Table of contents for July 2, 2018 in ABC Soaps In Depth

As Peter continues to try talking himself out of a dangerous situation, Obrecht does her best to cover her tracks on Monday, June 18. Kevin finds time to catch up with one of his patients on Tuesday, June 19. Nina thinks she has a right to answers on Thursday, June 21, and Valentin’s big, romantic plan completely backfires on Friday, June 22. Despite this, he continues his efforts to win Nina back on Monday, June 25. Ava must weigh the alternatives available to her on Wednesday, June 27. Scotty receives an offer he can’t refuse on Thursday, June 28, while Lucy can’t help but worry about Kevin on Friday, June 29!…

On Monday, June 18, Nick manages to surprise Sharon. That same day, Brittany asks Victoria some questions that she’d rather not answer. Phyllis does what she has to do on Tuesday, June 19. Cane receives a shocking request on Wednesday, June 20, while Abby decides she needs to slow things down where her relationship with Arturo is concerned on Thursday, June 21. What are Billy and Summer keeping under wraps? Find out their secret on Friday, June 22!…

… or was something a bit off about GH’s NICU (neonatal intensive care unit)? In the real world, parents aren’t kept from their babies in the NICU. In fact, it’s usually considered a benefit for a preemie to be with the parents as much as possible and, thus, most hospitals offer moms 24-hour access to their babes. Now, this all could have been a production issue — babies are hard to work with, after all! They come with time limits and can cry at inconvenient times. But when Deanna brought James to Maxie, she acted like it was the first time she’d been with her baby since they got to GH, which seems pretty unlikely!…

In addition to attending a full-time prep school and working at GH, McCoy is a rising beach volleyball star. In fact, she’s so good that USC has already tapped her to play on its team its team! “I just finished my freshman year in high school, but they’ve already signed me, which is what makes it so crazy,” says the astonished athlete. Now it seems that Joss has a mean serve herself. “The writers were just so kind and generous,” says McCoy. “For a while, they had Josslyn horseback riding. When they found out about my accomplishments, they switched to volleyball and brought a piece of me to the role, which is really fun.” With Joss an indoor player, this beach babe hasn’t yet shown off her moves on GH.…

Arguably, the thing that GENERAL HOSPITAL made man Sonny has made the most often… is love. Do you remember which of these Port Charles beauties never hit the sheets with the mobster who’s part don and part Don Juan?…

Thompson doesn’t have to look too far to find a role model when it comes to acting. “You can talk to every actor at Y&R, and they will say that Peter Bergman (Jack) has the enthusiasm of a kid when it comes to doing the work,” he says with a smile. “And how many years has he been doing it? Yet he loves coming to work, he loves playing with all the other actors. He is like a kid who is still learning how to do it. I really look up to that, because we all need to remember that we are fortunate to do what we’re doing!”…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Don Diamont (Bill), never imagined he’d write a memoir. Then again, there are a lot of things the actor never envisioned happening in his life, and he details those unexpected (and at times, unbelievable) moments in his recently published book, My Seven Sons And How We Raised Each Other (They Only Drive Me Crazy 30% Of The Time) from Hachette Book Group. Part autobiography and part parenting guide, the tome describes Diamont’s life’s journey in the framework of his relationship with his own late father and his seven sons, tackling topics as varied as his own knuckle-headed adolescence and his romantic dalliances, including the many triumphs and tragedies that have shaped his life. He recently sat down to chat with us about putting pen to…

From Andrew W. Marlowe and Terri Edda Miller, the husband/ wife creators of ABC’s CASTLE, comes TAKE TWO, a flirtatious new ABC series. “If they’re fans of our previous work, we think that they’ll really enjoy this one,” Marlowe says of the drama that premieres Thursday, June 21, at 10 p.m. EST. Adds Miller: “CASTLE was all about murder, and this is about all kinds of different crimes and things that come up for private investigators in L.A.” The Comeback Kid In the series, former police officer-turned-street-savvy private eye Eddie Valetik (played by THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ former Matt, Eddie Cibrian) finds himself saddled with an unlikely new partner: plucky actress Sam Swift (HART OF DIXIE’s Rachel Bilson). “The cop show that Sam worked on for eight years finished,…

