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Anthony Geary & Maurice Benard on GH's Stay of Execution, Valentini's Efforts & Llanview Crossovers!

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

Who better to let soap fans know their thoughts on all the behind the scenes ups and downs then General Hospital’s most notable and prolific stars, Daytime Emmy Award winners, Anthony Geary (Luke) and Maurice Benard (Sonny).  Both men have been through the battles that GH has had to fight over the year to remain on the air, and have seen the show go from number one to a fledgling ship to its recent re-birth in the expert hands of new executive producer, Frank Valentini.

In a new piece out today from TV Guide both Geary and Benard weigh-in on GH’s renewal, Llanview faves crossing over to Port Charles, and the difference on the GH set these days.   Here are a few excerpts!

Maurice Benard on GH’s pick-up:  “For all we know, we’ve only bought ourselves six months.  But that’s not stopping the It’s a beautiful day in Port Charles! “Everyone’s excited and we’re determined to work hard and keep this thing going. Our goal now is to boost our ratings and be the No. 1 soap. Then they can’t cancel us!” Anthony Geary added, “For the last year or two we’ve been living on death row hoping for a reprieve, so this feels great. “We’re all breathing a sigh of relief, although we don’t really know what this all means.”

Courtesy/ABC

Anthony Geary on fans concerns of One Life to Live actors and characters taking over GH: “No one is worried that Port Charles will be usurped by Llanview. There’s just no downside to this. It makes us a much better show.”  Maurice Benard added: “Bringing in all this new blood is the smart thing to do. Let’s hope there’s more coming. I’ve been telling people we should do this for years!”

Anthony Geary on how Frank Valentini is working his magic on the soap:  “Frank loves this show and is fully prepared to go down with the ship, standing on the bow screaming at the top of his lungs. I can only admire that. It has made me and most of us want to work harder. Some people don’t like it because they got complacent, and I’m not just talking about actors but people throughout the production. Those who don’t want to work harder will not stay.”

So what do you think of Geary and Benard’s comments about fans concerns of the Llanview crossovers, what the renewal means for GH, and signs that the show is on an upswing under Frank Valentini’s watchful eye?  Weigh in!

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Glad to hear they like it! Hope they all want to work hard and stay on air. I think it is the best soap left… let’s hope they see it!

GH Rocks!!!

I personally think Bring It On though I will be honest I am not feeling the chemistry between Starr & Michael, but they are not why I have started watching again. I also think the new gal that plays Kate/Connie is improving all the time. And it is great to bring on a smart cop like McBain now get him to start interacting with Mac because I beleive John York is really very good when given story. Congrats GH for proving if you write good story viewers will come back.

They know what they’re talking about. If your business seems to be sliding downward, you gotta pick up the slack, get rid of the slackers and get to work even harder! Glad they’re on board with bringining in new blood (i.e. OLTL actors/characters)… it can only get better from here!

I’m really happy to hear that Anthony and Maurice are open to an inflow of actors from other soaps. Something has to change on GH to get it’s ratings up; things can’t stay the same and at the same time just hope the ratings go up.

I think it would be great if the gang from the Buenos Dias cafe from Llanview moved over to Port Charles and took over running the Spencer’s diner. Alot of fun and good interaction happened at that place in Llanview. The diner, when it was Ruby’s in Port Charles, was like that. And maybe that could help Erika Slezak slip into Port Charles and the land of GH.

I think GH is really in need of a strong, dynamic lead female character. Erika did that as Viki on OLTL, Susan Lucci did that as Erika on GH. That really gave the shows alot of good story lines and drama.

I hope it becomes Anna. I think she could do it!

Personally I think the strong dynamic lead female character has already been brought on and signed to a contract (thank goodness!)…..Finola Hughes! She is a GH legacy character and I think the best female character in GH history. Just my opinion…I don’t mind if they bring on characters from other shows as long as it’s well balanced with GH legacy characters.

