Table of contents for January 4, 2016 in ABC Soaps In Depth

Just how exciting is GENERAL HOSPITAL going to be in 2016? Let’s put it this way: It took three different folks — headwriters Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman as well as ABC’s Manager, Current Programming, Nathan Varni — to fill us in! So read on for all kinds of scoop on what the next 12 months will hold! Can Sonny & Carly’s Marriage Survive? “Sonny is going to use his disability to his advantage,” previews Passanante, hinting that enemies who have perceived him as weakened by the bullet which left him in a wheelchair might want to worry less about his injuries and more about watching their own backs! “Sonny will prove that he is still the strong, vital man that he always was.” At the same time, however, he’ll…

OUT It’s official: Jason Thompson will make his final GH appearance as Patrick in early January — and the actor already has his next gig lined up! Look for Thompson to take over the role of THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ Billy, recently vacated by Burgess Jenkins, before the end of January. Ironically, the role was previously played by Billy Miller, who is now playing GH’s Jason! Who will Thompson’s Billy be paired with romantically? Only time will tell!…

OUT As anyone watching GH can tell, Teresa Castillo (Sabrina) is not only pregnant, but she’s way further along than her character! And that means Castillo will soon be taking some time offfor her maternity leave! “I believe she’s working through December, so her episodes will probably air through late January or early February,” says Nathan Varni, Manager, Current Programming, ABC Network. “Obviously, it will be sped up if she has the baby earlier!” Castillo is expecting a son with her husband, Shane Aaron, next month. Daughter Victoria will be two in May.…

You won’t believe who Ashley winds up working with on Monday, December 21! Victor makes a decision he believes to be in the best interest of his family on Tuesday, December 22. Despite all the problems her loved ones have had lately, Nikki vows on Wednesday, December 23, that she will keep the holiday spirit alive! And Christmas proves to be the season of miracles when on Thursday, December 24, Victor has a change of heart, Traci comes home for the holiday and Devon actually makes progress with Hilary!…

Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) walking into The Conga Room on Olympic Boulevard in L.A. Bryan Craig (Morgan, GH) in the produce section of Ralphs on Venture Boulevard in North Hollywood. Lynn Herring (Lucy, GH) holding a delicious-looking jambalaya on Royal Street in the French Quarter in New Orleans. Haley Pullos (Molly, GH) waiting to be seated at Johnny Rocket’s in Universal City, CA. Parry Shen (Brad, GH) waiting in line for ramen noodles at Little Tokyo’s Daikokuya in downtown L.A.…

… or have you been wondering exactly when it was that GH’s Maxie became a life coach? Or, as Lulu asked her gal pal, “Since when are you the voice of reason?” Not that we’re complaining, especially since this “new” Maxie feels a lot like the one we fell in love with years ago. And while Maxie should probably be running Crimson as opposed to helping Nina do so, the plot makes sense given that Julian is trying to run the magazine into the ground. Plus, we love when characters who never really interacted are suddenly thrust into stories together, allowing the writers to explore — and viewers to enjoy — the new dynamics created. The actresses are clearly having a blast, and so are we!…

Carly and Sonny aren’t the only ones who’ve matured since Wright joined GH. The daytime vet has developed a new appreciation for her co-stars as well as her own experience. “Yes, we [actors] have tools, but art imitates life, and life experience is all we can bring to our jobs,” she says. “My kids are getting older, so I’m going through things with them that I can bring to my work. Also, I’m learning to deal!” By “deal,” she means accepting and celebrating all her costars. “There might be people I don’t have much in common with, but I love them all,” she insists. “That was a process for me: Do I want to find things to not like? Or do I want to embrace this situation? “There’s something to…

Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie) enjoys a good date, but don’t expect to find the daytime diva swiping right on Tinder or checking an eHarmony account. “I don’t go on dating Web sites, just because of the TV thing,” she admits. “Everyone that I’ve dated I’ve met through a friend. I feel safe doing that because the person is accountable to someone. I’m not going to meet some crazy person who might turn out to be dangerous! In this day and age, as you know, you have to be careful. Not that I have anything against dating sites. If I wasn’t on TV, I would do it in a minute!” THAT’S A FACT Zeman was a Bunny at NYC’s Playboy Club in the mid-‘70s.…

