GH In The News: The PC Press Club

[Sake614]

I think at the end of his rehab stint, Finn will realize that he truly misses Doctors Without Borders (he alluded to it a few months ago) and decide that a stint there will help with his recovery. Since that’s no life for a child, he’ll leave Violet in PC and they can have off screen visits.

[ciarra]

2 hours ago, tessaray said:

I'm still a bit shocked by the JJ announcement, tbh. And maybe a little confused about what they could do with him.

Maybe Laura could hand Ace over for Lucky to raise, since he wasn't around for his own kid.

[tessaray]

2 minutes ago, ciarra said:

Maybe Laura could hand Ace over for Lucky to raise, since he wasn't around for his own kid.

If we had Nik available, that actually  might be kinda fun to watch.

[Fellaway]

Do we know if ME was axed or if it was his choice to leave?

[ciarra]

I think they fired ME in order to free up the money to pay Johnathan Jackson, just like they needed to fire RoHo to pay Steve Burton.

[methodwriter85]

3 hours ago, ciarra said:

Maybe Laura could hand Ace over for Lucky to raise, since he wasn't around for his own kid.

That actually could be a sweet plot. 

[lilabennet]

12 minutes ago, methodwriter85 said:

That actually could be a sweet plot. 

Only if Elizabeth doesn't somehow get dragged into helping.

[Bringonthedrama]

47 minutes ago, lilabennet said:

Only if Elizabeth doesn't somehow get dragged into helping.

She already told Laura that they are family and would be happy to help with Ace; Aiden has volunteered to babysit. Lucky has never met Lulu's son either, so I would be interested in seeing him develop relationships with both his son Aiden and his nephew Rocco. I realized there are about 12 current actors on the show with whom JJ has had working relationships in the past, either when he was a kid and/or during his fall 2009 to December 2011 run. So there is more storyline potential overall for Lucky than there was for Finn (although I give ME credit for some excellent scenes with a few fellow actors over the years).

[30 Helens]

6 hours ago, Fellaway said:

Do we know if ME was axed or if it was his choice to leave?

I have no knowledge, but since NLG described his farewell statement as "classy", I'm going to read between the lines and assume he had no choice. Besides, what job opportunities really exist for an over-40 long-term soap actor? I think it's safe to assume he was fired. And because he seems like a genuinely good guy who is well liked by his peers, I feel bad for him.

10 hours ago, mostlylurking said:

 I was a huge Liz and Lucky fan girl.  I know that was 20+ years ago and I don’t care.  I’d love to see them together again and see all the flashbacks, even though they’re stingy with those now for some reason.  

Some flashbacks would be nice, but please no "permanent lock" nonsense. Or the song Lucky played for Liz on his guitar (still known as "LizzyLizzyLizzyLizzy" in this house, a la the "KellyKellyKelly" song that Woody sang for his girlfriend on Cheers.) (On second thought, play the song. I could use a laugh.)

[Asp Burger]

2 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

Some flashbacks would be nice, but please no "permanent lock" nonsense. Or the song Lucky played for Liz on his guitar (still known as "LizzyLizzyLizzyLizzy" in this house, a la the "KellyKellyKelly" song that Woody sang for his girlfriend on Cheers.) (On second thought, play the song. I could use a laugh.)

Yeah, that song was just a whisker away from Phoebe Buffay territory. 

If you can get a laugh from a reprise of that, then I want a laugh with a flashback to Elizabeth's kitschy painting of Lucky. It wasn't the finest moment of the art department. I don't think it will be unearthed for display in Ava's gallery. 

[30 Helens]

11 hours ago, Asp Burger said:

If you can get a laugh from a reprise of that, then I want a laugh with a flashback to Elizabeth's kitschy painting of Lucky. It wasn't the finest moment of the art department. I don't think it will be unearthed for display in Ava's gallery. 

Maybe! It could hang next to her painting of the wind.

[driver18]

Surprised to see Easton's departure on EW.com, and trending #2 (last I checked) on TV Insider. I know the news was on People.com too.

[Grinaldi]

Easton has a fan base. The sad thing for me is I think Easton as John McBain worked better on GH than he ever did on OLTL and better than either Silas or Finn.

