Genie Francis comes back to Port Charles

Beginning Aug. 26, Laura Spencer will be back on General Hospital for a short stint.

"This is a short visit," Francis told The Associated Press today. "It's a mother-daughter story. Years ago when I started playing the character as a 14-year-old girl, it was a mother-daughter story, only I was the daughter. So it's kinda cool this is full circle. It's nice to come back for visits. General Hospital is my home."

Genie said she was told that Laura wouldn't be killed off during her latest guest stint.

"I would stay on, but General Hospital honestly doesn't seem to want that relationship with this character at the moment," said Francis. "They want little short doses during sweeps periods. It's not entirely up to me. I'm thrilled and delighted my audience stands behind me. If they didn't, you can be sure I wouldn't get to come back for these visits."

When I spoke with Genie late last year, she said she was grateful to always know she had a home on GH, but also glad that she got to spread her wings and try new things and new characters.

Welcome back, Genie, and here's to knowing that you CAN go home again.

SOAPnet Acquires 5 Additional Movies for its SNM Lineup

SOAPnet announced the acquisition of five additional movies for its Sunday Night Movie franchise. Movies currently air Sundays at 10:00 p.m., ET/PT, and the five new films will begin airing on Sunday, August 3.

The five films were acquired from MGM Worldwide Television and Paramount Pictures Worldwide Television Distribution.

A description of each movie follows, listed in the order in which they'll air:

Moonstruck premieres August 3 and stars Cher, Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello and Olympia Dukakis. Cher won an Academy Award® for Best Actress for her role as widow Loretta Castorini who falls for her fiancé's near-do-well brother (Academy Award® Winner, Nicolas Cage).

The Butcher's Wife premieres August 10 and stars Demi Moore, Jeff Daniels and Mary Steenburgen, Frances McDormand. A psychic impulsively marries a man she thought she was meant to be with, but later meets her real Mr. Right.

Clue premieres August 17 and stars Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd, Michael McKean, Lesley Ann Warren and Martin Mull. Six guests and several staff members are all suspects in the murder of the owner of a strange mansion. Who is the killer? Was it colonel Mustard in the ballroom with the candlestick? Miss Scarlet in the library with the knife? Or did the butler do it? Based on the popular board game.

Mommie Dearest premieres August 24 and stars Faye Dunaway. No wire hangers ever! Academy Award® winner Faye Dunaway stars in this classic film about the life of Joan Crawford.

Lucky 13 premieres August 31 and stars Lauren Graham, Kaley Cuoco, Harland Williams, Ever Carradine, Jenna Fischer, Taryn Manning, Sasha Alexander and Debra Jo Rupp. In an effort to win over the girl of his dreams (Lauren Graham), a man tracks down his ex-girlfriends to discover what went wrong.

Guiding Light Star Highlights Dangers of Obesity

Caitlin Van Zandt who, like her character Ashlee on Guiding Light, recently underwent Lap-Band surgery, a less invasive weight-loss method than gastric bypass surgery.

Van Zandt spoke in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., during the "Walk From Obesity" on Tuesday, June 17. The Walk on the Capitol was a history-making awareness event geared to help bring national attention to the obesity epidemic and the need for expanded efforts in prevention and treatment.

For more information visit http://www.obesityaction.org/

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Chandler Chico Agency/Stephen J. Boitano

SPOILERS: ATWT, B&B, Days, GL, Passions and Y&R

AS THE WORLD TURNS
This Week:
• Carly rails at Holden for his actions.
• Luke implores Noah to remember his “True Colors”.
• A cloud hangs over Meg and Paul’s wedding.
• Margo gets Emily right where she wants her.
• Janet and Jack forget about the kids.

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
This Week:
• Felicia finds Stephanie in bad shape.
• Ridge keeps a watchful eye on Marcus and Steffy.
• Pam crashes Donna's party.
• Owen exposes another side of himself.
• Bridget has a surprise for Katie and Nick.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Next Week:
• Sami learns that Chloe and Lucas had sex.
• EJ says he’ll find someone to share his life with and be a mother to Johnny.
• Ava tells Nicole that she and John are much closer, but Marlena is still in the way.
• Abe takes Theo to Hope’s house for a play date with Ciara.
• Marlena tries to persuade Rolf to repair the disk.
Thursday – Kate learns of Philip’s deadly threat.
Friday – Stephanie surprises Max by showing up on the train.