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco), who worked together last season as Nora and Bill on Hallmark’s WHEN CALLS THE HEART, will be teaming up again beginning with the period drama’s holiday special airing Saturday, December 26, at 8 p.m. EST. “Nora is the [estranged] wife of Bill. Her return created conflict, because he was getting involved with another woman,” played by Lori Loughlin (Jody, THE EDGE OF NIGHT), Wagner explains. “Things are going to take a twist during the upcoming third season,” which begins in February. Déjà Two Bill had stepped up to marry Nora and help raise her baby, but when the child died, the bereft woman left town, and a resentful Bill grieved alone. Their reunion had been rife with emotion and questions about…

They say that everything’s bigger in Texas. For Martha Madison (Belle, DAYS), who grew up in Houston, that definitely included Christmas! “It’s one of my mom’s favorite times of the year. She was so concerned with us waking up and coming downstairs to a sea of presents that she would literally, individually wrap like socks and stuff,” Madison laughs. “And our stockings would be overflowing with candy and things, and then every year, we would each get one really big gift. My favorite memory was coming downstairs to find two birds in a birdcage, and it was for me!” Of course, a great big Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a massive tree, and Madison’s mom, Barbara Baggs, saw to that, too. “We always had a 15-or 16-foot tree — we…

Living in Southern California can be picture perfect, but Y&R’s Lauralee Bell (Christine) and hubby Scott Martin like to give their children, Christian, 14, and Samantha, 13, a more winter-like Christmas, so every year, they head for the snow and ski trails in Colorado. “Both Scott and I grew up in Chicago, so we think it’s good that the kids have a little bit of a change of season,” says Bell. “My two brothers are there, so we meet up with [their families] and all ski together, which is nice!” The only downside, Bell says, is that the high altitude doesn’t work for her mother, Y&R’s co-creator, Lee Phillip Bell. “She stays in L.A. and has a bunch of people at her house, [which] is filled with unbelievable decorations,” shares…

FYIFYIFYI Greater Heights: Mansi has climbed California’s Mount Whitney. Her Favorite Indulgence: “Chocolate,” Mansi laughs. “Chocolate anything!” Time Flies: March 2, 2016, will mark Mansi’s fifth anniversary among Salem’s lot. Hanging It Up: “After dancing in several companies and then through college at Pepperdine University,” Mansi explains, “I just needed to take a break.” So she hung up her shoes. DAYS OF OUR LIVES has returned to classic storylines, and for Abigail — as well as others — that’s meant emotional storylines with life-and-death consequences. “Everyone is so excited,” her por trayer, Kate Mansi, confides of the mood on set in recent months. “There’s been a reinstatement of what the show’s about. We’re really happy about that.” Basic Instinct Abigail is no stranger to messed-up relationships. Just ask Ben, Chad,…

Julius was suspicious when the rest of his family welcomed Nicole’s longtime friend, Sasha, to Los Angeles. After surveying the life her pal had carved out for herself on the West Coast, the newcomer made it readily apparent that she wanted a taste of the good life, too. Zende got an eyeful during his first encounter with Sasha, who later declared that she was sticking around for good! She eventually turned a lovers’ quarrel between Nicole and Zende to her own advantage. Steffy apologized to Ivy for landing her in the hospital, but the Aussie was having none of it and made a few demands regarding how restitution should be made. Steffy was furious over her cousin’s attitude, and the friction between the two women left Liam and Wyatt scrambling…

