General Hospital
GH's Maura West Talk's Ava's Pregnancy, Crypt Sex, and Daytime Emmy Snub!
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Last week viewers of General Hospital watched as Sonny (Maurice Benard) armed with the truth confronted Ava (Maura West) that he knows she shot and killed Connie Falconeri!
When about to shoot the mob gal, Ava had one more bombastic surprise that she pulled out of her sleeve! … she is pregnant with either his child or his son Morgan’s (Bryan Craig) child! Now the plot thickens and the question remains … is Ava really pregnant? From this week’s ABC sneak peek, does Ava visit Britt (Kelly Theibaud) and hold something over the doctors head and make her an accomplice to a cover-up?
TV Guide Magazine’s Michael Logan caught up with two-time Daytime Emmy winner, West to get the skinny on the story beats, how Ava has had more than nine lives and not been killed-off yet, and the fact that Maura was shut-out of a Daytime Emmy nod for the Outstanding Lead Actress race when many thought she was a shoo-in!
Maura on Ava’s pregnancy and if she is faking it: “Well, you could only fake something like that for so long. I guess there could be ways around it but, frankly, I don’t yet know how they’re going to handle it. What we’ve already shot is really cool, though. It’s injected with the gravity of Sonny’s death threat, but it’s also been infused with great humor and fireworks. It’s a lot of fun. The idea that this could be Sonny’s son or grandson really plays into history because, for him, family and children are all-important. If Ava were pregnant with someone else’s child, he’d kill her for sure.”
Maura on Sonny and Ava’s crypt sex scene at the Quartermaine mausoleum which caused some controversy amongst fans: “You know what? A lot of people seemed shocked by it and I was very surprised by that reaction. I was never even thinking about the locale! I was thinking about Ava’s pain. She told Sonny that she ‘walks the earth with an unfathomable burden’ — a line I really loved that referred to Connie’s murder. She was so heartsick she almost told Sonny about it right then. But for a lot of the audience that scene was all about crypt sex.”
Maura on why she thinks she did not land a Daytime Emmy nomination: “I don’t know. Maybe the reel I submitted wasn’t the right choice. But that’s okay. Really okay. It would have been great to be nominated and a real honor but I still show up every day on the set and work as hard as I always do. It doesn’t change a thing. I was much more surprised that GH didn’t get nominated for best show or writing or directing. That was the snub, if there is such a thing. I watch our show every day and it’s pretty phenomenal.”
So, what do you think about Ava escaping death and getting to live another day via a pregnancy? Do you think she is really pregnant? If so, who is the baby daddy? Will Britt help Ava? What did you think of Maura’s omission from the Daytime Emmy Lead Actress race? Let us know and check out this sneak peek below from this week’s GH!
Breaking News
WGA and AMPTP Reach Tentative Deal to End Writers Strike
Looks like we are close, very close, to the writing teams at your favorite soap operas returning to their jobs with news on Sunday that finally the WGA and AMPTP have reached a tentative deal. What remains is the fine print, and having the WGA vote to ratify their contracts.
This is welcome news to the television, streaming and motion picture industry that after five months of a strike has put the 2023-2024 TV season in deep water.
In a statement, the Writers Guild shared, “We have reached a tentative agreement on a new 2023 MBA (Minimum Basic Agreement), which is to say an agreement in principle on all deal points, subject to drafting final contract language. We can say, with great pride, that this deal is exceptional — with meaningful gains and protections for writers in every sector of the membership.”
As the deal goes through its final stages, the writers are still technically on strike, but picketing outside studios and shows has now been suspended.
Photo: ABC
Among the writers’ demands that they fought for are: higher residuals from streaming shows, minimum staff sizes to prevent the use of “mini rooms” and protections from the use of AI. The hope within the entertainment industry is that the new deal for the WGA will move along a new contract for SAG-AFTRA (actors) with the AMPTP. As of Monday, SAG-AFTRA is still on strike.
Photo: JPI
As for your favorite soap operas, during the strikes, the shows were written by non-union writers or “fi-core” writers who gave up their union benefits in order to continue working.
The next steps in process will see the WGA negotiating committee vote on “whether to recommend the agreement and send it on to the WGAW Board and WGAE Council for approval,” tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. Another vote by the board and council could lift the strike “restraining order”and allow scribes to “return to work during the ratification vote”.
So, are you happy to know that the writing teams from your favorite soaps are about to return to work and helm the scripts and the vision of the shows? Comment below.
