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GH’s Giovanni Mazza Talks on Taping The Moment That Changed Everything: Gio Smashes His Violin at the Nurses’ Ball

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/ABC

In the turning point in the story of General Hospital’s Gio Palmieri and the actor and violinist who portrays him, Giovanni Mazza, viewers will never forget this gut-wrenching moment. After overhearing Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Lois (Rena Sofer) arguing, and learning he is the son of Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), Gio took to the Nurses’ Ball stage to accompany Anna (Finola Hughes) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) tango.

Only as he stood there with violin in hand and began to play, he stops as all of the betrayal, hurt and anger reaches a boiling point when he smashes his beloved violin and storms out of the ball. Getting the moment right was of utmost importance to the show and for Mazza, as this would be the defining moment that would set the tone for his first major storyline on the iconic ABC soap opera.

Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, Mazza shared that he actually did the moment in a few takes, and replie believed he had it in him to reach that boiling point on-screen. “I think I’ve been working very hard with this moment in mind. I didn’t know that I had it in me, but I’ve never experienced something like this before. I used the mix of my imagination and my own personal life and (thinking about), ‘If I was in a very specific, similar situation, what would I go through?’ And I sort of connected to that feeling of vulnerability, of the rug being pulled out from under me, and I built up all the momentum and then I just let it go, and whatever happened happened.”

Photo: ABC

However, Giovanni noted, “I pretty much built up all the momentum to go into it and then when I did it, I just completely let it go. This was one of the rare times that we got more than one take. So I talked to Frank (Valentini, executive producer) and he gave me some great adjustments on set and I sort of just took it, I built the momentum up again, and let it go again.”

Explaining how Valentini’s ‘adjustments’ informed the take that viewers saw that made it to air, Mazza added, “The first take, it was pretty much all just rage. I interpreted (Gio’s motivation) as, ‘I am going to make you feel my pain. I want everyone here to feel the pain that I’m feeling.’ And I just let it out in a very rageful, angry state, and after I smashed my violin — this is something that you didn’t see (on-air) — I let out this yell, like a (primal) scream. Frank and I talked about it, and he told me to come from more of a place of vulnerability, of the feeling that I wasn’t wanted: ‘They didn’t want me. They gave me away.’ I think the way I was playing it, it would have just been a moment. But the way that Frank guided me, with coming from that place of vulnerability and the feeling of not being wanted, that generates the story to come.”

Photo: ABC

On the day the episode aired, Mazza took to his Instagram and shared a clip from GH and stated, “Just moments after I found out who my real parents are… being lied to my whole life, missing out from my real family, the pain of my character’s past…. There’s a lot to look forward to on General Hospital. Of all days, this special episode aired on my birthday (yesterday)! My birthday wish is that everyone watches the Nurses’ Ball episodes on Hulu this weekend! Throw a watch party! Everyone in the cast&crew put so much time and energy and effort into this event! Enjoy!”

So, what did you think of the moment when Gio smashed the violin and the performance of Giovanni Mazza? Has the changed your perspective on the young actor and are you now excited to see where Gio’s story goes from here? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first, in case you need a refresher, here’s the moment below.

 

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What bothered me the most… we never saw Anna dance the tango. Fiona Hughes is trained in classical ballet and her dance was what I was looking forward to the most during the Nurse’s ball.

Well, that might have actually been a “blessing” in disguise. (and a Devil doesn’t use that word often). Because there’s no way in the fires of Hell that Anna dancing a tango with Chase could have measured up to the classic tango with Duke Lavery back in the day.

I do agree with that 100%. And, I appreciate your use of “forbidden” words.

After a few weeks, I still think about this episode as a time where we can say “A Star Is Born.” Giovanni’s performance is one GH fans will not soon forget. I also think Gio and Emma are GH’s next supercouple. I don;t think this performance will be available to submit to Emmy voters this year, but it was something we are still talking about. Also, BLQ is knocking it out of the park. Amanda Sutton is a great actress.

Well it’s officially summer now in Port Charles so Gio’s back at the pool, as expected. But at least he’s making good use of his time there, knocking that smug piece of dragonshit Ezra into the water.

Laura’s comment to Sonny: “I like this new grandson of yours” . Yeah, he’s starting to grow on me, i’ll admit it.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina is Frantic, Sonny is Mistrustful, Chase and Willow are Being Framed

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The highly-anticipated Monday, May 11 episode of General Hospital picked right back up with the drama; which also sets the tone for today’s next installment of the ABC daytime drama series.

