Is General Hospital Headed For a Casting Bloodbath?
By Jamey Giddens on March 06, 2009
DC's Regan has been talking about possible casting drama taking place at General Hospital ever since news of the massive ABC pay cuts first broke. Now comes news from TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco that the jobs and/or contractual statuses of Leslie Charleson (Monica), Megan Ward (Kate), Greg Vaughan (Lucky) and Rebecca Herbst (Liz) are on shaky ground and that Rick Hearst's (Ric) future with the soap isn't looking to bright either. I'd love to say I'm surprised, but I'm not.
Charleson plays a Quartermaine, and GH has made it all-too clear how they feel about this insanely-popular family. In recent years they've killed off Emily, Alan and Justus and wrote out Ned and Dillon, plus Charleson is over 40 and we know how Brian Frons feels about older actors on his soaps!
DC's Regan has been talking about possible casting drama taking place at General Hospital ever since news of the massive ABC pay cuts first broke. Now comes news from TV Guide Canada's Nelson Branco that the jobs and/or contractual statuses of Leslie Charleson (Monica), Megan Ward (Kate), Greg Vaughan (Lucky) and Rebecca Herbst (Liz) are on shaky ground and that Rick Hearst's (Ric) future with the soap isn't looking to bright either. I'd love to say I'm surprised, but I'm not.
Charleson plays a Quartermaine, and GH has made it all-too clear how they feel about this insanely-popular family. In recent years they've killed off Emily, Alan and Justus and wrote out Ned and Dillon, plus Charleson is over 40 and we know how Brian Frons feels about older actors on his soaps!
Ward was very popular opposite Maurice Benard (Sonny), in fact the Skate pairing made Sonny bearable for the first time since Tamara Braun left the show, and seemed to energize Benard's performance, however in a misguided attempt to recapture lightening in a bottle between Benard and Sarah Brown, Kate has been written into a corner for months.
Vaughan, we hear, has never been a favorite of the brass, who reportedly don't buy him as leading man material, and backburnering Herbst, well isn't that always this soap's go-to move? Despite the fact that Herbst has managed to inspire just as large and vocal a fanbase as other actresses on the soap who receive much for promotional support from the network, and that she portrays a veteran heroine from the soap's founding family, Herbst hasn't quite had her chance to go to the ball since Jonathan Jackson left the soap.
Then there's Hearst, who came thisclose not to re-signing his contract last time and was reportedly promised a big storyline with Sarah Brown (Claudia). We see where that went.
If some of these casting nightmares (like the one about Rebecca Herbst) proves true, this soap won't have me sticking my neck out to defend it on DC podcasts anymore and you can take that one to the bank!
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Comments
23 July 2008
4 hours 59 min
Four words. Rick Hearst. Guiding Light.
21 February 2009
8 hours 29 min
Exactly what this show needs-a complete house cleaning
except for Monica!-bring back the Qs and get rid of the mob!
Bring back the WSB, relegate Sonny back to the strip club biz and turn Jason back into a Q!
Lucky and Liz can leave town and maybe the real Lucky, the son of Luke, can return.
22 August 2007
2 hours 35 min
Yep it's all been out there and this just shows that TPTB could give two squats about the fans. Find me one fan that doesn't like the Q's and I'll tell ya they don't have the history with GH that most do. How do you let a multiple emmy winner like Hearst go? How do you not write a story for him is a better question? Why are fan favorites shelved in favor of newbies who have no ties to the history of this show? How do you take a Spencer (I don't care who's in the role) and turn him into the town idiot? And poor Megan Ward. What GH has turned this actress's character into is disgraceful. Kate could have brought something back to PC that has been severely lacking. I long for the L&B days and Crimson could have done just that, filled that void. Remember, Hearst and Charleson recently re-signed, I believe Ward is up this May and Herbst and Vaughn MAY have their deals running out soon as well. TPTB are trying to hold onto Burton, Thompson and McCullough.
