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GH’s Laura Wright and Max Gail Along with Maria Shriver Talk The Importance Of The Alzheimer’s Storyline

Courtesy/KTLA

Courtesy/KTLA

On Monday’s edition of the KTLA Morning News, General Hospital’s Laura Wright (Carly) and Max Gail (Mike) joined Maria Shriver as they chatted about Alzheimer’s disease and the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement.

As General Hospital viewers know, currently Max Gail is delivering a brilliant performance as Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) dad, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for which there is no cure.In story, as in life, it is also the caregivers who suffer watching the deterioration of the person they love afflicted with this horrific disease.

Maria Shriver, who has been an activist for Alzheimer’s, notes how women are most affected by Alzheimer’s.  During the interview with KTLA, Shriver gives important things to look for, and how to potentially slow the on-set of progression of the disease, while giving kudos to GH for telling this important storyline of our time.

Watch the interview with Laura, Ma, and Maria after the jump.  Let us know, if you have lost a loved one, or are dealing with someone in your family who has this disease.  What have you thought about the way GH is unraveling Mike’s storyline? Comment below!

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Mail Gail is doing an incredible job with this storyline-it certainly tears at your heartstrings. I was not familiar with him or his previous work. I watched the clip last night, and Laura Wright could really use some tips on public speaking. Perhaps she was nervous. She reminds me of a teenager when she speaks..

This was a great interview for the cause and for GH!

Lost my mom in December to vascular disease, which included dementia, in December. These story lines hit close to home (Y & R too). The difference is, the fictional families can afford the care thats required for their loved ones. There must be some sort of lobbying for medicare funding for care for alzheimers and dementia patients. Thanks to Max Gail and Marla Adams (and the actors portraying their children) for their incredible performances. The way Dena has spoken to Ashley had me in tears.

I’m really happy that GH is addressing a problem that affects so many of us in so many ways. The writers are doing a great job showing both the patient’s and caretaker’s point of view. It’s a devastating disease.

Bravo, Max Gail, Maurice Benard and Laura Wright. A brilliant tour de force. Entertainment as vital social and medical information, told with deep and compelling humanity. And great for this longtime “Barney Miller” fan to see Max Gail. Wojo was one of the great sitcom creations.

This could had been a Laura and Leslie storyline…enough said!!!!

Or a highly-emotional storyline with any number of legacy characters of whom we’ve become attached through the decades, Jimh! Lesley would have been an excellent choice, but so would have Monica or even one of the popular cast members from the ‘80’s since this affliction is hitting a younger demographic these days. No matter how moving Max Gail’s talented portrayal of Mike, the mere fact that he is a recast character from a family that engenders very little goodwill or sympathy from most of the viewers makes this scenario ring a bit hollow for me. At the end of the day, I simply don’t care, at least not in the way I would have if the patient had been someone I had grown up with during GH’s glory years!

I agree it should have been a Laura and Leslie story, I am not a fan of the Sonny show and since Mike has been off the canvas for so long it doesn’t make sense to me why they would bring his character back? But I get it The Nathan & Ron company want to make the Sonny show you more of a focal point on GH! But for me personally it would have had a bigger impact if it had been a character that’s been on the canvas all along.

I absolutely couldn’t love (and hate…just because it’s so sad) this story more, jimh, than I do. I would feel this depth of emotion if I met a family I didn’t even know and witnessed the devastation and heartbreak.

As for Sonny’s dad? Unfortunately actors do get replaced. As much as I loved Ron Hale, enough time has passed for me to totally embrace Max in this role. He eased into it so seamlessly it was as if he was part of the family all along. This story could be a standalone vignette; either way, it is just so completely moving and well acted that I have no regret that they didn’t use other characters/family to tell this emotionally-packed tale.

I certainly wouldn’t want the disease to afflict characters that are currently on the canvas, like, Monica, that was mentioned. We finally have her back and I love that she’s still vibrant and a strong presence in the Q family! I tune in to GH to see characters I love that are “always” there. I have no desire to kill them off or watch them deteriorate with something not curable. It’s difficult enough, now that I’m “attached” to “Mike” to think of what’s coming…

What a brilliant idea, Jimh! A missed opportunity…

Alz, is on two soaps and both are doing a phanomal job.
So, what’s next–
Guns ?
AK15- AK17 (Payday 2) weapons..
I can imagine Anna attempting to handle an AK ..
Anyways, soaps do keep up with the present situations of what’s news hot ..
Yet, no one smokes weed, medical or otherwise or have a military weapon, not even Jason a hitman/killer..

Well, perhaps they are next up.

And– Max is a treasure, he deserves an award, His portrayal of an Alz person/the writing is excellent.(and depressing)

@su0000….Please tell me you haven’t already forgotten the preposterous scenario when Sonny ordered a scared-stiff Spinelli to deliver a bag of ganja to the chemo-stricken Alexis and her subsequent stoner experience with the screaming munchies! That ridiculous example more than sufficed for me when it comes to the so-called notion of “medical marijuana!” I really don’t know what more can be said about it….you’re either for it or against it, and I don’t suppose I need tell you where my views fall on that specific issue! (Hint….I am inveterately anti-drug!) Having said that, I also don’t care to introduce a debate on Second Amendment rights to Port Charles…as far as I’m concerned, the less politically-charged the storylines, the better! GH should be an escape from the daily grind of the deeply divisive state of this country…not a device to fuel more unnecessary dissention amongst our citizenry! On the other hand, kudos to your previous comments regarding “political correctness!” I wasn’t able to respond to them at the time, but I heartily agreed with your sentiments on the subject! See? Miracles do happen! P.S. I have no doubt that the “Divine Devane” would be able to handle an AK with great aplomb….ditto for Ava or Sam! Port Charles has no shortage of bad-@$$ babes who can take care of themselves!!!!

Interesting, su. As for “medical” marijuana, not sure if you were watching GH back when Alexis was battling lung cancer; so glad they haven’t revisited that. I thought it was great that Sonny cared and I love that Alexis found relief in “weed.” In the midst of sorrow, fear and the unknown, with an uncertain future and devoid of hope, if a plant can get you through the nite (and day) more power to it! So glad that a natural option is being made available vs all the synthetic damaging pharmaceuticals out there with their myriad of side effects.

hit send too soon. As I recall it eased Alexis’ pain and nausea; who could ask for more when suffering?

Funny how Y&R didn’t get an invite or shout out. But then, their Alzheimer’s story is just that – funny. No truth, no realness, no foundation or desire to tell an honest portrayal. Just absurd wacky plot points to further already absurd stories. I’ve never in all my years working with the elderly seen a senior with Alzheimer’s recall minute details of their past better than a person with a healthy brain! Long term memory is stronger and dies out later, but Dina’s is photographic!

I digress.

Very impressive to see Maria Shriver, a woman with so much clout and respectability, alongside regular old soap peeps. It gives the story the seal of approval an important topic like this needs as that extra oomph to tell the audience that this is a story and portrayal people can trust and believe (in a made up world).

it’s just as Laura Wright said: Max Gail – IS – the STAR of the show . Bam ! ’nuff said

he; on his OWN … is leading the pack and leading the Corinthos . ALL without Maurice Benard. there is no father/son connect

why wasn’t he their ? doing this show. because he doesn’t know how to emote any more

the mouthpiece of @GH . has to do all the reaching… AND she’s so overkill.

Love .max Gail

Why didn’t they talk to Y&R? They’re actually doing a story on Women’s Alzheimers.

Love Max Gail. He’s as adorable in this interview (though he barely spoke!) as he is in character.

Maria Shriver had some interesting information/statistics though she emphasized that women are much more likely to get alzheimers yet here GH is doing a story on a man getting it. Although it’s stating the obvious that men, too, are afflicted, I think she should have perhaps incorporated that into her facts and added some info as to whether it hits the different sexes at different ages, different symptoms or why it’s more common in women.

On a GH note, Laura also stated the obvious: they wanted to give Sonny a family story so he can be seen outside of his mob persona. I’m thinking that was purposely done to win more fan approval for him. If other sites are as anti-Sonny as this one they needed to do some damage control. Now if he can undo murdering AJ I’d reconsider…

Love Max too! He has those eyes that show such emotion. I just feel like giving him a big hug when he tears up and gets confused. It makes sense they wanted to give Sonny a family story. It is a breath of fresh air seeing him away from the same old mob story. And, his acting has been better, he doesn’t look bored and stumbling over his lines like he would do sometimes. You can see his eyes tearing up in some scenes with Max and they look like real tears.

I know, Debra. So huggable… makes you wish the TV screen allowed us to “reach out.”

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’ 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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