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General Hospital Releases "Mike’s Story" Promo Bringing More Awareness To Alzheimer’s Disease

Courtesy/ABC

Photo Credit: JPI Studios

This week, General Hospital has released an extended promo featuring the tale of Mike Corbin, and his battle with Alzheimer’s, and how his journey affects his son, Sonny Corinthos.

The arc of the story which features two powerhouse performance by Max Gail (Mike) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) has already illustrated the toll someone afflicted with this disease faces as their memories start to fade, and how a family tries to deal with it one step at a time.

So many of us have lost loved ones due this most horrific disease, as I have last week with my own mother’s passing after Alzheimer’s stripped her of everything she knew and loved.

Watch the GH promo for Mike’s story after the jump. Then let us know, what you think of the storyline between Mike and Sonny in the comment section below.

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First of all, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.

The Alzheimer’s storyline has been nothing short of phenomenal. It has been real, raw, and heartbreaking. The chemistry between Maurice Benard and Max Gail is so natural and believable and their portrayal of a father and son (and the entire Corinthos family) fighting such a terrible, horrific disease is riveting. Their acting is on fire and kudos to GH for putting this storyline on the front burner and for telling it in such a way that we, the viewer, not only feels their pain but also allows us to connect, bond, and empathize with the characters. Our hearts are breaking for both characters as they fight something that it totally beyond their control and understanding, especially since, in this case, there really is no happy ending. As I imagine that it is probably extremely difficult to walk way from the set every day without it affecting you, blessings and hugs go to both Maurice and Max…and all who are involved in this storyline. And thank you, GH, for making us more aware of not only the disease itself but how it truly affects the family and friends of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s.

This is such a powerful storyline that tho so difficult to watch is so important for awreness by all. The Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease is heartbreaking to watch vibrancy of light turn to dimness yet more research needs to be done. My prayers Michael on your loss and know she now has all of her memories of you back. This affects so many who have had to stay silent but thanks to #GH hopefully more eyes are opened.

Well, Maurice and Max should just submit this promo for next years Emmy awards. Powerful stuff!

I =- SWEAR – to You, and you and YOU.

Sonny and Carly , are having a meltdown. AND it’s hysterically FUN’ny. I want this. they are so bad. the acting , for even these two relics… is done.

R _ E_ S _ T. Give – us – ALL – a – break.

cash in your chips
backburner
show maturity
take one for the team

you are not who you once were. caricature, tired, and just so over you two.

it’s either you two , who are calling the shots… or it’s Frank Valentini as he cooks the books. make a decision to save this show. I MISS THE REST OF THE CAST.

this is a repost.. I posted it on a Y&R thread… GH fans need to read

ALL POINTS BULLETIN

Why I Want Sonny and Carly to Go Away for a While
Friday April 20

By Dustin Cushman
IE: @ Soaps.com

“…This week Soaps.com is taking another break from our normal Deconstructing GH column, which will return next week, to discuss an unpopular opinion. In this case my opinion isn’t unpopular depending on which half of General Hospital’s audience you ask. I believe that as soon as their current storylines wrap up, it’s time for Sonny and Carly to be back-burnered for a bit. I’m not suggesting they be written off, but instead given a break while the show concentrates on other storylines. ”

B – E – A – U – T – I – F – U – L

what I and other posts have LONG WISHED FOR. and it’s in writing and from a critic or what have you.

why couldn’t Laura Wright and Maurice Benard just willingly ASK Frank Valentini to WRITE for other cast members…

IF LW and MB THINK for even a second they are being made bigger and better STARS… JESUS .. then this show is truly TANKED.

THE DULLARD : Sonny / Carly ; Jason / Sam ; Michael / Nelle ; Finn ; Peter ; Franco.
WASTING this show… the overkill is rankling and losing … any thing @GH
FRANK VALENTINI must be fired

YESTERDAY SHOW – proved what a mess Carly and Sonny have become.

1st and foremost… Sonny the he man… NEEDS proof. what could have been an affecting hour… was marred by this doa couple ranting and raving about not being crazy, needing proof, taking it out on each other… and nothing believable translates at all on screen. these two need a long break.

THEE – one – time Sonny truly thinks he’s acting… when he gives Ava this menacing piercing , “penetrating” eye to eye… when Ava is “begging” that Avery and Mike not be in the same household.

Sonny is so bad at this. he shows not once ounce of care … for Mike. that’s the most glaring I’ve seen yet. any emotional beat is missed on both Sonny and Carly.

so Carly lives in fear.. and Sonny doesn’t believe her. what can you say… Frank Valentini prized character to help him drive show… has embarrassed even herself

one can hope… that GH seriously take a step back and realize

Carly N Sonny have – nothing – to do with HOW WELL this alzheimers story is “playing” out. EVERY credit is going… to Max Gail.