General Hospital
General Hospital Alum Richard Simmons ‘Not Interested’ In Biopic with Pauly Shore Portraying Him
Former General Hospital guest star and fitness guru, the reclusive Richard Simmons, has come forward and addressed actor and comedian, Pauly Shore’s wish to play the 70’s and 80’s pop culture icon in a biopic about his life.
Shore previously took to social media and on X shared a side-by-side of him and Simmons. Accompanying the post, Pauly expressed: I’ve noticed the reactions to me playing #RichardSimmons in a biopic. I heard he’s living in Big Bear. We’ve been playing phone tag (yes, he has a phone). I’m trying to make it happen, you guys. In the meantime, hit up all the big producers. I’ll see you at @TheAcademy 2025!”
However, TMZ’s sources are reporting on Saturday that Simmons is not in favor of Shore playing him in a film or anyone else, or any biopic on his life.
The outlet shared that Richard’s reaction was that he was aware of the effort behind a biopic, mostly spear-headed by Pauly. but that he just doesn’t want to be involved. Simmons also added that he likes Pauly a lot, but he’s not biting, despite the public’s urging on social media about the idea of a movie on his life.
Photo: ABC
Born Milton Teagle “Richard” Simmons, he became part of the public conscious back in the 70’s and 80’s with exercise studios and the ability to help his clients lose weight; many of them were celebrities. Simmons himself, admitted to at one time to being overweight, and getting into fitness helped him maintain a healthy living style and he wanted to help others.
Later, he began a four-year recurring run on General Hospital playing himself from 1979-1983. Simmons returned to the show in 2013 for the Nurses’ Ball to taunt Lucy (Lynn Herring). He also was host of the Emmy-award winning, The Richard Simmons Show, which focused on personal health, fitness, exercise, and healthy cooking. Over the last several years, Simmons has withdrawn from public life.
What would you think of a Richard Simmons biopic and if it included some moments in front of the camera and behind the scenes of what went down when he appeared on GH? Do you think it will ever happen given Simmons current position on the matter? Let us know in the comment section.
I’ve noticed the reactions to me playing #RichardSimmons in a biopic. I heard he’s living in Big Bear. We’ve been playing phone tag (yes, he has a phone). I’m trying to make it happen, you guys. In the meantime, hit up all the big producers. I’ll see you at @TheAcademy 2025! pic.twitter.com/pG3QaPr95s
— Pauly Shore (@PaulyShore) September 21, 2023
General Hospital
General Hospital’s John J. York Reveals Potential Transplant Donor: “I Believe They Found a Match”
Promising news for General Hospital’s John J. York (Mac Scorpio). The actor who went public with his health battle shared Friday on Good Morning America that a life-saving blood stem cell transplant donor may have been located.
An emotional York told GMA, “I believe they found a match, perfect match, which will make me cry. So we’re going to start our testing and do all that kind of stuff coming up here in about a week, and then I believe the transplant will happen, fingers crossed, in November.”
Through his association with the Be The Match organization, York located the now potential donor to help in his fight against myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple smoldering myeloma, two blood and bone marrow disorders. “
Photo: JPI
York went on to explain the difficulties he faced in trying to find a match: “Many of my family members were tested and most of them were 6 out of 12; apparently there’s markers that have to be reached. So they were on standby.”
When asked just what the GH fan favorite would want to say if given the opportunity to speak to the donor that appears to be a match, in tears, John expressed: “Thank you for saving my life. For letting me spend more time with my wife and my daughter and my son-in-law and my grandchildren and seeing this beautiful blue sky.”
John has played Mac Scorpio for 32 years and until recently had kept his battle with these two blood cancers private, but came forward to clarify why he is taking time away from GH, and how he is been trying to find a life-saving donor match.
Watch York’s segment from GMA below.
Now, share your thoughts and well-wishes as John awaits the test results from his potential donor, to hopefully undergo this life-saving transplant in November via the comment section.
“I believe they found a match, perfect match, which will make me cry.”
