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GH Nurses’ Ball 2019 Part One: Nina’s Red Carpet Arrival Commentary And Locking Eyes With Jax

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

On Friday’s first installment of the 2019 GH Nurses’ Ball episodes, it was red carpet time in Port Charles as all of the most famous and infamous residents got dressed to the nines and to impress.

This year, Nina Cassadine (Michelle Stafford) is back for her on-camera hosting duties covering the arrivals on the live-stream, but is joined by Crimson’s New York fashion editor, Sydney Val Jean played by guest star Chandra Wilson of Grey’s Anatomy.  And as you’d expect, these two fashionistas battle it out at times on the carpet for attention.

Throughout the arrivals, and through this episode, this one really belonged to the talents of Michelle Stafford, who through her comedic, romantic, and dramatic timing, made for some of the best moments.  In a surprise, when Nina begins to choke after interviewing Peter (Wes Ramsey), Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Lulu (Emme Rylan),  she excuses herself and ends up outside where Jax (Ingo Rademacher) appears and offers her some champagne.  The two seem to be clearly smitten with each other! Nina accepts his drink, and thanks him, and then goes back inside to her hosting gig, while Jax looks very intrigued by Nina.  Previously, Nina gave a major kiss to Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) when he appeared on the red carpet.

Photo: ABC

Some of the more shocking …. or interesting red carpet arrivals included: Shiloh (Coby Ryan McLaughlin) showing up with Sam (Kelly Monaco) on his arm, and then getting into words with Sonny (Maurice Benard), who tells the cult leader that family means everything to him and that there is nothing he wouldn’t do for the people he loves.  Shiloh is convinced Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) will come back to “Dawn of Day”.

When Anna (Finola Hughes) and Finn (Michael Easton) stroll down the red carpet, they get distracted when a dapper Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) shows up, clearly intent on wooing back Anna, to which Anna looks caught by her feelings for both men while Finn is pissed at the game’s Robert is playing.  Later, Finn confronts Robert about his ring.

Photo: ABC

Everyone was shocked when Kevin Collins (Jon Lindstrom) showed up arm and arm with Ava Jerome (Maura West).  We later learn that this is an attempt to smoke out Ryan, who Ava believes will show his face at the ball.   Lucy (Lynn Herring), the hostess with the mostess, comes up with a plan to get Kevin away from Ava, not knowing they are not romantically together and tries to, perhaps, rekindle their romance up in a Metro Court hotel room.  Meanwhile, Scott (Kin Shriner) wants to get Ava away from Kevin, so he heads up to Lucy’s room with Ava to show her and to catch Kevin and Lucy together, but we don’t know what they saw when the door opened!

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile in Toronto, Canada, Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Laura (Genie Francis) come to realizing they have been tied up and there is a gas leak in the cabin.  Laura realizes Ryan is trying to kill her in an explosion just as he was supposed to have perished in at the fun house years ago.  It appears Ryan set a trap for Laura and Curtis and fled the scene.  The two extricate themselves before running from the cabin just as it blows up!

Back at the ball other notable couples have arrived from: Chase (Josh Swickard) and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), to Michael (Chad Duell) and Sasha (Sofia Mattson), to Franco (Roger Howarth) and Liz (Rebecca Herbst), to the GH nurses crew.

Photo: ABC

The episode ends with an announcer telling all the guests to take their seats as its just about showtime!  And of note:  Is the opening title sequence music changed to a new theme for GH, or is it just for the Nurses’ Ball episodes? That’s one of the buzziest questions today.

So, what did you think of the red carpet arrivals?  Michelle Stafford’s performance?  Jax meeting Nina? What do you think will happen next with Ryan?  Comment below

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Franco and Elizabeth were the best thing about the red carpet. Roger and Becky can do so much with the little material they’re given, I wish this show would invest in them and use them as leads.

Looking forward to the Ryan reveal at the Ball, more Friz, Cam performing, Ava performing and hopefully some unexpected performances.

Franco sure has become the little joiner, hasn’t he? Not a dark bone in his entire, goody-two-shoe body.

The episode also debuted a revised opening credits with slower pictures and the hospital image as the final shot. Kudos for those two points.

