF. Kelly is an okay actress but I am having a hard time connecting with her version of Kate and find this storyline beyond ridiculous.

I Love Kelly Sullivan and am enjoying this storyline. It gives the show a really big kick – not the same old Sonny the gangters story, but one that hits Sonny in a place he’s never experienced. He has mostly had control over his women ( except Carly LOL) and now he is faced with a problem he doesn’t know how to handle. I liked that he was trying to find excuses for Kate/Connie being in bed with Johnny. He knows somthing is off.

One thing about all these rumors regarding Kelly and Brandon being written off. I really hope it is not true. But I gotta say, this RavenBeauty is a bit fishy. Who is she and who on GH is leaking info – or is she full of BS and just a troublemaker?

Kelly you are the best.

I love Kelly too she is a talented actress hope we get to see new things besides same ole same ole on gh.

kelly is doing a terrific job as connie. she is hillarious and fool of spunk. keep her as connie.

Kelly is doing an amazing job; she is much more believeable as Connie than Megan would have been. Megan Ward was too WASPish to play Connie from Bensonhurst.

Hopefully Connie is here to stay.I liked Megan ward they were two different kate howards.Connie has to be a lot of fun to hang around with as long as she isnt looking in a mirror and having a serious conversation with Kate.

Great interview Michael!

I am not a fan of this storyline and soooooooooooooooo wish it would end yesterday! Kelly is talented… but… this DID story is just not as good as Viki/Niki. We cared deeply about Viki and we cared about anything that affected her. I do not care enough for Kate and Kate and Sonny to care to watch Kate/Connie. Had they done a DID storyline with Carly… I would care more. RC is great… but this is too contrived and too much of an OLTL copy cat. I know it was started before RC was writing but please…

Please wrap this storyline up soon and send her to fernbrook… shady brook is too close! Get Sonny someone more appropriate for him and his lifestyle.

I too do not like the makeup they use on Kate or Connie… she is so much prettier in pictures that are not from her GH days. Unless they are trying to make her scary, unattractive, crazy, and very cheap looking.

Love, love,love Kelly Sullivan–I have just started watching GH–after a long absence and since OLTL and AMC are gone. Ms. Sullivan’s performances are electrifying!! Excellent. Also, thrilled no end with Heather Webber’s long overdue arrival in Port Charles–Robin Mattson-delicious!! Finola Hughes–her non-stop tears when she arrived in town and discovered her daughter was dead–super emotional and great acting. Really enjoying GH right now and what a delight it is to enjoy a scripted drama with great writing and acting. All of the reality shows and talk shows have about run their course for me. Keep up the great work GH!!!

The fight with carly and connie/kate was good, loved every minute of it, Seriously I did not know who’s side I was on, I guess Carly because she was betrayed by Johnny and kate/connie,First thing carly should do is google what d.i.d means. Now I am really pissed off at jason,I can not believe how he is treating Sam.Of all the hurt feeling between those two Sam was violated by that pig franco and all jason can think about is sam talking to john and he cant be a father to the baby, Whatever jason, I’m ON Sams side in this argument, Never thought of Jason being self centered, its all about him. All in all it was a good day in port charles,Loved every minute of it .Cant wait to tune in tomorrow.

Another good day in port charles, I thought it was brilliant when Johnny was trying to explain to Carly that Kate has d i d,and he is reading a book about it and the authors are a woman and her daughter from pennsylvania .That was good to hear.I like sam and john together cant say as a couple but maybe as brother and sister, I dont (Even though I am mad at Jason) want sam and jason to break up and nat and john do belong together,I want to reach out and shake starr ,no sonny is not the bad guy, not this time.And everything else that’s going on in port charles,real good stories,hopefully Ronnie will go down, I knew he was the bad guy.Tomorrow will be a good day,general hospital is so good to watch now,I love every minute of it.

I think it is really interesting that carly was like degrading kate/connie because doesn’t she herself suffer from some sort of mental illness? Should be fun getting to watch two nuts trying to crack each other.

Great interview. So glad to have found it, though a bit after the fact. Thanks Michael.

I say Bravo to Kelly. She has done an awesome job with the DID story. I love both Connie and Kate but I do admit I love the lines Connie comes out with. What a sassy personality she has.

I can’t wait to find out which personality is the alter and what the character of Kate will be like if the two personalities are joined. Should be fun!

To those who can’t seem to adjust to re-cast, try to cut Kelly some slack and stop comparing her to Megan. I loved Megan but she is no longer Kate. When I see Kelly…I see Kate/Con and what a job she is doing!

Please let the rumors be true and let Connie/Kate be murdered and get rid of her once and for all. She gas ruined Sonny and I can’t stand her facial expressions and her voice

After Friday’s episode (May 18th), I now count Kelly Sullivan as one of my favorite actresses in daytime.

I have never been so impressed with a actress she is doing an awesome job. Kelly is doing a super job.

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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