Are Major Exits In Store at ‘General Hospital?

What is going on at General Hospital? The rumor mill is working overtime amid reports of fan favorites being bumped to recurring status, or worse — let go!

Since last week, rumors having been flying around the message boards with fans and non-fans discussing rumors of pending departures and downgrades to recurring status of actors from ABC’s General Hospital. While there has been no official confirmation from the networks, that hasn’t kept the tongues from wagging as if it were in fact true.

Last Wednesday, an “insider” on a gossip board reported that Megan Ward (Kate) and Rick Hearst (Ric) had both been let go from the show. A short time later, talk of Greg Vaughan allegedly letting it slip at a recent fan event that he was only getting paid for the days he works, set the boards on fire with talk the actor had been downgraded to recurring status. Veteran actresses, Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) were also mentioned in rumors regarding their status with the soap. Even our guilty pleasure, Nelson Branco from TV Guide Canada got in on the buzz and reported his sources were hearing about Hearst and Ward being let go, with Rebecca Herbst in danger of being out as well (if she didn’t take the offer to go to recurring).

Today, Debby O’Connor, the fan club president for Rick Hearst and Greg Vaughan released an announcement to all fan club members.

Hi everyone,

The message boards have been buzzing and my email has been inundated since late last week’s article about both Rick and Greg possibly being put on recurring status or released from General Hospital. All I can say to you is that if you are unhappy with anything going on, story line or otherwise, you should make your voices heard. And there is no time like the present.

I encourage you to call the comment line and/or write to the executives in charge of the show, as well as to the magazines. Please keep your comments positive and to the point, supporting whom you choose but absolutely not writing negative, demeaning comments about anyone you don’t. That serves no purpose, and is not what either Rick or Greg would want.

The comment line number for General Hospital is 323-671-4583.

Thank you again for all of the love and support that you have shown for Rick and Greg. We appreciate it very, very much.

She sent a follow up e-mail soon after, encouraging fans to vote in ABC Soaps In Depth’s reader response polls.

To those fans of Rick Hearst, Greg Vaughan, Megan Ward and others, it is very important to call in, write and e-mail the show in support of your favorite actors. As Mrs. O’Connor stated in her e-mail, it is important to remain positive while expressing your support for your favorites. All fans should support their actors, even if they aren’t huge fans of their current storyline. This support is crucial to all daytime actors.

TVSource Magazine‘s stance is clear. We do not want to see any of these actors depart or be downgraded to recurring. Given the history with General Hospital and contract actors being placed on recurring status, this is not something we want to see happen. General Hospital and ABC need to listen to your comments. We hope they will.