Table of contents for March 11, 2019 in ABC Soaps In Depth

The In Depth Story: Truth be told, Carly and Sonny were just as surprised as viewers to find out that they are expecting another baby. Although in some ways, the timing couldn’t be better. After all, Avery could use a playmate, and they certainly have the room, especially now that Mike has moved to an assisted-living facility. Despite the fact that this is good news, Sonny and his wife think it’s best to sit on this bit of information for now. (Maybe he and Carly want to figure out how to break it to Kristina, who appears to be in a better place than she’s been in a long time thanks to her new Dawn Of Day family!) However, the ongoing search for Dante could wind up preventing the parents-tobe…

The GH cast and crew celebrated the exit of their longest-running camera operator, Dale Carlson, who stepped down last month. “One of the greatest cameramen retired,” Steve Burton (Jason) tweeted. “He was at GH for 38-plus years — which is amazing! Sad for us. Happy for him. A true gentleman and a kind soul. I will miss his positivity and great skill. Thanks to his family for sharing him. We love you Dale Carlson.” With credits going back to 1978, Carlson also worked on GH spin-offs PORT CHARLES and NIGHT SHIFT, as well as classic sitcoms like THE FACTS OF LIFE and DIFF’RENT STROKES. His son, John Carlson, carries on the family tradition as a camera operator at THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL.…

Carmen Duncan — who played ANOTHER WORLD’s Iris from 1988-’94 and briefly filled in for Eileen Fulton in 2004 as Lisa on AS THE WORLD TURNS — died on February 3 in her native Australia, succumbing to cancer. The actress, who was 76, is survived by her children, Amelia and Duncan. Chris Bruno, who played her AW son, Dennis, tells Soaps In Depth that “Carmen always made me laugh. She took me under her wing and made sure I was always on point. I will always cherish that time, and she will always be missed in my heart.”…

STATUS Emme Rylan has signed on to continue playing GH’s Lulu. “Renewed my contract!” the actress shared in an Instagram story. “So happy to continue living Lulu’s life! I love my job.” The daytime vet — who came to GH after playing GUIDING LIGHT’s Lizzie and Y&R’s Abby — assumed the role of Luke and Laura’s daughter from Julie Marie Berman in 2013. Recently, she told Soaps In Depth that she was hoping there would be big drama ahead for her alter ego… and between Ryan’s attack and Dante being MIA, big drama she got! Ironically, what switched Lulu’s story from high gear to highest was her new job as an investigative journalist. “It was a really good choice of career,” Rylan mused. “Lulu could be a stay-at-home mom or…

Convinced that Franco attacked her, Lulu prepares to literally face her fears on Tuesday, February 26. That same day, Ava is bursting with news but needs someone to share it with. Ryan is furious on Wednesday, February 27, and we all know that bad things happen when he’s mad! Mac and Felicia come up with a theory on Thursday, February 28. In need of advice, Ava turns to Julian on Friday, March 1. Kevin asks for help on Tuesday, March 5, while Lulu attempts to figure out the truth on Wednesday, March 6. By Thursday, March 7,  Kevin has everything mapped out. And when Ava goes head over heels for Ryan on Friday, March 8, does that mean she’s in love… or in danger?…

After taking everything into consideration, Nick has a change of heart on Monday, February 25. Someone isn’t sure that Michael’s strategy is the right one on Tuesday, February 26, while Rey calls his estranged wife’s bluff. The Newman clan circles the wagons on Wednesday, February 27, but Christine presents some pretty damning evidence on Thursday, February 28. And on Friday, March 1, Jack is ready to reclaim control… even if it means staging a coup!…

Whether GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Alexis Davis is defending Port Charles locals, playing runaway bride or making out with a mobster, portrayer Nancy Lee Grahn always gets a kick out of her character’s antics. When Soaps In Depth asked the Daytime Emmy winner to reminisce about some of her wildest, funniest, most romantic scenes on the show — as you’re about to read — she had a blast looking back and sharing her tongue-in-cheek reactions!…

You’d never catch GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Ava rocking a halo. But was the she-devil responsible for the following dastardly deeds, or was it one of these hellraisers past: Helena Cassadine, Cesar Faison or Carlos Rivera? a. Ava pushed Katherine Bell off a parapet and killed the only witness. b. Ava accidentally shot her own mother and was then presumed dead herself. c. After framing a Quartermaine for a murder she’d committed, Ava ordered a hit on her patsy, faked her own death and conspired with a dirty D.A. to skip town. d. Ava not only killed a beloved local but made it look like her victim was still alive to mess with another Port Charles fave. e. Ava slit the throat of her husband’s lover and ripped out the woman’s vocal…

