General Hospital
General Hospital Releases "Mike’s Story" Promo Bringing More Awareness To Alzheimer’s Disease

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First of all, I am sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my heart and prayers. The Alzheimer’s storyline has been nothing short of phenomenal. It has been real, raw, and heartbreaking. The chemistry between Maurice Benard and Max Gail is so natural and believable and their portrayal of a father and son (and the entire Corinthos family) fighting such a terrible, horrific disease is riveting. Their acting is on fire and kudos to GH for putting this storyline on the front burner and for telling it in such a way that we, the viewer, not only… Read more »
This is such a powerful storyline that tho so difficult to watch is so important for awreness by all. The Alzheimer’s/Dementia disease is heartbreaking to watch vibrancy of light turn to dimness yet more research needs to be done. My prayers Michael on your loss and know she now has all of her memories of you back. This affects so many who have had to stay silent but thanks to #GH hopefully more eyes are opened.
Well, Maurice and Max should just submit this promo for next years Emmy awards. Powerful stuff!
I =- SWEAR – to You, and you and YOU. Sonny and Carly , are having a meltdown. AND it’s hysterically FUN’ny. I want this. they are so bad. the acting , for even these two relics… is done. R _ E_ S _ T. Give – us – ALL – a – break. cash in your chips backburner show maturity take one for the team you are not who you once were. caricature, tired, and just so over you two. it’s either you two , who are calling the shots… or it’s Frank Valentini as he cooks the books.… Read more »
Carly N Sonny have – nothing – to do with HOW WELL this alzheimers story is “playing” out. EVERY credit is going… to Max Gail. What has happened to Maurice Benard acting? he’s not hitting his target.. he relies so heavily on his scene partners… it’s obvious… CAN WE QUIT with the hug two pat slam ??? !!!! OK hit the masculine button and call it a scene stealer… OK let’s not get any further – no words needed look at how he leers @Ava… over Avery. we get it. enough of the machismo stance. I mean really.. what is… Read more »
let me put out their again: just seeing the word, hearing the word, like Mike did scares the bejeezus out of any one. scared… that word has a life of it’s own and it’s a one man show. when you “hang” heavy story material… on Sonny and Carly. you get a convoluted mess. PEOPLE : these are “mobsters” with no empathy or REAL feelings. they don’t know how to act any other way. OK going on 3 years Morgan is dead. so what’s the point. Sonny isn’t doing a damned thing notable. period there should be nuance, subtlety, abject horror… Read more »
Patrick, with all due respect, I think Maurice Benard could find a cure for cancer, and rescue a dozen orphans from a burning building, and you’d find something to criticize him for. And I say that jokingly, because we all know you don’t like him. That’s fine, that’s your opinion. But you’re missing the boat on this one. Maurice is getting universal praise for his acting in this storyline. Even from people that would rather walk over broken glass bare foot than ever give him credit for anything. And he’s doing it as a supporting player to Max Gail’s Tour… Read more »
I read that article, too, Patrick and completely agree. I need a temporary break from Sonny; would prefer a permanent one from Carly. Each time she prances around with AVA’s daughter (not HERS!) drives me crazy! Want to rip that smug smile right off her face! Can you IMAGINE if anyone tried to raise her kids? Sonny and Carly are two-for-two now. Stripped AJ of Michael and trying to do the same with Ava. But, really, if I had to choose between the two I’d rather Carly take a vacation, preferably a hike. As in take a hike! (okay, couldn’t… Read more »
I know, rebecca1, I sympathize. Yesterday, when Sonny told Carly she’s the one with a problem, I didn’t disagree. It may not be the SAME problem, but who cares. Drew gives her a ride home out of kindness, yet she shows ZERO gratitude, just like when he “dethawed” her daughter. So selfish!
What a horrible rambling post! You have absolutely no idea what a diagnosis of Alzheimers does to all the family members involved. Not just to the individual who has been given the diagnosis. Maurice Bernard, Laura Wright and Max Gail are each giving a master class in acting on a daily basis. And Frank Valentini is showing the world what Alzheimers does to the lives of all involved.
Dealt with memory loss and its a good story…unfortunately its still more about Sonny than anything else!!!
and when Mike goes to court too bad they couldnt get Hal Linden to play the judge!!!
