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‘Superstar’ Series Profiles Elizabeth Taylor: “I Know I’ve Had an Extraordinary Life, It’s Like A Soap Opera, Filled with Great Passion”

Photo: ABC

When iconic Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor wanted to be on General Hospital, and part of the 80’s massive pop culture of the show, of course, then executive producer, Gloria Monty, found a way to create a role that would become enormously famous.

Taylor was cast as the vengeful Helena Cassadine, the revenge-filled widow of Mikkos Cassadine and made her first appearance on November 10, 1981.

Then on November 16, 1981 Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) featuring Taylor, became the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history when over 30 million viewers tuned-in. Elizabeth’s last appearance as Helena aired on November 19, 1981.  Later, Constance Towers took over the role when Helena returned to cause more trouble for the citizens of Port Charles in 1997, and has been on and off GH since that time.

At one point, it was rumored that Tony Geary and Taylor had a fling, which years later was put to bed  Geary once told reporters, “So Elizabeth calls me and she says: ‘Tony? I hear you told People Magazine that we didn’t sleep together. That’s the worst thing that anyone has ever said about me.'”

Now this Sunday as part of ABC News’ Superstar series, the spotlight is on Elizabeth Taylor – the blueprint for modern celebrity culture.  Taylor passed away in 2011 of congestive heart failure at the age of 79.

Photo: ABC

Known as the original influencer and the first to use her fame to create a fragrance empire and forge frontiers in social activism, on and off the screen, she was larger than life. Elizabeth was married eight times to seven different men, and her fiery relationship with Richard Burton was always tabloid news. Elizabeth was pursued by paparazzi around the globe, and even denounced by the Vatican. She also broke the glass ceiling by negotiating the first million-dollar salary in Hollywood.

In an exclusive interview with Barbara Walters, she once said, “I know I’ve had an extraordinary life. I realized that it’s like a soap opera. It’s not like an ordinary life at all. I can’t do anything half way.”

Photo: AMAS

From the mid-1980s until her death, Elizabeth’s greatest role was that of activist. In a society paralyzed by fear, she used her fame to shine a light on the injustice and ignorance surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She co-founded amfAR and founded The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, receiving many awards for her advocacy.

Photo: ABC

Over a decade since her death, ABC News’ “Superstar” series explores the iconic figure’s life, career and marriages.  The star-studded television event features interviews with celebrities such as Fran Drescher, Rosie O’Donnell, Camilla Belle, and Melissa Reeves.

Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor airs Sunday, May 14 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC and available next day on Hulu.

Check out the promo for ‘Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor; below, plus a blooper reel of the actress in scenes from GH as Helena Cassadine.

Then let us know, if you loved Elizabeth Taylor for her film roles, her humanitarian efforts, and as the OG Helena of General Hospital via the comment section.

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roseSoaphoundScott (ATWT fan) Recent comment authors
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rose
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rose

I love most everything with Elizabeth starring in it. She many times played a strong independent woman like she did in her real life. Loved Giant, Maggie the Cat, and Cleopatra amongst others. “Stars” and “influencers” today are just a shadow of her talent and beauty. As for her husbands…nobody gets everything right. But it was like a soap following her love life, especially with Richard Burton. So I will be watching the ABC Superstar special.

rose
Guest
rose

I did watch the Elizabeth Taylor superstar show. It was okay,
with some interesting film footage. But I was also disappointed. It didn’t have the polished, professional docu-type look and interviews I would expected, especially for her.

Scott (ATWT fan)
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Scott (ATWT fan)

A true Dame of her time. And the days of Elizabeth Taylor-type of stars will never exist again.

Soaphound
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Soaphound

Well, I’m glad they’re running a special on Elizabeth but, frankly, will the majority audience even know who she is? These past two generations aren’t interested in anything prior to their own lives; they mostly are self-centric, thanks to social media elevating every person’s minutest thought into national importance. Even recent JEOPARDY! contestants couldn’t recognize the faces of Betty White or Robert Redford. Elizabeth Taylor was a fascinating character, balancing her materialistic lifestyle with great empathy and compassion for others. I’m hoping this special does her justice.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Turn Out to be Trina’s Biological Father … Curtis or Taggert?

