Connect with us

General Hospital

89

GH's Nancy Lee Grahn Talks On: Alexis' Downward Spiral, Future Of Julexis & Being Written For Front And Center!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

It’s been a rough go for the Julexis army over recent months on ABC’s General Hospital.  But those moments have provided two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) with such meaty material that it has been riveting to watch this soap vet remind us all why she is one of the premiere actresses of the genre.

This week, viewers have already seen a horrific chain of events, which have included: Alexis being unknowingly set-up to botch her testimony while on the witness stand (and that she did!) that would have sent her husband, mobster and murderer, Julian Jerome (William deVry) to prison for life.  Then a short time later comes the news that that the verdict has already been reached.  When it is read, Julian is found ‘not guilty’ on all charges.  It’s another blow to Alexis, whose entire life has been bottoming out.  It appears she has only been able to find solace and comfort with booze, in order to help her cope through the endless terror she feels, the destruction of her marriage, the loss of her ability to practice law, and plenty more deep-rooted psychological issues that have been brought to the surface by all that she has suffered.  But how far will Alexis fall?  Will she find the strength to pick herself back up?  What happens when a woman, so in control of every aspect of her life, finds herself feeling isolated and alone, and realizing that she is unable to control everything around her?

For the answers to those questions and more, we chatted with the one and only, Nancy Lee Grahn to get her perspective on the twists and turns in Alexis’ life, and if there is a future for Julexis … or, if there is no going back … and what she has thought of all the material she has been given to play.  As we, the audience, know, her performances just might land Grahn some Emmy gold come next year.  Always insightful, candid, and with that brilliant sharp wit, here’s what Nancy had to say about what’s going down in Port Charles for Ms. Davis!

When did you first find out that Alexis would begin a battle with the bottle?  How did you feel about her going down that path? 

Courtesy/ABC

NANCY:  We typically don’t find out things too much in advance, which makes it tricky sometimes, but when I was told, it made sense to me.  Alexis has been brought to her knees in every area of her life. Faith and trust are shattered.  I don’t blame her one bit for wanting ANY moment of relief.  And when you can’t find grace in the worst moments, you find something else. It’s not a battle yet as I see it.  It’s the only escape she’s able to muster right now, and she doesn’t owe anyone any apologies for not taking the high road at this juncture.  Then we’ll see what happens.

The entire foundation of Alexis’ life has been torn apart.  She has gone through, in short order: her husband trying to kill her, her stabbing him, and now she can’t even practice law, which is a gigantic part of Alexis’ identity.  Would you say this is one of the more exciting times as an actress in your soap career? 

NANCY:  Any time my role as an actor is motivated, clear about what she wants, how she feels, and given the story to connect all of that, it’s a good acting day.  Yes, Jean Passanante and Shelley Altman (co-head writers, GH) have made me happy to come to work.

Alexis was drugged by Paul (Richard Burgi), and that literally has a major hand in Julian being exonerated due to her messy testimony.  What does she think happened to her? Will she figure it out?

Courtesy/ABC

NANCY:  She has no idea.  She is understandably disoriented, and disconnected from herself. The color of her world has changed dramatically.  At that this point I don’t think anything she says, does, or feels surprises her.  Post traumatic stress will do that to you.

Do you think Alexis is so disturbed, that in fact, she could still be deeply, madly, in love with a man who tried to kill her? 

NANCY:  I don’t think that it is possible for any woman to be in love with a man who didn’t just have a bad moment and try to kill her, but it was in essence, a torture kill.  He was going to slit her throat with the same knife that Helena used to slit her mother’s throat.  It is however, possible to feel you somehow deserved that and can’t differentiate between love and abuse.  I don’t think that is Alexis’ issue.  She has many for sure, but that isn’t one of them.  

Speaking of the dagger, what did you think about the scene where Alexis used it to stab Julian?  Were you surprised at that turn of events when you read the script? 

Courtesy/ABC

NANCYI loved it.  It was Shakespearean in structure, well thought out, and a very brave writing choice.  And bravo for letting the chick save Sonny (Maurice Benard) for a change. (Laughs)

Alexis looks so miserable right now, even recently watching her daughter Sam (Kelly Monaco) finally be happy, and wed to Jason (Billy Miller).   And of course, she was getting schnockered at their wedding!  Is Alexis truly happy for Sam? 

