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General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’

Photo: ABC

Friday’s episode of General Hospital combined with Tuesday’s episode of the ABC daytime drama series, saw Daytime Emmy-winner, Cynthia Watros, run through the gamut of emotions in her portrayal of the duped Nina Reeves on her wedding day and the aftermath.

Watros, who made Annie Dutton of Springfield and Guiding Light one of the most memorable soap roles of all-time, showed GH viewers why she is just THAT good!  We have always said that Cynthia can play: drama, romance, torture, cray-cray, heartbreak all rolled-into-one; especially when given the material.

Courtesy/ABC

In story, after part of the secret is out that Sasha (Sofia Matteson) is not really Nina’s bio-daughter – Nina, who has had everything she believed in fall in on her, tries to regain her strength to go back to Wyndemere to face Valentin, and move out of his house.  Once there to get her things, Nina tells Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) that where she goes is no longer his business.

 

Valentin admits that he was looking for her daughter which caused this whole situation, but he also does not admit his part in the Sasha cover-up and that he was the one paying her to portray Nina’s daughter.  He even goes so far to insist that Sasha’s actions were all her own.  Nina still does not believe him.  After she packs her bag, and heads for the door. Valentin tells her that his life is meaningless without her. Nina basically says, “True, that” in so many words … and makes her exit.

Next, with sunglasses on, Nina returns to the workplace at Crimson where she finds Sasha with Michael (Chad Duell) and Lucy (Lynn Herring).  She calls security and tells them all to get out.  Sasha then spins a yarn, much to the chagrin of the audience, knowing that if she implicates Liesl (Kathleen Gati) and Valentin, Nina would be devastated.  So, Sasha says she acted alone and faked being Nina’s daughter, when she was contacted by her attorney, and she was in cahoots with the guy … until he suddenly died!  What!?  Nina looks very suspicious… and throws back that how would Sasha know how to change three DNA test results.  Sasha had an answer for that – she had a friend who works in a lab do it.   Nina still believes she could not have done this alone without Valentin.  Then, in a heartbreaking speech, Watros as Nina shares how she has lost everything: her daughter, her marriage, hope she even had a daughter in the first place, and the list goes on.

 

Courtesy: ABC

And … let’s not forget Tuesday’s nuptials, which we gave our review and recap previously here.  It is there that Nina is first blindsided, and the betrayal, rage, and hurt displayed by Watros was all top-notch.  Here is Nina finally marrying the man she loves, whom she had to allow herself to come to trust all over again so she could be with him, even with all of the warning signs around her.  Not only does she have Lulu (Emme Rylan) spoil her nuptials with exposing the secret of Sasha, but then has to process the deception  which means to her that maybe she never had the child she so desperately wanted and believed she had all along.

Courtesy/ABC

The Friday cliffhanger though posed an upcoming intriguing scene.  Ava (Maura West) showed up with a bottle of booze to commiserate with Nina at Crimson (The same woman who Nina literally ripped the baby right out her and kidnapped it in a heinous revenge plot).  Will these two wronged woman team up?  Will there be hell to pay?  That is yet to be seen, but without a doubt, Cynthia Watros is Michael Fairman TV’s ‘Power Performance of the Week’.

Let us know if you agree with our pick via the comment section below, and what you thought about Cynthia’s work in these key episodes.

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Wow…amazing

It certainly was “soapy” and over the top.

Yes, she is in real Nina mode now! Remember,all of you old soap-timers, this is the woman that played the deliciously, wicked Annie Dutton on Guiding Light, many years ago! I hope she doesn’t let Valentin off the hook!

Nina’s performance was magnificent! She showed viewers she can assume a role right in the thick of things and blow it out of water! Congratulations on this riveting performance!

Excellent betrayed performance

I still miss Michelle Stafford. She was my Nina .

Meh….the previous actress that played Nia was 100 times better.

Totally. Our original Nina was beautiful and classy with a little bit of evil if you brought it out. She’s great whether she’s Phyllis or Nina. Not trying to knock new Nina but I just don’t feel her as Nina… yet

I was so happy to hear Cynthia Watros was going to play Nina
She has stepped in and has done a fabulous job! She is a wonderful actress and i loved her in the Guiding Light too! I also would like her to stay with Valentin!

I’m glad the truth is out(half of it anyway). I’ll be glad when Valentin is exposed for the treacherous person he is.

this week she finally took over and wiped the memory of Michelle away.

I totally agree. It was a brilliant performance and unbeatable for the week.

I disagree, but thats because i like the other Nina, this one seems boring and i never watched the other soap she was in but i hope she was a better actress in that one. She really needs more make up , kind of frumpy!

