Breaking News
GH Special Episode On Tap: A Look At What Would Sonny’s Life Would Have Been Like If He Wasn’t In The Mob
This fall, Maurice Benard has been celebrating his 25th year as mobster Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. He was recently on Soap Nation Live! teasing a special episode that was in the works. Now we know what it is when it was revealed by GH and ABC this week.
Coming up on Monday’s November 12th episode, Maurice will be featured in a special episode of a “What If?” nature. In it, the soap opera takes a look and what Sonny’s life would have been like if he had not fallen into a life of crime and joined the mob.
Featured in the altered look of Sonny’s life will be Benard’s real-life son, Joshua, who will play a young Sonny. Additionally, back for this one episode is Dominic Zamprogna as Sonny’s son, Dante Falconeri.
TV Line posted a sneak peek promo for Monday’s special GH here.
As GH viewers know, Hailing from Bensonhurst, Sonny had a damaging childhood where he was abandoned by his father, Mike, and then abused by his stepfather. Deke.
So, are you looking forward to seeing if you would have liked Sonny, if he was not a mob boss? Comment below.
Aren’t most episodes already Sonny-centric?
If he wasn’t in the mob, he’d be Nico Kelly from Pine Valley
I have been watching Maurice Benard since he was Nico Kelly on “All My Children.” I have been a long-time fan. I remember when he first started on “General Hospital.” I hated that he was causing trouble between Karen and Jagger. I LOVED when Sonny was paired with Brenda. Sonny and Brenda were my version of Luke and Laura. I rushed home every day from school to watch. I recorded the show on my VCR. I watched their scenes repeatedly on VHS tapes. Although, I dislike what TPTB have done to the character over the years, I am still a fan, and admire Maurice for his work. More importantly, he is an advocate for the mental health network. I’ll definitely be watching on Monday. I LOVED the AVA-Centric episode.
I have a few “what ifs” for you:
What if the role of Sonny Corinthos had never been created on GH? What if the GH producers/writers refused to focus for 2 and a half decades on such a despicable, dark, abusive character? What if TPTB had refused to hyperpromote a character with no redeeming features as its lead? What if TPTB refused to create a storyline stranglehold of mob glorification? What if TPTB instead focused primarily on the hospital staff and intrigue? What if TPTB instead had chosen to give proper respect to many veteran actors and beloved characters to dole out precious airtime? What if TPTB had taken the temerity to provide a moral center to the show?
Needless to say, I won’t be watching this travesty!
You are not alone there, James! Those are quite simply beautiful “what-ifs!!!” Much along the same line of my first thought when I saw this headline…as in how about an episode like “It’s A Wonderful Life” where GH examines what a Sonny-less existence could have meant to Port Charles??? Of course, even if the show runners deigned to undertake such a storyline, we would be treated to the sycophantic notion that it simply could not have been nearly as magical without the mighty “Corinthos” gracing its presence over these last three decades. Regardless, I’ll also take a pass on this one…as well as, second the motion deeming this latest piece of OTT Sonny worship a “travesty!”
Thanks a million for the backup, Shay! So glad we were thinking the same thing and that we’re sympatico on this point, as are a large percentage of GH viewers. It’s the lone (enduring) annoyance/disappointment for me on what was once my must-see favorite soap. I feel ill that the viewers have been force-fed this tripe for so long. But your analysis of the mindset of TPTB is sadly correct. Take care, Friend!
@Gentleman James…My pleasure! Yes, we are simpatico on this point, and probably many others, too, as long as we steer clear from certain particular areas where we quite obviously do not share (in your own spot-on and highly descriptive words….) an “important commonality!” Still, I’m delighted we can see past those few “issues” and continue to mutually enjoy those views regarding matters upon which we do indeed see eye to eye. I really wish I knew you in “real life,” because I do believe we could have some truly fascinating conversations encompassing all sorts of subjects beyond our shared disdain for the decades-long Sonny-centic nature of GH!!! ‘Twould be most enlightening…..and probably full of wonderful surprises, too! Take care, my friend!