IN Tracy and Monica must have some serious pull, because they got Grammy-winning R&B songstress India. Arie to perform at the Nutcracker Gala on Monday, December 21! So how did this coup come about? “Executive Producer Frank Valentini was able to get her on the show, so credit goes to him,” Nathan Varni, Manager, Current Programming, ABC Network, shares with In Depth. “He just put the feelers out. She has some affinity for GH and was in Los Angeles and able to work it into her schedule!” So what should viewers expect? An amazing performance! “She’s so supremely talented,” says Varni. “She does this great holiday song. It was really amazing!” As previously reported, Bradford Anderson’s Spinelli, Emily Wilson’s Ellie and baby Georgie — played by Harper Barash, real-life daughter…

There’s romance in the air all around Port Charles this week, beginning when Alexis and Julian find themselves with plenty of reasons to celebrate on Monday, December 21. Sounds like they’ll be having a ball at the Nutcracker Gala, doesn’t it? Then, on Wednesday, December 23, Jason flashes back to a romantic moment from his past. Of course, the big question is whether he’s recalling a steamy moment with Liz or Sam! And on Wednesday, December 30, someone on the canvas pops the question. The even better news? The person on the receiving end of the proposal accepts! But who might the lucky pair be?…

Not willing to take what Ava says at face value, Steve and Kayla put her claim to the test on Monday, December 21. Caroline has another disturbing vision about Victor on Tuesday, December 22. Soon after being ticked offby her mother, Claire receives an intriguing offer from Eve on Wednesday, December 23. Thursday, December 24, finds the Horton family gathering for the annual hanging of the Christmas ornaments. And on Friday, December 25, Steve presents Kayla with a special Christmas gift!…

There’s no turning back for THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Nicole now that she’s carrying Rick and Maya’s child, but will Zende continue to stand by his pregnant girlfriend? “He’s always been very clear with Nicole about how he felt about this,” says Rome Flynn (Zende). “She still went through with her decision, and he respects her for that, even though it’s contrary to what he wants. He sees the beauty in what she’s doing, but it’s also hard because they haven’t really had an opportunity to find out what it really means for them to be a couple.” Time may help allay Zende’s concerns, but it could also give this young man the opportunity to re-assess things — especially now that Sasha is in the picture! “I don’t think…

Even before the devastating news that the exit of Jason Thompson’s Patrick would leave the hospital short one doctor, we’d long fretted about the lack of medical professionals on a show centered around a medical facility. So we’re happy to see that the situation is slowly being rectified via both the arrival of new docs like Andre and the integration of existing staffers like Epiphany into more storylines. How fun has it been to see Epiphany not only outside of the hospital, but butting heads with her reluctant patient, Sonny? It’s also been nice seeing Sabrina and Felix spend time together, but what’s with his romance taking place entirely offscreen? For that matter, why has the Lucas/Brad/Rosalie story been completely dropped? There are a lot of great stories unfolding on…

Untainted Love Loving Franco and Nina — finally, a relationship that isn’t all about the bedroom! Tina Therriault Mathews via Soaps In Depth Facebook page Dead Is Dead! Please stop bringing characters back from the dead. It totally cheapens the whole show. Karen Canfield Maskens via Soaps In Depth Facebook page Over Val Hate Valerie! Lulu and Dante need to get back together. I’m going to miss Patrick. Debbie Ware via Soaps In Depth Facebook page It’s (Still) Unanimous Love the show. GENERAL HOSPITAL has been in our family for decades. But I am so disappointed with how long it continues dragging out the Jason story. I understand how things work in the soap world, but this has been brutal — almost to the point that I am tired of…

If you see Ryan Carnes (Lucas) on the street, feel free to approach him for a chat. “I love my fans,” he raves. “They are the reason I have the privilege to do what I do for a profession. It’s part of my job to be kind to fans. Hell, it’s my job as a human being to be kind to other human beings. And why wouldn’t I, anyway?” Just don’t throw yourself at him! “Unless someone is rude to me, disrespectful or ignores a personal boundary that I have set forth, then there is no reason for me to be anything other than kind and grateful,” he muses. “And even then — unless someone is threatening my welfare or the welfare of someone around me — there is probably…