I'm thrilled that JJ is coming home and consider that a trade up. My only concern is the Aiden story. I hope the reports of scrapped scenes are because they are holding that story for him and not that it is being scuttled because of him. His family is deeply religious and conservative and his dad wasn't exactly gay friendly when he ran for office several years back.

[DanaK]

16 hours ago, Grinaldi said:

I'm thrilled that JJ is coming home and consider that a trade up. My only concern is the Aiden story. I hope the reports of scrapped scenes are because they are holding that story for him and not that it is being scuttled because of him. His family is deeply religious and conservative and his dad wasn't exactly gay friendly when he ran for office several years back.

Whose family? Jonathan's?

[Desperado]

I loved seeing JJ grow up on GH, he was fabulous with Tony and Genie and Tyler and Rebecca.

Young Lucky and Liz were magic to me and the brother rivalry was epic.

I think I saw a bit of his returns but missed quite a bit.

I also enjoyed his acting in the first years of Nashville.

What I will say now will be a very unpopular opinion, but here it goes… As far as I know, JJ is still an orthodox christian and after Steve Burton, Amanda Setton, and Josh Swickard, I am done with watching soap actors who refuse to do any type of sex related scenes because it it takes my mind away from the characters, into the actor’s personal values, and kills the fun soap romance aspect.

In the video from above I also thought JJ looked haggard and less than thrilled, but maybe it’s bad lighting and just his temperament.

As some have said, I’m also not sure TPTB can handle anything well on the show on a consistent basis, but I could just be bitter with what I’ve seen the last few weeks.

[Tenshinhan]

10 hours ago, DanaK said:

Whose family? Jonathan's?

Yes, JJ's family.  His father is Ricky Lee Jackson.

[ulkis]

I felt like this guy when JJ handed him his emmy when I heard JJ was returning:

 

As if like "okay this is nice, I don't trust it, I thought I would get a statue that was sculpted like Greg Vaughn, where do I put this, I'm sweating."

 

Edited June 30 by ulkis

[ulkis]

Double post havent posted in a while, sorry.

On 6/28/2024 at 6:31 PM, Grinaldi said:

Easton has a fan base. The sad thing for me is I think Easton as John McBain worked better on GH than he ever did on OLTL and better than either Silas or Finn.

I'm thrilled that JJ is coming home and consider that a trade up. My only concern is the Aiden story. I hope the reports of scrapped scenes are because they are holding that story for him and not that it is being scuttled because of him. His family is deeply religious and conservative and his dad wasn't exactly gay friendly when he ran for office several years back.

No he wasn't but Geary is gay and JJ knows this. And they were close regardless. I'm sure JJ knows about Aiden.

Edited June 30 by ulkis

[ulkis]

On 6/25/2024 at 4:04 PM, FilmTVGeek80 said:

Count me in as someone "meh" on the news. It's incredibly disappointing for me since GV isn't on Days anymore, so I felt a glimmer of hope. His Lucky was always my fave. I liked JJ's Lucky well enough during his first run, and I always knew JJ was a great actor, but I never felt any real attachment. I think the only reason I was really sad when he left was that I loved the original run of the Four Musketeers and, especially, his relationship with Nikolas. His last run further confirmed that I'm not a huge fan of his Lucky. The only upside for me is that, hopefully, they'll do Liz/Lucky instead of Jiz. However, with my luck, they'll do a triangle (which deadbeat dad to her children will she choose).

Noooo! Have faith. I heard the rumors and I thought it was GV and I was excited and now that it's JJ I am also excited. I am a fan of both of them, and not that this shitshow will miraculously become wonderful but I usually agree with you and I think if even if the overall thing is shit, we think maybe we will get some quality scenes between Lucky/Jake/Liz/Laura/Aiden.

And his favorite cousin Carly. ;)

 

 

Edited June 30 by ulkis

[30 Helens]

8 hours ago, Desperado said:

As far as I know, JJ is still an orthodox christian and after Steve Burton, Amanda Setton, and Josh Swickard, I am done with watching soap actors who refuse to do any type of sex related scenes because it it takes my mind away from the characters, into the actor’s personal values, and kills the fun soap romance aspect.

