Photo Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Frank Valentini (Executive Producer, “General Hospital“) is promising that the Monday, August 27 episode of the drama series is “not to be missed” as the series has “been keeping a huge surprise under wraps.” The producer tweeted the message to his 12,000 followers earlier today.

From what we know about Monday’s episode Anna (Finola Hughes) learns the identify of a mystery patient, Jerry makes his demands clear to the people of Port Charles. Joe Jr. promises to protect Tracy and John questions Alexis about what she can remember about the night she was injected.

In possibly related news, Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda Barrett) just tweeted a picture to her followers that said “Got Brenda?” Also, “All My Children‘s” Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee Smythe) was the first one to respond to Valentini’s above mentioned tweet. The actress said “I’ll be watching!”

The things that make you go hmmm…

“General Hospital” moves to a new time period beginning Monday, September 10 (2:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT/CT). The network promises to thrill audiences in the days leading up to the timeslot switch with lives hanging in the balance and shocking revelations hitting Port Charles. Who survives and who thrives? You’ll just have to tune in to find out!

ABC has released the first pictures of the cast of stars taking part in the upcoming “Dancing with the Stars: All Stars” season, scheduled to premiere on Monday, September 24 at 8:00 PM ET. As previously reported, Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall, “General Hospital“) is heading back to the dance floor for a third go around (she won the first season in the Summer of 2005 and was later challenged into a “dance off” with runner-up John O’Hurly two months later). She’s being paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, who returns for his third season.

Adam Rose/Investigation Discovery

Five years after being taken off contract and placed on recurring status, Jacklyn Zeman (ex-Bobbie Spencer, “General Hospital“) has opened up to Soap Opera Digest in its newest issue about the circumstances surrounding her unexpected departure from the ABC daytime drama series.

“It was like a grieving process when I left the show because it was such a part of my life for so many years. I mean, I played Bobbie for over 30 years, pretty much five days a week. So when Jill Phelps [former executive producer, now EP of 'Y&R'] decided to get rid of the character, I was one totally unprepared and two, totally shocked, because I just assumed that Bobbie would always be there. I had this commitment to the network and I felt that the commitment worked both ways,” reveals Zeman.

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Photo Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

UPDATE, 9:43 PM ET: Should Burton ultimately depart “GH,” as rumored… Soap Opera Network is hearing rumblings of the actor heading to “The Young and the Restless” now that Jill Farren Phelps is EP’ing the CBS soap. Phelps had been the executive producer of “GH” from 2001-2011.

PREVIOUS, 8:48 PM ET: Daytime Confidential is reporting that ABC’s “General Hospital” and Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) may part ways as the show has been unable to broker a new deal with the actor.

“Steve and ABC have been negotiating for quite some time and it doesn’t look like he’s going to stay,” said a source to DC.

Should Burton depart “GH,” it would mark the end of a nearly two-decade long career at the drama series. First joining the cast in 1991, Burton left the series in 2000. He returned in 2002, and has remained at the show ever since. He also appeared on the “GH” spinoff, “General Hospital: Night Shift,” during the SOAPnet original series’ first season.

A representative for “General Hospital” was unavailable for comment at press time.

Photo Credit: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

UPDATE, MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 2012 5:20 PM ET: Rumor no more, Ian Buchan has returned to ABC’s “General Hospital.”

PREVIOUS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012 7:20 PM ET: Rumor has it that Ian Buchanan, who just completed his run on NBC’s “Days of our Lives” yesterday as Ian McAllister, is heading back to ABC’s “General Hospital” after a 23-year absence. Buchanan was last seen in 1989 as Duke Lavery on the soap, but the character was killed off in 1990 while portrayed by actor Greg Beecroft.

When asked by a fan on twitter if he was returning, Buchanan said, “My tweets are sealed.”

A “General Hospital” spokesperson was unavailable for comment at press time.

Photo Credit: Disney/ABC Television Group

“General Hospital” DVR Alerts for the Week of August 27, 2012.

GENERAL HOSPITAL: DVR ALERTS

Monday, August 27: Anna comes face to face with the mystery patient. Jerry makes his demands clear to the people of Port Charles. Joe Jr. promises to protect Tracy.  Can he be trusted?

Tuesday, August 28: Todd makes a confession to Carly about his feelings. Will Patrick’s suspicions about Ewen put Elizabeth in danger? Jax tries to reason with his brother. Starr and Michael try to stop Trey and Kristina from making a bad decision.

Wednesday, August 29: Will Elizabeth’s actions put her in further jeopardy? Carly comforts Jax. Sonny pulls a gun on Joe Jr. Michael asks Kristina an important question.

Thursday, August 30: Port Charles awakens to a dire situation. Todd pays Jerry a visit. Luke and Anna make love.

Friday, August 31: Will John be able to stop Jerry before it’s too late? Will Jason be able to save Elizabeth? Luke opens up to Anna.

Photo Credit: IMDb

Soap Opera Digest is reporting that Marshall Hilliard will appear for eight episodes as a new officer at the Port Charles Police Department. “I call him Officer Marshall,” the actor joked to Digest.

“I’ve shot eight episodes so far and I’m working with Michael Easton [John McBain],” Hilliard said. ”And let me tell you, they run a great production over there. Frank [Valentini, executive producer] is so artistic.”

Last seen in 2011 as Dylan on NBC’s “Days of our Lives,” Hilliard is probably best known as Hart Jessup #4 on CBS’ “Guiding Light” from 1995-1996. He was soon replaced by actor Frank Grillo, who held the role until 1999. Hilliard appeared in a 2010 episode of TNT’s “Hawthorne.” His first airdate on “GH” is scheduled for Thursday, August 30.

Photo Credit: Rick Rowell/ABC

UPDATE, 11:42 PM ET: E! Online has posted Marcil’s divorce papers, which were filed on Friday, August 17 in L.A. County. According to the documents, Marcil married Giovinazzo on July 11, 2010, and now the actress wishes to dissolve their marriage as of Saturday, August 4, citing irreconcilable differences. The actress also wishes to remove the last name Giovinazzo from her legal name.

PREVIOUS, 12:58 PM ET: After famously denying any marriage following word of her legally changing her name from Vanessa Marcil to Vanessa Marcil Giovinazzo, just before officially returning to ABC’s “General Hospital” back in 2010, Marcil Giovinazzo (ex-Brenda Barrett) is now divorcing her husband Carmine Giovinazzo (“CSI: NY“), according to a report by TMZ.

According to TMZ, Marcil is asking for Giovinazzo to pay her attorney’s fees and the court to award her spousal support.

For more on the matter, visit TMZ‘s website.

Frank Ockenfels/E! Entertainment

“Happy Back to Work Day!!!! YAY!!” said Kirsten Storms (Maxie Jones) in a tweet earlier today as she prepared for her first day back on the set of ABC’s “General Hospital.” The actress also tweeted a photo of her script that was tucked away in her purse, saying “Bag packed. Off to work. #excitement.”

Storms re-tweeted a tweet by co-star Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake), who said, “I’m excited about getting back to work today. A healthy chunk is because @teenystweeting is back!! (but shh, we know how her head can swell).” Read More >>

Although “Good Afternoon America“ showed some gains over the recent performance of ratings eyesore “The Revolution,” those gains could only last so long. The ABC News daytime talk show hosted by “Good Morning America’s” Lara Spencer and Josh Elliott has also failed to bring in an audience on par with the year-ago airings of the canceled “One Life to Live” after five weeks of ratings data (week of August 6-10, 2012).

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