This week’s episodes of General Hospital are set to deliver some needed results and some bombshells.  First, Victor’s will is read, but, in true GH fashion, the evil Cassadine delivers his reading via a videotaped message of himself in a return appearance by Charles Shaughnessy,

Meanwhile, Trina (Tabyana Ali), Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Portia (Brook Kerr) have all been awaiting the DNA tests results to prove that Trina is the biological daughter of Curtis, not Marcus Taggert (Réal Andrews) .

At the same time, Curtis is moving back in with Portia, after his lip lock with his ex-wife, Jordan (Tanisha Harper).

Spencer (Nicholas Chavez) and Trina are at the center of both storylines, because Uncle Victor probably left something behind for Spencer, while Trina will be dealing with the fallout from the DNA results.

Photo: ABC

Watch the latest GH promo below.

Now weigh-in, who do you think will be revealed as Trina’s true father? Curtis or Taggert? Share your theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

General Hospital ‘Spotlight Channel’ Watch Party with Laura Wright and Maurice Benard

On Memorial Day, you can get some inside commentary, scoops and more when General Hospital’s Laura Wright (Carly) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) host a watch party for the new General Hospital Spotlight Channel.

Laura and Maurice will be seen via the General Hospital Facebook page beginning at 1 pm ET/10 am PT.

The new channel is available anytime in the ABC app and online here.  It currently serves up throwback episodes of GH beginning from a few years back.  At the time of its soft launch, episodes began playing from February 5, 2018  through the April 27, 2018 episode. However, more are said to be on the way.

In case you missed its original airing, Laura and Maurice watched back an episode from the GH Spotlight Channel, and reminisced to get GH fans acquainted with the offerings on the FAST (free ad-supported TV) channel.

Check out Laura and Maurice from the watch party in the video below and the promo for the channel released a few weeks back. 

Now let us know, what you think thus far of General Hospital’s Spotlight Channel in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Kate Mansi Makes Her General Hospital Debut as Kristina; What Were Your First Impressions?

Daytime Emmy winner, Kate Mansi made her first appearance on yesterday’s May 24th episode of General Hospital as the recast Kristina Corinthos-Davis.  The former Days of our Lives star takes over the role from Lexi Ainsworth.

As to Kristina’s story, it is revealed that Kristina is building an LGBTQ+ youth shelter with the help of her father, Sonny Corinthos. Kristina’s sister, Sam (Kelly Monaco) is concerned that she is not thinking through all the issues that come with creating and building such a space and shares her concerns with their mother, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn).

Enter Mansi as nuKristina with the renovation plans for the youth shelter.  She shares her excitement with Sam and Alexis.  An enthusiastic Kristina discusses the cosmetic changes she wants to make to the place and even shows her family, the Corinthos-Davis House logo.

Sam voices her concerns that in the past Kristina has great ideas and visions and how they don’t work out, because she never follows through.  Kristina gets angered and leaves the discussion to take a call from her contractor.

Remember, when Kristina lost her way, and then, seemingly everyone got looped in and involved with Dawn of the Dead cult?

Photo: NATAS

Meanwhile, Molly (Haley Pullos in these scenes) is struggling with her inability to have a baby and tension is mounting between her and TJ (Tajh Bellow).

Mansi comes to GH with an impressive resume having been front and center as Abigail Deveraux on Days from 2011–2016, and then again in 2018–2020.  She took home the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series award in 2017 at the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition, Kate has continued to appear in primetime, streaming and motion picture roles.

So, what were your first impressions of Kate as Kristina Corinthos-Davis? How did you like her interactions on-screen with Kelly Monaco and Nancy Lee Grahn? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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