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 Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
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‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
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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.