General Hospital
GH EP Frank Valentini on Nurses' Ball Secrets, May Sweeps and Lynn Herring!
Photo Credit: ABC
It’s been a whirlwind several months for General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini! With so much build to the 50th anniversary of the soap, Valentini and his team knew that he had to, and wanted to, deliver big time to the millions of fans who have stood by GH for decades!
In a brand new interview out today from soap columnist, Carolyn Hinsey for Tainted Dreams at the NYC Brand Productions website, Valentini discusses what is yet to come after The Nurses’ Ball concludes, if his plans for GH’s golden anniversary lived up to his expectations, and his thoughts on the loveable Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe)! Here are a few excerpts below!
Valentini on how Lynn Herring was the biggest surprise to him coming out of the Nurses’ Ball relating: “I had never worked with her before. She’s extraordinary. She’s the mascot, the head cheerleader, and the all-around good sport for the entire Nurses’ Ball. She’s like Beyonce but with more dresses.”
Courtesy/ABC
Valentini on if we are done with all the surprises from GH’s 50th: “No. There are a few more this week, as well as after the Nurses’ Ball. This is what we’ve been doing for the last year. Ron Carlivati, head writer and I believe that the show should be fun and exciting and surprising. We want it to be like watching a live event – everyone finds out together what’s going to happen.”
So GH fans, we think Lynn Herring is doing a terrific job at the Nurses’ Ball! What about you? And what surprises do you think are still in store for viewers this week and beyond? Let us know!
General Hospital
GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
Last week, as General Hospital aired the final episodes they had in the can, prior to the coronavirus TV production shutdown, viewers of the series were left with a one-two punch of gut-wrenching performances from Daytime Emmy winners, Steve Burton (Jason) and Maurice Benard (Sonny)
Burton, also received great news last week, when he found out he was again Emmy-nominated in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, while Benard, told fans he did not submit himself in the competition this year, when they were wondering where his name was in the list of the finalists in the category. However, Maurice won last year for the second time in his career, for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Courtesy/ABC
Now on last Tuesday and Wednesday’s episode of the ABC daytime drama series, Jason was trying his best to break it to Sonny that Sonny’s dad, Mike (Max Gail) is not going to get any better as he continues to decline from Alzheimer’s disease, and that Mike is waiting for Sonny to let him go. Sonny is devastated sitting with Mike watching him being completely unresponsive. He tell Mike he will be back to see him tomorrow, as he leaves Mike reaches out his hand slowly.
Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) has just told Jason that she believes the signs are all there that Mike is on his final decline and battle with Alzheimers. Mike is unresponsive, not eating. and slipping away quickly. She believes he wants to let go, but is holding on for Sonny’s sake, something that tears through Jason. Knowing Jason was told something by Elizabeth, Sonny asks what it is. That is when Jason tells Sonny he thinks Mike is waiting for Sonny to let him go.
An overcome Sonny tells Jason that he worries that Mike might still want to fight, but for what? He is a shell of himself and has no memories. It is then that Burton as Jason, in a touching performance, tells Sonny what he’d want if he were in Mike’s place. Jason reflect that he wouldn’t want machines keeping him alive or his kids having to go through what Sonny is having to deal with right now Jason goes on to say that even when Sonny put walls up between himself and Mike through the years, that Mike never stopped trying to break them down.
Photo:ABC
Once Jason leaves, with tears running down his cheeks, Sonny sits with Mike trying to come to terms with what he must do now. Will Sonny let Mike die and spare his father any further misery … or will he try to prolong whatever time Mike has left?
These scenes for anyone who has endured or lived through losing a loved one battling through Alzheimer’s and having to make a life and death decision, and the emotional turmoil and sadness it causes a family, could feel the pain and heartbreak played by Burton and Benard. That is why Michael Fairman TV gives Steve and Maurice the honors of The Power Performance of the Week.
Watch a few scenes from part of Steve and Maurice’s ‘Power Performance’ below
Then let us know, what did you think of Steve and Maurice’s performances in the Alzheimer’s storyline? Comment below.
