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General Hospital Marks Maurice Benard’s 25th Anniversary As Sonny Corinthos With Special Promo

Photo: ABC

For 25 years Maurice Benard had made Sonny Corinthos an iconic character for the ages on television.  Now as the actor celebrate his 25th Anniversary with General Hospital, ABC is celebrating this milestone with a very special nostalgic promo looking back at the mobster and his loves.

Maurice debuted on General Hospital on August 13, 1993.  Sonny Corinthos was then a nightclub owner running some illegal operations, to say the least.

Sonny’s romances with Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil), and all the main Carlys (Sarah Brown, Tamara Braun, Laura Wright) have been a staple of the show.  In addition, Sonny’s relationship with Luke Spencer (Tony Geary), and of course Sonny’s relationship with his hit man, Jason Morgan (Steve Burton).  Benard’s scenes with Michael Sutton (Ex-Stone) are some of the most memorable moments in history of the series.

Take a look back at 25 years of Maurice as Sonny below.   TV Line  gave the exclusive first look.

Let us know, what has been your favorite “Sonny” moment and performance by Maurice in the last 25 years? Share your picks and your congrats to Maurice in the comment section below.

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You go Mo!

I’ve watched General Hospital fir 30 years.
But Sonny/Maurice is the reason I’ve continued
to watch it the last 25!!! Hands down my favorite actor!

wow, I remember when Sonny came on the show, I was still in high school, and i am now 41 years old, I would race home everyday after school to catch the last part of GH. Sonny rocked then and he still rocks now

25 years???

this is how you make a Devil feel old. And this clip should get the rabid Sonny haters all stirred up……

Like I’ve been saying for years now, Sonny Corinthos anchors this show in a way that only Steve Hardy and Luke Spencer had done before him. The haters simply do not accept the reality that the day Sonny is gone, this show is finished. Because there ain’t nobody else in the current cast who can anchor the show, and it damn sure will never be the likes of Frodd “Baldwin”.

Firstly, I am no hater. I beg you to choose a different word, albeit I do understand it is difficult to do for Satan. Let’s say, “disdain”, “dislike, ” abhor”, perhaps?.
Secondly, I think most of us do realize that where there exists good, so shall evil…..Mr. Satan. Therefore, I have all my wits about me and grasp the point that Sonny is vital and viable worm…..we all understand that!!
I also recognize the fact that we would not appreciate the show without him.
Yet, to put Sonny on a pedestal as an icon? Gimme an iconic break. LOL.

First; Sonny doesn’t “anchor” the show. He’s been, unfortunately, made the center of it by writers who stupidly got rid of the REAL anchors of the show: The Spencers, the Quartermaine’s, the Scorpio’s…While it can be argued that Tony Geary WAS the Spencers and many of the Qs have passed, they could have built upon those families. Instead, as far as the Qs, they got rid of Dillon, AJ, failed to put Wally Kurth as Ned on contract, Jason is basically a non-entity in the family (though they could and should restore his early memoires too and return him back to the fold) and though Michael lives there they had him do a 180 from recognizing and loving AJ/denouncing the Corinthos name to going back to the name and the father that stole him from his real father.

The Spencers? They got rid of Lucky, and by extension as Laura’s son…Nicolas…Bobby basically doesn’t do anything Spencer since Luke is off the canvas.

They got rid of other pivotal characters like Scorpio, Mac…and I do believe the show would go on and thrive quite nicely with “Sonny” going on a nice, long vacation with his shrew of a wife.

As for Maurice? I’m sure I’ll wax nostalgic when I watch the clips. He HAS played an incredible role over the years which I enjoyed much more back in the day. The mob wars, the Brenda, Jax, Sonny, Robin, Stone days…Now he just throws his supposed swag around, is ineffectual and relies on Jason (who has no life without the Corinthos clan) for everything. He’s a familiar face; I’ll give you that. And, I’d probably miss his presence if he left the show. But that’s because the writers have planted him in the minds of the viewers. It’s almost like they transferred their desire to cram him and his shrew wife into our minds with a flash drive similar to the one containing Drew’s memories. Insidious.

Maybe Sonny Corinthos could be patient 7 with Nico Kelly patient 8 – wipe out the mob entirely

happy 25th anniversary to maurice benard as sonny corrinthos wishing you the best

Sonny and Brenda from the 90’s (Luke’s Club, L & B Records, Eddie Maine, Ned and Lois) are some of my favorite memories. I used to rush home from school (and the bus stop) to watch at 3:00 p.m.

Based on what I’ve read, Mr. Benard seems like a nice man and helpful to new actors, etc. My gripe is with too many Corinthos-centric stories and the subsequent relegation of Jason to a mindless thug. I remember years ago when the late, great Patty Duke recognized co-star MB’s mood swings and helped him get diagnosed as bi-polar. He’s been an important advocate for that condition for yeabrs and I admire that as well. But on the Sonny front, I hated Brenda and don’t miss her, though I know many love her.

Exactly, Soaphound. It is not we who hold any rancor towards Maurice ( he IS a nice guy…great family-man whom I wholeheartedly praise.
Yet, it seems that those who balk about “the haters” are the ones who cannot draw the line between actor and character. The-Sonny-Corinthos-And- Cohorts of the world are to whom I object.
This obsequious adulation for a criminal goes beyond the pale from where I stand, Soaphound.
As you know, I am not familiar with the show and all of Sonny’s past loves, or his interaction with other characters; however, the ‘bad’ guys on other shows are not spun over and over to this Prince Charming winged-god as is Sonny!!
I am overly glad that Sonny called himself a “spade” to Joss….and hypocritical to boot. Quelle surprise!! Now, that was good, honest writing.

Sticking up for my Sonny–

Sonny; his noted kill’s in his bio.

Shot and killed Ben Rogers to ‘protect’ Sam

Killed the assassin who planted the explosive in his limo

Shot and killed Andre Karpov

Arrested for the murder of A.J. Quartermaine pled guilty and was sentenced to prison

—- 25 years– 25 years!!
Sonny’s kill count is 4 – yes 4 during 25 years!