22 January 2008
1 hour 31 min
Ken Corday just proved to the industry that you could gut the majority of your vets and/or fan favorites and do just fine. Days ratings are more stable than any of the other soaps. So Frons and Babs have a free pass.
14 November 2007
3 days 17 hours
Megan Ward: I think we've all seen the writing on the wall for some time, so this isn't much of a surprise. It's a shame. I think MW is terrific (she herself has built up a large and vocal following in a short amount of time) and I thought there was potential with Kate. MW will move on to bigger and better things, no doubt.
GV & RH: I just don't see them leaving. Forced to take a paycut maybe, but I can't see them being fired. I'm sure TPTB don't see GV as a leading man, but Lucky is a supporting character anyway. And yeah, it looked like RH was on her way to being a lead w/ the Liason story, and that didn't happen. However, Liz has been a popular supporting character for years, why would they get rid of her suddenly? There's still story to tell with her, and she's Golden Boy Jason's baby mama...so again, why get rid of her? (**unfortunately the fact that she's a Weber has been made irrelevent by TPTB - do new viewers even know who the Webers are?**)
Ric Hearst: I can't imagine TPTB letting him go. However, he must cost a lot of money, and if they refuse to write a story for him...
1 January 2008
47 weeks 3 days
I really don't think any of these people deserve to be let go. I hate to say it, but GH could probably save a ton of $ by cutting Tony Geary lose. I find Luke in and out of Port Charles to be distracting and all the adventures Luke goes on to accomidate TG vacations get harder to swallow with each storyline. A lot of people love Luke and will probably disagree, but I don't think he's a huge part of the storyline anymore.
5 June 2008
3 weeks 5 days
If these rumors are true it really stinks. Liason could have been a supercouple, but I won't go there again. With all of these out of work daytime actors, some network should start a new daytime soap . . . what do ya think?
25 December 2008
14 weeks 5 days
MeghannOC - I agree. I happen to love TG and would miss him but if you are not going to use the man, set him free.
Even though I love JaSam I find the show itself depressing and hard pressed to watch anymore so I find myself living on spoilers.
I think I picked up GH just when things started to go south. i wish I had the history that everyone keeps talking about. maybe i'll do some You Tubing this weekend.
10 December 2008
3 days 5 hours
Webers? Who?????????? LOL its sad but Liz is the only Web i know and while I like her I have no real connection so she can leave lol.
I would hate for all of these people to leave, I REALLY hope they dont have Monica go off into the sunset with Alan :( I want her to LIVE lol.
22 August 2008
1 week 2 days
I am just shocked at this, getting rid of these characters who have been on for years just so they can keep doing the same story lines over and over again
If this is true I am gonna missy Becky , Liz is one of my favorite character's
I hope they all go somewhere where they will be appreciated and they can put their tremendous talent to good use
22 January 2008
1 hour 31 min
Webers? Who?????????? LOL its sad but Liz is the only Web i know and while I like her I have no real connection so she can leave lol.
***
You might not know who the Webbers or Hardsy are, but long term fans who have stuck it out for generations and passed it on their kids and grandkids (which is how soaps became so popular and multigeneration) do. That's been the problem with this industry by and large for the past 15 years. They don't write for the long term fans, so we keep leaving and they are not attracting enough younger viewers to make up the difference. GL is the perfect example. Sure their younger couples like Jammy were popular with younger viewers, but at what cost? Jammy kept them around a 2.0, Blake, Ross, Harley, Phillip, etc had them at 2.7. Continuing to disregard long term viewers will kill this industry.
6 March 2009
1 year 2 weeks
Megan Ward WAS popular opposite MB? There is no WAS to the popular part. Her value to the show didn't end when the pairing of SKate ended, and there's no excuse for this show choosing not to write for a character as popular as Kate had become. Megan has a strong, loyal fanbase and instead of capitalizing on her popularity GH decided to try to undermine it by writing poorly for Kate for months. She still has support, so now they want to just get rid of her? This show is a disaster and anyone who chooses to remain on the show is endorsing these ridiculous practices and I have no respect for any of them, if it is in fact true that all of these people are being let go or taken off contract. Good riddance. Megan Ward is too good for soaps anyway.