What has happened to Maurice Benard acting? he’s not hitting his target.. he relies so heavily on his scene partners… it’s obvious… CAN WE QUIT with the hug two pat slam ??? !!!! OK hit the masculine button and call it a scene stealer… OK let’s not get any further – no words needed

look at how he leers @Ava… over Avery. we get it. enough of the machismo stance.

I mean really..

what is it with the GH writers – not nit picking… it’s disjointed

WHY was it necessary for Julian to share with Ava.. that perhaps it was her past is reason enough for Avery gone missing ? JUlian should have been at the PCPD from the time avery went missing… DANG it he’s hot with Kim. AND okey dokey .. they hit up Griffin for a ceremonial prayer. gee thanks for reminding us of just how righteous Grff is

Franco –

1. the story should have ended with the scene showing Liz with her head on his lap and scene fades with Drew looking on. BAM.. let the healing begin.

NO GH has to drag this out. I would get a gun out and shoot Betsy ! I wanted her to have a heart attack… what’s the point now of giving her any relevancy. is Franco truly 100% MARKED NOW ? or will it all fall in to place.. as every denizen just steps aside and the man saunters swags and ???? what will he do ? quietly work .. finally with patients ? OR GIVE LIZ A LIFE ? befriend Drew .. RELAX NOW WRITERS… orverkill… course… Franco should be a goner… he’s certainly for upwards of 5 years… REELING ( DOA ) dead on arrival. whoopee… Franco is redeemable….. group hug for Frank Valentini.

why would Liz bring up … about that list of other children… that something should be done about all those names. dragging Franco on and on… doing the same thing… !!!! it’s over Franco… i’m tired of caring. i’m sick of Liz seeking approval for you. befriend Drew… I don’t see the two couples truly hanging out.. UNLESS GH writers stop dumbing down.. and he gets with Kim… and these two brothers and their lovely leading ladies… SPOTLIGHT. Franco and Liz… Drew and Kim.

DAG … it was so HOT as Kim walked away.. and the camera panned on Drew.. as he committed to spending more time , per kim… as a family… and he looked sexy as all get out. THIS IS REEL. you do not deserve an emmy this year Billy Miller… you just don’t. if you hang with Kim… and Liz. it’s yours.

it’s just odd how GH is piecing this show together…

another thing… when the world stopped… and this is huge. the waiting and anxiety of what happened to Mike and Avery. it was so beautifully played OUT… stunning … what GH writer cropped in as soon as Dante started questioning… Max instantly goes mindless.. and says he’s with Courtney…. ???? CAN WE HAVE some lucidity to enjoy Max Gail acting ??? just to stretch out how talented he is.

at the police station… Sonny and Carly DID NOT .. act all that concerned… they both immediately went to Avery. sure sonny hugged it out… with two back slap. whew .. there they go… good for you ? ALL the emoting Sonny has done

end of story… for Sonny AND Carly… as she loony tunes it out. BE GONE that quick. just end this Frank VAlentini

let me put out their again: just seeing the word, hearing the word, like Mike did

scares the bejeezus out of any one. scared… that word has a life of it’s own

and it’s a one man show.

when you “hang” heavy story material… on Sonny and Carly. you get a convoluted mess. PEOPLE : these are “mobsters” with no empathy or REAL feelings. they don’t know how to act any other way. OK going on 3 years Morgan is dead. so what’s the point. Sonny isn’t doing a damned thing notable. period

there should be nuance, subtlety, abject horror revulsion… even between Sonny and Carly.. who truly have not shared a thing between them…. you can’t backtrack now.

as the article states… the show can’t spend every waking hour of the fantastical Max Gail. slow down his spiral so we can “dance” more . ??? it’s too bad the show went in this direction.

can you imagine Frank , Shelley, Jean, Chris… working the world over.. with their take on :

alzheimers
Child molestation

two huge subject matter that was left in the incapable hands of themselves and Sonny , Carly, and Franco. You had the whole cast to share this with.

when it’s time for Max Gail Mike to move and ascend to the heavens…
when it’s time for Franco to move and ??? I don’t care… do something…

the rest of the cast is not needed for this material. it’ll be more of the same , as was with Morgan… “grieving” . OK. I’m glad this heavy material is stuck on these characters that Frank Valentini has so lauded.