Mia: “Rey saw her grow up as a young girl with Arturo, and I think there’s a part of Rey that just wants to take care of her. She’s a spitfire with a complicated family history of her own. She has a sexuality about her and is assertive in the way she just ends up on his doorstep. I think he responds to that!” Sharon: “I think he’s really attracted to her intelligence and to the empathy that she shows other people. She’s also been cheated on by her [fiancé] and is hurting like he has been. She’s taking care of her girls, trying to have this career… There is a heroic quality to her that Rey is really attracted to!”…

Birthday: December 24. Hometown: Boston, MA. Kind Of Blue: Noelle tinted her hair blue during the show’s Christmas hiatus. “But I’m blonde again now, so no worries, Brad!” she says, reassuring executive producer and headwriter Bradley Bell. Star Power: As a birthday gift to herself, the actress took a solo trip to Inari, Finland, over the holidays to view the Northern Lights. “I can’t recommend it enough,” she says of the experience. “Mother Nature certainly put on a show for me!”…

DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Sonny had hit a wall with being manipulated by snarky Leo. Fortunately, he learned about one person who could make the grifter shake in his designer shoes: his mother, Diana! The soap’s producers didn’t have to look any further than Anjelica Deveraux’s former portrayer, Judith Chapman, to find a powerhouse worthy of such a delicious role. What appealed to the soap vet most about her new gig? “The fact that 1. I would be working with Greg Rikaart (Leo, with whom she previously played THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ mother/son duo, Gloria and Kevin), and 2. Diana was a little more sinister than what I’d been doing lately,” she reflects. With “Greg and I being Mommie Dearest and the son from hell, I thought we would…

All That Glistens… ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Constance Wu (Laudine) took a shine to sparkly gowns during awards season, but spaghetti straps ultimately trumped bow sleeves in the eyes of our amateur fashion critics. He’s All That Fans tend to be emphatic when it comes to GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Maurice Benard (Sonny), which may explain why so many people weighed in with their votes on his outfits. Truth be told, we’re pretty sure fans would love this heartthrob wearing anything! High Buns Top-knots are always top-notch, putting pretty faces front and center, where they ought to be! What Were They Thinking?…

The In Depth Story: For several weeks, Sam has been determined to prove that Dawn Of Day guru Shiloh is up to no good. But in order to do so, she’s had to fake breaking up with Jason and keep the man she loves at arm’s length. To be fair, the sacrifice appears to be paying off. Every day, Shiloh grows a bit more comfortable with Sam and seems closer to letting her get to know his secrets. Or so it seems. But what Jason and Sam don’t yet realize is that they aren’t the only ones playing a game. Sam’s been working to make sure that Kristina is safe, but it just might be that Shiloh has bigger fish to fry. During one of their secret get-togethers, Jason reluctantly…

Longtime ALL MY CHILDREN star Candice Earley Nolan (Donna) passed away on January 31 at the age of 68. The actress had been suffering from Multiple System Atrophy for eight years. She is survived by her husband, Robert C. Nolan, three stepchildren and their families. “She went out of her way to make me, at 16 years old, feel at home,” AMC daughter Liz Vassey (Emily Ann) tells Soaps In Depth. “This woman showed so much grace, warmth and love to me and my family. I will miss you, Candi.” And on February 10, THE CITY vet Joseph Sirola — aka Tracy Quartermaine’s mobster husband, Gino Solieto — died of complications from respiratory failure in New York City. Although the actor never actually appeared on GH, Gino was revealed to…

IN There have been several new faces popping up in Port Charles lately, starting with DARK MATTER and ORPHAN BLACK alum Inga Cadranel as DOD’s Harmony and Brooke Burgstahler as Zoey, the woman who had a blind date with both Michael and Neil. When asked if we’ll see more of the two newcomers, a GH spokesperson teases, “you never know.” And in recast news, Sydney Mikayla — a graduate of Nickelodeon kidcom SCHOOL OF ROCK — has taken over for Tiane Le as Josslyn’s friend, Trina.…