I get what you're saying and I don't disagree that actors should be able to separate their personal feelings from those of their character, but I don't feel I'm missing anything if there are fewer sex scenes. Not because I'm religious or a prude, but because sex scenes on soaps tend to be very cheesy, way too similar, and highly skippable.  I've seen enough artfully draped sheets, softly glowing candles and tilted-back heads to last me a lifetime. Besides, does anyone really want to see Steve Burton having fake sex? It's bad enough that we have to watch him with his clothes on.

As for Amanda Setton and Josh Swickard: I didn't know that about them, but at least they're scene partners, so two birds, one sexless stone?

[ulkis]

On 6/15/2024 at 6:20 PM, jsbt said:

Any actor on B&B who isn't Ridge or Brooke is always 10 mins away from potentially being put on recurring and fired. Ask Rena (or Sarah Brown).

I promise you he has not. Do not tempt fate.

so how close do you think they were casting him as Lucky before JJ returned their calls?

 

Edited June 30 by ulkis

[ulkis]

On 6/25/2024 at 3:29 PM, jsbt said:

Excellent news. Unfortunately the show is still a creative mess. But as someone who suspected FV would never bend on bringing back stars he did not create or have a past with, I'm very pleased. It was shameful how Jonathan's last stint went, and it was the opposite of what he wanted yet he still turned in amazing work. And yes, I'm sure it keeps Becky Herbst in play (one thing he's always been adamant about is Lucky/Liz, which he didn't get last time). GV was a nice guy who worked hard, but he was never much of an actor in those days. He's improved a lot since GH but he's still not the same character. When Jonathan came back there was no contest - he made it look like he'd never left. I saw no point in recasting Lucky again after that and I still don't.

I just wish we had Jonathan and Patrick Mulcahey.

You whiner. We have Korte.

Lucky: Carly, I have to say, I've been slightly sexually attracted to you since 1996. Even though Kristina is our mutual half-sister. Or something. 

Carly: aw Lucky really? :flips hair it hits Lucky:

Lucky: ow.

[Tenshinhan]

2 hours ago, ulkis said:

No he wasn't but Geary is gay and JJ knows this. And they were close regardless.

Having a close working relationship with a gay person is a different thing than doing a storyline onscreen involving a gay character.

That aside, I doubt that the Aiden storyline would be tossed for JJ.  I don't think that's how things work.

[Desperado]

3 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

I get what you're saying and I don't disagree that actors should be able to separate their personal feelings from those of their character, but I don't feel I'm missing anything if there are fewer sex scenes. Not because I'm religious or a prude, but because sex scenes on soaps tend to be very cheesy, way too similar, and highly skippable.  I've seen enough artfully draped sheets, softly glowing candles and tilted-back heads to last me a lifetime. Besides, does anyone really want to see Steve Burton having fake sex? It's bad enough that we have to watch him with his clothes on.

Young SB refused to do them for a while but he sucked it up for Jason/Britt and it was fine. I enjoyed Jason in the past but this return is one too many (or maybe it was a departure too many). SB is still really good at playing exasperated. He did it especially well opposite Vanessa Marcil, then all the Carly’s and now Anna/FH (I’m exasperated in her too!) but his wheelhouse ends there.

I agree that the recent sex scenes have been lacklustre but having the newlyweds fully dressed in bed was just as ridiculous. The Martin and Lucy scenes weren’t super naked or anything but you could see a bit of chemistry and the actors played it as if they had had fun, so did Scotty and Liesl.

A couple of months ago there was a nicely setup bed scene between Anna and Valentin, the intimate coordinators did a great job. I don’t trust the Val character at all so I was still meh, but it was well done.

I think what I’m mostly missing is chemistry between couples, actors whose intimate level scenes don’t look like they’re suffering through a trip to the dentist or are avoiding them at all cost.

[ulkis]

3 hours ago, Tenshinhan said:

Having a close working relationship with a gay person is a different thing than doing a storyline onscreen involving a gay character.

That aside, I doubt that the Aiden storyline would be tossed for JJ.  I don't think that's how things work.

That is true but they know JJ is conservative and I doubt they would risk him refusing to play it, they probably discussed it with him. But that is just my guess.

