General Hospital
The Cast of General Hospital: The Alzheimer’s Storyline – Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
General Hospital’s depiction of the battle of Alzheimer’s disease and how it affects the dying, and the loved ones they leave behind, came to its heartbreaking conclusion this past week on the ABC daytime drama series.
Led by storyline standouts: Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Max Gail (Mike), who once again acted their hearts out in their final scenes together, the entire ensemble of actors who were part of this storyline each had their moments and each delivered which made Mike’s passing all the more poignant.
In a first since we started giving out our weekly kudos several years ago, Michael Fairman TV is giving our Power Performance of the Week to the cast of GH who participated in last week’s scenes for their riveting work.
From Laura Wright’s beautiful goodbye scene as Carly with Mike, where she dreams of him telling her she is a ‘daughter to him”, to Steve Burton’s all-knowing Jason, who tells Mike he will take care of Sonny and not to worry, to Michael (Chad Duell) and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) picturing how key moments of their life would look with Mike being witness to it, and the advice he would give his grandchildren, to Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) finding out that Mike is dying while being so far away from his family – each of these beats brought even more heart-tugging moments to the ending of Mike’s journey.
Even the actors who played a part in Mike’s care were touching as Vernee Watson’s Stella prepares Sonny on how to help Mike pass before saying her final goodbye to her friend. Then there was Felix (Marc Anthony Samuel), who helped Carly and Sonny through Mike’s last moments at Turning Woods, who was also trying to keep it together through his sadness. Brando (Johnny Wactor) showed up at Turning Woods too, trying to make peace with the death he saw in the war in Afghanistan and now losing Mike.
Of course, there was the surprise moment where Mike is met by his late daughter Courtney and escorted to heaven that both Alicia Leigh Willis and Max Gail played so beautifully without saying hardly a word.
But in the end, it was Maurice Benard who showed us the devastation and acceptance of a son having to let his father go, while trying to make peace with their troubled past that was acting at its best, and perhaps some of the finest in his storied daytime career – and there was Max Gail – the centerpiece of the storyline – who’s emotional heart was seen in all the scenes last week with the actors as the characters visualized moments with Mike. Throughout the entire story, Gail played the tragedy of a human being trapped within this horrific disease with brilliance. He will be missed.
So, what do you think of our choice of the cast of General Hospital for this week’s Power Performance of the Week? Share your comments below.
Dammit, it takes a lot a get the tears flowing, but Friday’s episode got me! Well done!
Everyone but Maurice Benard made me feel something this past week.
Really? You couldnt dismiss your hate for Maurice for one week? He did a hell of a job! You dont have to like the man. BUT, to be a man, step up and say something good when it is earned. Scott, turn off your TV and click onto Youtube and watch ATWT’s reruns!
Evaluating someone’s performance is not “hate.” Scott (ATWT fan) is not wrong and Timmm is not wrong. There is no wrong or right in artistic opinion. Timmm was moved by Maurice’s performance; Scott was not. That’s how art works. No need to get all angry about it and accuse someone of not “being a man.” Sheesh.
Bravo!! Kudos to the writers and actors probably one of the best done story arcs in soap operas in a very long time.
I am a caregiver to family, and this story was written and portrayed so beautifully and true. I am thankful to all
Many tears were shed during this last week. After going through this as my mom slipped away, many tears have been shed throughout this whole story. Sonny, Mike, Joss, and Carly were STAND OUT characters!
Calling it now, GH will win best writing and/or best drama for this week’s episodes. This story was written incredibly well, the acting was on-point throughout, and the conclusion was just as heartbreaking as I knew it would be. Kudos to everyone involved in bringing this story to life, and what a treat it was to see Alicia Leigh Willis again!
It was beautiful but where was Kristina? Her name was not even mentioned. That was only miss to otherwise great story
If Maurice and Mike don’t win Daytime Emmys for their performances then something is very wrong with how the awards are handed out. Heartbreaking story – true to the disease – and told from the point of view of those who are affected.
