GH In The News: The PC Press Club

[DanaK]

SOD: Lesley Charleson (Monica) unlikely to return to GH due to health issues

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/why-leslie-charleson-is-unlikely-to-return-as-ghs-monica/

[JMO]

9 minutes ago, DanaK said:

SOD: Lesley Charleson (Monica) unlikely to return to GH due to health issues

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/why-leslie-charleson-is-unlikely-to-return-as-ghs-monica/

Once upon a time, I'd hoped she would return for Monica's retirement, so she could enjoy the accolades in character.  Now I guess I'll hope that we get a story about Monica's death, which would bring all of the same accolades, and LC could enjoy them in the comfort of her own home.  She is such an enduring and important part of GH history, she deserves it.  Soon, show.  Soon.

[Desperado]

12 hours ago, JMO said:

Once upon a time, I'd hoped she would return for Monica's retirement, so she could enjoy the accolades in character.  Now I guess I'll hope that we get a story about Monica's death, which would bring all of the same accolades, and LC could enjoy them in the comfort of her own home.  She is such an enduring and important part of GH history, she deserves it.  Soon, show.  Soon.

Yes, they did this with Asa Buchanan on OLTL when the actor was still alive and it was wonderful. Even Nathan Fillion showed up.

Lesley deserves the best.

[30 Helens]

On 10/21/2024 at 1:51 PM, CeChase said:

Sprina fans insisted Gio was for Joss not Trina, and I told them they are being ridiculous.  So...obviously I eat my words there. 

When Gio first arrived, I had a sense that they were setting him up as a love interest for both women… because there’s nothing soap fans love more than watching two woman fight over a guy. 🙄 But maybe what I was seeing were just chemistry tests. (I personally think both tests failed.)

On the plus side, Gio is a musician, so it will be very easy for them to send him off on some neverending tour. Maybe Blaze needs a band member? I hear Wynton Marsalis is also hiring?

As for Leslie Charlson: On the one hand, I think it’s wonderful when a show like this can do a tribute while the actor is still able to see it. On the other hand, I always wonder how it makes the actor feel to have their longtime alter ego killed off like that— is it depressing? Does it make them feel like the proverbial coffin lid is being closed on them, too?

What I would love for Monica is some kind of triumphant sendoff, where she is moving overseas to lead some breakthrough treatment protocol, or head up a team of researchers or something, but has to leave so quickly she can’t make the farewell party (except for a quick Zoom call, maybe, hopefully?) but everyone stays to celebrate and reminisce about her. That would serve the same purpose while keeping Monica alive and kicking ass (albeit offscreen) for the foreseeable future.

[Palimelon]

I want to see someone on YT make a supercut of all the times Monica told someone "This is MY house!"

Quote

I always wonder how it makes the actor feel to have their longtime alter ego killed off like that— is it depressing? Does it make them feel like the proverbial coffin lid is being closed on them, too?

Tough call. As others have said, it would be nice for her to be able to see her send-off and tributes, but then again, it could make her feel that way too.

Writing her character off could also be a nice way to give her a send-off as well.

[KittenPokerCheater]

I want Monica to give Tracey the house so she can go around saying,  “This is MY house!  Monica gave it to me!”

[jsbt]

Phil Carey was killed off before his time at OLTL because he refused to go on recurring, IIRC. But there clearly weren't deep hard feelings with the show as he continued to recur off and on as Asa's ghost or in newly-made recordings of Asa for his family up til very shortly before his IRL death a year or two later.

I don't like when core elder characters are killed off before the actors if it's avoidable or the actor can still appear. With the Asa thing it mostly worked out (and certainly generated great story) but with Monica I'm of two minds. If Leslie prefers it then sure, kill her off. If not I'd wait, and hope she can potentially do a bit more. I'll admit the now-regular onscreen mentions of Monica being ailing and unwell upstairs are depressing.

Edited October 27 by jsbt

[dubbel zout]

9 hours ago, 30 Helens said:

As for Leslie Charlson: On the one hand, I think it’s wonderful when a show like this can do a tribute while the actor is still able to see it. On the other hand, I always wonder how it makes the actor feel to have their longtime alter ego killed off like that— is it depressing? Does it make them feel like the proverbial coffin lid is being closed on them, too?