1 June 2008
1 hour 29 min
The problem is they don't know how to write...
When there is something good, they don't continue with it.
Like Liason they could have a great storylines , and not all about the MOb, we could have the Q's there, seeing them fight for being in Jake's life, also We would have LuSam Sam helping Lucky come with the fact that he is not Jake's father any more.
This story could have bring Spencer and Q's to the front, and seeeing Lucky Monica Liz Edward in the front.
Also Skate, what if Skate would have continued..
Skate were great, and we sea Sonny in a different mode..
And lets tallk about Clik I loved them , they could have so much better, and Rick could have been more..
THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO WRITE...........
22 August 2008
1 week 2 days
If these rumors are true it really stinks. Liason could have been a supercouple, but I won't go there again.
***************
LOL Crazy4gh, Let's not open up those can of worms
9 January 2008
1 day 22 hours
I've got a question: does GH even have any "new" viewers or do they have viewers who have left and returned to the fold? I don't know of any teen that watches daytime soaps now - they're all about 90210, OTH, Gossip Girl, The Hills, heck they are more invested in Keeping Up With The Kardashians than they are about GH, AMC, OLTL, GL, Y&R, etc..
The networks need to realize that their true fanbase is with long time viewers and LTV's that have returned to watch or DVR their shows again. The days of daytime TV babysitting is over. Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney and MTV killed it. What kid would wanna watch OLTL when Spongebob is on? Somebody wake these poor misguided fools up...
22 January 2008
1 hour 31 min
I predict the last time GH hooked a significant amount of teen viewers was the early 90's at the height of Sonny/Brenda/Jax and Robin/Stone.
14 November 2007
3 days 17 hours
Johnathan is a new, young viewer
21 May 2008
1 day 1 min
Just a thought but why doesn't ABC try to shake up the behind the scenes payroll? Maybe they could bring in some fresh blood and get some new writers and producers who look at things differently. Maybe they could produce a QUALITY show and this might bring in more viewers. Nah, I won't hold my breath! LOL!
5 February 2009
1 year 2 weeks
Id be pissed if the Megan Ward/Becky Herbst Rumors are true i can see letting GV go and i think the character of Ric has ran his course i think its importent TIIC resign Burton,Mccullough and Thompson and Monaco and i think TIIC know that so they are prolly doing whatever they can to do that ecspecially with there deals expiring soon im also hearing Burton and Benard are not happy so if Gh thrown lots of Dough at them there prolly more likely to stay
28 February 2008
26 weeks 3 days
I ADORE Megan Ward! From the moment this woman burst into Sonny's office I was hooked on a show I hadn't taken seriously in over 20 years. I never liked Sonny before and don't like a thing since his pairing with Kate. This woman had it going on and I was just completely engrossed. Long live Sonny and KATE!
Megan - I cannot say enough. I will follow this woman's career forever. She has more than earned my respect. Just spectacular woman. She is the ONLY reason I have kept up with this show since the shooting.
The company of actors/actresses that are also being considered in letting go or reducing to reoccuring is just unbelieveable. All of them are great and deserve better.
I am sick of hearing it blamed on cost cutting measures when they continute to hand out contracts to the likes of NP. Moronic.
18 January 2008
3 days 3 hours
I can't say I'm surprised. You just know they're trying to free up their pocketbooks so they can afford to resign Steve Burton again and make Maurice Benard happy. All others fall by the wayside on this show. For me, MW is expendable, but LC and Hearst deserve much, much better. Frankly, I'm unsure why Hearst even bothered to resign. They've dangled stories in front of him time and time again, only to yank them away. He could get a role on any show out there. I can only think that in this economy it's just better for their peace of mind to know they have a steady gig rather than having to start all over again. My thought? They'll ask Hearst, Herbst, and Vaughan to take a pay cut, and will cut them if they don't capitulate.
