Genie Francis

News

Genie is Leaving GH.

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September 17, 2002

Soap Opera Weekly

REAL LIFE

The Magical Genie

While Kin Shriner (Scott, General Hospital) was sorry to see longtime friend and costar Genie Francis (Laura) leave the show, he did get a little something to soften the blow. "She had one of the coveted window dressing rooms," he relates. "They called me about an hour and a half (after the goodbye cake) and said, "Kin, you're next in line. You can have Genie's dressing room."

There is one hitch, however: If she returns, he has to give it up. "I would be more that happy to give her her little window room back," he says sincerely, "because that (means) she would be back!"

In the meantime, Francis' costars are still buzzing about her final scenes (which were scheduled to air Sept. 6). "She did some serious work," Billy Warlock (A.J.) praises.

"She went to a place I'd be afraid to go."

Shriner adds, "She should have had an Emmy by now. When you give her something to do --- and she's had some great stuff --- (she shines). We're going to miss her."

September 3

Soap Opera Digest

GENERAL HOSPITAL
GENIE FRANCIS (Laura Spencer) : ABC is finally confirming that Francis is leaving the show. Her last day on-set was August 13, but Laura airs through early September. Says former ABC Daytime President Angela Shapiro, "We are saddened by Genie's decision to leave GENERAL HOSPITAL. Her portrayal of Laura Spencer over the last 25 years is a testament to her incredible talent and passion for her craft. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends at both GENERAL HOSPITAL and ABC. We wish her continued success in her future endeavors."

SOD, September 10

Comings & Goings

Who's going

GENERAL HOSPITAL

GENIE FRANCIS (Laura Spencer):
Look for Laura to finally exit on September 6.

CBS Soaps in Depth

Writers ready For Francis' Return

Is Genie Francis gone for good from the role of GENERAL HOSPITAL'S Laura? Or will she return? Either way, the sudser's headwriters are prepared!

The In Depth Story: Among the sticky wickets Robert Guza, Jr. and Charles Pratt inherited when they were handed GH's headwriting reins in April was the reality of Francis' exit — perhaps a permanent one — from the role she first played in 1976. (The daytime vet last airs in early September.)

"Bizarrely enough, it turned out not to be a hindrance (to storytelling)," says Guza of Francis' departure, which coincided with leading man Anthony Geary 's (Luke) own vacation. "It actually worked to our advantage — something we never would have thought four months ago."

Which is not to say the scribes didn't have some work to do. "We were forced to find a couple more layers in a story that could have played out very straightforward and very quickly," says Pratt, referring to the murder mystery involving Laura's suddenly-dark stepdad, Rick. "As you'll see, it's now going to involve Laura's sons, Lucky and Nicholas, in a big way. Especially Lucky."

But how do the headwriters plan to handle the very real possibility of Francis never coming back? "Besides sobbing for days on end?" Pratt jokes.

"This story was very specifically designed to accommodate a return down the line," explains Guza. "If she takes a fair amount of time off, we're okay; the story will wait for her. Should she choose never to return, we'll be suicidal."