The new song, if it’s permanent, doesn’t seem to fit as it is missing the classic 3-note Jack Urbont intro that has been part of every GH opening since the ambulance version of the late 70s.

Two steps forward, one big step back.

Steve, I caught that also!

Love Robert Scorpio always! I hope he’s not the baddie in this story. Love Michael Easton as well, just not paired with Anna. The photo of the three of them looks like a family photo. Dad, Mum and son!

Like I said, Marianne! Robert Scorpio forever! He can do more with a cocked eyebrow than most actors can do with 5 pages of dialogue. Such a pro!

omg why o why did they put Nina and Jax in scenes together knowing full well that they are changing actresses? seeing Michelle w/ Ingo and the chemistry they obviously have will now have to be reset when the new actress playing Nina takes over. the show should of waited for the new access to debut so she could establish her chemistry w/ Ingo . its already going to be difficult no matter how talented the actress is. just saying.

I agree 100%. I adore Michelle Stafford and am very disappointed that she’s headed out soon. What a bummer!

I’m unfamiliar with the actress taking over the role but I hope she has similar chemistry with Jax.

I don’t think even Mr Valentini and Co knew just how instantly mesmerizing that chemistry would be until it happened. I literally moved to the edge of my seat during that scene. Wowsa! It’s feeling like a huge opportunity missed. Time will tell.

Long live GH! ❤️

Right? And I could really do without Stafford’s goofy, gummy, freaky expressions. Please make her go away.

Patience, Harry! Patience! We shall soon be rid of her….but will Nina 2.0 be any more palatable? I have my doubts….and bringing in an old favorite like Jax to prop up NuNina only reinforces this belief.

Hi Shay
I definitely think the new Nina will be great. I watched Cynthia Watross for years on GL, and if anyone can be mean and snarky, she can match Michelle Stafford any day of the week. As Patrick mentioned Robert Newman from GL, he was the one C.W had the insane, crazy obsession with. I only hope there will be some fire between she and Ringo/Jax,
and that it will lead to the end of Valentin. I would be very glad to see the end of him and his snippy daughter. I had the distinct feeling that he and Jax already knew each other, but will have to wait and see. Hope I didn’t bore you too much.

Not at all, Violet…it was good to hear from you! Although I never watched GL, per se, I am familiar with Watros from her work in an eons-ago sitcom featuring comedian Christopher Titus. Besides being boyishly cute, he was quite offbeat and funny…she played his straight woman as the exasperated girlfriend/wife(?) It was there I suppose I formed a lack of appreciation for her…I simply found her not at all engaging, but that’s just my own take! Having later read of her soap history of portraying a total whackadoo, I could not fathom her being any more appealing for me in that particular mold. Then again, I will admit that I was hoping for a kinder, gentler and more balanced, mature Nina 2.0….someone for whom the term “temporary insanity” could have been suitably applied to her past antics…emphasis on the word “past!” Given the choice of recast, me thinks Nina 2,0’s mental problems have just begun, which may prove highly entertaining for those like yourself with fond memories of “Crazy Annie,” however, I was desirous of someone who would immediately erase all notions of that “Nutty Nina” who we suffered not so gladly over these last five years. In other words, I didn’t want a match for Stafford’s highly strung loonytune, but as you have stated, it appears that is what we—and Port Charles—are in for…To those who will enjoy that scenario, I say God bless, although I doubt I will be counted amongst them. Regardless, at least we can agree upon our less than sparkling opinion of the current Nina…considering many of your hilarious comments about the character, I think I can safely surmise that we both found her to be insufferable and will not miss her one bit!!!! As for Jax and Valentin’s prospective previous knowledge of one another??? It certainly wouldn’t surprise me when you look back at how many times there have been incidental inferences to Jax’s shady doings, whether in tandem with his brother Jerry or all by his lonesome. It also often seems that Valentin has been lurking in the GH shadows for many, many years prior to his onscreen presence, hence he thusly no doubt has the goods on just about everyone with a connection to Port Charles!!! Perhaps our answer to the Jax-Valentin question will be shortly forthcoming! Later, Violet, and thank you for your reply!

IMO, Nina’s reaction to seeing Jax was a little over the top. She was behaving like a giddy, young fangirl. I’m not sure if that demonstrates chemistry; her bedazzlement was certainly obvious.

