ACTOR Steve Burton, who played beloved character "Jason Morgan" on ABC's General Hospital has announced that he will be joining the cast of "The Young & The Restless".  His first air date is expected to be near the end of the month.

(photo- Doreen's)

The announcement came today as he was a guest on CBS show "The Talk".  Somehow, this came a shock to some fans who were still hoping he would return to GH. I also watch GH and enjoyed the "Jason Morgan" character. But that's just what it is, a CHARACTER!

There is a specific reason I began this blog with the word ACTOR in all caps. It's because that's exactly what Mr. Burton is, an ACTOR.  (Although he is also a successful singer in the band "Port Chuck" www.portchuck.com) Yet fans from everywhere posted all kinds of hate on facebook today because of this announcement. WHY?!

I have a bit of inside scoop into this story and can not reveal my source but it is a VERY reliable one.  Here is what I do know: Steve Burton wanted to move his family out of LA and to Nashville for a better upbringing for his children and that's what he did. But from what I understand, he was still willing to commute to continue his work on GH. This was not accepted by the contract Gods so he was allowed to walk. Now months later, comes a job offer for another soap with the terms giving him the best of both worlds. Why WOULDN'T he take it? What is the guy supposed to do never accept another job - or let this one go until enough time has gone by that the "fans" will accept it?

I spent some time on the Port Chuck facebook page today and was shocked at what I saw...

Posts from "fans" like "Traitor!" "So much for retiring to the country' " "Disgusted" "Steve you let your fans down!"

WHAT??? My post: "This post should be a soap all it's own called 'AS THE FANS TURN' "

Listen, the guy just did what was best for his family - he put them first. I respect him for it! I love my job but I will ALWAYS put my family first too. Who wouldn't? Yet he is attacked having 'Fans' also saying things like "I had a pinterest board dedicated to you, I might just have to delete it now".  Really guys??  Really?

If you want to be mad at someone for this change, be mad at whomever made the decision to let Mr. Burton leave instead of working with him on commuting. It is all on the person or persons, not on a guy who just wants to work and put his family first. Really.

"The Young & The Restless" is on CBS www.cbs.com

Calendar for Port Chuck the band www.portchuck.com and Port Chuck's facebook page

Follow Steve Burton on twitter @1SteveBurton

Much luv... ;)