It probably depends on the actor's particular circumstances. It's very unlikely LC will be able to return to GH—maybe for some sort of very brief cameo appearance, but even that seems doubtful—so Monica being given a nice sendoff of some sort might be welcome. 

As for an actor who doesn't have health/life challenges that prevent them from returning seeing their alter ego killed off, well, talk to Kelly Monaco.

Edited October 27 by dubbel zout

[DanaK]

58 minutes ago, dubbel zout said:

It probably depends on the actor's particular circumstances. It's very unlikely LC will be able to return to GH—maybe for some sort of very brief cameo appearance, but even that seems doubtful—so Monica being given a nice sendoff of some sort might be welcome. 

As for an actor who doesn't have health/life challenges that prevent them from returning seeing their alter ego killed off, well, talk to Kelly Monaco.

Per Wikipedia, David Lewis, who played Edward Quartermaine, had to leave the show in 1989 due to poor health and the show had Edward die in a plane crash. When his health was better, he returned to the show in 1991, though I can't recall how the show explained that. Maybe the show indicated he didn't really die in the plane crash? In 1993, David's health declined again and he was replaced by John Ingle

With younger actors whose characters are killed off, I don't generally mind, though if I like the character a lot, I'm not happy if the actor is leaving. For older well-beloved actors, I feel it's uncomfortable to kill off the character while that actor is still alive, unless the actor wants it to happen; I would prefer the actor is replaced if their health doesn't let them continue, assuming they are ok with that. If the show needs Monica to appear, that would be the better option. Otherwise, for now, referring to Monica without her being onscreen probably works for now

 

Edited October 27 by DanaK

[Palimelon]

Quote

I want Monica to give Tracey the house so she can go around saying,  “This is MY house!  Monica gave it to me!”

Sadly, Jason will probably end up with the house if it ever gets to that stage...or maybe Michael?

[Mirabelle]

She should give it to Jake, the grandchild who spent the least amount of time at Grandma Monica's Home for Children of Parents Who Are Sorry But This is Really Important

[dubbel zout]

32 minutes ago, Palimelon said:

Sadly, Jason will probably end up with the house if it ever gets to that stage...or maybe Michael?

I'd think Michael, the genius golden grandson. Ugh. Another unearned advantage for that turd.

[YaddaYadda]

43 minutes ago, Palimelon said:

Sadly, Jason will probably end up with the house if it ever gets to that stage...or maybe Michael?

Michael will, so that the Carlys can infect everything under the sun. If Jason gets it, he'll give it to Michael because he's like the son he never had and the best of them! A regular Jesus.

[Palimelon]

Quote

he'll give it to Michael because he's like the son he never had and the best of them! A regular Jesus.

Somewhere, a single tear of silent manly crying is running down the faces of both Jake and Danny...

[Grinaldi]

I think the house should go to Olivia. Preserve the joke that the Quartermaine mansion doesn't belong to an actual Quartermaine. My guess is that's a controversial take. But under no circumstances should it go to effing Michael.

I dislike the idea of killing Monica off. Have her retire to a Greek island or something. Leslie can call in occasionally if she's up to it like she did at Epiphany's memorial.

[Palimelon]

Quote

My guess is that's a controversial take.

Not for me, I like that idea.

[30 Helens]

4 hours ago, DanaK said:

I would prefer the actor is replaced if their health doesn't let them continue, assuming they are ok with that. If the show needs Monica to appear, that would be the better option.

I know you said that the original actor should approve it, but would they ever feel good about it? This seems like a more disrespectful option than killing the character off. I’m referring only to legacy characters, of course. Sometimes a recast is necessary. (Michael?)

8 hours ago, KittenPokerCheater said:

I want Monica to give Tracey the house so she can go around saying,  “This is MY house!  Monica gave it to me!”

I love this idea.

[DanaK]

22 minutes ago, 30 Helens said:

I know you said that the original actor should approve it, but would they ever feel good about it? This seems like a more disrespectful option than killing the character off. I’m referring only to legacy characters, of course.