It’s Tracy and Monica. Monica always has it, they just don’t feature her enough. It should be Monica and Tracy, as it was on OLTL, with Vicky and Dorian. Not Anna. Anna could never be strong like Tracy and Monica has class.

There are rumors floating around that Erika Slezak just might stop for a visit!

I heard that too, Kay.

God I hope so! I miss VIKI!!!!

Good have starr there, so Viki AND Dorian have reason to Visit!

Also did you know that Liz’s Grandfather (Late Great Steve Hardy) had a cross over with Viki and Todd’s sis Merrie in 1969?

Can you tell us more about this crossover ? I would love to know how it went, and would be interested to see if it could be explored more.

In 1969, Merrie had a Blood disease, and Steve Hardy went to Llanview to consult.

Plus another Tie-in, was when Cole’s Uncle, Ian Thornhart was a Dr. at GH, a decade ago. He hooked with Lucy and hasn’t been seen since.

I was trying to figure out who Merrie was… Oh, Meredith. I never heard anyone call her Merrie before. 🙂 Funny, I remember a scene where she and Larry (Wolek) were at the side of the crib and looking down at their baby Danny… that was a while back, huh?

I heard this to at soaptown usa (loose lips) I hope its true ,every time I go there the rumors are always true ,so seeing Erika slezak on general hospital would be so good I cant even say in words how wonderful that would be I miss her.She worked as a waitress in paris texas so she can pick roxy up and they can go to kellys diner for a cup of coffee,see a hiring sign fill out the job application and they both get hired.

I would really like all this “renewal” talk to stop. It is NOT a renewal. ABC owns GH and they have chosen to not cancel it just yet. There has been no official word on any extension. Like Maurice Benard said, it could be SIX months. People, don’t celebrate just yet. We have not won anything.

I do like that there appears to be a lot of articles coming out in soaps defense, but for what good that does remains to be seen. I think ABC just has their own agenda (one that does not include a future with scripted daytime drama) and they are just waiting until they have all their ducks in a row this time before completely pulling the rug out from under us.

well let’s at least celebrate helping to tank the Replacement, I mean the Revulsion, I mean the Revolution! ha! And I think it’s a small victory in the least, that they didn’t cancel both GH and the Revolution – they could have done that, but they didn’t want to deal with the wrath of soap fans so soon after what went down already! So there’s that to celebrate – we were heard – loudly!

Rock and roll, FV and GH! Let’s keep this train rolling, as long as possible! And whenever possible, “Less is more” when it comes to the previous “all mob, all of the time” focus….and “more is more” when it comes to humor, as much as possible…bring on David Vickers, just for a quick visit, to comfort Starr in PC!

We must boycott all of The Revolution’s successor shows so that GH always conquer them.

ABC has already taken two soaps away from us. The least they should do is having the decency to leave us one soap. Besides, Couric said that she wants GH as her lead-in.

As far as the end of ABC Daytime and its other shows….will we ever find out who JR shot in the final scene of AMC? At least there is hope in the long run for Victor to be revealed as alive somehow, someplace via OLTL characters on GH. But AMC really left it all wide open….can you please get to work on that for us, RC and FV?

And why not have have the infamous Erica Kane (and Susan Lucci!) cross paths with Luke, one of these days?

Erica met Sonny and Luke met Viki in the What if series. We know they have chemistry.

