You see him screaming about the Knicks on First Take. You see him debating LeBron’s legacy until he's red in the face. But then, if you flip the channel to ABC in the afternoon, there he is—Stephen A. Smith, dressed in a sharp suit, playing a surveillance expert named Brick on General Hospital.
It feels like a fever dream.
Why is the most powerful man in sports media recurring on a soap opera that’s been on the air since the Kennedy administration? It’s not for the paycheck. It’s definitely not for the "prestige" of daytime TV. Honestly, it’s because Stephen A. Smith is a lifelong fan who basically willed his way into Port Charles through sheer persistence and a genuine love for the genre.
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Most people think it’s a gimmick. It’s not. Brick has been a part of the show’s fabric since 2016, and his involvement with the Corinthos crime family is one of the weirdest, most endearing crossovers in television history.
How Stephen A. Smith on General Hospital Actually Happened
Believe it or not, this wasn't some corporate synergy cooked up by Disney executives to boost ratings across ESPN and ABC. It started with Stephen A. just being a fan. He grew up watching the show with his mother and his sisters. For him, the drama of Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan was just as vital as the NBA playoffs.
He didn't just watch it; he talked about it. Loudly.
Eventually, the producers of General Hospital caught wind of this high-profile superfan. They invited him on. Usually, when a celebrity does a soap cameo, they play themselves for one episode, wink at the camera, and vanish. But Stephen A. wanted more. He wanted a character.
Enter Brick.
Brick isn't Stephen A. Smith. Well, he is, but with a silencer. He’s the guy Sonny Corinthos (played by Maurice Benard) calls when he needs a wiretapped phone traced or a high-tech security breach handled. He’s cool. He’s collected. He uses tech jargon that sounds slightly more believable than your average soap opera dialogue. The chemistry between Smith and Benard is real, too, mostly because they’re actually friends in real life.
The Character of Brick: More Than a Cameo
Brick serves a specific purpose in Port Charles. He’s the tech guru for the mob. Whenever the plot needs a "magic wand" to find a missing person or hack into a villain’s mainframe, Brick shows up.
He’s appeared in dozens of episodes over nearly a decade. Think about that for a second. That is a longer tenure than many professional actors get on daytime TV.
What’s funny is how he brings his "Stephen A.-isms" to the role. He doesn't just deliver lines; he delivers them with that signature staccato rhythm. He’s got that swagger. When he tells Sonny, "I got you, MB," or refers to himself in the third person, it bridges the gap between the sports world and the soap world.
He has even flirted with established characters. There was a whole arc where he was clearly "feeling" Jordan Ashford. It’s hilarious, it’s slightly awkward, and it’s perfectly General Hospital.
Why Fans (Mostly) Love It
Look, soap fans are protective. They don’t like people "making fun" of their show. But the General Hospital audience embraced Brick because they could tell Smith wasn't mocking the medium.
- He takes the scripts seriously.
- He shows up on set ready to work.
- He respects the veterans like Maurice Benard and Genie Francis.
There’s also the "unintentional comedy" factor. Watching a guy who just spent three hours arguing about the Dallas Cowboys suddenly discuss "cloning a hard drive" to save a mob boss is inherently entertaining. It’s a meta-textual layer that keeps the show feeling modern.
Dealing with the Critics
Not everyone is a fan. Some viewers find it distracting. They argue that seeing such a massive public figure breaks the "fourth wall" and ruins the immersion of the story. If you’re trying to believe that Port Charles is a real place, seeing the guy from First Take walk into the Metro Court hotel can be a bit of a jolt.
But here is the reality: daytime television is a struggling medium. Ratings aren't what they were in the 80s or 90s. Having a mega-star like Stephen A. Smith constantly tweet about the show and bring his millions of followers to the ABC afternoon lineup is a massive win for the network.
He’s basically a walking advertisement for the survival of the soap opera.
The Evolution of the Role
When Brick first showed up in March 2016, it was supposed to be a one-and-done. But the ratings spiked. The social media engagement was through the roof.
Since then, the writers have found ways to weave him into major storylines. He was there during the "Search for Peter August" saga. He’s been a confidant for Sonny during various mob wars. He’s become a legitimate supporting character.
It’s also worth noting that Smith does this for the love of the game. He’s one of the highest-paid personalities in sports, so the SAG-AFTRA day rate for a soap actor is essentially gas money for him. He does it because it makes him happy, and that joy translates on screen.