27 January 2009
34 weeks 6 days
"Four words. Rick Hearst. Guiding Light."
----------------
Agreed, if Hearst would even consider it. I'd love for Alan-Michael to be back in Springfield. Bonus points would be if they also brought back Alan-Michael's mom, Hope Bauer Spaulding (Robin Mattson would be a great Hope) along for the ride to help give Alan another heart attack.
But I seriously digress - I hope that none of these actors are let go. Leslie Charleston has been such a cornerstone of the show for 3 decades - I couldn't imagine GH without her. Please, just let the mob go and bring back the Quartermaines!!!
13 August 2008
51 weeks 4 days
This is why these soaps are going to get cancelled.
For some reason TPTB refuse to do what the majority of fans want and seem intent to write a show that they themselves enjoy.
The Quartermaines are gone, the mob rules the show, Ric & Claudia could have been a really hot couple, they break up Liason, now they're pushing Maxie and Johnny...
I don't feel bad for the soap industry anymore. If TPTB don't want to listen to the fans they deserve to have their shows cancelled.
31 July 2008
16 min 22 sec
This could be a good thing if they cut the right characters. Cough Ethan cough who they must love because he gets to beat on Lucky like everybody else. I like Lucky and GV, but they clearly hate him since they made a Spencer out to be a patsy. I would hate to see him go. I'd hate to see any one of the people mentioned, even though I no longer like Liz, she's crucial to the show. I happen to like Claudia and Sonny, so there, and I don't think it's misguided. I mean getting rid of Layla and Nadine the dork was a step in the right direction. Now, if we could get a Lucky and Rebecca pairing and have Nik go bat shit crazy, that would be something.
Jane Elliott and Laura Wright are probably the safest over 40 actreses on this show. We see the Quartermaines, just Tracy.
They havn't used Ric very well, maybe he should go, he's to good just to be doing nothing. Megan Ward can go, I mean I only liked her with Sonny (barely) and I thought she had wonderful chemistry with Jax and would of loved a triangle there with Carly, where Carly would lose out in the end. She's kinda useless now.
24 October 2008
30 weeks 3 days
I adore Becky Herbst so her leaving would be a huge blow to me. I am already so fed up with the show that I have stopped watching and getting rid Becky would turn it off for good for me. That being said I really don't think she is leaving. She has a very vocal, large and loyal fanbase who would be up in arms over her departure. If they thought they have seen some bad feedback lately they would really get a firestorm of it with this move.
As for Rick Hearst. He is one of the most talented men in daytime. Why he is so underused I will never understand. I remember watching him on GL with my babysitter(who was obsessed with GL) as a child and loving Alan-Michael. Alan-Michael is Rick's signature role. He needs to go back and reprise it NOW! I am loving GL right now and having him back would be amazing.
If these are the actors that they choose to get rid of and they keep pointless characters like Olivia and Ethan around then Brian Frons should be absolutely ashamed of himself. He is just slowly putting his network's signature daytime show towards cancellation.
25 December 2008
3 hours 2 min
Alan-Michael, please come back to Springfield!
31 July 2008
16 min 22 sec
Oh and one thing I forgot to mention and it's not populer by any means but I don't think soaps should do what fans want. Sure hooking up characters who become popluar and have a following is one thing, but to do everything fans want, which sometimes is stuid, even more stupid then what we see on tv, is not a good thing in the long run. Daytime needs better writers period. The great Douglas Marland wouldn't let fans dictate to him and he's beloved. We also need strong EP's aswell. All this blame on writers, the EP's are to be blamed as well. We need Glory Monty and Wendy Riche type of EPs.
23 January 2008
4 hours 38 min
Why does Guza still have a job?
10 July 2008
1 week 4 days
Season, I agree, Bring Hurst back as Alan-Michele Bauter Spualding!!! Now that would be great!
10 October 2008
22 min 33 sec
Bring back the USB,
And this stinks! 
GH hasn't been good like it used to. 
===================
inspiron don't you mean WSB?