GOD – ALL it took was one pic… and heart splatters everywhere

Jax AND niNA !

I Miss Michelle Stafford LOVE Michelle Stafford

I have to be excited about Cynthia Watros cause it got me ALIVE Valentin AND readymade to bear w/Charlotte. two exquisite being

I cheered from the mountain top for Nina.. AND my love of this girl, MIchelle Stafford

yeah, it was “No Matter…” how long it took to Valentin to snare Nina

I LOVE you with Jack Abbott .. that was a long time ago

after Valentin; come back

AND I’m beside assuming because of – RED – TURN many times will keep excited’ because it happens so MANY time

enter a new snare; new show ‘up’

bye Nina… Hello ‘New Actress’ MS w/Eva Larue

I LOVed right’ along w/ Robert Newman drives Joshua Lewis’ “yum”

They gave us a coveted Cassidine that is the opposite of every Cassidine, shameful..
Valentine is nothing more than a Johnny Peachy.
Disgrace what was done to a Cassidine!
Nikolas should have been brought back so Valentin and he could fight for the power while trying to off each other!

Anna is waaaay too old for Finn, she is a Grandma to a teenaged granddaughter.
they are ridiculous together, not to mention totally Boring!

The cult story has no teeth..

The couples are all sleepers, everyone one them.
(no cheating, no betrayals, no dirty deeds, as soap couples are infamous for, the couple all come off as senior citizens on an AARP dating night fling.)

Sonny and Julian have been disassembled and recycled into empty cans.

Carly being pregnant has no purpose unless she loses the baby and freaks out/ old plot.

Jordon and Curtis suck as a couple and her transplant is uneventful-
her kidney will come from the Ball dead guy.

The Willow baby story is a total fail.
Nothing to get excited over its simply BLAHHH, not even a twisty plot to speak of.

Maxie and Lulu have become valley girl annoying..

Back to Ball-
eeehhh .. it’s looking at dresses, couples wearing the dresses and tuxes, this year has little entertainment value..
Hopefully, it will turn it up on Monday..
((the Coldplay song, I’ll get back to that one
bwaa electronic music thing chainsmockers are Awful bad!

All in all– I still love GH, a whole bunch !!
but it needs help, lots of help..

I feel GH will be the 1st of 4 to be cancelled!

Anna is not to old for finn, how insulting she’s beautiful and Finn is no spring chicken. Nobody is bother when the male actor is older then the female actor but god help the women if she’s a few years older, that’s old way thinking so you must be very old.

Furthermore, at one time, it was sort of hinted at that the trouble between Finn and his father had to do with father’s wife. Although that story was never fully developed, it made me think that Finn might have had an affair with her and Chase was the result. In fact, there’s only about a 7 year age difference between Hughes and Easton.

Hi suOOO
I love your comments, mostly because you say things I wouldn’t dare. You are so funny, the way you put things just crack me up. I would really love to know you.
As far as Anna and Finn go, you’ll have to be a little patient, Hayden is returning to take Finn out of Anna’s clutches. I think Carly’s baby was written in because of her real life pregnancy. I don’t see another reason either. Originally, I thought the Wyley Willow thing was to get she and Michael together, but now I can’t figure where they are going with that SL. Ah yes, the valley girls drive me nuts too, but at least we don’t have to see hula hoop Lulu with that God awful dress this year. I am kind of looking forward to Ava and Kevin’s performance, which will get Ryan’s knickers twisting!
Whom are you referring to as the ball dead guy? Funny, no matter how you phrase it.

Violet Lemm, how you be?
I meant by the Ball guy lol
The person that will be killed during the Nurses Ball (someone always gets killed during the ball, it seems..)
So- Jordon will get the dead Ball guys kidney..

Anna and Scorpio need to hook up again and not necessarily in a hot sexual way (please no!)

Aahh Ava and Kevin’, what a match-up made in hell LOL and that’s what makes them intriguing and Hot!
As you said- watching them in action will be a good thing, indeed.

I didn’t know Laura/Carly was real life pregnant.
So- they will have a need to play this one out to the delivery and then after the baby tragedy will be played out..

