General Hospital
Maura West Debuts as Ava Jerome on General Hospital! What Was Your Reaction?


Courtesy/ABC
On yesterday’s episode of General Hospital, two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Maura West entered the storyline as Ava Jerome, the mother of Lauren Frank, who had an affair with “Franco”! Yes, even now James Franco remains a vital part of the Port Charles canvas!
In key scenes introducing the character and back-story of Ava Jerome, Maura worked with another Daytime Emmy winner, seven-time champ, Anthony Geary (Luke Spencer) where Ava learned of the Quartermaine drama and that “Franco” is a bio-Q! Could Kristen Alderson end up being Lauren Frank when she debuts in her new role next week?
In addition at the end of the scenes, lo and behold the SORAS’d Morgan Corinthos (Bryan Craig) came down the stairs at Ava’s place! What is going on there?
Watch the first scenes of Maura West on GH after the jump! Then let us know what you thought of Maura and her new character of Ava Jerome! And … what is going on with Morgan?
General Hospital
Kimberly McCullough Shares Remembrance of the Late TV Legend Norman Lear on the Set of ‘One Day At a Time’

Television legend, Norman Lear passed away on Wednesday at the age of 101 years old. The comedy genius who created, wrote and produced some of the greatest sitcoms of all time died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Lear’s body of work included: All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Maude, The Jeffersons and Good Times, Sanford & Son, plus the soapy, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
General Hospital’s beloved Kimberly McCullough (Robin) has been working as a director in the television industry for years now and upon learning the news of Lear’s passing, shared a very touching moment via her Instagram that stayed with her through her directorial career. McCullough had been a director on the reboot of One Day at a Time that featured EGOT winner, Rita Moreno.

Photo: JPI
McCullough expressed: “My hat goes off to your, sir Norman. What a wonderful life you lived. In my very first directing job, only 6 weeks after having a baby, I was feeling fragile and not quite ready to get back to work. On the set of One Day At A Time, you squeezed my chin and said ‘Look at you! A baby directing our show.’ It wasn’t condescending at all. In fact you seemed thrilled by how far we’d come in the industry, giving young women a seat at the table. I replied, ‘I’m not a baby. I just had a baby.”‘
McCullough added: “You gave me nod of approval saying, ‘Even better. You let me know if you need anything.’ That meant the world to me. Thank you for your service of the television industry, of our country and being a stand up human. #ripnormanlear”
In a previous post pictured with Norman Lear, Kimberly shared: “Thank you changing the world with your storytelling. Honored to say I’ve been able to work with you. One time I heard you say “but where is the HEART of the story?” I have a feeling you’ve asked that question a lot…”
The Lear family also put out this statement on the death of the iconic TV genius: “Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather,” the Lear family said in a statement. “Norman lived a life of creativity, tenacity, and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being.”
Tonight, across all network television, an in memoriam card will air at 8PM ET/PT to pay tribute to Lear and acknowledging his influence in the medium.
Share your thoughts on Kimberly’s touching tribute to Norman Lear and the passing of the TV legend via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: What are Your First Impressions of Charles Mesure as ‘Mr. Brennan’?

There’s a new villain in town and things are about to get turned upside down for Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) as General Hospital circles back around to the looming mysterious ‘Pikeman’ story and who was the target of the shooting at the Metro Court that put Curtis in a wheelchair.
Last Friday, and into yesterday’s Tuesday, December 5th episode of the ABC daytime drama series, viewers were introduced to “Mr. Brennan” who has to turn out to be the dastardly “Pikeman.”
If his portrayer looks familiar, actor Charles Mesure has appeared in numerous television series and film roles including: Once Upon a Time, Castle, The Mentalist, Desperate Housewives, Bones and more. Mesure is also British-born, but moved to Australia when he was younger, accounting for the fabulous accent “Mr Brennan” has on GH.