I was like so sad and emotional 🙁
Good thing @MauriceBenard got his friend @1SteveBurton to help him through this! #StayAmazing https://t.co/aWCnlWdlB6— 😜Michaela😜 (@animallover4evs) May 24, 2020
Breaking News
‘Studio City’s’ Sean Kanan to Host Indie Series Awards Virtual Ceremony
Coming up, another award show will transition during the coronavirus pandemic to a virtual presentation when the 11th Annual Indie Series Awards reveals its winners in a ceremony w=on Thursday, June 18, starting at 9:00 p. m. EST.
This year, the host with the most will be Sean Kanan, known for his roles on General Hospital (Ex-AJ) and The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless (Ex-Deacon), and this year for his Daytime Emmy-nominated work from his digital series, Studio City,
“I am honored and excited to be a part of the digital community and ISA family,” added Kanan. “This is the future of entertainment.”
Since 2oo9, the ISAs have honored some of the best of independent web series.
Tickets are said to be going on sale, so you can watch the virtual ceremony beginning at home starting on June 1st.
For more on the Indie Series Awards visit their site here.
So, will you be checking out Sean and the Indie Series Awards next month? Comment below.
General Hospital
TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
Fans are in for a treat today (Friday, May 22nd) when ABC’s General Hospital airs an encore presentation of one of the finest hours of soap opera in the history of the genre, with its 52nd anniversary episode from April 1, 2015.
In the episode, viewers finally learned what turned Luke (Tony Geary) into Fluke, which has been the on-going story for months; but it all lead up to the shocking reveal, when Luke revisited his past in his broken down childhood home and the demons that haunted him.
Photo: ABC
The episode goes from black and white to color, as Geary plays two roles: Luke and his abusive father, Tim, in one of the greatest performances of his career.
It is there we finally see Luke’s mother, Lena, played to perfection by Laura Wright (Carly). And, it is in these scenes we meet for the first time Chloe Lanier as a young Patricia Spencer, who was so good, she was later cast as Nelle. Playing the young Luke in another powerful performance was Joey Luthman,
Throughout the twists and turns, viewers learn that Luke not only killed his father, but accidentally killed his own mother who he loved. It was a harrowing moment of deeply repressed memories. The ending in the present time also features the Spencer family rallying around a distraught Luke in the hankie-inducing final scenes.
From the performances, to the script, to the direction, to the writing his one had it all.
So, will you be watching today’s 52nd anniversary episode of GH? Do you agree it was one of the finest episodes of the series? Comment below
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WATCH: Nancy Lee Grahn’s Birthday Celebration Replay With Her Drive-By GH Friends & Co-Stars
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Breaking NewsMay 20, 2020Andy Cohen On His ‘Story of Soaps’ Backlash: “I Went To The Interview As A Soap Fan Prepped To Talk Soaps & They Asked About Reality TV … Sue Me!”
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General HospitalMay 24, 2020GH’s Steve Burton and Maurice Benard Deliver “The Power Performance of the Week”
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All My ChildrenMay 20, 2020ABC and PEOPLE’s ‘The Story of Soaps’: What Was Your Review Of It?
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Breaking NewsMay 21, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: GH Scores Most Nods, DAYS Follows
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General HospitalMay 19, 2020Dominic Zamprogna Reveals He’s Ready to Come Home to General Hospital
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InterviewsMay 20, 2020OLTL Icon, Erika Slezak Talks On Her 42-Year Run As Viki, Her Llanview Co-Stars & Husbands, and Life Now
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Breaking NewsMay 20, 202047th Annual Daytime Emmys To Be Broadcast On CBS; Nominations To Be Announced Tomorrow On ‘The Talk’
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General HospitalMay 22, 2020TODAY: General Hospital Rebroadcasts Masterful 52nd Anniversary Episode
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I don’t know if it has been said already, but is Lucy sticking around? I LOVE her!
