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Patty McCormack Steps In As Temporary Recast As GH’s Monica!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

There will be a new Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital for a bit.  That is because beloved portrayer, Leslie Charleson injured her leg, and the character of Monica was scheduled to appear in some upcoming episodes of the ABC daytime drama Series.

Thus, none other than Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed, 1956) has been tapped as Charleson’s temporary replacement.

The official GH Twitter account announced the news by stating: “Leslie Charleson beloved dog, Riley Rose, was a little too eager for her morning walk and tripped Leslie – injuring her leg. Unfortunately, she will need to be replaced in shows already written. She sends all her love and will be back as soon as she recovers. We wish her a speedy recovery and all the best.”

Look for McCormack to appear in episodes come mid-May.

So, what do you think of Patty as temporary Monica Q? Comment below.

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This should be very, very interesting……….

Much love to Leslie, hoping for a speedy recovery. When I heard she had injured herself and would be replaced in some episodes, I thought maybe Luke or Tracy would step in for her. I recognized Patty’s name-but was not sure for what- then Google came up with all those lovely pics of the evil pigtailed blonde girl-they are delightful. All eyes will be on Patty, so I wish her the very best-hard for an actor to step into such an established and beloved character’s shoes, I am sure she will do a fine job and appreciate her stepping in while Leslie heals.

And I meant step into her role.

Patty also appeared in a short lived daytime soap back in the 60s but i forget the title at the moment!!!…i wonder if they will find a stolen medal on her-lol

Patty McCormack is a wonderful actress with an Academy Award nomination to her credit. More recently, she delivered a memorable turn as Patricia Nixon in the modern classic FROST/NIXON. I look forward to seeing her temporarily replacing the divine Leslie Charleson and wish Leslie a speedy recovery. Love her scenes with Drew; she and Billy Miller have a great rapport and I love that Monica is the only person besides Curtis who didn’t turn on Drew when the JaDrew drama was revealed.

OMG! “Rhoda, what have you done!!!?”

Little Rhoda from the “Bad Seed.”

Over-the-top sweet little angel who, in reality is a serial killer.

Speaking of the “Bad Seed,” someone at Y&R needs to “rip off” that movie and write a plot where the “oh so mature but still darling” Faith Newman kills off some of the unsuspecting folks. (I’d let her take out Cane, followed by Tessa, maybe Phyllis could wind up in a coma).

The movie is being remade. The girl who has played Faith, not Alyvia, is playing Rhoda. I think she will do a good job.

Vicious Barbara from Atlanta! Delicious! Remember Bloody Babs- portrayed by Susan Hayward in “I want to Live”? Darling Rhoda/Faith? I am up for it, though I have enjoyed Troubled Tessa’s Tunes. I want Kelly to return with her mom and brother and his evil spawn-that kid was flawless as the bad seed. Love to see that twisted family return to plot evil deeds in Genoa City.

Phyllis, a girl after my own heart. “I Want to Live!” is a movie I saw on the telly when I was a very young tot being cared for by a very mean babysitter. This babysitter also forced me to watch,”Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” Somehow, the two aforementioned factors kind of merged in my mind.
Now, Soaphound, yes, Kyle is Vile. Let’s call him Vile from now on. However, that actor is growing on me. He’s quite funny and kind of charming. The other day when Dina once again mistook Ashely as the maid and started complaining about her, Kyle smiled and said,”You know, you just can’t find good help now days.” I think Vile could turn out to be fun. And it occurred to me that back in the day, ole smiling Jack also had a sense of entitlement and he lacked a moral compass. Jack evolved in time but could it be that Vile is a young Jack?

I’m with you, Barbara, but my candidate is that repulsive, whining, conniving Kyle. Maybe it takes courage for a young actor to take on such a repulsive character, but it can be a double-edged sword if he or she is TOO convincing. I’m afraid Michael Mealor may be prematurely typecast.

Barbara—I have thought the same thing! Great minds think alike and all that jazz. Faith would make an excellent Bad Seed.
About a year and a half ago there was one of those family scenes at the Newman Ranch. Victor was there in all his glory surrounded by his wife, his children and grandchildren. One of Victoria’s darling toddlers was sitting on his adoring Grampapa’s knee. I caught Faith just glaring squint eyed at that small and innocent boy. It was her Rhoda moment.

Love those older movies, Harry!

Get well soon, Leslie—you’ll always be Monica to me!!! I am sure the temp recast will do very well but you’ll still be missed all the same!!!

That will be different, and fun..
McCormack stepping in is Temporary.
I like something different it kills the monotony.

Sure hope GH picks up the pace-sweeps is coming and the Nurses Ball. Y&R has been most entertaining every day for me. Happy 4/20 day!

I am sooo lost, her, Phyllis, LOL. The only familiar name to me is Susan Hayward in the 1958 movie, I WANT TO LIVE. My grandparents have an infinite amount of the old, classic movies.
I do think I have watched all of them since I was a little girl.
My best to Leslie….speedy recovery….come back soon.

I agree, su000. If the actor does well, it could lead to a longer role on this or another show. Or, if we don’t care for them, we appreciate our regular actor more. It’s a win/win for the viewer.

I don’t mind any temporary recast, but please get well Leslie Charleson. GH needs The Real Monica Quartermaine!

Absolutely love Ms. McCormack from way back. I know she will fill L.C shoes very well. It will be so nice to see P.M again. Wish I could say the same for another newcomer to arrive on GH. Can’t stand this obnoxious person, but thank God for DVRs and FF.

Love it! She’s a brilliant actress!