[jsbt]

JJ has been a fundie for decades. So is half of daytime and probably half of GH. That's just reality. Unlike someone like Melissa Reeves, he's never raised a public ruckus about gay rights, religious stuff, politics etc. Most soap stars who trend that way at least keep their mouths shut or keep it lowkey in any way that might affect the job. So I see zero evidence JJ would interfere in any way with Aiden's storyline or any other, given his relationship with Geary but also just his general career history not just on GH but elsewhere. If that changes then I'll have something to say about it just like Ingo, Steve, etc., but thus far he hasn't. So it's not a concern for me. I think Aiden scenes being scrapped months ago is much more symptomatic with GH being extremely gunshy re: gay content (let alone Black story) as well as disinterested in character material for years running than it is anything to do with Jonathan who probably wasn't even signed when those scenes were both scripted and cut.

Edited June 30 by jsbt

[CanaryFan98]

8 hours ago, Desperado said:

Young SB refused to do them for a while but he sucked it up for Jason/Britt and it was fine. I enjoyed Jason in the past but this return is one too many (or maybe it was a departure too many). SB is still really good at playing exasperated. He did it especially well opposite Vanessa Marcil, then all the Carly’s and now Anna/FH (I’m exasperated in her too!) but his wheelhouse ends there.

I agree that the recent sex scenes have been lacklustre but having the newlyweds fully dressed in bed was just as ridiculous. The Martin and Lucy scenes weren’t super naked or anything but you could see a bit of chemistry and the actors played it as if they had had fun, so did Scotty and Liesl.

A couple of months ago there was a nicely setup bed scene between Anna and Valentin, the intimate coordinators did a great job. I don’t trust the Val character at all so I was still meh, but it was well done.

I think what I’m mostly missing is chemistry between couples, actors whose intimate level scenes don’t look like they’re suffering through a trip to the dentist or are avoiding them at all cost.

The fact he did love scenes with Britt should've tipped us off about the divorce he ended up having months later. I heard it was his ex-wife who had issues with it. The irony of it all but I digress.

As for JJ he was on Nashville and his character had a best friend that was gay so I don't think it's going to be an issue here tbh.  That being said my real concern is that he doesn't end up paired with Liz again. I think that relationship should stay in the past and Lucky/Liz should just be co-parents. They don't work as adults Liz has outgrown him. 

I also hope most of his scenes are with Laura because while I haven't watched GH since Bobbie's funeral what I've been hearing about this Heather mess has not been good at all.  I would much prefer her have scenes with one of her kids (even though Nik is the only child of hers I like but I digress).

[dubbel zout]

Maybe Lucky can be Laura's get-a-grip person and set her straight on Heather and Ava.

[jsbt]

46 minutes ago, CanaryFan98 said:

That being said my real concern is that he doesn't end up paired with Liz again. I think that relationship should stay in the past and Lucky/Liz should just be co-parents. They don't work as adults Liz has outgrown him. 

I think it's probable it happens, myself. JJ was very set on reuniting Lucky and Liz last time he was on contract only for Guza and co. to deny him because Becky and Liz were not a priority for them at all. That and other issues were why he left again so I think it happens this time. I was never a huge fan of theirs back in the day but I'm fine with it. Elizabeth took a long time to grow on me and I've had ups and downs with the character but Becky always delivers, and I think she deserves her time in the sun again after carrying a lot of this show and so many failed male leads on her back for years and years. I do think the characters need to have a real talk about their issues. It's ridiculous how Korte of all people forgot that Liz spent years married to an addict during this Finn SL, and Liz repeatedly behaved as though she was discovering how to cope for the first time.

Most of all I am excited for Jonathan and Genie. She got next to no time with him in 2015, and no solo scenes at all; it was all Tony (though those scenes were very good, in large part bc JJ and TG rewrote them themselves). As I think JJ noted, he has not had major one on one scenes with Genie since 1999. This is very important to me and to the show.