GUIDING LIGHT
This Week:
• Lizzie makes an incorrect assumption.
• Dinah puts Ashlee to work on a new story.
• Cassie and Jeffrey walk into a heated Reva and Josh argument.
• Marina learns a painful truth about Mallet.
• Reva strikes back to protect her family.

PASSIONS
Next Week:
Monday, July 14
• Tabitha makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Harmony.
• Sheridan realizes she will have to live without Luis.
• Vincent and Viki are arrested.

Tuesday, July 15
• Gwen plans to kill Theresa.
• Pilar is fearful of a bad omen.
• Tabitha is depressed.

Wednesday, July 16
• Miguel and Pilar come close to discovering Juanita’s bomb.
• Sheridan asks Luis to leave Fancy.
• Theresa plans to leave before Ethan and Gwen exchange vows.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
This Week:
• After learning she is pregnant, Chloe schemes to trick Cane into thinking he’s the father.
• Concerned for Nikki, Victor joins J.T. and Paul in their investigation of David.
• Sabrina’s ex-lover arrives from France with a nefarious agenda. Will Jack help him to destroy Sabrina’s reputation?
• Amber, torn by guilt, debates telling Daniel the truth about sleeping with Adrian.
• Jeff and Gloria formulate a plan to take control of Jabot.

Luke Perry Is Just a Small-Town Boy

In the past decade, Luke Perry has transformed himself from a teen heartthrob to a versatile and well-rounded actor. Luke stars in this month’s Hallmark Channel original movie, “A Gunfighter’s Pledge,” part of Hallmark’s “Big Summer of Heroes” month.

Luke has been a man in command of his career, and perhaps even a bit outspoken, since he first auditioned for “Beverly Hills, 90210.” He originally read for the role of spoiled-brat rich kid Steve Sanders (a part that eventually went to Ian Ziering). “I went in for the audition and was like, ‘Look, I know I’m not right for this role, and you know I’m not right for this role.’ They were very cool, you know. I just couldn’t see myself as Steve. We ended up just having a really good talk.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Since leaving “90210,” Luke has accepted an eclectic mix of television and movie roles. Not surprisingly, he is very practical when deciding what type of role to take on next.

“I consider what I have going on in my life during that time. Have I done that type of role yet? Do I like the character? Or maybe there’s an actor I want to work with.” Luke explains.

“There are certain things I wanna do before I’m done. I want to run on top of a train. If the script says I get to run on top of a train, I’ll do it. I accepted a role a while back — my manager didn’t want me to because it wasn’t that good — but the script called for running on top of a train. I didn’t care, I wanted to do it, so I took the role. The movie ended up falling through, though, which I guess was good.”

Growing up in Mansfield, Ohio, taught Luke small-town values and principles. “I only recently started to think about how long I’ve been doing this. I never want to be in something I don’t believe in. Just keep it simple. I try to separate the two — I’m a guy from Ohio, but I live here (in California).”

Luke tries to get back to Ohio whenever he can, especially to cheer on his beloved Cleveland Browns. “I took my son to a game last year. It was so great. Did you see me? I led my section in a verse of ‘Hang On Sloopy.’ We played the (Baltimore) Ravens, and we kicked their ass! It was great to be there with my son and to explain to him: ‘Now here we have the Ravens, and we hate the Ravens. Oh, and let me tell you a little about Art Modell …’”

However, when asked to choose between the state’s two major-league baseball teams, the Cleveland Indians and the Cincinnati Reds, Luke is torn. “I’m split between the Tribe and the Reds. I always cheer for both of them.”

The same goes for competing amusement parks, Cedar Point and Kings Island. “I haven’t been to either since I was a kid, but with Cedar Point you had the Corkscrew. I remember waiting in line for hours for that one! And with Kings Island, remember when Evel Knievel jumped over all those buses? I’ll never forget that.”

One reason why Luke likes working with the Hallmark Channel so much is the because of the type of family-friendly programming that it brings to American homes. “A lot of TV nowadays is really kind of gruesome. It’s nice to be able to just watch a movie on TV with your family. At no point in time as a parent do you have to worry about leaving the room with your kid alone (watching ‘A Gunfighter’s Pledge’). That’s what I like so much about Hallmark: Their programming is interesting and intelligent, but not pandering.”