I’m with you Valerie

Stunning performance emotions riding in waves

Honestly, I still don’t care for her. She doesn’t measure up to our original Nina.

I knew Cynthia would deliver a outstanding performance on GH. She was a phenomenal actress on GL.

Agreed that cynthia’s performance was amazing with all the different emotions being displayed! I was very inpressed!

I was very impressed with Cynthia’s acting and capturing all the emotions needed to convey the raw feelings of the moments. Yes. She’s a good actress!!

I can’t help but feel like I wish Michelle Stafford had gotten to play these scenes, but ABC dropped the ball on that one. However, I will say, after what was a slow beginning, Cynthia Watros has really done a nice job making the role her own. And she knocked it out of the park in these scenes. I finally got to see what my friend that watched her on Guiding Light was raving about. I’m very glad GH finally moved this story along after being stuck in neutral seemingly forever, and the pay off was worth it.

She played the emotional moment very well. Wish the writers would have added more anger and outright hurt. She wears her heart on her sleeve, would’ve been in character. We’ll have to watch and see.

Valentine needs to be showed up don’t let him off the hook.

It was great performance. But it’s time for Cynthia to make Nina her own. Stop all those tics and flips from previous actress Leave staffords portrayal in past make Nina a stronger woman not so crazy and needy

Agreeed!

I’ll give Cynthia credit though, she has made this transition a little but more easier but with the wedding scenes out the way, lets hope she can connect with the key players.

Cynthia does however need to connect with Ingo and Donnell to truly make Nina work.

So far, the Jax-Nina storyline that GH is banking on hasn’t exactly worked out due to the nonexistent chemistry between Ingo and Cynthia.

It may have looked good on paper due to Cynthia’s resume but on wax it’s a dud and GH may have to heavily cut it’s loses.

YES! Love Cynthia Watros.
I just turned on Monday’s show, gotta turn it off, Parking Lot is ruining it. Get rid of him!

No impact—emotionally and/or otherwise.
I have a low tolerance for “duh”, naive ( yet mature) women with stars in their eyes. And, I do not appreciate the scribes , who depict supposedly intelligent females as fragile idiots ‘taken-in’ by devilish men such as Valentin.
C’mon—-it’s the 21st Century….women, even on soaps, should not be allowed to appear brainless by looking the other way and follow their heart…..Especially knowing Valentin’s iffy reputation.
Nina is no babe in the woods. She’s been around the corner a few times—coma or not!!

I hear you, CeeeCeeGirl! This obtuse one is yet another GH character suffering from the “Alexis Syndrome,” aka, females who have never grown up and repeat the same mistakes with men over …and over….and over again like they are naive teenage girls just experiencing their first pangs of lovesickness…it’s patently ridiculous and insulting to women everywhere to repeatedly portray such femmes who only seem to know how to think with their nether regions and not their God given brains! P.S. Hope you are feeling better!

Nina isnt stupid,,,its Halloween,,she is going to trick Valentin somehow

Hello, Jim! I think Nina can be quite dim when it comes to men, but she’s crazy like a fox once it’s time to mete out the punishment for disappointing her with their bad behavior. In between meltdowns, she always has a plan…..Lol.

Hey’ Shaybelle,
Right?? The portrayal of ditzy, lovesick mature women makes me foam at the mouth.
I do like Alexis so far, but there is the potential in the revival of a Julian-Alexis lovefest, now that Kim is out of Julian’s life. Ha??
I wouldn’t mind if both ignited their fiery ‘union’ behinf closed doors–literally. I mean, both characters have grown, I see that. I think the relationship would be more sedate at this point? ….
NuNina was soooo overacting, looking like a lunatic—-that was not a nice moment for me. I cry over anything—but my eyes did not well-up—-unreasonably enough, I felt aching pangs of pity for Sasha, albeit the girl was playing with fire.
Nina is not the only victim here. She was so desperately looking for her long-lost child that she would accept a little pet dog, as her child, if Valentin said so. Patetica!!
Sasha is as much of Valentin’s victim as Nina or anyone else who crosses his path —-everywhichway….
Wouldn’t it be soooo beyond expectation if Sasha did turn out to be her daughter afterall?
The ye-gods missed their opportunity with Kiki and Nelle. Why not make Sasha her daughter? Redo the DNA test—
I do feel much better, my Shay…..thank you for asking.
Remember when I hurt my knee ice-skating? Well….I am home because my knee is acting up again….Cortisone shots aren’t working for my torn meniscus– meaning: surgery!!
I can just see myself in twenty years—stiff and misshapen from arthritis. LOL.
Soon, mia bella! Stay well….

