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 feels their pain but also allows us to connect, bond, and empathize with the characters. Our hearts are breaking for both characters as they fight something that it totally beyond their control and understanding, especially since, in this case, there really is no happy ending. As I imagine that it is probably extremely difficult to walk way from the set every day without it affecting you, blessings and hugs go to both Maurice and Max…and all who are involved in this storyline. And thank you, GH, for making us more aware of not only the disease itself but how it truly affects the family and friends of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s.

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. make a decision to save this show. I MISS THE REST OF THE CAST. this is a repost.. I posted it on a Y&R thread… GH fans need to read ALL POINTS BULLETIN Why I Want Sonny and Carly to Go Away for a While Friday April 20 By Dustin Cushman IE: @ Soaps.com “…This week Soaps.com is taking another break from our normal Deconstructing GH column, which will return next week, to discuss an unpopular opinion. In this case my opinion isn’t unpopular depending on which half of General Hospital’s audience you ask. I believe that as soon as their current storylines wrap up, it’s time for Sonny and Carly to be back-burnered for a bit. I’m not suggesting they be written off, but instead given a break while the show concentrates on other storylines. ” B – E – A – U – T – I – F – U – L what I and other posts have LONG WISHED FOR. and it’s in writing and from a critic or what have you. why couldn’t Laura Wright and Maurice Benard just willingly ASK Frank Valentini to WRITE for other cast members… IF LW and MB THINK for even a second they are being made bigger and better STARS… JESUS .. then this show is truly TANKED. THE DULLARD : Sonny / Carly ; Jason / Sam ; Michael / Nelle ; Finn ; Peter ; Franco. WASTING this show… the overkill is rankling and losing … any thing @GH FRANK VALENTINI must be fired YESTERDAY SHOW – proved what a mess Carly and Sonny have become. 1st and foremost… Sonny the he man… NEEDS proof. what could have been an affecting hour… was marred by this doa couple ranting and raving about not being crazy, needing proof, taking it out on each other… and nothing believable translates at all on screen. these two need a long break. THEE – one – time Sonny truly thinks he’s acting… when he gives Ava this menacing piercing , “penetrating” eye to eye… when Ava is “begging” that Avery and Mike not be in the same household. Sonny is so bad at this. he shows not once ounce of care … for Mike. that’s the most glaring I’ve seen yet. any emotional beat is missed on both Sonny and Carly. so Carly lives in fear.. and Sonny doesn’t believe her. what can… Read more »

Dealt with memory loss and its a good story…unfortunately its still more about Sonny than anything else!!!

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 doctor-her goal in life, I guess. In my twenties and having a lot of problems and turning to her for help. She took me out on the back porch and told me that I was “too gay” and offensive to her new husband and must leave immediately. How I wish I had a hero mom like you did. Would have made such a difference in my life as I know your mom did in yours. I was not a good son, either. I regret I did not try harder. When she was in hospice, I drove all night to see her for the first time in years and she was rather cold and unloving. I left after a very short time.
Saying a little prayer for you, sending love. Thanks, Michael.

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 say is, don’t know, don’t care.
Other topics: Sick to death of Peter August. Again, don’t know, don’t care. Send the insipid, annoying Lulu off to visit Laura. & I preferred Sam being off-screen in Switzerland.

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 for next year Emmy.

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 and his life as a mobster. Why bring that into this at all? Sonny is interesting enough just reacting to this tragedy, keep the mobster subplot out of Mike’s Alzheimer’s story–it’s not needed!

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 every visit it is hell on earth , They need help with bathing teeth brushing fixing up then the not being able to control their bowels etc steps in all sense of dignity is stripped they are like a baby again my husband walked in last week and my sister was picking up imaginary things off the floor . In other words if you indeed want to tell the story tell it and slap the shit out of Ava and that stupid worthless Jordan no police commissioner would allow this bullshit

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!

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 disease is on families and the toll it takes. What better medium then a soap to do so? And certainly no better actors then Mr. Bernard and Mr. Gail. Their scenes are riveting. Bravo to all those involved bringing this story to our screens.

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 cure or at least some positive break through on this awful, awful disease can be found in our lifetime!

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 was heartbreaking. And rang SO TRUE to me.

And it’s also obvious this is part of the zillionth breakup of Sonny & Carly.

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 Daytime Emmys just a few days away, I can imagine how busy he is, and appreciate it is no picnic standing in the hot sun waiting to interview our beloved stars.
Thanks Michael, for all you do, everyday-bringing us news and updates and allowing us to communicate with each other in your forum. Very much appreciate all your hard work, your kindess to us-over and over again-and your unfailing support of the genre.
God Bless you. Thank you.