Laura to return to 'General Hospital'....Again! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-12-2008, 08:58 AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Genie Francis is checking back into "General Hospital."

The 46-year-old actress again will reprise her role as Laura on the ABC daytime soap opera beginning Aug. 26.

The character's 1981 fairy-tale wedding to Luke (played by Anthony Geary) was watched by 30 million viewers and landed the couple on the cover of Newsweek magazine. Francis began playing Laura in 1976.

"This is a short visit," Francis told The Associated Press on Friday. "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."

Laura was last seen slipping in and out of a catatonic state in 2007. The upcoming appearance will feature Laura in a story line with daughter Lulu. Francis, who now runs a home-furnishing shop in Belfast, Maine, 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."

Francis won a supporting actress Daytime Emmy in 2007 for previously reprising the role.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...J7CgAD91RRPUG1

catlover79 · 07-12-2008, 09:51 AM

YAY! I've always loved Genie - and Laura. Let's hope this is a LONG visit.

80sTrivia · 07-14-2008, 05:37 AM

It's too bad they're not keeping the character of Laura on the show permanently...

Schmoopie · 07-14-2008, 08:02 AM

I haven't watched GH in a long time, but the last time I saw Luke and Laura together, I hated what they had done to her. It's just not the same.

Andrea

Chocolate Moose · 07-14-2008, 10:30 AM

that's for the old timers. the rest of the show is geared towards a younger crowd.

Schmoopie · 07-14-2008, 11:03 PM

I've noticed that with practically all the soaps these days. All the "veteran" performers are being given the boot, unless the networks decide they need more ratings and then rethink their decisions over and over again. Personally, it gets really old when they keep killing off these characters and bringing them back again and again. Twice is fine, but after a while, the "death" or "farewell" scenes don't mean much... because you know they'll be back... eventually.

Andrea

07-12-2008, 08:58 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Laura to return to 'General Hospital'....Again! LOS ANGELES (AP) — Genie Francis is checking back into "General Hospital." The 46-year-old actress again will reprise her role as Laura on the ABC daytime soap opera beginning Aug. 26. The character's 1981 fairy-tale wedding to Luke (played by Anthony Geary) was watched by 30 million viewers and landed the couple on the cover of Newsweek magazine. Francis began playing Laura in 1976. "This is a short visit," Francis told The Associated Press on Friday. "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." Laura was last seen slipping in and out of a catatonic state in 2007. The upcoming appearance will feature Laura in a story line with daughter Lulu. Francis, who now runs a home-furnishing shop in Belfast, Maine, 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." Francis won a supporting actress Daytime Emmy in 2007 for previously reprising the role. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j...J7CgAD91RRPUG1
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07-12-2008, 09:51 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	YAY! I've always loved Genie - and Laura. Let's hope this is a LONG visit.
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07-14-2008, 05:37 AM	#3
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	It's too bad they're not keeping the character of Laura on the show permanently...
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07-14-2008, 08:02 AM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I haven't watched GH in a long time, but the last time I saw Luke and Laura together, I hated what they had done to her. It's just not the same. Andrea
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07-14-2008, 10:30 AM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,893	that's for the old timers. the rest of the show is geared towards a younger crowd.
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07-14-2008, 11:03 PM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I've noticed that with practically all the soaps these days. All the "veteran" performers are being given the boot, unless the networks decide they need more ratings and then rethink their decisions over and over again. Personally, it gets really old when they keep killing off these characters and bringing them back again and again. Twice is fine, but after a while, the "death" or "farewell" scenes don't mean much... because you know they'll be back... eventually. Andrea