I want Lucy to stay too!
I love Lucy! Lucy Herring that is!!!
totally yes!! She may have to after what happens this week!
I heard they’ve extended her stay but that wasn’t straight from the horse’s mouth. Would love confirmation from Frank or Ron. Perhaps if Serena joins the PC canvas, Lucy will stick around (I still think Kristen Alderson will be the Serena recast, at least it is my hope). Frank has done such a great job with GH! It is must see TV again and has something for everyone. Keep it up, Cartini!
Please keep Lucy on the show and bring on Serena Baldwin.
Maybe Kristen ex Starr will play the new Serena?
I hope Lucy stays! I have always loved her!
absolutely loving it! Seriously today’s scenes were fun…. Keep up the good work Franks & Ron. Loving every single minute of GH since you started writing/producing.Please keep Lynn on
Lynn Herring as Lucy Coe has been and always will be one of my favorite characters/actresses ever.
The GH50 has been phenomenal. I have enjoyed every aspect of the celebration. Lynn Herring has been exceptional. The writing shows the care and committment to the characters history, and present story. Infusing the past and present is a difficult task, but Valentini and Cavalarti make it seem so easy.
Looking forward to what happens after the Nurses Ball, and I, too, hope Lynn Herring will be sticking around!
Britt being pregnant and claiming its Patricks but itll turned out she is really carrying Dante and Lulus baby that Maxi never was pregnant with in the first place. Maxi was always pregnant with Spinnelis baby since the begining and Britt was smart enough to see to it by artificial insemination with an unsuspecting Spinneli the doner and not Dante. This way Dante and Lulu will not suspect Britt is carrying their child and will not fight Britt for custody, allowing her to continue to pass the child off as Patricks. Maxi never had a miscarriage: this was Britts way of making Maxi think she lost the surrogate baby without her not realizing she was never pregnant with it in the first place, and allowing Maxi to believe she only got pregnant by Spinneli on New Years without revealing Maxi was pregnant by Spinneli from the start from artificial insemination! Dante and Lulu will find out Maxis baby is Spinnelis and that Maxi allegedly miscarried theirs, unware Britt had carried their child along and was passing it off as Patricks until a medical problem with the baby arises finally revealing its Dante and Lulus and not Patricks. Meanwhile Spinneli will be revealed as the missing ELQ shareholder and is the son of Jimmy Lee Holt, the late Edwards illigetimate son. Wonder what Tracy would think of that after treating Spinneli so badly! All just harmless guesses!!!
Sorry if it sounds confusing to some who read my comments above…many interuptions in my home distracting me while im typing but i still think i made it clear enough for most to understand…its just a guess on future suprises but except for Britt being pregnant i dont think most of what i wrote will really happen but it would be nice if i was right this time!
I understood every word you wrote and your formula is completely believable. Was hoping it wouldn’t be another bomb blast!!!
Are you sure you weren’t a soap opera writer in a past life? I like how your mind works, unfortunately if Britt had done all that, why was she begging mommy to help her out? More likely her reveal tomorrow will be that Robin is alive. This will effectively destroy Patrick’s budding romance with Sabrina- She will say she knows where Robin is and lead Patrick into some kind of trap where she keeps him in a cage until she can break his will and he falls in love with her. That is my guess.
i could be wrong(i havent guessed much right so far lol)…but the way she wears her coat makes me suspect Britts pregnant underneath, maybe not the way id say but its just a guess. If she reveals Robins alive that would destroy any chance she has with Patrick and Anna and co. would never stop looking for Robin or Patrick if Britt kindaps him. But you could be right again like you were with Richard Simmons! Nice to hear from you again. Thanks 4 the reply!
Another great set of predictions/wishes!!! Very imaginative! I have thought Britt and Ellie have been playing with the baby stuff and would believe just about anything we could imagine. I also do not think Maxie had a miscarriage and is still pregnant with the original baby.
I love your notion of Spinelli being the Q heir… but I think it may be Ellie… we shall see!