This is the kind of story daytime drama needs to tell and can tell so well. This is when the serials shine. And hopefully, this family struggle may have an impact for Sonny’s family, and maybe for this show which has really told some out-of-the-world tales that strain credulity and and patience.
This story has me paying attention to GH again!
Michael, I am sitting here bawling as I type this. I am so sorry. Truly I am. I feel horrible for complaining about not being able to get on the site-all the while you are going through this devastating loss. I am sorry. I clicked on the link to go to your facebook page and read. Thanks for sharing. Much love to you, Michael.
One of the most powerful and well-acted storylines that I have seen on GH. Hope that they find a way to slow down the diseases progression so that Max Gail can be part of the program for a long time!
Michael, I tweete the link to the 60 minutes Alzheimer’s piece to you last night-having no idea what you have and are going through. If that was offensive in any way. please know that was not my intent at all. I was bullied as well, turned to the soaps and stayed home from school often. Only my mom encouraged and enjoyed my being bullied. She didn’t care for sissies and felt it would toughen me up. It didn’t. The times I really needed her in my life, she turned away. I remember going to her house-she had finally married a… Read more »
Phyllis! Was it naive of me to not realize you were a man? Wow; this site is full of surprises! So sorry for your personal history. I hope things are better for you now and that you’ve found an accepting love. You’re such an engaging personality and obviously one of compassion.
Catch you on the next post! 🙂
I was a fan of Ron Hale and loved Sonny and Brenda (Luke’s Club, Ned and Lois, L & B Records, and the 90’s era) from way back when. But, I have to give kudos to Max Gail! Max is doing an amazing job with this storyline-it’s deep, and touches your heart and soul. The writers have done a great job with this storyline and I like how a lot of actor’s are being utilized. The only downfall is that it now involves the mob element and whatever happened in that field over 30 years ago. All I have to… Read more »
DITTO, DITTO, and DITTO!!
Michael, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending many prayers your way.
Sorry Michael to hear about your beloved mother , my heart brakes for you. This storyline has been so sad yet powerful and effective in telling what families go through when a love one has Alzheimer’s. Every time I see Maurice as sonny he makes me feel the pain sonny is going through that’s how effective this storyline has been. It’s sometime hard to watch especially how each family members mourns. Dante got me the other day, I just felt so sad for him. My praise to all the actors in this storyline especially max gail, he’s definitely Emmy worthy… Read more »
Our dearest, Michael, I am sorry for your loss. I know your precious mama was proud of her talented son, as you were of her. She was your hero when you needed one. You, no doubt, were hers when she most needed a champion. Thank you for sharing her with us. May memories of happy times and her love sustain and comfort you through your sorrow.
I have to say GH’s take on Alzheimers is so much more different than Dina on Y&R. This story presentation is so much more real. I never realized Max Gail was so good an actor. He really has made an impression and an impact as Mike. He flows so well as he runs in and out of this disease. It never seems fake and his sincerity with each actor he encounters is striking. GH has some mountains to climb as far as stories go BUT this one is well worth it.
They’ve done a great job with the story (much better than Y&R, which has made a mockery of Dina’s Alzheimer’s), but this promo was all kinds of cheesy. It seemed like a 90’s Lifetime movie of the week promo.
Max Gail is knocking it out of the ballpark playing a man struggling to hold onto his memories, his identity, his faculties and his masculinity. Maurice is doing his finest work in a long time playing a man watching his father fade away. It’s really difficult for an actor to intently listen to another actor in a scene. Even though it’s the other actor delivering the lines, you still have to react realistically–harder than one thinks. When MB pulls back and just reacts to his father, he’s powerful. My main objection is Sonny trying to make this all about him… Read more »
Dear Mr Fairman, I am so sorry about your mother’s passing. I didn’t read your blog very carefully and missed that all important sentence. I feel like an insensitive clod for not mentioning your own real loss in my comment above. I am devastated for you, so sorry. I know you take solace in the fact that her spirit immediately absorbed her life’s experiences, the love she gave and the love she received, and took it with her to the other side. Today is Shakespeare’s birthday. It is also Vladimir Nabokov’s birthday. Shakespeare closes Sonnet 18 with this couplet,”So long… Read more »
Sweet, kind words, Harry. Much appreciated.
