James Franco's love affair with General Hospital will continue in 2011. The actor, who has been tapped to co-host this year's Academy Awards telecast, will appear on GH in episodes that flank the Oscar ceremony. The actor is also slated to make a longer return.
Call it a Sweeps stunt, network synergy, or just a show's obsession with an obsessive bad guy. Whatever you decide to call it, one thing's for certain: James Franco (Franco) is headed back to General Hospital in February 2011.
"In anticipation of his upcoming co-hosting duties at the 2011 Oscars, James Franco will return to General Hospital for two episodes," a GH spokesperson tells Soap Central.
The airdates -- Friday, February 25 and Monday, February 28 -- will bookend the Academy Awards telecast on Sunday, February 27. The awards ceremony will also be broadcast on ABC.
"When we realized James would be in L.A. for the Oscars and all the other awards shows, we asked if he'd consider coming back and doing a little something for us," General Hospital's executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps told TVGuide Magazine's Michael Logan. "He was happy to do it and requested that we use the appearance to plug his next story. He's also expressed an interest in directing at GH. He's been really, really good to us. Whatever James wants, we'd love to make it happen!"Though it goes without saying, Franco will still have his sights set on one particular person.
"Franco will again wreak havoc with Jason Morgan among other Port Charles residents," the rep adds.
According to one show source, Franco's brief return is just a prelude to a much longer stint that is due later in 2011.