In another excellent performance by Daytime Emmy winner, Cynthia Watros, Nina is watching things unravel right before her eyes, and she is always playing defense to try to cover for the events that just transpired.

Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) ends up on the floor of Drew’s (Cameron Mathison) house unable to move after Nina injected him with the paralytic drug dose meant for Drew. Her intended target was Valentin (James Patrick Stuart), but during the Jack/Valentin Brawl, she struck the wrong guy! Valentin helps Nina turn Brennan on to his back and then makes his exit before anyone sees him as she calls the paramedics who rush Jack to GH.

Courtesy/ABC

MAN DOWN

In the meantime, Drew, who has overheard all the screaming in the other room, starts to have mobility in his hands and is trying to reach for the phone since his weekly dose went to Brennan instead of him. Now at the hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) has questions for Nina on how Jack ended up like this; which Nina claims one minute they were talking and all of sudden he dropped to the floor.

A panicked Nina calls Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), who went out for a run and ran into Chase (Josh Swickard). She tells her daughter using cryptic words that Jack got the dose of meds meant for Drew. Alarmed, Willow runs back to Drew’s, but not before having conversations with Chase about how she will help ensure he and Brook Lynn have the best chance at keeping baby Phoebe, after all, they had been through so much when she lost their baby.

SNAPS TELL ALL?

The moments of closeness between Willow and Chase are snapped by a photographer or someone hiding in the bushes as it seems like Michael’s plan to implicate Willow and Chase by making it look like their having an affair is underway. How far will this go?

Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) went at Lulu (Alexa Havins) for keeping him in the dark about Rocco (Finn Carr) being the person who shot Cullum and their elaborate cover-up. Things get worse when Lulu mentioned “Nathan” also knows and helped Rocco the night on the pier of the shooting. Dante is livid that as Rocco’s father, she felt he could not be trusted, and it was for him to figure out how he would navigate the information to protect their son; even if he is the police commissioner. Lulu also shared she did not want to tell him, because of what happened when Michael went to prison all those years ago.

Courtesy/ABC

BROTHER TO BROTHER

At Ava’s (Maura West) art gallery, Sonny (Maurice Benard) with gun in hand, rails at Ric (Rick Hearst) for lying and deceiving him. Ric confesses he was being dishonest, but not about anything to do with Sonny or the business. He shows Sonny the secret art transaction he was working with Ava. The reason is, he wanted to surprise Elizabeth with it as they have a special weekend planned. Ric explained that the sale had to be be done covertly because of a legal conflict involving the seller’s divorce. Eventually, Sonny lowers his gun. Cooler heads prevail and the two brothers hope there will come a time where Ric’s loyalty to Sonny will never be in question.

Carly (Laura Wright) learns what happened to Jack from Valentin, and feels badly for Jack. Valentin also tells her Jack does not know where Josslyn is and now that he is incapacitated that means that Cullum will take over the day to day of the WSB bureau in Port Charles and things are about to get worse.

Courtesy/ABC

In the final moments of the episode, Willow runs into Drew’s house and stops Drew from dialing the phone near his wheelchair. She scolds her husband and says, “Looks like no one can be trusted to keep an eye on you except me.” we fade to black.

So, what did you think of the performance of Cynthia Watros? How much longer can Nina and Willow get away with what they have done to Drew and now Brennan? Elizabeth already mentioned to Lucas, what are the odds that two men have the same medical issue at the same house.  Are you glad Willow and Chase are being framed, or annoyed by it? Weigh-in via the comment section.  In case you missed it, check out the scenes below with Sonny and Ric, and Ethan and Ava.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Previews His New Role as PCPD Officer Joe Fitzpatrick

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Those expecting Jonathan Bennett’s new General Hospital character of Joe Fitzpatrick to be the latest doctor to arrive in Port Charles. Think again! When Joe arrives on the scene he will be an officer with the Port Charles Police Department (PCPD).

That might be good news for the police force, who has had a lot of trouble (pretty much always!) solving cases, and with Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) pretending to be cop, Nathan West, and Chase (Josh Swickard) working his back up the ranks, police commissioner, Dante Falconeri (Dominic Zamprogna) who could use a some helping hands, unless they are corrupt?

