Finally, after many preemptions, General Hospital’s 15,000the episode aired on Wednesday. In it and front and center in the standalone episode was GH icon, Genie Francis (Laura).

In story, after a scathing op-ed is run in The Invader from a group of citizens called “The Friend of Port Charles”, they take aim at Mayor Laura Collins and want a recall to replace her. When trying to figure out who was behind the story, Laura’s friends and the citizens of the town, band together to keep her from being ousted and to figure out who would attack her in the press like this.

That sets up a few sentimental flashback clips featuring the three current longest-running members of the cast, Genie, Kin Shriner (Scott) and Jackie Zeman (Bobbie).  Viewers get a glimpse of Scotty and Laura’s wedding, and then Bobbie’s contentious and duplicitous side when she fought for the love of Scotty against a teenaged Laura.

As Laura tries to determine who is behind the op-ed, Curtis (Donnell Turner) gets a lead from Ms. Wu (Lydia Look) that Laura’s half-brother, Cyrus Renault (Jeff Kober) is behind it.  Laura then heads to Pentonville to confront Cyrus.  She asks if he’s the brains behind “The Friends of Port Charles”.

Cyrus insists he is only an advisor. He goes on to say that this is a group of people who are disillusioned by the way she is running the town.  Cyrus gets angry and vengeful, and emotional, when saying the police department is corrupt and how ELQ and Cassadine Industries gets tax breaks at the expense of less fortunate people, etc.  Laura can’t figure out if these people in the ‘friends’ group have such high moral value why would they hire a criminal, like him, as an advisor?

Renault goes on to say that it’s up to God and preaches she needs to be less self-righteous.  Laura throws back to Cyrus that where was God in that scathing op-ed, that he did filled with such hate?  Laura then forgives him and walks out, which stuns Cyrus.

Photo: ABC

Later, Scotty in front of Laura, Bobbie, Anna (Finola Hughes), Felicia (Kristina Wagner) and Lucy (Lynn Herring), proposes to Liesl (Kathleen Gati), but she turns down his marriage proposal.  Liesl feels they have a good thing going , so why mess it up with a marriage at this point. The two kiss.

In addition, Laura meets up with Maxie (Kirsten Storms), who are visiting an institutionalized Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst).  Maxie brings her some cosmetics from Deception because of the bad lighting in the facility.

The softball game was the throughline of the episode, and at the end, we saw the payoff, when all the characters converged on Charlie’s giving their support to Laura, who says she is ready to write her rebuttal.

Then in a voice-over from Laura, she speaks to the essence of Port Charles and its residents which included: that they have a strong community that she is proud to be a part of it and she speaks to her legacy over generations.  Kevin (Jon Lindstrom) proposes a toast to Laura, as she notes that if she loses the recall then so be it, adding that if the person who replaces her is a Port Charles lifer, like she is, then the town will continue to prosper.

So, what did you think of the 15,000 episode milestone episode? Did you enjoy the performance of Genie Francis? Did you like the way much of the cast was utilized, or did you feel otherwise? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

The juggernaut that is ABC’s General Hospital, is marking yet another accomplishment in its storied 59-year-history.  The iconic soap opera is set to air on Wednesday, June 22nd (unless preempted), its 15,000th episode.

As part of the celebration, General Hospital’s Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), Marcus Coloma (Nikolas Cassadine) and Josh Swickard (Chase), who all appear in the standalone episode, chat with Michael Fairman to mark the occasion.

During the conversation now on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Finola and Marcus, and later Josh, who logged on later while at Disneyland, discuss: their beginnings on GH from landing their respective roles, who in the cast perhaps most intimated them, at first, and what it has meant to be part of the legacy of General Hospital.  In addition, Finola, Marcus, and Josh reveal some of their more challenging storylines, and more.

Photo: ABC

Later, the trio each gives us a tease of what’s to come now that Nikolas has slept with Esme (Avery Pohl), what lies ahead for Anna and her love-interest Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), and Josh talks on working with his on-screen love-interest, Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn Quartermaine).

Watch for a special appearance by GH’s Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) within the interview, as we do a deep-dive of being part of the ensemble cast.

We also take a moment to send out our condolences to Kristina (Felicia) and Jack Wagner (Ex-Frisco) on the passing of their son, Harrison, and how you can donate to the scholarship fund in his honor.

Check out our GH 15K interview with Finola, Marcus, and Josh below, and make sure to ‘subscribe’ to the Michael Fairman Channel for more upcoming features, interviews, and upcoming Daytime Emmy red carpet coverage.

The Daytime Emmys are just three days away when the gold statuettes are handed out on the 49th Annual Awards Show telecast on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 24th (9pm EST).

Ahead of the ceremonies, NATAS President and CEO, Adam Sharp, spoke to Variety to give some details of what viewers may be on the lookout for when the broadcast returns, with an all-live presentation for the first time since 2019, and through the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused it to pivot to virtual ceremonies for the last two years.

Photo: NATAS

Now, Sharp shares that with the previously announced realignment that will see Children’s & Family programming having its own Emmy that, “The telecast will be very squarely focused on the dramas, talk shows and game shows.”  He also adds: “It will be a bit more focused.”

With an audience present this year, Sharp is counting on the live element to heighten the awards night fun and drama. expressing, “Hopefully that  excitement conveys to the viewers.  I think you’ll see us try to put a lot of that interaction on display.”

This year’s Daytime Emmys will feature 14 categories which Sharp hopes streamlines the broadcast and keeps it to a tight two-hour celebration of daytime.

Previously, NATAS and the TV Academy (which administers the Primetime Emmys), decided to move away from day part distinctions and focus more on genre. In addition, streaming series featuring soap notables, such as Studio City and The Bay, will be competing for nomination slots in September’s Primetime Emmys.

So, looking forward to this year’s Daytime Emmy telecast? Comment below.