General Hospital

We’re not exactly sure why Golden Globe winner James Franco decided to take time out from his successful film career to do a two-month stint on ABC’s most popular daytime drama, but hell if we’re going to complain. Soaps aren’t exactly feeling the love these days (don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Guiding Light)! Take your pay cut or else, Eric Braeden!), so it’s nice when an actor like Franco can appreciate how millions of viewers still want their stories. And he’s got a juicy one of his own, as a mysterious artist named Franco (hey, if you’ve got a soap name, use it!) who emerges as a key suspect in Claudia’s murder. Who’s Claudia, you say? Who cares? All that matters is the smoking-hot star of Pineapple Express is rocking Port Charles. So it’s time you pay it a visit too. — Lynette Rice