((Jason is the killer- on his own or by order of Sonny, Jason is the killer.. and the killings were mainly Mob hits; live or die.))

And- many have been Shot but not dead, including Sonny.

Not to mention all the times Sonny has been- kidnapped, stabbed, beaten up, shot, blown up,injected with heroin — Nearly died when his warehouse was set on fire and on and on it goes Sonny has taken bullets and well, its the way of being a mobster.

Sonny is 2 sides of the coin..
Mobster
Family man.
Sonny protects his friends and family and he would die for everyone of his family. He is a lover and he is kind he is a hard ass mobster-
2 sides of the coin, I like that.
He is the bad and the good.
Poor Sonny has been nearly dead many a time .

Thing is– it was mainly Mobster against Mobster doing their mobster stuff.

I luvs my Sonny !! 😉
Now, you be nice to Sonny !!
He’s a senior citizen for cripsake!

One of the storylines that I intensely disliked was when Sonny slept with Ava. As much as I love Sonny and Ava, I didn’t think that Sonny would sleep with his son’s love interest. Sonny and Carly go on and on and on about how important their children are to them. That just seemed out of character, completely, to me. I like Maurice Benard, I have since All My Children, and I like Sonny.

hi dmr ..
Sonny and Ava didn’t ”sleep together” they hard hard sex to ease their pain..
It’s a different thing, it was just unemotional feel good sex and then over. Not an uncommon thing. Wild!!

I always wanted Sonny and Ava as a couple (never a dull moment, for sure)
Carly and Sonny are more boring than toenail clippings, they are sexless, passionless, empty.
I hope someday Ava and Sonny will become a couple. It’s way past due.

@dmr……It wasn’t simply the ”what” but more precisely, the “where” which made the Ava-Sonny “Crypt Tryst” one of the most distasteful and disturbing soap scenes to ever take place in the history of daytime! After being complicit in murdering AJ in cold blood, these two poor excuses for human beings did the “horizontal mambo” on his final resting place! That single action told the audience everything they needed to know about these two totally corrupt, irredeemable individuals…no amount of revisionism can ever erase that disgusting, deplorable sight from the collective mind of the viewers!

Even I was disturbed by the crypt sex… And I’m the Devil!!

LOL

Which just goes to show how truly tasteless this scenario was…when even Satan’s horns are raised by such a venal, vile act, then you know you’ve really crossed the Rubicon into the moral abyss!

Sonny is no hero, Su. He’s a killer. Everything he owns was acquired through blood money. Even now, he and Jason are ready to kill Julian to keep Sonny’s secret buried body.

He tortured AJ for years, threatened to kill him if he didn’t sign away his rights to Michael, ran a strip club, slept with Scotty’s daughter knowing she was vulnerable and on drugs. Does he have a good side? Yes; to those he loves. That doesn’t make him a good man; just one who loves his family.

He hasn’t “only” killed “4” in 25 years. He’s killed and ordered hits on countless people. Just because much of it was off screen the implication was always there. You can love the character, but he’s not Robin Hood stealing from the rich giving to the poor. He even tried to kill Jax, Carly’s ex-husband, Joss’s father (which is hilarious that Joss can adore her father and yet love Sonny even after he recently had Jax thrown out of the country. Same with Michael; Sonny kills AJ and tortured him for years before that but Michael loves him. HIDEOUS!

I always say this but through it all I’d take him over Carly any day. You can just imagine with all I just said about Sonny how I feel about Carly if I prefer him to her. Since Laura Wright took over the part (as excellent as she is in it) I just can’t stomach her.

rebecca1 🙂
you said-
”Sonny is no hero, Su. He’s a killer. Everything he owns was acquired through blood money. Even now, he and Jason are ready to kill Julian to keep Sonny’s secret buried body. ”
…………
But! Sonny himself has not killed but 4, only 4.
Jason is 100% the killer by his own doing, he never was forced to be Sonny’s hitman, Jason being the killer is by his own choice.

0ooh that AJ was a dirty piece of work, he is totally not innocent of his dirty deeds.
Ava would be dead if Sonny had not stopped AJ from strangling/killing Ava.
bwhaaa! Ava owes her life to Sonny- good one LOL

Sonny will never kill Julian and Julian will never kill Sonny..
Those two, even tho retired, they’re all that’s left of the good ol’ days. And nether is exiting GH.
(bwa! grandpa mobsters and neither has an actual mob to rule over LOL crazy stuff.
2 mob kings with invisible mobs .

I can only wish that Billy/Drew will soon get an action story- after all he is a Seal and they are military killing machines.

They need to put the action characters upfront and ditch Griffin the sad-sack lol

Su; did you read my reply above? He HAS killed more than four and ANY kills that Jason has committed has been on his order. He has made his way in the world through violence.

I love AJ and he was not a “dirty piece of work.” Perhaps if you watched the show back then (instead of reading some fan sites that give summaries) you’d know that AJ Quartermaine was conflicted and troubled. His family gave more attention to Jason, he always felt second best, his father Alan had a drinking problem which AJ inherited and yes, he struggled. When he was drunk he had a car accident which hurt Jason which is why Jason is the way he is as you know him. Jason was loved by his REAL family: the Quartermaine’s. He was smart; he was going to be a doctor. AJ felt a lot of guilt for causing the accident which injured Jason and that drove him to more drinking.

Sonny took advantage of Jason during that time. Sonny fans will say he took Jason in and helped him. I (and I’m sure others though, as usual, opinions on stories/characters vary) don’t see it that way. When Jason first awoke from the accident, he had “brain damage.” Not in his mental abilities but basically all memories/emotions wiped out. So, when his loving family came to him he rejected them. Completely. Felt pressured by them.

Sonny “took him in” and he stayed there. From that point Sonny could have done two things:

He could have helped Jason, he could have paid for the best medical care, psychological care…he could have helped him, encourage him to go back to his family.

Instead, after initially trying and Jason not wanting to go, he basically turned Jason into his “enforcer.” Jason’s sole purpose became to protect and kill for Sonny. His entire life to this day has one goal; to protect Sonny and Carly (and the rest of the Corinthos family). He completely turned his back on his mother (Monica), father (Alan) and slowly came around to his precious grandmother Lila (who I’d say most if not all fans loved).