Edited June 30 by jsbt

[lilabennet]

33 minutes ago, jsbt said:

I think it's probable it happens, myself. JJ was very set on reuniting Lucky and Liz last time he was on contract only for Guza and co. to deny him because Becky and Liz were not a priority for them at all. That and other issues were why he left again so I think it happens this time. I was never a huge fan of theirs back in the day but I'm fine with it. Elizabeth took a long time to grow on me and I've had ups and downs with the character but Becky always delivers, and I think she deserves her time in the sun again after carrying a lot of this show and so many failed male leads on her back for years and years. I do think the characters need to have a real talk about their issues. It's ridiculous how Korte of all people forgot that Liz spent years married to an addict during this Finn SL, and Liz repeatedly behaved as though she was discovering how to cope for the first time.

Most of all I am excited for Jonathan and Genie. She got next to no time with him in 2015, and no solo scenes at all; it was all Tony (though those scenes were very good, in large part bc JJ and TG rewrote them themselves). As I think JJ noted, he has not had major one on one scenes with Genie since 1999. This is very important to me and to the show.

And if she is paired with Lucky, then it will just be more of the same. Lucky has only had one popular pairing; if that isn't a "failed male lead", then I don't know how to define the term. No true Elizabeth fan should want her paired with that manipulative, misogynistic, cruel POS.

[jsbt]

28 minutes ago, lilabennet said:

And if she is paired with Lucky, then it will just be more of the same. Lucky has only had one popular pairing; if that isn't a "failed male lead", then I don't know how to define the term.

Well, Lucky Spencer is one of the most beloved characters on GH in the last 30 years. Hamilton Finn was Michael Easton Character #4. But YMMV.

[CanaryFan98]

2 hours ago, jsbt said:

I think it's probable it happens, myself. JJ was very set on reuniting Lucky and Liz last time he was on contract only for Guza and co. to deny him because Becky and Liz were not a priority for them at all. That and other issues were why he left again so I think it happens this time. I was never a huge fan of theirs back in the day but I'm fine with it. Elizabeth took a long time to grow on me and I've had ups and downs with the character but Becky always delivers, and I think she deserves her time in the sun again after carrying a lot of this show and so many failed male leads on her back for years and years. I do think the characters need to have a real talk about their issues. It's ridiculous how Korte of all people forgot that Liz spent years married to an addict during this Finn SL, and Liz repeatedly behaved as though she was discovering how to cope for the first time.

Most of all I am excited for Jonathan and Genie. She got next to no time with him in 2015, and no solo scenes at all; it was all Tony (though those scenes were very good, in large part bc JJ and TG rewrote them themselves). As I think JJ noted, he has not had major one on one scenes with Genie since 1999. This is very important to me and to the show.

I am sure we’re getting them despite my issue with it. They wouldn’t have broken up Finn/Liz otherwise. 
 

JJ and GF interacted in 2013 when Jake returned but that’s the last time. However yes I am glad Luke isn’t around this time. It annoyed me Luke had all these scenes with his kids and he didn’t care for them most of the time. 

[jsbt]

24 minutes ago, CanaryFan98 said:

JJ and GF interacted in 2013 when Jake returned but that’s the last time. 

I know they did. What I said was that they shared no solo scenes and very little screen time together.

[Cheyanne11]

15 hours ago, jsbt said:

Most of all I am excited for Jonathan and Genie.

Same.  It'll be good having one of Laura's kids back on the show and JJ and GF have such a rich history.

[mostlylurking]

On 6/28/2024 at 5:31 PM, Grinaldi said:

His family is deeply religious and conservative and his dad wasn't exactly gay friendly when he ran for office several years back.

Sigh….Jonathan Jackson is going to get ruined for me too isn’t he?  Am I going to have to add him to my list of celebrities I just can’t look at the same way because of off screen stuff??  Nooo……I don’t want to know 🙉🙉🙉

[mostlylurking]

On 6/29/2024 at 7:11 PM, Desperado said:

What I will say now will be a very unpopular opinion, but here it goes… As far as I know, JJ is still an orthodox christian and after Steve Burton, Amanda Setton, and Josh Swickard, I am done with watching soap actors who refuse to do any type of sex related scenes because it it takes my mind away from the characters, into the actor’s personal values, and kills the fun soap romance aspect.