Patrick, with all due respect, I think Maurice Benard could find a cure for cancer, and rescue a dozen orphans from a burning building, and you’d find something to criticize him for. And I say that jokingly, because we all know you don’t like him. That’s fine, that’s your opinion.

But you’re missing the boat on this one. Maurice is getting universal praise for his acting in this storyline. Even from people that would rather walk over broken glass bare foot than ever give him credit for anything. And he’s doing it as a supporting player to Max Gail’s Tour de force acting master class performance. Not one word of praise or positivity?

I read that article, too, Patrick and completely agree. I need a temporary break from Sonny; would prefer a permanent one from Carly. Each time she prances around with AVA’s daughter (not HERS!) drives me crazy! Want to rip that smug smile right off her face! Can you IMAGINE if anyone tried to raise her kids? Sonny and Carly are two-for-two now. Stripped AJ of Michael and trying to do the same with Ava.

But, really, if I had to choose between the two I’d rather Carly take a vacation, preferably a hike. As in take a hike! (okay, couldn’t resist that!)

I know, rebecca1, I sympathize. Yesterday, when Sonny told Carly she’s the one with a problem, I didn’t disagree. It may not be the SAME problem, but who cares. Drew gives her a ride home out of kindness, yet she shows ZERO gratitude, just like when he “dethawed” her daughter. So selfish!

What a horrible rambling post! You have absolutely no idea what a diagnosis of Alzheimers does to all the family members involved. Not just to the individual who has been given the diagnosis. Maurice Bernard, Laura Wright and Max Gail are each giving a master class in acting on a daily basis. And Frank Valentini is showing the world what Alzheimers does to the lives of all involved.

Dealt with memory loss and its a good story…unfortunately its still more about Sonny than anything else!!!

and when Mike goes to court too bad they couldnt get Hal Linden to play the judge!!!

This is the kind of story daytime drama needs to tell and can tell so well. This is when the serials shine. And hopefully, this family struggle may have an impact for Sonny’s family, and maybe for this show which has really told some out-of-the-world tales that strain credulity and and patience.

This story has me paying attention to GH again!

Michael, I am sitting here bawling as I type this. I am so sorry. Truly I am. I feel horrible for complaining about not being able to get on the site-all the while you are going through this devastating loss. I am sorry. I clicked on the link to go to your facebook page and read. Thanks for sharing. Much love to you, Michael.

One of the most powerful and well-acted storylines that I have seen on GH. Hope that they find a way to slow down the diseases progression so that Max Gail can be part of the program for a long time!

Michael, I tweete the link to the 60 minutes Alzheimer’s piece to you last night-having no idea what you have and are going through. If that was offensive in any way. please know that was not my intent at all. I was bullied as well, turned to the soaps and stayed home from school often. Only my mom encouraged and enjoyed my being bullied. She didn’t care for sissies and felt it would toughen me up. It didn’t. The times I really needed her in my life, she turned away. I remember going to her house-she had finally married a doctor-her goal in life, I guess. In my twenties and having a lot of problems and turning to her for help. She took me out on the back porch and told me that I was “too gay” and offensive to her new husband and must leave immediately. How I wish I had a hero mom like you did. Would have made such a difference in my life as I know your mom did in yours. I was not a good son, either. I regret I did not try harder. When she was in hospice, I drove all night to see her for the first time in years and she was rather cold and unloving. I left after a very short time.
Saying a little prayer for you, sending love. Thanks, Michael.

Phyllis! Was it naive of me to not realize you were a man? Wow; this site is full of surprises! So sorry for your personal history. I hope things are better for you now and that you’ve found an accepting love. You’re such an engaging personality and obviously one of compassion.

Catch you on the next post! 🙂

I was a fan of Ron Hale and loved Sonny and Brenda (Luke’s Club, Ned and Lois,
L & B Records, and the 90’s era) from way back when. But, I have to give kudos to Max Gail! Max is doing an amazing job with this storyline-it’s deep, and touches your heart and soul. The writers have done a great job with this storyline and I like how
a lot of actor’s are being utilized. The only downfall is that it now involves the mob element and whatever happened in that field over 30 years ago. All I have to say is, don’t know, don’t care.
Other topics: Sick to death of Peter August. Again, don’t know, don’t care. Send the insipid, annoying Lulu off to visit Laura. & I preferred Sam being off-screen in Switzerland.

DITTO, DITTO, and DITTO!!

Michael, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending many prayers your way.