I’m only referring to legacy characters only also and I guess the opinion of approval could be considered  controversial

[Desperado]

It’s a sad fact of life that many people lose their cognitive abilities as they age and I think shows might know more about an actor’s capacity to accept or not whatever happens to their character, but won’t want to discuss this for understandable privacy reasons.

Does anyone remember what happened with Anna Lee (Lila)? My recollection was that she had been disrespectfully let go prior to her death in 2004 but what I’m reading says otherwise.

[Sake614]

In other news, Robert Adamson is once again taking over the role of Michael for one episode this week. CD apparently had a ‘scheduling conflict’. Im not complaining at ALL but don’t understand why they can’t just tape his scenes when he’s back? It’s not like they tape in sequence anyway. 

[DanaK]

20 minutes ago, Sake614 said:

In other news, Robert Adamson is once again taking over the role of Michael for one episode this week. CD apparently had a ‘scheduling conflict’. Im not complaining at ALL but don’t understand why they can’t just tape his scenes when he’s back? It’s not like they tape in sequence anyway. 

They do block taping so maybe they couldn't accommodate him doing it at another time

[dubbel zout]

I'd rather we just not see Michael at all.

[tessaray]

1 hour ago, Sake614 said:

In other news, Robert Adamson is once again taking over the role of Michael for one episode this week. CD apparently had a ‘scheduling conflict’. Im not complaining at ALL but don’t understand why they can’t just tape his scenes when he’s back? It’s not like they tape in sequence anyway. 

If it was short notice, like a trip to the doctor or dentist, it would cost them money to cancel a block, since the crew and other cast is already lined up and they wouldn't have enough time to set up something else. (I'm assuming union rules would mean everyone would still get paid if they cancel within a certain time period.) Meeting their tight budget seems to be the main reason GH is still on the air. 

They do have some decent subs on call.

[Sake614]

49 minutes ago, tessaray said:

They do have some decent subs on call

If only we could keep this one…

[methodwriter85]

4 hours ago, Sake614 said:

If only we could keep this one…

He reminds me of Billy Warlock's AJ and that makes me smile. 

[methodwriter85]

6 hours ago, tessaray said:

Meeting their tight budget seems to be the main reason GH is still on the air. 

It's that, and it's also that while soap opera ratings have eroded, so have linear ratings for primetime shows. We're at the point now where a primetime t.v. show can pull in 3 million viewers and it's not immediately cancelled.

[dubbel zout]

ABCD hasn't been able to find anything profitable to replace GH, so as long as Frank stays in/under budget, I think the show will stick around.

[mostlylurking]

I actually like this temp Michael better than Chad’s Michael. 

[Sake614]

39 minutes ago, mostlylurking said:

I actually like this temp Michael better than Chad’s Michael. 

We all do. But MB seems to have a hard on for CD, so we’re stuck with him 😫

[GHScorpiosRule]

20 hours ago, mostlylurking said:

I actually like this temp Michael better than Chad’s Michael. 

Because he's playing a different character! Yes, he's miles better, but the character is the SLS, and this actor is playing him as someone who isn't a constipated, Eyeore, cheating, mobwannabe CEO wannabe piece of SHIT.

He could be a long-lost child of AJ's! That's right! I said it!

Edited October 31 by GHScorpiosRule

[jsbt]

In case anyone was wondering, ex-GH writers Bob Guza and yes, Ron Carlivati are now both on staff at CBS' new Black-centric soap Beyond the Gates. As the show is the brainchild of longtime GH scribe Michele Val Jean, Guza appears to be her co-HW and Carlivati appears to a breakdown writer.

Knowing both MVJ and Guza's work well (they go back together to '96 or so and I believe MVJ came in under Labine), Ron working under them both surprises and amuses me. That's an interesting mix lol.

[Grinaldi]

I didn't realize he was out at Days. I'm looking forward to the show even with a couple menaces on the writing staff. But I also think both Guza and to a lesser extent Ron are capable of very good soap.

[dubbel zout]

2 minutes ago, Grinaldi said:

But I also think both Guza and to a lesser extent Ron are capable of very good soap.

When they have someone to rein in their worst impulses, i agree. Hopefully MVJ will keep them in line.

