Television presenter, author and journalist Debbie Matenopoulos has a two-day guest appearance starting today, August 22nd, and again tomorrow, Friday, August 23rd, when she will be General Hospital plays the producer of the fictional home shopping network modeled on QVC in Port Charles, Home & Heart.
Matenopoulos stars in various scenes with Morgan Fairchild, Jane Elliot, Rena Sofer, Amanda Setton, Kirsten Storms, Eva LaRue and more. Debbie, who also had her own skincare line, is also helping to kick off the clever promotional chain that begins today when GH officially launches the website ShopHomeandHeart.com, where viewers can purchase skincare products and more. First up is “The Deceptor,” a wearable skincare device inspired and developed by the GH story.
Debbie visited the Michael Fairman Channel in a brand new virtual interview where she reveals what happens in the story, talks about her love for GH, her time on ABC’s The view as co-host (1997-1999) and as a colleague of TV legend Barbara Walters and of course as a friend of Cameron Mathison (Drew Quartermaine, GH). The two previously hosted the former morning talk show of the Hallmark Channel, Home & Family.
Photo: ABC
In a preview of the action on GH, it looks like Lois is on the set of Home & Heart in a situation that could backfire. Debbie said: “Lois overhears something literally 10 seconds before she goes on air and it upsets her. That’s all I’m going to say about it. And here I am, producer Michelle, and I have to try and sort of smooth this over and she hears what’s being said to me. So it’s unfortunate when you hear something right before a live performance on TV that sort of upsets you. It’s something she hopes she didn’t hear. So, without giving too much away, just watch it. It’s so good.”
Debbie also revealed that she is a huge fan of Jane Elliot and is thrilled to be working with her: “I’m obsessed with her. She’s one of the coolest women I’ve ever met in my life. Jane probably has the best stories in the world that you can’t tell publicly, but they’re incredible.”
Photo: JPI
Cameron Mathison was not on set the day Matenopolous recorded her scenes and is hoping to be brought back: “I told Frank Valentini (EP, GH), please bring him back. I don’t care what you make of me on the show. I’ll be the street sweeper if you need me,” she suggested. “I just want to be in a scene with Cameron because I so desperately want an Easter egg for the audience. You know? Because the people who watched, Home & Family see also General hospital. I want Cameron to say to me: “Have I met you somewhere?” I just want to throw the sentence away like: “I don’t think so.” (laughs)
Photo: DMatenopolous
As her previous show shows, The view, has evolved in the 27 years since her first co-host, Debbie said: “It’s a very different show now. I don’t think it’s what (the late) Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie (ex-EP, The view) she never wanted to be that way. Barbara was careful about her political beliefs and would never say one way or the other, whether she was a Republican or a Democrat, because she felt it would be inappropriate for her to try to interview people.”
Photo: ABC
Matenopolous added: “I don’t think Barbara would have ever allowed the show to become what it is today. However, it has evolved in many ways and become a completely different program. It is very political and arguably the most influential political show of the day, which is not a bad thing. It’s just a different show to when I was there. Back then it was more of a lifestyle program. Barbara came from the news, and her idea to The view was that it was her time to have fun and have friends and not have to think about all the hard news that she was getting on a daily basis. It was her place to relax. That’s really why she did it. She did it because she wanted to have fun and because she wanted people to see her in a different light.”
Now watch our full interview with Debbie Matenopoulos below, where she previews her GH appearances, the launch of ShopHomeandHeart.com, and more.
What do you think about The Deceptor as a product you can buy starting today? What do you think about our suggestions that Producer Michelle should come back to GH for more storylines? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
