In other sad news, legendary soap producer Gloria Monty passed away on Thursday from cancer in Rancho Mirage, Calif. She was 84. Back in 1978, Monty took over as General Hospital's executive producer when the ABC sudser's ratings were considered poor and cancellation was a very real threat. During her memorable tenure, this tough, ambitious auteur made GH No. 1 by stepping up its sluggish pace, rustling up cash to spruce up shabby sets and introducing fan-fave supercouples like Luke and Laura, Frisco and Felicia and Robert and Holly.
"Gloria Monty transformed soap-opera viewing from a housewives' pastime to the cool thing to do," says Jane Elliot (Tracy). "As I was a beneficiary of that transformation, I will be eternally grateful and will miss her terribly. I can’t wait to see what she does with heaven."
Monty produced GH from 1978-87 and again from 1991-92. Before that phenomenon, she began her care
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Due to Ted King's emergency throat surgery this month, General Hospital was forced to temporarily recast the role of Mafia boss Lorenzo Alcazar. King's last airdate is March 22. Port Charles star Jay Pickett — who played paramedic-turned-vampire Frank Scanlon — then steps into Lorenzo's Gucci loafers for three episodes on March 23, 24 and 27. GH viewers can expect King to reprise his role (with a noticeably raspy voice) on March 28.
It's not uncustomary for GH to recast a front-burner hunk on medical leave. Last year Chris Beetem (ex-Jordan, As the World Turns) played Nikolas while Tyler Christopher recovered from a broken arm. For the talented Pickett, this temp job was a golden opportunity.
"I got a call that Ted Ki
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