>> tonight, the retrial. the star of that 70s show. >> this is why i do not want to tell you. you did an after school special for me. >> after a mistrial, back in the early court, charged with raping women. the members of scientology. he said it was consensual. critic and host of scientology in the aftermath in court supporting masterson's accusers. >> what you are about to see sheds light on the truth of what is really going on at this church. >> byron: what new testimony could reveal.

plus, celebrating 60 years of "general hospital." love, loss, and betrayal in the afternoon. >> being able to use dramatic lines. >> byron: the stars and parklands that keeps soap opera fans coming back for sure. >> i don't no many actors can say they have been playing a character for this long. >> from one of the most watched daytime moments in the famous faces we have met along the way and legend of the ballroom. >> it is a hoedown. >> byron: remembering dancing with the stars judge goodman. >> announcer: "nightline" we will be right back. unlike som, neuriva plus is a multitasker supporting 6 key indicators of brain health. to help keep me sharp. neuriva: think bigger.

>> byron: thank you for joining us. we begin with the retrial of danny masterson to the star of "that '70s show" charged with raping three women. all were members of the church of scientology. the prosecution defense making a dramatic opening statement. here is abc's zohreen shah. >> zohreen: you know him from "that '70s show." danny matteson back in the los angeles courtroom. his wife by his side. the scientologist and actor facing charges for allegedly raping three women between 2001 and 2003.e theyall

the church of scientology. this is the second time he has faced the same three charges in court. five months ago, the jury was deadlocked, leading to a mistrial. what could all of this mean for danny masterson? >> the fact that this child has is even happening for a second time after a hung jury, after a mistrial, that would indicate the prosecution feels that they do have a reason to do all of this practice requires a lot of resources and costs a lot of money. this would seem to indicate that they believe that they have a pretty high chance of converting danny masterson. >> zohreen: in what promises to be an explosive trial, of in opening statements, prosecutors told the jury the evidence will show that they were drugged, also adding intimate details about the alleged rapes, saying masterson dragged one by her hair and. opingtentees is people

versus masterson. not people versus scientology. jane doe number one, dated masterson for nearly six years took the stand briefly saying masterson changed over time and became controlling and sexually aggressive. >> danny masterson has pled not guilty since the day he was charged. and his attorneys both than in the trial and now are saying the contradictions and inconsistencies of these accusers prove that they are lying. >> zohreen: the trial already off to a contentious start. actors and famous ex-psychologist appeared in court sitting in the front row. we spoke to her today and she told us the accusers are very brave, adding, that is why i'm here. what is the significance of her being inside that courtroom? >> the remedy of being inside the courtroom is incredibly

significant because she is a former member of the church of scientology. and probably the loudest critic of the church. now that she is here, she is really showing her support behind these victims. >> zohreen: the defense asking to remove her. which the judge denied. best known for her role in king of queens -- >> you understand what mommy is saying? >> zohreen: she was a prominent member for the church of scientology before leaving it in 2013. she is an outspoken critic, hosting an emmy-winning and you show, following others who have also left the church. which follows others who have left the church. >> what you are about to see shows a light on the truth of what is really going on in this church. >> zohreen: abc news spoke remedy in 2015. >> the decision to leave is you were giving up everything you have ever known and everything you have worked for your whole life. i feel that people need to understand this has been my whole life. i want them to understand how it happens.

>> for the very first time, the judge is allowing expert testimony about scientology. >> they will explain it as a joyce open, for 11 environment but for the prosecution, they are going to talk about the caged bird that cannot sing about allegations of rape. >> zohreen: there will be some changes. >> danny matteson is facing five accusers but only three of them have charges associated with them. that means that two of those accusers, wanted them being new from the last truck are simply there to show that this is a parent. -- pattern. >> zohreen: fewer than have of the 12 jurors voted to convict masterson on the accounts. >> seven women and five-minute body is completely different than the first trial. the question becomes, will the same arguments where this different group? or do different arguments need to apply to this different 12? >> zohreen: the scene in court today, a far cry from how most people know metrocenter.