[Ambrosefolly]

2 hours ago, jsbt said:

In case anyone was wondering, ex-GH writers Bob Guza and yes, Ron Carlivati are now both on staff at CBS' new Black-centric soap Beyond the Gates. As the show is the brainchild of longtime GH scribe Michele Val Jean, Guza appears to be her co-HW and Carlivati appears to a breakdown writer.

Knowing both MVJ and Guza's work well (they go back together to '96 or so and I believe MVJ came in under Labine), Ron working under them both surprises and amuses me. That's an interesting mix lol.

It will as they will actually have to create interesting stories and characters and can't rely on an existing IP for their audience. 

[jsbt]

58 minutes ago, Grinaldi said:

I didn't realize he was out at Days.

Yeah, he was let go awhile back.

I am not mad about Guza being at BTG. Frankly he knows his business well in terms of events and brute force story propulsion, which a new show will need (and which GH could desperately use in some ways). He always had a very specific skillset in the right proportion. He and MVJ also go way back, and in the end it is her show.

Also notable that Ron is a BDW only. All the dialogue/scriptwriters are Black.

Edited October 30 by jsbt

[Mirabelle]

I don't like the name Beyond the Gates because it makes me think it's taking place in Heaven but I look forward to checking out a new soap. 

[Sake614]

16 minutes ago, Mirabelle said:

I don't like the name Beyond the Gates because it makes me think it's taking place in Heaven but I look forward to checking out a new soap. 

I suppose but when you remember the premise of the show is what happens in this affluent gated community, it makes sense. Either way, I, really looking forward to the premiere and fully expect it to knock GH on its ass.

[GHScorpiosRule]

So. I finally watched Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menéndez Story. Typical dreck from Ryan Murphy. Not to mention “dramatizing” actual events that contradicted what actually happened. That said, Nicholas Alexander Chavez was EXCELLENT. Contrary to those who watched and state Koch was the better actor/performer, I think Nicholas was better.

Bur DAMN. Milli Vanilli’s “Girl, I’m Gonna Miss You” is playing like an ear worm in my head! Forget that how the song was used makes no sense except in Murphy’s perverted head.

[tessaray]

2 hours ago, Mirabelle said:

I don't like the name Beyond the Gates because it makes me think it's taking place in Heaven but I look forward to checking out a new soap. 

I liked it better as The Gates too. Not that it matters much, since it will likely end up being shortened to The Gates again or just BTG before long. How often do fans type out full titles?

Can GH even handle any serious competition? Still, I hope the new soap puts the fear of God into the existing shows, where the writing on most of them has been stale for years.

[methodwriter85]

17 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

So. I finally watched Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menéndez Story. Typical dreck from Ryan Murphy. Not to mention “dramatizing” actual events that contradicted what actually happened. That said, Nicholas Alexander Chavez was EXCELLENT. Contrary to those who watched and state Koch was the better actor/performer, I think Nicholas was better.

Bur DAMN. Milli Vanilli’s “Girl, I’m Gonna Miss You” is playing like an ear worm in my head! Forget that how the song was used makes no sense except in Murphy’s perverted head.

NAC went from having about 100k fans of Instagram to almost 2 million. It's going to be really interesting to see how he handles this next-level fame. He's already got backlash for posing in a picture with two guys dressed up in Menendez brothers Halloween costumes.

The really good thing about NAC's timing is that there isn't really someone in his "space type", so to speak. I can't think of any currently hot actor that looks like NAC or acts like him. Maybe Jacob Elordi in that he's the tall hunky brooding actor that does a lot of dark material, but he's waaaayyy more private than NAC is. (That might change as NAC starts to deal with more backlash.)

20 hours ago, jsbt said:

Also notable that Ron is a BDW only. All the dialogue/scriptwriters are Black.

It reminds me of when Lee Daniels created Empire because he knew that black audiences still tend to watch linear t.v.

[Desperado]

The GH Instagram account posted Halloween pictures with the Dex actor front and centre and what appears to be the BTS staff, all in disguise. From the comments I read, the bad timing of the post  w/ Kelly’s last scenes and firing, is not going unnoticed.

 

[GHScorpiosRule]

2 hours ago, methodwriter85 said:

 He's already got backlash for posing in a picture with two guys dressed up in Menendez brothers Halloween costumes.