Sorry Michael to hear about your beloved mother , my heart brakes for you. This storyline has been so sad yet powerful and effective in telling what families go through when a love one has Alzheimer’s. Every time I see Maurice as sonny he makes me feel the pain sonny is going through that’s how effective this storyline has been. It’s sometime hard to watch especially how each family members mourns. Dante got me the other day, I just felt so sad for him. My praise to all the actors in this storyline especially max gail, he’s definitely Emmy worthy for next year Emmy.

Our dearest, Michael, I am sorry for your loss. I know your precious mama was proud of her talented son, as you were of her. She was your hero when you needed one. You, no doubt, were hers when she most needed a champion. Thank you for sharing her with us. May memories of happy times and her love sustain and comfort you through your sorrow.

I have to say GH’s take on Alzheimers is so much more different than Dina on Y&R. This story presentation is so much more real. I never realized Max Gail was so good an actor. He really has made an impression and an impact as Mike. He flows so well as he runs in and out of this disease. It never seems fake and his sincerity with each actor he encounters is striking. GH has some mountains to climb as far as stories go BUT this one is well worth it.

They’ve done a great job with the story (much better than Y&R, which has made a mockery of Dina’s Alzheimer’s), but this promo was all kinds of cheesy. It seemed like a 90’s Lifetime movie of the week promo.

Max Gail is knocking it out of the ballpark playing a man struggling to hold onto his memories, his identity, his faculties and his masculinity. Maurice is doing his finest work in a long time playing a man watching his father fade away. It’s really difficult for an actor to intently listen to another actor in a scene. Even though it’s the other actor delivering the lines, you still have to react realistically–harder than one thinks. When MB pulls back and just reacts to his father, he’s powerful.
My main objection is Sonny trying to make this all about him and his life as a mobster. Why bring that into this at all? Sonny is interesting enough just reacting to this tragedy, keep the mobster subplot out of Mike’s Alzheimer’s story–it’s not needed!

Dear Mr Fairman, I am so sorry about your mother’s passing. I didn’t read your blog very carefully and missed that all important sentence. I feel like an insensitive clod for not mentioning your own real loss in my comment above.
I am devastated for you, so sorry. I know you take solace in the fact that her spirit immediately absorbed her life’s experiences, the love she gave and the love she received, and took it with her to the other side.
Today is Shakespeare’s birthday. It is also Vladimir Nabokov’s birthday. Shakespeare closes Sonnet 18 with this couplet,”So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.” Shakespeare is talking about memory, how memory translates one’s mortal presence into one of immortality. As long as you remember your mother and more importantly, speak of her, write of her, she lives on into eternal lines of time. And Nabokov writes,”Memory, memory, what do you want of me?” The memory that comforts is also the memory which torments but memory is essential to the building blocks of our existence and it’s what keeps us alive in our loved one’s minds after we’ve passed.
Again, so sorry for your loss.

Sweet, kind words, Harry. Much appreciated.

Max is pure gold in the role. I hope they keep him around for awhile.

Ok Mr. Fairman very sorry for your loss I am indeed going thru this with a older sister she got early Alzheimer’s which doubles down , GH nobody in their bloody mind would arrest a Alzheimer’s person first of all Sonny has enough money for 24/7 care and yes that is what it takes just like the Abbott’s on Y&R you can not leave them out of your sight one second my sis is in memory care 24/7 she cries every time I see her think God she had the funds to take care of her and I still organize every visit it is hell on earth , They need help with bathing teeth brushing fixing up then the not being able to control their bowels etc steps in all sense of dignity is stripped they are like a baby again my husband walked in last week and my sister was picking up imaginary things off the floor . In other words if you indeed want to tell the story tell it and slap the shit out of Ava and that stupid worthless Jordan no police commissioner would allow this bullshit

k/kay I am sorry about your sister, but honestly appreciate your pointing out the rather grim truths. I had always been under the ignorant impression that Alzheimer’s was just memory loss. Far from it-just as you so clearly related. Devastating to the patient and loved ones. God Bless you.

I’m sorry about your mother, Michael. Prayers for comfort and healing for you and your loved ones.

As ok as this is, it makes me so mad that this good storyline could have and should have been Genie’s storyline with Denise Alexander!

Let it go! Embrace the beauty of the actors performance, the story and its message!

Kudos to GH for this powerful story.

My sincere condolences to you Mr. Fairman. So many families have been affected by this horrible disease, mine included. Mr. Benard and Mr. Gail have been simply outstanding in their performances. They have consistently hit it out of the park and brought a realism to this story that we can all identify with. It’s important to shine a spotlight on stories like this. It’s not easy to watch at times, especially when you’ve seen it happen in your own life. But it needs to be brought out into the light so we can all see and understand how difficult this disease is on families and the toll it takes. What better medium then a soap to do so? And certainly no better actors then Mr. Bernard and Mr. Gail. Their scenes are riveting. Bravo to all those involved bringing this story to our screens.

