General Hospital News & Gossip
News for the week of 05-Oct-2009
Shortly after Greg Vaughan (Lucky III) announced on his Twitter page September 28th that he and TPTB have “chosen to take a new direction,” with him “no longer” a “part of what has been a big part of me and my family’s life,” all the soap sites came out with reports of Jonathan Jackson agreeing to return for a short while to reprise his original character.
In the first, exclusive interview with the winsome actor on September 29th, TV Guide columnist Michael Logan learned that after several tries, GH finally found the right timing. Jackson said he went to his family (former Hannah, Lisa Vultaggio is his wife and the mother to their two children) and his GH mentor Tony Geary (Luke) for their feedback before giving TPTB his okay. The return will last for about six months, starting October 1 and include a break to allow the Washington-based Jackson and clan to move to L.A. Of his return after a 10-year absence, Jackson said, “I’m sort of in a whirlwind. This is pretty much out of the blue.” During his absence, Jackson has been busy making a name for himself in film, television, music (with his band, Enation), writing books and screenplays. (If you love the original Lucky as I do, please I beg of you, do not go to the GH board. They would tear Jesus Christ apart if he appeared on GH. I think even Satan is afraid of them.)
Sarah Joy Brown (Claudia; ex-Carly) probably left GH a bit prematurely to take on a new role on B&B, as Sandy Sommers, someone who interacts with Bridget, Whip (Rick Hearst/ex-Ric) and Nick (Jack Wagner/ex-Frisco). Brown started work on B&B last week and is supposedly on a two-year contract.
If Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) makes it to the bigtime, in primetime with her scene-stealing supporting role as real estate tycoon-turned man eater, Barb, on the new fall series, Cougar Town, she said she still would not turn her back on her daytime roots. In a September 29th interview with Our Prattville’s Melissa Parker, the actress said she enjoyed doing the series, but she’d never count Diane out. Hennesy also spoke at length about her other role, as that of an author of young teen girls’ books. Like most authors, she has her on-fire days and her blank-page days. When she’s on fire, the words just flow out, unbidden, and her husband steers clear. When she just doesn’t feel it, she does something else like gardening or knitting.
Movie star James Franco (Spider-Man 3, Pineapple Express, Milk) made the first move, by inquiring as to GH availability. He’ll film on October 30, November 6, and November 13 for shows to air next month, with his first appearance (as possibly a mob type threatening Jason) happening November 23. Franco and Steve Burton (Jason) have the same manager. When word of Franco’s GH appearance spread online, AMC’s Eden Riegel (ex-Bianca) clamored to get on to the soap too as a mob princess.
Gossip for the week of 05-Oct-2009
Jonathan Jackson’s return as the original Lucky was in the hopeful then planning stages for years. The only person who was surprised in this deal was poor Greg Vaughan (Lucky). Co-stars from Steve Burton (Jason) to Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) gave Vaughan some love on Twitter.
Genie Francis (ex-Laura) and maybe Kin Shriner (Scott) will make their way back as well.
What’s this all about? Most likely the exodus of most of the Spencer clan, except Lulu. Luke, Laura and Lucky will permanently leave Port Charles in May 2010, effectively ending my 20-plus-year viewership (if true). Lulu will move in with the mob when she marries Dominic. Then, GH will officially be lost to Sonny and his mob of ill repute.
Burton confirmed that actor James Franco would do GH for a little while, but hadn’t any notion about Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda) following him. But the soap world was a buzz that this was so after The Biggest Loser trainer Jillian Michaels twittered about lunching with BFF Marcil and Marcil buzzing about wanting to co-star with Franco.
Jason Thompson (Patrick) desired to stay on, maybe as Elizabeth’s next paramour. But Kimberly McCullough (Robin) is rumored out sooner than later, her choice.
Gina Tognoni (ex-Dinah, GL) bailed on a possible B&B role to reprise OLTL’s original Kelly. Maybe that’s where Sarah Joy Brown (Claudia) came in, taking on the role Tognoni was supposed to as Nick’s sweetie.
General Hospital News & Gossip, Copyright © 2010 Carol Banks Weber. Published by SoapZone.com / Jeff Jungblut. No part of this page may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and may not be representative of SoapZone.com or its advertisers. Don't steal scoops.