Max is pure gold in the role. I hope they keep him around for awhile.
Ok Mr. Fairman very sorry for your loss I am indeed going thru this with a older sister she got early Alzheimer’s which doubles down , GH nobody in their bloody mind would arrest a Alzheimer’s person first of all Sonny has enough money for 24/7 care and yes that is what it takes just like the Abbott’s on Y&R you can not leave them out of your sight one second my sis is in memory care 24/7 she cries every time I see her think God she had the funds to take care of her and I still organize… Read more »
k/kay I am sorry about your sister, but honestly appreciate your pointing out the rather grim truths. I had always been under the ignorant impression that Alzheimer’s was just memory loss. Far from it-just as you so clearly related. Devastating to the patient and loved ones. God Bless you.
I’m sorry about your mother, Michael. Prayers for comfort and healing for you and your loved ones.
As ok as this is, it makes me so mad that this good storyline could have and should have been Genie’s storyline with Denise Alexander!
Let it go! Embrace the beauty of the actors performance, the story and its message!
Kudos to GH for this powerful story.
My sincere condolences to you Mr. Fairman. So many families have been affected by this horrible disease, mine included. Mr. Benard and Mr. Gail have been simply outstanding in their performances. They have consistently hit it out of the park and brought a realism to this story that we can all identify with. It’s important to shine a spotlight on stories like this. It’s not easy to watch at times, especially when you’ve seen it happen in your own life. But it needs to be brought out into the light so we can all see and understand how difficult this… Read more »
“… It’s not easy to watch at times, especially when you’ve seen it happen in your own life. But it needs to be brought out into the light so we can all see and understand how difficult this disease is on families and the toll it takes ” beautiful. I especially like the part “… it needs to be brought out in to the LIGHT ” no matter how horrific debilitating and the affect on family. your mind grapples with helplessness. this is one subject matter you can’t quantify . I don’t know what it is… one’s will and backbone…… Read more »
If I were of the age as Max and playing the Alzheimer role I would freak myself out that it may actually come upon me.
Max, his performance, makes it real he is doing a suburb job..
Michael, my deepest condolences and sympathies on the loss of your mom. I witnessed first hand what Alzheimer’s did to my grandmother, and I’m currently witnessing an uncle go through the same exact battle. So I sympathize and totally recognize what you went through with your mother. It robs them of everything that made them who and what they were in life. My thoughts and best wishes to you and your family. Hopefully some day instead of money being wasted by selfish, arrogant elected officials, science and medical research will once again be properly funded in this country, where a… Read more »
Michael, I am so sorry for you loss. My father died of complications from Alzheimers 6 years ago and the horror of the disease is still with me. That said, I think Max Gail is doing a great job. His scenes with Chad, Dom & Becky have been truly effective and touching. It is obvious this was created to win MB an Emmy–LW admitted it on Twitter. And, sorry, he’s not as good as PB on Y&R. Too much of the story is all about Sonny. The most true scene in my experience was Dina & Tracy on Y&R. It… Read more »
My thoughts are with you Michael. I went through it with my grand mother and it is a horrible disease. It has such horrific effects on all in the family.
The acting is great… it’s just not fun to watch. Hoping this story line wraps up soon.
Take care Michael!
My deepest condolences to you, Michael Fairman. Must have been particularly difficult to watch this story as you dealt with it in real life with your beloved mom. I know after personal tragedy that I stayed away from medical stories; entertainment is a wonderful escape when in the midst of despair. I, too, read your more detailed post and your wonderful recollection of your mom. Those memories, as you know, will stay with you the rest of your life.
Best…
Gratifying to read the kind words and condolences expressed for Mr. Fairman here. I know I have often taken this site for granted, and complained aloud at times. I really want to express my appreciation to Michael Fairman for all he does-for all of us-day in, day out-even while dealing with his own personal challenges, grief, and loss. I can’t imagine myself being able to carry on so professionally-at all. To my knowledge, soap journalists don’t receive any industry awards or parties or honors-as they tirelessly cover and support the genre we all love-and love to hate and berate. With… Read more »
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