Courtesy/ABC
In story on GH, as Sonny was telling “Mr. Brennan’s” minion, Hume that he would no longer run Pikeman’s shipments through his territory, the guy showed up at Kelly’s Diner with an ominous message for Carly (Laura Wright), although she doesn’t know it.
On Tuesday, in his room at the Metro Court, Brennan is upset that Sonny won’t work with him and tells Hume he plans to stay in Port Charles to make sure the shipments to Canada are ready to go. We also learn that apparently the head of the WSB has taken a leave of absence. Brennan reveals that being the director has its benefits. He then says he got rid of Frisco and he can work remotely and now things are falling into place.
Hume asks Brennan who the intended target is in all of this, and he says both Sonny and Anna. “Brennan’s” goal is to force Sonny’s hand to continue the shipments and more. Meanwhile, Curtis on the case as to who is behind his shooting and more.
So, what has been your impressions thus far of GH’s newest baddie as played by Charles Mesure? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Chase Proposes to Brook Lynn; Kristina and Blaze Share a Kiss

Finally, many GH viewers got their wish, when on the Monday, December 4th episode of the ABC daytime drama series, Chase (Josh Swickard) got down on one knee (a few times) and proposed to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton).
At first, Brook Lynn balked at his attempt as she believed Gloria (Ellen Travolta) and Lois (Rena Sofer) were pressuring him to do so. When she tells Chase marriage is off the table he pulls out an engagement ring. Chase reveals he was planning on proposing at Christmas, so he had the ring ready to go. A romantic Chase shares that he doesn’t want to waste one more day as he clearly knows what matters now … her! With that, Chase gets back down on his knees and proposes again, and this time Brook Lynn says, “yes!” The two seal the deal with a kiss!
Molly (Kristen Vaganos) breaks the news to TJ (Tajh Bellow), that she now wants to accept her sister, Kristina’s (Kate Mansi) offer to be their surrogate, after all the failures they have been through in trying to find a candidate that will stick. While TJ voices his concerns, he eventually comes around and tells Molly, “Let’s have a baby,” and now seems excited about the prospect of Kristina being the answer to their prayers. They seal the deal with a kiss!

Photo: JPI
Kristina and Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez) get together with a bottle of champagne, since Blaze’s latest song just hit number one on the charts. During their conversation, Kristina asks what is Blaze’s real name? She reveals it’s “Alison”.

Courtesy/ABC
Later, Kristina opens up about her past and her abusive relationship with Keifer, her short marriage to Trey and then how she went away to college and fell for her professor Parker Forsythe (formerly Ashley Jones). She then reveals Parker went back to her ex. However, Kristina’s takeaway was she realized she was clearly into women. That leaves the moment open for Blaze to make a move on Kristina and the two share a kiss.

Photo: JPI
So, three kisses moved the stories forward on this episode of GH. Which are you most happy about? Chase and Brook Lynn getting engaged? GH moving forward with a same-sex romance for Kristina and Blaze, or TJ and Molly coming together to agree to let Kristina be their surrogate? Three kisses, three different stories. Let us know via the comment section below.
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Yes, definitely waiting for the arrival of our new replacement characters by ME, KA and RH! LOL! After seeing the previews of their new looks, I cannot wait! As always Michael, thank you for your article!!! 🙂
I ‘am happy for John and Starr and Todd are back to play other characters
ugH . .seriously? how are we supposed to buy offf on new characters for John Starr and Todd? We saw Starr grow up on OLTL and Todd Manning . .its just to wierd . .aint buying it!
She looks beautiful! I hope Kristen Alderson plays Lauren Frank and not some other new actress.
she ia perfect pick to play Lauren frank
seems like this is going to be an awesome s/l!
I am not familiar with Maura West or her work. She seems like a good actress from what I saw yesterday.
I really don’t want Kristen Alderson to play Franco’s daughter though because then she and Michael could not be linked romantically since they would be 1st cousins! Love the onscreen chemistry of Chad Duell and Kristen Alderson!! And offscreen too!! Cute Couple!!
They still could play love interests. Cousins have entered into relationships, and it wouldn’t be the first time GH did the unthinkable with their pairings. They did it when they put Luke and Laura together, disgusting, but they did it. Fans seem to love disgust.
I liked her, I hope they keep her around, I read a rumor online that she may not be around that long……I’m kind of hope that Kristen won’t be Lauren Frank because then she would be related to Michael, and they can not pair them up….
I read probably the same rumor…Ava is killed but i hope its not true! Shes a good actress and a great addition to GH!
I LOVE MAURA WEST!
What a delight to see her again on screen and may her fate and future be very different than the mishandled Diane Jenkins mess she rose above during her Y&R stint.
Ms. West is a class act. Welcome to GH and Port Charles!
she looked great and numorgan is a hottie, this is going to get interested.
Enjoyed her intro but that damned Breathy Dr Marlena Evans voice she put on has got to go.
Maura West had a fabulous debut yesterday. Her scenes with Tony Geary were electric and she looked fantastic. Great addition to the cast, even if she may only be on for a short stint.
I was not impressed with Maura‘s debut at first. She was talking in some sort of weird non-accent that people use when they are either trying to sound sophisticated or like wanna-be Euro trash. She was elongating words, Doing funny things with her lips, and it just didn‘t work at all. And she was NOT helped by the writing at ALL. The writing was DREADFUL!! So…a woman who had a child with a vicious psychopath has spent her lifetime keeping the child away from the psycho father. So…a man who looks like Luke Spencer comes a knockin‘ on your door asking about the daughter. Are you suspicious and call the police? No…you call him a jackass, then invite him in. Then you sit down and start talking in a melancholy, emotionally revealing monologue about how the psychopath was brilliant and wonderful and how beautiful he made you feel. You proceed to reveal many intimate details about your life before this scruffy stranger leaves your home. It was just awkward,, forced, rushed, and didnt really click until the end. Maura laid off the bizarre lip things and the weird accent, and Luke left, and Morgan came out. Then…it hit me…Carly vs. Carly (Maura‘s legendary ATWT ROLE). I will go along for the ride as long as this Ava broad does not turn into a replica of Claudia Zacchara, and does NOT become a love interest for Sonny. Been there, done that, survived the shootout! I hope Ava stirs the pot but is allowed a viable role with future potential! She deserves it.
Theres rumor she will be killed off!
Maura West is flawless. Honestly, she has not lost a single ounce of her talent or beauty. I am SO happy to see her back on my screen and, more importantly, back in the hands of talented writers! While she could read the phonebook and make it look good, when she portrayed Y&R it was HORRENDOUS writing and an absolutely boring character. Although I doubt Ava will be around long, I cannot wait to see more, especially her interaction with her daughter, who I presume will be played by Kristen Alderson. What a TERRIFIC acting pairing. 🙂
So far I’ve been very impressed with her and I’m curious how they will pair her with Roger Howarth since they were on As The World Turns together. My guess is that he is the new Robert Frank.
That was my guess too when i seen the preview!
I am impressed also having seen her already in Y&R. I hope the people who think that the writing is bad and so on can be better writers but I don’t think so. I think RH is Robert Frank but I don’t think the other one actually was. I love Frank and Ron they are the best there is.
They are the best…
meh
What a breathe of fresh air it was seeing Maura on my television, again. Her articulation of her work and the sparkle in her eyes, this role was made for her! I am so excited about what’s to come for her!
Are you Maura‘s husband Scott DeFreitas? Just kidding. LOL.
No. I’m not Scott DeFreitas. Just share the same first name is all!
In response to Jovin, maura west has always moved her lips that way while acting, its one of her trademark moves. She’s being seductive, direct, bitchy(all attributes of Carly(ATWT) and Diane(Y&R) and assume Ava will be as well. I love her addition to the cast and she MORE than held her own against Anthony Geary and can’t wait to see this play out. I’m sorry KA will always be Starr Manning, but I have a feeling she’s gonna be playing Lauren, but they hoodwinked us for sure since everyone had her tagged as being the new Serena Baldwin. As far as Morgan, seeing as how Ava is clearly connected to the Jerome mob family, Morgan being at her house is clearly to stir the pot with Sonny and Carly and they will amping up the mob storyline. I just hope she’s not a love interest for Sonny, but CANNOT wait to see her go head-to-head with Carly Corinthos Jacks!!!!!!!!! Bravo GH!!!!!!!!!
Maura more than held her own against Anthony Geary because he has lapsed into some old man vibe lately. Whatever his alleged health problems are, he either needs to recuperate from them or retire. These days his eyes are all glazy such that he gives the impression of being a severe alcohalic (must be taking intense pain pills); he can’t say a long sentence without taking an ill-timed breath, and he seems to lose track of his lines about every other time he opens his mouth. Its so bad it is distracting to the storyline to watch him at this point. He needs to go away on vacation, badly.
wow…if Anthony Geary really does have health problems you get an A for compassion. I say that with full…sarcasm.
Tony Geary is part of the tapestry of GH and as long as I keep watching the show I’ll enjoy seeing him in whatever way he can deliver. (we don’t throw people out who aren’t well…just sayin’.)
“(we don’t throw people out who aren’t well…just sayin’.)”
Who is we? GH certainly didn’t lose more than moments throwing Genie Francis away – at the height of Luke and Laura’s popularity I might add – when she had her own health issues to contend with, way back in the day. That’s why Miss Starry Eyes was such a stupid story line. Now they’ve brought her back just so Luke (and I mean Tony by this… we all know that he has the contractual wherewithall to write his own lines) can throw her away again, comparing their love to an old sweatshirt nonetheless. Truth is I think that Tony Geary has let his ego explode to the point he only acts for himself. Other than that I hope he makes a full recovery. Just can’t stand to watch him in the meantime.
There is rumor Mauras stay will be short and the character killed off but i hope the rumors false!
@Elizabeth…by “we” I meant people in general. your statement: “Anthony Geary because he has lapsed into some old man vibe lately. Whatever his alleged health problems are, he either needs to recuperate from them or retire” suggests that if someone’s not up to par…or too old…they should just retire. Kinda like put out to pasture?
I don’t think…nor do I know…and I assume you don’t know for sure either, that Tony decided to write or ad lib t the Luke/Laura old sweatshirt comment. I don’t think they’re throwiing the character of Laura away. Scot’s back on the scene, and I think it’d be interesting to see the two of them finally together. Or…maybe Laura won’t be able to let go of Luke. Maybe Luke’s feelings for Laura will reigntie. Luke’s also fun with Tracy. There are may possibilities.
Geary and Francis seem to like each other in real ife…and Jonathan Jackson as well as Julie Berman all say Geary’s great to work with. So…I’m givin’ the “old” man the benefit of the doubt. I like his character…but he’s being given less to do…and his storylines aren’t as great as they were back in the day. It’s the rite of passage…
I loved it… I really like Maura and am so happy to have her on GH!!! Loved her with Tony/Luke right out of the gate!!! i can’t wait to see what is happening next! The new Morgan interesting and yet to me does not look like Carly and Sonny’s son… we shall see. Looking forward to KA as Lauren!
ignite…Scott…throwing…correct all typos. etc…….
No way would i invite a stranger into my home looking for my young daughter, and then talk personally stuff with him!
I got the vibe that this lady already knows all about the folks in Port Charles, and has some kind plan in mind for all them. Maybe out for revenge against those who had a hand in the death of Franco or a vendetta against the Quatermaines. I think she knew Luke was going to show up- and who he was– and was just pretending she didn’t. But that is just my theory-
That would make the most sense Mary. 🙂 That is a good call! Either this is something intricate that has been in the planning for months, and it will be an all-encompassing umbrella story, and it will soar…or it was planned hastily as a way to get Maura and the OLTL 3 on the show, in which case, it will fail. For months the show was so familiar with all the vets and now suddenly it is just feeling like an ENTIRELY different show. Felicia, Mac, Anna, Duke, and other faves have not been seen for weeks. The pacing of the show is really off these days. It was building such momentum. Now, we see a few characters for a few days, then they disappear for a week or two. And Luke and Laura being given a 5 minute scene comparing their grand 35 year old love story to a ratty old sweatshirt…and deciding they “just don‘t fit“ anymore (and doing it in Milo‘s apartment) has REALLY cheapened what they had. It feels like Guza is creeping back in the building…and I don‘t like it. Ron…you‘re better than this!
Mary your theory is pretty good and probably right…you made me rewatch and now i agree with you!
Well, she really didn’t invite him in, he invited himself in. And Ava simply didn’t throw him out once the name “Quatermaine” was used.
Yeah, the premise of her inviting Luke in right away was weak, but Maura can act the hell out of anything. Just give her a chance. She is a class act who will bring a lot of attention to our show.
She didn’t invite him in.
I’m with Jovin. It all seemed weird to me. Maybe that lip thing is her trademark, but it sure didn’t work with me. It just kept taking me out of the scene.
I am interested in why Morgan was there though.
Exactly CT. I LOVE Maura. I want to love her on this show after she was woefully miscast on Y and R. But that intro was badly written, so I don‘t blame Maura for the weird acti ng choices and the different accents. Her character was wildly all over the place….her first line she sounded like a foul mouthed trucker calling Luke a “jack-ass“…then she shifted to some sort of mysterious shifty woman from an old Hollywood mystery…then she lapsed into a sad, melancholy betrayed romantic heroine…but the strange accents did dissipate by the end of the episode. Then the next day, she was a caring maternal figure. I think they are just trying to do too much with her too fast. It truly appears like the weird writing is making it very difficult for Maura to pick an acting style and run with it. This has happened to Sarah Brown…she was so outstanding as the first Carly, but a huge part of that was that her character had vital links to core characters, there was a boffo storyline in place that took years to unfold, and there was dynamite, cohesive writing for the character. All of these things allowed Sarah Brown to soar! Subsequent soaps have snapped her up, plunked her down in ill-defined roles with no connections to core characters, and all of her roles were quicklywritten out…on ATWT, B and B, and DAYS. Same thing happened to Maura on Y and R, and is also currently happening with Steve Burton on Y and R. These are AWESOME actors that viewers love and are great additions to a soap…but they need good writing, good stories, and they need to be integrated with current favourites. Maura earned her core, superstar status on ATWT. Lightning struck for her on that show, but it has been proven that lightning does not always strike twice on soaps. The list of illustrious soap stars who did not make anticipated magic on a new show is LONG…I will list a few off the top of my head…Marcy Walker, Antonio Sabato Jr., Robert S. Woods, Robert Kelker Kelly, Jensen Buchanan, Kale Browne…i hope you get my point. Love Maura…WANT to love her story and her character, but it‘s team effort!
I agree with you jovin…however Marcy Walker had a great role on both AMC and Santa Barbara so lightning struck twice for her there. I read a rumor Mauras Ava is supposed to be killed off but i hope they keep her…there is room for improvement…also hoped RH would play Franco but i doubt that…i miss Maura as Carly on ATWT and that soap as well!
Hey Jim. I think I made my point here…I was referring to Marcy Walker‘s stint on Guiding Light as Tangie. So memorable you couldn‘t even recall it LOL. I miss Marcy. Her Eden was arguably one of the best heroines in the history of the soap genre. I am curious…how could Roger play Franco? Didn‘t Jason shoot him point blank? Not that that mattters on soaps, lol…but why would the show waste Roger Howarth on playing a psycho like Franco?
Marcy Walker – 3 soap stints…..
Liza – the incomperable…. AMC. Nominated for Emmys.
Eden – Capwell Heroine – Santa Barbara… for which she won an Emmy.
Tangie – Guiding Light… I didn’t watch this gig.
I Love this Lady. she’s in the soap opera hall of fame…..
GH has def been great this week.. enough for me to stay away from OLTL online.. Watched the first week and was not too excited about the writing.. will stick to GH on ABC
I love Maura as Ava Jerome. GH hit the jackpot casting her. She’s the best.
She was very 1990s in her look & over acting. That and the dialogue was absurd. It was a Soapdish!
never saw the actress before or even heard of her. I liked her. But I felt like I was watching an old black n’ white film…she was like a grand dame…reminded me of Marilyn Monroe…or Melanie Griffith. I know…two different types but she reminded me of both.
I dont like her!… She’s Taking a lot of time from Sam!!!!
We suppose to get a Sam and Alexis storyline!!!!!
Stop with all the new people!!!!!
I know she was on the show
ATWT……..
But enough with
Newbies…..
Still waiting forMichael Easton character and Kelly Monaco
character to hook up and 1 day have a baby girl!!!!!
It seems Morgan is someones Boy Toy. Her comment about really enjoying having him, had a lot of hidden messages.
She was giving us her best Tennessee Williams adaptation…. thereby, could morph in to cat on a hot tin roof at will. She complimented Jessica Lange with her own sultried understudied sensuality… and…
I like her.
As the World Turns – jeez! she was gangbusters hotting it all up.
Y&R – was so right for Nick…. had the writers delivered her talent.
GH. – whomever… RH is… rises to the occasion.
Maura – did i say she’s married to one of my favs from ATWT… Scott Defrietas… ex-andy dixon. he was hot with Julie.
All the gays like
her thats
all but wheres the writing for the rest???
Not sure how to take the above comment, “All the gays like her, that’s all, but wheres the writing for the rest???”. Maura West is an accomplished actor in her own right having been nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award five times (in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2006), and a Daytime Emmy Award seven times (in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010) and having won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2007 and 2010. It seems “everyone” likes her. I know I do! If they keep her on GH, all the naysayers will see for themselves. And if paired with RH, get ready for fireworks that daytime is sadly missing!
As for the new character KA is playing, they need to tone it down. KA deserves better and earned her acting chops playing Starr for most of her life so far. My judgement is still out for the new “Morgan”. Wish casting directors would cast for talent rather than for looks. Nice to look at but hard to watch. Can’t tell me in all the casting world, this guy “out-acted” all the competition! Hopefully just new role jitters.
Why not just cut Michael Easton’s hair? His debut was fraught with the unshaved look, (he doesn’t do it well), muted line delivery, (turn up the volume) and easily cast as a brother we never knew about. Woe is me!
I can only hope Roger Howarth has better casting! He struck gold as Todd on OLTL and GH and also as Paul Ryan on ATWT.