Q: Who is your favorite comedian? Kin Shriner (Scott, GH) “I still get a kick out of the subtlety of W.C. Fields and his one-liners. I still laugh at Jackie Gleason, and I know it’s juvenile, but The Three Stooges still make me laugh. It’s slapstick and sight gags, but their timing was so great. I love those Bob Hope/Bing Crosby road pictures with the banter and one-liners. Johnny Carson was also very smart and clever. He knew exactly how to sell the joke.” Vernee Watson (Stella, GH) “Bernie Mac was so funny, because he was so real and natural. I did THE BERNIE MAC SHOW with him and there were so many comedians on there — and he let the other comedians be funny! Oh, and [Keegan-Michael] Key and…

Lady In Red Something about the simple, modern silhouette of this red dress on ALL MY CHILDREN’s Cady McClain (Dixie) captured our voters’ fancy, though we dare say she shines in the gold dress, too! Fringe Appeal We could literally shimmy with excitement over the skirt GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) wore to this year’s Emmys! Silver Belles This metallic hue says “glam” without ever trying too hard, and these current and former ladies of ABC Daytime certainly shine in this sassy shade! What Were They Thinking?…

The In Depth Story: Darbo — also THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Shirley — had been honored for her portrayal of Mickey on THE BAY. But according to Variety, which first reported the news, Darbo’s submission (which the actress did not enter herself) violated two rules: She had first appeared on a previous season of THE BAY, and her reel contained scenes from more than one episode. “There should never , ever be a mistake.” After receiving an inquiry regarding potential violations in some of the digital categories, NATAS launched an internal investigation, and it was determined that Thomas Calabro’s nomination as a BAY guest star was also ineligible, as he too had appeared on a prior season. How did such violations slip…

PSST! The In Depth Story: Elizabeth is descended from GH royalty, as grandpa Dr. Steve Hardy was one of the show’s original characters. But as Franco has learned, aside from grandma Audrey, Liz doesn’t have much of a relationship with her immediate family. Her infamously absent father, Jeff, hasn’t been seen in Port Charles since Richard Dean Anderson exited in 1981, and sister Sarah hasn’t put in an appearance since 2002 when Serah D’Laine briefly played the role originated by Jennifer Sky. Back in the late ’70s, a love triangle between Jeff, Heather and Monica led to one of GH’s most infamous baby swap storylines, with Dr. Webber ultimately taking off with young son Steve. Years later, when Jeff and his subsequent wife plunged into war-torn Sarajevo, he sent teenage…

IN GH legend Kin Shriner is bringing Scott back to the canvas for a handful of episodes. “I had one episode after the ball and should be popping up in July,” confirms Shriner, who was back on the soap’s set this month. “I don’t know what goes on yet, but they’re pulling Scotty out of the closet. He’s like a little broom that’s pulled out to sweep up the broken glass and then he goes away. That’s what I do!” Whether the fast-talker is coming to help one of his pals out of a legal jam or offering moral support to son Franco on his upcoming nuptials, we’re always happy to see Scotty sweep through town!…

As Ciara slowly begins opening up to Ben, the question remains: Has he really changed… and will she be able to accept that? Eric, Jennifer, Chloe and Lucas get together for a celebratory dinner. But what is the occasion? Worried about her missing daughter, Hope lashes out at Tripp on Wednesday, June 20. Convinced he’s the best man for the job, Chad tries on Thursday, June 21, to convince Victor to give him the top spot at Titan. On Friday, June 22, as Kate makes a confession, Brady and Eve are on the receiving end of a shock courtesy of Stefan!…

General Hospital In Depth asked... Has Nelle taken her quest for revenge against Carly too far? Note to Nelle: Obsession is not a good look on you! But hey, at least we can agree it’s a look that she’s committed to. This issue’s question... Would you like to see Drew regain his memories or stay the man he is? Reader Reaction: 96% WAY TOO FAR! 4% NOPE! TOP 5 GH COUPLES 1 Liz Webber & Franco Baldwin 2 Laura & Kevin Collins 3 Alexis Davis & Julian Jerome 4 Sam McCall & Drew Cain 5 Carly & Sonny Corinthos TOP 5 ACTORS (as voted by Soaps In Depth readers) 1 Last Issue: 1 Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) 2 Last Issue: 2 Steve Burton (Jason GH) 3 Last Issue: 3 Roger…