Shay, so glad I popped in on this discussion. Given the subject matter, it was clearly an open invitation for those of us who don’t care for this character and accompanying, overwhelming storylines. But the warm reception I have received from you is terrific. Thank you for that, Friend! I am sure I would find you just as enjoyable in real life as well! 🙂
Thank you, James! Given your many interesting posts throughout the years, I’m sure we would find much to discuss, and I dare say, even those areas in which there is little agreement between us would probably provide much fodder for some very lively discussions! Incidentally, I’m not one to mind those who hold opposing opinions, provided they present their views without rancor or personal insults, and yours fill that bill! Oh, and by the way, I do believe I have found the perfect Christmas present for you…(Hint: Check the latest GH-based thread of November 12…what a nifty stocking stuffer—-NOT!—for all who share the same views regarding the subject of this article!!! I’ve already reserved two copies in order to gift both CeeCee and you! Lol…) Later, my friend!
Thank you, Shay! Likewise on your posts! And the stocking stuffers for CeeCee and me are hysterical!
it’s like mid term election… every 4 years… during that 2 year interim… we gotta dig in and it gets repeat.. sure.. as much as I hate it.. YOU are given chance to write.. we have no choice.. so bear witness.. that GH has stuck with DULLARDS Sonny and Carly w/ Michael.. Josslyn.. they are not interesting… they dice… they give us Laura.. yes its staggeringly priceless.. who the show features even more.. Sonny and Carly… as Carly who will never be redeemable.. as a woman… is having the bad dreams.. needs to be coalesced.. WITH the same SHIT ? oh god.. I ‘m glad Laura is HOME.. GLAD … dang it give it to Jon Lindsrom… you are stretching the canvas…
JUST STOP !!!!! writing for Sonny and Carly !!!! STOP IT
i’m going to love Spencer
i’m going to love Laura reunion with Kevin
I’m LOVING to bits.. BRITTA look how much she can share as a whole canvas salute she’s worth every penny
Brad lightening up with Britta… dag COME ON… it’s like a distraction from witnessing a true gay coupling.. w/Child.. i’d be crying covering… LOVING on my family… all the way …. bring Britta
there ARE distraction… a whole canvas to dry out and wallah… oh my god you have much to draw on
any way… Carly bad dreams and insistence with Jason.. MUST KNOW.. who her cell mate was
Mac and Felicia stand tall… who cares what I write now… Sonny is tearing in to Margo… wah blah blah… he shares what went down… asked and answered.. Margo will cower come forward… another story start
oh my god.. ^^^ this thread is further proof @GH TPTB – AND – writers attention is ; but they muck it up and the discord ; they don’t get it ; get out of New York and be in the thick of things… care about your work… WRITING IS
why would I want to see Sonny and Carly and Jason and Sam… IN A Kevin / Felicia / Mac / Laura / etc… this is NOT their story… WAH … Frank !?!? what gives
I fast forward on nothing… I watch your work.. 365 days…you suck
Felicia and Mac would have been fascinating with Bobbi, Scotty , Anna, Lucy, Laura just top line
Patrick, your commentary is always fascinating and enjoyable! I am in constant agreement with what you write. Thanks for telling it like it is, Friend! 🙂
Hey james; (see? we found each other again!)
I agree with your sentiments but you wouldn’t believe how your face would have been bitten off (LOL; you get my drift) if you’d posted that on FB or Twitter. The Sonny/Carly fans are rabid and basically repeat the same question: “Why do you watch GH if you don’t like Sonny and Carly? They ARE GH!” And then they pat each other on their virtual backs, high-fiving the next poster who puts you in your place.
Sigh. Calling Lila…can you hear us?????
Hi Rebecca! Yes, glad we are able to see each other’s feedback! I am aware that those GH characters do have their fans, and I’ve heard that they are vocal on those social media sites. Thankfully, I have chosen to steer clear of them, although I do see some benefit for others. Anyone here is free to disagree with me, too. All in all, I am happy to leave my face intact! Love the Lila reference! 🙂
Hahahaha; now THAT was funny! “leave my face intact!” I agree. I wouldn’t want them to mess with your adorable, errrrr, handsome…errrr, rugged….errr…virtual reality face!
i’m not going to tap that much in… as I’ve scaped the pattern… be with it says.. don’t let the donor know she’s in drive
TWITTER AND going to the direct scene .. of matter and hi
coalesce
I’m not going to tune in on their right
Shelly Chris and Frank are not in tune
James…as always, THANK YOU…THANK YOU for being the voice of reason!!!!! I have a feeling that TIIC at GH are using this so-called special episode as an excuse to FOOLISHLY prop Sonny up even further!!!!! I (for one) AM NOT FOOLED here…AT ALL!!!!! NO!!!!!