From the day that Max Gail debuted as Mike, I knew we were in for an emotional journey. He did not disappoint. I wish I had taken out stock in Kleenex, haha. I cried more this week with Mike’s passing than all of my other 50yrs of soap watching. I even cried reading this beautifully written article. A job well done to all… Bravo!!!
Excellent!! A fantastic week! Very heart warming! Felt like it was part of my family!
This storyline was well written and the acting was superb! Max Gail is a wonderful actor and made everyone around him better!
Okay, let me start out by saying the Mike storyline was heartbreaking and sad, but my only criticism was this long weak of stretching it out and as they say milking it, sorry but it just played out to long for me, the only saving grace was the show smartly balanced it out with the spy caper, I don’t know who to give credit to but somebody knew to much air play of mike dying and Neal getting killed off to was to much death in this Covid era, so thank goodness for the spy caper, but even that one was flawed by added Olivia in the mix, It should of been Anna there With Robert, Olivia was just to much if you ask me, and I’ve been hearing that the show Is planning on pairing her w/ Robert, I don’t like that already. oh well, as for mike dying, yes its was sad, performances were great, Maurice made it to real, so kudos to his performance, Jason and Carly were I don’t know just blah for me, she cries over anything anyways and Jason tears up over anything too, so they to me didn’t do it for me.
Did the storyline go on for too long? Maybe, maybe not. But it was certainly an accurate reflection of the reality of this horribly unforgiving illness.
Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t take its victims quickly; instead, it shuts down the organs one by one, slowly, inexorably, unrelentingly. It’s not simply memory loss, but changes in thinking and behavior, organ failure, nerve cell death, and brain tissue loss, and it takes several years for death to occur. In fact, it can take years after the onset of Alzheimer’s before the actual diagnosis is made.
Had the story wrapped up in just a few months, it would have done a disservice to all of the families who are struggling with it. Those families know the agony of watching a loved one slip slowly out of their grasp, knowing that they are powerless to stop this monster.
Teresa
I almost agree with you but your last paragraph changed my mind.I would never want to relive long weeks or months of watching this type of torture to the dying person and their family. Once would be more than enough, and I certainly wouldn’t feel like it was a disservice to not have them drag this kind of thing on.
Thank you for recognizing the storyline they were telling. It was beautifully done, and accurate. Those of us who have lived this Thank GH and all who were involved, and YOU for your praise of this work!!!
I thought this was wonderful. I work at a place like Turning Woods. Going thru this disease is hard enough but going thru with Covid times its crazy. We are all safe and as healthy as can be, Well done
Crystal from Seattle fan since early years. Thank you
I work with a hospice pioneer who publishes end of life materials, so I am aware of how things transpire at the end. Your writers were SPOT ON with everything, and I am so thankful for the knowledge I have gleaned from this work.. The way this was handled was absolutely wonderful. Yes, I definitely cried!!
Clearly Max Gail and Maurice Benard should share the spotlight as performers of the week. They were brilliant . The entire cast performed to perfection, however, and should also be acknowledged in this catergory as well. They showed love and support to both Sonny and Mike as both men journeyed towards Mike’s ultimate end and Sonny’s struggle to let his father go. One of the best, if not the best work on a soap opera.
I think all the actors did an excellent job. They all were so amazing it made me want to cry it was so sad.
AS I’ve said many times before, GH ~ everyone single person involved in front of and behind the cameras ~ did an outstanding job with this story. The only small quibble I have is the “forced” little ending where Sonny and Carly are leaving Turning Woods and they rush out with the bike Mike bought Sonny and the staff “forgot” to give to Sonny sooner. That was way too convoluted for me and left a sour taste in an otherwise wonderfully touching story.