Steffy and Liam realize the extent of Hope’s emotional troubles on Monday, February 25, when the blonde encourages them to reunite! Having just negotiated the revival of Spectra Fashions with his father, Wyatt shares a fun moment with Sally on Tuesday, February 26. Eric and Quinn react to Wyatt and Sally’s career move on Wednesday, February 27. On Thursday, February 28, Zoe confronts Flo when she discovers her working at Bikini Bar, not back in Las Vegas as she had claimed. Flo is shaken when on Friday, March 1, she overhears a troubling conversation between Hope and Katie.…

1 Beechers Corners. It’s always fun heading back to Luke and Laura’s fave hideaway. 2 Ava’s winterwear.  The diva has a penchant for trench coats that look like biker jackets… only cooler! 3 Kristina’s parents. We got a kick out of watching Sonny and Alexis roll their eyes at each other and drop zingers as they discussed their daughter’s new “family.” 4 Oscar’s reprieve. The kid and his parents deserved some good news… even if it wasn’t going to last. 5 The understatement. “You have some intriguing issues to work out,” Neil told new patient Alexis. ... And 1 Thing We Could Do Without... The loss. We’re thrilled Brytni Sarpy landed a new job…

… or are you kind of hoping that if GH’s Oscar really, truly dies, he leaves a little something behind? Yes, we’re talking about a baby. It’s been a while since the soap tackled teen pregnancy, and that seems like the kind of story that Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Laura Wright (Carly), Tamara Braun (Kim) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) could really sink their teeth into. Now that we know Carly’s pregnant, imagine the fun that could be had watching Sonny deal with the cravings and hormone-driven mood swings of his wife and daughter at the same time!…

With GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Franco named the serial killer stalking Port Charles, Elizabeth was left spinning… and Rebecca Herbst wrestled with her character’s fear, fury and faith to win this week’s Gold Star. She Is Liz, Hear Her Roar! When Jordan drew her gun on Franco, Elizabeth was clearly scared. But she demanded an explanation, and once she heard Lulu had accused her man, the fear in her voice evaporated. Literally shielding Franco from Jordan, Liz shut down his denials — because she already knew he was innocent. And then she started wagging her finger at the commissioner! It was Franco who had to talk Liz down and ask her to step aside for her own safety. With her man arrested, she then ran into Lulu and Laura down the hall,…

OUR TAKE GH Hot Topic: Is Peter Falling For Maxie… Or Playing Her? Thanks to a whole series of plot points, GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Peter comes with a ton of baggage… much of which has made it difficult for viewers to fully accept the character. For many fans, he is a living, breathing reminder of what they consider to be an egregious rewriting of Anna’s past. Others hold him at least partially responsible for brother Nathan’s tragic demise. Despite this latter twist, however, we can’t help liking what we see developing between Peter and Maxie. Like most of you, we saw this coming a mile away. Before Nathan’s body was even cold, Peter was looking at Maxie with a bit of longing in his eyes, and we most definitely did not…

THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Jordi Vilasuso (Rey) isn’t a soap newbie, having played Tony Santos on GUIDING LIGHT, Dr. Griffin Castillo on ALL MY CHILDREN and Dario Hernandez on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. But this is the first time he’s played a cop. “I feel Rey has this heroic quality to him,” the actor says. “He has a very strong moral compass and an integrity that I try to live by in my own life. But he’s human, too, and there are going to be times when he falls down as he navigates obstacles and challenges.” Of course, being on the side of law and order in Genoa City comes with plenty of obstacles and challenges! For instance, the mystery surrounding J.T.’s disappearance and death had Rey tangling with…

Sean Kanan calls GENERAL HOSPITAL’s A.J., the character he last played in 2014, “a romantic whose aspirations and dreams were crushed.” Try as he might, Alan’s son never did live up to the Quartermaine name and legacy, which was a huge weight on his shoulders. “It fermented his becoming cynical about life and feeling like he was this self-fulfilling prophecy of failure… and that fueled his alcoholism,” the actor suggests. “I don’t feel like the character ever really got a fair shake.” Star-Studded Advice Likely, A.J. could have benefited from reading Kanan’s new book, Secrets Of My Success (available for pre-order in March). “My partner, Jill Liberman, and I went out to 50 interesting people and asked, ‘What is the best advice that you’ve been given about success or that…