Have a good one, dude.
Thank YOU, jaybird369! You’re absolutely right. And they’ve been trying to prop up (aka force-feed) this awful character for far too long. Take care, Friend!
I like the actor but not the character…the Corinthos will never win me over except for Dante….bugs me how the writers can find endless things for newbies like Chase and Peter but nothing for Dante, Mac and Felicia who we wouldnt see if it wasnt for the Ryan story then they will disappear again just like Brad and Lucas will once the baby reveal comes…Laura/Ryan story is the only thing plus the return of Britt that keeps me watching!!!!
I’ve decided i’m taken with Willow.. she has dark shades; both: Chase and Michael… this is a ladies treat dig in; i’m going to love “Katelyn MacMullen”
both actors see the tease walk dance , coming
Chad Duell.. AND Josh Swickard.. i’m giving Duell SHOT.. because of the SUPPORTING PROP always GIVEN the Corinthos
otherwise.. because I know the end game… “no on messes with my family ” blah blah blech
sorry ass tale
as soon as Brad and Lucas lose the baby… end suck game… the corinthos’ oh well
It seems this is similar to the Y&R annual episodes where a character has a series of life-changing epiphanies via flashbacks or “what-ifs”. Billy Miller won his first Emmy for his Billy Abbott revelations back in 2010. But I just can’t get enthused about another “Corinthos-centric” story. I’m sure it will be well-acted, etc., but I’m not holding my breath. Sorry.
It’s not good nor bad..
It’s nothing special but still will be fun to watch, hopefully.
The writers are obviously struggling, they are void of intriguing stories and that is a tragedy.
When will GH clean house and bring in a staff that has new ideas and are not lazy?
Out with old in with the new !!
So- it will be interesting to see if I’m moved in any direction by it or if it’s just another Monday episode.
((GH has become way way way too mushy cuddly and has killed its true-self by destroying everything that made it unique and drama filled.
No villains, no suspense, no action, no intrigue, no shockers, no mysteries, no dark creepy devious people, no intense cliffhangers, no spellbinding moments, as once was-
It’s become sinners, and lovers- it’s all talk no action. ehhhh ..has anyone noticed the looooong boring conversations of no real substance=fodder filler that leads to nothing..
I think Sonny’s life, based on the background we are given here, and without his dad, growing up, would have made him just a two-bit hoodlum. Scully was a big influence on him, making him into the career criminal he is today. The one thing Scully can’t take credit for, is the kind hearted, loving man that Sonny turned into. So many people see Sonny in only colors of black and white, good or bad, but there is much more to him than that. With him, what you see is what you get. He doesn’t talk out of both sides of his mouth or influence anyone that his way, is the only way. I also feel, he keeps the show interesting, and think he’s been on GH long enough to be considered a veteran. Why do we have to have the boring old-timers, such as Bobbie and Lucy, Felicia, etc. I don’t know what it is with some viewers fascination with these three old women, snore!! I’ve said enough, sorry, this old pot is falling asleep.
I really liked this episode and thought that they finally gave Dominic Zamprogna an interesting story, which they never did when he was a contract player.
I liked the episode. I am a fan of Maurice Benard. I love Maura West. I liked how Kelly Monaco lost her monotone. I was happy that they did not include #insipidlulu. I would have liked Jason to have been portrayed as a Quartermaine, and for them to not have continued to decimate AJ’s memory. I’ve always liked Sean Kanan as AJ, and never liked what the writers did to his character.
My curiosity got the better of me (lol)…so I decided to watch that so-called special episode of GH (11/12). Man…what a joke?!?!? Sonny as a COP…BEYOND LAUGHABLE!!!!! And Carly as a Quartermaine…EVEN MORE LAUGHABLE!!!!! TRULY DUMB EPISODE ALL-AROUND!!!!!
Later.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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