NANCY:  Of course!  She’s beaten, not bitter.

Do you think Alexis and Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) can forge a better mother/daughter relationship, after Alexis interfered in Kristina’s burgeoning relationship with Parker (Ashley Jones)?  Would Alexis truly be OK with whatever sex Kristina wanted to be with? 

NANCY:  I don’t think Alexis gives a rat’s tush about Kristina’s sexual preference.  She wants her daughters to avoid pain, that is all.

Courtesy/ABC

We are all talking about the incredible Emmy-worthy scenes both you and William deVry have had thus far this year.  Will you submit yourself, come Emmy time, for Lead Actress?  YOU SHOULD! 

NANCY:  Ha, ha, thanks Michael.  As much as I believe we are all supporting actors, it is after all, a team sport.  If there must be these categories, I am, and always have been a lead actress. Unfortunately I’ve been at the hands of writers that didn’t agree.  I literally had nothing to submit for years.  Not one day in an entire year for years.  It reflected the poor use of my time on screen, but I’m happy to report that Jean and Shelley have rectified that.  I not only have a tape I wouldn’t be embarrassed to submit, I’ve got a few. It’s so nice to have these two women now in the house.  Frank Valentini, (executive producer, GH) is not too shabby, either.  It’s good to love your boss.

With Julian being found not guilty at his trial, and now being a free man, how do you think Alexis will cope with this?  Will she be scared for her life … or, be drawn back in by him? 

Photo Credit: Steven Bergman

NANCY:  Scared and seriously pissed.

Alexis has recently been haunted by Julian.  She is seemingly coming unglued.  How far would you say the writers are going to take her … to the lowest of lows? 

NANCY:  I hope so!  More to climb out of.   The deeper the abyss, the more of a challenge that it is to get her on the right track.

Two female head writers, Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman, have been steering the ship for some time now at GH.  It seems under their watch, Alexis has become front and center again.   Do you feel that female writers know best how to write for female characters? 

NANCY:  Not at all.  Patrick Mulcahey wrote for me brilliantly.  Chuck Pratt was terrific for me on Santa Barbara.  It’s about the investment the writers have in the character, as well as the actress.  Jean and Shelley have demonstrated enormous respect for both. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate them.

Julexis has been one of the most popular pairings on the soaps.  Would you say there is somehow hope for them to reconcile and be together … even if Alexis signs divorce papers? 

Courtesy/ABC

NANCY:  There’s always hope, right?

Alexis and Sonny have a wonderful on-screen relationship.  He has been trying to protect her through her entire turmoil with Julian.  What has it been like working with Maurice Benard (Sonny) at this point in the Alexis/Sonny relationship? 

NANCY:  Maurice and I have always acted seamlessly together.  We get each other.

And lastly, have you had a favorite scene within in all of this Alexis drama that you left the studio after a tape day, and went, “Damn, that was good!”

NANCY:   Ha, ha.  I never do that.  I’m always tweaking my performance in my head on the drive home.

What did you think will happen to Julexis?  Will Alexis continue her downward descent?  Who will help her through her ordeal?  Have you loved the performances of Nancy Lee Grahn throughout this story? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Leave a comment | 89 Comments

89 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

1st ) It is not the writing
It is the ”performance”
and-
2nd ) Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) is bringing it home!
BRAVO !!

—– Alexis & Julian are the Beauty and the Beast …

LOL, su…..except that the BEAST never killed anybody.

If the beast means Julian, how can you say he didn’t kill anyone?

i wonder if stupid Paul will continue to wear that cologne and Monica will smell it and realize it was him who tried to kill her…

Violet…CcCee meant the beast in Beauty and the Beast…meaning Julian did…but the actual beast he was compared to didn’t.

