Connect with us

General Hospital

9

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Max Gail Turns In Another Emmy-Worthy Performance As Mike’s Battle With Alzheimer’s Takes Its Toll

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Courtesy/GH

For any of us who have seen our loved ones deteriorate right before our eyes, due to the horrific affects of Alzheimer’s, and have been witness to their confusion, dementia, angry outbursts, frightened looks, and uncontrollable tears, yesterday’s episode of General Hospital brought with it a stark reminder of how this disease is a gut-punch to those afflicted and their family members.

For several months, GH viewers saw a bit less of Mike; played brilliantly by recent Daytime Emmy Supporting Actor in a Drama Series winner, Max Gail.  And smartly, the writers have taken the time to advance Mike’s condition …. as at this point he doesn’t recognize his son, his family, his friends, and more.  For Mike, he is living in the past spirally backward and downward.

When Dev (Ashton Arbab) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) go to visit Mike at Turning Woods, it’s clear  how much he is suffering.  When Dev plays a checkers game with Mike it seems to calm him down, but when Sonny (Maurice Benard) enters, all hell breaks loose.  Mike thinks his son is actually one of their mortal enemies Joe Scully.

Earlier, at the Corinthos home, Michael (Chad Duell) sees that Sonny is considering entering his father in a clinical trial. Sonny says he knows it won’t cure the disease, but hopes the drugs in the trial can slow its progression.  In a key question, any family member needs to ask themselves, Michael asks Sonny to think first, if this is the man Mike would want to be?  Michael shares that Mike is no longer himself and sadly, there is no coming back from that.

All this becomes more poignant when Sonny sees first-hand how far Mike has slid.  Will Sonny be able to come to terms with losing Mike to Alzheimer’s?  How will he deal with it?  Gail’s partner in this entire storyline has been GH icon, Maurice Benard, who delivers poignant work throughout this story in very contained, emotional moments of deep hurt and pain, as Sonny watches the father he knew become lost in himself and to others.

Watch the key scenes below from yesterday’s GH below featuring Gail.  Then, let us know, do you think Max could end up in the running for another Daytime Emmy for his work?  Comment below.

9 Comments

9 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Love Max Gail. Also loved Ron Hale (?) in the role. I really miss our show. I miss “Cliff Hanger Friday” & super couples like Frisco & Felicia, Sonny & Brenda (my two favorite couples). Nowadays, we are hiring boyfriends in the parking lot and focusing on a boring teen scene.

Max is wonderful and such a treat. It shows you how many other actors out there who used to have shows on TV are capable of this. I wish more would appear. GH has so much talent. It should be #1 BUT the stories struggle at times. These two kids were fabulous in their scenes with Max Gail. Kudos to the casting department!

Max Gail is outstanding, sad to think there is only so long they can keep him on as the illness will eventually take Mike

Max Gail should get another Emmy nod. As far as winning another Emmy, it will depend on who else will be in his category and what their reels contain.

I definitely agree that Max Gai deserves an Oscar for his performance. I have watched many movies with Alzheimer’s as the focus (Iris, Away from Her, Still Alice) and his performance ranks with the best of them. It touches me deeply as my dear mother suffered from the terrible disease. Well done, Max.

Oh yes, kudos to this wonderful actor. I should have known watching him years ago , on Barney Miller that his acting abilities would only grow, making him a great actor. He will be missed on GH when his time is up as Mike.

@Violet…Hello! It’s been awhile, dear lady! ..Yes, Max’s charmingly obtuse Wojo was one of the highlights of “Barney Miller,” thus, “he” wears well to this day, albeit we are now (sadly) living in much more PC times than when his hilariously naughty show debuted. (It’s still oh-so-fun to watch when in a nostalgic mood for “the way things used to be”….Lol.) Hence although I have not kept up with his Alzheimer’s saga on GH as of late, I’ve no doubt that Gail’s portrayal of Mike hasn’t diminished even as his character’s capacities have…he really is that fine of an actor. At any rate, what I really came here to do is wish you a “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!” It was such a pleasure “getting to know you” in 2019, despite the fact that our penchant for too off-topic “conversations” was (understandably) cut short…hey, at least they were tremendously enjoyable whilst they lasted! (I do still miss them, though..) By the way, one final word about that particular movie which we are not allowed to discuss: I just noticed that it is now available to rent and/or own on Amazon…Hope Santa is aware so that he can leave it in your Christmas stocking!!!! Cheers!!!!!

Hi Shay, ho,ho,ho! Guess what I got for Christmas, mostly thanks to you?. My gr.granddaughter asked me what I wanted and I for once had something to tell her, after reading your last reply. I just finished watching it and thoroughly enjoyed it. What a way to end the day. I could never figure out if Violet found out about the companion/daughter thing. I’d like to discuss it further, but Michael will have a cow. Hope your Christmas was really good, and your New Year even better.
I really enjoyed the Scrooge episode, did you see it?

Oh, Violet….I’m DELIGHTED to know that you had a Merry Christmas and received what your heart truly desired! Bless your granddaughter for buying you the perfect gift. (So glad I could help out…you are most welcome! I had hoped that you would read my post in time for you to share that vital information with your own “personal shopper” and I agree it gave you a wonderful way to end your holiday!) Without going into too much detail about that divinely superb film whose name we dare not mention…(LOL): I believe that the Dowager Countess totally realized the “connection” to which you are referring, which is why she was promoting the matchmaking idea for Branson toward the end..Also, how about that beautiful Mary/Violet scene? It was my most and least favorite in the entire movie since it featured my two best-loved characters whilst broaching a totally tearjerking notion which I simply refuse to contemplate. (Without giving away the plot, I did detect an out for that storyline though…Seems “Dame Maggie’ slyly switched a few words in her lines at the last take in order to be more ambiguous…perhaps giving herself a bargaining chip should the rumored sequel come to fruition???) Okay…best be done with that off-topic-topic now…even though I do hear you on wishing that we could discuss it at length! Having said that, I will appreciate even this small mention of said subject as a special holiday treat from the moderators! (Although I have to admit that I’m still mystified as to why there was never an MF thread dedicated to the film’s fall release, huge box office numbers and subsequent news of its proposed sequel based upon that success, but then ours is not to wonder why…) At any rate, I’m thrilled to have played a part in the enjoyment of your holiday. Yes, mine was quite nice, too, thank you very much…just extremely hectic, still I wanted to quickly get back here to reply to your lovely message…it really made my day, because sharing and spreading joy is what Christmas is all about! Do take care and Happy New Year to you, too, dear lady! See you in 2020 on the GH threads where we will both absolutely, positively stay “on topic,” right???? (Nodding yes…in unison!!!!) By the way, I will definitely take a peek at Michael Easton’s much-praised “Scrooge” performance…I am so far behind on the soap that it took me a minute to realize what you meant…duh!!! (Especially since I just finished the BBC’s latest version of “A Christmas Carol” starring Guy Pearce, so I had that one on the brain….) Must be going…Later, Violet!!!!!

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

Published

on

By

Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jonathan Bennett (@jonathandbennett)

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

Published

on

By

On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair

Published

on

By

After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!

In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.

Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.

MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP

Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!

At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.

Courtesy/ABC

BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY

Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”

LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER

In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?

So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Giovanni Mazza as Gio

General Hospital

Airdate: 12-8-2025

Popular

9
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x