People love to hand out Emmys because of a single performance. Most times I agree but actors are paid to act. Having said that, to get a whole show who is involved in one storyline to put in the work to make the story the BEST story on daytime in many many years, GH will win the Emmy, hands down for best soap at the 2021 Daytime Emmy awards show. It just nailed it! They took the time to write the story and tell it with patience. Nothing was rushed. They didn’t whisk Max in and out to save money and move on to something else, they nurtured the cause and respected families who lived and are living with a loved one who has this. Also, they brought in Courtney to chaperone Mike to heaven. That was unexpected and I appreciate the show putting the work and money into the guest spot instead of just mentioning it off camera. I don’t think they need a funeral. Everyone has said what they needed to say and they did some good flashbacks with Mike and other characters. Max, you get and A plus and more gold is on the way! Maurice, you were right there along side your buddy and you did a wonderful job! GH STILL knows how to put out relevancy!
Love Max Gail. Also, loved Ron Hale as Mike in the 90’s. I miss the 80’s and 90’s so much. I miss going home after school and hoping that Sonny and Brenda would be on. I would watch their scenes over and over on VHS.
Back to Max Gail, he did an outstanding job.
From day one this storyline was brilliant and rang so true, as a person who lost a parent to this horrible disease everything about this was so spot on. I cannot say enough about the brilliant actors who played their roles with so much heart and emotion. Bravo to everyone involved and thank you for bringing to light the effects Alzheimer’s can have on the whole family.
Thank you, GH for shedding light on this very painful subject.
Your casting was just great and really touched my heart.
I’m not a fan of the character of Sonny, I always FF thru his mob scenes, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Maurice Benard is a fantastic actor. He proved it again this week. I loved how they let Max Gail do scenes where he was more coherent, which just amplifies how good an actor HE is. Good point someone made about the absence of Kristina. Yes, the storyline was drawn out and sometimes uncomfortable, painful to watch….just like real life. Handled much better than Dina’s Alzheimer plot on Y & R–love Marla Adams, though. I did shed tears when Mike died. Doesn’t happen often on soaps these days. Kudos to all and a well deserved pick for MF Power Performance which had the added bonus of Courtney!
I was in tears for most of last week’s episodes. Sonny and Mike and The rest of their family and friends were so real in their performances. You could clearly see how much Mike was loved and how much he would be missed:-(( The entire cast gave their best emotions to that very sad situation. I’ve never dealt with Alzheimer’s personally, but these people made me understand how difficult it is for patients And their families…
Dante , Liz , Stella, and Felix…. etc… et al? … “Dante , Liz, Stella, and Felix”
ARE – the 4 characters – who DANCED in the PULL of’ Mr. Max Gail
When Max Gail started … in February, 2018. he was already : lapsing …
we never got to see .. EVER: Maurice Benard.. Sonny’ LIVE with his father, have heart to heart talks, confrontation, denial, giddy discovery, bonding … human nature didn’t grow here
it was a much easier “job” for MB Sonny to wait for the react/response from the script AND Max Gail. it was always “confused” and Sonny would react accordingly …
THE word : “Alzheimers” has a life of it’s OWN . scare the bejeezus out of any one. I don’t recall Sonny or Carly from one end of the spectrum… disbelieve to petrified.. acceptance denial… FEAR !!!! christ
the word; AND Max Gail… was a one man show
I do not think the Corinthos family NEED any nod
every person, in real time… experienced , LIVED, fraught, anxiety, the LOSS
from February 2018, to September, 2020… Max Gail performed with HEART.
the reaction… which was NEEDED to make this RICHER… was pale.. so Sonny shared a song @Nurses Ball…. that WON EMMY
now that this chapter is logged in with Sonny and Carly STAMP ? whats to recall?
“Max Gail”
THANK GOD IT”S OVER !!!! till Frank Valentini throws another storyline their way… which is why I will never let up… okay it’s hardened … give this show a fighting chance !
