http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=071310_01

IN CELEBRATION OF VANESSA MARCIL'S RETURN TO "GENERAL HOSPITAL"

AS BRENDA BARRETT ON AUGUST 11, SPECIAL BRENDA PROGRAMMING

TAKES OVER ABC DAYTIME AND SOAPNET THE WEEK OF AUGUST 9

"General Hospital" Will Own the ABC Daytime Drama Block from 1:00-3:00 PM, ET

On August 10 With Classic Episodes Featuring the Men in Brenda Barrett's Life

Additional Programming and Digital Events Include Special Retrospectives,

A SOAPnet Marathon of Classic Brenda Episodes, Hosted Wraps, a Countdown

Of the 25 Key Brenda Moments, Timelines, Photo Galleries and Trivia Quizzes

In celebration of Vanessa Marcil's return to "General Hospital" as Brenda Barrett on Wednesday, August 11, special Brenda programming takes over on ABC Daytime and SOAPnet the week of August 9. "General Hospital" will own the ABC Daytime drama block from 1:00-3:00 PM, ET on Tuesday, August 10, with classic episodes featuring the men in Brenda's life (Sonny, Jax and Jason). Additional programming and digital events include special retrospectives, a SOAPnet marathon of classic Brenda episodes, hosted wraps, a countdown of the 25 key Brenda moments, timelines, photo galleries and trivia quizzes.

When we last saw Brenda, Jax had left her at the altar and, as a result, she left town. Now Brenda's return to Port Charles comes at a time when the three most important men in her life - Sonny, Jax and Jason - are all in crisis. Brenda's in trouble herself - when is she not? - possessing an explosive secret. She has no idea of the havoc this indiscretion will wreak or that she'll send the lives of loved ones hurtling into chaos.

The Brenda Barrett ABC Daytime and SOAPnet programming event includes:

July 17: SOAPnet's 25-day countdown to the return of Brenda Barrett begins: Each day leading up to her arrival, a key Brenda moment will be revealed:

Every day, starting on Saturday, July 17 and leading up to her return on August 11, fans will see key Brenda moments on SOAPnet. Some of the moments will include Sonny learning Brenda is wearing a wire; Sonny and Brenda's famous kiss on the beach; and Sonny leaving Brenda in the rain. The complete list of 25 Brenda video moments will be available on ABC.com and SOAPnet.com starting August 10.

August 6 & 9: Original "General Hospital" episodes feature Sonny remembering special moments with Brenda Barrett:

3:00 PM ET ABC / 10:00 PM ET SN: Facing estrangement from all his major relationships, especially from his children, Sonny finds himself reminiscing about Brenda and longing for a past, simpler life that allowed him to love as completely as he did once with her. On Friday, August 6, we leave Sonny on the docks thinking about Brenda -- and he flashes back to the time he helped her lug a heavy suitcase.

Mistaking Claire Walsh for Brenda on August 9, Sonny tries to distract himself from his memories of her by pursuing Claire. However Sonny still cannot get her out of his mind - and he remembers the first time he told Brenda he loved her.

August 10: "General Hospital" takeover event with all three hours of the ABC Daytime drama block dedicated to "Brenda Barrett's Men: A Special 'General Hospital' Marathon," hosted by Vanessa Marcil on ABC and SOAPnet:

1:00 PM ET ABC / 8:00 PM ET SN - "General Hospital" Episode #8602 (OAD November 5, 1996) -- As Brenda prepares to marry Jax at the Quartermaine mansion, Sonny interrupts with Miranda, who's still married to Jax.

2:00 PM ET ABC / 9:00 PM ET SN - "General Hospital" Episode #8831 (OAD September 24, 1997) -- After being left at the altar by Sonny, Brenda reminisces about the key moments of their relationship.

3:00 PM ET ABC / 10:00 PM ET SN - "General Hospital" Episode #10138 (OAD October 29, 2002) -- Brenda and Jason's Las Vegas wedding.

August 11: Brenda Barrett Returns to "General Hospital":

3:00 PM ET ABC/ 10:00 PM ET:

Brenda appears on the "General Hospital" landscape as the face of fashion house Cartullo, only to be attacked by a dangerous stalker.

August 15: SOAPnet marathon: "The Best of Brenda and Sonny," with special appearances by Vanessa Marcil and Maurice Benard:

3:00 PM - "General Hospital" Episode #8105 (OAD December 2, 1994) - In Puerto Rico, Sonny and Brenda escape on a boat and end up washed ashore on a beach, where their relief turns to passion. The two then hurry back to Miguel's (Ricky Martin) concert to warn him that he and Lois are in danger.

4:00 PM - "General Hospital" Episode #8688 (OAD March 7, 1997) -- Trapped in a cave and thinking they're going to die, Sonny and Brenda admit their feelings for each other and make love as Jax and Jason search for them.

5:00 PM - "General Hospital" Episode #8829 (OAD September 22, 1997) -- Brenda is stunned at her wedding when Sonny leaves her waiting alone at the altar.

6:00 PM - "General Hospital" Episode #9002 (OAD May 26, 1998) -- Brenda pays a surprise visit to Sonny and finally gets him to admit why he didn't show up for their wedding.