If she goes back to Julian, in any way shape or form it will ruin the character completely. Not that it hasnt been an ongoing thing for years!! And what is Sam so mad at Julian for? Being a murdering mobster?? Heck she should love him even more! This is a woman who has spent her entire tenure on the show glorifying and romanticizing murderers! I guess somehow she differentiates….the “good” murderers are Sonny and Jason….while her father is a “bad” murderer. When writing has no sense or throughline, it makes story very easy to poke holes in. And a show with no moral centre and no one to root for is a show that is nearly impossible to emotionally invest in!

Three cheers to you, Dylan. You have certainly ‘refreshed’ my memory how rampant hypocrisy runs in PC.
Sam is a nondescript character who lacks presence, personality or charm, in my opinion. One-sided phenomenon!!!! Ha!!
You have so succinctly, without a litany of words, expressed the ‘imbalanced’ mentality that exists with these players; thanks to the writers. Such disparity among these characters has become the norm where, at times, I forget that which made me dislike certain characters in the first place….but then, I do catch my breath, as it were.
Suddenly, by a miracle, Sonny has become the omnipotent judge and jury. The disseminator of godly wisdom and promulgator of justice. How is he morally better than Julian?
I remember feeling the same disgust when Sonny was pardoned by that marionette governor.
As far as Alexis; I have grown a new respect for her. Yes, as a woman who has lived amongst baddies; touched danger with her own hands; a professional with extreme skill and intelligence, one would think that she had acquired a certain amount of wisdom when it comes to men, and life, in general.
Nonetheless, I get the human side of someone whose psyche is, basically, wired to follow a destructive path. I do believe she has finally gotten a grip…..What we see is the struggle she needs to experience before she is on the verge of falling. This will determine both her physical, mental and emotional strength. I, vehemently, hope this is where the writing is going……
However, I absolutely agree with you. If Alexis goes back to Julian, the PTB will have completely sunk this character to the lowest level of womanhood. And, that “ain’t” fair to women in general. What, pray tell, would the message be??

The only time that I enjoy the character of Sam is when she is in scenes with her mother and/or sisters and loses the monotone! Also, when she loses the boring baby and morning sickness talk.

Yes, yes and yes, Dylan and Celia.
Why is that swarmy, smirking bastard allowed to roam around a free man?
While I had no use for Sabrina, at least she was a fairly good person and she had a baby to raise. Yet, she’s killed off and metrosexual monsters like Julian are allowed to not only live, but live freely.
Alexis needs to toughen up, cream puff! Yes, I know she’s been through hell and back but she needs to demonstrate how strong, how resilient she really is and rise from the ashes of her life. If she takes back that hairless chest wonder back I will fast forward through all of her scenes which would be a shame considering NLG is a fabulous actress. Let her hitch herself up from the bootstraps and show she is strong and independent and does not need a man (especially this man) to complete her.
GH has gotten so damn bad lately and it only keeps getting worse.

i still think someone will try or maybe kill Julian…Morgan, Sonny, Sam, Alexis, Paul…

Harry…Alexis just “hitching herself up from her bootstraps” after losing her marriage, her career, her trust, her sense of self…and then that pesky little other thing like almost having her throat slit by the father of her child…the man she adored…would be more unrealistic than Duke in Faison’s face…errrr…so to speak. This is more realistic…she’s in a sort of post traumatic stress…and should be! Let the character go through her emotions and reactions and let Nancy have a story which allows her to use her impressive talent.

Sam is mad at Julian for lying about been out of mob and for trying to kill Alexis.If Julian had said he was staying in the mob Sam would be upset i’m sure but at least she’d know Julian was hiding anything for her or Alexis.However Julian lying about been out of the mob broke the trust that Sam and Alexis had in him.

Thanks for this interview Michael. I’m happy Nancy has gotten emotional material to play. But I wish GH hadn’t destroyed Julian & Alexis to get here. There were so many other ways this story could have been written. There was no need for the writers to undo how amazing Julexis were or for the writers to turn Julian into a psycho overnight for no reason. I wish the writers had planed some twist to explain Julian’s 180, but I’ve lost hope of that. And that makes me sad. It’s hard to enjoy Nancy and Wil’s amazing performances when I’m (1) too distracted by how bizarre, out-of-character and heavy-handed the story was in ruining Julian and (2) too upset what GH lost when the writers purposefully set out to destroy everything that made Julian and Alexis so good. I don’t understand why the writers did this. GH isn’t the same for me anymore.

