Connect with us

Guiding Light

28

2016 Nurses' Ball Is Almost Here: To Get You Ready, GH Presents Throwback Nurses' Ball Moments! What Was Most Memorable to You?

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

The GH Nurses’ Ball has been the staple event of the ABC daytime drama series come spring.  This year will be no exception with the episodes surrounding the ball to kick off  on May 24th.  Who will sing? Who will fight? Those are just some of the questions viewers want to know.

To get you in the mood, ABC.com had posted memorable throwback moments from the nurses’ ball! But which is the most dramatic, emotional,  fun, or entertaining?

From Carly and Brenda’s foot fight, Britt’s shocking 2013 announcement, Richard Simmons crashing the ball, Sabrina’s nurses’ ball makeover, Patrick admitting he is in love with Sabrina, Oliva the Bensonhurst medium, Liesl Obrecht’s 99 Red Balloons’ performance, and her rendition of Cabaret, Lucy’s affair being exposed, and Robin talking about the death of Stone and living with HIV before being carried out of the ball by Jason, these moments are just some that have been etched in GH’s fans minds through nurses’ ball history.

So what has been your favorite moment in the past at the GH Nurses’ Ball?  What do you hope will go down in the 2016 version? Comment below!

28 Comments

28 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

My number one most favorite moment was Patrick finally revealing to Sabrina that he loved her in 2013. That was THE MOMENT all Patrina fans had been waiting to hear from Patrick. I still can’t believe what has transpired since, but at least we’ll always have that moment of importance.

I like the man beef ahaa!
I did like the guys strutting their stuff..
And- I liked the singing/singers.. there was real talent going on..

Oh dear God, your dream is my nightmare….that was Disney on Ice. No, I take that back, that was Disney or Mickey Mouse throwing up all over the ice and making quite a mess.
That was a horrible scene full of sugar and spice resulting in food poisoning.
I am shocked anyone looks back upon that atrocity with fondness when most of us would like to just forget it.

I go way back to pick my favorite and, of course, it is Luke and Lucky and a whole mess of people hoofing it up! Sigh, those were the days!

I also loved the beginning song and dance numbers. I even liked Lucy ending up in her underwear. Doc cringing in the audience. All the singing by the actors who we didn’t know could. Plus the real reason for the ball. AIDS HIV. I always looked forward to the NB. The last ones except for DR O just made me cringe. She has the talent. The strippers yuck.

Oh, Harry….thank you! Just thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!!!

@Harry…I could not have said it better than you have with your eloquent commentary on Sabs, her emasculating clinginess and mewling cat vocals! For the love of God, I just wish the showrunners would finally recognize the fact that this character is totally superfluous….Port Charles has survived just fine (and then some….) without her intrusively awkward presence over these past few months….why even bother to bring her back now that she’s gone and all but easily forgotten by everybody, save for the gormless Mikey and pushy Felix????

I hope they return the Ball to a classy affair, not a playground for psychos, strippers, and sociopaths. Back in the day, the ball was annual MUST SEE t.v. The musical numbers were appropriate and entertaining. It was about community coming together for a very worthy cause. For the past three years, it has come off very hypocritical that almost everyone in attendance is a mobster or murderer…and the event is to raise awareness and funds for a killer disease! And no one in the room even likes each other anymore…half of them want to murder each other…literally!! And when on Earth would these people find time to rehearse elaborate numbers…between mob shoot outs?? Especially last year, the ball felt shoved in as an afterthought. It was almost an exact retread of 2014 with very little new. It looked like it was filmed on a high school musical set. I just hope if they do it, they do it right. When it is done right, it can and has been the hallmark of what soap opera can and should be.

I could NOT agree with you more!! Last year marked the 20th Anniversary of Stone’s death and NOT ONE mention of it. The NB us supposed to be about HIV/AIDS awareness instead it has turned into the Sabrina coming out ball. First, guess she gets ALL the credit for bring it back. Then since she is FIRED AT GH but still a nurse- hey, she still is in more acts then anyone else?!
Wendy Riche started the ball it was more about quality -She never would have done acts like Magic Milo & the Magic Wands or wasted John J York’s talent w/ Mr. Marbles. Even Jon Lindstrom , Lynn Herring, , Kristina Wagner , etc were in the acts in the past. Oh- Sean Kanan did Impersonations one year and was fantastic! I think Frank as no clue what Talents besides acting GH cast has…. Smh.
* Think he needs to step it up.. If not , this should be the last time they do it. So far the last 2 years… #NotImpressed

I agree with Dylan too. But no offense against psychos, strippers, and psychopaths…..Oh my!

Here, here, Dylan. Well said.