So, basically Sonny took other people’s son (Monica and Alan’s) and molded him into a killer.

He then took their grandson. Michael was AJ’s. Just like Carly is NOT Avery’s mother, Sonny is trying to make her so because he doesn’t like Ava. Same with AJ/Michael. Because Carly hated AJ she first lied to him and told him Michael was Jason’s, then I think she might have told him he was Sonny’s. Not sure. By the end both Carly and Sonny threatened AJ with death unless he gave up his parental rights to Michael. Sonny kidnapped him, hung him on a meat hook, etc. They raised Michael to hate AJ and told him he didn’t want him.

Did AJ do bad things” Yes he did as most characters on GH have. Did he not bond with Michael at first? No, he didn’t because Jason and Carly had already turned Michael against him. I doubt any parent would “play nice” when their child is taken away and turned against them.

So. Sonny took Jason, Michael and ultimately AJ from the Q family. Yet, he and Carly go ballistic if you dare mess with any of their children. Just imagine if it had been reversed; if Michael were in the accident and some mob boss took him in and raised him as his own. Instead of being the productive man OUT of the mob that Sonny hoped for him, someone raised him to be a killer and risk his life on a continual basis.

Again. Sonny has been a central figure on GH and has been involved in fantastic stories; from the mob to love triangles, etc. But after all the damage he’s done and never pays for, and add in Carly who I couldn’t hate, yes “hate” more, I don’t root for this couple. I’d love AJ to be back, to see Michael gravitate back to him; I DON’T want to see Avery back in Carly’s arms and I’d like Julian to squash Sonny, not the other way around.

Killed “only” four? There are a lot more bodies buried that Sonny either directly killed or ordered killed.

I get why you like him, especially knowing the types of “action” and personalities your prefer. I liked him “back in the day.” And if he mellowed toward Ava and Julian I could tolerate him more. As I’ve said repeatedly, I really wish they’d left Carly at Ferncliff.

AJ was a dirty piece of work ll That’s how I saw AJ.
Carly was/is Michale’s mother, one or the other would get custody or shared and AJ was a crazed alcoholic.
Carly hated AJ and AJ hated Carly, an even up.

Sonny kidnapped AJ but- he did Not kill him. Nope, he didn’t kill him.

AJ was ”conflicted and troubled” out of control crazed alcoholic and Sonny is bipolar, an evenup.

And still- Sonny by his own hand had killed 3/4 .
Sam would be dead if Sonny had not killed to protect her.
Ava would be dead if Sonny had not shot him.
and
One was mob guy an assassin that planted a bomb in his limo, even up.

Jason is 100% in charge of his life and he chose to kill, he chose to be a murder taking care of Sonny’s enemies, his choice to kill, Sonny never held a gun to Jason’s head lol
Jason has had Decades to walk away from murdering people.

Sonny has had much put on him too;
He has been near death a few times from violence put on him. He has been shot, beaten, kidnapped, many life threatening deeds put on him, also.

And all of Sonny’s bios state ‘his’ kills there were 3/4 actually.

Sonny is a gangsta and most all his deeds were with other gangsters; an even up.
Live by the sword die by the sword lol

Anyways Rebecca, none of it, none of it is by the fault of AJ or Jason or Sonny it’s 100% the Writers fault ..LOL
Those nasty writers made them do it !!
Yes! the writers made them do it !!

0ooh well there are no more vileness bad guys, the Writers did that too !! 🙁

— Thanks for your post detailing their journey 🙂

0ooh! when Lucifer comes to life on Netflix – I believe he’s going be darker because it’s Netflix not broadcast tv.
After all, it is the Devil and Netflix! 🙂

Su00000000….lemme just say this:

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There. I had to get that out. I couldn’t disagree with your analysis of Sonny/Jason/Carly/AJ more. And let me say this: ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I’m trying to release my, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…frustration!!!!!

There. Let me put that away.

Yes!!!!! Can’t wait for “Lucy!” 😉

Rebecca!! 🙂
LOL– hey, it was good to have a ‘controversy’ with you..
Boards will die if all the posts are carbon-copies of agreeable opinions..
When you can read one posts and its like reading the other 12 YAWN.. LOL ..

Anyways.. I luvs Sonny and you don’t and that is a good thing it keeps things interesting and FUN !!

Yes, soon we’ll have Lucifer 🙂

hahahah, suOOOO. I’m still “ahhhh-ing”‘screaming over here but with you? It’s always with good will (however your Sonny views have GOT to be corrected! Kidding. Sorta.)

😉

Yes rebecca always With me..
we laugh over it all..
And- You’ll just have to put up with me luvin Sonny ahaa! 🙂

As long as you go easy on my AJ! 😉

“Only” killing four by his own hand is four too many. He’s like the ceo of his mobster ring, and asks/pays others to do it. It’s all the same thing. I’m sure many shooters and shootees might even be “good” family people as well. Doesn’t excuse it. And sure not my kind of entertainment.
And if Jason doesn’t seem to care, and thinks his gun is the main way to solve problems or prove loyalty, certainly not a role model either.
So I’m sick of Sonny having become a cornerstone for Port Charles. Certainly not to be glorified. And too much violence everyday in the news. I

I started watching GH in college, 1969. Love Maurice! He and Jason are the reasons I watch!

25 years, ok, give him his gold star and call it a day. Enough of this murdering, criminal loser.

My favourite Sonny moment will be when the character meets a mob related violent end….just as so many wonderful characters have been sacrificed for him, by him, or because of him. This character (no offense to MB who is a passable actor) has gutted the emotional core right out of the show with the explicit permission of all the regimes and network executives. I loathe the character of Sonny. He is an abusive, misogynistic, narcissistic, violent, arrogant, disgusting, self centered, petulant, childish, brain damaged thug and mostly all scenes involving Sonny are Fast Forward material for me!

We’re on the same page, Jovin. You’ll notice that, while our comments were being approved, we both used some of the same adjectives to describe the character. I also share your favourite Sonny moment!

