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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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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.

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.

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

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

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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General Hospital

Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital

If General Hospital’s Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) nuptials are on, you didn’t think Grandma Gloria Cerullo would miss out on the festivities, now did you?

Casting news from Soap Opera Digest reveals that Ellen Travolta is back taping scenes that will air the week of May 13th on the ABC daytime drama series.  When viewers learned that Carmine Cerullo, was also on his way back to Port Charles, now in the face and body of actor George Russo, it only made sense that Grandma Gloria would join Grandpa Cerullo. Look for them both mid-May.

As most people know, Ellen is the older sister to John Travolta. She first make appearances as Gloria back on GH in the mid-90s. Most recently, she returned to the Quartermaine mansion to meet up with daughter, Lois (Rena Sofer) and granddaughter Brook Lynn for Thanksgiving in Port Charles in 2023.  Michael Fairman TV interviewed Rena Sofer and Amanda Setton late last year where they shared what it had been liking working with Ellen, who remains very close to Sofer in real-life.

Photo: JPI

Amanda shared: “We fell in love immediately. What’s crazy is my maternal grandmother was Grandma Gloria. I had her till I was 30 and we were so close. She was really like a second mom to me. So, when I got this script and I’m reading “Grandma Gloria”, it was so bizarre. And then in meeting Ellen, she looks like my grandma – same haircut, same high cheekbones. It really did feel like I had a few days with my grandma. It was very, very special for me. Ellen is sweet, prepared, professional, talented and funny to boot. So, it was one of the best weeks I’ve had at work. I hope she comes back. My fingers are crossed.”

Photo: ABC

Now, we can’t imagine Brook Lynn and Chase’s wedding day to be smooth sailing, in fact, expect just the opposite, but could it be Grandma Gloria who is ultimately the hero or the calming voice of reason for any pre-wedding jitters? Stay tuned.

So, glad to know that Ellen Travolta will be back for Brook Lynn and Chase’s big day? Comment below.

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