If you’re already feeling the spirit of the season, Soaps In Depth’s special section devoted to the stars and their holiday stories will be right up your chimney! And if you aren’t yet playing Vince Guaraldi on a loop while getting loopy on eggnog and rum balls, the musings of actors from GENERAL HOSPITAL, THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL, THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS and DAYS OF OUR LIVES are sure to give you a craving for candy canes and gingerbread men. So go ahead, turn the page, and let these anecdotes make you forget all about the cold outside.…

In past Christmases, Melissa Ordway (Y&R’s Abby) and her husband, Justin Gaston (ex-Ben, DAYS), would pull out their suitcases, pack their winter clothes and join the long lines of holiday travelers as they headed across the countr y to spend time in Maine with Ordway’s parents. But this year, the couple will be switching up their routine! “This will be our first Christmas in L.A.,” shares the beauty. “My parents are getting out of the cold weather of Maine and are moving out here so they can enjoy the nice weather year-round!” Ordway is looking forward to spending the holidays in Southern California. “I’ve heard that L.A. is really fun at Christmastime, because everyone is gone, which means there won’t be much traffic!” she suggests with a smile. “We want…

Forget the majesty of a white Christmas: Kin Shriner (Scotty, GH) will be spending the holidays on his yacht in Fort Lauderdale. But before you get any grand ideas, he’s quick to clarify: “Based on the official definition, my boat classifies as a yacht... but it’s not the yacht you’re picturing,” he says with a laugh. “It has a kitchen and air-conditioning — all the comforts of a studio apartment in New York. Plus, if you don’t like your neighbors, you can just unmoor and move!” Shriner has spent many a night on his boat over the last decade, but this holiday, he’s putting the floating apartment to a new test. “My girlfriend, Trish, and I are going to stay on the boat for a bit,” he reveals. “She’s never…

FYIFYIFYI Birthday: November 2. Hometown: New Castle, PA. For More Information: Visit the Web site Boo2Bullying.org for more information or to donate to this worthwhile cause. Movie With A Message: In November, the actor shot a film called South32 in which he plays a detective investigating the murder of a young woman who has been mercilessly bullied. David Lago (ex-Raul, Y&R) and Melissa Archer (ex-Serena, DAYS OF OUR LIVES) are also featured. THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL’s Sean Kanan (Deacon) built a career out of playing bullies and bad boys, but in real life, he’s committed to ending the climate of bullying that is sadly pervasive in the lives of many elementar y and high school kids today. To that end, the actor recently began serving as a youth ambassador…

GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Helena was tickled when Jason showed up on Cassadine Island. Propped up in her black bed, the leopard-robed villainess purred happily about “righting wrongs” so she could meet her beloved Mikkos in the next life. But Constance Towers’ taunting performance quickly proved that Helena couldn’t — or wouldn’t! — change her spots, and earned the grand dame this week’s Gold Star. Last Supper Ever the lady, Helena started her visit with Jason by apologizing for being too weak to get up and offer her trespasser a proper welcome. Anchored by an oxygen tank and armed only with her expressive face and hands, she chuckled at Jason’s skepticism — and his gun! Death had Helena feeling downright contemplative about life. She wanted to repair a few naughty choices she’d…

Every year on her birthday, Mansi likes to choose a cause to raise funds for. Last year, she brought attention to Charity Water to help support clean water projects in Orissa, India. This year, she’s partnered with a woman named Alison and her best friend, cancer survivor B.K. Cannon, in support of both the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and Camp Avenue, a retreat for children who have or have had cancer. To help the trio in this worthy cause and learn about the rewards they’re giving to donors as part of this campaign, visit: beboldbebald.org/katemansi.…

Adam encouraged Sage to reconcile with Nick, but she believed that they’d only end up hurting each other. Meanwhile, Nick confided to Dr. Anderson that he should have given Sage more space. He then persuaded the doctor to reveal a little about her own mysterious past. Abby was upset when Victor suggested that she and Stitch postpone their wedding. Victoria grew concerned over Billy’s downward spiral. Hilary upset Devon when she cozied up to Neil. Later, Chelsea fretted about the lengths to which Adam would go in order to remain part of Victor’s circle! What will it mean when Adam reconnects with his ex-wife, Sharon?…