Hi Jamesj75. Glad to see you back! Was wondering where you were… 😉

Hello there, Rebecca1! Thanks for the welcome! I just read all your insightful commentary in this thread. And, as usual, I agree with you so much! I think you did a great job in delineating the various families who have been relegated to the back burner — or banished completely (e.g., Quartermaines, Spencers) to make room for Sun-god Sonny and his satellites. I particularly enjoy your characterization of Michael’s affinity for Sonny (who killed Michael’s biological father A.J.) as “HIDEOUS!” That is one plot point that really irks me: Sonny killing A.J. and getting away with it… That was a Rubicon moment if there ever was one! It’s a move that any “Satan” might cheer, but not decent human beings or even decent soap fans! 🙂

Speaking of Satan, please count me in with your suggestion of a group intervention. Please post any details. Because I could use an intervention myself from time to time! 🙂 Take care, Friend!

Hey James…I’m still astounded by all the Carly/Sonny love outside of “these walls.” Almost ironic that this couple is the one thing that most on this site agree on. Strange because when I leave the confines of MF world, the Corinthos fans are en masse.

I will certainly keep you apprised of any interventions regarding our very own Linda Blair in a man suit. Or so I think. Could he be a she? A she devil? Hmmmmm…

As for you, I don’t think you require an intervention unless whatever you’re keeping bottled up inside brims to the top and you lose control. I’ll poem you down from the insanity…

Hello Rebecca! Funny stuff! Typical for you!

Outside these walls: Yes, I am familiar with the Sonny/Carly fandom elsewhere. It just goes to prove that these 2 characters are at best polarizing. Speaking of “she-devils,” isn’t that what Carly personifies?!?!

Oh, and no disrespect to “The Sopranos”: I know it was a great show. I just feel its success influenced the GH/ABC brass.

And to clear up any mystery regarding intervention, you are correct in assuming none is needed for me personally. I count myself very lucky in never having had any addictions… But I admire true friends who would go that extra mile to help. And being surrounded by such friends would be rewarding and cathartic. Poetry in motion, if you will.

Hahah; there was no mystery regarding your (no) need for an intervention. I know YOU know it was a joke but I guess when there’s so many people reading posts we’re all conscious of the misread comment or someone not getting the joke.

Poetry in motion indeed. I like what you did there. I saw it. I got it. 🙂

As an avowed Sonny hater since day 1, I will add my voice to this discussion, in opposition to this so-called “icon.” It’s not so much an aversion to the actor but discontent with the show’s unyielding focus on this one character for 25 years, to the detriment of other missed storylines and other capable/appealing actors who were either put on recurring status or flat-out fired to make room for the Sonny express…

I’ve been around long enough to enjoy previous “anchors,” Steve Hardy and Luke Spencer. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the character of Steve Hardy and for his portrayer, the late John Beradino. Steve Hardy was a true hero with a moral center. That’s what an anchor (patriarch, if you will) of a show should embody. Luke was more of an anti-hero who went from being a con man/rapist to action adventurer/comic relief. In the end, he became a caricature of himself and a victim of over-the-top acting, gratuitous ad-libs, and ludicrous writing. The character of Luke was overused to ill effect, as has the character of Sonny.

What I find appalling is that the powers that be have continued to allow this one Mob character to spearhead this once-great show, which is ostensibly about a hospital… Sure, the writers and producers go out of their way to give the character romances, family, and one major bromance, all in efforts to prop him up. And they try to minimize his misdeeds by having him face loss, disappointment, and trauma. They try to redeem him and create shades of grey to his character. But they don’t do so successfully as he never truly pays for his crimes. The powers that be are so desperate for the viewer to cheer for a character who has no rooting or redeeming value. Hence, the “special promo.” In the final analysis, he’s a quick-tempered, controlling, abusive, misogynistic bully and murderer — several times over!

The problem with anchors is that, if they’re too heavy, all-encompassing, and overpowering, they can bring the ship down. This has clearly happened with the character of Sonny.

We do need another patriarch or matriarch with a good moral center which i find lacking in all remaining soaps…and if there was rewards for best comments you surely would win for this one!!!!

Jimh, thank you for your kind words. I feel passionately about this because I abhor the direction this once-favorite show has taken for far too long. I know we both go back a long time in our GH viewing. Your comments about the need for “another patriarch or matriarch with a good moral center” and that one is “lacking in all remaining soaps” are absolutely spot on! I hadn’t realized it before… Cheers!

Really Jimh, you find a patriarch and matriarch with a good moral center lacking in all four remaining soaps? I don’t keep up with the three others but I had thought they all were much closer to have characters with a moral center than GH. What about Marlena and John on Days? Or Doug and Julie? My mom watches Days so I have seen it at times in the past year and know that they have a clearer sense of good guys and bad guys so that everyone is not intended to be a grey character (which really means villain on GH.) Thanks for your insight.

Funny thing about those Days characters you mentioned… they all had their dark pasts too.

John was trained to be a terrorist & assassin before he showed up in Salem impersonating Roman Brady (albeit unknowingly). Marlena had one of the worst serial killer sprees in the history of Salem (before it was all wiped clean by having them all mysteriously show up alive on some dumb island. Of course I know Marlena very well… you might remember I took up residence inside of her for a little while.

Julie, of course was Salem’s original “bad girl” (which makes her hyper-judgmental attitude towards Gabi & others really hard to take seriously) and while I don’t exactly remember what his crimes were, Doug first appeared in Salem as a prison inmate. Hard to imagine him committing a felony, but it happened.

Granted, I’m the Devil, so I might be a little biased… but who would really tune in to watch a bunch of boring goody two shoes, right??

Hi Satan, Yes, but those Days characters are Grey characters. Just the fact that John did those things knowingly makes a hell (and I don’t say that lightly in front of you) of a difference. No one is saying to not address characters’ dark sides. Just make it less one sided on the dark side as GH has been doing for years.

As much as the soap bloggers and media won’t admit it, characters like Sonny, Valentin, Franco, would all have been considered villains in the 60s-80s (and in Franco’s case, the 2000s!) then something happened and I think you are well aware of it Satan, because it’s your job, of course. And you’ve been doing a great job for those who like their soaps violent, superficial and without meaning.