What This Says About Modern Media
We live in an era of the "multi-hyphenate." You aren't just a sports guy or a news guy anymore. You’re a brand. Stephen A. Smith on General Hospital is the ultimate example of brand expansion.
By appearing on the show, he reaches a demographic—older women, stay-at-home parents, daytime viewers—that might not ever watch ESPN. Conversely, he brings "tough guys" who watch sports over to the soap world. It’s a brilliant, if accidental, marketing strategy.
It also humanizes him. On ESPN, he’s a character. He’s the "screaming head." On General Hospital, he’s a guy fulfilling a childhood dream. It’s hard to hate on someone for that.
Misconceptions About His Performance
People love to joke that he's a "bad" actor.
Is he going to win an Emmy? Probably not. But acting in a soap opera is notoriously difficult. You get the scripts at the last minute. You have one, maybe two takes. You have to memorize pages of dense dialogue about people with secret twins and amnesia.
Smith actually holds his own. He understands the "beats" of a scene. He knows how to play to the camera. Compared to some of the wooden performances you see from guest stars, Brick is a breath of fresh air. He brings an energy that’s unique to him.
The Future of Brick in Port Charles
As long as Frank Valentini is the executive producer and Stephen A. has a gap in his schedule, Brick will be around. There have been rumors about giving him a more permanent role, but his ESPN contract is far too demanding for him to be a "series regular."
Instead, he’ll continue to be the "special weapon." He’ll pop in when Sonny is in a jam, drop some tech knowledge, flirt with a leading lady, and then head back to Bristol, Connecticut to talk about the Lakers.
It’s a rhythm that works.
Key Takeaways for the Casual Viewer
If you’re just tuning in because you heard the "sports guy" is on the show, here is what you need to know:
- Brick is a Good Guy: Well, as "good" as a mob associate can be. He’s loyal to the core.
- It’s Not a Parody: He is playing the character straight. Don't expect him to start talking about the NFL.
- He’s Part of the Inner Circle: Brick isn't just a random technician; he’s one of the few people Sonny Corinthos actually trusts with his life.
How to Catch His Next Appearance
Stephen A. doesn't have a set schedule for the show. He usually films his scenes in batches during his vacation time or when he’s in Los Angeles for big sporting events like the NBA Finals or the Oscars.
The best way to know when he’s coming back is to follow his Twitter (X) account. He almost always posts a "behind the scenes" photo from his trailer when he’s on set. He’s proud of the work. He wants you to watch.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to dive into the world of Brick and the Corinthos family, here’s how to do it without getting lost in 60 years of backstory:
- Watch the "Sonny and Brick" Compilations: You can find these on YouTube. They cut out all the hospital drama and just focus on the tech-heavy mob stuff. It’s the easiest way to see his acting range.
- Follow Maurice Benard’s "State of Mind" Podcast: Stephen A. has been a guest on his co-star's show. They talk deeply about why Smith loves daytime TV and the mental health aspects of being a public figure. It provides a lot of context for his General Hospital passion.
- Check the ABC App: They usually have the last few weeks of episodes available for free. If you see Stephen A. trending on a random Tuesday afternoon, that’s your cue to go watch.
- Look for the "Easter Eggs": Sometimes the writers slip in a tiny sports reference for him. It’s like a game for long-time viewers to see if they can catch Brick making a subtle nod to the sports world.
The presence of Stephen A. Smith on General Hospital is a testament to the idea that you’re never too big—or too famous—to geek out over something you loved as a kid. It’s a weird, wonderful piece of television trivia that has become a permanent fixture of the daytime landscape. So next time you see Brick on screen, don't roll your eyes. Just enjoy the fact that a guy who gets paid to talk for a living decided his dream was actually to be a silent, tech-savvy mobster in a fictional town in upstate New York.
And honestly? He’s killing it.
Next Steps to Follow the Story:
To stay updated on Brick's next appearance, monitor the official General Hospital social media channels or check the weekly casting spoilers on reputable soap news sites. If you’re a sports fan trying to understand the show’s appeal, start by watching episodes featuring the "Corinthos Organization" to see the darker, more procedural side of Port Charles where Brick primarily operates. This will give you the necessary context to appreciate his role without needing to know every character's romantic history.