Soap icon David Canary (Adam/Stuart, ALL MY CHILDREN) passed away from natural causes on November 16 at the age of 77. The five-time Emmy winner is survived by his wife, Maureen, two adult children and a grandson. Canary played ANOTHER WORLD’s Steven Frame from 1981-’83 before joining AMC later that year. “For more than two decades, David defined daytime drama on ABC,” the network shared in a statement. “Our hearts go out to his family and we mourn his passing.” Look for our tribute to the beloved star in the next ABC issue of Soaps In Depth, on sale Monday, January 4.…

The latest comings and goings — and how they will change your shows! The In Depth Story: Although Wally Kur th’s Justin has been bumped from contract to recurring status at DAYS, that doesn’t mean that he’s through with the NBC soap. “I’m still in Salem,” he tweeted shortly after the news broke. “Still the D.A., still working. The show is really good, and I’m still having fun. Remember, it’s called show business.” But with Kurth no longer contractually prohibited by NBC from appearing on the ABC soap as well, GH insiders say that Ned swinging by to check on Olivia and his family seems practically inevitable. After all, Kurth recurred on both soaps for a year before DAYS offered him a contract back in March. Meanwhile, since Greg Vaughan…

STAUTS Ryan Paevey (Nathan) took a shor t break from GH in November to play the lead in the upcoming Hallmark Channel movie Unleashing Mr. Darcy, which filmed in British Columbia. “I was up there for four weeks,” he tells In Depth. “There’ll be a little bit of an impact — you’ve already seen less of Nathan. But I was back to work [at GH] on December 4, so there’s new stuffin the pipelines already.” Based on the novel by Teri Wilson, Unleashing Mr. Darcy is a modern-day take on the Jane Austen classic Pride & Prejudice, in which the GH hunk plays wealthy (and handsome, naturally!) dog breeder Donovan Darcy. For more from Paevey on his TV movie, which is scheduled to debut on Saturday, January 23, pick up…

Ivy’s recent accident causes her to have an unexpected change of heart about Steffy and Liam’s relationship on Monday, December 21. Liam finds himself put on the spot when on Tuesday, December 22, the Australian confides in him about her hopes for their future. On Wednesday, December 23, Wyatt considers making a bold move with Ivy. When Brooke plans to spend Christmas Eve alone, Eric convinces her to join him and other members of their family to ring in the season on Thursday, December 24.…

THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS’ fans need to brace themselves, because Jack has once again vowed to bring down Victor. And this time, he just might succeed! Unfortunately, the cosmetics mogul won’t emerge from the battle unscathed. In fact, Jack’s decision, which meant publicly exposing The Mustache’s Marco scheme, could cost him the thing he holds most dear — his beloved wife, Phyllis! “It certainly puts him in a perilous place with Phyllis,” acknowledges Peter Berg-man, who plays the troubled titan. “But he’s willing to risk that! Victor’s manipulations are not going to go away. This guy is determined to destroy Jabot, my father’s company, and in so doing, destroy my family! Who else is going to stop him?” While Jack engages in the battle of the century with his…

FYIFYIFYI First Date: Wright premiered as Carly on November 4, 2005. Emmy Love: After two decades in the biz, the alum of LOVING, THE CITY and GUIDING LIGHT won her first Emmy for her work at GH. Ketchup Sessions: On days off, Wright brings her kids lunch at school so she can enjoy a midday catch-up with them. Empowered: “I’m a big fan of Tony Robbins’ pro-women, pro-desire and pro-goget-your-life message,” Wright reveals. This November marked Laura Wright’s 10th anniversar y as GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Carly — not to mention Carly’s fifth marriage to Sonny! Wright has seen her stubborn, sexy and powerful character through a lot since arriving in Port Charles, but playing house with Maurice Benard’s Sonny has been a whole new experience. Since three other actresses played Mrs.…

