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Genie Francis to General Hospital Fans: "I'm Sorry"
Genie Francis in 'The Note,' courtesy Hallmark Channel
Inspired by the message at the heart of The Note, the Hallmark Channel movie she stars in this Saturday at 9 pm/ET, Genie Francis wants to make amends with any General Hospital fans who to this day — decades after the fact — were disappointed to see her quit the sudser at the peak of her popularity. "I know that Laura [Baldwin Spencer] meant a great deal to many people, and still does," says Francis. "I've long regretted not taking the fans into account when making the hasty decision to leave the show.
"Forgiveness and reconciliation are at the core of The Note, and filming it forced me to look inside myself at certain decisions in my past.... Right now I want to reach out to all of my fans and say that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving you so abruptly, for not taking into account the feelings of the people who helped Laura truly take on a life of her own.
"It was the decision of a young, impetuous girl," Francis says in closing, "and the woman she has become asks for your forgiveness."
The above represents a whole different caliber of class, folks. — Matt Webb Mitovich
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Dec 6, 2007 7:14 PM
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No need to apologize Ms. Francis.
The 1st time was to tend to some personal issues (I saw the Lifetime Intimate Potrait) which is understandable of course and the second time you were feeling dissed by Jill Phelps which isn't your fault. It's hers.
THANK YOU for coming back for a month last year. It was heaven.
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Dec 6, 2007 7:26 PM
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Word, Matt.
Wow, what a class act she is! I have long wondered how she felt about leaving and it is a wonderful thing to hear her thoughts on the subject now. I probably will never give up on her returning to GH but whatever she does, she'll always have a fan in me!
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Dec 6, 2007 8:04 PM
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hi Genie. I forgive you 100% I miss all
of my all time faves from the show
and it is a great treat to see them come back. I am always delighted to see you on tv. all the time
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Dec 6, 2007 8:31 PM
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While we are talking of GH here, why are the TV GUIDE recaps so late? It's Thursday night and the last GH recap is from Tuesday's show.  ">
About Genie Francis:
It seems weird that she's going around apologizing for leaving GH back in the 1980s right now. She was just on The View talking about that. Genie said she's "upset" how the show is not making her an offer to come back, but yet she said "I don't want to do a soap opera right now"... Well Genie -- which is it?!
It seems like Genie is looking for sympathy. Anyway whether she is for real & genuine with this "I'm sorry" or not, I still wanna see her back on GH as Laura! The show is NOT the same without her and it will never be as good with no Laura. Her daughter Lulu keeps dating all these gangsta guys [Logan, Johnny the mobster] and it would be FUN to see Laura get all worked up in all that drama!!!
OH one last GH thing: Not trying to be a hater but... Why is this Soap blog not report that GH is bringing back SARAH BROWN the original Carly??? That is REAL soapy news... I am excited! 
http://www.sarahbrown.net/news.html
Except it sounds like Sarah will not play Carly? This is confusing... 
http://soapnet.go.com/news/news_sarah_brown.html
http://www.soapoperadigest.com/news/breaking/
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Dec 6, 2007 8:39 PM
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No apologies are necessary. Genie Francis is a class act in my book and always will be!
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Dec 6, 2007 9:09 PM
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You could thank us by coming back to the show. we really miss you!
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Dec 6, 2007 9:51 PM
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Fans don't need an apology, just the usual brilliant performance you always give.We would love to see you back on gh but if not please give other shows a shot , i would love you on anything you were on. thanks so much for all the great years!!
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Dec 6, 2007 9:54 PM
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Genie, you have no need to apologize for your behavior toward General Hospital. I, for one, cannot believe the way they have treated you in the past.
Whenever I see an article written about you, I jump at the chance to read it, and I just want to shout out to the people who have hurt you, namely Jill Farren Phelps, the executive producer of General Hospital.
I cannot believe what she has done to you in the past and how she seems to have a more softer spot toward the males than the females on her show. For example, I cannot believe what she allows Anthony Geary (sorry, but an actor I truly despise) to get away with, such as taking vacations whenever he wants and giving only a week or two notice. That's bulldoodoo. (I wish I can say the real words here).
Also, look at the end of the opening sequences of General Hospital. Why aren't the women sitting down in a group? Why are there are only men sitting down with Geary looking quite pissed off. What's his beef? I don't think Phelps thinks of the consequences of her actions at times. In a way, I admire her creativity, but she needs to think of the ramifications before actually pulling something off.
I apologize for getting off the subject there, Genie. I do not blame you for quitting daytime at the top of your popularity. I think that was a smart move on your part since you were not being treated nicely. No apologies necessary. OK?
I am looking forward to seeing your movie, The Note. Good luck in your career and life, Ms. Francis. You deserve it. Take care.
P.S. Sorry, I have to vent about one more thing. But first, Congratulations on your Daytime Emmy, Ms. Francis. However, I am very disappointed that you did not win the award as the Lead Actress. You were meant to be in that category. Who cares if you only appeared in a small amount of episodes last year. You are not a supporting player, Ms. Francis.
You are a LEAD ACTRESS in everything you do! You are a very classy and an extremely talented lady! Please remember that!
For Phelps to put you in the supporting category was just wrong, cruel, and inconsiderate. How dare she do this again to another actress or actor who is as talented as you are!?
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Dec 6, 2007 10:05 PM
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"A different caliber of class" indeed, Matt. Thanks for this lovely article.
And thank you, Genie - the type of person you are shines through in all your performances, and it is always beautiful to behold.
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Dec 6, 2007 10:10 PM
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Genie - I was such a big fan of yours when you were on GH originally that when you left so did I. I watched you on Days of our Lives and loved Diana Colville as much as Laura Vining Weber Baldwin Spencer. Your statements are proof of the deepness of your soul and why your fan base is so loyal. Don't regret anything. You did what was right at the time - and now you do what is right for this time. Be blessed.
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Dec 6, 2007 10:50 PM
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It was nice of her to apologize. But on the other hand, she was no "girl" when she left GH. Luke is great with Tracy now, so I'd rather not see Laura come back to make him choose.
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Dec 6, 2007 11:28 PM
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Thanks Genie-You are true class-I wish I could say the same for General Hospital-all they want to focus on is violence and Sonny's love life. No core families anymore except for the fractured Spencers and Quartermaines. Maybe they will get burn out with Sonny eventually-no offense to Maurice-he's a good actor but his character gets the same old storyline.
Genie, keep acting your heart out
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Dec 6, 2007 11:43 PM
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She has absolutely no reason to apologize. Some of the best characters in the soaps have left their shows and moved on. Even though she was excellent, she made her choices and in spite of it, soap fans do recover. There's always going to be that tiny little inkling of hope for a return. Should Genie Francis decide to come back to GH, Great! But if not, we'll just deal with it and remember the great storyline with Luke and Laura (sigh).
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Dec 7, 2007 12:11 AM
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It's never to late to return, Genie. And with Luke remarried, it would make a lot of fun for the writers... if they ever settle that strike...
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Dec 7, 2007 1:02 AM
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