Great stuff, JMER! Your analysis of GH’s use of one-sided darkness is spot on…

You have not given up your wannabe dark underworld persona for one moment. LOL; do we need a group intervention?

Which coincidentally marks the 25th anniversary when I first no longer found GH to be daily-required viewing, since I loathed the shifting emphasis from the phenomenal ‘80’s stars and themes to that of Port Charles as a Sonny-centric universe. Other than occasionally glimpsing rightful soap heirs, AJ and Jason, and tuning in for return engagements of legacy favorites, my interest in this soap markedly decreased because of the forced primacy of this mob-infested character and all the others who were attached to him. That situation remains much the same today…I fast forward through at least 90% of the current cast and storylines in order to enjoy the few gems left…to wit, Anna and Scorpio, et al…theirs is the only plot which interests me…..But speaking of, hooray for the return of Cassandra! Jessica Tuck is one of the rare examples of “intersoapers” in Port Charles worth watching!!!

Excellent commentary, Shay! My viewing habits mirror yours: “when I first no longer found GH to be daily-required viewing” and “Other than occasionally glimpsing rightful soap heirs, AJ and Jason, and tuning in for return engagements of legacy favorites….” I think that’s true for many fans/former fans. Now I’m debating whether it’s worth my time to tune in again just to see Genie Francis (which I have done before), even though I’ll be bombarded with the aforementioned character I cannot stand. As @Jovin says, I can use such moments as “Fast Forward material,” the best reason to use that button! Cheers!

Thank you, my dear James! Right back at you! As soon as I glimpsed the subject matter for this particular thread, I fully expected a very passionate, spirited post…or two…or three (LOL…) from you, and, as such, was awaiting them with bated breath! Needless to say, you certainly did not disappoint! (Now if that equally-eloquent Sonny-detractor, CeeCee, would only weigh-in with her typically vivid commentary, then my life shall be complete!) Having said that, I also like to point out that my Sonny Boy antipathy is solely directed toward the character and not the actor who portrays him, since he is, by all descriptions, a very stand-up individual who can be rightly proud of his enduring tenure in our increasingly dwindling daytime world…perhaps if his role had not been ordained as so peripheral in nature, I wouldn’t have minded his occasional presence——just like so many other epic GH baddies of the past who resurfaced, made their mischief, then decamped for parts unknown in order to save further evildoing for another day. It’s the all-encompassing glorification and constant push to redeem the reputation of all things Corinthos which has left me so vehemently against this character and his far-too-many mobbed-up minions, both past and present…especially given this scenario was afforded at the major expense of legacy players who were either unceremoniously dumped or forced to sully themselves in order to join the decades-long Sonny lovefest. As for viewing Genie’s much-anticipated return to the GH canvas? Despite my great reluctance to accept most of current life in Port Charles, I shall have to give our lovely Lady Laura my undivided time and attention…she is an absolutely iconic soap figure who immediately brings me back because she remains the heart and soul of GH, regardless of how abysmally she has been treated during countless previous storylines…one always lives in hope the next one will be the charm! Just as I am with my beloved Anna and Scorpio, I shall simply pull up her scenes from daily highlight reels featuring those characters who truly matter to me…no muss, no fuss, and little to no Sonny, Carly, Nina, Franco, Alexis, Ava, Julian, et al, viewing required! I call that a win-win situation! Wishing you a wonderful Sonny-free day, my friend! It was a true delight to hear from you!

Hello there (confirmed female, Mid-Atlantic Yank) Shay! Thanks so much for your kind reply! I am glad that I met your expectations regarding this thread, and I am so thrilled that you chimed in on it as well! Yes, by all means, I hope we also hear from CeeCee on this. For me, I just can’t help myself. I have been lobbying against this character for quite some time, not only here but elsewhere, including the ABC viewer feedback phone line on occasion. I won’t beat a dead horse, but you and others here have made the legitimate case on why we are Sonny detractors…

Your point about annoyance with the character (not the actor) is well taken and, for the most part, shared by me. (I admire your diplomacy and tact in this regard.) I also appreciate your allegiance to Genie Francis and her iconic character Laura. Francis’ returns have spurred my return to viewing from time to time. So I should tune in…

Best to you always, Friend! (from a confirmed male who started out as a Mid-Atlantic Yank!)

@Gentleman James…Whew! I’m so relieved my response to you posted! I didn’t receive confirmation that my remarks to you were accepted, so I was concerned it would have appeared I snubbed you after answering all of the other kind replies my original comments solicited! I thought I would have to scramble to recall and paraphrase what I had previously said in a more suitable fashion since I would never want you to think either you, or your lovely sentiments, had been ignored! However, all is well! Having said that, I do find it fascinating that even 25 years after his GH debut, MB’s signature role remains such a polarizing character…seems never shall the pro-Sonny/anti-Sonny factions’ twain meet! So be it….those who find him as morally bereft and undeserving of praise as the two of us—-and there are plenty of others!—simply must carry on and focus our attention on other more appealing Port Charles favorites, like the ever-luminous Laura, eternally-fair Anna and still-dashing spy, Robert Scorpio! As long as there is breath left in these legacy players, I shall not totally give up the GH ship! As for CeeCee, she seems to be M.I.A….I hope she is alright, as it is highly unusual for her not to chime in with her own anti-Corinthos commentary! At any rate, many thanks for your vivid views on not just all things Sonny, but your quite obviously fond memories of soaps past…it’s always a treat to hear from those who were there when daytime was truly great! Additionally, your personally gracious words were also most appreciated, my (formerly) fellow mid-Atlantic Yank! Have a superb day!

Shay, thanks a million for your kind words and graciousness. Your analysis about various factions of fans is indeed true. I will keep checking in from time to time, even if my role is more reader than poster… Even if my actual soap viewing is minimal, I am thrilled to have this awesome website and this terrific community of smart and gracious people. Please take care!