She was great in The Bad Seed. She was also in The Ropers.

I think that the biggest surprise is that the show is actually going to use the character enough the part had to be recast.

Thanks, Justin. You gave me a good chuckle. How right you are!

Sorry to hear about Leslie’s misstep, and hoping she gets well soon. I’m sure Leslie had a nice little talk with Riley Rose.

Based on Patty’s role in The Bad Seed, Nelle might even get some tips from her. :))

Nelle needs pigtails!!

Nelle’s baby is Rosemary???

Yes, Rose. Who knows, maybe lightning will strike twice?

the one thing that is SOOO FUNNNY – THANK YOU NELLE ! YES !

watching “Carly” scared…

when does that happen ? and she’s so bad it’s laugh out loud

I hope this at least continues …. or is the joke on us.. to help her save face.. as Sonny asks her to see a neurosurgeon… so she goes to see Dr. Griffin

nevertheless… for those wanting to see Laura Wright act

MORE PLEASE

bring it Nelle

poor leslie, hope she recovers quickly, as for the actress replacing her, i don’t know anything about her, hope she does a good job, its good that monica is being written for its always good to have the vets appearing regularly.

Just happened to my mother in law. Not bueno!

Get better soon Ms. Leslie!

They should have checked in with Patsy Rahn…

That would admittedly have been a hoot, James!

Thanks, Michael! I generally like the hoot factor! 🙂

@Patrick.
Hi, Patrick,
Yes!!!!! I derive so much joy and mirth by Carly’s desperarate attempt of trying to convince everyone she’s not crazy. She is sooo crestfallen when she realizes Sonny looks at her weird. Even he is patronizing her.
Serendipity, in a very twisted, macabre way, my Patrick!! Can’t help myself. LOL. Put this in poetry-mode.
Poor Carly is fraught with fright. Ha!!
Nonetheless, Nelle better not push her luck too far near the edge…..the view may be beautifully awe-inspring, yet the precipice is not a friend.

You have the most lovely way with words. Seriously. Love reading your posts-most especially when they are to me!

Thank you, Phyllis….so sweet. You’re not so shabby yourself!! LOL.
…..aren’t you getting a kick out of Nelle? I just want her to stop, though….I’m afraid she’ll get in soooo deep, she’ll be found out and carted off to jail and off the show.
Then, guess what?? Another baby gone to Carly. I could scream and pull my hair out simultaneously…..
I would die if my little girl called another woman, ‘Mommy’…. I don’t care how evil or good Ava is, she loves Avery, her baby; not Carly’s.
And, it’s not as if Carly is an exemplar mother….or Mother of the Year.
It is sickening to watch how the writers are sooooo using Mike’s illness to bolster THE redemption-cause to elicit some Sonny-pity……I still do not feel sorry for him. Furthermore, Griffin tries to justify the unholy alliance between these sewer rats ( Sonny and Carly—-no Mickey and Minnie, they) as he admonishes Ava. Admonishes her!!!!!!
Ok….now for the baguette pizza. My mother-in-law makes Italian bread your way, LOL. I have had the baguette cut up into chunks as bruschetta ( pronounced brusketta).
I love it best with anchovies. Any kind of seafood is a feast for me. I know, I know, Phyllis….most do not find this appetizing—-can’t understand why…really!!

Sonny has not impregnated anyone for several years now and is past due. Today was pretty good-I really like Nina and Val, am wanting the Nelle story to some to some sort of-something-and the Kiki and Dr. Bensch story to move along-not really interested in a lot of the other goings on right now and am rather blah about the Nurses Ball. I need to step away from the tv and get on with my own life. Though I did watch The Resident again and it was excellent-lots of scheming hospital drama.
Love bruschetta, with fresh tomatoes and fresh basil and garlic. Love taking elephant garlic, bake the whole bulb with a little olive oil and then the cloves pull right out of the skin and spread delightfully on bread. Smashed many an anchovy making Caesar salads-they are full of flavor, but I don’t really care for them if I can see them. If they are invisible, ok. What about curry? Love curry. Make a great vegetable one.

How about Bagna Cauda, Celia? Had it once, decades ago and your mention of anchovies reminded me. The version I had of “the hot bath” was a creamy one-made with added cream and parmesan-it was luxurious and so good on vegetables. I’ve looked up recipes for both tradtional and creamy but have not seen one with added cheese. They all sound good though. I think there is anchovy in puttanesca-which is also one of my favorites. Ok no more food talk.

I remember Patty filling in for Kathryn Hays on As the World Turns in late 1975-1976. She did an admirable job, considering all that was going on: Kim’s sister Jennifer had just died and Kim still had amnesia from a blow to the head during a tornado, forgetting her love for Dan Stewart (then John Reilly) and resuming her marriage to John Dixon, from whom she had been estranged before the tornado/amnesia storyline. Kim and Dan were never the same after Hays returned, however. Shortly thereafter, John Colenback resumed playing Dan (he didn’t have the same chemistry with Hays as Reilly had), and somewhere in between Susan Stewart kept the two apart by intercepting a phone answering machine message Kim left for Dan after she regained her memory. Ahhhh… those were the days!

I don’t think she is right for the role. She lacks the empathy that Leslie always let show through Monica. I don’t find her to be credible in the part.

It’s strange to me that the character of Monica is receiving much more air-time, now that a temporary recast is filling in. Why now? Before, any update to Monica’s “story” was done off-air. As usual, makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers

Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.

In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.

Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.

Courtesy/ABC

Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work.  Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her.  Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.

From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy.  Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.

Courtesy/ABC

Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.

The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.

Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Breaking News

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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