These are my feelings completely! I watch GH from time to time now when Nancy gets good material or Julexis is on, but im not excited anymore. I started watching GH again for Julexis. I miss them

I truly respect your opinion, Sam. But, I must admit I am very happy ‘Julexis’ is defunct. At the very least, I hope so.
I, personally, think that Julian was the straw that broke the camel’s back…..pardon the cliche’. He is not good for her!!!! I understand the ardent thrill and pleasure of a healthy sex life. But, aside their over-the-top romps between the proverbial sheets, kitchen counter, sofa, floor etc., mindless of the fact that anyone could walk in; and a few did, LOL…. well, you get my drift, this couple had nothing else, except Sam, in common.
Alexis got caught up in Julian’s world. He gave her ‘things’ which she thought she had lost. He was her introduction to womanhood, if not love, as we know it. Believe me…..I completely understand. But, she is no longer sixteen.
I want Alexis to get her mettle back, and go on. The writers owe her that much.
William is too good of an actor to go anywhere. Julian is too well-anchored in this role and in PC. I, amongst many, knew the verdict would be ‘not guilty’. That is not to say he was found ‘innocent’ …..in legalese lingo, there is a big difference between the terms.
No, I implore the soap gods to keep these two at arms length from each other….better yet, an ‘ocean’ away…….
….do not fall prey, Alexis….do not catapult into the abyss!!!!!!

Julian did not turn into a psycho overnight. When he first came to P.C , he used an alias and posed as a newspaper editor before he was found out as being a part of the notorious Jerome crime family. His whole life has been in crime along with his whole family including Ava and another sister he admitted to killing. What a guy, what a guy!

Exactly, Violet. Well put. Word of the day? ” Posed”. That is Julian…an imposter!!!!!
From what I understand, he came to town with the expressed reason of annihilating Sonny, and family? Julian and his ilk will never change. It is his basic make-up.
One “cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”…. I heard that growing up, at every turn, LOL.
What “a guy”, indeed!

I agree Violet! I don’t get why so many loved Julexis, the relationship did nothing for the show.

To Alexis? Yeah it was a wtf

Sorry but it was.

I do not understand why Julexis relationship had to be destroyed. Julian changing does not make any sense. If William DeVry ever leaves, that’s it for me watching GH.

I like William too. He brought a dangerous yet human bad guy back to GH. First, we meet this good looking mobster posing as a publishing magnate, then we see he actually has a heart when he donates his bone marrow to Danny BEFORE he knew Danny was his grandson, he truly fell in love with Alexis, he soon came to accept his son as gay…something that initially went against everything he could/would accept…and though he failed a few times he got out of mob life because of his love for Alexis and his children. He even extended an olive branch to Sonny many times for the sake of their shared family. And then, once he went to bat for Ava and felt that power again, he fell back…but not with intent to hurt his family…more like an addict who can’t control his impulse but thought he could handle it. Till he snapped.

I think Devry is perfectly cast for the role…he’s played tough, loving, stoic, amused, crazed…while some dislike his freedom…I hope they didn’t just keep him around to kill him off.

I hope Julian and Alexis kill each other-thats how this soap shows true love-lol

Romeo and Julianette!

Hmmmm. That does have its own merit, Jimmy. LOL.

Jim, I like the way you think.

Second the emotion, Harry! 🙂

Nancy Lee Grahn is a great actress, one of soap’s VERY best. I hope the writers gift Grahn with an Alexis story line worthy of her experience and talent. Booze, drugs and psychosis: let Alexis bottom out BAD. The other soaps have tried, but never quite go there. But those characters did not have NancyLeeGrahn !

Julexis can never be repaired IMO nor should they. He’s been an abusive ass who’s threatened her physically & emotionally To add insult to injury he visciously tried to slit her throat.
It’s ridiculous that he was found not guilty. Why doesn’t GH ever hold these murderous thugs accountable? The cast is too large to manage, Julian had a longterm beloved vet murdered, he tried to kill his wife– kill Julian or give him life w/o parole.The character needs to be gone.
Alexis will be an idiot if she ever reconciles with him. GH has to quit hiring & cut cast so that the pacing improves & scenes/story can resonate.

