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Maurice Benard Clarifies Two-Week ‘General Hospital’ Exit and Sonny ‘Recast’ Rumors; Gives Props to Executive Producer Frank Valentini

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: JPI

Back in July, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard opened up about his recent mental health struggle which kept him out for two weeks of taping all-new episodes on the ABC soap opera in his signature role of Sonny Corinthos.

In what was a dark time for Maurice as he described, things took a nosedive after his son, Joshua, and wife, Paula left for a trip to Europe. At the time of the taping of his special episode of State of Mind (where he just spoke to the cameras about what he had gone through), Benard revealed that if he had taken off another week of work from GH (he already been gone for two), the show would probably have had to recast.

At that time Benard shared, “If I had to stay away another week. They would have to recast. And I’ll tell you right now, if they had to recast I’d have been in really bad shape.” Now, on Tuesday, August 13th, Maurice took to his Instagram to clarify his statements and that in no way did GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini put any pressure on him to return or threaten him with a ‘recast.’

Photo” ABC

Benard expressed: “I want to clarify something. During a rough period recently, I spoke about being recast and I can’t tell you how generous and great, and amazing Frank Valentini was during that period. I guess it kind of seemed that some people thought that he was threatening me in in some kind of way to recast if I didn’t come back, and that wasn’t the case at all. He was exact opposite. Frank is very, very generous when it comes to that, forever, since I’ve known him. So, it all worked out.”

Accompanying the video post, Maurice wrote, “During one of my State of Mind’s, I mentioned that I could be temporarily recast if I didn’t get back to work. And I totally understood Frank Valentini and General Hospital were nothing less than incredible. Frank spoke to my wife, Paula every day, and spoke to me nothing but generous. 2 weeks is a long time, and I was so ready to get back to work!!!”

Since GH usually tapes about 6 weeks ahead of air, coming up, viewers will see a Sonny-less soap opera for some episodes, before Benard came back, and as he details on State of Mind , taped 8 episodes in a week to catch back up.

Photo: JPI

Benard, who suffers from bipolar disorder, shared that he leaned on many friends and family members during this harrowing time in his July video. The three-time Daytime Emmy-winner gave special thanks to: Jonathan Jackson (Lucky), Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda), Shelley Curtis, (ex-producer, GH), wife, Paula, son, Joshua, and daughters,  Cassidy and Cailey, among others.

So, glad to know things all worked out and Maurice will be back in action sooner than later, and that there was no Sonny recast during his time away? Comment below.

 

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No one could ever play the part of Sonny, only Maurice Bernard.

I’m glad you are doing well

I appreciate his honesty about his mental health. Also, that he cleared up any misconceptions.

Prayers for Maurice. I admire him for his honesty and for bringing awareness to others. I’m relieved he is loved by so many people and was able to get through this rough patch with their help.

Glad Sonny is “back” and feeling better but have to say his ordeal did not affect his performance , and as far as I was. concerned, probably made his scenes more believable, just sorry he was having a hard time of it getting through all the pain and angst.Am sure all his fans appreciate how much he had to put himself through to give us continued good performances.

Seems to be confusion over what scenes were taped when and how much of a gap there might be in Sonny actually appearing on screen, due to his absence. But according to what both Maurice & Bryan Craig said on the State of Mind episode which aired this past Sunday, the episode with Sonny & Morgan on the roof was actually taped on the first day Maurice came back from his unplanned “hiatus”.

Also, Steve Burton & Bradford Anderson on their Daily Drama podcast have indicated that – because GH production was on a scheduled shutdown for the entire month of July – that the turn around from taping to airdate is a much shorter time period than usual, and that they have both taped scenes since the beginning of August which have already aired. They also said – without getting into specifics – that they had also taped some scenes that were connected to other things originally taped BEFORE the July break, which to me sounds like writing changes might have forced some scenes to be redone.

So between those two different “inside” accounts of what’s going on at GH, I’m thinking there won’t be any extended absence of Sonny on screen. And thank all that’s unholy for that!

No one could replace Banard as Sonny and do such an amazing job. He fits the part perfectly.

I too have struggled my entire adult life with mental health issues. You are my inspiration.
I believe whatever the outcome it is God’s plan for your best interest. It’s funny to love someone you’ve never met but I genuinely feel love for you as Sonny and the man who has lived so courageously. God Bess you and your family.

I don’t trust him. He is using Carly for some plot.

I hope GH just never has someone tamper with Sonny’s medication again.

I find it very hard to watch knowing Maurice suffer the same condition in his real life.

Thanks goodness , Maurice is OK and it worked out with GH. It sounds like he has a GH family there

Glad he seems to be doing better. Mental illness is a b*tch (I have bipolar also)! I’m also glad Sonny is doing better. Now if Sonny and Carly could reunite I’d be ecstatic!

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brennan’s Eyes Are Opened About Carly and Valentin, Josslyn Finds Herself Locked Up Like Anna

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In a pivotal episode of General Hospital, Monday, May 4 finally blew the lid off of Brennan/Carly/Valentin and showed off Josslyn’s super spy prowess, and Cassius dark side all in one fell swoop!

Here’s what went down: Brennan (Chris McKenna) went ballistic after catching Carly (Laura Wright) after hitting the sheets, only he didn’t know (yet) with whom. The Port Charles WSB Bureau Chief goes in on Carly wanting to know who is it that she is sleeping with.  After his angry demand, Carly tells Jack to “turn around.” Thus, revealing Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) as the other man, who is holding a gun pointed straight at Jack.

Initially, Jack thinks Valentin played Carly due to their vendetta, but au contraire! Jack gets an earful about how Carly flew to Steinmauer posing as his attorney. When Jack tried to understand why Carly would betray him in such a way, Carly spelled it out for him.

Coutesy/ABC

Next, Carly let Jack have it for his lies and duplicity about her daughter, Josslyn (Eden McCoy). She knows that Jack recruited Josslyn into the WSB, preying on her grief over Dex’s death to get her to murder Cyrus Renault. Carly adds, you tuned my daughter, “into a lying, murdering spy, like you!” In tears, Carly told Jack that Josslyn will never be the same, because of what he did to her.

SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY AND LIVING TO TELL ABOUT IT

Jack realized, Carly was the one behind getting Valentin’s transfer from Steinmauser. Now on the attack, Jack told Carly she will wind up in prison for aiding and abetting a fugitive. He tells her that Valentin will grab his daughter, Charlotte and disappear, and when that happens he won’t lift a finger to save her, in fact, (he throws in for good measure) that she might get lucky and thrown into a pit with Jason.

Valentin told Jack that if he didn’t help them, he will turn him over to Cullum, who he knows is a double agent and would like nothing better than to make Jack the fall guy for all of his own crimes. Jack apologized to Carly for lying to her, said he still loves her, but that he wonders how long it will be before Valentin betrays her too.

After the scenes aired, Chris McKenna took to X and shared, “And after we finished the last scene I ran over to Laura Wright and hugged her, and then pulled in James Patrick Stuart too. Thrilled to have that material with those legends. Hope you dig it.”

Courtesy/ABC

JOSSLYN LANDS IN A SLEEPER HOLD

In addition, Josslyn and Cassius (Ryan Paevey) had literally, a knock down drag out fight. First, after Cassius grabbed her arm as she was set to leave her apartment, he told her he knew she was WSB! Joss suggested that “Nathan” must be traumatized from years of being presumed dead. She grabs a candlestick and the two go at it complete with kicks, shoves, throws and all; leading to Cassius putting Joss in a version of the sleeper hold and making her pass out.

Later, Cassius calls for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), but speaks to Pascal (Marc Forget), that there is an issue that needs to be dealt with. At the end of the episode, Josslyn wakes up in the same room that Anna was driven crazy in which must be somewhere at Wyndemere, Cassius is seen looking through the one-sided window and we fade to black.

So, what did you think of the Carly and Valentin reveal to Brennan? Did Carly come out the victor in her payback to Brennan? Then, who do you think will figure out Josslyn is kidnapped? Will it be Brennan? Will he help her or use it as leverage against Valentin and Carly? Share your theories in the comment section.

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How ‘General Hospital’s’ Ned and Lois Love Story Moved Rosabel Kurth, Daughter of Wally Kurth and Rena Sofer, to Tears and Served as Inspiration

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In a case of life imitating art, literally, Rosabel Rosalind Kurth, the daughter of Wally Kurth (Ned, GH and Justin, DAYS) and Rena Sofer (Lois, GH) took to her Instagram over the weekend to share her emotional reaction to watching her now divorced parents real life love story play out on General Hospital; beginning in the early 90s when on-screen Ned and Lois were one of the “It’ couples of the show.

As Rosalind explained, it was the Lois and Ned’s love story that impacted her so much that it fueled one of her latest art projects. Here’s the backstory: Rena Sofer and Wally Kurth were married in 1995 after being in story on GH. They had Rosabel in 1996, before divorcing in 1997. The two had gone their separate ways for many years, and in 2023 resumed working together on-screen as exes Lois Cerullo and Ned Quartermaine on General Hospital.

Here’s what Rosabel shared in her post, “In 1993 Rena, my mom, was cast on General Hospital to play Lois Cerulo, a spunky band manager and romantic opposite to Eddie Maine (aka Ned Ashton) played by Wally, my dad. As Ned and Lois fell in love, so did Wally and Rena, following relationship milestones close behind the work of the script-writers. Until Wally and Rena got pregnant with Rosie, me, and the scriptwriters had to write in a new pregnancy and eventually a new character.”

Photo: WKurthIG

Rosabel continued the real-life back story, “My mom left the show to have me, and shortly after the love story stopped writing itself my parents divorced. For 27 years my mom and my dad had minimal contact at best, tense contact at worst… until 2023 when Rena was recast to return as Lois on General Hospital to help Eddie (Ned) with identity recall after a bout of amnesia.”

Next, Rosabel revealed the key scene between Lois and Eddie (Ned) in which she noticed it also seemed like a breakthrough moments for her parents, “Two years ago, at 27 years old, I turned on General Hospital to watch Lois and Eddie rehash the past, but what I really watched was Rena and Wally having a conversation, making eye contact and even smiling at each other in the same room at the same time. When I turned on this episode of GH I didn’t know that I’d get to see a flashback sequence encapsulating Lois and Ned’s entire love story in under 2 minutes and I certainly didn’t know it would move me to tears the way it did.”

The art project the talented Rosabel is working on she shared is called, “The Honeymoon Period.” It is the first part of what she imagines to be a years-long investigation of love and fantasy through the lens of my parents’ scripted romance.  Kurth added, “I’m still gathering the courage and figuring out what this body of work will look like, how it will affect my relationships, and how I will share it with you all in the end and in the meantime.”

Photo: JPI

As a proud mama, Rena Sofer jumped into the comment thread and expressed, “Awwwww my love!!! I love this journey for you both as an artist and a daughter!! You are so lucky to have all of this on tape to watch and experience for yourself!! And equally as lucky to have your mother and father here to guide you through any questions that may come up!! I am immensely proud of you!”  As soap fans know, Rena is also an artist having been making ceramics, pottery and the like.

You can watch the montage of Ned and Lois scenes below in Rosabel’s touching post below.

Now let us know, was Lois and Ned’s love story one of your all-time favorites on General Hospital? Are you glad that Rena and Wally got some closure from their 2023 reunion on-screen? What do you think of the artistic talents of Rosabel Rosalind? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Brennan, Cassius and Dante Discover Bombshell Revelations

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This week on General Hospital, several men in Port Charles are about to find themselves in major confrontations as secrets are revealed! In the newly released promo for the daytime drama series in episodes airing May 4-8, first, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) talks to Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) about the night that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) was shot.

Dante believes someone else got their hands on the gun that wasn’t Jason (Steve Burton). Elizabeth says she thinks she knows who it is. Will she explain her theory that Dante’s son, Rocco (Finn Carr), was the shooter given the teenagers injured hand, even though the news will devastate the acting police commissioner?

Then, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, as Josslyn (Eden McCoy) went to exit her apartment, Cassius (Ryan Paevey) grabbed her arm hard not allowing her to go anywhere. Suddenly, we now see she is armed with a candlestick and is ready to club him! But is she able to succeed? Or will she wind up knocked out herself and taken captive to Wyndemere?

Finally, in the showdown that has been a long timing coming, a fuming Jack (Chris McKenna), who has storm trooped into Carly’s (Laura Wright) bedroom, finds her in between the sheets, but the person she was with was not there at the time.

Now in the pick-up, a spiteful Carly tells Jack to turn around, where it would seem he will see his nemesis, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), as the man sleeping with his supposed girlfriend.

In addition, take a look at the official GH spoilers for this week below.

MONDAY, MAY 4
Michael James Scott from Broadway’s Aladdin performs at the Savoy. Josslyn is in danger. Lucas is threatened. Brook Lynn is moved. Trina and Kai get amorous.

TUESDAY, MAY 5
Ethan delivers intel to Sonny. Ric is tested. Elizabeth makes a request of Laura. Chase and Brook Lynn discuss their future. Curtis confides in Jordan.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
Britt is floored. Dante seeks out Liz. Ethan covers his tracks. Laura tries to protect a loved one. Sonny faces a dilemma.

THURSDAY, MAY 7
Carly gets alarming news.  Valentin makes contact with Nina. Willow is confident in her plan. Trina and Gio make a pact. Molly is suspicious.

FRIDAY MAY 8, 2026 
Sonny takes extreme measures. Carly makes an announcement. Dante is flabbergasted. “Nathan” puts pressure on Lulu. Felicia supports Lucas.

Check out this week’s GH spoiler video below entitled “Can’t Let You Go” below.

Now let us know, what do you think will happen to Josslyn in her confrontation with Cassius? Will Jack seek revenge on Valentin and Carly once he finds out she has been sleeping with the enemy? Will Dante get a clue his son shot Cullum? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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