I have no real complaints for once. I would really like to see Kassie DePaiva brought aboard on contract. This woman Tweets and is a one woman cheering squad for daytime tv, specifically Soaps. She is one hell of an actress, singer, and from all I can see an all around nice person.
I’ll always be sad GH could not get their act together and treat Genie Francis with the long-earned respect she deserved. I wish her the best at Young and Restless. She shines on the show considering she was thrown in with Melody Thomas Scott who has long been what she was to GH and should still be. Maybe it will change but for now unless they can bring Laura back even half as strong as the character she is now then leave her be, intact with her dignity. I am thrilled on the hiring of Roger Howarth, long a favorite of mine…Apparently fit right in at GH. No surprise to me. Anyway, That’s my take. Thanks for a forum to express our opinions. I really like this site although pretty new at reading it. Very well put together and professional. Not that anyone’s crying over my feelings. Thanks Again Michael. I was on pins and needles over the thought of watching General Hospital sinking for the last time. There is a major sentimental reason I have always loved this show. My mother was killed in the late 60s, but she loved these shows. I distinctly recall the first episode of GH. I was in second grade and had just got home from school. The show was grainy to watch, music was bad, Black and White of course. But I will never forget Jesse Brewer RIP Emily M. Aunt Lucy? Oh my, anyone who ever saw Lucille March, hope that’s right, play this part well it was a treat. Recalling Audrey being a bit of a floozy, now that is OLD GH. I loved it. Skipped work to watch Luke and Laura, Only rich folk had VCRs then so you had to watch at two pm west coast time. Anyway, again, I am glad to see this show once again narrowly missing the chopping block, remember what happened when this happened before? Months later it was completely turned around. I see it starting to happen again. If I had a wish, it would be to see AMC meld with OLTL…All My Lives…lol. Anyway you get my drift. I had a much harder time watching the end of OLTL. There were too many talented actors and the stories were going well. I miss Gigi and Rex. What about Victor Lord showing up on that last show, I laughed and got angry at the same time…cliffhangers with possibly no ending. That was a good one i never saw coming. Thanks for making it though this. Feedback appreciated. Excuse my grammar and spelling, its gotten a bit rusty.

I love Both these two actor’s and I gosh, I would hate not to be able to get my Maurice Bernard fix, daily. The man can act, is gorgeous, sexy and those penetrating eyes! Mauuawah to them both, especially Maurice. <3

The brilliant Erika Slezak should come to Port Charles to help Kate/Connie with her recent DID diangnosis!

No post from Scott yet huh. Oh well, I love the show these past couple of months. I love the faster pace with the scenes. I love the new actors (all of them). Anything new will help now. All we need now is the viewers, calling all viewers, please watch GH everyday. They need you know more than ever.

LOL! Please, MB has been a “talking head” for years and who can take him seriously. It’s because of loathsome Sonny & immediate gang that the show has been going downhill for years – despite fan outrage. Tptb kept pumping them day after day for years and years and years. I’ve lost all respect for Geary. Great actor but if he’s angry at Luke’s association with L&L and wants Luke to become whatever he’s become now (as the list is endless), let him get another job. Stupid man, OK I agree L&L lost their mojo in the real world of growing old and life, but to discredit what was truly a magical phenomenon, rare indeed in literature/media of all types, is ignorant and self-centered beyond belief. GH should have been cancelled long ago.

General Hospital

Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)

As previously reported, Cameron Mathison (Drew, General Hospital) will be seen doing double duty this summer when he premieres in June as the host of Game Show Network’s Beat The Bridge.

Now, while Cameron will be the host with the most, that doesn’t mean he will stop playing GH’s Drew.  In fact, Mathison taped the game show in 2023, so it will now air for the first time in 2024.

Taking to his Instagram this week, Cameron shared his enthusiasm and some new hosting snaps, sharing, “Our newest game show host reporting for duty😎 Head over to the Game Show Network YouTube channel for your first look at the show and don’t miss Beat The Bridge premiering this June! I can’t wait for you guys to see this!”

Photo: GSN

In Beat The Bridge, an enormous interactive bridge dares players to cross by stepping on the right answers to challenging trivia questions. As they play, each steps forward and puts money in their team’s bank, with bonus money for each successful crossing. Here’s the catch: the team gets to keep the money only if it can “beat the bridge” by returning one of its players back across before time expires.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, on GH, Drew and Nina (Cynthia Watros) recently had hate-sex. Do you think its a one-time deal? Where will Drew’s story take him next under new head writers, Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte? Stay tuned.

Now below, check out the first promo for Beat The Bridge from the Game Show Network with you host, Cameron Mathison.  Then, let us know, will you be checking out the game this summer? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Cameron Mathison (@cameronmathison)

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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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