OUR TAKE GH Hot Topic: Kiki’s Secret! When GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Kiki and Griffin finally hooked up, we can’t say we were shocked. Even before Griffin got involved with Ava, she wasn’t the only one looking at them and thinking, “Well, this seems sort of inevitable!” What’s interesting is that, in part because the story has been percolating for so long, the moment had a bigger impact than it might have had Griffin and Kiki been rushed into the sack. Now, of course, the countdown clock begins ticking. Because while the illicit lovers have vowed never, ever to speak of their tryst, we all know that it’s only a matter of time before Ava finds out that yet again, she and Kiki have shared a man. (How often does something have…

• What I’ve learned is that love can come in various forms. Sometimes it’s a hug, and sometimes it’s a foot up an ass. • Life is going to throw curveballs. Sometimes nasty ones. I’ve emphasized to my boys that what matters is how you handle them. • All of our boys have their own special character traits and unique personalities, but a common thread that runs through all of them is the joy of breaking Daddy’s balls. • The reason I think [my dad] was so good at being both a friend and a father was that he never lost touch with the kid he used to be. The same holds true for my boys and me. Cindy still says that I’m the biggest kid in the family.…

Greg Vaughan had been happy when, after leaving DAYS OF OUR LIVES last time, he’d landed on the critically acclaimed drama QUEEN SUGAR. “I needed to get out of here. My life was a bit toxic,” he reflects. “When things opened up, I went in that direction, and it helped me decompress… When I came back, I had a new zest.” The storyline Vaughan returned with — Eric’s release from prison after accidentally killing Daniel and the guilt that came from loving Daniel’s fiancée, Nicole — was worthy of his skills. It culminated in heart-wrenching scenes with Nicole for which he recently won his first Daytime Emmy. His Emotional Night “My career is so unique because I started in this realm of daytime, and then to be hired by three…

Even as GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Nina remained strong for Maxie, the heartbreak of losing Nathan was ever-present… and facing Henrik brought it all to the surface. With her character still in mourning, Michelle Stafford managed to turn Nina’s grief into a performance worthy of a Gold Star. Caring For Maxie Since Nathan’s death, Stafford has kept Nina’s pain always within reach; that’s how mourning works. So even as she faced Valentin’s recent betrayal with fresh fury and a note of petulance, her emotion was fueled by the heartache of having lost Nathan. Pulling Maxie from a nightmare, however, Nina slipped into a caregiver’s role. Keeping her tone even and offering a reassuring smile, she recounted Peter’s escape and Anna and Valentin’s place in his life story. As one of GH’s queens…

The In Depth Story: “Summer is very different,” reports portrayer Hunter King. “I didn’t have to come back as the exact same Summer, which I would have loved. But she has reinvented herself in a way. She’s different now that she has more experience in life, and she has been through a lot [while she was away]. “What that is, we don’t know,” the actress teases. “But you slowly start to learn those things, and it’s a really fun journey to go on with her!” King’s return comes at a time — shortly after Y&R recast Summer’s ex, Kyle, with newcomer Michael Mealor — when rumors had begun to swirl that the sudser wanted to bring her character back. “It was a mutual decision,” says the two-time Emmy winner. “I…

Though Hope is impressed by Emma’s dance skills on Monday, June 18, Maya, upon finding out the intern’s last name, gives her her walking papers on Tuesday, June 19. When Justin shows up to intervene, Hope beats him to the punch by putting Maya in her place. An overjoyed Liam and Steffy revel in planning their next journey together as a family on Wednesday, June 20, while Bill hatches another scheme to keep the couple apart on Thursday, June 21. On Friday, June 22, Hope asks Liam to return to work at Forrester Creations to help with her new line. But is that really the best idea?…