Hey su!
No cancellations with Robert Scorpio aboard! He and Anna will sizzle as they did in classic times of GH, IF the writers and TPTB are smart at all and IF they give Tristan a contract and revive his love story with Anna.
Can’t they see he can act circles around everyone? Isn’t it blatantly obvious?

heeey nancy!
I’m a Tristan/Robert Scorpio lover!
It would be great to have him back but- doesn’t he live outside of the USA?
if so- that’s quite a trip back and forth lol ..

Thought he lived in LA but I could be wrong, su!
I do know that Jax (Ingo Rademacher) has a home in Hawaii but I think he moved to LA when he got a contract on another soap opera. “Jax” said Fri: “I’m here for a long time.” So, here’s hoping Ingo will stay on GH.
We need these two men, don’t we? 🙂

Hi Nancy- Tristan’s wife (facebok) tells she lives in;
Palm Springs
California
So, apparently so does Tristan lol ..

yes, we need those two men 😉

Yes!!!!

Amen, Nancy!! Seeing the dashing Robert Scorpio on the NB red carpet was alone worth the price of admission! And Finola’s Anna looked fabulous in her evening frock…both the cut and color were simply perfect for her!!!! These two legendary legacy characters definitely belong together!

part of the show were well done but the intro on the red carpet was laughable…introducing the characters by name like well known celebs to me was a joke…Nina lusting at the site of Jax-MS may have her fans but her campy acting style and scene chewing is a real turn off to me(ya, its a soap but the writing is the reason why the rest of Hollywood treats soaps like low entertainment!!!

Jimh
So happy Iam not just a party of one at this “ball”. I did love K.S/Scott’s entrance. He always leaves me laughing.

Amen! You said a mouthful there, Jimh! With no scenery chewing required…unlike the aforementioned Nina!

love the new opening for the show.

Michelle Stafford did an awesome job on the red carpet!!!

Could not stand M.S/Nina and her antics, but I had the distinct feeling that Jax and Valentin know each other.
So was the flirtation with Nina real, or did Jax already know she’s with Valentin? Time will tell.
Speaking of antiqs, whats with Anna acting so silly about Robert? So she thinks he wants to propose. So what, she’s supposed to be in love with Finn. Hopefully, she’ll spare him and run off with old Bobby.

Like I said, Violet–Robert and Anna forever!

And I think the best things on the carpet were dashing Robert Scorpio and his twinkling eyes and sardonic smile. keep him forever! Please! And Robert and Anna forever, also. Please!
And Jax–aaah, Jax! Those blue eyes can take one away! How handsome. And his dazzling smile, to say nothing of that nice head of hair. Keep him forever, also. PTB, are you listening?

No Alexis, but, we have Peter at the Nurse’s Ball. This flop ruins every episode for me.

No Alexis is always a good thing for me, DMRR, but I totally get your aversion to Pete…the only role he should be fulfilling at this event is as a parking valet.

Hahahaha!!!!!

I was mistaken, saw Alexis. I watched 10 minutes and turned it off. Sick of Mr. Laura Wright, the cult, and Oscar.

Me, too, DMRR….Given my aversion to so many current GH players, I only watch the highlight reels featuring the characters I can abide, hence today I caught Anna, Scorpio (and yes, Finn…) along with Dr. O and her deliciously diva-esque performance of “Guilty,” where Alexis was clearly seated in the audience!

Loved Dr. O! Now, she has talent!

She has “UBER-talent!!!” Kathleen Gati’s radiant Liesl owned the NB with her very tongue-in-cheek performance of “Guilty!” Not to mention, she was absolutely resplendent in that royal blue showstopper of a gown…a star is “reborn!” (And how nice was it that Dr. O didn’t need to “steal” the stage this time around?….Now that’s progress!)

Just watched the red carpet. It was cringe-worthy. Maxie was awkward. Although, I loved seeing the fashion. Nina’s reaction to Peter is similar to mine, rolling the eyes. Although, I mute and fast forward the boyfriend, too. YUCK.

Not sure who salivated more over Jax, Nina or Peter.

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

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Jason and Britt

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.

Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.

However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Britt

Courtesy/ABC

BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON

Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.

He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.

Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”

General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”

So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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