Very clever and don’t stop!
Thanks…i love guessing even if im wrong…its sometimes better than reading spoilers which can ruin the suspense and fun!
Ellie does need more storyline connections…id love to see her as the possible ELQ shareholder too!
Wow!!! GREAT predictions!!!!!!!
Thanks tre
GH NEEDS Lynn Herring.
I hope they keep Lucy around but glad that the vampire stuff is over with.
keep Lucy. Both Serena and Tommy need to come home. Seena a Law student and Tommy is an medical intern. The Baldwins and the Hardys back again. .
i always loved watching Lynn Herring —- i got a kick out of watching Lucy 🙂 way the go Lynn you did a good job ….
Kris Alderson would be a perfect Serena…. Are you reading these, @Carlivatiron & @Valentinifrank? Xoxo
I commented on her as Serena too!
😉
It would not have been a Nurses Ball without Lucy she is the BEST!! I hope you have great plans for her she is a real asset to GH..
How do we spread the word to keep Lynn Herring? She’s been my favorite return so far – love her!
Love Lynn and all so great!!
I pray there will be no spoilers..
I wish there were no spoilers, like back in the old days when one never knew what happen the suspense was overwhelming at times when the stories were thrilling mysteries..
Ban the spoilers !!
(I feel letting the cat out the bag is bad for the soaps..
Lucy Coe is a must have! Please keep Lynn Herring!
Lynn Herring is no surprise to us GH fans. She’s has always delivered beyond whats expected out of any Great actor. and Lucy is to good a character to keep away, so i sure hope she sticks around, he FV sounds like he’s impress with her but wasn’t aware of how great she was, glad he go to see it like we have back in the day.
Lucy was so great!!!! Loved the show ..It was awesome!!! Maks and Co were great and Rick Springfield too!
The cast is way too top heavy. When you have too many storylines, plot points go south. I hope that things settle down after the nurses’ ball. I have a theory about the emmys. The show with the biggest cast and the biggest production staff wins just by the volume of votes alone. I hope Frank isn’t keeping the cast big just to win an Emmy.
https://www.change.org/petitions/abc-tv-frank-valentini-ron-carlivati-keep-lynn-herring-on-general-hospital-permanently
Plz click on the above link to sign my petition to keep Lynn Herring (Lucy Coe) on GH permanently. A valid email address is required for the signature to count. Every signature is important. If u have any questions, plz don’t hesitate in asking. Thx in advance for ur help and support.
I had forgotten how much I love Lucy and how much she brings to the show. I had hoped Frisco would stay, Jax and Nikolas and feel that Robert Scorpio was very much needed during the 50th Anniversary. He was such a huge part of GH’s success during the 80’s with Luke & Laura. I’m loving everything going on right now (except BRITT 🙁
need to bring jack wagner back. it was horrible the way frisco and Felicia were written this time. I waited 18 years for jack to come back and this is how it was done. very disappointed and angry on how this was done. frisco and Felicia fans deserve better than that. I have enjoyed the 50 anniversary celebration up to today.
I agree kellie! I didn’t like the writing for Frisco and Felicia this time either. I was disappointed in seeing him leave his daughter Maxie. Disappointed that she asked Mac to marry her. Disappointed that “he decided” he couldn’t win Felicia back. I do agree I have loved who has been on here during the nurses ball. Enjoyed Rick Springfield and the number by Emma Drake and Sabrina Santiago. Can’t stand Faison’s daughter Britt and her “surprise” announcement. Yuk! Frisco needs to stay around just to give her some grief and lean on her and her psycho mother.
I too was hoping Frisco/Jack would stay awhile for Maxie… she needs him and he needs to spend time with her… that would be the way he might win Felcia back. I love Felicia and Mac and I would not have liked to see Felicia jump back to Frisco so quickly… he needs to win her back over time and staying in Port Charles and supporting his daughter. I had hoped they would offer him a contract and he would accept and work with Anna… while trying to get his family back! If he really is gone now… that is very disappointing and a waste of talent and great story possibilities. We can only hope that he hear’s of Dr. O and Brit’s plans and comes back to kick some butt!!! Loved him singing “All I Need” to Felicia.