@Dylan….I do pretty much agree with what you’re saying…my favorite NB moments were with Rick Springfield and Jack Wagner performing their real-life hits, despite the terrible way the Frisco storyline was incorporated into that scenario. At least those guys are true professionals and I would love to see them back to entertain this (and every) year! As for the all those aforementioned psychos and psychopaths, I have nothing against one or two well-chosen nutters storming the stage as long as they possess the talent to do so…case in point? Dr. O.! (From her first hilarious NB “appearance” dancing and prancing in her hotel room to “Jessie’s Girl” to her “Cabaret” takeover of the 2014 event and even last year’s unfortunately low-budget balloonfest, I’ve always enjoyed her antics…I so hope Kathleen Gati is given a better opportunity to shine this year!) However, in term of the male strippers, I most definitely could do without that sadly insufficient group of Chippendale wannabees strutting their stuff….but somehow I don’t think the same can be said for the GH showrunners!!!

I think it is going to be the backdrop to Brad and Lucas’s wedding! Kind of fitting considering.

Kind of fitting considering what?

Considering the fact that they got engaged there!!!

My thoughts exactly, Lil Angel.

The old nurses balls were classic. The new ones today..ehh, not so much. Mostly because everyone is new. There are few long time characters on the show. Puts my to sleep. Zzzzz.

I would like to see them spoof tv shows-maybe past soap operas…or maybe musical acts could be of Broadway musicals-something classy-not guys stripping or having anyone fighting-something with good taste!!!

Right Jim–no sword fights!!!

Back to the epee’ double entendres, are we????

2015

The Haunted Starlets singing and dancing to “Dear Future Husband” at last years Nurses Ball. Sabrina, Maxie, Lulu, Ellie, Val, and Sam were apart of the number.

Magic Milo and the Magic Wands dancing to “New Sensation” by the great band INXS. Milo, Michael, Nathan, Felix, Lucas, and TJ were apart of the number.

Spinelli singing the classic 80’s ballad “It Might Be You” from the movie Tootsie to both Maxie and Ellie.

Patrick and Emma singing a song together while sitting in two chairs beside each other.

Well, Jay Trotter, I at least agree with you about Spinelli! His charming and unexpected performance was but one of only two bright spots for me at last year’s otherwise dismal event, the other being the always awesome Dr. O.!

Shay ,I am hoping against hope that the writers are NOT thinking that absence makes the heart grow fonder as far as Sabrina is concerned.
Her being gone only makes me feel more solid about abhorring cartoon rabbits and birds assisting a woman with her house cleaning while said house woman sings in a most God awful high pitched voice. No, someday your prince will NOT come, Sabrina. In fact, he’s moved onto another network possibly driven out by your cartoon-Disney neediness which is more powerful than Diana the huntress–the great Grecian castrating goddess. Please stay away–nobody likes you anymore.

Since I have only seen three balls I don’t have much material to glean from, but I am sure in the old days the characters didn’t have to stand around and talk about how great Aveeno is for their dry skin or how much they love Yoplait yogurt — necessary evil I suppose, anyway if I had to pick a favorite moment from the three balls I did see, it would be Patrick and Emmy father and daughter song last year in terms of performances- in terms of story line Britt showing up pregnant to ruin Sabrina’s magical night was a memorable moment.

Yes, Britt’s very welcome bombshell was a real highlight of that event to be sure! I’ve loved her ever since, and certainly hope that Dr. Westbourne shall return for this year’s NB, even if for only for a clandestine snarking session with BFF Brad…although she should also be there to publicly stand up for him at his wedding. Besides, at the astonishing rate Nik has trashed and crashed his own life (and reputation) since her departure, he would now have no room to judge Britt or make her legally pay for her impetuous actions with Spencer as he has previously threatened .

What? Not even one mention of the fabulous Kathleen Gati’s opening number? I loved it!

My favorite Nurse’s Ball moment was when Dr. Obrecht sang “Always on my Mind” to her two children.

I LOVED when Obrect hijacked the ball and did the ‘Wilkomen’ song, that was hilarious.

Guiding Light

Tom Pelphrey Takes on The Role of ‘Jesus Christ’ with Y&R’s Courtney Hope as ‘Mary’ in New Podcast Series

Published

on

By

Since first making a name for himself as Reva’s (Kim Zimmer) son, Jonathan Randall on Guiding Light, Tom Pelphrey’s (ex-ATWT and GL) post-soap career has featured many complex and dark roles in television and motion pictures. Now comes perhaps, Pelphrey’s most stunning role when he will play Jesus Christ in a new four–part audio series podcast, called The Christ.

