GH News Archive - 2009

Rena Sofer's Hallmark Role
On October 24, the Hallmark Channel will premiere ALWAYS & FOREVER, its latest original movie starring Rena Sofer (ex-Lois, GH) and Dean McDermott. While chatting with Digest for a feature in the October 27 issue, Sofer admits that she rarely watches her own work. "I'm sure the kids are gonna watch it," she laughs, referring to daughters Rosabel, 13, and Avalon, 4. "Hallmark is in the Valley and there's a big billboard that they have outside of their offices on Ventura Boulevard, and we live in the Valley, so the other day we were driving and I'm talking to my daughter and she goes, 'Mom! Mom, is that you?' And we looked up and I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, yeah, look! There's the billboard.' We didn't know if we were going to be the billboard, because they do like three movies a month, so the fact that we were up there was very fun and my husband [Sanford Bookstaver] went and took pictures of it." For more on what Sofer, check out the October 27 issue of Digest, on stands now.

GH Star Weds
A GH spokesperson confirms that Ingo Rademacher (Jax) wed fiancée Ehiku in a private ceremony in Malibu on October 3 with close friends and family in attendance. Before the eco-friendly reception, the groom was seen with his groomsmen riding in a golf cart singing "Going to the Chapel" and then serenading his bride-to-be from below her balcony window before they said "I do" on the cliffs of Point Dume overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Congratulations to the happy couple!

James Franco Joins GH
That's right, Golden Globe winner James Franco (Spider-Man, Milk) is taking The Pineapple Express straight to Port Charles. GENERAL HOSPITAL confirmed the surprising casting news to the Associated Press hours after it had already spread across the Internet like wildfire in rumor form. GH Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps noted in the statement that it is "an honor that an actor of Franco's caliber would choose to spend some of his valuable time in Port Charles." Franco will debut on Nov. 20 in an as-yet undisclosed role and is expected to be on the canvas for approximately two months.

GH's Brown Out!
GH confirms that three-time Emmy winner Sarah Brown (Claudia) will be leaving the show in November. "Her departure from Port Charles will be buzz-worthy for November sweeps," says a spokesperson. "Stay tuned as we move towards Claudia's exit from the canvas."

The actress left the following message on her Twitter page: "Claudia Zacchara has been a wild ride, every ride stops when the music ends. The music stops mid Oct ... It's been nice being back at GH, but it's time for the character to come to an end, at least for me ... Have a film in the works for Nov — a lead role to die for — and we shall [see] what else comes up. Thank you for your support, means the world!"

GH's Monaco Speaks
It was two weeks ago today when Digest exclusively reported that a casting call had gone out for the role of GENERAL HOSPITAL's Sam McCall, played by Kelly Monaco since 2003. Here, Monaco sets the record straight. "I'm staying!" she enthuses, just as the the details of her deal are being finalized. "There really was no doubt." As for the now infamous casting call, she nods, "It wasn't even a scare tactic. It's just standard procedure. If my stuff wasn't signed by sometime a.m., then they have to send out a breakdown. I got a call from my boss [Jill Farren Phelps, executive producer] early on in the day saying, 'Don't be alarmed but there's a breakdown going out,' so I knew all about it." For more on Monaco's decision to stick around Port Charles, check out upcoming issues of Soap Opera Digest.

Big Returns On GH
SOAPnet.com reports that Anthony Geary (Luke) and Constance Towers (Helena) will return to GENERAL HOSPITAL on Sept. 30. Their arrivals in Port Charles will undoubtedly answer the following: Where has Luke been and did Helena kidnap him? Mark your calendars!

Burton's Back For More
While still unconfirmed by the show, sources say that Steve Burton (Jason) has indeed re-inked a new deal to stay with GENERAL HOSPITAL. As reported in the 8/11/09 issue of Digest, the actor told fans at his event held during the annual GH Fan Club weekend that he was optimistic about reaching an agreement. Talk is that Burton was looking into a schedule that would permit him to relocate his family out of Los Angeles to a home he purchased near Nashville, TN. No word yet on the length of the actor's new contract. Burton joined GH in 1992.

