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Michelle Stafford Interview: What To Look For During General Hospital's Live Shows!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com

Harkening back to soap opera’s humble beginnings, when they were broadcast live across the country, ABC’s General Hospital is set for a two-day network television event when GH goes LIVE from its ABC Prospect Studios in Hollywood.  Under the direction of executive producer Frank Valentini, who was also a key part of One Life to Live’s successful live week back in 2002, General Hospital is set to deliver major story revelations and surprises when it goes live next Friday, May 15th, and the following Monday, May 18th.  Be on the lookout for a wedding, someone getting caught in the crossfire, twists and turns … and secrets!

Daytime Emmy Award winning actress Michelle Stafford is one of the key members of the cast that will be part of the action, and as she teases to On-Air On-Soaps, even she was shocked when she found out what was going to happen to her character of Nina Clay during the live shows.  So just how is this all going to be pulled off?  Do you think it will go off without a hitch, or will someone make a major flub?  Whatever the case, the cast will certainly be put through its paces, as they actually will be performing two sets of live shows back-to-back each day to air in most time zones (West Coast will get the playback of the live show).  During our chat, Michelle shares some insight about working with her scene partner Roger Howarth (Franco) during the live shows, and how she is looking forward to having more scenes in the future with Nina’s nemesis’: her mother Madeline (Donna Mills), and of course, Ava Jerome (Maura West).

So, GH fans fasten your seat belts!  The daytime drama series is touting that the live shows will truly propel the stories further, where anything and everything can happen live!  To be part of the conversation, make sure to join use #GHLive via social media during the two-episode event.  Here now is what Michelle shared to give us a glimpse into what’s ahead when GH goes live!

Michelle, you are the official General Hospital Live Shows representative! (Laughs)  What are your thoughts about GH tackling two live episodes?

Courtesy/ABC

MICHELLE:  I think it’s amazing.  I am really excited about it, and I think its going to be fun.  Obviously, I am in it! (Laughs)  Actors love this … we are crazy people.   We love walking on a tight-wire.  When I heard about the live shows I was told I was in it at the same time they told me what I was doing in it.  I was like “WHAAT?”  They told me what was happening and I thought, “Cool!”  Then they told me how it was happening, and I went, “Wait! What?”   They surprised me and I don’t get surprised.  You, Michael Fairman, and everyone will go, “Wait! What?”  And I will tell you this … no one saw it coming.  You definitely will not see it coming, but maybe, you will be pleased by it.  I have a feeling, you, Michael Fairman; will be like, “Wait!  How are they going to do this?”  I think then after that you will go, “Whoa,” and then I think you will say, because I know you, “OK, well this could go this way, or this could go this way.”

Are you in scenes with Roger Howarth (Franco) during it?

MICHELLE:  Yes, and then based on something I said to our head writer Ron Carlivati, he wrote a scene based on something I suggested between me and somebody else.  And I went, “Oh, my God. This is amazing!”

At this point, what do you think is happening with Nina?  Where is she at in her mind and in her life, and with Franco?

Courtesy/ABC

MICHELLE:  She is trying to make things work and she is a damaged little girl.  Nina is really in love with Franco, and completely in love.  I like the dynamic and what the Nina character does to the Franco character.  We definitely see a different side of Franco.  Roger Howarth is such a good actor and he is a leading man.  He is very beautiful and sensitive the way that he plays his character.  I think it’s interesting that the two of them are criminals and they’re crazy, and they’re off.  But I think there is this really interesting element that they find this beautiful and romantic love between them.  You will see a lot of that in the live shows, and the romantic side of their relationship.

I am sure Roger was thrilled to do the live shows because he is so spontaneous anyways during his scenes!

MICHELLE:  Yes, he is.  They have certainly given him quite the challenge.  I think three people are really challenged during the live shows, and Roger is one of them.  We are all challenged, but three different people, in my estimation, reading the scripts back and forth I was like “Wow! That is some tough stuff you gotta do live!”

How are the live shows being rehearsed?  What is the schedule for the cast?