While paying a visit to Rena Sofer (Quinn; ex-Lois, GENERAL HOSPITAL) in December, Noelle was excited to play with some of the puppies that her co-star was fostering. Little did she know she’d also end up meeting Kim Matula, who played the role of Hope prior to her! “I was very nervous [when I found out she was joining us], but it was just great,” says Noelle. “She’s so funny and sweet and kind, and she loves animals just as much as I do, so we had a really great time getting to know one another while playing with some adorable puppies!” In addition to hitting it off like fast friends, Noelle says Matula even gave her some great advice that she’s taken to heart. “So thank you, Rena, for…

During her first run on DAYS, Chapman’s leading man was Wally Kurth (Justin). When their characters’ extramarital affair left the vixen pregnant, she wed Neil Curtis to save face. But it was still Justin who wound up delivering the child (Alexander). Unwilling to lose her husband, Adrienne claimed she was pregnant, but her lie led to their divorce. Afraid they’d reunite, a dastardly Anjelica arranged for her rival to get caught in a bomb blast, but then took little Alexander and skipped town out of fear of repercussions. Upon returning to the studio last year, Chapman says, “It was always big hugs and kisses” between her and Kurth (who also plays GH’s Ned). That tradition had started when they’d previously crossed paths in November 2015. “I was on the red…

Q: What food do you know you shouldn’t eat… but simply can’t resist? Eden McCoy (Josslyn, GH) “Cup Noodles. They taste too good and are easy to make. I got my friends at school hooked on them, too. The best flavor is hearty chicken. Once, I had it three times in the same day!” Gina Tognoni (Phyllis, Y&R) “Focaccia bread! All breads… warm, hot bread! I’m into savory, not so much sweet. I want to dive right into the salty, buttery breads.” Karla Mosley (Maya, B&B) “Gluten. Every once in a while, I can’t help it. When I was in Paris, I definitely had some baguettes, and I’m sure if I went to Italy, I would have to try some pasta.” Chandler Massey (Will, DAYS) “Sugary breakfast cereal late at…

The In Depth Story: Ever since Willow finally shared with Chase her story about having given up her baby for adoption, the sweet schoolteacher and charming detective have been growing closer. “They’re opening up to each other,” says the cute cop’s portrayer, Josh Swickard. “Nelle was Chase’s first love, but that was the biggest train wreck ever, obviously. Now, he’s smitten by this new girl, and she seems to be the exact opposite [of Nelle]. So he’s trying to figure out how to court her and how to do it right.” And it’s working! But what Chase doesn’t know is that Willow also shares some serious chemistry with someone else: his pal, Michael! Although nothing romantic has yet happened between the two, “Willow and Michael are drawn to one another…

The In Depth Story: The 52-year-old soap veteran was found dead in his home on February 2. In a joint statement, CBS and Sony Pictures Television (which produces Y&R) called St. John’s passing “heartbreaking. He was a very talented actor and an even better person. For those of us who were fortunate enough to work with him on Y&R, he was a beloved friend whose smile and infectious laugh made every day on set a joy and made audiences love him.” A former child star, St. John made his daytime debut in 1989 as GENERATIONS playboy Adam Marshall before originating the role of Y&R’s Neil in 1991. The last few years have been an off-screen struggle for the actor, stemming from the suicide of his son, Julian, in 2014. St.…

The In Depth Story: Even as Rademacher was wrapping up his relatively short stint as THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s recast Thorne, the official Twitter feed for GH posted a Throwback Thursday video which at first appeared to simply be a classic clip in which Jax bid adieu to Carly. But at the end of the video, we saw that the scene was being watched by someone who says, in a familiar accent, “Aw, come on! Well, that can’t be the end.” The “mystery” viewer is actually Rademacher, who then turns to the camera and says, “’Cause it’s not. I’m coming back to GH, and Jax’s legacy is going to continue in a big way. See you soon!” Shortly thereafter, Eden McCoy — aka Rademacher’s on-screen daughter, Josslyn — tweeted,…

On The Town TAKE A BOW…

General Hospital In Depth asked... Do you think Valentin’s scheming will ruin his reunion with Nina? Reader Reaction: 84% OF COURSE! 16% NO WAY! Maybe Valentin’s somewhat warped heart was in the right place with this Sasha debacle, but his brain sure wasn’t! This issue’s question... Do you think Alexis will come between Julian and Kim? ? TOP 5 GH COUPLES 1 Liz Webber & Franco Baldwin 2 Laura & Kevin Collins 3 Alexis Davis & Julian Jerome 4 Carly & Sonny Corinthos 5 Sam McCall & Jason Morgan TOP 5 ACTORS  (as voted by Soaps In Depth readers) 1 Last Issue: 1 Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) 2 Last Issue: 3 Steve Burton (Jason, GH) 3 Last Issue: 2 Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan, GH) 4 Last Issue: 4 Roger Howarth (Franco,…