In the latest issue of TV Guide Magazine on newsstands now, Bennett shares a little more insight into what we can expect from Joe, when he first gets into the mix. You can circle next Monday, May 18 for the actor’s GH debut.

THE MYSTERY OF JOE

“Returning to daytime television was not on my bingo card for 2026.(However) I feel like I hit the jackpot when this opportunity came because the character is something that I really wanted to play.”

As soap fans know, Jonathan started his career on All My Children as JR Chandler from 2001-2002. Since that time Bennett went to fame with the motion picture Mean Girls, playing Aaron Samuels then continued on a path acting and producing and hosting where he had become a mainstay on the Hallmark Channel and Food Network. Bennett’s Hallmark reality-competition series, Finding Mr. Christmas was just nominated for three Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Speaking on GH’s Joe and the PCPD, Bennett teased, “I’m feeling excited, and I’m also laughing because I can’t wait for the world to see what Joe Fitzpatrick is really all about.”

Could Joe Fitzpatrick be a closeted cop? An out cop? Neither? Will he be a good guy who might help crack the case of who shot Drew and help Willow get her comeuppance? Will he be investigating the shenanigans that might lead him into the path of Dr. Lucas Jones (Van Hansis)? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Mistakes and Cover-Ups Impact the Lives of Drew, Nina, Dante and Brennan

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, several residents of Port Charles are reeling from their actions in the just released GH video spoilers for the week of May 11-15!

First, Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) confesses to Portia (Brook Kerr) that he is a suspect as the other driver who was involved in Jordan’s (Tanisha Harper) car accident that disfigured her face. But as viewers know, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is the one after a talk with Portia that pointed Justine (Nazeen Contractor) towards Isaiah. But is the culprit really Isaiah, or is it Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton), or is Jordan solely at fault for taking her eyes off the road to kiss Curtis?

Meanwhile, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) armed with the information that Rocco (Finn Carr) shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), confronts his ex-wife Lulu Spencer (Alexa Havins) at her home. An angry Dante says, “You know it was Rocco who shot Cullum. Why wouldn’t you tell me?” Lulu admits it was Rocco, but how is she going to explain why she kept Rocco’s father out of the loop?

Courtesy/ABC

Then, in the exciting pick-up from Friday’s cliffhanger, Nina (Cynthia Watros) is in a continued panic as now Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna) finds himself at the hospital looking unconscious and hooked up to machines. In addition, back at Drew’s house, now that Drew (Cameron Mathison) did not receive his dose of medication to keep him in a locked-in state (since Nina jabbed Jack with it), he is starting to show signs of life and is moving his fingers to try to dial the phone for help.

Later, a series of images are set agains the statement by Sidwell (Carlo Rota), who says, “We have a mess on our hands.” Sidwell is the one supplying Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) with the drug to keep Drew paralyzed and unable to speak. Now that Jack got a dose, how can they control what happens next, and what will Willow do when she finds out that Nina gave Jack the medication meant for Drew? Stay tuned.

Now below, take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week of May 11-15.

MONDAY, MAY 11
Nina warns Willow. Lulu is in the hot seat. Elizabeth puts the pieces together. Ethan and Ava clash. Ric defends himself.

TUESDAY, MAY 12
Lulu seeks out Britt. Dante has words with “Nathan.” Curtis takes on a mission. Rocco clashes with Danny and Charlotte. Isaiah is in the hot seat.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Ethan issues an invitation to Kristina. Michael lets Jacinda in on his plan. Willow meets with Sidwell. Curtis worries about Jordan.

THURSDAY, MAY 14
Britt weighs her options. Tracy is outraged. Laura explains her actions. Carly has questions for Nina. Dante has a tough conversation.

FRIDAY, MAY 1
Carly stonewalls Cullum. Valentin strategizes. “Nathan” confides in a surprising someone. Elizabeth opens up to Dante. Ric and Alexis come together for Molly.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, Mistakes Leaves Traces below.

Weigh-in: What do you think Nina and Willow will do to cover their tracks with Jack getting jabbed with Drew’s medication? Will they continue to somehow keep him in a locked-in state? Will Drew pretend he is still unable to move as he starts coming around to dupe Willow and Nina and eventually get away? Share your thoughts in the comment section below and let us know what story point you are most looking forward to this week on GH.

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

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Giovanni Mazza as Gio

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