General Hospital
GH's Mutual Admiration Society: Maura West, Michelle Stafford & Finola Hughes Talk Girl Power In The Cast Of The ABC Daytime Drama!

42
Unfortunately, what these women don’t seem to realize (or don’t want to admit publicly) is that the lives of their characters STILL revolve exclusively around men. What they do, what they want, what they say, why they do what they do – it’s still driven around getting a man. And that means that nothing has changed since the 70s.
Even the great Tracy Quartermaine has been reduced to a giggling school girl, picking out her jewelry for her engagement party to a man.
Yep, Me is right. (That sounds grammatically incorrect).
Me doth not protest too much.
Tracy does disappoint the way she fawns over Luke no matter how abusive he is. And while this article does not feature Nancy Lee Grahn, Alexis is even a bigger disappointment with her propensity to believe and follow every pretty, lying bad boy, with a pretty waxed chest, who comes her way.
Since the 70’s, me? Getting a man is age-old. Why should the 21st Century be any different?…LOL.
I think the writers should know better…..women do not need men to survive…that includes sex…
And, Harry….me, in this context, does not sound grammatically correct….but, that is just what me chooses to use…..so, it is forgiven. Look to whom I am talking…!! The grammar whiz.
However( and I will get blasted by some), Nancy Dillingham, writer; poet; English teacher extraordinaire, makes continuous, egregious grammar mistakes….and, I do not mean typos.
(Sorry, Nancy…..alack, ’tis true, young lady!!!!!)
Women should never be underestimated or under appreciated! My best friend is a women and she holds her marriage together by being strong, smart and optimistic. Her mothering skills are next to none! Women can and should be powerful BUT they need to understand that men still want them to be feminine and vulnerable. Please do not define vulnerable as being weak. No, men still like to be strong and protective. [Masculine]
Hi, Timmm. Long time no talk. I ken what you are saying, albeit a smidgen archaic. But, we are talking about apples and oranges here. I am saying that women today can make a living and taking care of business without depending on a man to put food on the table. You are talking about emotional dependence….something we all need. Furthermore, why do men need to feel masculine? If a man is confident and sure of himself as a man, then he does not need a pacifier (binky). The instinct to protect their women comes naturally for men. I would… Read more »
Awwww, harry…I was being sarcastic, too.
By the by….I enjoyed your Sesame Street reference…LOL. You are one of a kind, Harry. I love it!!!
I don’t necessarily agree, ME. While it is true that they want love…who doesn’t! It’s not like they’re portrayed as man hungry…. Tracy truly lives Luke. I think her loyalty and devotion is rare in soaps; instead of bailing at the first hint of trouble…Tracy has supported her Luke through illness. When she felt mistreated or taken advantage of…she dumped him. He had to win her back. Anna is as independent as they come. She has lived a life of high risk and adventure…many times without a man. She, too, broke up with Duke when he didn’t meet HER standards,… Read more »
Rebecca, can you believe we actually agree about Alexis? And I cannot stand Julian–that pretty boy metrosexual! (not there is anything wrong with that).
Put on a shirt Julian!
Cee Cee, I was kidding with the Me reference.
When Anna is lined up with Ava, Nina, Tracy, Alexis and Kiki, all I can think of is that Sesame Street song,”One of These things is not Like the Other.”
Good synopsis Rebecca.
Harry…it was obvious you were kidding with the ME thing (it was rather witty…as was your joke that went “thud” to Su…) …and…we agree on more than you realize. Alexis, Ethan, AJ, agism…just because I don’t join in on or like the Alexis “boob” bashing or the incredibly irritating “Sappy” “sparkle pony” comments…shudder…blech!!! doesn’t mean we dont’ see more eye to eye than not. Love your posts! 🙂
Timmm. Thanks! And glad you could actually discern what I was saying through my ever-present auto correct word mistakes! Soooooooo annoying. I’m still clamoring for an edit or cancel option so we can have redo’s if need be! lol…
I think we all have valid observations on this thread. For me women and men all start from a basis DNA model, albeit archaic in today’s society, but still overpowering. It’s a broad brush, and certainly doesn’t apply to 100% of either…that of women as nesters and daily nurturers…men providers and protectors. But both men and women want to be appreciated and loved. Even when you look at nature the males and females appearances can be different…I’m saying this as the red male Cardinal and more muted female are at my bird feeder. GENERALLY, some of this also comes from… Read more »
Sorry if I got a little carried away on my comment. Maybe a little too philosophical for MF. But also maybe why I have some room on my right-brain side not to be too critical of affairs of the heart. Impatient maybe, but we’ve all got baggage and needs that can be our Achilles heel.
Excellent read. Maura, Finola, and Michelle, along with Laura, Jane, and Nancy are the best of the best!