Tristan Rogers, Antonio Sabato Jr. Join GH: Night Shift

PRESS RELEASE

Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney ABC Television Group, today announced that two award-winning actors, Antonio Sabato Jr. and Tristan Rogers, will reprise the roles they created for General Hospital of Jagger Cates and Robert Scorpio, respectively, for the second season of General Hospital: Night Shift. The SOAPnet series, which is the network’s most-watched of all time, follows the lives of doctors, nurses and patients as they embark on journeys of self discovery, love and heartache. The season premiere is TUESDAY, JULY 22 at 11:00 p.m., ET/PT on SOAPnet.

In other casting news, Billy Dee Williams (Touissant Dubois), Kimberly McCullough (Dr. Robin Scorpio), Jason Thompson (Dr. Patrick Drake) and Sonya Eddy (Epiphany Johnson) will be back for the show’s sophomore season. In addition, other members of the cast include Adam Grimes as Dr. Kyle Julian, Carrie Southworth as Dr. Claire Simpson, Ethan Rains as Dr. Leo Julian (he is taking over the role from his real-life brother, Dominic, who was unavailable for Season 2) and Azita Ghanizada as Dr. Saira Batra.

In storyline, Jagger will return to Port Charles after a 13-year absence with his five-year-old son, Stone, in tow. He will reconnect with Robin (Kimberly McCullough), meet some new residents – including Robin’s boyfriend Patrick (Jason Thompson) – along the way and, most importantly, face a difficult internal struggle as he grows emotionally as a man and a father. As for Scorpio, the super spy will have to face the fact that he is getting older and his health is failing. Upon his arrival in town, he’ll check into the hospital as a patient where his daughter, Robin, will be providing his care. Father and daughter will struggle to figure out their relationship as grown adults.

“It is very exciting to kick off the second season with casting two accomplished actors who will undoubtedly bring their A-game to the series,” said Frons. “Because of their own histories with the original top-rated show, the audience will be able to immediately connect with them and their characters’ upcoming storylines.”

On the casting of Sabato, executive producer Lisa De Cazotte adds: “I couldn't be happier to have Antonio Sabato, Jr. join us this season, as he will bring so much to this season because of Jagger's complex character and for the obvious natural charm he brings to the screen.” Head writer Sri Rao continues, “Antonio is a true star. We are proud that he can trace his roots to ‘GH’ and see it as befitting for him to return to Port Charles in the legendary role that helped propel his career.”

As for Rogers, Rao enthusiastically says: “I am thrilled that Tristan will be returning to reprise his iconic role, and I can guarantee fans that they will not be disappointed. Robert’s storyline will be heartfelt, funny and robust.” De Cazotte continues, “Tristan’s return to Port Charles will come with an important story for his character and for his daughter, Robin, that promises to be compelling and touching.”

Mr. Sabato originally created and played the role of Jagger Cates on ABC’s top rated daytime drama, General Hospital. After leaving the show in 1995, he continued work in a variety of different projects for film and television, including The Bold and the Beautiful, Melrose Place, Charmed and Becker, and is currently seen in the successful summer series Celebrity Circus. (Check him out here on The Wheel of Death.)

Mr. Rogers originally created and played the role of Robert Scorpio on General Hospital more than two decades ago. An accomplished actor, other appearances in his acting career include feature films and television series Opportunity Knocks, Family Law, The Wild Thornberrys, V.I.P. and The Bold and the Beautiful.

SPOILERS: Days and Passions

DAYS OF OUR LIVES
This Week:
· Lucas and Chloe make love while at the Salem Inn.
· Kate gives Chelsea an earful and tells her to break things off with Daniel.
· Trent warns Nicole to end things with EJ.
· Morgan receives a letter from Paul.
· Bo and Hope rush in to break up a fight between Philip and Lucas.
Thursday – Caroline is with Victor when he suddenly collapses.
Friday – With bags packed and passport in hand, Max plans to find his half-sister.

PASSIONS
This Week:
Monday, July 7
· Noah makes a romantic toast to Paloma.
· Julian pledges to make the Crane family more responsible.
· Sheridan tries to stop Vincent and Viki.

Tuesday, July 8
· Residents of Harmony are poisoned!
· Luis asks Sheridan to save Fancy.
· Esme confronts Viki.

Wednesday, July 9
· Luis is unable to save Pilar.
· Eve tries desperately to rescue Julian.
· Esme begs Tabitha for help.