And you, as well, James! I agree that this website is indeed a wonderful meeting place for many intelligent, outstanding people, and I enjoy reading their thoughts and insights even when my GH viewing is at a minimum. Though I am still trying to adjust to this newer format—- (Two words: DARK MODE! Please….)—-I would certainly miss my favorite posters were they to suddenly disappear…..hence even though it often takes more of an effort to hunt down their comments, it is well worth the effort. Having said that, I must admit that I do remain missing the ease, comfort, and sometimes outrageous humor of the old MFSoaps….it had a heady cocktail party-like atmosphere, lots of mixing and mingling, whilst this one possesses a more buttoned-down, business-like vibe where we must be on our best behavior which can prevent more candid, creative material from filtering through. Regardless, some gems still manage to survive the stringent moderation process and make it online to opine, entertain and delight! And yours definitely fall into that category, my friend! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Thank you, Shay!

Yes…bring back Jessica…great post Shay as i too do not watch full time for the same reasons

Thank you, Jimh! I’m still holding out hope that Cassandra will be revealed as Helena’s daughter, since the rotten apple certainly would not have fallen far from the proverbial tree in that instance! GH needs some really phenomenal “next-generation” villains…given the fact that both Peter and Valentin have been huge disappointments in that particular department. Other than the much-missed Britt, nobody else in recent years has lived up to the wickedness of their bad parental examples, so if Cassandra can bring that element back to Port Charles, then she will be a formidable and welcome addition indeed!

Where are you from, Shay? You have an Israeli name.

So I have been told before, Erez! However, I am an All-American, mid-Atlantic-issued Yank…”Shay” is just my username based upon certain letters taken from my real-life moniker! But oddly enough, I have discovered that my true first name means “princess” in Hebrew, although that fact was unbeknownst to my parents at the time they chose it…hmmm. (By the way, I am female…there has also been some confusion regarding that in the past, so just to clarify…LOL!) Anyway, thank you for asking…and if I may return the curiosity, what is the story behind “Erez?”

Hi Shay..

I luvs GH, why?
The ABC description tells all, as to why-

”’Murder, mob wars, and mansions – all in a day’s work for the residents of Port Charles, New York. Weekdays on ABC.”’

Since Frank Smith and Luke, way back in time, GH has had the mob as a cornerstone.
But now GH has become a shell of it’s greatness with boring saints boring me..

(like Griffin- his holy face looks like he suffers from constipation bwahha for real it’s always squished in pain.
Valentin is a love-sick begging puppy
Franco is a meek and mild nothing much
Julian is a newborn saint of bartenders
Sonny is retired mellowed senior citizen care-giver
Jason has become robot man.

Why some complain about a mob that hasen’t existed for a long time and complain about bad people that no longer exist is beyond me.
most all have been brought into sainthood

GH has lost its glorifying OOOMPH and became a moldy monastery.

Hello, su…thank you for your reply! It’s true that the GH mob has its roots way back to the days of Frank Smith and Luke, but up until the emergence of Sonny in the ‘90’s, the criminal element was never looked upon in a favorable light…nobody considered Smith to be a sometimes amiable adversary, any more than those countless crazy Cassadines or other assorted miscreants who have darkened the Port Charles doorstep through the years. Even Luke, despite his sometimes hero status, has always been considered an often less-than-admirable, complex character who skirted the law whenever it suited his own nefarious purposes. As you have rightly pointed out, most of GH’s original wrongdoers (with the recently past example of Helena and the current exception of Liesl…) have had their seriously-tarnished halos polished with repeated efforts to sanitize and humanize them…and therein lies the rub that chafes so many viewers. We don’t want bad people who are constantly being made to look good through constant redemptive machinations! When one does serious lawbreaking, such as murdering another human being, they should have to pay the price for it…few on GH ever do, even when there are no possible extenuating circumstances to exonerate their actions! In order to have satisfying outcomes, good must triumph over evil, at least, now and again! Having said that, despite our opposing opinions regarding Sonny, I must admit that you frequently describe numerous other GH characters in much the same vein as would I…GH is utterly boring because of its stale approach to storytelling with all of its recycled villains now impersonating upstanding citizens…I am hoping that bad gal Cassandra’s welcome return upends that notion in a big way!!!!

Hey, Shay,
Agreed with your synopsis until Cassandra. Satan does have a point, albeit I am guilty of the same double standard, at times.
I love Ava, yet she’s a mobstress…..the same applies to Liesl. I suppose we pick and choose our baddies?? LOL,
C’est la vie?

Hello, CeeCeeGirl!!! I finally responded to Satan about that issue…read my comments and you will understand what I meant! For me, villains should, by and large, remain villains…like our beloved Liesl! She’s bad to the bone and will never change…that’s why we love her! But “reformed” criminals Sonny, Julian, Franco, et al, as now-upstanding denizens of the Port Charles community? That’s just too bitter of a pill to swallow…

Buonasera, Shaybelle,
Thanks for the reply…..I get it….yes, we love Liesl for her honesty and authenticity. She makes no excuses for being who or what she is.
No hypocrisy….I see the difference. While Liesl ( and somewhat Ava and Faison) offers whatever is on her plate, Sonny renders criticism of others, namely Ava, of having low standards as a parent/human being…..That’s exactly how I would describe him.
Sonny speaks from both sides of his mouth, as it were……at the same time he freely talks to Jason about a body he buried and is now within the ‘confines’ of Charlie’s.
By the by, I think Julian is on to him.
However, needless to say, your concept of the characters you listed, is on the mark!!
Upstanding my ….uhmmm, eye!!
Sweet dreams…

Absolutely, mia amica! I strictly adhere to the notions of good and evil, right and wrong….I don’t like equivocacy or moral relativism, in either real life or fiction. And there’s too much of that in Port Charles! Whilst I can savor the inveterate badness of an incorrigible Liesl, Helena, Faison, Cassandra or Jerry Jacks, what I cannot abide is the reinvention of those just as guilty of crimes against humanity who have been awarded absolution on a silver platter…to wit, Sonny, Franco, Nina, Julian, and even Ava, to some extent. They have all pretty much gotten off scot-free for their lawlessness, and now sanctimoniously move amongst decent society without skipping a beat, being treated like first-class individuals and that simply doesn’t work for me!!!

