Only last week fans of “General Hospital” were angry about departure of actress Kelly Monaco. After 21 seasons Monaco was forced out of her role as Sam McCall. This week, her character was killed on screen.
Tonight actor Chad Duell has posted his exit notice after 14 years. Like Monaco, Duell was thought to be part of the permanent company.
But “General Hospital” has been bleeding ratings and money for some time. Monaco was reportedly offered a big pay cut, but said ‘no’. Duell likely got a similar offer and declined to take it. It’s unlikely he’s leaving for another show (you never know). Demographically, he’s the soap’s only under 40 lead.
The soap, which debuted in 1962 in ABC, has had a tough time recovering from last year’s actors’ and writers’ strikes They’ve changed writers and course corrected several times. They let go of two popular but expensive actors — Roger Howarth and Michael Easton — unceremoniously, One actor came in and got very popular fast. He was killed off before a contract could be issued.
Other veteran “GH” actors whose characters have gone missing include Kin Shiner and Lynn Herring. Long time star Leslie Charleston left after suffering unspecified illness two years ago. Eighties leading man Tristan Rogers appeared to exit without much fanfare, also this month.
Ordinarily when networks start getting rid of actors in the key demo they’re signalling that they want to cut audience interest so that cancellation can’t come back to bite them. CBS and Procter & Gamble did that with “As the World Turns” and “Guiding Light” a decade ago. Network execs want to see fans screaming “Cancel this show!” so they can.
Who’s next to go at “General Hospital’? And PS, winning an Emmy Award isn’t a get of jail card. Robert Gossett, cousin of Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr., won a Daytime Emmy in 2023 working part time and playing a jazz musician on the show. He already got his walking papers.