The series is from the Faith Podcast Network who will be releasing the series for Easter. It is being billed as “an audio epic and the first ever full-scale audio dramatization of Jesus’ life across four immersive episodes using cinematic-quality sound, music and performances.” The podcast series will feature more than 100 different characters and can be heard at TheChristPodcast.com

Joining The Ozark and Task star in the cast are some other high-profile Hollywood names including: David Ovelowo as Pontius Pilot, Paul Walter Hauser as John the Baptist, Patricia Heaton as the host and John Rhys-Davies as the narrator. In addition, none other than The Young and the Restless, Courtney Hope (Sally Spectra) also is featured as Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Photo: FaithPodcastNetwork

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Christ comes from a creative team that includes writer and director Paul Cuschieri, co-director and producer Mark Ramsey and producer Jim Young.” The series drops during Holy Week, with the first episode debuting on March 30. A new episode will be released each day through April 2, scheduled accordingly so that the entire series will be available by Good Friday on April 3.

The official logline says The Christ will cover “the life, death and legacy of Jesus of Nazareth. Through betrayal, courage, suffering and hope, the series explores how one man’s story reshaped history — and redefined love, authority and sacrifice.”

Pelphrey who announced he has 12-years of sobriety back in 2025, shared why this project was of importance to him, “Sharing about sobriety and faith are so personal to me, and it means so much to me. The other thing you notice is when people are sharing things, you could say a word to a thousand people, and a thousand people hear a different version of that word. In all humility, to share something that matters to you, you first have to come to an understanding and acceptance that you’re surrendering how it’s going to be heard or what it means to anyone listening. You have no control over it. That’s been an amazing process to go through.”

So, what do you think of Tom Pelphrey playing the audio version of Jesus Christ and Courtney Hope playing Mary, Mother of Jesus? Excited to hear the story of Christ via this podcast series? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Guiding Light

‘Guiding Light’s’ Kim Zimmer Reflects on Brilliant Scenes with Tom Pelphrey After Initially Telling Producers, ‘Hire Any of Them But the Last Guy’

Published

on

By

Throughout its 57-year run on daytime, Guiding Light introduced television audiences to many actor who would go on to have major careers in motion pictures, primetime television and the stage. One such is the incredible Tom Pelphrey (Task, Mank, Ozark, Outer Range, et al.), who from the minute he debuted on the CBS soap took soap viewers by storm for his raw, relatable and emotional turn as Reva (Kim Zimmer) and Prince Richard Winslow’s (Bradley Cole) son, Jonathan Randall.

In the complicated storyline, Jonathan was conceived and born while Reva was suffering from amnesia and believing herself to be Princess Catherine while living in San Cristobel. As Jonathan grew up his life was torn apart making him a vengeful, menacing young man, who under it all was deeply wounded and who felt abandoned and forgot about.

Kim Zimmer won four Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Reva Shayne, while Tom Pelphrey took home two Daytime Emmys for the Outstanding Younger Actor in a Daytime Drama Series for his performance. On-screen, together, they were a riveting pairing which included many a tense scene including when Jonathan choked out Reva.

Photo: JPI

During last week’s Guiding Light reunion livestream with Zimmer, Bradley Cole (ex-Richard and Jeffrey, GL) and Laura Wright (ex-Cassie, GL, now Carly, GH) on the You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, the three actors reminisced about their time together as romantic pairings: Reva/Richard, Cassie/Richard, Reva/Jeffrey etc, but also talked about many of their co-stars and their deeply personal feelings of what Guiding Light meant to all of them.

REVA AND JONATHAN WERE SOAP OPERA GOLD

Though the years, it’s been no secret that Zimmer, did not initially want Tom Pelphrey cast as her son, because as she admitted, in the audition process with her, she was scared of him based on the power of his performance in the scene.

Kim recalled, “I went in (to the producers) right after I auditioned like seven guys, and I said, ‘Hire any of them, but the last guy.’ And they all looked at me like I had six heads, because they had already decided they were going to cast him. And then when I said that, they were like, ‘we’re definitely going to cast him now! That’s the feeling they wanted. They knew he scared me.”

The beloved GL heroine said that once she began working in a scene with Pelphrey, all was A-OK! “It was almost immediate once we started really working together, and I could trust the story,” shared Kim. “It was such a bizarre story that I was being given, again (also referencing Reva’s Clone story as the other), that I was hesitant about that. But once we started really working together, there was no question that they had made the right decision.”

In fact, fans loved Reva and Jonathan so much, they would vote them top couple as Kim remembers, “And, you know, in the soap magazines, we got voted, ‘Best couple,’ and we weren’t a love couple. We were a mother and son. That was like the biggest compliment to me –  we’d get nominated as ‘Outstanding Couple.’