I agree: “Kill Julian or give him life w/out parole!
Begone!
And, yeah, “Alexis will be an idiot if she ever reconciles with him.” And then she (er, Nancy Lee Grahn–see those words on a marquee?) can still be a legend in her own mind, right? LOL!

Tell me what’s going on with Alexis now? It’s both sad and crazy to see her like this.

Well, I still think Helena put a curse on that dagger so it would be nice if someone figured that out.

What a novel idea, Ces! Why not blame it on Helena? LOL…could be she scattered witch’s ‘dust’ on the whole town. Maybe she’ll make an appearance relishing in her handiwork ….cackle, cackle, cackle. Just in time for Halloween!!!! Boo!!

Haha! Well if Julexis fans everywhere want their couple back together, they’ll have to blame it on someone! Seems to be working for Franco these days; Remove one tumor & poof “not your fault!” Hehe…..

Haha Ces! I actually suggested that several times! (I kept saying we’ll find out Julian wasn’t in his right mind and that Helena tampered with the knife…put some kind of curse on it. She HATED Alexis, always threatened to kill her like she killed her mother…than she leaves the SAME dagger for Alexis in her will.) I wouldn’t be surprised…it’s not absurd in a the land of Port Chuck, bobble heads and all. 😉

I do remember your previous posts too Rebecca1. It really is the only way they can pull themselves out of what they did to the couple. Why else would they bother introducing the dagger in the first place? Not sure if GH writers plan that far ahead (?) or make it up as they go along (Paul’s storyline mess)!!
Haley …. Let’s hope GH writers go this route! Lol!!

Wow! Rebecca. Great inference. The irony!!!! The same dagger that killed Alexis’s mother used to kill her. And, to add insult to injury, by Julian’s hand.

Sigh–I guess the hexed knife would be akin to Franco’s convenient brain tumor.
I have a crazy idea. Why not write character driven stories which afford us with complex and interesting characters? Why not use good old fashioned character development?
GH has been pulling out cute little plot fixers out of their magic black bag from about eight years now. Guess what, folks? IT’S NOT WORKING!!!
I swear, watching GH makes me think the writers are using a write-by-number kit.

Great post Rebecca. I agree.

YES I WOULD LOVE THAT!!! Can the gh writers plz do this???

Hope so!!

Oh, Haley. Conjuring up an ill-devised way of absolving Julian’s behavior toward Alexis is one thing. The problem is: his core will remain the same. A killer! He was a killer before Alexis, and he will remain so…..it’s his role. Unless another foil is introduced for Sonny, Julian has no chance of redemption.

You deserve the Emmy this year! Your work was simply superb!

Julian and Alexis are the epitome of the parable of The Girl And The Snake. For those who many not know it, the gist is the girl goes against her better judgement and picks up a beautiful but poisonous snake who claims he’s freezing an starving but swears he’d never hurt her.

The moral of the story is that he does bite her and slithers away saying “you knew what I was when you picked me up.”

That’s totally Julian and Alexis to me and, oddly, it makes for some of the best soap we’ve seen from GH in a while.

The character of Julian has been pretty a scumbag to me from day one. He’s slithered around in the mob biz he never really wanted to leave while his family remained trusting and naïve until it blew up in their faces. I’ll add I can’t see Alexis putting up with abuse but she did have a huge blind spot regarding the snake.

This is great material for NLG and she really deserves an Emmy nom for best actress. It’s taut psychological drama that she’s played very well.

I don’t see any quick redemption for Julian or any reunion in the near future for Julexis though. Nor should their be.

I’m personally focused on story and character studies rather than couples at all cost so I’m just fine with the story and would happily start a line to bitch slap Julian to the moon. Alexis would be welcome to cut to the front of the line, of course.

Excellent post KM! I’ve expressed very similar thoughts regarding character analysis/ psychological motivation. You may not agree but I ‘ve been very invested in Morgan and the reasons for his behavior, from chemical imbalance to his feeling inferior to Michael in Sonny’s eyes…Nina and her slow but steady return to “life” Anna through her grief…I think GH has done well in that regard…giving us people with real problems and no easy “soap fix.” Not in ALL cases, obviously…I actually like some unrealistic fixes…wouldn’t mind a “soapy” GH bring-em-back from the dead…again!…for AJ.