“General Hospital” star John J. York opens up to @evapilgrim about his cancer diagnosis and working with “Be the Match.” pic.twitter.com/VlnReywRZu
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 22, 2023
Jamie Martin Mann and Ashley Puzemis Join the Cast of Days of our Lives
‘Ryan’s Hope’ Tribute Book Due Out; Featuring Words From Cast & Crew of Emmy-Winning ABC Soap Opera
Ryan Seacrest on the Key to Success for His ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Hosting Gig: “You Just Don’t Mess With It”
WGA and AMPTP Reach Tentative Deal to End Writers Strike
Hayley Erin Talks On Her Second Chance to Return to The Young and the Restless
Michael Corbett Returns to The Bold and the Beautiful
Hayley Erin Talks On Her Second Chance to Return to The Young and the Restless
Adam Caine Reprises His Role of Edmund Crumb on Days of our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Alex is Revealed to Be Victor’s Son; How Do You Feel About the Revelation?
Jacqueline Grace Lopez Returns to General Hospital
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Alex is Revealed to Be Victor’s Son; How Do You Feel About the Revelation?
The Young and the Restless Pays Tribute to Billy Miller at Conclusion of Episode
Charles Shaughnessy Makes a Return to Days of our Lives
Billy Miller Remembered by His GH and Y&R Co-Stars As They Share Grief on His Passing
Drew Barrymore’s Apology Video Backfires as Hollywood Voices Displeasure on Her Decision to Restart Production of Talk Show During Strikes
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Breaking NewsSeptember 16, 2023Billy Miller, Three-time Daytime Emmy Winner, and GH, Y&R and AMC Alum, Dead at 43
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NewsSeptember 20, 2023Mark Grossman’s Mom to Appear on The Young and the Restless
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Breaking NewsSeptember 17, 2023Billy Miller Remembered by His GH and Y&R Co-Stars As They Share Grief on His Passing
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NewsSeptember 21, 2023Michael Corbett Returns to The Bold and the Beautiful
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Breaking NewsSeptember 18, 2023Billy Miller’s Mother Issues Statement On His Passing
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NewsSeptember 25, 2023Hayley Erin Talks On Her Second Chance to Return to The Young and the Restless
I really love MW’s portrayal of Ava Jerome. Hope she sticks around for awhile.
Still hate that AJ died, and the crypt sex, but that’s not her fault.
Keep up the great work Ms. West! You are a great addition to GH.
I looked at the crypt sex scene as an act of passion. Both Ava and Sonny were in a dark place and they both forgot themselves. Under normal circumstances they wouldn’t have hooked up. I really liked that scene actually. I didn’t just look at the sex part of it.
I predicted the pregnancy long ago so no suprise here…crypt sex, Cranco sex(carly and franco sex on plane) and any sex scenes with Tracy/Fluke and especially Micheal/Kiki i could do with out…next Mr.Marbles will forgive Epiphany and they’ll have a sex scene…lol
Well, Mr. Marbles already has a woody.
The cowboy from ‘Toy Story?’…lol
That was a nice interview with Maura West and i liked that she was okay with not getting an Emmy nomination this year.To her maybe just doing the best job she can is enough.As for Ava i do think she’s pregnant but i’m wondering if she was lying to Sonny only to find out she is indeed pregnant.As for killing Connie that wasn’t something Ava planned to do versus trying to kill Franco last year.So maybe in her own way Ava does feel guilty about killing Connie.
Ava killed Connie to protect Julian actually. Her intention was to warn Julian but Connie was in the office instead. Ava was the one who found AJ drunk. I like MW’s acting. I was surprised she didn’t get nominated as well. Ava is not more a killer than Sonny, Julian and company. Carly and Shawn planned to kill Franco.
Love Ava!! She is Amazing.
Maura deserved a nomination for her incredible job as Ava Jerome. She brought life back into the series, and has been giving consistently amazing work. She is such an actress beyond her years; she has that Old Hollywood vibe about her. Greta Garbo and Katherine Hepburn kind of talents. I love me some Ava, and I hope that she continues to be given the material. I’d rather Ava kill Sonny and put him out of his misery. Ava is too good to let go!
I agree with all you said…hope she’s nominated next year…i dont see Sonny getting killed off…i see Ava and Sonny eventually getting together…maybe!!!
I don’t they’d let Maura go from the show, it’d be a big mistake of them. She’s too much of a genius and icon to be let go from the show. She has been killing it with everything she has, and the material for her is some of the strongest that the show naturally has.
I agree with your reply as well…she’s too good to let go…i liked her on ATWTs too but i like her better here!!!
Ava does act like the older actresses. I like her voice tone and expression. She sometimes reminds me of Marilyn Munroe the way she puts her lips.
I could see where people see Marilyn, too. She’s just an old soul with a very old Hollywood vibe about her.