-- master son. >> this is why i did not want to tell you. so you would get after school special army. >> zohreen: he was the wisecracking best friend on "that 70s show." the show propelled masterson to start them. >> but is okay. [laughter] >> you are home now. >> get off of me. let me love you, orphaned boy. >> zohreen: the allegations against masterson came to light in 2017, more than a decade after the alleged assault and the actor was starting in the hit netflix show "the ranch" alongside ashton kutcher. >> what's up? >> that is heather. you use to date her. >> zohreen: masterson was dropped from the show in 2020 the actor was arrested and charged. he has been out on a $3.3 million bail since. at the time of the accusations, in the early 2000s, danny

master son was at the height of his fame and was one of the most visible celebrity scientologists. >> celebrities have great informants in scientologist because of ron hubbard the founder of scientology stated that celebrities are important that celebrities said the trends in society and celebrities give you credibility. >> zohreen: abc news spoke with mike, a former scientology official who has become one of the church's most vocal critics and the author of a memoir about his time at the church. called "a billion years." last fall, in response to our interview, the church called him a liar. during the first trial explosive allegations brought against masterson and the church of scientology. los angeles station kabc obtained evidence presented at a preliminary hearing. >> he said take off your clothes now. i don't remember after that.

>> zohreen: it included reported conversations between masterson prosecutors and law enforcement. >> i remember trying to go to sleep and him being on top of me. and i am like trying to push them off. >> zohreen: the allegations were repeated by prosecutors in court. last fall, they said they will not comment on the pending criminal matter. we know the women slanderous allegations about the church are completely and utterly false. moreover, the woman appeared to be changing their story yet again. during the trial last year, all three women say they were initially hesitant to speak to law enforcement about the alleged assaults. because they say church teachings told him not to. >> there was -- within scientology that it is not only better to keep things internal and handled within the organization, it is tantamount to assigning someone to hell to turn them over.

>> zohreen: alderwomen eventually left the church. in a statement to abc news this evening, the church says it is "not a party to this case, adding it has no policy or an discouraging members from reporting criminal conduct of anyone." scientologist or not to law enforcement, church policy especially demands scientologists abide by all laws of the land. >> any comments? >> zohreen: after a long day, masterson left the court in company of his family, refusing to answer any questions. convicted on all charges, he could face a 45 years in prison. >> whether he is found guilty or innocent, does his career ever recover? >> everyone is innocent until they are proven guilty. he already had a mistrial for a hung jury in his first trial. we will see what happens here. and never say never. hollywood loves a comeback story. danny masterson does have his fans. but these are pretty damning

accusations. so we will have to wait and see. >> byron: coming up, general hospital, beloved soap opera celebrating 60 years of love in the afternoon. >> will you love her, comfort her? >> i will. >> till death do us part. that's why i switched to dovato. dovato is for some adults who are starting hiv-1 treatment or replacing their current hiv-1 regimen. detect this: no other complete hiv pill uses fewer medicines to help keep you undetectable than dovato. detect this: most hiv pills contain 3 or 4 medicines. dovato is as effective with just 2. research shows people who take hiv treatment as prescribed and get to and stay undetectable

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> byron: the beloved soap opera general hospital turn 60 this month. still going strong with

more than 15,000 episodes it is the longest running scripted american drama but still in production. here is a look at why. abc's stephanie ramos. >> since 1963 that is 60 years. >> happy 60th anniversary, "general hospital"! >> reporter: general hospital has kept their fans hooked. >> there is nothing we can do about it. >> set in port charles, the show brings plot lines with every twist and turn. >> you killed me! >> imaginable to the screen. >> rather die than go one more step with you. >> stephanie: murders, betrayals -- >> you are not yourself right now.romantetham is insane.

>> stephanie: debuting on abc when color tvs were making the way into living rooms. so operas like kgh are part of a daytime genre based on soap ads that commonly manned during commercial breaks. >> it puts you in a unique position. to get information for us to put him away for good. >> being able to say dramatic lines is why i get up in the morning. >> what is it going to be? >> stephanie: since 1985, and -- >> i won't ever have to hear about her again. >> stephanie: -- she has been captivating fans as the mysterious spy. >> to get to play someone who sees to everyone else and who is tough and strong and as soon as i put on my outfit, i'm like, there she is. the show will go on.

speak with the nurses bowl is bigger than all of us. >> i remember watching with my aunt and my mom and it was always on and they were so into it. what do you think has given that soap opera so much staying power that it has been around for so long? >> i think you just said it, stephanie. because it is multigenerational and i hear so much from people that i sit on my grandmother's lap and i became a fan. >> there been so many storylines in the last couple decades. you have a favorite? >> my daughter gets kidnapped. i have to go looking for her. ♪ ♪ i jumped out of the van and we did it only in one take. and was just for me, a really iconic moment because i remember being so full of emotion. >> give me time to make arrangements. for a new place. >> with half of my life, i don't know many actors that can say they have been playing a character for 40 years. spent millions of fans swooning since 1993. portraying mobster.