GH Casting News
Sebastian Roché (Jerry, GH) is heading back to Port Charles this summer. The gig is short-term, but expect the elder Jacks to stir up some serious trouble in July. In other news, daytime newcomer Lexi Ainsworth (Kristina) has been upped to contract status.

Twitter-Patted
On the June 24 episode of GENERAL HOSPITAL, Matt suggested Maxie follow him on Twitter and search for "Dr. Matt Hunter"? Guess what? You can, too! A spokesperson for GH confirms that Jason Cook is indeed tweeting as his character. Fans can also follow the real-life Twitter accounts of Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Brandon Barash (Johnny), Greg Vaughan (Lucky), and Sarah Brown (Claudia), amongst others.

ABC Daytime And SOAPnet Go Musical
ABC Daytime and SOAPnet are going into the concert business. Specifically, according to a statement from the network, that includes sponsoring country singer Sara Evans' national tour, integrated in-show performances (Hello, Lionel Richie!) and on-air campaigns, including musician interviews and "integration of songs in on and off-air marketing campaigns."

Evans first performance under the ABC Daytime/SOAPnet umbrella will be Sunday, June 13 at the ABC All Star Block Party at the CMA Music Festival.

Warlock Goes To Church
Billy Warlock (ex-Frankie, DAYS; ex-A.J., GH; ex-Ben, Y&R) stars in Ivan Hurzeler's short film in the Netflix Find Your Voice Competition (www.netflixfindyourvoice.com). Out of thousands of submissions, Ivan Hurzeler's feature film project, Church, was chosen as one of ten semi-finalists. The five projects with the most votes will continue on in the competition that will award one filmmaker a $350,000 production package to make their feature film.

Ivan and his screenwriter, Cami Delavigne, decided to make the short starring Warlock to show their ability at telling stories on film. That short, Hatchet Man, shares its themes with Church, the feature. Cami, who co-wrote the upcoming Blue Valentine, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, found inspiration for the 3 minute Hatchet Man in real life: an employee at a big New York ad agency secretly filmed a cheating couple. The X-rated video made it onto the Internet, causing a massive scandal.

Billy Warlock plays the aggressive boss in Hatchet Man. He sends Ted to fire the man responsible for the shocking video. Unfortunately, Ted finds himself in a scary mess with boss Billy Warlock breathing down his neck. Who shot the video? Who's gonna get fired? Billy delivers the verdict — with unexpected results.

To see and vote for Warlock's project, go to www.netflixfindyourvoice.com.

GENERAL HOSPITAL Casting Notice
The mob scene in Port Charles just got a little more crowded. Dominic Zamprogna joins the cast of GH as Dominic, who's hired by Claudia (Sarah Brown) to aid in her latest scheme. The Canadian-born Zamprogna recurred on such series as THE L WORD and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. He begins airing in late June.

GH Casting News
Martha Byrne (ex-Lily, ATWT) is joining the cast of GENERAL HOSPITAL. The daytime vet will be playing Andrea Floyd, the wife of Port Charles Mayor Garrett Floyd, played by John Bolger (ex-John, OLTL, et al). The role is recurring and, according to a show spokesperson, "open-ended." Byrne begins taping in mid-May. The actress left ATWT in 2008 after a 23-year run and was replaced by Noelle Beck (ex-trisha, LOVING). Most recently, Byrne served as a script writer on BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL.

GH Goes Hi-Def
GENERAL HOSPITAL viewers may notice things look just a little better in Port Charles beginning April 23, when the ABC soap becomes the first daytime soap to be broadcast in high definition. "It's going to be great for GENERAL HOSPITAL," raves Sarah Brown (Claudia) in the April 28 issue of Soap Opera Weekly currently on sale. But viewers remember this — you must have a hi-def television to appreciate the difference.