F E A T U R E – your best cast
haven’t we bellowed … i will soapbox… I want Frank Valentini to know he threw this away
thankfully, a let, for me
Britta, and just the sighting of Nathan Parson … exciting… what’s Brando going to live… his own? or under the fold of Carly and Sonny.
Kevin !!!! WOW !
Mac and Felicia – incredible
Hi Monica AND Bobbi !
my light @Port Charles : Valentin
Happy dance the partay IS OVER !!!!
now that Nelle is “gone”; RIP Mike, Max Gail,you were WONDEROUS amazing AND still zinging IT
what POWERS are left
it’s Sonny and Carly
could you mean any thing
That was the longest goodbye/death in history. Good God I couldn’t wait for Mike to die! What started as a great storyline became so embarrassingly bad. And having Joss, who I couldn’t hate more (SHE IS BORING!), had nearly an entire episode dedicated to her goodbye? Gross. And all of these other “Oh, Mike, thank you for doing so much for me (us)” crap was nauseating. WE NEVER SAW ANY OF THESE PEOPLE INTERACTING WITH MIKE EXCEPT FOR PERHAPS NEAR THE END. As a viewer it’s difficult to get invested and emotional when none of these relationships were ever developed through the years. I’m sure we’ll have to sit through weeks of “I miss Mike” episodes. Hard pass. Hopefully Sonny takes some time to mourn on his own and leaves Port Charles for a few weeks. Or years. It’s all fast forward material.
Now Holly, Robert, Olivia, and Ethan is a storyline I can get behind!
Scott
I have kind of felt as you do but not so strongly. Reading your words actually make me feel embarrassed . I forget there are others that enjoy this type of misery. I have enough of my own, to watch this type of long, drawn out suffering, Hopefully in the future I can be more patient and let others watch what they like without comment.
I loved this storyline from the start, when Sonny and Mike got the diagnosis that Mike had Alzheimer’s Disease. Everyone associated with Max after the diagnosis had Emmy worthy performances… None more worthy than Max and Maurice. I was brought to tears for two years whenever these two took to the screen. I so do & will forever miss Max!!!
Mike will be missed but Max Gail deserves the top award for having to just lay there with just a thumbs up once in awhile, listening to all that stuff added by the writers that never happened. It wore me out. I thought that if my relatives ever do that to me, I’ll come back and haunt them.
Re the Alzheimer’s SL with Alexis. To all the ladies out there unfamiliar with this desease. Please don’t wait until it happens to you. I was just getting up from the sofa while bracing myself on the coffee table in front of me when I head my bones crunch through my lower back. I’ve never fully recovered from this fracture. I wish I had known about this when younger. All it takes is a Bone Density test that they do while lying on the table, and you stay fully clothed. So don’t wait until you are old like me, though I have fallen a number of times but so far haven’t broken any more bones. Lucky me!
You all did the old-timers with grace and dignity God bless you all
General Hospital
RATINGS: ‘The Young and the Restless,’ ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Remain No #1 and # 2, ‘General Hospital’ Only Soap to Lose Viewers
The latest Nielsen ratings data is out for the week of April 27-May 1, and three out of the four network daytime dramas posted gains in total viewers, while one showed a loss in audience numbers, which may come as a surprise.
Let’s take a look at the ratings period with data from Soap Opera Network and then provide some context. The Young and the Restless remained as per usual in the top spot coming in at 3,14,000 on average total viewers slightly up +20,000 more eyeballs for the week.
In story, Y&R served up Matt’s plot to blow up the Newmans inside the abandoned gas station on the outskirts of Vegas, Sienna believing she killed Matt, only for him to be revealed alive with a severe contusion on his head by week’s end, Nick going on a bad drug trip thanks to the fentanyl laced with something else via Matt, and Cane and the Winters family learning that he is a donor match to save Malcolm’s life, while Sally got engaged to Billy.

