With details on the petition started by fans to get Kelly back on the ABC soap

GENERAL Hospital said goodbye to one of its recent guests shortly after fans were devastated by another character’s exit.

The ABC soap featured Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman, 31, in a guest spot for two episodes last week.

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The cast, crew and creative team of General Hospital celebrating the 15,000th episode milestone in 2022Credit: Getty

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Rena Sofer, Lisa Locicero, Wally Kurth, Amanda Setton, Jane Elliot, and Sarah Sherman on General HospitalCredit: Disney

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Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman plays etiquette coach Robin Finch in two September episodes of General HospitalCredit: Disney
Sarah, a longtime fan of General Hospital, dropped into Port Charles to play the role of Robin Finch.

Robin was the etiquette coach for Lois Cerullo, played by actress Rena Sofer.

Last week, the SNL comedian commemorated the experience on her Instagram, where she said she can now “die happy.”

Sarah referred to herself as a “soap diva” and gushed over being able to bring her mom to set and meet the famous cast.

“Brought my mom to General Hospital, met Sonny Corinthos, kiki-ed in the Quartermaine Mansion and can now diiiiiie happy [soap bubbles] I’M A SOAP DIVA NOW, Y’ALL !!!” she wrote.

She also shared a carousel of photos, including some behind-the-scenes moments and one of her alongside the General Hospital cast.

Fans gushed over the gig in the comments, with one writing, “This is literally the best thing I’ve ever seen. My moms going to be so jealous.”

“My girl Sarah Sherman on General Hospital! Is there anything she can’t do? It seems like everything she touches turns to gold. I’m so happy to see her continued success!” another wrote.

NOT A ‘GENERAL’ GOODBYE

Sarah’s exit comes shortly after General Hospital revealed it would be saying goodbye to longtime character Sam McCall, played by actress Kelly Monaco.

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Kelly, who has played the role for over two decades, will make her final appearance this fall.

According to Soap Opera Network, it “wasn’t Kelly’s decision to leave,” and she was allegedly “blindsided” by the news.

The outlet also said her character would be “killed off.”

Kelly filmed over 2,000 episodes for the soap, which left many fans heartbroken by the network’s decision.

Thousands even signed a Change.org petition to keep the character on the show.

The petition currently has over 12,000 signatures out of its 15,000 goal.

“Sam McCall, masterfully portrayed by Kelly Monaco for over 2 decades, has woven herself into the fabric of our daily lives, becoming a beloved figure on screen,” the creator wrote in the description.

“Now, Kelly has been blindsided and fired after 21 years.

“The thought of General Hospital without Sam’s character is not just disappointing, it is unthinkable for the loyal audience,” they added.

“Her departure would strip the show of its core, disorienting many longtime viewers who have followed her storylines for years.

“Sam McCall is more than just a character to us, she represents a part of our own lives – triumphs, hardships, love, and loss.

“Without Kelly Monaco, this character’s journey abruptly ends, leaving her viewers with an incomplete story and void that can’t be filled.”

The description also noted that the petition aimed to gain producers’ attention.

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Kelly Monaco in her longtime role as Sam McCall in a 2023 episode of General HospitalCredit: 2023 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

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Kelly Monaco and Asher Antonzyn on the ABC soap General HospitalCredit: Getty
“It’s time to respect the dedication and emotional investment of the viewers and, especially Kelly, who have dedicated their time and heart into the character,” the creator added.

When news of Kelly’s departure was shared, some fans blamed unimaginative storywriting for ABC’s decision.

“I feel like the issues with her character are the fault of writers and writers team transitions,” someone said on Reddit.

“She’s a great actress but they haven’t utilized her in any meaningful or interesting way in a long time.”

Kelly earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2006 for her performance as the private investigator on the series.

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Sarah Sherman in a scene opposite actress Jane Elliot during an episode of General HospitalCredit: Disney

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The cast of General Hospital poses for a promotional pic for ABCCredit: ABC

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Dominic Zamprogna and Kelly Monaco in an episode of General Hospital on ABCCredit: © 2021 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.