GH Casting News!
Billy Dee Williams is coming to GENERAL HOSPITAL. The actor will reprise the role of Toussaint DuBois, which created on the SOAPnet spinoff, GH: NIGHT SHIFT. In the storyline, Toussaint will hit town during a break from touring with his band, The Saints, to check in on his special friend, Epiphany (Sonya Eddy). Look for Williams to start airing in early June.

GH's Constance Towers On Helena's Return
Helena makes a grand entrance at GENERAL HOSPITAL's reopening. "The introduction is like having your Hello, Dolly moment: center stage, in a big red dress!" gushes her portrayer, Constance Towers. Viewers can expect trouble, big trouble. "This is her way to let everybody know she's back to do ill deeds," she adds.

GH Partners With Postpartum Support International
GENERAL HOSPITAL and Postpartum Support International (PSI) have partnered and produced a PSA, which will first air on Thursday, April 16. It features Kimberly McCullough, who plays Dr. Robin Scorpio, a new mother currently dealing with postpartum depression. During May sweeps, Robin will finally deal with her illness and join a support group that will feature real-life mothers who have had postpartum depression.

"Millions of women's lives can be saved by ending the fear and isolation of sufferers and offering access to treatment resources," said Birdie Gunyon Meyer, RN, MA, president, PSI in a statement. "We are grateful to ABC Daytime following up with a public service announcement and helping to raise awareness of what is truly the most common complication of childbirth."

It's Official!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has officially announced that the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast on the CW television network on Sunday, August 30 at 8 p.m. The show will take place in the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. "The Daytime Emmy Awards are one of the cornerstones of our business," said Frank Radice, president and chief marketing officer, NATAS. "There wouldn't be a television awards season without them. From the extravagant red carpet to the great entertainment, the viewer will experience the show through new approaches which will make this year's show more robust and relevant than ever before."

Major nominations will be announced on May 14, 2009 on NBC's TODAY show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The complete list will be available that evening at a nominating event at the Hearst Tower.

Daytime Emmys To Air On The CW
GoldDerby.com reports that The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences are about to announce that the Daytime Emmys will be broadcast on The CW network in late August, most likely on Aug. 31. The news ends months of speculation on the dismal fate of the awards show. Though The CW doesn't air any daytime soaps, it is the home of GOSSIP GIRL and various talk shows that are also in the Daytime Emmy world.

DVDs of performances from all the pre-nominated actors (Check out the pre-noms here) have been mailed out today to the voters. Nominees in the major categories will be announced on May 14 during the fourth hour of the TODAY show. The remaining nominees will be announced during a reception that evening at the Hearst Building in New York City.

GH's Michael Recast
GENERAL HOSPITAL has cast newcomer Drew Garrett in the role of Michael Corinthos III, replacing Dylan Cash. Garrett will first air on April 24, but Michael won't be opening his eyes until May. Cash played Carly's oldest son — currently in a vegetative state after being accidentally shot in the head — from March 2002 through May 2008. He last aired on Dec. 29, 2008.

GH's Hennesy Goes To Cougar Town!
Carolyn Hennesy (Diane, GH) has booked the new Courteney Cox pilot called COUGAR TOWN. Hennesy's character, Barbara, is a conservative real estate agent by day/cool "cougar" by night. The show has not been picked up by a network yet, but check back here for the latest updates.

Samms Returns To GH
Emma Samms is returning to GENERAL HOSPITAL as Holly for May Sweeps. She'll reconnect with former love Luke (Anthony Geary) and his daughter Lulu (Julie Marie Berman). She'll also interact with GH newcomer Ethan (Nathan Parsons). Oh really? Ethan who has said that his parents dumped him? Parents we have yet to learn the names of… Hmmm.

Daytime Emmy Update
"There will definitely be a broadcast and it will be a cool event!" confirms an insider. The nominations will be announced for the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy awards in late April. The broadcast is slated for early June. Check back with SoapOperaDigest.com for updated information.