Yes, Melissa….most of these women make the screen shake, rattle and roll……first-rate acting.
I must adhere to what I most wish for Michelle; that is, I would like to see Nina in true-Michelle-form. Lose the waif-like demeanor.
wow!
No other soap has a power cast of woman as GH..
It is unbelievable the greatness of these woman/actors.
Maura West (Ava Jerome)
Michelle Stafford (Nina)
Finola Hughes (Anna)
Laura Wright (Carly)
Jane Elliot (Tracy)
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis)
Donna Mills and on goes the list..
——- A true Dream Cast… Magical.
I think Nina should have more scenes with other characaters. I like Anna and Sloane together. I think the show is getting a little better these days.
Nina and Rosalie : the showdown with the “Q” stock…. Rosalie tells Michael the sale didn’t go thru…. MIchael goes home… and Rosalie congratulates Nikolas and hands him the shares of stock. Wednesday’ “ep” : Nina was pulled together …. and finally… looked as hot as all get out! stop with the ??? gangly physical slump and awkward … sit up straight, statuesque, a woman in charge NOW what are the writers doing to Nina? it took so long for MS’ Nina to get this far…. as you’ve said…. “I think Nina should have more scenes with other characaters” I… Read more »
I love Nina and Franco but their current story line not so much. I want them to be the fun scheming power couple a la Keith and Gina from Santa Barbara. GH already has it tumultuous pairing with Sonny and Carly.
Patrick, I agree totally with everything you wrote. Roger Howarth is the actor who drew me to GH and is why I keep watching. Seeing him betrayed by Carly and Nina in less than a year is way too much to take. I loved the uniquely magical love story of Franco & Nina, first when they fled to Canada and then at Shadybrook. When they were free, I was so looking forward to them taking Port Charles by storm especially after Franco managed to get Ned’s ELQ shares; only to be devastated now by Nina’s horrible treatment of Franco. Sure,… Read more »
@Edie : first…. what a beautiful post people : have to echo : “…Seeing him betrayed by Carly and Nina in less than a year is way too much to take. I loved the uniquely magical love story of Franco & Nina, first when they fled to Canada and then at Shadybrook. When they were free, I was so looking forward to them taking Port Charles by storm especially after Franco managed to get Ned’s ELQ shares; ” Monday’ ep : I was so livid with the writers…. frustrated that Nina was at the floating rib… telling Silas everything… it… Read more »
Nina is a colossal flop! The writing afforded her has been God awful and she has shrunken to the occasion.
Nina has become fast forward material and all the mugging, posturing, lip chewing, scene chewing antics which got her through her Y&R days is not enough to make Nin a viable, believable character anyone remotely cares about.
The writing given to AVA is also just dreadful but at least West is a decent actress.
They are both good actresses. Ava gets the better material. Sadly, this has not been a good ride for Michelle.
Great piece of writing and amazing interviews!
Love them all. GH rocks!
Denise / Ava and Silas : flashback scenes and concurrent @MarySF this is it…. Wednesday Ep: as the show ends… with Silas telling Ava… he gave her Avery’ bone marrow I was crying ???? the bigger mystery; did Ava take off from the hosp and assume this new identity ? I am loving the mystery with Ava and Silas can’t wait to see how Denise reacts to Avery Silas has some work to do… as he silently keeps all he knows to himself a part of me doesn’t want Morgan to move on with Kiki… as this is going on…… Read more »
Yes, I was very happy with the flashbacks– had to wait a long time to see those scenes but I’m just glad we got to see them and they were as good as I imagined them being. I think it was implied Silas released Ava from the hospital on the condition she would disappear, but instead she headed to Delia’s and with her mother’s help they invented Denise and everything she would have to do, to become her. I certainly hope “Denise” doesn’t try to get Morgan away from Kiki- I liking the vibe between her and Silas, but that… Read more »
The real question is, Patrick…how will Avery react to Ava? We have already had a peek of how Ava reacted to the baby. The eyes tell all.
Normally, babies to react to their true parents…it’s instinctual. Obviously this tiny, gorgeous little cherub will not react as she would to her bio mother, but, I am sure Maura will be able to coax her, and pull it off.
This is what separates Maura from the rest….did you notice the softening of her face when her eyes rested on the baby. These little nuances about the actress always take me aback. What a performer!!!!
Well, I guess we have our answer now, CeeCee!!!! What a beautiful scene between mother and child….sweet yet bittersweet, heart-warming but heart-breaking, all at the same time! MW pulled off one powerful performance….Ava MUST reclaim her child, and soon!!! Even if it means that she will need to flee with her daughter, this is a reunion that just has to happen. I simply cannot abide another day of that idiot Mikey and his sub-par servant of a nanny, Sappy, having physical custody of that adorable munchkin!!!! It’s too sickening to witness…..
