General Hospital
GH’s Laura Wright and Max Gail Along with Maria Shriver Talk The Importance Of The Alzheimer’s Storyline
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!
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.”
As The World Turns
Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Announce They Have Ended Their Marriage
After much speculation, General Hospital’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin) and Cady McClain (ex-Jennifer, DAYS, ex-Rosanna, ATWT, ex-Dixie, AMC et al) have officially confirmed and announced they have gone their separate ways and have ended their marriage.
For months on social media, it was clear that the two were seemingly apart, not appearing pictured in any of each others posts.
Now, on a mutually shared Instagram post, Jon and Cady made an official statement on the status of their relationship, beginning with “Cady and Jon here. We are taking this opportunity to make a short statement about our relationship status. It may be obvious to some based on our posts that we’ve taken some time apart. After serious consideration we have decided that our goals have been taking us in different directions and to end our marriage.”
Photo: JPI
As to the future, Jon and Cady explained, “We remain friends and wish each other every happiness. As people who work in the public eye, it can be difficult to have a private life. Regardless, we ask for your kind consideration in this matter.”
Jon and Cady met when they both appeared on As the World Turns, he as Craig Montgomery, and she as Rosanna Cabot. After four years together, the couple decided to get married in 2014.
Share your well-wishes for Jon and Cady’s separate futures as they ask for privacy on this matter in the months ahead via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Nikolas Cassadine will be back on your screens next week but now via Pentonville. That means, that actor Adam Huss is back for a visit for all-new episodes of General Hospital.
In story, Ava (Maura West) comes to visit her ex in the slammer. So, just what does Ava want now? She clearly has been working an agenda on Sonny (Maurice Benard). Is she working with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart)? What will she tell Nikiolas? stay tuned.
Meanwhile, once news of Huss’ return broke earlier on Friday via Soap Opera Digest, he also announced his return on his Instagram expressing, “For all those who’ve been asking, cat’s out of the bag;) Thank you to all my #Nikolas #GH fans for your unwavering support. I don’t take it for granted for a second! (Even when I can’t answer 😊) #generalhospital”
Photo: ABC
Huss took over the role of Nikolas back in January of 2023, after Marcus Coloma left the soap opera. Previous to that, Huss filed in for Coloma in September of 2021 and November of 2022. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Nikolas gave Ace to Laura and Kevin to raise, while he eventually turned himself into the police for kidnapping Esme and keeping her hostage while she was pregnant and Wyndemere.
Photo: ABC
The return of Huss comes on the heels of multiple reports that his on-screen son, Nicholas Chavez is not returning to the show as Spencer Cassadine, while in story Spencer is believed to have drowned int the Seine River after falling off a boat in France, when drugged by Esme.
So, looking forward to seeing Adam Huss back as Nikolas? Do you think GH will eventually have him more full-time? Comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.
Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).
When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.
Courtesy/ABC
Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.
Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.
What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.
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