Oh, Baby!
Congratulations to Colleen Zenk Pinter (Barbara, ATWT) and Mark Pinter (Agent Rayner, GH), who became first-time grandparents on March 15. Daughter Siri Pinter and boyfriend Carson Daly welcomed Jackson James Daly, who weighed in at 7 lbs., 8 oz.

Extreme GH Makeover
After the crisis at GENERAL HOSPITAL subsides — all that biotoxin stuff, you know — the doctors and nurses will be treated to a brand new hospital, a.k.a. an updated set. The totally new interior will be unveiled in April. It will feature a new nurses' station, hospital room, elevators and stairs with, in the storyline, the Quartermaine family picking up the tab. "We want it to feel like you are walking into a place that feels fresh and modern. It will still be inside the same hospital. It will have the same architecture, but it will no longer be that big round nurses' station we've become nostalgic about over the years," executive producer Jill Farren Phelps told AP. Production designer Chip Dox created the new digs. Watch for upcoming issues of Soap Opera Weekly and Soap Opera Digest for photos.

Daytime Emmy Update
Though there's nothing to mark on your calendars yet, an well-placed insider involved with the Daytime Emmys says, "I'm assured there will be a telecast. Lots of work has been going on in the background by good people to make this happen. There will be a show."

Prime-time Gig For Amber Tamblyn
Amber Tamblyn (ex-Emily, GH) is the star of an upcoming ABC primetime drama THE UNUSUALS. Set to debut Wednesday, April 8, Tamblyn plays detective Casey Shraeger, who has just been transferred to the NYPD's Homicide unit from Vice. And just think — we remember her when she was little Emily. Congratulations.

GH Casting News!
Rest assured, Port Charles fans: Emmy winner Anthony Geary (Luke, GH) has re-signed with the sudser he has called home on and off since 1978. "Of course, we are thrilled," says a show spokesperson.

Vanessa Marcil Lands Prime-Time Gig
Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda, GH) continues to bask in her prime-time success, this time having landed a multi-episode arc on the CBS drama WITHOUT A TRACE. Marcil has been a busy woman as of late, having wrapped the Hallmark film THE NANNY EXPRESS, the reality series BLUSH: THE SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S GREATEST MAKEUP ARTIST and a recurring gig on NBC's LIPSTICK JUNGLE. On a humorous note, even EW noted that this job "is sure to silence those GENERAL HOSPITAL comeback rumors (at least temporarily)." Marcil will play a NYC social worker and potential love interest for Eric Close's Martin. She begins airing in March. WITHOUT A TRACE also features former ATWT star Roselyn Sanchez (ex-Pilar) as Elena.

GH's Coffee Out!
GENERAL HOSPITAL's Claire Coffee (Nadine) has confirmed what Soap Opera Weekly reports in its Feb. 3 issue — she's exiting the ABC soap. Coffee posted the following on her Official Message Board:

Hi Everyone!
It's been a while since I've stopped by... I sort of figured this was coming, but wanted to be absolutely certain until I relayed the news. I have been taken off contract, effective February 8. It's a mutual decision; I completely understand the stresses of the producers and writers and the Nadine storyline seemed to coming to a close. I won't be exploding in a ball of hospital flames, but you probably won't see me much around the hospital, either. Tough times in the economy, Port Charles included! Jill Phelps has been incredibly supportive and I have nothing but respect and reverence for my time at GH. Thank YOU ALL for your support.
Signing off, Claire

Watch GH Online
Starting Jan. 14, episodes of GENERAL HOSPITAL and THE VIEW can be seen online at ABC.com or SOAPNET.com. Here's how it will work: If you go to ABC.com you can see the last five episodes of GH. Episodes will be available after 5 a.m. ET on the day after they aired (or 2 a.m. PT the next day). Episodes of THE VIEW are available after 4 p.m. ET (or 1 p.m. PT) the day it airs. "We are excited to collaborate with the ABC.com team to offer our viewers another way to get their daily dose of GENERAL HOSPITAL and THE VIEW," said Brian Frons, President Daytime, Disney ABC Television Group. So are we!

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