Additionally, beginning the week of July 12, ABC.com and SOAPnet.com will start rolling out content that will allow fans to reminisce and catch up on all things Brenda. The site will include photo galleries, story histories and trivia questions. The complete list of the key 25 Brenda video moments will be available starting August 10. Fans can log onto www.abc.com/generalhospital and www.soapnet.com for more info.

Vanessa Marcil created the role of Brenda Barrett in 1992 and won a Daytime Emmy® for her portrayal in 2003 for Outstanding Supporting Actress. Named one of People magazine's "100 Most Beautiful People," Marcil has been seen in many successful TV series, including "Las Vegas," "Without a Trace," "Lipstick Jungle" and "Beverly Hills 90210."

"General Hospital" airs at 3:00 p.m., ET, 2:00 p.m., PT on the ABC Television Network, and on SOAPnet at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Winner of a record-setting 10 Emmys for Outstanding Daytime Drama, the program celebrated 47 years of broadcasting on April 1, 2010, and is the longest-running dramatic serial on ABC, having aired over 12,000 episodes. "General Hospital" consistently rates as one of the top-rated Daytime programs in the key demographic of Women 18-49.

"General Hospital" was created by Frank and Doris Hursley. Jill Farren Phelps is the executive producer. Mary O'Leary, Mercer Barrows and Michelle Henry are producers. Robert Guza, Jr. is the head writer. Full episodes of "General Hospital" are available on ABC.com the day after airing on the network for users to watch online.

SOAPnet owns the world of character-driven soapy drama, from daytime and primetime dramas to reality shows and movies. The network features same-day episodes of popular daytime dramas including "All My Children," "Days of our Lives," "One Life to Live," "General Hospital" and "The Young and the Restless"; favorite primetime series "Gilmore Girls," "The O.C.," "One Tree Hill" and "Beverly Hills 90210"; and original programs including "Being Erica." Wrapped in a 24-hour environment, SOAPnet is the one destination for stories focused on real emotions and revealing truths about intriguing yet flawed characters.

I wonder if they'll have Vanessa co-host The View the week of her debut to pimp this even more?

Probably. BW will still be on leave in August.

I wonder if they'll have Vanessa co-host The View the week of her debut to pimp this even more?

SHERRI: Oh my God, girl, I can't believe you're here!! Let me tell ya, I been watchin' GH for years, girl, and Brenda is WHERE IT IS AT!

JOY: *smirk*

WHOOPI: So, what d'ya think about *insert obscure political news from the rural regions of Seychelles*?

ELISABETH: You're so pretty! So, so, so, so pretty! And you have a kid! How do you stay so thin!?

SHERRI: Oh my God, girl, I can't believe you're here!! Let me tell ya, I been watchin' GH for years, girl, and Brenda is WHERE IT IS AT!

JOY: *smirk*

WHOOPI: So, what d'ya think about *insert obscure political news from the rural regions of Seychelles*?

ELISABETH: You're so pretty! So, so, so, so pretty! And you have a kid! How do you stay so thin!?

Vanessa: Well I look at All My Shadows avatar on SON....Hi AMS...and I say to myself I dont want turn out like her!

I wonder if they'll have Vanessa co-host The View the week of her debut to pimp this even more?

I think The View goes dark that week until September, so no.

I think The View goes dark that week until September, so no.

If thats the case, why didnt they just have Brenda episodes replace The View for that entire week instead? Surprised Frons didnt think of it...lol

Edited July 15, 201015 yr by Cheap21

Cause then Cheap, Frons couldn't crap on AMC and OLTL if he did that

As I said elsewhere, the issue is that the teens they want to watch don't even know who Brenda is. That's something their core audience - which is almost gone - care about. But they've driven most of them off. It's like Keystone Cops management.

I like Vanessa always like Brenda but I still don't get any of this. I haven't watch GH or any soap in ages but I keep hearing what a creative high GH is on. Didn't they do well with the Dante/Sonny storyline. Why not just write a decent castwide storyline and promo it versus bringing VM back now and promoing it. It sounds like ABC is closer to their soaps being downsized and it almost reeks of desperation. I guess I expected a Vanessa return when they exhausted everything else and had no more cards to play. Is ABC at that point now? Are the demos/have the demos been that terrible on ABC that they finally had to pull out their final card? By the way I still think a heavily promoted Genie Francis(Laura) return would have done more and maybe that will actually be the final card they pull.

And by the way I suspect I'm one of the lapsed viewers they are trying to draw back and yeah I'm still within the targeted age bracket but honestly I'm done with soaps and with GH for good. As much as I like Vanessa, I just have no interest in the show any longer or any of the soaps. AMC was my first soap and the show I loved for years and I reached my final straw with AMC a few years back and haven't returned and honestly not a Dixie return, Jenny return, even Jessie and Angie couldn't pull me back.

Add to this the episode reduction and maybe it all makes sense I guess. I suspect the actors and staff are all taking or renegotiating contracts as a result. I wonder if any staff cuts will happen?