Hmmmm…Game of Thrones does crypt sex….and then shockingly…so does GH. This regime needs to remember that this is daytime…not primetime…not cable…..and not a limited run edgy nighttime show. Things like corpse sex and men (and I use that term very loosely) threatening to murder pregnant women is not why we watch these shows. Ron clearly wants to write for cable where his “evil always triumphs” mantra can be realized…so he should start applying for those jobs. Send out out a few spec scripts Ron. The past few months have just been a farce, with criminals waltzing in and out of jail, making absurd deals and demands and getting out of paying for their crimes. Any regime that continues to make Finola Hughes’ Anna look like a moronic fool ought to be dismantled.
This…that last sentence. I agree Johnny.
Bob Guza also tried to replicate primetime cable as seen with his obsession with The Sopranos. Trying to aspire to loftier heights in of itself is a good thing, but both BG and RC seem to want to imitate plot gimmicks rather than dive in there and get to the heart of the character. I don’t watch Game of Thrones but what made The Sopranos interesting to me was not the whackings but the characters. The same hold true for Mad Men. I maintain that if the character is interesting, intricate and compelling, the story will follow.
and an innocent man like Ric Lansing can be framed and go to jail!
Maura West is a pro! Just adored her on AS THE WORLD TURNS and even watched THE YOUNG & THE RESTLESS waste her talents in that messy Diane Jenkins plot. Thank goodness, GENERAL HOSPITAL hired Maura West and gave her a role that is so layered and fascinating. I do hope for a redemption arc (and fall!) at some point but for now, this woman is a spider. I suspect we will have more opportunities to understand why Ava is who she is. And with Maura West there, I will be watching.
so many things wrong here … Ava is not 20 or even 30 .. it would not be easy for her to get pregnant in the first place .. then there’s the fact that she had sex with Sonny maybe 2 weeks ago so knowing she was pregnant so soon via a pee on the stick test would be highly inaccurate .. a blood test would be more conclusive but given its the GH lab and Britt involved … PLUS if she was pregnant why was she having tropical cocktails while at Sonny’s island hideaway .. she turned down the waiter’s offer of another because she was going to be leaving …. if indeed she is truly pregnant the likelihood of its being Sonny’s is slim more likely its Morgan BUT given that Morgan and Sonny are related – father and son – the DNA would be misleading .. oh wait this is a soap .. riiiiiiiight
It’s funny how things play out, when the show is bad we fans are more cryticall of “crypt sex” ect but when the show is on full cylander like it been since Friday then u can get away with being a little out there, if that scene played out now it would have people talking. Prob in a good way , or saying can’t believe they did that. All I want is for the show to stay on track, I m loving that Liz is on air in the middle of what’s looking to be am interesting storyline as long as it plays out in a good time frame n doesn’t drag on for eternity.
Maura West is the best actress in all of daytime. She most certainly should have been nominated. I hope RC continues to write well for her. Don’t want to see her backburnered for too long ever.
MAURA WEST IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE IS THE MAIN REASON I AM NOW A G.H. FAN AND TURNED OFF Y&R AFTER A HUNDRED YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I adore Maura West. I agree; she was definitely snubbed this year for an emmy nomination. I love how she can switch from evil to vulnerable in a split second. I don’t love to hate her; I just love her! A great, great, great addition to the show. Multi-talented!
Maura has always been an outstanding actress. The fact that she goes to work every day and gives it her all, not for the glory but for the good of the show, shows that she is also an outstanding human being. I hope that Maura and Ava stick around Port Chuck for many years.
Maura West is phenomenal as Ava. Her acting style is amazing. The way she transmits her character’s emotions without speaking– that’s real talent. As for being snubbed by the Emmys… meh. The Daytime Emmys have been a joke for as long as I can remember.
I never seen Sonny and Ava’s sex as nothing but what it was..
Two dark souls bonding.. And, it was hot and outstanding! ..
The way some fuddies seen it you’d have thought they had sex on the Popes bed..
Britt plays a bitch supremely! I feel she will go on the darskside again and help Ava!!
Sonny and Ava are a powerful couple; Sonny finally met his match!
Ava is the only woman that can handle Sony and I do feel they will become a couple, a never a dull moment couple!!
Without a doubt– GH was greatly snubbed ..
Something is dark behind the curtain about that happening..
GH has been phenomenal both stories and `acting` ..
A soap that went from death row to doubling its’ viewers that speaks volumes that GH is indeed of great quality!
So many high drama stories are coming-up !! Looking forward to all of them 🙂
((love Sonny & Ava!!!
We have nothing against Sonny and Ava having sex, and they do have good chemistry together, so we are on the same page there…however, having sex in a crypt is gross and offensive…showing respect and having morals dont make you a fuddie!!!
It was only a stone crypt not a church..
Actually– having their burden release sex in a crypt was showing just how sudden and unexpected it was..
It was a surprise shocker, for them to do the nasty, and doing it in a crypt ,for them it was befitting lol ..
For Ava and Sonny to have their explosive sex in a bed on white sheets would not have had the bang needed to express them as in the crypt.
It was an powerful and stellar performance from Maura and Barnard ..
I liked it!! luv them, an Intense couple !
Absolutely right, jimh! Additionally, I really have to wonder about the mentality of someone who is still wildly raving over a truly appalling and distasteful sex scene which happened months ago….
I never said it was a church but still sex in a crypt is tasteless and tacky even for Sonny and Ava and i they didnt have to do it in a bed with white sheets…you probably think im an old prude…well, its partly true…lol…i like Sonny and Ava…id rather they do the ‘nasty’…somewhere else…even in the Qs Mansion id could accept…wouldve been funny had Alice caught them and chased them out…lol…having them do in the crypt was truely ‘NASTY!’
jimh..
Sonny and Ava were far from even being connected in any way outside of a secret and protecting each-other..
They simply had a moment haa..
They were bursting with fear and disgust for what they had done and wallah guilt release!! right there bang! It was not making love nor was it sex, its was a whole different release going on it was more mental than physical..
The crypt was a great place for them to do a death knell nasty haa..
A crypt start to them most likely trying to kill each other before thy love..
anyways;; it was down and dirty HOT .. as it was meant to be 😉
The nasy was suburb!!
@su000000000000000000……..Still waxing orgasmic over this scene, I see…..Why do I get the sneaking suspicion that you must have it saved to DVD so that you and your cats can enjoy that disgusting, declasse’ display over…and…..over…..and….OVER again??????
suOOOO, i guess youve traveled over to the darkside and there is no saving you now…lol
LOL, jimh !
All should cross over to the dark-side , even to the grey side!!
It is fun watching the soaps from here!! Lots of laughs 🙂 lol ..
Shay, naww not disgusting, declasse’ just simply good ”wow” soap stuff, where else but on a great a soap would we get to see the nasty in a crypt. LOL.
((gotta love the soaps
((the soap watching from the dark-side has a secret;; never take a soap seriously just have fun.. 🙂
There is no reality in fiction .. !!..
Maura west rocks!
How is Maua West being snubed? I believe she has two emmys the one great thing about the nominee’s except for Heather Tom is that we have new faces. Why can’t we have some other talent honored? I am sorry but her character of Ava does nothing for me Cynthia Preston’s Faith was a lot more interesting, I have been down the route of Sonny treating women like second class citizens. Every time she comes on the screen I find her channeling Marilyn Monroe.
Cynthia Preston’s Faith was a blast. I SO hated to see her go but it was amazing she lived as long as she did considering everything she got into!
Why is Ava killing any worse than Sonny trying to kill a very young undercover cop–both were killed within some bizarre set of mob rules that include killing those that would risk your organization.
Of course both are abhorrent, but Sonny was not only forgiven by the son he tried to kill and the mother of that child, the son perjured himself for “daddy” and the mother ended up falling in love WITH THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL THEIR SON!
Sonny and Ava really do deserve each other but how anyone can watch this show and not think that Sonny is not the worst character most deserving of getting locked up is a mystery to me. He tried to kill his son (and who cares that he didn’t know dante was his son–he tried to kill a twenty something cop that justifiably was trying to get the goods on him). He has repeatedly endangered anyone that he supposedly loved.
So Ava’s “redemption” has a lot less to go than Sonny’s did. If RC is moving him toward a point that everyone rejects him for just how repugnant a human being he is, that would be a set of acting opps for Maurice Bernard that would be worth playing out
Maura is simply amazing and I love her Ava. I’m more likely to fast forward through a scene than actually rewind and watch it a second time, but I had to rewind and watch her tears during the scene with Sonny on the island. She digs deep. Hope she gets a nomination and win next year.
She’s an awesome actress and has brought a lot to GH in her role as Ava. She’s the only character in the Sonny “family” that I like.