Photo Credit: DuffImages.com

MICHELLE:  We are rehearsing all day next Thursday, and then Friday we do the shows.  Then we rehearse after that and into the evening, and then I am supposed to be at Nadia Bjorlin’s (Chloe, DAYS) wedding that my daughter Natalia is in.  So, Natalia will be going.  She will be Uber-ing there. (Laughs)  I am kidding!  She won’t be Uber-ing. (Laughs)  But, I will go be able to attend Nadia’s wedding reception, obviously.

Don’t you think the audience and the GH fans want to see someone screw up during the live shows?

MICHELLE:  Don’t you?   Do you want to see a screw up … or, do you want to say, “I think a person just screwed up their lines?”  Seriously, there are a couple of areas I can pretend that I totally screwed up, and the audience will go, “Was that intentional, or not?”

When One Life to Live did their live week, which is the archetype for the GH shows, it went very smoothly, actually.

Photo Credit: ABC

MICHELLE:  It will probably go smooth, because you know how we shoot.   We basically have the mindset of being live every day.  We go up on our lines sometimes.  But because we have all these rehearsals, we will all be perfect on our dialog.  We will be rehearsing all day Thursday from early morning to late morning.  I also, which drives some of my co-stars crazy, throw stuff out there at the last minute and see if they can catch it.  Some of my co-stars dig it, and some of my co-stars don’t dig it so much.  I think underneath they do dig it, and they may make fun of me, but I think they like the challenge.

Maura West and you, as Ava and Nina have been so amazing in scenes together.  Do you think at some point GH will pick back up that on-screen vendetta, and the two of you will have more scenes together?

Courtesy/ABC

MICHELLE:  I am sure we will.  Those two women are not at a good place with each other, but there is simpatico between them, even though Nina hates her!  I don’t think she will ever be supportive of her.

Donna Mills (Madeline) is back at General Hospital!  At the Daytime Emmys she revealed that this time out, she thinks viewers will learn more as to why Madeline is the way she is.   What are your thoughts on Madeline and Nina’s mother/daughter steely relationship, especially as we head into Mother’s Day this weekend? (Laughs)

MICHELLE:  Donna and I were talking, and there was a moment in a scene when I decided to hug her and she doesn’t do anything.  She just stands there. This was stuff that aired months ago.  I thought that was such a good moment and so “Ordinary People” that Mary Tyler Moore moment in the film.  I said, “That’s their relationship!”  I also said to Donna the other day that we should discuss with Ron and Frank (Valentini) what are the elements that make up these women.  We saw the first part of their relationship, but now I think the audience wants to know:  What is up with Nina and why is she this way?  Why is Madeline like this?  Why do they hate each other?  What did happen between them?  I think you want to see that to bring a human element to these characters.

So, what do you think about General Hospital’s upcoming live shows? What do you think is going to happen to Nina Clay during it?  Who will get married?  Who will get caught in the crossfire?  Are you rooting for Franco and Nina to stay together?   Comment below on what Michelle previewed during our chitchat!

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Lou Piikes
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Lou Piikes

Franco and Nina are cuckoo for cocoa puffs. They both can star in their version of two people who flew over the cuckoos nest.

Stefan
Guest
Stefan

Agreed

brenda byrd
Guest
brenda byrd

Agreed

CeeCee
Guest
CeeCee

Maybe…but I am completely under their spell. I love this couple to the moon and back. It is time for Michelle to be an adult, writers!!! Show her stuff, now!!! Tout-de-suite. I am so happy she is finally appearing on the GH stage as I am accustomed to see her. Stylishly dressed and in-your-face esprit. And, that willowy figure? Wow!! I am thankful that Ms Mills is coming back. We need to understand the dynamics between mother and daughter. I do think there is love there, but obviously something went awry for having created this angst…this antagonism…this distance between them.… Read more »

CeeCee
Guest
CeeCee

As I re-read my post I realized that I did not make clear that the rift between Nina and her mother must have existed pre-coma. The contempt and repugnance which we have witness from Nina toward her mother after her “awakening” ( in more ways than one), that is; Nina is now aware of what her mother did to her and her baby, is merely only one reason, albeit the biggest. This enmity and resentment goes deep into the past….perhaps as far as when Nina was still a child. I think Maddie kept Nina under lock and key ( figuratively… Read more »

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

“… I am completely under their spell. ”

ditto

Michelle Stafford and Roger Howarth… are their own show… and magnanimous

triumphant

Jimh(leave it to beaver)
Guest
Jimh(leave it to beaver)

Maybe there will be flubs on the live show that will be more entertaining than the flubs on the taped shows…lol…soooooo many dead eps so i look forward to the live ones…lol…i suppose Franco and Nina will get married—hope Heather is their and cuts the wedding cake and Ninas throat…lol…OMG, i sound like su talking about Sharon and Y&R…lol

su0000
Guest
su0000

aha!
Jimh, good one lol
I luv Franco and Nina !!!
they are an interesting, intriguing, entertaining couple..
Franco and Nina are indeed totally out of the box of soap couple (a rare couple) a rare love ..
Roger and Michelle are magic together..

Roger is a humorous guy, I’m sure he will give us some of his own throwin words lol

CeeCee
Guest
CeeCee

What you said, Su.
I love this couple.
I am still patiently waiting for the Kiki reveal..

Torqumada
Guest
Torqumada

No one – no one – brings crazy like Heather and I love crazy.

She’s been a great add. Looking forward to what’s next.

AJQ
Guest
AJQ

Sorry, but this interview reinforces everything I dislike about Franco and Nina and a lot of it stems from the actors and their approach. I don’t like watching schtick and that’s what I see, actors doing schtick. It takes them out of the character and it makes the character less believable if believable at all. That is evidenced when Ms. Stafford says “there are a couple of areas I can pretend that I totally screwed up, and the audience will go, “Was that intentional, or not?” If that is the reaction you are going for, you are no longer presenting… Read more »

jb44
Guest
jb44

I couldn’t disagree with you more. Nina and Franco are magical together. When they are on, I never fast forward. I hope the writers figure out a way to redeem their characters. Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford are two of the best actors on television. They are so spontaneous and never seem to be just reciting lines, like some of the other actors. I can’t get enough of them.

su0000
Guest
su0000

AJQ..
Michell was referring to the ”live” show ..
Not the day to day regular shows ..

Ann
Guest
Ann

I wanted to see Michael Easton in the live shows. I guess not. Where Is Dr Silas Clay? I and a bunch of his fans want and need to know why he is not being used more.

GH-er
Guest
GH-er

I’m wondering about this, too. Silas is not integrated into the GH canvas at all and I can’t figure out why.

Love Franco but cannot abide the Nina character – still, I am looking forward to GH live. I think it will be fun to watch.

Sllison
Guest
Sllison

Can’t wait for the live show excited and looking forward to it wonder who will get married wow excited.

Kalle
Guest
Kalle

As I heard of the live episodes, I thought they’d show other actors from GH. So it’s going to be about Nina and Franco. Would they stick to their lines? The episode is going to be different, I am sure.

Stefan
Guest
Stefan

Really do not care for Stafford’s character at all.

Kevin
Guest
Kevin

Laughing at Michelle’s responses above… at times, she sounds like Nina magically thinking out loud! 🙂 Looking forward to what they all have in store. BREAK A LEG, ALL!

Lady Truth
Guest
Lady Truth

I like Nina and Franco and I was rooting for them but I think their relationship is going to be over very soon. I think both characters will be moving on to other people.

Timmm
Guest
Timmm

Michelle is SO talented. I hope they figure out how to properly write her. She alludes to being shocked on her character twist so maybe they are re imagining Nina Clay?

Shay
Guest
Shay

Sorry, Timmm, but the only way to “reimagine” Nina is to recast her….an action of which I would heartily approve!!!! (I know, I know…..you won’t like this suggestion, nor will CeeCee!!!! LOL….)

Timmm
Guest
Timmm

Well Shay, I loved Michelle on Y&R BUT she is really talented and would want to keep her. However, this is one of Frank’s few miscues, the character Nina is a bust! They either figure out how to use her or send her packing. No recast. Same with Franco. I hate that character but love Roger.

Rod
Guest
Rod

Of course the west coast gets screwed again

janet
Guest
janet

I think I will skip it. So far the characters I don’t care about are the ones going to appear. So Michaelle and Howarth both throw stuff out. No wonder I just FF all their scenes.

ediebailey
Guest
ediebailey

Thanks for this great interview. I love Franco and Nina. Roger Howarth and Michelle Stafford are daytime legends and have formed a truly magical soap opera super couple (and they haven’t even made love yet). Having followed Roger in daytime for over 20 years, he is my main reason for watching GH and I have sorely missed seeing Franco and Nina recently. Last we saw, she actually threw him out of their Metro Court suite. Therefore, it’s wonderfully reassuring to read Michelle’s view points on the state of their relationship. Nothing would be more marvelous than to witness Franco and… Read more »

ediebailey
Guest
ediebailey

Mea Culpa: I forgot the salient fact that Nina is still married to Silas Clay so there cannot be any nuptials between Nina and Franco at this point.

Plus, it seems that Franco and NIna are currently scripted for a rather stormy relationship scenario including insults, mistrust and seeking forgiveness.
Again, sorry for my mistake.

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

“… Nina is really in love with Franco, and completely in love. I like the dynamic and what the Nina character does to the Franco character. We definitely see a different side of Franco. Roger Howarth is such a good actor and he is a leading man. He is very beautiful and sensitive the way that he plays his character. ” this is thee answer: and, why… this pair is leading it’s two powerhouses… who, are worth waiting for… but… at the same time… are taking too long! and it’s more for MS’. GH has supercouples … moving : Nikolas… Read more »

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

Ava and Silas : sure, why not… a mature relationship… that Ava will route… because she’s recuperating, on the mend, and all she knows is her daughters… and fills Silas with….

but… once up and running… she runs in to Sonny ! LOL

if GH has to keep Sonny… he does work it with Ave(s) (2)

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

dang! (Jon Lindstrom) Kevin

and : Brandon Barash : Johnny Z

would be good RIGHT about now

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

” I “love” Carlos”

Jeffrey Vincent Parise

can do it

drama, comedic, foible… mix… draw… turn… and dang! all of it

I see Carly , Sabrina, Rosalie.. Valerie… Ava…

LOL any one missing…

the guys gush about him… ie: the actors … in SOD issue

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

ie: can you imagine : if Kiki was again recast with the acclaimed Kelly MIssal

should blew me away on the nuOLTL

she acts gangbusters and takes

as Dani, she had two of the best fathers…. Todd and Victor…. or vice versa

dynamic stuff

picture her on GH as Kiki… her OWN two mothers… Ava and Nina

???

POWERful scenes and big time stuff

CeeCee
Guest
CeeCee

Oh, my gosh, Patrick! Kelley Missal would be perfect. Why didn’t I think of her? I loved her as Dani…how ironic though, …. Starr’s sister !

Nick D.
Guest
Nick D.

Can’t get enough of Nina and Franco. Hope Ron finds a way to integrate them into some of the main storylines so they are not always off to the side as they have been for some time. They deserve to be front and center along with the likes of Sonny, Carly, Jake, Liz, Nikolas, etc.

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

I don’t know about “integrating” them … as these two are so heated, disliked by all of Port Charles

I posted about : Franco (aka Todd) owning or taking over that magazine or newspaper ??? was it “the Crimson magazine” that he tookover from Connie ???

why not have Franco and Nina …. as a newspaper team… magnates …. in your face Port Charles residents… nothing goes unnoticed by this duo… as this commanding duo “learn” report … and use to their advantage … and build an empire that only these two should

Nick D.
Guest
Nick D.

I like that idea a lot. Not sure TPTB would be willing to put Franco in charge of a newspaper because they’re still embroiled in the Todd/Starr/McBain lawsuit, but if they made Nina the owner and Franco a reporter that would work.

CeeCee
Guest
CeeCee

I think that would be a great storyline, Patrick. Once Nina recovers her assets, the sky’s the limit.
I would love to see her and Franco as a team in the workplace.
Furthermore, what Nick D. said.

Patrick
Guest
Patrick

I should rephrase that… as these two powerhouses… irregardless of like or wont

will take over

LOL

once the court frees up Nina’ inheritance…

there’s no stopping this magical duo….. can’t wait

Jenn
Guest
Jenn

Happy to see my new favorite couple Nina and Franco will bit on the live shows! Can’t wait the watch!

Jason W
Guest
Jason W

So Michelle Stafford said she likes to “throw stuff out there at the last minute” Kind of like that time she SPIT in Victoria Rowell’s face on The Young & Restless….hmm ok girl

Elaine
Guest
Elaine

I know that Roger Howarth will be totally awesome. He was great on OLTL when it went live so I know in my heart he will be awesome again. He is a professional, I am so curious who the other two who is to be challenged in this show. Can’t wait to see it. I love this show and love Roger.

Linda
Guest
Linda

Love Roger, do not like Nina at all!!

Jeanne Meurer
Guest
Jeanne Meurer

I am pumped over the live shows. Only thing, wish we could have seen it here on the west coast. Am sure,
everything will go smoothly, because they the players are terrific in their roles, and the audiences all over will have a blast. Thank you Messrs Valentini and Carlivati for your genius

Breaking News

Walt Willey Brings All My Children’s Jackson Montgomery to General Hospital

Look for another legal eagle character from a former ABC soap opera to pop up on General Hospital!

News today out of Soap Opera Digest has that none other than Walt Willey set to reprise his role as All My Children’s Jackson Montgomery on upcoming episodes of GH in July.

Willey played Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) love interest and the Pine Valley lawyer from 1987 through to till ABC’s cancellation of the series back in 2011.  The actor previously crossed-over to another soap opera in 1996, when he played Jack on ABC’s The City.

Photo: ABC

Taking to his Facebook account, Walt confirmed the news on his appearances on GH: “Hey Folks… Been sitting on this one for a while but now I’ve been given the clearance to announce that “Jackson Montgomery” is visiting Port Charles! I’ll be doing a few episodes of General Hospital, due to air mid July. So excited to reprise my character and see and work with old friends! I’ll keep you posted on any details. “Jackson” in Port Charles…who would have thought it? Let me, and ABC, know what you think about it!”

Could Jack’s sudden arrival in Port Charles have to do with the SEC and the trouble that Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) find themselves in?   Will AMC fans get to see Cameron Mathison and Willey share scenes together again?  Mathison played Ryan Lavery on the beloved former soap opera.

So, excited to see Walt on General Hospital? What do you think brings Jack to Port Charles? Weigh-in below and stay tuned.

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General Hospital

B&B’s Scott Clifton Reflects On His Conflicted Emotions on Winning Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Over Y&R’s Kristoff St. John

The Young and the Restless’ beloved Kristoff St. John (ex-Neil Winters) passed away back in February of 2019, and at the age of 52-years-old.  Back in 2017, St. John along with The Bold and the Beautiful’s Scott Clifton (Liam), were nominated alongside each other for the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category at the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

A win for either would put them in the Emmy record books to become the only actor to win all three of the Daytime Emmy acting categories as of that time: Outstanding Younger Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor and Lead Actor.

During his appearance on Maurice Benard’s You Tube series, State of Mind, Clifton talked about the emotions and ups and downs of eventually winning the Emmy over St. John, while knowing how much it meant to Kristoff, and given late actor’s reel. In it, St. John shared scenes with the late Nichelle Nichols, who played Neil’s dying mother.

When discussing his three Emmy wins with Benard, Scott expressed: “It’s beautiful, but remember Kristoff St. John.  I got to do a couple of events with him, and I got to talk with him, and the year that I got ‘Lead’, he was nominated.  He and I both had a Younger Actor Emmy and a Supporting Actor Emmy, and if one of us won, everybody was telling us, we would have this record of the first actor in daytime to have a Daytime Emmy in all three categories.  And, he told me, and this was months before he passed away, he told me, it was really important to him to win that.”  It was then, an emotional Clifton shared: “That Emmy is not worth it to me. It’s bittersweet.”

Photo: NATAS

As to how Scott feels he wound up with the gold statuette, the B&B star acknowledged, “So much of that it is who happened to be submitting that year, etc, and this was the first year they changed the rules. All I did was take advantage of the new rules, and I was smart about it.  I did not have the best performance, but they changed the rules where instead of submitting one episode through the year, you could submit a 20-minute tape and you could grab (scenes) from whatever episodes, and I made a story with it. I was playing the voters, but I didn’t have the best performance.”

In tribute to St. John, Clifton said, “His performance  was beautiful, but it was all in a hospital.  It was so intimate and small, and controlled and authentic, and mine was all over the place, but I told a story.  I’m convinced that’s the only reason I won.”

Courtesy/CBS

Scott’s reel that year was also outstanding, so many could see why he won the coveted prize and made Emmy history.

Check out the poignant story as told by Scott to Maurice in the latest episode of State of Mind below.

Then, let us know what you thought about Scott opening up on of his career-defining moments via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

General Hospital’s Réal Andrews and Finola Hughes Deliver the ‘Power Performances of the Week’

Two different storylines, two noteworthy performances, and both from General Hospital, made our weekly kudofest.  The first, belongs to the heartbreaking performance that still has everyone talking by Réal Andrews as Marcus Taggert.

Last week’s episodes of GH, brought with it the results of the DNA test that ‘proves’ just who is Trina’s (Tabyana Ali) biological father, Taggert or Curtis (Donnell Turner)? When Trina opened the envelope to reveal the answer in front of Portia, Curtis and Taggert, she announced it was Curtis, who was her dad.

However, if you watched the scenes carefully, you saw the subtle work by Andrews as he was attempting to remain calm before receiving the answer and what followed afterwards, but that was in front of Trina, Portia and Curtis and his attempt to put on a brave face through it all.  In reality, Taggert was devastated by the news.  When he said his goodbyes, Taggert got inside the GH elevator.  Once there, he lost it and began to cry, punching the elevators walls with his fist.  A five-hank

Meanwhile, Finola Hughes once again showed us the layers and the veracity of Anna Devane. This time, while at WSB headquarters, Anna’s past as a double agent comes to light.  Agent Hersley had her under arrest, as she is being accused of treason against the state.

Courtesy/ABC

While Anna’s past as a DBX double agent were known to the agency, they weren’t known to the public. Thanks to Victor’s will reading and the revenge plot he set in motion against her, now Anna is up against more formidable foes.  When speaking with her lawyer, Martin Grey (Michael E. Knight), Anna says how can she dispute the charges against her when they are true?  She realizes in this instant that the WSB wants to hang her out to dry to cover their own asses.  Hersley threatens Anna, that if she fights the charges, they will be forced into looking into the actions of her associates, Robert Scorpio and Annie Donnelly.

Not having it, Anna throws down saying she will seriously embarrass the WSB if they pursue this … and if anything happens to Robert, Annie or anyone else she cares about, she will take the bureau down with her.  After Hersley caves, Martin asks Anna what happened. Anna states she is no longer an agent and will never be again.

This material gave the mighty Hughes the material to shine, as Anna went from having the rug pulled out from under her, to fighting back, to now not knowing what her future holds after saving others.

Courtesy/ABC

For all the reasons cited above, Michael Fairman TV names the work of Réal Andrews and Finola Hughes as last week’s ‘Power Performances of the Week”.

Do you agree with our picks of GH’s Réal and Finola? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below, but first check out some clips from their work below.

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