Oh, CeeCee, God forbid we get a redux of the Julian and Alexis saga! She’ll be dropping her knickers at the ready anytime he is in close proximity…so much for being “sedate” and “behind closed doors!” You just know the two of them will be going at it like rabbits once again…everywhere, anywhere! ! Please…no, just NO!!!! Been there, done that! Lol….As for NuNina, you’ve called it correctly…she’s a real loon, isn’t she??? Egads….I wouldn’t want to see either human or furry being suffer the fate as her child…especially not Sasha….I am still holding out hope she is a Westbourne…and why not??? As the song says, “She’s got the look!” (But what a mess of maternal mysteries GH has become….I’m still not convinced that Kiki was ever Ava’s real daughter…guess that’s another loose end never to be tied up in a neat little bow, eh???) Anyway, so sorry to hear of your ongoing discomfort….sounds very painful, and it’s especially inconvenient this time of the year when the hustle-and-bustle of the holidays is right around the corner. Do take care, mia amica! It was so nice to hearfrom you! Later….

Well, my Shay…..I look a it this way: if Alexis and Julian decide to indulge their insatiable libido of old ( rerun performance) by scorching the sheets, I will, at least, be rewarded by your very vividly colorful excoriation—-I can see their dkin scraping from your scathing words…..you know how much I enjoy your descriptive prose, LOL.
None of these storylines hits my core. Blah, blah, blah…..I want to spank Lulu!! I want to put a paper bag over Nina’s head!! I want to fix Kim’s teeth and snap her out of her schoolgirl daze. I suppose every mother who has lost a child grieves in her own way—-but, this is so nuts, Shay—-yeah; it’s a soap.
Franco need his ears boxed until Drew is out if his system. Just give me one day to personally straighten everyone out…..including the scribes. They are writing for grammar school children.
Lucy? She is just annoying entertainment.
At the moment, Sasha and Ava deserve “hats off”….not that I am “taken” by the characters, but, Ava never ceases to grab me—-she can simply stand there doing absolutely nothing and capture my attention—Sasha is a very believable protagonist—the sense of innocence her limpid eyes emanate is a skill which eludes many……not easily conquered. Yet, it could be an innate quality the actress uses to her advantage.
C’est tout, ma belle…
Thank you for your solicitousness. I truly appreciate it.
Stay well, tesoro!!

Nina is just playing Valentin…she is no fool!!!

Perhaps, Jim ( Jimmy?) ……but, I don’t think it’s the case this time. I think Nina is in denial and lonely for lack of a family. She is hurt and is aching to fill that void of love which , for all appearances, Sasha tore from her. She may have misgivings about Valentin’s integrity, yet subconsciously, she’s willing to give a deaf ear and a blind eye to these internal signals.
More’s the pity, as my Gran is wont to say.
Frankly, I am more interested in the phenomenon called Ava/Maura. She is deserving of all the accolades fans can regale to such a star……and, she is a star!!!!
I have anticipated Nikolas’ resurrection from the onset—-hopefully, he will be both Ava’s White knight and Sir Galahad.
It was very disappointing to have had the hint of a strongly potential liaison between him and Ava, to then have the blooming relationship end as soon as it started.

Hey, Jim,
Perhaps I spoke too soon? I’m catching up here….LOL
Nina seems to be a little, ’emotionally’ distant from Valentin. You may be right! She ain’t no fool.
It’s Sam that is getting on my nerves with her damsel in distress syndrome, looking for her Robin Hood. No pity from this corner.

This is an aside–In today’s ep, Julian offered Ava a latte—-Italians are literally consumed with rage when their native tongue is either butchered or if their phrases are misinterpreted……Latte means milk. If one asks a barista, in Italy, for ‘un latte’, one will be served a glass of milk. The true expression is ” latte e caffe’ “. However, Americans have adopted their own version of Italian phrases etc.
In Italy, the only coffee that is served is un’espresso. Then there’s the cappuccino …….Here in the States, we have milk with our coffee. In Italy, the locals have coffee with their milk—ergo, latte e caffe’—-or caffe’-latte. Macchiato ( which literally means “stained) is another variation—-all derivative of espresso as the basic beverage. Cappuccino means ‘hood’—invented by the Cappuccini monks who wore hoods. LOL.
Oy vey!!

Powerhouse disaster is more like it. In a word – horrible. Horrible writing and the worst recast ever. No chemistry with anyone. Either bland or over the top. I can’t even watch when she’s onscreen anymore. She has completely ruined the character of Nina. Been watching GH since I was a kid and it’s just become ridiculous. Too many outlandish story lines with gaps and poor fact checking and now they can add character assassination to the list too.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers

Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.

In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.

Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.

Courtesy/ABC

Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work.  Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her.  Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.

From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy.  Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.

Courtesy/ABC

Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.

The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.

Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.

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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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Breaking News

The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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