So true… Frisco is an iconic character and to have him leave like that ….they should bring him back and fix this, I had tears when he was singing to Felicia, they are meant to be together… Hey its a soap maybe this wasnt the REAL Frisco…..
I’d love to see Jack Wagner stick around but very glad Felicia picked Mac. He’s the constant in her life, he raised her daughters…Frisco abandoned their children…as did Felicia chasing him. Mac has been the real father to Maxie and Georgie…hoping that Felicia’s realization about Mad is true and lasting this time.
Love Lucy and so hope she’s staying. Magnetic, lovable personality!
I love Lynn Herring! Valentini is an incredible producer. GH is arguably one of the best programs on TV.
Loved #GH50. Up until the point they destroyed Frisco. Could you please bring him back and fix that mess. He doesn’t have to get together with Felicia, but I so enjoyed the Maxie/Frisco build up.
Keep Lynn!!
Have been loving Lucy, not just during the Nurse’s Ball, but since her initial return to GH. She is full of fun, life, humor and a bundle of energy!
Lynn is FABULOUS! I hope she sticks around after the Nurse’s Ball. And I hope Kevin returns as well.
Omg I love Lynn. I’m newer to the show but she is such an impressive actress and I can’t take my eyes off Lucy when she is on screen. So glad she is back so I could get to know the character.
BTW Lynn still has a AMAZING body!
Love Lucy bet we haven’t had a ball since she left. Sonny would always be a huge donor cause of Stone & Robin. Kristen would work for grown Serena. She could join Michael for romance no relation. Wish Noah came back so Bobbie could be rehired.
I think Sonny is the anonymous donor…
Keep Lynn.
Please keep Lucy and bring back Heather and Todd !!
Please keep Lynn. She lights up the screen. When some storie lines go to slow she gives that POP
Lynn Herring os amazing and would be great for a contract player!
A perfect episode, will be legendary in years to come. This is the way to do a soap and keep your fans! Romance, intrigue, comedy and cute musical numbers that make long-time fans so happy! GH is amazing again!
The surprises have been great! Lynn Herring is a wonderful actress. We sure could use her on a regular basis. Great Ball and looking forward to more to come. Love Sabrina and Patrick together.
What can I say but BRAVO!!
I loved Lucy when she was on or years (years ago!)… I could go another round of years with her! She is always entertaining… she and Olivia could have psychic parties!
and she needs a new duck! 😀
also, she and Kevin were good fun combined with Felicia and Mac.
I know… it was a hoot… a treat… so familial… a bonding two couple…. replete with potential… the stories these two couples could share.
Love Lynn Herring. It is great having her back as well as all the others. I want Lucy to stay along with Bobbi, Felicia, Nicholas, and all the returnees. They have so many ties to others in Port Charles. Frank and Ron can definitely come up with stories with these essential characters we have grown to love all these years.
aaI have started a Petition that is.listed above to keep LYNN permanently. Please sign out. I hope u can get more to sign as well. The Petition is going extremely wwell. Hope u will.sign it too ans as pread the word. Go above way up higher in this article whete comments r listed. Thx in advance for.ur help and support
Lucy Coe… is a phenom.
well said on Lucy being the “mascot”… the central “figurine” to guide the 50th… she has that innate likeability…
when you have…. expectations… mixed in with sentiment… and heart tugging….
1. I love her husband… Wayne Northrop…. LOVED HIM ON DAYS.
2. for aulde lang syne… let’s have a little romp with Scotty…. OK… doubt that… but, they were; FIRE.
3. the nurses’ Amy and Jesse… including Steve’s pic… were superior.
4. Felicia acknowledging her love for Mac. Tears… he’s more than a good guy…. he takes care of his partner and children.