 

I totally agree with you.  No actor or person should have to compromise their beliefs for their job.  However, that also means not every job is for every person.  Soaps are about escapism and yes, sometimes a little love in the afternoon.  If that doesn’t jive with an actor’s personal code then I completely respect that but maybe daytime soaps are not for them.

[GHScorpiosRule]

5 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

Sigh….Jonathan Jackson is going to get ruined for me too isn’t he?  Am I going to have to add him to my list of celebrities I just can’t look at the same way because of off screen stuff??  Nooo……I don’t want to know 🙉🙉🙉

No, he's not.

Edited July 1 by GHScorpiosRule

[mostlylurking]

1 minute ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

No, he's not.

Good!  I hope not.  He’s so good.  One of the most heartbreaking criers in the biz.  I’ve always loved him.

[mostlylurking]

On 6/30/2024 at 4:15 AM, 30 Helens said:

get what you're saying and I don't disagree that actors should be able to separate their personal feelings from those of their character, but I don't feel I'm missing anything if there are fewer sex scenes. Not because I'm religious or a prude, but because sex scenes on soaps tend to be very cheesy, way too similar, and highly skippable.  I've seen enough artfully draped sheets, softly glowing candles and tilted-back heads to last me a lifetime. Besides, does anyone really want to see Steve Burton having fake sex? It's bad enough that we have to watch him with his clothes on.

As for Amanda Setton and Josh Swickard: I didn't know that about them, but at least they're scene partners, so two birds, one sexless stone?

I agree that actual sex scenes are cringey for the most part, but you have to have some type of chemistry.  Martin/Lucy and Scotty/Liesl are couples of a certain age, but they have the chemistry and they sell it.  While I do not need to see people completely naked, I also don’t need to see Brooklyn in a sauna not removing so much as her blazer.  That just takes me right out of the scenes.

[KittenPokerCheater]

I'm okay with sex scenes.  And they don't have to be cringy.  Sometimes they are well done...and steamy.  YMMV of course.

 

[DanaK]

Michael Easton talks to Soap Opera Digest on his exit in Part 1 of a 2 part interview

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-michael-easton-opens-up-about-his-general-hospital-exit/

[KerleyQ]

Personally, I don't think there's anything about how JJ has conducted himself over his career to suggest he would put the kibosh on Aidan being gay. He was super close to AG, who was openly gay. And he's played a character who had a close gay friend in another role. Not every religious person has an issue with gay people. 

[FilmTVGeek80]

On 6/30/2024 at 7:47 PM, jsbt said:

Well, Lucky Spencer is one of the most beloved characters on GH in the last 30 years. Hamilton Finn was Michael Easton Character #4. But YMMV.

I think that's a bit unfair, especially since I think you're including Caleb (or whatever the character's name ended up being on GH.) That character was on simultaneously as Silas and wasn't meant to be a regular character. If it weren't for circumstances outside of ME's control, he would probably still be playing John McBain here. They gave up on Silas too quickly, but I liked Finn better. He played Finn for 7(?) years. That's not a failure, in my book. 

5 hours ago, mostlylurking said:

I totally agree with you.  No actor or person should have to compromise their beliefs for their job.  However, that also means not every job is for every person.  Soaps are about escapism and yes, sometimes a little love in the afternoon.  If that doesn’t jive with an actor’s personal code then I completely respect that but maybe daytime soaps are not for them.

Love is not synonymous with sex. I don't think every younger couple has to have love scenes. I agree the scene with Brooke Lynn in the sauna with her blazer was ridiculous, but other than that, I haven't noticed that much about Brooke Lynn/Chase being sexless. They may not have love scenes, but the characters, IMO, have fun chemistry, and it's not like they're not affectionate with each other.

[tessaray]

40 minutes ago, FilmTVGeek80 said:

On 6/30/2024 at 6:47 PM, jsbt said:

Well, Lucky Spencer is one of the most beloved characters on GH in the last 30 years. Hamilton Finn was Michael Easton Character #4. But YMMV.

I think that's a bit unfair, especially since I think you're including Caleb (or whatever the character's name ended up being on GH.) That character was on simultaneously as Silas and wasn't meant to be a regular character. If it weren't for circumstances outside of ME's control, he would probably still be playing John McBain here. They gave up on Silas too quickly, but I liked Finn better. He played Finn for 7(?) years. That's not a failure, in my book. 