Photo: JPI
FASHION HOUSE PROBLEMS
Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful clocked in with 2,795,000 viewers for the week up +38,000 from the previous ratings period. In story, The Bold and the Beautiful gave viewers; the fallout from Katie’s successful fashion show for her new fashion house, Logan. Dylan continuing to be freaked out. This time when doing her work at Forrester Creations, out from the clothing rack comes somebody that scares her enough to have her let out a blood-curdling scream. In addition, Liam suggested to Hope that she consider coming to work for Logan where she will be appreciated, after Steffy tells her that ‘Hope for the Future’ is back-burnered for now.
General Hospital, which many have considered being the most entertaining on a consistent basis with their storylines, most likely lost some viewers for the week because on Monday April 27, the show was preempted for a special report on the attempted shooting at the White House Correspondence dinner. If viewers did not catch it on Hulu, it aired on the network after Nightline on Tuesday at 1am. In total, GH was the only soap to lose viewers for the ratings week. GH tallied -1,809,000 which is down from the previous week by -168,000.

Photo: ABC
PAYBACK AND A SHOCKING REVEAL
In story that week, Carly’s double life with Brennan and Valentin caught up with her, Michael initiated a strategic plot against Willow, and Josslyn found herself in immediate danger after a run-in with Cassius.
Beyond the Gates, while having two days of the week fully preempted for UEFA Champions League soccer games, actually increased its viewership. BTG tallied 1,655,00 total viewers which also boasted the highest audience gains across any soap adding +42,000. In story, the soap opera spotlighted: Ashley stealing antibiotics to keep Grayson alive, Smitty zeroing in on a possible suspect in the plasma ring, Vernon taking over Martin’s debt to Joey Armstrong, while Kate recognized a name tied to Lynette’s finances.
It should also be noted for the ratings week; The Bold and the Beautiful once again topped Y&R for the top spot in the key Womens 18-49 demo and in the Womens 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates once again bested General Hospital for the 3rd spot.
*Nielsen ratings are based on the Live+Same Day Big Data+Panel model.
So, let us know your thoughts on the current ratings picture? Then weigh-in; what soap opera is serving up the best drama right now that is keeping you engaged to catch it every day? Which soap has you the least interested? Drop a comment below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Would You Be Down With a Dante and Elizabeth Romance?
On the Friday, May 15 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) shared a heartfelt talk on trauma. Dante is so concerned for Rocco (Finn Carr), and how it affects someone for the rest of their life, which is something Elizabeth knows all too well, but got through it.
It all begins when Elizabeth shows up at Dante’s office ready for her date with Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst). How beautiful she looked did not go unnoticed by Dante. When the talked turned to how Dante told Rocco that he knew his son shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), he admits he is scared for his child, because he lost his innocence with the emotional baggage he now must carry forever of shooting someone.
Dante notices how Rocco is becoming more and more withdrawn and he wants to know how to help him. Elizabeth bring up how she can absolutely relate to trauma at a young age, just like Rocco. However for Elizabeth, her trauma came in the form of a brutal rape by Tom Baker. Speaking from experience, Elizabeth details that it was her friends and family like Lucky and Bobbie who helped pull her through. She encourages Dante to continue to show up and be there as support for his son.

Courtesy/ABC
SPECIAL DELIVERY
Next, an officer delivers to Dante the evidence from the pier shooting, which Dante plans on destroying. Before she leaves for her date with Ric, Liz reassured Dante he is doing the right thing to protect Rocco and she has done the same. She has left no record of Rocco’s hospital visit the night of the shooting. Liz leaves for her date.
THE WRONG SUSPECT
Then, Cullum storm troops in to Dante’s office demanding the evidence that the PCPD must have collected at the site of his shooting. Dante says that the evidence must be misfiled in the warehouse, but they will find it. However, Cullum realizes Dante is stalling and lying. Before heading to Dante’s office, Cullum paid a visit to Carly (Laura Wright) and saw a photo of Danny with Jason, triggering him to now believe that Danny may have been the person who shot him in the back on the pier!