The really good thing about NAC's timing is that there isn't really someone in his "space type", so to speak. I can't think of any currently hot actor that looks like NAC or acts like him. Maybe Jacob Elordi in that he's the tall hunky brooding actor that does a lot of dark material

I don’t follow his social media, but the only other thing I recall reading was him saying he just played what Ryan and Ian wrote. I thought he was more circumspect than Koch.

Don’t know who Elordi is. I also read that Koch went to visit Erik Menéndez and hugged him. Saw his interview with Drew where he said he was watched and rewatched the trials and all other media to “learn” Erik.

[Sake614]

38 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I don’t follow his social media, but the only other thing I recall reading was him saying he just played what Ryan and Ian wrote. I thought he was more circumspect than Koch.

Don’t know who Elordi is. I also read that Koch went to visit Erik Menéndez and hugged him. Saw his interview with Drew where he said he was watched and rewatched the trials and all other media to “learn” Erik.

Yeah Koch is working with Erik to improve the prison facilities, to make it more ‘campus like’. Not sure that’s the route I’d take as a young upcoming actor but activism is a big thing in Hollywood. Look at Martin Sheen, Streisand and the late Ed Asner. Or more recently, Mark Ruffalo. 

I think NAC’s stance was the best, simply saying ‘hey I’m an actor. I didn’t write it or direct it. Your beef isn’t with me it’s with Ryan. Take it up with him. Peace out.’

[GHScorpiosRule]

3 minutes ago, Sake614 said:

I think NAC’s stance was the best, simply saying ‘hey I’m an actor. I didn’t write it or direct it. Your beef isn’t with me it’s with Ryan. Take it up with him. Peace out.’

I agree.

[MediaZone4K]

On 10/30/2024 at 9:42 AM, dubbel zout said:

ABCD hasn't been able to find anything profitable to replace GH, so as long as Frank stays in/under budget, I think the show will stick around.

Like many long time fans, I would like to see Frank go, but can another EP run GH under budget with such a bloated cast??

Edited November 1 by MediaZone4K

[tessaray]

35 minutes ago, MediaZone4K said:

Like many long time fans, I would like to see Frank go, but can another EP run GH under budget with such a bloated cast??

I'm not a FV fan but the real problem for me is the writing. The strike writers were pretty decent IMO. And Patrick Mulcahey was so promising. 

[CeChase]

13 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

I don’t follow his social media, but the only other thing I recall reading was him saying he just played what Ryan and Ian wrote. I thought he was more circumspect than Koch.

Don’t know who Elordi is. I also read that Koch went to visit Erik Menéndez and hugged him. Saw his interview with Drew where he said he was watched and rewatched the trials and all other media to “learn” Erik.

He is way more circumspect than Koch.  Koch got a lot of tiktok love for advocating for their freedom.  My opinion only, that's not smart.  I watched the trial in real time.  My personal opinion was that Lyle particularly is a psychopath.  They served a lot of time, and I don't really like life sentences no parole at a young age.  I'm not necessarily against their release.  However, I would not bet MY reputation on their post-release actions. 

[methodwriter85]

14 hours ago, CeChase said:

He is way more circumspect than Koch.  Koch got a lot of tiktok love for advocating for their freedom.  My opinion only, that's not smart.  I watched the trial in real time.  My personal opinion was that Lyle particularly is a psychopath.  They served a lot of time, and I don't really like life sentences no parole at a young age.  I'm not necessarily against their release.  However, I would not bet MY reputation on their post-release actions. 

I actually support their release, but some of the hardcore Menendez brothers fans are getting a bit much for me. Like they want us to treat them like they're choir boys or something, and they're upset that Lyle was depicted as being a coked out Patrick Bateman type instead. 

[jsbt]

Speaks for itself.

 

[Auntie Velvet]

21 minutes ago, jsbt said:

Speaks for itself.

 

It's magnificent..... I had been wondering if there was a way to post about this here because it's, uh, too topical for the traditional forum rules?

But I WILL say, shallowly. that Show needs to start featuring Ric in more casual wear instead of those boxy lawyer suits, because the silver fox is foxing in this vid!

Edited November 4 by Auntie Velvet