As for Julian and Alexis, I do feel he loved her and loves her still and because of that love, as well as the love for his newfound family, he TRIED to stay away from the mob but ultimately fell back. I don’t believe he used her along…I think he got desperate and unraveled. By the time he held a knife to her throat he was completely unhinged. How’s THAT for an understatement? But still, I really think, no matter how entrenched he might have gotten himself, that the writers took Julian (I’m not sure about the version he was years ago; never saw the “original” Jerome’s) but I don’t see any way that the Julian we came to know would kill Alexis (unless there’s a fantastical reason like I said numerous times…and Ces said above…but Ces? I’m not sure if you were kidding or thought it a possibility in the GH world).

Loved your parable. Quite applicable. But even so, I do believe this snake loved Alexis and didn’t intend to unleash his venom on her… Though he did poison their relationship, I don’t think he going slither away that easily.

Sorry…there were just too many good snake metaphors to play with! 🙂

I really want a reason, an explanation so julexis can be fixed

Great analogies, KM and Rebecca. I frankly think you’re both too good and smart for GH and you’re giving the writers far too much credit.
The writing has been just horrifically bad. To call these writers “hacks” would be an insult to hack writers everywhere.
NLG is so good that she almost makes it work but it’s still depressing and unsatisfying for most of us to watch this story just dissolve into a pathetic mess.

KM’s post summed it all up nicely. Superb acting by Nancy Lee. Julian’s true colors are sad ones and it’s time for him to finally get that there’s no turning back in his relationship with Alexis. Eventually karma will catch up with him via a future storyline. Too early to guess what that will be.

I agree with Rebecca1… great write-up

Alexis : her mantra … if you will … is her morals with virtue intact… never strays from her legalese bible

she’s wound up so tight her Frigidaire leaves little to her persona.

unyielding : Come ON Alexis… live a little…

OK : we all know Alexis will jump in the sack that fast with his snake

outside of that … her high standards … of trust, mob activity, all the lies, dishonesty

HAVE FUN… accept ( like Carly ) dull comparison… as they are so boring… make Alexis and Julian FUN… let’s see you two in that wonderful new house he bought you… cook , wine, music, take that year off from legal council and unwind
become a mob wife… love and support him… with all your heart, it’s a show

I’ve accepted that Julian and Alexis are forever …

it’s a funny show : GH production choose to feature 3 couples

Sonny / Carly ; Julian / Alexis ; Jason / Sam

LOL… I clearly know… Jason and Sam are DOA

Sonny and Carly … argh! wasting ….

because of Julian… and wanting with fervor .. that Alexis will relax, unwind, and turn herself….

of the three couples ; it’s Julian who w/ Alexis are salvageable

Yes, absolutely, KM. I have always been invested in the character, so much more than the couple; any character, any couple. A couple is normally judged as a whole….a sole entity, as in Alexis and Julian. It’s unfortunate, but true.
I always described Sonny as a slithering snake……at this point, there is, essentially, no difference between him snd Julian; as you so well emphasize Julian’s serpentine nature.
I am very late in giving praise to Alexis. But, I saw the light–without Julian, I saw her take flight. Her wings are temporarily slightly clipped; but, I know she will soar again and rejoin the flock.
And, Nancy blew me away. What I look for is emotion! Her performance moved me. She does deserve THE Emmy. BRAVA!!

“Bitch slap Julian to the moon.” Wow, I like that line.
YOU should be writing for soaps! LOL!

I STILLLL love Alexis and Julian!!!

I have always loved Nancy as far back as Santa Barbara. She was a wonderful attorney there too. I’ve heard of losing your mind over a man and hope this isn’t the case literally for Alexis.

Nancy has been brilliant

But i hate what they did to Alexis and Julian. IMO they took the very best couple they had and did the worst possible thing to them. It has turned me off to GH majorly.

Again, Nancy and her preformances are amazing but i think they screwed up majorly with this storyline

“Screwed up majorly”–another great line!