Over the years, GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Jason has been there time and again for his best friends, Sonny and Carly. This week, as Mrs. C tries holding on for dear life, Jason is poised to do whatever it takes to make sure she emerges from the hell on Earth that is Ferncliff in one piece! Carly’s Worst Nightmare! With nothing but time on her hands, Carly can’t help but reflect on how she wound up in the notorious facility for the criminally insane yet again! “She’s not doing very well,” admits portrayer Laura Wright. “She’s terrified, she’s being drugged, and the orderly who works for Mary Pat, the head nurse, is exceptionally large and could break Carly in half in a heartbeat! There’s a lot going on that she can’t control,…

Happy Guy Steve Burton has no complaints about life as GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Jason. “I’m having a great time,” grins the actor, who returned to the show last fall. “It’s been a while now, but my excitement hasn’t dwindled at all. Obviously, the excitement of coming back and reuniting with family, crew and friends was a little more heightened… but I’m still excited to get up every day and go to work. You can’t have more of a blessing than that.” If he could change one thing, it might be to work more with James Patrick Stuart, who is nothing like Valentin! “People say that all the time, but he’s really not,” Burton insists. “That’s what makes his scenes so fascinating. We’re having a conversation and then I’ll see him shoot…

Two and a half years ago, when Jason Thompson landed the role of Billy on THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, he was thrown into the dramatic deep end of the pool, with the character having spiraled downward so far that he ended up in a coma with his life hanging by a thread. The storylines that came afterward were equally intense, with Billy recovering and making up, then breaking up, with Victoria before launching into a passionate — and controversial — affair with brother Jack’s wife, Phyllis. Shockingly, that affair turned into not only a love story with legs but one that has allowed Thompson to flex his comedic muscle! “[Romantic comedy] is not something that is often explored on soap operas,” says the veteran of GENERAL HOSPITAL (as reformed…

It’s hard to believe the year is more than halfway over… and yet here we are! And what better time to take a look at the highs and lows that have unfolded in Port Charles since the locals gathered to usher in 2018! Peruse our picks, then let us know yours by heading to our Facebook page or Twitter feed! Biggest Tearjerker There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Port Charles gathered to lay Nathan to rest… let alone when Maxie’s late husband was escorted to the great beyond by her gone-but-not-forgotten sister, Georgie! Best Fake-Out Love Nelle or hate her, you have to give her props for creativity. We haven’t seen or thought of invisible ink since we were kids and nearly burned the house down holding…

Thanks to some inventive writing, Rebecca Budig got to cram a whole lot of storyline into her nearly 200 episodes of GENERAL HOSPITAL. “Hayden was first described to me as a con woman,” she reflects. “They didn’t really give me much else.” But by the time the character was written off, she’d changed so much that viewers’ hearts were broken along with Finn’s. “It was very flattering for them to have actually grown to like Hayden, because a lot of people didn’t in the beginning,” Budig says. “So their response to me leaving was so heartwarming.” While the actress acknowledges that she’d love to see Hayden bring her baby back to town — “Who wouldn’t want to play all that juicy stuff?!?” — having the downtime to spend with her…

Stepbrothers Eric Brady and Brady Black have been at odds for months now, but their portrayers, Vaughan and Eric Martsolf, can often be found with their heads together. “My eldest son and his twin boys are within a year of each other, so we’re going through the same thing,” Vaughan explains. “The kids are going through their growing pains, and we’re in the same midlife crises together.” From jokes about who needs a haircut to who’s “thinning out in the back, we poke fun at each other and have that brotherly connection,” Vaughan says, adding, “I think our communication translates on screen.” But more importantly, Vaughan really respects his pal. “Eric is a jack of many trades — he’s a very talented individual — and he’s always professional and prepared,”…

THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL  Emma’s Uncle Justin urged her not to let anyone at Forrester Creations know they were related. Julius’ nephew, Xander, arrived in town from England with ambitions to pursue a career at Forrester Creations, but on his first day in those hallowed halls, he got knocked out when Emma — exhibiting some dance moves for Hope’s upcoming preview — accidentally collided with him! When he came to, he introduced himself to Hope as an American from the Midwest. Will gave Wyatt and Katie a rude awakening about their relationship, but Thorne assured the brunette that things would work out for her in the end. Wyatt was shocked to bump into Sally at Bikini Bar. Hope tried to temper her heartbreak when she met baby Kelly for…