ONE OF THE FINEST ACTORS IN THE HISTORY OF GUIDING LIGHT

Kim’s real-life son, Jake Weary has also made quite the name for himself in TV and motion pictures and Pelphrey also bonded many years ago: “When my son was living in LA, he and Jake would hang out together. They had mutual friends and they got to know each other pretty well, which I love. Jake actually asked me recently if I had any favorite Guiding Light scenes that I could remember. And I said, ‘Anything with HB (Larry Gates), Billy Lewis (Jordan Clarke) and Tom Pelphrey.

During the livestream, Laura Wright, who worked in many scenes with Pelphrey, added, “In my opinion, Tom took the bar and he raised it. Not just in talent because he had that, but Tom inspired you. He made you want to do like that, and he wanted you to be as great. He just was all around a great guy to work with.”

In case you missed it,  you can check out the Guiding Light live reunion with Kim, Bradley and Laura, followed by some incredible scenes between Tom and Kim as Jonathan and Reva.

Then, let us know, do you think Reva and Jonathan as played by Kim Zimmer and Tom Pelphrey, were the most dynamic mother/son duo all-time on the soaps? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

 

Continue Reading

Breaking News

‘Guiding Light’ Reunion: Kim Zimmer, Bradley Cole and Laura Wright to Chat Live!

Published

on

By

In a very special livestream reunion; three of the former stars of the legendary Guiding Light, who’s on-screen lives were forever intertwined, will visit the Michael Fairman Channel on Friday, January 30 beginning at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

Look for GL icon and four-time Daytime Emmy winner, Kim Zimmer (ex-Reva Shayne), Bradley Cole (ex-Prince Richard Winslow and Jeffrey O’Neill and ex-Warren Bauer, GH), and Daytime Emmy winner Laura Wright (ex-Cassie Layne, now Carly Spencer on GH) to reminisce about their time together and memories of the daytime drama that lasted an astounding 57 years on television and counting radio, 72 years.

Guiding Light fans will recall, Bradley’s first run as Richard and his royal wedding to Cassie, to returning as a Jeffrey O’Neill, and how it caused tension between sisters, Reva and Cassie, and much more.

Photo: JPI

As viewers know, Kim Zimmer played the iconic role of Reva Shayne from 1983–1990 and from 1995–2009. Bradley Cole portrayed Prince Richard Winslow from 1999- 2002, and after the character was killed-off, he returned as Jeffrey O’Neill, a lawyer-turned-special agent, who was with the series from 2003-2009. As the show went off the air for the last time in the September 18, 2009 finale, Jeffrey was presumed dead. Then, in 2010, Cole came to General Hospital to take on the short-term but important run of Warren Bauer, who was believed to have abused his son, Kiefer Bauer.

Laura Wright played Reva’s sister Cassie Layne in a stunning reveal in 1999, and stayed with the series until 2005, before moving to General Hospital later that year to take on the role of Carly Corinthos, now going by Carly Spencer and the rest for Wright is as they say, history.

Not only will the GL alums and stars chat about their time on the soap, but will bring you up-to-date on their lives now. First, Bradley has a new album out entitled Desert Dreams. The 12 track project pays a musical tribute to Cole’s upbringing in Los Angeles and the classic rock, pop, and south-of-the-border influences of the ’60s and ’70s that shaped his musical foundation. Desert Dreams blends a classic rock vibe with nostalgic country and a modern Americana sensibility, highlighting Cole’s clear storytelling and skillful melodic songwriting.

Photo: JPI

Meanwhile, Laura Wright continues to star on ABC’s General Hospital whereas Carly Spencer she is embroiled in a major storyline with Carly’s current love interest WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief, Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). After finding out he enlisted her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy) to be a WSB spy, she believes the guy is bad news, or does she? Laura continues her project Sacred Circle where “women pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves — and with each other.”

Then, there is GL icon, Kim Zimmer. She will soon be seen in an upcoming production of  Driving Miss Daisy, in the role Daisy at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre in Fayetteville, NC, running from March 19 to April 4, 2026. Last year, Kim starred in the play The Trip to Bountiful at Theatre Raleigh. Back in 2024, Zimmer went public with her breast cancer diagnosis and that she had undergone treatment. She is also the proud mom to TV and film, actor Jake Weary.

If you cannot be with us in the live chat, but have a question or comment you would like posed to Kim, Bradley or Laura, make sure to drop it in the comment section below, and we just might ask it during the live broadcast.

Now below, also check out the Guiding Light profiler with clips from Bradley Cole’s run as Jeffrey O’Neil and how the character was involved with Reva and Cassie and more.

So, excited to see Kim, Bradley and Laura reminiscing about their time on Guiding Light and more? Let us know via the comment section!

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

CBS unveils Beyond the Gates season 2 promo and Jordi Vilasuso joins the cast. Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Giovanni Mazza as Gio

General Hospital

Airdate: 12-8-2025

Popular

28
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x