>> why should i believe anything that comes out of their lying mouth? >> they let me create the character and that is fun. he is a cool dude. and he is a tough guy. know only one level top. he has a lot underneath. >> stephanie: some of his most treasured scenes hit close to home. >> i played a storyline where the character on my show has alzheimer's. and my dad got alzheimer's at the same time. but the character passed away, my dad passed away pretty much at the same time. a lot of me on general hospital is like, are imitating life. >> stephanie: back in the '80s, many actors made an appearance before they were household names. from singer after springfield as the young heartthrob doctor know would raygan kirk to raygan kirk to john stamos as becky parrish and a young demi moore back in 1982. >> even meghan markle appeared back in 2002. >> her father was our lighting

director. >> so many people have gone through the show. is there a moment with one of them that stands out to you at all? >> springfield. i was in a love affair with him. which was lovely, and he was a sweet person. >> stephanie: one of the most famous episodes had the entire country capitated. >> till death do us part. luke and laura with their legendary but tortured on-screen romance that culminated with a lavish wedding in 1981 a whopping 30 million americans tuned in which remains a daytime record. [cheers and applause] in addition to the dramatic love sagas, the show also tackles tough topics like truck for assault and important social issues like hiv. ♪ ♪

and single motherhood. >> mommy? >> that was in the '80s and i can't tell you how many letters i get from single mothers who could relate. absolutely. >> stephanie: general hospital also highlighting the difficult subject of mental illness. >> i get to go in there and just be like, this actor. >> stephanie: like many people during the pandemic, bernard struggled as an outlet he began using his platform to connect with others. >> this is state of mind. night, i had an anxiety attack at night. and i decided to film the show with the audience. >> stephanie: his assistant encourage him to share his expanse more widely, leading to a youtube series called "state of mind." >> i started getting, like, all these followers. going to every sunday like church. the pandemic has been a curse

and a blessing because the blessing is what you and i are doing right now it really helps people on the front of my show, quotes to monitor it is unreal what this does. >> stephanie: today, "general hospital" is only one of three remaining soap operas on the airport and showing no signs of slowing down. >> "general hospital" has the most loyal fans in the history of fans. and it is because we are in their living rooms every day. and we become like family. >> we are also in everybody's house, like, five days a week. so people really do get invested in us. >> i dare anyone to try to cancel us. but i can tell you right now, with "general hospital," don't even try because sunny will come after you. [laughs] ♪ ♪

>> byron: and thanks to stephanie. up next, merchant of the ballroom. honoring the life and legacy lynn goodman, "dancing with the stars" judge. ♪ ♪ (whispering) i'm in position. - should we get some lunch? sounds good. i'm famished. if you're an undercover agent, you need to be undercover. and if you want to save by bundling home and car insurance, you need geico. riley, get out of there. (whispering) in pursuit. see how much you could save by bundling with geico. ♪ allergies don't have to be scary. (screaming) defeat allergy headaches fast with new flonase headache and allergy relief! two pills relieve allergy headache pain? and the congestion that causes it! flonase headache and allergy relief. psst! psst! all good! i'm steve. i lost 138 pounds in 9 months and allergy relief.

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♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> byron: and finally tonight, remembering the debonair legend of the ballroom. lynn goodman. the "dancing with the stars" judge was known for his cheeky impressed with it. he served as head coach of the hit show for nearly 18 years. stepping down last november but not before getting his own

trophy. >>haisantastic. >> i would like to say thank you. >> byron: goodman died of bone cancer of the weekend. he was 78. and that is "nightline" for this evening. catch full episodes on hulu. we will see you back here same time tomorrow. thanks for the company, america. good night.