So Cool--So Gay


Genie Francis Returns to General Hospital
There have been many false rumors of Genie Francis returning to General Hospital (or another daytime drama) ever since she quit the ABC sudser in 2002. Finally, there's real news to report!Francis will reprise her role as Laura Spencer for a limited run of unspecified length, per USA Today. "I am very happy to be returning to my General Hospital family and look forward to portraying a role that means a lot to me as well as the fans who have supported the character throughout the years," Francis said in a statement.

Francis will first air sometime in mid-October.The legendary soap star left in a major huff in '02, for reasons she outlined quite candidly in her exit interview with our own Michael Ausiello. She didn't slam the door closed entirely, though, telling TVGuide.com, "I can't really say a permanent goodbye to [GH], because it's just too painful."Well, it appears that time - and an undoubtedly fat paycheck - heals all wounds!

Although Laura is no longer married to Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary), GH fans can expect ABC and SOAPnet to make much ado about their 25th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16. The supercouple's nuptials pulled in a record 30 million viewers back in November 1981.This suds fan is just glad to know that our beloved Laura is returning to Port Charles to see and hug her loved ones. The idea of her languishing in a mental hospital indefinitely was just too sad for us to contemplate.

Three cheers for Genie!