I would love to see NLG REALLY hit bottom, blackouts, sleeping around and waking up with strangers. Then, in a flash of insight and clarity, she can become determined to claw her way back, methodically research, plan and execute a way to ensnare Julian in an amazing plot to put him away forever. Just dreaming…

I think I am having the same dream, Tivette.

Just dreaming, you say? And, unfortunately, with these writers, I am forced to agree.
BUT that would have happened in the golden days of soaps where murderers paid for their sins. And it made for great drama and great audiences!

Nancy, to say watching GH is a joyless experience would be the understatement of the year.
Interesting that the number one soap (Y&R) hired tried and true writers to make their soap even better while GH sustains the same dreary status quo.

Nancy you do great jobe.

I can’t help but wonder if Alexis is suffering from PTSD. Her world is completely in shambles and she can’t catch a break.

I hope that Alexis and Julian never get back together. The writers have destroyed any rooting value in them when Julian put a knife to her throat. Frankly, I hope someone does away with Julian soon. As much as I admire William deVry, the writers have murdered his GH character and there’s no brain tumor or twin that I will embrace as the cause.

You said it, Rodd!!

If a writer does not have the cojones to kill off Julian after writing this horrific story, then don’t write the story! I am so tired of writers writing disgusting characters and then backtracking if they want to keep the actor and fans have to twist themselves into pretzels to understand their logic. Julian should have died right after Carlos, followed by Sonny and Franco!

Hi Missy Snow. Different points of view. I don’t see the interest in a show where we put away…kill off…some of the most interesting characters. There’d be no moral dilemma, good vs bad, law-abiding vs criminal, light vs dark, etc…if we “got justice” and these people paid. Dr. O, Faison, Helena, Jerry would be gone. I LOVE these characters.; that’s where all the adventure came from.ex the WSB, etc.

Sonny and Julian are certainly less bizarre characters, but for me, their presence on the show is part of the reason I watch. My dilemma? I WANT Paul to pay for killing Sabrina, I WANT Sonny to pay for killing AJ…but I don’t want them gone. Unless GH can make a prison drama inside the world of GH…where we still get stories of Johnny Z, Shawn, and Sonny, Julian Dr. o, etc…I like the loopholes. Frustrating, yes. I was angry when Sonny was pardoned…but I’d rather him pay by losing Michael’s love and respect, Julian free but tortured by his actions, by the loss of Alexis and his kids. Then create other interesting stories from their angst…

Thank you, Missy. My sentiment exactly.

Hmph! 🙂

Me, too, Harry!

Julexis is a bust for me , but I do like Alexis, she can do so much better than Julian . Only good bout this storyline is nancy being front and center. GH has an embarrassment of leading ladies it’s wonderful seeing them on screen. What show has top actresses like Jane, finola, Maura, genie , Michele, and nancy.

Much better than Julian? Yes, but who?

IF Alexis is truly minus Julian forever…It’d be great if Ned was back full time…he and Alexis were great together. I know at this point Wally isn’t available, but they played so well off each other.

I’m sooo thrilled that NLG is enjoying the hateful, mindless drivel aka writing that she is being given because that’s all that REALLY matters, isn’t it?! The audience? Just an afterthought to Frankenjelly and their sycophants. The actors are only happy if their fragile egos are being stroked. They don’t really care about the fans or what’s ultimately good for the show. They only care about themselves. It’s a disease called Gearyitis and it seems certain GH cast members have been infected.

You said a mouthful–and you said it JUST RIGHT! Cheers!

Well, it seems that if Nancy is written well, she likes her job and vice versa. Okay, glad she is happy now so we can all reap the benefits! And staying on that topic, I guess her liking JELLY and I would assume other actors on the show do, as well, this is why they just signed a new contract? So, keep the talent happy, screw the fans?

Yes, again!

” cringe ” – worthy time: Sonny Corinthos’ could it be any one else ?

after Alexis debacle… LOL on the stand

as she’s become unglued

Sonny to Paul : “put me on the stand to clean up this mess ”

” OH, really ! ? ! ? ”

geez ! I can see why Anna needed a vacation … OK , really

ugh! Sonny is running and/or ruining Port Charles

Alexis needs a sabbatical, bye felicia.

