General Hospital
GH's Mutual Admiration Society: Maura West, Michelle Stafford & Finola Hughes Talk Girl Power In The Cast Of The ABC Daytime Drama!
Courtesy/NATAS
Daytime drama fans know that the female cast of General Hospital rocks the house day after day, and episode after episode!
On-Air On-Soaps Michael Fairman spoke to three of the series prominent leading ladies, Daytime Emmy winners all, who bring it to their scenes and deliver the drama to its viewers: Maura West (Ava Jerome), Michelle Stafford (Nina), and Finola Hughes (Anna) for this very special feature.
This piece entitled: GH’s Mutual Admiration Society was first published and presented exclusively inside the 42nd Annual Daytime Creative Arts Emmy program/almanac that was handed out to all those attending the awards ceremonies. Through the courtesy of the National Academy of Television Arts Sciences (NATAS), On-Air On-Soaps is posting it exclusively online.
General Hospital’s Mutual Admiration Society
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
Leading ladies and dynamic actresses are a cornerstone of the daytime drama genre. For it’s the actress and their characters that, more often than not, propel the stories. Whether it be through love and romance, danger and intrigue, revenge and murder, a health crisis, or an unspeakable tragedy, it’s watching the resiliency of determined women come through the toughest obstacles and persevere that hooks the audience for days on end.
On ABC’s General Hospital, the cast has an embarrassment of riches in the female cast department; many Daytime Emmy winners, who have either been the center of dramatic story over the last year, or supported their female counterparts. In a daytime coup, GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, brought Maura West (Ava) and Michelle Stafford (Nina) to the 52-year-old series, and immediately built a harrowing story between them. Maura and Michelle joined the ranks of such GH notables as: Laura Wright (Carly), Jane Elliot (Tracy), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), and Finola Hughes (Anna), building a tough act to follow for anyone in the medium.
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
West, Stafford, and Hughes discussed being part of this wildly talented girl group, and if there is ever a feeling of competition for airtime, and more, between these titans. Michelle relates: “You want to be in a group of people who lift you up, and that inspire you to work harder. There’s no bitchiness with anyone here.” Maura concurred: “The women are unbelievable on this show. I’m a human being, so you’ve got to sift things out, and check it out. For instance, look at Laura Wright. She works on her scenes, never tries to undermine me as a woman, or an artist, and that’s why GH is such a great place for a women, and that’s why all these women are there!” Finola Hughes says egos are checked at the door at the studio, “I don’t feel that, or see egos. Michelle coming in to the show was amazing. Maura is a powerhouse, and that bubbling under the surface thing she does scares the you-know-what out of me. Then, I get to work with Vinessa Antoine (Jordan) all the time, and I adore her. Then there is Jane Elliot, who is just so superior and strong, and then Nancy Lee Grahn. She is one of the great listeners in this profession. On GH, Nancy and my paths do cross, because we are on the same side of the law. All of the other women I can’t really talk to, unless my character is arresting them!” (Laughs)
Courtesy/ABC
2014, saw one of the biggest water cooler moments of the year, when a disturbed Nina Clay drugged her arch nemesis, Ava Jerome, with two syringes – one to paralyze her and then another to induce labor – in her plot to kidnap Ava’s newborn baby and make it her own. The scenes between Maura West and Michelle Stafford were can’t miss TV, and put these women in some very emotionally draining, and dark scenes. Michelle discussed how she and Maura were able to create the scenes: “When you have a rival female character to play off of you, there has to be a lot of affinity between the two people, or some sort of understanding between them, to make it work. It’s as important as a love story. Maura really sold it. When she had the heavy lifting, she really needed me to be there in the scene with her, and vice versa. Your partner is so important, and Maura is the best partner…the best!” Maura echoed: “This is like a mutual admiration society! I feel the same for her, and I will say this: there’s always this idea that women actors are vying for something, they’re fighting for something, and they must not like each other, and that there’s always that sort of edge to it. It’s just not the truth. When I worked with Michelle in all those scenes, I trusted her. An actor will come into the scene wanting to lift you up as a scene partner – or suck you down – and Michelle lifts you up. On General Hospital, there are so many actors that are the same. They lift you up. They want it to be good. I’m so grateful for Michelle for those scenes. I was so concerned about it. I remember leaving the studio in tears going, ‘What am I doing?’ Then I saw them on the screen, and I was like, ‘Thank God. I love them!’” Finola Hughes weighed-in on the scenes between the dynamic duo: “It was very intense. It was extraordinary, and they made it work. Maura playing the devastation was phenomenal, and Michelle making that insanity work. There was a very light touch Michelle had on certain speeches, which was sort of unnerving, because she was almost removed from the situation, and in her own head, which I thought was a key. There was a lot of spookiness on how she delivered those.”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
While widely lauded and praised for their work, Finola, Maura, and Michelle still are appreciative and thrilled to have won Daytime Emmys for their work, as voted on by their peers. Hughes has won once, while Stafford and West have won twice each. The ladies agreed that their initial victory was quite memorable, but for different reasons. Finola took the Lead Actress prize in 1991, but she could not attend. “I had to go back to England to get a green card,” she recalled, “And it just so happened to coincide with the Emmys, and I had to do it, or I couldn’t stay in the country.” But Hughes did have a celebration of sorts upon hearing her name was called, “I was in London at the time, and probably at my interview at the British Consulate. I had been out with my brother, and I got back to my hotel, and I had forgotten about it. When I came back, there was a telegram, saying ‘Congratulations!’ When I got back to LA, my dressing room was decorated like crazy. It was really sweet. A couple of my friends had ballooned it out and I could barely open the door!”
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
West recalled her first win in 2007: “I said to my kids before I left to come to LA for the ceremony, ‘What should I do if I win?’ And my son Joe knew what I was wearing of course, which was this gown, and you know I don’t dress like that every day! He said, ‘You should curtsy.’ I said, ‘Well that’s it! I’ve gotta curtsy!’ The win meant so much to my husband, to my family, to the people who love me, and people who watch my work every day, and my parents, too. I always wanted an Emmy for other people. I never wanted it for myself. I wanted it, because I wanted my children to see their mom. I so wanted it for my grandma, before she passed, to see her granddaughter do this.” Michelle Stafford’s first win was a mixed bag: “It was not the most fun night of my life, until Drake Hogestyn (John, DAYS) said, ‘Michelle Stafford’ when he opened the envelope. I was absolutely stunned. I didn’t even know what to say! I used the word ‘dynamite’ in my speech, like have you ever heard me say ‘dynamite’? Where does that come from? It’s like from my freaking twin soul sister! It was so funny!” (Laughs)
Courtesy/ABC
Hughes, Stafford, and West play three very complex women on GH: One is a federal agent trying to uphold the law, one is trying to put the pieces of her life together after losing 20 years being in a coma, and the other is gangster who has murdered and manipulated people to get what she wants, desperate to be a mother to her newborn daughter, and surviving cancer! “Ava’s gone through so much and is still kicking, that’s me, and that’s her,” Maura says passionately. “It’s a pleasure as an actress to have a complete rainbow of a character to play.” As for Nina, Michelle Stafford says she wants her character to still be teetering on the edge: “I really don’t want her stabilized. I think that’s boring. I think it’s very real that she’s unstable. There are many people in life like that. I want her to have that element, where she is fabulous, but underneath she is completely unhinged, where she could lose it at anytime.” As for agent Anna Devane, it looks like she may have a new love interest in her rival Agent Sloane (Grayson McCouch). Finola noted it’s nice to have some sexually-charged scenes as a veteran actress on a soap: “We are not dead yet! (Laughs) It’s fun.”
As for the array of girl power in Port Charles, and the TV landscape, Hughes summed it up best: “It’s very cool to be a woman working on GH. I think it’s cool to be a woman working on television. It’s a good time right now for all of us.”
What did you think of what Maura, Michelle, and Finola had to share about working with each other, and the powerful ensemble female cast they are a part of on General Hospital? Comment below!
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 hope that, as women, we revel in knowing our guys are there for us. I do agree with you there. Yet, Timmm, no modern, intelligent and assertive woman wants a he-man. And, being self-assured does not take away from a woman’s femininity. One thing has nothing to do with the other. I like all-things-girly-with -frills-and-lace, but , I will not feed any guy’s ego to make him feel more masculine. He either is or isn’t. By the same token, Timmm, I bet there are plenty of women who appreciate a man with a bit of a feminine side….right, ladies?…LOL.
I don’t know, maybe some do. I can only speak for myself, I guess.
My husband and I love each other very much and we rely on each other….but, we could live independently, if it were necessary.
I for one, would never grovel.
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, not the other way around. In the end, thigh too late, they both were ready to sacrifice for each other.
Ava? Since when has Maura’s life revolved around a man…
Nina? She could love a man or murder him…she’s not exactly revolved around any…
Alexis…sigh…my brilliant, sarcastic, witty, Alexis. She too is dynamic in her own right….but where Julian’s concerned she’s blind…willingly…because she wants so much to believe him…forgive him. I was sort of okay with that…until he ordered Duke’s hit.
All in all…strong women. Not one of them dependent on a man.
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 noting they like different toys…most little boys like wheels, and girls softer things. And as boys get older, they seem to tend towards shoot-em-up games, and girls on how they look and fashion.
Lego has been seen to be behind the eight-ball because their only models targeted for girls had tended to be pink and girlie. If any of you can find it on youtube the little girl rant about “why does everything for girls have to be pink” is funny and revealing. Some young women want to become Marines, or lawyers, doctors, geeks, etc.
As a personal disclaimer I was a tomboy, who also wanted a pretty prom dress, and side with the anti-everything-pink little girl.
So while things have been changing re:stereotypes and “nature,” I still think the soaps I watch all tend to have young/older women who come from money, or sure don’t seem to worry about it. Even then, as Rebecca’s list indicates, when it comes to men in their lives, the things we can base their strengths and independence seem to unravel. And vice-versa.
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 am loving… Ric and Madeleine scenes together…. I think they are hot!
I don’t like that Nina is treating Franco in this manner… she had better share that money with Franco!
if she doesnt ! Franco doesn’t deserve this… get this POWER COUPLE up and running…. together ! take over Port Charles
there’s so much potential…. with power hitters here…. Ric , Madeleine, Nina, Franco…
stop with the Shadybrook … move on!
this was why I was so disappointed that Britta was let go… throw in Britta and Dr. O… powerful stuff to REEL
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, he might have hurt her feelings by suspecting of kidnapping baby A.J. (Avery) a second time, but why of why did she have to resort to such drastic measures as marrying Ric??!! I gather that RC is intent of establishing Franco as GH’s “romantic hero,” but it certainly seems next to impossible at this point for him to ever reunite with Nina.
Also, I enjoy Franco rapport with Dr. O. and it would be great if her daughter Britt (Britta) would come back full time and get involved with Franco. Just imagine Franco becoming Dr. O’s son-in-law.
Let’s all root for brighter days ahead for Franco because he doesn’t deserve all the terrible abuse Nina is heaping upon him. Get this POWER COUPLE up and running asap or allow Franco to move on with someone else who will appreciate him!!!
@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 was as if we were watching the Carly / Franco scenes all over again…. only this time… it was Nina talking down Franco.
(Roger Howarth is a dream)
stay married to Ric Lansing… who is in cahoots with Madeleine to get your monies any way….
i don’t know… when I see Michelle Stafford… I am not thinking, ex-Phyllis… I really do think she’s Nina… but that doesn’t lessen the angst that the writing is ruining her with no direction… that love story that you posted… WAS ALL THEIR for the taking !!!!
people post about how emotionless the writing is… but I was in tears… with Nina and Franco… last time… was at Shadybrook
everything that’s going on with Ava… has me in tears…
Nina and Franco should be on equal footing… being fun… in love… cohabitating… conspiring together … kinda like Bonnie and Clyde… Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty
I too would love… love love… if Britta returned…. Britta and Dr. O need to intercede with Nina…. pronto ! like your idea even better… Franco becomes Dr. O son-in-law
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… ” A / D ” will have no choice but to realize “her” daughter IS in love… and ??? will let Morgan go… ? seems that way to me… so “ava” can also move on…
i am intrigued!
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 seems too obvious– perhaps now that Hayden is in a coma, Prince Nikolas might be a good match for “Denise”– a Jerome and a Cassadine teaming up to take down Michael- Nikolas for ELQ and Denise for Avery, that might be fun. Of maybe she will seduce Michael get him to marry her, so she can be step mother, to her own daughter.
My only disappointment– I was really hoping Denise was a real twin so we could see MW playing duel roles– but we can’t have everything right?
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, these ladies are always compelling to watch, whatever the story happens to be.
The interview highlighted these three exceptional ladies, but as they also mentioned, you have Laura Wright, Jane Elliot, Nancy Lee Grahn, going even deeper down the cast some underrated girls like Kelly Monaco and Kirsten Storms, and of course the male side of the cast is loaded with talent. Anthony Geary, Maurice Benard, Jason Thompson, Tyler Christopher, Billy Miller, Roger Howarth, Chad Duell, and so on.
Michael said it right in the article, what an embarrassment of riches. And we the fans are the ultimate winners. We get to sit back and watch all of these talented men and women put on an acting master class every day.
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 adds more fuel to the fire of belief that these writers are NOT putting equal effort into writing for each of these actresses.
So while calling attention to these great actresses is fine, perhaps facing the truth about what is really happening to GH would be a better way to garner support for a show that deserves to continue because of those actors and fans who have remained with it for up to 50 yrs.
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, and Luke. If you think about it, GH really does spread the wealth around. Luke, Sonny, Nikolas, Michael, Franco, Silas, & Morgan have had plenty of equally juicy stories in the past year. I love watching GH.
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 she was using him to her money back and Franco was in on the scheme. (and Bye Silas again) I’m actually really loving Anna story line right now. Love her downward spiral and am surprisingly rooting for her new pairing with Sloane.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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