Courtesy/ABC
DINING WITH RIC
At dinner at Café Cherie, Ric handed Elizabeth the folder with the priceless piece of artwork he’d purchased for her through Ava. Elizabeth loved it and went over to Ric and planted a kiss on him.
Will GH move Elizabeth into a romance with Dante? Do you think Liz and Dante make a cute couple? After today’s episode, it’s clear they very much like and admire one another. If so, what happens to Liz and Ric’s burgeoning repeat romance? Share your thoughts and picks via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Dante Tells Rocco He Knows He Shot Cullum and Will Protect Son
In well-played scenes on the Thursday, May 14 episode of General Hospital, Dante (Dominic Zampogna) finally had a talk with his son, Rocco (Finn Carr) informing him that he knows the teen shot Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Rocco has dreaded his father finding out, because he is the acting police commissioner of the Port Charles PD and feared his dad will have to arrest him for the crime.
Dante asks Rocco in his own words to recount what happened the night on the pier. He assured his son, he is not going to arrest him and noted there are very extenuating circumstances surrounding the crime.

Courtesy/ABC
FATHER AND SON
Rocco explained how he followed Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) to the pier. Then, how Cullum attacked Britt. Jason (Steve Burton) showed up and fought with Cullum and how the gun came loose.He remembers the other weapon Cullum pulled out to kill Jason and that’s when he shot him.
Next, Dante explained that he was proud of his son for saving Jason and Britt’s lives. He also tells Rocco that he is very concerned in Britt’s involvement in all of this stemming all the way back to the Five Poppies, and feels she is still tied into everything that is happening.
Dante tells Rocco that nobody else can know about this involvement in the shooting. He also touchingly said, that he is his father, he will protect him. However, Rocco is worried that if the truth came out that he shot Cullum, his dad would be in serious trouble for covering up a crime. Dante tells Rocco, he should not worry about that right now, but he needs to stay in Port Charles so he and his mom can keep him safe.
A SHOCKING CALL
Suddenly, as father and son hug it out, Dante gets a call from Justine (Nazneen Contractor), alerting him to the fact that she just met with Cullum and he is looking for the evidence and the file from his shooting. Dante rolls his eyes, knowing things are about to go from bad to worse, and how is he going to keep his son safe from the evil WSB Director?
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Dominic Zamprogna always delivers a nice counterbalance to the often histrionics of other characters in Port Charles in his portrayal of Dante Falconeri. So that, when Dante breaks or gets emotional, it counts. Finn Carr has continually shined in the storyline as Rocco continues to teeter on the edge of knowing what he has done and being wracked with guilt. Next up has to be Danny learning his brother is the reason Jason was carted away. Stay tuned!
So, what did you think of the scenes between Dante and Rocco? How on earth will Dante keep Rocco safe? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
-
Breaking News5 days ago‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
-
Days Of Our Lives2 days ago‘Days of Our Lives’ Dan Feuerriegel Teases the Mystery of Marlena’s Chess Set, and Opens Up About the Departures of His Co-Stars (Exclusive)
-
General Hospital3 days agoAnthony Geary’s Husband, Claudio Gama, Shares Remembrance of How Much the ‘General Hospital’ Legend Loved Working with Erika Slezak
-
General Hospital6 days ago‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Previews His New Role as PCPD Officer Joe Fitzpatrick
-
Breaking News6 days agoJennifer Harmon, ‘One Life to Live’s’ Cathy Craig, and ‘How to Survive a Marriage’ Star, Dead at 82
-
Breaking News1 week agoDAYS Lauren Koslow Temporarily Fills-In for Jess Walton as ‘The Young and the Restless’ Jill Abbott
-
Breaking News1 week ago‘The Price is Right’ Contestant Wins Largest Prize in a Single Pricing Game in the 54-Year history of the Daytime Game Show on CBS
-
News6 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Tamara Braun Teases Sienna and Nick Relationship Turn, ‘There is Some Chemistry’