I’m really upset over this whole story.

I think Nancy and William are amazing together no one compares IMO. This story felt SO heavy handed against Julian and julexis so it just made me root for them more

I want redemption and reunion!!

Julexis is one of my favorite all time pairings. Both are so strong and intelligent and both bring a past. They are entirely relatable, even now. With Ava involved in ensuring the meltdown of Morgan and Alexis I can easily see the characters working their way back to each other. Luke raped Laura, after all. I cannot see either of them with anyone else. There is strong chemistry and the love that was written for them was strong. I see Alexis as pissed but not over Julian. J did not want to lose A in the first place and sees the many mistakes. I would also like to see J turn his back on Ava as she really got him defocused. Her issues become his. That is a problem.

Hi, Janer,
Intelligence is not what motivates Julian. He is a fox; therefore, I would describe him as wily, sly, cunning, dishonest….not necessarily an intelligent person. Intelligence is cognitive; completely lacking in Julian. This is the reason where he cannot perceive the meaning of love.
I understand how many ‘Julexis’ fans are disappointed, but, do you really want Alexis with a sewer rat?
And, so many have said Julian is ‘irreparable’. Can’t fix him!!!!! If he had any human feelings, at all, he would stop his life of crime. But, he does not seem contrite to me. The WORD of what should be done to him and his ilk has not been invented yet. LOL.

That should read, cognitive knowledge and concepts.

I don’t know CeeCee…the way the writers switch gears on a character’s character it’s hard to say. But, I do see Julian as intelligent and capable of love, no matter how many characters in Port Charles are written to say he’s not. Once again we have practically an entire town who’s criminal in some way. Sonny, Jason, now Nicolas (sigh), Luke, Duke, Dr. O, Franco, Heather, Johnny Zacchara, (sp?), Helena, Faison, Jerry Jax, Carlos, Hornsby, Ava…they’re all murderers, or would-be ie Nic.

And yet, they each have the capacity to love and each one is intelligent. And we have the types: methodical killer…Sonny, Ava, Johnny, Jason vs the psycho killers Helena, Faison…

Julian? Julian grew up in a criminal world, seemed to have truly responded to loving and being loved when he fell in love with Alexis and his kids. Perfect new life. He succumbed to his old ways and then when caught..,freaked out about losing this new life. I think his whole psychological trip where he was grappling with Carlos in his mind..was because he was fighting his impulse to do harm…and then he snapped. Excusable? No. But I think they’ve shown his remorse (just as we now seem to be seeing Paul’s). I don’t make excuses for murderers in real life..Unless it’s self defense or defending others. In my soap? Depends…as I’ve said over and over Sonny killing AJ will go down in my soap viewing history as the worst…and unforgivable. And I STILL want him to pay. But we also see, he’s capable of love. And, he’s smart. So too is Julian, though we’ll never know if he really would have killed Alexis…

I’m still hoping for my cursed dagger theory.

My takeaway from this interview is that there’s a big difference between acting out Jean and Shelly’s material and having to watch it…

Yet another great, succinct statement/observation! Go, team! 🙂

I have NEVER seen an actor bad mouth a writer until Tony Geary did it BUT he was retiring when he said it. These actors fear the writers will write them off! In other words, they kiss their asses!

Does ABC and Frank and Jelly know not everyone likes the same character’s. I would like to see my favorite character more.

Hate that Julian was set free. I makes no sense !! They had an eye witness in Sonny Cornithos. Hate that Teresa Castillo was let go. She was such a ray of sunshine.and a fabulous actress !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They should have let Nell go. Can’t take Carly Jr, part II story line !!!

I love Nancy. In good times and bad, she always makes “GH” worth watching.

ditto

Nancy Lee is a fantastic actress. She works well with any actor she is with on screen. However, I hope she never goes back with Julian even though I loved them together. It will really be too far-fetched. He would have to have two tumors – not one ! ha ha

I could watch Nancy Lee Grahn all day. She is a phenomenal actress and brings her “A”-Game to each and every scene.

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.

Continue Reading

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.

Continue Reading

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.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular