General Hospital
GH's Maurice Benard Chats On: Ingo Rademacher, The Storyline He Is Most Proud Of, And His New Outlook!
Courtesy/ABC
It was a whirlwind weekend at the recent first annual GH convention. While cast members from the long-running ABC daytime drama series took to the stage and participated in fun and entertaining panels, On-Air On-Soaps caught up with some backstage.
GH’s Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) has been front and center and a standout in Port Charles for almost two and half decades. This past year, he gave us all the emotions and drama as Sonny grieved the loss of his son, Morgan, while dealing with the fallout to his marriage, a duplicitous young woman setting him up, and trying to move on with is life following the most tragic event that could happen to a parent’s child.
In our conversation, Benard teased the imminent return of Ingo Rademacher, talked on his powerhouse Emmy reel (which since this conversation shockingly did not earn him a Lead Actor nomination) and he reflected on his battle with anxiety and bipolar disorder, something Maurice has shed a light on, and been an advocate for people who struggle with mental illness.
Here are a few thoughts from Maurice below.
Courtesy/ABC
Ingo Rademacher (Jax) is returning to GH for some upcoming major scenes. What was it like having Ingo back to work with once again? Sonny and Jax are certainly longtime adversaries.
MAURICE: I like Ingo. The reason I like Ingo, is I believe he would come after me and he would try to kick my ass.
You had a wonderful past year in story on GH, and a memorable Emmy reel of your work.
MAURICE: Let me put it this way. I’m never happy with the Emmy reel. There is always a scene in there that kind of kills the way I feel about it. This was probably the first time since I won back in 2002, that I didn’t talk to people about it, because I didn’t doubt it. Usually when I have the Emmy reel put together, I would go ask people, “Do you think it’s good? What do you think?” (Laughs) I will tell you for me what really made the reel, and that was the Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) scenes and I looked it at those and I put those in the front.
Courtesy/ABC
The death of Morgan Corinthos provided you and the GH cast with some very complex emotional material to play, would you say that story is right up there with the best you have ever told, or been a part of in your over 23 years on the soap?
MAURICE: What I have done this past year, and I have done a lot, I think this story was the one I was most proud of in terms of the work I put in. Everybody was great, and so when everybody is great, it adds to it. You know you have to be great. Everybody was on it, and so it made me say to myself, “I can now go with this where I want to take it.” I didn’t want to push anything, but just let it happen. That is the thing that I have learned in regards to my acting is that now, I just let it happen, as opposed to “acting” for whatever. I just do it! It’s in the moment and we do it. Before I put a lot of pressure on it and I wanted it to be better than this.
Courtesy/ABC GHFacebook
I think you know now you don’t have to prove yourself!
MAURICE: I guess, but sometimes it takes awhile to learn this. You have to just be, and be happy with where you are. For me, the anxiety attacks I had earlier in the year were drastic, but I said to myself I can’t do that anymore. Something had to change, and now it’s been great.
So, are you looking forward to some upcoming Jax/Sonny scenes? What did you think of Maurice not receiving a Daytime Emmy nod for his work? Was his performance in the death of Morgan Corinthos storyline some of your favorite work of Benard’s over the years on GH? Comment below!
I’ve been watching General Hospital hospital since I was walking home from school in the 60’s as a second grader. Of course other things have gotten in the way over the years but one of the things that has kept me coming back every time is Maurice Benard. What a fine actor . We are so fortunate, as GH viewers, to have had him as long as we have. I’m sorry to hear that he wasn’t nominated for an Emmy this year because he’s always deserving of that.
As critical as I often am of the mob-centric General Hospital and the often overused and repetitive Sonny storylines, I will admit that this year, Maurice Bernard was robbed of an Emmy nomination. His work has been a master class of acting and all that is great about daytime soaps as an art form.
I am really disappointed Maurice was left out as best male lead. It would be nice to see him take home another Emmy, but his fans love him and know he is the best there is on daytime television.in my opinion Maurice doesn’t need the judges to nominate him because he is already a winner. This past year he gave some of his best performances. He always puts everything into each scene he is in. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, when Sonny rides off into the sunset I will cry buckets of tears and GH will never be the same. On that day I will quit watching GH.
I LUVES Sonny !!
I can hardly tolerate Carly and Sonny and their constant bickering, never ending sniveling conversations worthy of FF because they are so irritating annoying with their arguing the same old crap day after day week after week.
I hope they break up and end it to put me out of my need to FF them and their never changing junk.
Long live Sonny! 🙂 ((alone!
I AGREE! They have had the same exact conversation about their marriage for weeks now, and honestly, how many times over the years have they had the same exact conversation over an indiscretion, lie, or half truth. It’s just so stupid and repetitive. Not worth tuning in. I’m not a big “Carson” fan.
omg I thought I was thee only one who was sick to death of CARSON! since we couldn’t have a Carly/McBain pairing…I’ll take her with say…Griff….and Sonny needs a new love interest. I currently FF thru them as well
Carly and Griff? No offense but they’re about as mismatched as Milo and Epiphany.
i FF CARSON all the time…don’t get me wrong I heart my ‘Dimpled Don’ and they bogus for no emmy nod…but this carson tango has to stop!
Sonny and Carly are Ground Hog day.
For the love of all that is right in this world, keep Sonny and Carly away from each other. This rinse and repeat cycle is boring and redundant as all hell.
Carson is the best Couple in Daytime
Maurice not getting nominated after the fantastic work he did was a travesty. When you read and hear comments from numerous people that saw his reel about how exceptional it was, and he doesn’t get nominated, it really seems like there’s something fishy going on. Because there’s no logical explanation for it.
Especially when you know Laura Wright got nominated almost certainly for scenes she shared with Maurice, same with Bryan Craig, same with Chad Duell, same with Lexi Ainsworth. They’re all good enough to get nominated for scenes they did with Maurice, but he’s not good enough to get his own nomination. That makes no sense.
When a name like Maurice Benard gets left off the list, and then you see some of the names that did make it, I don’t know what the answer is, but there’s something wrong with the Emmy voting process. That’s my opinion, anyway.
oh my, you’re ON POINT – i concur wholeheartedly!
What a DISGRACE that MO was overlooked for the Emmy! He is GH – the ONLY reason I watch for is HIM! Most importantly he is a brilliant GENIUS actor and loves his fans as we do him…wishing him the best ALWAYS and hopefully new storylines that reunite him with Vanessa!
YES. BRING BACK BRENDA! the gorgeous Vanessa Marcil!
Loved Sonny and Brenda in the 90’s. I used to rush home from school and watch the show. It’s too bad, the old regime screwed up Vanessa’s last visit, with that ridiculous Balkan storyline and her acting was totally “off” in my opinion. Her scenes always came off as being uncomfortable and odd.
I am afraid I agree with you, DMR, and wish I didn’t.
Something was off last time, the old magic and spark was not there.
VM seems to have had some kind of procedure which has changed her face somewhat . I guess you can’t go home again.
Unlike so many of the 90’s-based fans, I seriously do not get all that Sonny and Brenda love they profess…maybe I was just spoiled by the GH supercouples of the previous decade, but whenever I’ve seen their latter-day “reunions,” there doesn’t seem to be much “there there” to me…Quite frankly, the highlight of VM’s recent visits to Port Charles was when she pelted Carly with breadrolls at the NB…sad, but true!
I was so surprised & disappointed that Maurice wasn’t nominated, he is the best actor out there in the soap world, this year was his best, even though he wasn’t nominated us fans will always luv u
I’m still pissed he isn’t in the running for Lead Actor in the Emmys. Something went down for this not to happen.
I think what killed the Emmy reel was that he put the scenes with Lexi (Kristina) in the front. Honestly, I can’t stand the character. She is the female Morgan-entitled, spoiled, and nasty. I liked it better when the unlikeable character was off-air.
MB had the best chemistry with Tamara Braun and Vanessa Marcil I think LW has him for lunch because she like most of those ladies over there are scenery chewers but most people call that acting I do not if you have to tell me your acting then your toast for me!
I loved, loved, loved Sonny and Brenda, in the 90’s. They had such heat and sizzle. I agree, I think Maurice had the most chemistry with Tamara, as Carly.
Don’t like Jax & almost had it w/ Sonny. He lies & cheats & knowing Nelles a schemer doesn’t warn Carly & now hes done w her because she wont forgive him in 2 seconds & I know this shows history if they stay together it will have to be her kissing his ass & him acting like hes entitled to forgiveness no matter what.
General Hospital works best when it’s balanced among storylines. For the past six months, the show has primarily focused on the aftermath of 3 characters — Morgan, Duke and Nikolas. The show is a darker one thanks to this with the focus once again on Sonny. MB does have moments of brilliance, but very often he just throws a glass and yells “son of a…”.
Right now, Sonny (and Carly) are caught in this “rinse, lather, repeat” situation. A little trip to back burnerville could help.
I agree Steve.
I do think Maurice is a really good actor when the writing is there. But when the writing is not there, he becomes bored and therefore, we viewers become bored with his performance.
You know what couple are hitting it out of the ball park.? Anna and Valentin. Who saw that coming? Those two ignite so many sparks that they are going to burn the set down.
Agreed Rhonda…oh, how I agree!!!!!! I saw it coming from the first time Anna’s and Valentin’s eyes locked. I did catch something both arresting and a sense of familiarity there; and I said so.
The mystique enveloping these two intrigues me …….This is one storyline which will compel me to watch with anticipation…whets the tastebuds.
I think he should have put his scenes with Bryan Craig in front not Lexi. It might have made a difference — who knows. He deserved a nomination for sure.
I can’t stand either one of his “kids”-Bryan or Lexi. Ugh.
I like Michael but of course, he is AJ’s son.Avery is a doll but she’s not yet two years old.
But yeah, Morgan and Kristina come off as self-entitled, petulant brats with anger management issues.
“But yeah, Morgan and Kristina come off as self-entitled, petulant brats with anger management issues.” So in other words, Rhonda, their apples didn’t fall far from Sonny’s tree! 🙂
Well put, dmr…and Rhonda???? You nailed it with your most apt description of those two spoiled Sonny spawns!
Loved Morgan. Didn’t see him as spoiled at all. Troubled. Earnest. Struggling. Searching…
I think Maurice is a good guy but I am wondering if the reason he failed to get a nomination is because of his stuttering, fumbling and faltering constantly over his lines. It makes him appear to be unprepared and as if he isn’t learning his lines properly.Anyone who is not familiar with his work and judging reels would most certainly be put of by this.
It’s lame for the soap actors to even submit a scene that they believe they were wonderful in to win a statute of little prestige..
It’s like self praise and an invitation to a huge letdown that they were judged unworthy of a win..
The Emmy’s are lame and stupid and not worth much of anything notable ..
I think Maurice has done such an outstanding job for his whole career w/GH. I have to agree with one prev comment that his dialogues seem to be choppy, hesitant, not focused as he was in younger days. I thought his scene when he called Carly thanksgiving night, very depressed, very drunk, asking her to come back was very good. Also his scene with Dante at GH I think when Dante blamed him for causing Morgans death. Maurices face showed so much pain and sorrow. His scene on the bridge when he was going to shoot himself made me cry, and when Belle drugged hjimthat was real good as well. He is aging, we all are, but he still is very cute and sexy with a great bod.
I must be the only one not surprised MB didn’t get a nomination. Every good Emmy reel starts with the writing and GH has been lacking in that department for quite a while now. Also, MB’s faltering line delivery in every scene doesn’t allow for the variety in performance that I think grabs a judge’s attention.
You are not the only one, Alan. I echo your words.
Maurice had one good day’s performance, as far as I am concerned……his visibly tortured soul, anguished demeanor and feeling of guilt in his scene with Dante.
His stumbling never sat well with me. I have said this before, and agree with Greg; Maurice comes on stage seemingly unprepared. It becomes very distracting and unprofessional, regardless of the fact that “he’s such a nice, affable guy”.
Lest I forget, Carly and Sonny have never had “punch” for me, albeit I did not watch during their heyday.
100% agree with you, Alan! Maybe the judges fast forwarded through MB’s scenes like many of us do, or forgot to turn on closed captioning so they could understand the dialogue.
@Alan….Perhaps if the writers concentrated upon quality–and not quantity— where the character of Sonny were concerned, it would better serve Maurice as an actor. He has always been a memorable part of GH since his decades-back debut, but I don’t believe the over-emphasis of Sonny—and by extension, Carly—has done the show any favors. It seems that once Anthony Geary’s Luke Spencer departed Port Charles, it was decided that Sonny was to be the next “elder statesman” of the soap, and as thus, his role was stepped up to the central focus upon too many occasions….there are only so many stories one can tell about a Mafioso, and they’ve all been done to death here….that is not Maurice Bernard’s fault, but I do believe it has much to do with the “Sonny fatigue” that the audience— and maybe even the actor, himself—have been experiencing…In other words, been there, done that….and as such, a little goes a long way. Either find something fresh and fabulous for this legacy character to do, or keep him on the backburner for awhile.
Hey, Shaybelle,
All I can say is, different strokes for different folks.
On one hand I can see that there are so many stories a writer can pull out of the air; on the other, focusing on one character for years ad nauseam becomes just that–sickening.
As you say, it is not Maurice’s fault, albeit his “not really being there” takes away from the import of his scenes.
The biggest problem with the character is the show’s insistence that he always be forgiven for all his crimes (including killing AJ) and never be wrong in any situation. Morgan’s death might have been a turning point for the character if Sonny had actually been responsible and finally — FINALLY! — realized that his actions have consequences. But obviously it was easier to just absolve Sonny of his guilt and make Olivia Jerome responsible than to write a carefully plotted arc where Sonny loses everything and everyone and is forced to realize that his redemption will only come through real change. GH could’ve used Morgan’s death to send Sonny out of town and find fulfillment in a simpler way of life which could’ve revealed new facets to the character (similar to how Y&R’s Victor found a sense of contentment when he was believed dead and started a new life with Hope in Kansas). Instead, the writers continue to serve more of the same old thing which hasn’t done anything to build viewership or stop the eroding female demographics.
Alan…Sonny always has a revelation when something major happens ie he was devastated after Lilly got blown to smithereens, he was devastated that Michael rejected him (and took Avery) after he killed AJ, he was devastated when Michael was shot and in a coma, when Michael killed Claudia and went to jail, when Michael was sexually assaulted…I think it’s fair to say he’s not going to change.
I’ve never been particularly fond of the character Sonny Corinthos. This guy is so entitled and so self-absorbed (and arrogant and obnoxious….) that I can barely watch him anymore. I’m fast losing respect for Carly. When will she finally think enough is enough and walk away from him permanently? I cringe when yet another episode is centered on these two bickering about their (5th) marriage. Jeez! Move on already!
As for Mr Bernard’s lack of an Emmy nomination… I am not surprised by this at all. I agree with the others who complain about his apparent lack of preparedness. Sometimes I wonder if he will ever get through a scene. If not for the GH budget mentality of “get it in one take people” there’s no way many of his scenes would be considered as in the can as shaky as they are. Gloria Monty must be rolling in her grave! She’d have never accepted many of his scenes as air worthy. He needs to step up his game.
It seems as though he ad-libs a lot of his lines and it does come across as being unprepared. Sick and tired of “Carson.” They have completely lost their spark. Time to move on. How many times do we have to hear Sonny tell some woman that they are the most important, and love of his life: Brenda, Carly, Connie/Kate. C’mon..
There does seem to be a certain repetitive quality to the “Many Loves of Sonny Corinthos,” when it comes to his professions of devotion and affection for his long list of “one and onlies,” dmr!!!! On one hand, we are supposed to believe that Carly is his ultimate “soulmate,” that they are truly destined to be together forever, yet, how many other deluded women have supposedly been his “shining star,” in life, as well???? I’ve actually lost count of all those gullible females who have fallen under Sonny’s spell, but the roll call of lovers is a lengthy one, to say the least! In addition to those you have previously named, there’s also been Emily, Claudia and Olivia, not to mention that mother-daughter duo that Dimples impregnated, Sam and Alexis, plus, let’s not forget his “Crypt Tryst” partner, Ava. C’mon, no guy is that irresistible, let alone, Old Sonny Boy! The only more improbable Port Charles version of Casanova was Luke!
Shay and dmr are both spot-on with the exorbitant amount of “loves of his life” and temporary trysts for Sonny. The worst was definitely the Sonny & Emily pairing. After many viewer complaints, that was shelved almost as fast as the equally disturbing Luke & Felicia flirtation.
@Steve….That Luke and Felicia “flirtation,” as you so delicately and diplomatically put it, was much more than “disturbing”…it was an absolute abomination!!!!
Maurice Benard is wonderful, period. The Sonny character is the foundation of the show. However, NEVER, EVER should any actor select his/her own reel without input from other actors. You simply don’t know your best work when you see it. No one does.
I may not be as well-versed in all-that-defines General Hospital, but I must disagree, with all due respect, Soapluv.
I may be wrong and may have completely misconstrued the ‘message’, since I am a late comer….. but, I was under the impression that the soap was founded upon the medical profession, in all its forms; ergo, the title. The center is General Hospital and the beehive of life in which its stories are based…..nurses, doctors, executive staff, patients and the extensions of their respective families, friends etc.
Sonny, and the life of crime he respresents, is but a mere facet of General Hospital, the soap. How is he the foundation?
Well, he is not the foundation. You’re right, Celia.
Amen to that notion, CeeCeeGirl! GH has ALWAYS been, first—and foremost—about the time-honored institution and its ensemble cast of medical and non-medical-based characters….at least that is the way it was intended! Even in the ’80’s with the advent of the Luke and Laura craze, arrival of superspies Anna Devane and Robert Scorpio and introduction of criminal masterminds like mobster Frank Smith and that “Clan from Hades,” the Cassadines, the hospital remained the hub of activity to which all roads eventually led back, no matter how far flung some adventures meandered…Hence to maintain that Sonny—or any other single character, even the now-departed Luke—has served as the foundation of this soap, is misguided, at best. But perhaps that just goes to show how terribly off-track the entire program has wandered, for anyone to make such an assertion. Quite frankly, I have long thought that GH has lost its way from its original purpose, with far too much emphasis upon the criminal element and especially its more recent efforts to become some sort of supersoap with the unwelcome overflow of marquee-name players from other daytime dramas, most notably those of the defunct ABC variety. To say that this show sorely needs to return to its “roots” is an understatement, indeed….and with that comes a most necessary de-emphasis upon Sonny and Carly, along with a number of otherwise unbearable characters that have no true place on the Port Charles canvas despite moving heaven and earth to try to make it so!
Celia,
I am not quoting nostalgia. Many things that were true 30, 40, 50 years ago – are not at all true, are not the case, are not in evidence today. Sonny being the major character around whom General Hospital stories have been developed for the past 10 years is just one more example of change. If you have any proof that the hospital, the Q’s or anything else (with the possible exception of Franco these last few months) or, anyone else has been a greater focal point of this show than Sonny Corinthos, his kids, his loves, his business, his best friend, his minions, his baby mamas, failed efforts to bring Sonny down, etc. – please help me see it because right now, IMO calling this show General Hospital is just keeping a recognizable brand and tells potential viewers nothing about the 2017 version of this show. As you probably know, that’s just fine with me because I believe the change in focus from the hospital to Sonny is the major reason GH is the ABC soap show left standing. Clearly, TBTB were wise to change the focus to my favorite character, Sonny. Adventure stories, mob stories, love stories, social issues with a nice flavor of Cassadines – that’s the backdrop. Even the Nurse’s Ball is about Magic Milo (Sonny’s minion) and beautiful shirtless men – not the Hospital.
Cella brings good perspective here as the hospital being the foundation was lost many years ago. That loss is the responsibility of GH writers and likely their higher uppers. Look at ABC’s evening schedule. Violence is their top priority in their programming. They’ve carried that over to GH. It’s a sad statement.
I follow you, Soapluv. Go with the flow….move with the times.
But, there’s no nostalgia for me. As I said I am a newcomer. I am merely expressing my opinion, according to what I envision of General Hospitala to be…..the hearth or nucleus of the soap.
I understand that there are other interests outside of the hospital, but giving the reins to one Sonny Corinthos, sort of “insinuating” him in every aspect of everyone’s life is over the top, for me. He is connected to everyone, one way or the other. ‘Tis the way of the doap-world, I guess. LOL.
Furthermore, what bothers me the most is how this pernicious man is elevated to the stars….trying to give him a sense of righteousness, honor and integrity, where no criminal has a right to even give it a thought.
What is wrong with this picture? It’s like regaling Lucifer with a halo.
Now, I can appreciate the fact that he is a fave of yours….you see the character through rose-colored glasses. I feel the same way gor Ava…love her!! So, I know the feeling. LOL.
But, to use Shay’s expression, the “Sonny-fatigue” does hit those of us who are not fans like a phalanx.
So far, all I have seen of General Hospital, itself, are killings by psychos, a giddy, little nurse ( Amy), strangely weird Franco, a priest-doctor, a man-boy ( Michael) as a board member….nothing fascinating….no hospital hub of which to speak.
Again, I do get it, Soapluv. Max Daddee says it all! And, says it well.
The show works best when it’s properly balanced. Hospital stories, mixed with ELQ, the PCPD, and yes, the mob. Right now, that’s tilting to much to the mob. To argue with point Soapluv made, GH was only saved from cancellation because it had the best name recognition. One Life to Live had higher ratings when the decision was made to cancel 2 shows. Recognizing this, ABC dismissed Phelps, Guza and Wolf who disproportionately emphasized the mob and shifted Valentini & Carlivati from OLTL to lighten the show up. Ratings improved until Carlivati lost his way with Fluke, Denise Demuccio and Elizabeth’s “secret.”
Only 4 contract players are medical professional characters. The majority are mob or law enforcement. I’ll give these writers credit for moving Hayden and Kiki into hospital related roles.
Hi Max. The network has to show what people want to watch. It’s business – profit, money, young viewers. There are 4 soap shows left out of dozens. None of the four are centered around a hospital. Shonda Rimes quality of talent is required to make a hospital show go and no soap today has that level of writing talent. Though I feel compelled to say, soaps do maintain an exceptional level of acting in many characters who could meet the challenge of superior writing, if only soaps could attract it.
You’re correct that the networks have to show what people want to watch…and judging by the women 18-49 demographics GH ain’t hitting the mark. The show continues to lose viewers in that key group and since the show is so Sonny-centric there’s really nowhere else to place the blame but on that character.
Shonda Rimes is crazy talented but she’s not the only person who can write a hospital drama. GREY’S is a medical show but the hospital is merely the setting to tell stories about the lives and loves of the staff who work there as well as the patients they treat. GH has the advantage over the primetime soap by having 250 episodes a year to delve into those same kinds of stories in depth and play all the emotional beats while also educating viewers at the same time. Yes, the show needs non-medical stories but focusing the show almost solely on a career criminal is a HUGE mistake. Varied storytelling invites new viewers to sample a show and hopefully get them to return to see how a particular story progresses and affects other characters on the canvas. With GH it’s all mobsters, all crime, all the time — if a viewer doesn’t like those stories there’s no reason for them to come back and see what’s new.
I am a firm believer that story is the true star of any show — daytime or primetime — and if the writing is one note or lacking emotional depth, all the stars in the world can’t save it.
I agree with you and Celia both. She’s right, I started watching soaps for the first time in my life in 2006 and I started because of Sonny. From what I can tell, none of the shows have choir boys as the star and that suits me fine. I have noticed morality is not taught on tv anymore, the more twisted, the better seems to be the theme but to Celia’s point and yours the writing is the real shortfall. I generally find myself feeling sorry for the talented actors who have to deliver drivel almost everyday.
They just rotate the same old writing teams from show to show as if no new talent exists. I’d love to know if it’s true that new writers don’t bother to learn the lost art of writing soap operas.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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‘Days of Our Lives’ Rob Scott Wilson Talks ‘Turning Heel’ as Necktie Killer, Ben Weston
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
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WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
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