Why do General Hospital fans attack the cast members?

General Hospital fans continue to let their fangs show

For 3 or 4 years now General Hospital fans have been showing their fangs unapologetically where the cast members are concerned. Kelly Thiebaud (Britt Westbourne), Kelly Monaco (Sam McCall), and Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson) have all made public statements asking the viewing audience to tone it down but the hate continues.

These women have had their looks, hairstyles, and character choices scrutinized. Monaco has been attacked 3 or 4 times and was recently blasted because some fans thought she had to make a public statement about the death of her good friend Billy Miller. Perhaps she was grieving and did not want to talk about her loss. Now Jen Lilley who was a recast for Kirsten Storms as Maxie Jones has gone on record to say how brutal fans were to her for stepping into the role.

Why is there so much online hate?

In an interview, Lilley said she had empathy for Emily O'Brien who will take over her Days of Our Lives role as Theresa Donavan because of the hate she received from General Hospital viewers. What is it that makes those who watch the longest-running soap opera so hateful? These women are actors doing a job and should not be confused with their characters. While onscreen their hair, makeup, and wardrobe are chosen for them and they should not be expected to look the same outside of the set.

Ali was trolled because she wore her hair in braids and some fans say she did not work as a recast. Thiebaud's bangs were criticized when she wore them during COVID when the actors had to do theri own hair and makeup. All the soaps have disgruntled fans from time to time but those who watch General Hospital seem to have an extra layer of vitriol. There have been no stories about those who watch DOOL, The Young and the Restless or The Bold and the Beautiful acting this way.

In the decades before the Internet fans enjoyed their favorite celebs onscreen and did not critique their every move but social media has changed all of that. Brooke Anne Smith was scrutinized for being chosen as a recast for Molly Corinthos Davis and it was so bad her brother went on social media to defend her. Now Smith has been recast with Kristen Vaganos.

Blame the Internet

The Internet gives people the ability to say from behind a screen what they would never utter in public or to anyone's face. All it takes is one irate fan to make a post and someone else agrees. This sets off a firestorm of haters coming out of the woodwork. Fans have access to celebrities in a manner that was not possible decades ago. The actors are simply doing their job and working with the material the writers give them. How they live their lives outside of the studio is really not the business of the fans. Why can't those who watch General Hospital just roll with the ups and downs of the daily soap drama even when storylines don't go their way?

Why can't we all get along?

Recasts like Smith and Lilley are not supposed to be carbon copy replicas of those they replace. while it is true some actors are just not right at portraying a specific character there is no reason to be mean-spirited and personally attack anyone. Why can't soap fans put their best foot forward and treat others as they themselves desire to be treated? General Hospital viewers can agree to disagree or not care for a character or their portrayer without negativity and hurting anyone's feelings. We all can et along if we choose.