@CeeCee….Oh, and I would be remiss were I not to include Heather on that illustrious list of favorite GH villains who will never reform! However, just because I appreciate her comically outre’ form of baroque revenge doesn’t mean that I admire or excuse her behavior …just the acting ability of Robin Mattson. See? That’s what make such exquisitely evil characters so bad they’re good! Which is not to say that they shouldn’t be punished for their demonic deeds…I believe in calling a pariah a pariah…problem is too many of those deserving such a label have escaped that fate as of late in Port. Charles, which is what I simply cannot abide!!

Hi, su,
I love monks, don’t you? Especially their little tonsure ( bald spot). ….love Robin Hood’s Friar Tuck. HaHa
I wish my husband would turn into
Valentin once in a while and be a lovesick, begging puppy. LOL.
Not that I want mobster-Sonny to go on shooting sprees….but, give me sensually-anointed, hot guy who has a trace of caveman-beating-chest in him. I would love to see Chase beat his bare chest….
But, you’re right…most of these guys are unrecognizable. I am having a seminal moment with you here….is this what the future holds for these guys? Domesticated puppies?
The most antipathetic character for me is Griffin….well, perhaps, too strong of a word…I’ll settle for irritating..
Ahhh, Griffin….that perennial pained look on your beautiful face pains ME!! I can’t take it!!
What GH needs is a sexy, undulating ( hips), beautiful woman …..perhaps the new Jordan will ‘devastate’ Griffin; so much so that she will wipe the pain right off his face. Yeah…

So Sonny the mobster is “bad”… but an OLTL castaway who sells fentanyl laced drugs to the Port Charles population is “good”??

Seriously??

You completely misinterpreted my meaning, Satan! What I was saying is that far too many of GH’s citizens who have done absolutely reprehensible things in the not-so-recent past have now been reinvented as pillars of Port Charles society…and undeservedly so! No matter what laws they broke or crimes against humanity they propagated, they are still held up as normal and admirable people in the present…Given what has already transpired with Cassandra, not to mention what seems to be another upcoming diabolical chapter in her villainy, I should expect she will not be turning into a cookie-baking, home-and-hearth style of women whose dastardly deeds will be forgiven and forgotten…j.unlike those of Sonny, Franco, Nina, Ava, Julian, et al…

Nothing against Maurice. But I just don’t have any “Wow” moments for a character who started out pimping young women in his strip club, and has continued as a career criminal. With the exception of how he is playing it out with Mike as they go through the inevitable journey of his dad’s illness.

Another thought…25 years ago not much was made of how Sonny used girls to make a buck. Shows you how times have changed when Alexis and Kiki take on the abusive doctor, and win their court case. Even Scottie in a backhanded way helped this win. Good acting all around, and shows Alexis, the lawyer, at her best.

Agree with all you wrote, rose.

There is an Italian word ( schifoso) which I find hard to translate iinto English ……most definitions ( English) don’t even come close….perhaps, “skeevy”?
Furthermore, anyone associated with Sonny falls into the same category.
The idea that such a character is idolized ( fiction or not) is beyond moi.
You go James75—–icon? For what? How to kill? How to cheat? How to rob? How to deceive? etc?
Well, then…..there you go, James—perfect icon for all the above and then some.
❤️

Hello there, Celia! Merci beaucoup! I graciously and humbly appreciate your backup! So glad to see you here! Best to you and your loved ones, Friend!

Hi jamesj75! You know, I used to blame THE GODFATHER and GOODFELLAS for “romanticizing” the Mob. But at least in those movies, you knew you were watching dastardly deeds. But with Sonny, they seem to try and justify his actions and make him and Jason loveable, even heroic. This anti-hero ideology isn’t new. Heck, I grew up when BONNIE & CLYDE were suddenly “glamorous”. It’s a slippery slope, to say the least, and co still find it disturbing. Sooo glad Drew wasn’t sucked into that world!

Oh but Ray Liotta in Goodfellas…I must admit to “romanticizing” him just a teensy bit. As in ginormous! :/

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Soaphound, particularly your analysis of the “slippery slope” of Mob glamorization being “disturbing.” BTW: I have always blamed the success of HBO’s “The Sopranos” for the escalation of the Sonny focus.

I loved The Sopranos; was so saddened by James Gandolfini’s death. As much as I abhor Sonny; I loved “Tony.” Well, when he wasn’t killing people. The difference is they never portrayed him as smug and judgental and his wife wasn’t a self-righteous, know-it-all biatch. They didn’t target favored characters.

No; he was a straight-up mob boss but the fascinating thing was his psyche. Loved his therapy sessions. Great show. And, as said, Mr. Gandolfini.

Yep; I repeat. LOVED The Sopranos! As to the comment below which states that the nicknames alone would make any “decent person” retch, I can speak as one of millions of “decent people” who LOVED The Sopranos!

Oh, my next statement was soooooo good but I thought better of it and poof! Deleted it. Thanks, Michael Fairman, for allowing one to exercise their ability to not take the bait/fall into the same trap! How liberating….

First time I felt liberated? When the same poster (below) thought it was okay to say that the humor that myself, James and jimh shared over “Colonel Sanders” was juvenile, annoying; don’t quite remember how she put it. Just announced her offensive comments as if it was her right, once again, to get personal with her “digs” and haughty air. I laughed. So transparent as usual. But, I refrained. Wonder if there’s a number limit on “refraining?” Hmmm…But then I just feel sad for someone who needs to be the center of attention, who “misses” the cafe feel where everyone can gang up on one person and oh, the fun she had. Sort of like what she imagines her first cotillion would have been had she been born in the era she so fondly opines…

Amen, James! I’ve never understood the appeal of “The Sopranos”….it was so base and repulsive! Just the undignified “nicknames” alone were enough to make any decent person retch! And that doesn’t even take into account the glorification of the mob and its clearly inglorious activities. I guess like you, I simply find any kind of mob “glamorization” disturbing, no matter how artfully depicted…Even “The Godfather” classics, though informative from an historical point of view, were certainly not entertainment-worthy from my perspective….I prefer my killers both clever and hailing from the genteel, uppercrust confines of the pastoral British countrysides…..especially if they are guests at a stylish manorhouse-party of the early 20th century…I cannot get enough of those sumptuous mystery scenarios!