 I think ME's daytime status was pretty comparable to JJ's overall. (Though actors who grow up onscreen will always be the sentimental favorite.) Caleb on Port Charles and McBain on OLTL, both were hugely popular. It wasn't the actor's fault that GH never could quite figure out how to use him as  effectively. But then I've liked ME since the VR.5 days. 

[driver18]

I know many, most, all think they got rid of ME/Finn because of/for JJ coming back, but I don't think so. They could have broken Elizabeth/Finn up, sent Finn off to Doctors without Borders, etc. Nope. They did what they did for the same reason that the last 4 months have heavily featured one couple and one couple alone: Chase and Brooklyn. For some reason, Korte clearly adores them and thinks they're the bee's knees and that they needed an insta-family, so she looked around and decided that they should have Violet. But, oops, Finn was in the way. JJ coming back just lined up perfectly to give her the perfect excuse.

I swear, ya'll think Korte is all about Carly, but it's pretty darn clear her new obsession is the chaste duo extraordinaire.

Reading that interview with ME, ugh, he was done dirty.

[30 Helens]

4 hours ago, DanaK said:

Michael Easton talks to Soap Opera Digest on his exit in Part 1 of a 2 part interview

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-michael-easton-opens-up-about-his-general-hospital-exit/

Quote

 I do appreciate the writers giving me so much material going out the door, but from an actor standpoint, I would like to have had just a little more time to add a little more subtlety and a little more nuance to it.”

Subtlety and nuance? Seems he's already forgotten what show he worked for.

That whole arc was ridiculously rushed. He went from taking one accidental drink to checking every box on the Stereotypical TV Drunk list, in what? A week? 10 days? They sent him down the drain faster than a Scrubbing Bubble. Subtlety had no place in this storyline, much less real emotion.

I was among those who enjoyed the Mature Adult Couple dynamic that Finn and Elizabeth brought to the show, and it was a shame to see it end so abruptly. RH was shortchanged as well, as there was a squandered opportunity for a lot of drama that both of them could have mined for gold.

It makes me wonder if the JJ acquisition happened sooner than expected, and what was planned as a longer story was put on fast forward? ...Nah. These people know nothing about pacing. They probably thought this whirlwind downward spiral made for great drama.

It didn't. I agree, ME was done dirty. No matter what you thought of the character(s) he played, a person who has devoted a decade of his life to a job deserves better than to be tossed aside like yesterday's trash.

[DanaK]

Michael’s interview sadly highlighted how many people the show has lost lately

[racked]

10 hours ago, KerleyQ said:

Personally, I don't think there's anything about how JJ has conducted himself over his career to suggest he would put the kibosh on Aidan being gay. He was super close to AG, who was openly gay. And he's played a character who had a close gay friend in another role. Not every religious person has an issue with gay people. 

Just adding in here that JJ’s sister is also openly gay and the family remains very close. Whatever his family’s religious or political affiliations I do not ever see him having an issue with Lucky embracing an openly gay son. JJ has also done sex scenes in his career but GH as a whole doesn’t seem to do those much anymore. 

[tessaray]

10 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

That whole arc was ridiculously rushed. He went from taking one accidental drink to checking every box on the Stereotypical TV Drunk list, in what? A week? 10 days? They sent him down the drain faster than a Scrubbing Bubble. Subtlety had no place in this storyline, much less real emotion.

I was among those who enjoyed the Mature Adult Couple dynamic that Finn and Elizabeth brought to the show, and it was a shame to see it end so abruptly. RH was shortchanged as well, as there was a squandered opportunity for a lot of drama that both of them could have mined for gold.

Brook Lynn and Chase came out of it looking like saints, though. I kinda miss BLQ, the schemer. 

[tessabq]

I've been a fan of Michael Easton since he appeared on Ally McBeal

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0510286/mediaviewer/rm4073342720/?ref_=tt_md_4

It was a throwaway "beefcake" role, but he managed not to make it a caricature.

GH has a sad modern history of not knowing what to do with truly talented actors, male and female.