First Stage Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, GENERAL HOSPITAL) fell hard for improv comedy when she came to Los Angeles three years ago… but then she found her second home. “I knew once I got into a class at Playhouse West, that I wanted to do plays and that that’s where I belong,” she says of the acting school that specializes in the Meisner technique. “When I first started GH, I was actually in two plays there. So it was kind of perfect that I was eased into the show, because I had a heavy workload outside of the show!” These days, MacMullen has her hands full with Willow’s drama. “I don’t want to put GH on the back burner, so I’m trying to avoid doing plays unless I have a solid…

Birthday: June 15. Birthplace: Miami. Either/Or: Vilasuso admits that if he couldn’t play the cop, he’d want to play a bad guy! On The Record: The actor says that he’s been pleased with the support he’s gotten from Y&R fans, although there were a few who took him to task for Doug Davidson (Paul) being dropped to recurring status. “I just went out for a gig and was lucky enough to get it,” he shares. “I worked with Doug, and he is such a gentleman. The timing was unfortunate, but it has nothing to do with me.” All In The Family:Vilasuso’s wife and sister-inlaw do a podcast called JUST BETWEEN US. “They are both huge fans of Y&R. They talk about what it’s like being on the other side, what…

viewers’ hearts have been aching for THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Hope ever since the year kicked off with the loss of her daughter, Beth, whom she was told died in childbirth. (In reality, the baby was adopted by Hope’s unsuspecting half sister and sometime nemesis, Steffy). Though Annika Noelle (Hope) feels the same sense of pity and outrage over the plot twist that has reduced her alter ego to emotional ruins, she’s managed to turn her character’s grief into an ongoing series of powerhouse performances. Deservedly, she has been heaped with praise for her portrayal of Hope’s ill-fated delivery and its tragic aftermath, and though Noelle did a lot of research into what her character would be feeling, trusting her gut is also part of the magic. “I took…

ABC’s WHISKEY CAVALIER combines the sophistication of a European spy thriller like The Bourne Identity with the flirtation of ABC’s CASTLE and the comedy of Beverly Hills Cop. The result is what executive producer Bill Lawrence (COUGAR TOWN, SCRUBS) calls a “fun, escapist, popcorn-movie-type action adventure, mixed with romantic and character comedy.” Can He Compartmentalize? In the pilot, which is offered as a sneak preview following the Oscars on Sunday, February 24 (before re-airing in its regular slot on Wednesday, February 27, at 10 p.m. EST), viewers meet Will Chase (SCANDAL alum Scott Foley), an FBI agent whose code name is Whiskey Cavalier. He finds himself ugly-crying after being dumped by his fiancée. So when a fellow agent requests backup, Will welcomes the change of scenery. As Lawrence explains: “They’re…

The fourth season of THE BAY THE SERIES has made its debut on Amazon Prime and “continues to grow and expand every season. The storylines are driven by a blend of complex characters and twisty, unpredictable plots,” smiles GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie), who heats up the screen as Sofia Madison. THE BAY’s creator, writer and executive producer, Gregori J. Martin, has made sure to keep Zeman front and center. “I had to create a fun role for Jackie,” he explains. “She’s doing such a wonderful job this season. I’ve never been more excited about THE BAY. It’s by far the most thrilling season yet and where I want the show to be, in story and pace and overall production value. It’s exactly the show today that I imagined in…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL After learning the truth about her dad s deception, Zoe decided Hope must be told that Beth is alive. She set off, intent on doing it herself, leaving Flo and Reese panicked about what would happen next. Bill offered Wyatt his old job at Spencer Publications, but his son had a different proposal… namely helping Sally revive Spectra Fashions. Sally was flabbergasted by her beau’s offer. Meanwhile, Hope declared that Liam ought to be with Kelly and Phoebe (and ergo, Steffy)! Stunned by her daughter’s decision, Brooke made a big request of Steffy. Katie confessed to Bill that her marriage to Thorne ended because he thought she still had feelings for Will’s father. Justin and Donna spent time with one another while trying to play…