I love all the scenes with Maurice and Steve Burton. My favorite Sonny scene is when he first met Jason. Congrats on 25 years Maurice.

Maurice, I just wanted to wish you a happy 25th on GH. In my opinion, you are the best bad
guy on daytime soaps, sort of like Tony Soprano. He had his dark side, but also, was kind
and loving to his family & close friends. Best wishes 4 many more anniv. on GH!!!

Sincerely, Nancy E. Croasmun, Ocala, FL 🙂

Breaking News

George Cheeks, CBS President & CEO, on Timeline to Launch New Daytime Drama, ‘The Gates’: “We’re So Focused on Getting it Right”

March 2024 will be remembered in the TV and soap world when the news broke that CBS is prepping a brand new daytime drama. Many had thought a major network would never bring a new daytime soap into the world, given that the last time it was attempted was 25 years ago when the now defunct Passions bowed on NBC.

However, The Gates is definitely in development and moving forward with some major players associated with it including: Michele Val Jean as The Gates writer, showrunner and one of its executive producers, and Sheila Ducksworth from NAACP Venture

Now, for the first time since its announcement, George Cheeks, the president and CEO of CBS and chief content officer for news and sports at Paramount+, spoke on the project that will feature a Black family as its central focus who live in a wealthy gated community.

Photo: NAACP

Speaking with Vulture, and when asked if The Gates is really something that truly has a chance of getting on the air, Cheeks clarified, “It’s super real. And just to give you a little bit of the backstory,  when we hired Sheila Ducksworth to run the NAACP Venture, she and I had multiple meetings talking about what different genres she was going to lean into, and we talked a lot about daytime.”

Cheeks added, “One of the things that the data made very clear to both of us is that daytime soap operas over index with Black women, and yet when you look at soap operas, it’s usually sort of a white-led family with supporting characters that reflect more of our society. So we just thought, wouldn’t it be interesting to flip that and make the core anchor family a Black family, and then make the other characters reflect more the broader scope of society?”

Photo: JPI

The CEO gave props to Michele Val Jean,  and how Ducksworth came to the table with the former B&B and GH writer. “She found this great writer, Michele Val Jean, who’s been in the soap opera space for 30 years. She came up with a pitch, and we loved it,” shares Cheeks. “We brought Procter & Gamble into it as well, because if there were going to be (product) integrations, we could do it more holistically and organically. All of that is to say, we did a lot of work on the front end to put this together. So while yes, it’s development, it’s accelerated development.”

When prodded on the timeline of when The Gates could come to full fruition, Gates related, “The actual timeline and when we’re going to do it is still uncertain, because we want to get this right. I mean, there hasn’t been a new soap opera launch since I can’t even begin to tell you when. But we have great success with Bold and the Beautiful and Young and the Restless, and so we think we’re the right folks to be launching a new soap. I wish I could tell you more about exact timing, but we’re so focused on getting it right, and that will dictate when we’re ready to launch it.”

The CBS exec also shared that whether The Gates will wind up an hour soap or half-hour is not yet determined, but that it is being developed as an hour show.

So, after reading what George Cheeks, the CBS President & CEO had to say about ‘The Gates’, are you even more excited for what looks to the first new network soap in 25 years? Comment below.

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Breaking News

Robyn Bernard, ‘General Hospital’s’ Terry Brock, Dead at 64

Former General Hospital star, Robyn Bernard, who played aspiring singer Terry Brock has died. She was 64-years-old.

Bernard’s body was found Tuesday in San Jacinto, California. A Riverside County Coroner told TMZ they identified the actress’ body using her fingerprints after deputies responded to a death investigation call on Tuesday March 12th.

Sources told the outlet that Bernard’s body was found in the wee hours of the morning. The cause of death has yet to be determined.

Photo: ABC

Bernard joined General Hospital back in 1984 as Terry Brock, the daughter of the abusive D.L. Brock (played by David Groh). Robyn remained on the ABC soap opera for six years before making her exit in 1990. At one point, Terry’s stepmother would become Bobbie Spencer (the late Jackie Zeman) when the nurse married her father.

Terry was involved in the Laurelton Murders storyline and after first setting her sights on Frisco Jones, wound up with killer Kevin O’Connor. Later, Terry was blamed for several murders and in the end killed Kevin in self-defense. In addition, Terry had a relationship with Dusty Walker played by none other than Shaun Cassidy.  She eventually left Port Charles after landing her own recording contract.

Photo: ABC

The last time GH Fans may have seen Bernard was in 2014, when she appeared at the GH Fan Club Weekend Past Cast event. Robyn is pictured below with the late Susan Brown (ex-Gail) at the fan gathering. She has been out of the limelight for several years.

Photo: JPI

In addition to her role on GH, Bernard was featured throughout her TV career on primetime’s Simon & Simon, Tour of Duty and The Facts of Life.

Share your remembrances and condolences for GH alum Robyn Bernard and her loved ones via the comment section below.

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Breaking News

51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Announce Broadcast Date on CBS

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Tuesday, that the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live on Friday night, June 7th (8 – 10 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+*.

This year will mark the 18th time CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmy Awards, which is more than any other network.

The 2024 Daytime Emmys will take place at the Westin Bonaventure in downtown Los Angeles. Back in December of 2023, the delayed 50th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards were also held at that venue. The June 7th date for the upcoming ceremony will be the first time in several years that the event is scheduled a few weeks earlier than normal; excluding last year’s revised date to the actors and writers strikes.

Photo: NATAS

Lifetime Achievement honoree, nominations, host, and additional information will be announced in the coming weeks.

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS noted, “We eagerly anticipate our return in June as we once again partner with CBS to recognize the exceptional and talented individuals who make daytime television great. We’re thrilled to kick off our second half-century of the Daytime Emmys.”

The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.

Photo: JPI

The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will once again be produced by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI), which produced Daytime Emmy Award ceremonies on The CW in 2009 and on CBS in 2010, 2011, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie is executive producer from ATI.

So, glad to know that the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards honoring performance and shows in the 2023 calendar year, will be held in early June this year, and once again broadcast on CBS? Comment below.

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