Connect with us

General Hospital

43

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

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

Leave a comment | 43 Comments

43 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

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 @Jack 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

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular