General Hospital
Slezak, Jackson & Geary named "Power Performances of the Week"!
© JPI Studios
So here is ABC, who cancels two longtime soap operas and literally two weeks later airs two episodes in their daytime line-up that illustrate the creativity, emotional power, and unbelievable talent that is within the daytime genre. We dare say that these performances and episodes rival anything we have seen with a higher budget on a primetime series, and were magnificent to boot. Still, one of those shows is soon to be gone. And the other, who knows how long they will truly last. But let’s try not to dwell on that here. Let’s celebrate and recognize the beautiful performances this past week by One Life to Live’s Erika Slezak (Viki), General Hospital’s Jonathan Jackson, (Lucky) and Anthony Geary (Luke).
First up Erika Slezak, who delivered a tour de force performance that had us lapping up every delicious moment of her portrayal of Viki and her alters, Niki and Jean. And just when you think you have seen Erika Slezak do her ultimate work ( after those six Daytime Emmys) she proves without question, and remind us why she is the greatest actress on daytime television. Kudos to the brilliant writing of Ron Carlivati and team for the script, and Roger Mooney for the incredible set representing Viki’s subconscious mind. We have to say, when Erika as Niki in the courtroom flipped into Jean, and then started to lose her grip as the ‘everything-must-be-in-order’ alter, it was just stunning to watch. And that is only one little gem of many in the entire 40th anniversary episode in Erika’s honor. We don’t think there will be anyone who watches OLTL that will ever forget this episode, or the final speech made by Viki to her alters that included mentions of her character’s past: her losing her husbands, her child, her beloved mother, etc. Hankies galore! Erika, a seventh Emmy is on the way to you in 2012. Make sure you submit yourself, please!
Courtesy/ABC
Over at General Hospital, the creative team literally mounted a stage play of Luke’s Intervention complete with chairs, and basically no set, and just actors all sitting around six time Daytime Emmy winner, Anthony Geary. Each took their turn to read their letters and time-out-of-time pleas for Luke to get help for his addiction. In the end, it would ultimately fall on deaf ears as Luke would not accept what his friends and family were attempting to do! The writing and the production were exquisite… complete with a back-screen in which past clips were viewed to illustrate the relationships between all involved. Geary was understated, masterful, and balanced all of Luke’s emotions as a man literally and figuratively tied-up! And it was Geary, who had to listen and react effectively as each of the character’s in Luke’s life tried to get through to him.
However, Jonathan Jackson actually stole the show from Geary, once Lucky had his turn to confront Luke. With letting out his feelings on the way his father is destroying his own life, and how Lucky needs his dad to help him get over the loss of his son, Jake (even though Luke is the responsible party for the hit and run that eventually killed the boy) needless to say, it was powerful stuff.
We don’t think there is a better and a more natural actor, who is the prime of their acting career than Jonathan Jackson. In the time he has been back to GH, we have given Jackson this honor twice before! Jackson and Geary brought tears to our eyes and we are sure everyone else’s in the viewing audience. They are quite the team.
Watch clips of this week’s Power Performances of the Week below and let us know if you agree with our picks!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Have Their Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
On General Hospital, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) both were treated to Bachelorette and Bachelor parties to shake off any of those pre-wedding jitters. At The Savoy, the ladies have a touching and fun time with Brook Lynn.
The bride-to-be gives a speech to thank everyone for coming, while Lois lets everyone know to try the signature cocktail the “Brooklynn Chaser”, which gets everybody eventually and mostly, drunk.
When Tracy (Jane Elliot) questions Lois (Rena Sofer) as to why there is no music for the party, Lois realizes she forgot, and somehow, who does she call to the rescue? Spinelli (Bradford Anderson)! Saving the day, he winds up playing some tunes and later gets on the dance floor to ‘shake it off’ with the gals.
Photo: ABC
Lois makes a speech as the mother of the bride, and shares how proud she is of the woman Brook Lynn has become. Wedding games begin, including one of “hot potato” with a wedding bouquet.
When it’s time for the “Silly Poses” section of the party, Spinelli has now morphed from DJ to staff photographer taking memorable photos of the ladies to remember the evening by.
Photo: ABC
The best part of the event, was when Brook Lynn tries to get her grandmother Tracy out on the dance floor, which, at first, she refuses. After several of the guests bust a move, a tipsy Tracy joins the dance party after Joss mentions that if her grandmother Bobbie was here, she would dance. Tracy says “she agrees” and begins to cut a rug on the floor, much to the delight of the other women.
Photo: ABC
In the final moments, a tipsy Joss and Kristina (Kate Mansi) have a confrontation about Sonny, and Joss lets Kristina in more on Sonny’s behavior, which looks to have clued in Kristina a bit more as to how something is way off about her dad.
Photo: ABC
Across town at the Hatchett Bar, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and the men with the exception of Anna (Finola Hughes) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper), all attend Chase’s Bachelor Party where throwing hatchets into a dart board for supremacy is the order of the day. Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ned (Wally Kurth) get into some words over ELQ, while Dante makes a toast to his police partner, Chase.
Photo: ABC
Suddenly Dex (Evan Hofer) shows up. Chase thanks Dex for coming, but Dex gets some dirty looks from other cops on the force. Dante gives Chase his present, which is a signed baseball by the Boston Red Sox.
Ned (Wally Kurth) makes a speech that although no one is good enough for his daughter, Brook Lynn, Chase has come closer than anyone has, so welcome to the family. Running in at the end is Blaze (Jacqueline Grace Lopez), who just left Brook Lynn’s party, and she toasts her singing partner, Chase, and to the great man that he is.
Photo: ABC
What did you think of Brook Lynn and Chase’s pre-wedding celebrations? What was your favorite moment? Comment below.
General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
As previously reported, Cameron Mathison (Drew, General Hospital) will be seen doing double duty this summer when he premieres in June as the host of Game Show Network’s Beat The Bridge.
Now, while Cameron will be the host with the most, that doesn’t mean he will stop playing GH’s Drew. In fact, Mathison taped the game show in 2023, so it will now air for the first time in 2024.
Taking to his Instagram this week, Cameron shared his enthusiasm and some new hosting snaps, sharing, “Our newest game show host reporting for duty😎 Head over to the Game Show Network YouTube channel for your first look at the show and don’t miss Beat The Bridge premiering this June! I can’t wait for you guys to see this!”
Photo: GSN
In Beat The Bridge, an enormous interactive bridge dares players to cross by stepping on the right answers to challenging trivia questions. As they play, each steps forward and puts money in their team’s bank, with bonus money for each successful crossing. Here’s the catch: the team gets to keep the money only if it can “beat the bridge” by returning one of its players back across before time expires.
Photo: ABC
Meanwhile, on GH, Drew and Nina (Cynthia Watros) recently had hate-sex. Do you think its a one-time deal? Where will Drew’s story take him next under new head writers, Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte? Stay tuned.
Now below, check out the first promo for Beat The Bridge from the Game Show Network with you host, Cameron Mathison. Then, let us know, will you be checking out the game this summer? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Nina Confronts Ava for Sabotaging Her Relationship With Sonny and Signs the Divorce Papers
Looks like Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Ava (Maura West) are back to be each other’s sworn enemy number one. By the end of the Monday, April 22nd episode of General Hospital, the women know where they stand with each other after Nina goes in on Ava accusing her of wanting Sonny (Maurice Benard) all to herself, while her marriage has been on the rocks.
In story, at Nina’s office, Ava shows up to see Nina and says she is sorry about what happened with Sonny and that he reacted the way he did, acknowledging that is was over the top, even for Sonny. Ava says she’ll smooth things over, but Nina says she now understands how manipulative and transparent Ava really is.
Given their horrible history, Nina goes in on Ava and how she should never have trusted her. Nina wants to know how long has Ava had this agenda dating all the way back to telling Nina to turn Carly (Laura Wright) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) into the SEC. Ava says she never told her do to that, but Nina wants to know how long Ava has been playing her for a fool.
Courtesy/ABC
Ava says she moved in with Sonny to keep Avery safe and she wants to be on good terms with Avery’s father, Sonny. Nina thinks she likes being in Sonny’s inner circle. Ava tells Nina if she goes to him about her advising Nina to call the SEC on Carly and Drew, it won’t work. Sonny still considers Nina a traitor and he will think she’s lying because she’s so desperate to win him back. Ava says if Nina would stop blaming everyone else that maybe Sonny would respect her. Nina says “like he does you?” Ava says Sonny not only respects her, but he also counts on her.
From there, Ava launches into why she and Sonny understand each other, after all, Sonny is a powerful, turbulent, and sometimes violent man. She goes so far to say if Nina wanted someone to just sit by the fire with and play with their grandchildren, she’s got the wrong guy. Ava then talks about Mike from Nixon Falls (Sonny with amnesia) and how Sonny hid the darkest parts of himself from Nina back then, whereas with Ava they are the same similar creatures, so he doesn’t have to hide anything.
Courtesy/ABC
Nina wants to know just what Ava wants with Sonny? What is her end game? Ava responds that they understand each other, in ways she can’t with Sonny. Nina tells Ava she can go ahead and have it all and signs Sonny’s divorce papers. Ava walks out with the documents, while Nina in tears at her desk, takes off her wedding rings and has her assistant come in so she can messenger the rings back to Sonny’s address.
The episode and these scenes featured great performances by Cynthia Watros and Maura West. You can check some of the scenes below.
Now, let us know, what is Ava’s next move? Is she going to become Mrs. Sonny Corinthos? Do you like Ava and Nina as enemies? Comment below.
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Michael, Those three performances were the best of the best. I also agree that Jonathan Jackson is the one that broke my heart and he consistency can do that in these stories. I hope Jonathan can have the career that Tony and Erika have had…he is that good! I commented on Erika’s performance earlier in the week. She also reached the pinnacle of her career so far, and she made me weep at the end of that episode. Tony has always given us something to wait for. You know he is the master of underplaying his role. All in all, this was a powereful week that should go down in the annals of soap history. They give all actors a high ladder to climb…..I also want to give you, Michael, bravo on your latest podcast. It was insightful and fun and very entertaining. I loved Robin’s emotional thoughts about OLTL and its demise. But I also feel there may be something or someone who has the guts to do something exceptional to back these two soaps.This has been an unsually difficult month for all soap fans. I will not abandon the soaps before their time. But, we have been privy to great writing and production on both those shows, not to mention superb acting. So. we are winners all around….
WOW!!!
those scenes were just awesome!!! erica, tony & jonathan ARE the best actors currently on daytime!! all three have a talent that i can’t even describe in words………….they put their heart & soul into their portrayal of the characters!!!
Wow. I do not watch GH, but JJ was amazing. AG is still as good as when I watched the show back before it was about the mob. Erika was great too. That episode was so much fun. It almost felt like the final episode with Viki’s speech at the end. Thank you for recognizing the incomparable Erika Slezak.
I thought the performances were amazing…of all of them. My only problem was the way the writer’s brought about this intervention. It seems they try but always HAVE to rely on the great performances of Tony, Jonathan, Jane, Julie, Maurice, Laura and Nathan because their writing falls short. It takes you up and leaves you hanging and then drops the ball and moves on to something else with no real closure. It’s very frustrating. Thank you for your kudos to these actors. They are well deserving of academy awrds.