REAL TALENT……REAL GIRL POWER ON GH!!!!!!
Great interview. I concur with Finola on finally getting a love interest she has chemistry with.
I’m so thankful for this cast. After OLTL I needed something good, and this is the only other daytime show I will watch. It’s got a power house cast and I love them!!
When will the time come when your headline will read…” Women power”?
This was GH not OLTL the first mistake FV made. Or was it a mistake? FV lost OLTL and tried to make GH into OLTL. If I wanted to watch OLTL I would have. There was a reason OLTL got cancelled. So,why try and ruin GH.
With all due respect, Cathy. I beg your pardon???????!!!!!!!!!!
There are many of us who DID choose to watch OLTL.
I agree CeeCee, OLTL and AMC had their fans and ratings. ABC didnt want to carry the financial burden any longer, fronting the money for three soaps. Its cheaper to televise a cooking show and show someone the 330th time how to gut a watermelon and use it as a bowl!
@Timmm.
You’re so right, Timmm. I do not watch cooking shows….actually, I am so sick of all the time dedicated to culinary entertainment.Everywhere I turn; there they are!!
And, I will always bemoan the loss of OLTL and AMC……I will always defend these shows as having some of the best actors/actresses/characters on daytime.
Great article! This is the most talented cast from top to bottom on GH since I’ve been watching the show. It’s a pleasure to watch every week. Even when the writing isn’t necessarily up to par, the acting is always on point, in my view. Finola has been in a class by herself for 30 years now, and I think Maura and Michelle have been great additions to the show. We can all have our opinions on the material they’re given to work with, personally I think they’ve been given mostly good stuff, a few misses, but the point is,… Read more »
You said it Dan and I dont know how they afford all this talent but we the viewers are spoiled!
There is a clear and wide disparity between the stories these actresses are getting. All wonderful actresses to be sure but until they are ALL given equally explosive writing that identifies them as leads I will continue to feel that there is a distinct bias toward those actors who have been brought to GH more recently by the current regime. The constant singling out of MW, And MS by giving them days and days of screen time along with integral story dialogue while others actresses get a few,lines here and there without writing that truly focuses on their character only… Read more »
Well, not everyone has A stories at the same time. There have been down times for Finola Hughes, namely when all the Maxie-Lulu-Britt-Sabrina baby stuff was going on. It’s cyclical. And, ironically, it was the maternity leaves of the actresses playing Sabrina & Maxie that initiated shifts to different actresses & storylines. Sometimes situations come up and the results take on a life of their own. Sam has had plenty of meaty stuff to play in the past 2 years. Ditto Tracy, Bobbie, and Carly. My gosh, Carly has had a gold mine of stuff opposite Franco, Sonny, her sons,… Read more »
GH has the best female cast of all the four soaps IMO I don’t feel like GH has been utilizing these ladies enough lately unfortunately. Things have been very male driven – or I should say Sonny and Luke driven. I truly believe that has hurt the rating a little. The Denise story line is bizarre but I was happy to see Ava back and reconnecting to Morgan. (Bye Silas) Nina is still the nut I adore but I don’t feel she is as in control and smart as she used to be. The Ric marriage would be better if… Read more »
General Hospital
Cailtin Reilly to Appear in General Hospital Tribute Episode to Her Father John Reilly
General Hospital
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
-
NewsApril 7, 2021
Y&R’s Sharon Case Shares Bittersweet Goodbye to Alyvia Alyn Lind: “We Wish You Well with Your New Endeavors & Of Course We Will Love & Miss You Always”
-
General HospitalApril 8, 2021
GH’s Kin Shriner Talks on Franco’s Demise, Scott’s Budding Romance with Obrecht, and His Enduring On-Screen Partnership with Genie Francis
-
As The World TurnsApril 8, 2021
‘Soap Con Live’ Event to Feature Panels from The Doctors, ATWT, OLTL, GH, Plus Virtual Meet & Greets
-
General HospitalApril 8, 2021
GENERAL HOSPITAL: “I’m Alexis Davis, and I’m a Fighter, and an Idealist, and an Advocate”; Nancy Lee Grahn Gives Masterful Performance In Special Episode
-
NewsApril 6, 2021
Y&R’s Melissa Claire Egan Reveals Pregnancy News; She is Expecting a Baby Boy!
-
General HospitalApril 14, 2021
Cailtin Reilly to Appear in General Hospital Tribute Episode to Her Father John Reilly
-
General HospitalApril 11, 2021
Lynn Herring Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Her General Hospital Debut; and ‘We Love Lucy’
-
NewsApril 15, 2021
Karla Mosley Temporarily Replaces Mishael Morgan on The Young and the Restless