“… It’s not easy to watch at times, especially when you’ve seen it happen in your own life. But it needs to be brought out into the light so we can all see and understand how difficult this disease is on families and the toll it takes ”

beautiful. I especially like the part

“… it needs to be brought out in to the LIGHT ”

no matter how horrific debilitating and the affect on family. your mind grapples with helplessness. this is one subject matter you can’t quantify .

I don’t know what it is… one’s will and backbone… suck it up and – move –

Mr. Michael Fairman; My Friend . reach out. sing

I’ve wanted to share this for awhile now… I salute you Ms. K/kay

I was raised by my grandparents…. my grandma died when I was 15 … part of me went with her. she was my world

my grandpa … TEARS… along with alzheimers .. was alcoholic and in a wheel chair… I was perhaps about 24. went home for 3 years… and went thru this with him. I took care of him… what I could. do… and take care of my younger brother whom my grandparents also took in. these were my grandparents, my nonna and grandpa… my parents … my life line… who took care of us. oy! the one thing that will always stick with me… is my dear man… always looked out for us.. even in his mind… he was always calling out for us… where’s Patrick… where’s Wayne.

alas, we were able to put him in a home… it didn’t take long for him to pass on. oy. I read a lot that .. any family if they can want to keep him @home… I truly think it was better… because he passed that much faster ? who knows . I love my Nonna and Grandpa

@K/kay I shared a long while back… i’d share a glass of wine with you.
@Michael Fairman… godspeed and eye to eye salute… with ^

I shared how I watched Mike and Liz in the church, on her wedding night, as he’s telling her whats going on.. and sharing with Liz how he’s going to forget her. watched that about 3-4 times. cried

If I were of the age as Max and playing the Alzheimer role I would freak myself out that it may actually come upon me.
Max, his performance, makes it real he is doing a suburb job..

Michael, my deepest condolences and sympathies on the loss of your mom. I witnessed first hand what Alzheimer’s did to my grandmother, and I’m currently witnessing an uncle go through the same exact battle. So I sympathize and totally recognize what you went through with your mother. It robs them of everything that made them who and what they were in life. My thoughts and best wishes to you and your family.

Hopefully some day instead of money being wasted by selfish, arrogant elected officials, science and medical research will once again be properly funded in this country, where a cure or at least some positive break through on this awful, awful disease can be found in our lifetime!

Michael, I am so sorry for you loss. My father died of complications from Alzheimers 6 years ago and the horror of the disease is still with me.

That said, I think Max Gail is doing a great job. His scenes with Chad, Dom & Becky have been truly effective and touching.

It is obvious this was created to win MB an Emmy–LW admitted it on Twitter. And, sorry, he’s not as good as PB on Y&R. Too much of the story is all about Sonny.

The most true scene in my experience was Dina & Tracy on Y&R. It was heartbreaking. And rang SO TRUE to me.

And it’s also obvious this is part of the zillionth breakup of Sonny & Carly.

My thoughts are with you Michael. I went through it with my grand mother and it is a horrible disease. It has such horrific effects on all in the family.

The acting is great… it’s just not fun to watch. Hoping this story line wraps up soon.

Take care Michael!

My deepest condolences to you, Michael Fairman. Must have been particularly difficult to watch this story as you dealt with it in real life with your beloved mom. I know after personal tragedy that I stayed away from medical stories; entertainment is a wonderful escape when in the midst of despair. I, too, read your more detailed post and your wonderful recollection of your mom. Those memories, as you know, will stay with you the rest of your life.

Best…

Gratifying to read the kind words and condolences expressed for Mr. Fairman here. I know I have often taken this site for granted, and complained aloud at times. I really want to express my appreciation to Michael Fairman for all he does-for all of us-day in, day out-even while dealing with his own personal challenges, grief, and loss. I can’t imagine myself being able to carry on so professionally-at all.
To my knowledge, soap journalists don’t receive any industry awards or parties or honors-as they tirelessly cover and support the genre we all love-and love to hate and berate.
With Daytime Emmys just a few days away, I can imagine how busy he is, and appreciate it is no picnic standing in the hot sun waiting to interview our beloved stars.
Thanks Michael, for all you do, everyday-bringing us news and updates and allowing us to communicate with each other in your forum. Very much appreciate all your hard work, your kindess to us-over and over again-and your unfailing support of the genre.
God Bless you. Thank you.

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

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