Edited July 15, 201015 yr by JaneAusten

As I said elsewhere, the issue is that the teens they want to watch don't even know who Brenda is. That's something their core audience - which is almost gone - care about. But they've driven most of them off. It's like Keystone Cops management.

But are they still trying to get the teens engaged? It's almost like they've finally conceded. When you look at the teen numbers, they aren't good are they? But it they are trying to get their old audiences engaged, do the over 50's now matter?

If thats the case, why didnt they just have Brenda episodes replace The View for that entire week instead? Surprised Frons didnt think of it...lol

He probably hasn't thought of it yet. It will be the week for the big transition back to hammy crappy BW's return to that horrid show The View.

Edited July 15, 201015 yr by JaneAusten

I like Vanessa always like Brenda but I still don't get any of this. I haven't watch GH or any soap in ages but I keep hearing what a creative high GH is on. Didn't they do well with the Dante/Sonny storyline. Why not just write a decent castwide storyline and promo it versus bringing VM back now and promoing it. It sounds like ABC is closer to their soaps being downsized and it almost reeks of desperation. I guess I expected a Vanessa return when they exhausted everything else and had no more cards to play. Is ABC at that point now? Are the demos/have the demos been that terrible on ABC that they finally had to pull out their final card? By the way I still think a heavily promoted Genie Francis(Laura) return would have done more and maybe that will actually be the final card they pull.

And by the way I suspect I'm one of the lapsed viewers they are trying to draw back and yeah I'm still within the targeted age bracket but honestly I'm done with soaps and with GH for good. As much as I like Vanessa, I just have no interest in the show any longer or any of the soaps. AMC was my first soap and the show I loved for years and I reached my final straw with AMC a few years back and haven't returned and honestly not a Dixie return, Jenny return, even Jessie and Angie couldn't pull me back.

Add to this the episode reduction and maybe it all makes sense I guess. I suspect the actors and staff are all taking or renegotiating contracts as a result. I wonder if any staff cuts will happen?

Hey JaneAusten, good you see that you are still around. Yes, ABC is desperate. The demos for Sonny shooting Dante were good, 1.6 in the 18 to 49 women demo, but since then... the demos for ABC soaps as a whole are hitting rock bottom. Check out the summer ratings on SON's main page. I think that Vanessa will bring some viewers, but not as much as before and certainly not as many as ABC hopes. In the end, it is the writing that makes the viewers stay and no doubt, Guza will fail there as he always does.

Add to this the episode reduction and maybe it all makes sense I guess. I suspect the actors and staff are all taking or renegotiating contracts as a result. I wonder if any staff cuts will happen?

I think that we will definitely be seeing more production cuts that impact the cast and crew. ABC already tapes four days a week and goes dark for one week every couple months. ABC has threatened to fire writers on every soap if the union does not agree to allow it to make the episode cuts and ignore contractual guarantees.

Edited July 15, 201015 yr by Ann_SS

It's high time someone admitted that Luza's writing and Frons' vision can't sustain an audience and certainly won't bring in new viewers. Now this is all hinged on Marcil? I don't mind her return, but what had to be done to Jax on one of her last visits didn't go over well with me.

After a few months, will the Brenda show die down? How long will the show continue to focus on this one character? This is my concern.

ANDREA

After a few months, will the Brenda show die down? How long will the show continue to focus on this one character? This is my concern.

ANDREA

In 1998, Maurice Bernard returned to GH...12 years later the show continues to focus on him. Does that answer your question?

I always felt that GH overstated Jason's role as "a man in Brenda's life." They were never romantic, or even good candidates for hate sex. The disliked each other and their characters often overlapped. They had a relationship, but not a friendship. He only married her so that she would know she was taken care of before her expected, imminent death.

The Jason/Brenda wedding--especially as they described it to the Qs and Courtney--was hysterical. There was also a great mini-story in 1997 when Brenda and Jason were on a plane that crashed on were stranded on an island together. Some of the best Sonny/Brenda moments often led up to great Jason/Brenda moments: Jason in the church with Brenda after Sonny left her at the alter; and Jason throwing Brenda into the limo after Sonny was "shot" at the end of the Amazing Grace montage.

I would love to see some scenes of Brenda with pre-crash Jason Quartermaine. They had a real friendship. One of the best lines from the above mentioned plane crash story was when Brenda said to Jason: "In your earlier incarnation you used to warn me to stay away from Sonny."

As for Sonny/Brenda, we definitely need to see the Amazing Grace montage; and S&B making love on the beach in Puerto Rico; and the two of them running to escape from Lilly's father; and most importantly, the scene were Brenda wore a wire on Sonny.

I wish they would include Brenda's friensdhip with Ned (as well as Lois) but I assume they won't. They gave Ned and Brenda all of one scene together when she came back the last time. I do think that they will show her as having some kind of relationship with Brook Lynn.

For Brenda and Jax, there are a bunch they can show, many of wish I can't remember off the top of my head. But you can be sure they'll show "boom/clink" when Brenda and Jax got married just as Lilly was getting blown up.

Steve

Edited July 17, 201015 yr by StevieM

Before GH trashed them in 2003, I thought Jax was THE guy for Brenda. They were a great romantic pairing and were best suited for each other.