When the folks at GENERAL HOSPITAL first approached Rebecca Budig about coming on board as troublemaker Hayden, the new mom wasn’t sure she was ready to make her daytime return. “I was debating if I was going to get back into things, because I was really loving being with my baby,” says the ALL MY CHILDREN vet (she played Greenlee) of 1-year-old Charlotte. “But [executive producer] Frank Valentini said, ‘It’s a great little thing. It’s only a few episodes.’ I thought it would be a fun way to get back into things. And I always wanted to be on GH. I used to watch the show when I was young, so I was a fan, and I love all the actors I knew from Super Soap [weekends].” Not surprisingly, when…

FYIFYIFYI Birthday: May 16. Birthplace: Fairfax, VA. Moonlighting: Carrigan can be seen in the beginning of the horror flick Slumlord, written by the McManus brothers, and in the Web series VIRAL, which is produced by Melissa Archer (Natalie, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) and Jessica Morris (Jennifer, OLTL). “Melissa and I met at a soap charity event, and she said that she had a part that I’d be perfect for,” he recalls. “Next thing I knew, I was on her series!” Two months ago, the Halloween fire at Newman Enterprises was nothing compared to the heat being generated on social media, which suggested Sean Carrigan would be leaving THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS when his alter ego, Stitch, died during the disaster. Such speculation not only has a tendency to worry…

GH’s Hayley Erin (Kiki) and boyfriend Logan Luedcke are celebrating Christmas in the most Los Angeles way possible: in the car! “We’re going grandparent-hopping,” she explains. “We have different places to go, but we refuse to split up, so we’ll do what we did last year— which was drive all day and hit every single grandparent in Orange County and Los Angeles!” The couple’s parents are also part of their holiday circuit. After a Christmas Eve overnight with Luedcke’s mom in Laguna Beach, it’s back to Erin’s parents in the San Fernando Valley. “Christmas morning, my mom always makes French toast, using Kings Hawaiian bread, so it’s extra thick and sweet,” Erin shares. “Then my mom’s side of the family is Jewish, so we go see a movie and get…

Having to spend so much time away from her husband, Jeremiah Frei-Pearson, in order to work on B&B in Los Angeles, Karla Mosley (Maya) is thrilled whenever she can retreat to the East Coast home they purchased a little over a year ago. “I get home five days before Christmas, so it will be a mad dash to get everything together and decorated for when his family and mine come over on Christmas,” says the actress. “It will be a gathering of about 10 to 12 people.” A self-proclaimed Type-A personality, Mosley says planning for the holiday shindig doesn’t stress her out, but on the day of, she’s certainly feeling the pressure! “I just hide out in the kitchen,” jokes the actress, who every year introduces her meat-eating relatives to…

Reflecting on his own high school years, Kanan admits, “I certainly wasn’t a ‘bad kid,’ but I had a little glint in my eye, which sometimes got me into trouble.” Concerned that he wasn’t applying himself in public school, the actor’s parents sent him to his father’s alma mater for his junior and senior years. “It was a boarding school, Mercersburg Academy,” he reflects. “I went in reluctantly, but I had a lot of amazing experiences there and ended up making the honor roll. It’s an excellent school.” Other notable alums of the elite Pennsylvania prep school include actor Benicio del Toro (who was in Kanan’s graduating class) and Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart.…

Abigail got good news about Thomas, but was devastated when Chad broke things offwith her! Andre later used Chad to unwittingly carry out his diabolical scheme… even as the younger DiMera rejected a plan to help his family. Even after being forced to arrest Hope for murder, Rafe still bonded with the beauty and helped her to get into the holiday spirit. Kayla came face to face with Ava, who had some surprising news to share. And John was shaken when Eduardo’s stunning admission shed light on the past! Steve warns a loved one that they would be wise to stay far away from Ava!…