Tristan Rogers returns to General Hospital, but on Night Shift
There’ll be another big name soap star on the second season of SOAPnet’s General Hospital: Night Shift. In addition to Antonio Sabato, Jr. returning as Jagger Cates, Tristan Rogers will join Night Shift, reprising his role as secret agent Robert Scorpio, the Australian spy and former Port Charles police commissioner. His younger brother, Mac, is the current top cop in PC, so expect them to cross paths.
However, it’s as the father of Dr. Robin Scorpio, played by Kimberly McCullough. Robin, who is HIV-positive, that Robert will mainly drive story. She is currently in the midst of her first pregnancy. You would imagine that Robert’s back to check in on his daughter, but there’s more to his Night Shift stay.
Michael Logan in TV Guide reports that a rep for Night Shift said that Robert is suffering from “a major health issue that’ll have him grappling with his mortality.” Instead of Robert caring for Robin — to trying to — the situation will be reversed. Dr. Robin will have to treat her father.
“This’ll be a real departure wherever it’s headed,” says Mr. Rogers. “Robert and Robin will finally get a chance to connect as adults.”
You may wonder how relevant it is to cast an actor who’s last long run on General Hospital was 1992 (although he had brief returns in 1995 and 2006). I think it’s very relevant, and a sure fire way to get old time fans like me to be sure to tune in to Night Shift. Scorpio was always a fascinating character, and like Anthony Geary — who just picked up his sixth Emmy — Tristan Rogers is one of the iconic stars that symbolize what General Hospital is all about.
My only reservation about this casting note is that I also think Finola Hughes needs to be booked for a few episodes. Supposedly, GH has plans for Ms. Hughes, which is why they requested she not take a small role on The Young & the Restless. So, let’s get her on Night Shift, because you can’t have Robert and Robin without Anna along for the ride.
Antonio Sabato, Jr. checks in to General Hospital - Night Shift
SOAPnet has landed a big star to anchor the second season of General Hospital: Night Shift. As TV mentioned previously, Antonio Sabato, Jr., who was rumored to be returning as Jagger Cates, has signed on the dotted line. When Night Shift returns to SOAPnet on Tuesday, July 22, the character of Jagger, played by Antonio Sabato, Jr. will be front and center.
Jagger Cates has not been involved in General Hospital since 1995, so presumably he’s older and wiser. But since Antonio is still playing the role, he’s going to definitely be as gorgeous as ever. Interestingly, if Antonio is booked, what’s the likelihood that Steve Burton will be there as Jason?.
Jagger’s storyline includes Stone Cates, but that’s not the same Stone as before. Jagger’s younger brother, Stone, died of AIDS. This Stone is Jagger’s five year old son whom he’s named for his little brother. When Robin Scorpio meets Jagger again, and learns about Stone, it will be highly emotional
Stone was the love of her life — before Patrick Drake, who’s her current love and the father of her unborn child. Stone also is the man who passed on his HIV to Robin. She’s currently pregnant and handling the medical issues inherent with trying to have a baby when you’re HIV positive.
Antonio started on General Hospital before graduating to Melrose Place. His last soap gig was on The Bold and the Beautiful as Dante Damiano. As for non-acting, he’s currently appearing on NBC’s Celebrity Circus.
South Park: Tonsil Trouble (season premiere)
(S12E01) After a routine tonsillectomy goes horribly wrong, Cartman comes face to face with his own mortality.
Season Twelve is out of the gate pretty strong. Unfortunately, it seemed to lose momentum towards the end.
Matt and Trey tackle the issue of AIDS…again (they have done so before, such as in the episode mocking Jared from the Subway commercials). They tend to present AIDS as a shock-value joke, but this time their take is slightly different.
Rather than the disease itself, the creators analyze the media treatment of AIDS. The disease has fallen out of favor and is not really in popular culture anymore. Perhaps it’s because we better understand and can control the disease, or perhaps it’s just an old hat. In either case, it’s really not in the spotlight anymore.
I love the psychedelic style of the new intro. The music is the same, but I laughed at the silly angles in which the kids suddenly appeared to say their lines.
The “f” bomb is dropped a few times in this episode. “F**k your ice cream!” “F**k you, Jimmy Buffett!” This is nothing new for the series, but it was still very noticeable.
Butters kissing Cartman was a classic moment, as was Kyle’s reaction to learning that Eric was HIV positive. What was up with the cap Cartman wore after he was diagnosed? There was a “P” on it. Was that a baseball reference? I don’t think so, otherwise he wouldn’t have been wearing a Rockies cap.
The episode was really strong and Cartman’s revenge infection of Kyle was harsh (although very typical for his character). I definitely cringed on several occasions (such as the “I’m not just sure. I’m H.I.V. positive” that was beaten to death during the episode), but I found it funny overall. Until the ending.
I’m sorry. The ending was weak. It seemed like a miracle ending they pulled out of the air (which is usually a crutch for poor writing, something I usually don’t find in South Park). I think Matt and Trey were saying that more money and attention needs to be given to AIDS in order to find the cure, but it seemed vague and unfocused.
Every seven episodes, Matt and Trey usually allocate one as the “generic” episode which they write and partially animate early on to give themselves a breather in the middle of the season. Due to the timeless nature of the premise (the media treatment of disease), I wonder if this was that episode.
Overall, a good show with some great one-liners. Sadly, it also had a weak ending. Despite that, I look forward to next week’s new episode.