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
Heather Webber, one of the all-time villains in General Hospital history is on her way back to the canvas, when two-time Daytime Emmy winner, Alley Mills reprises the role beginning on the Thursday, November 5 episode.
TV Insider revealed the comeback news today. Mills began playing the role of Heather back in October of 2002. The previous Heathers included: Robin Mattson, Mary O’Brien and the very first Heather, who was none other than Georganne LaPiere (the half-sister of Cher).
As for Mills, she actually took home the Daytime Emmy last year at the 52nd annual Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series. She won in the same category back in 2022.
Photo: ABC
FROM THE WONDERS YEARS TO THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL TO GENERAL HOSPITAL
Alley Mills assumed the role of Heather Webber in October 2022 and had ended her initial run in 2023 and then was back again in 2024. Soap fans also know that Mills had played Pam Douglas on the The Bold and the Beautiful since 2006 and appeared on the series through 2019, and made appearance in story in 2021 and 2022.
On B&B, Alley was a part of the memorable storyline which saw Pam and Stephanie’s (Susan Flannery) mother, Ann Douglas (the late Betty White) pass away. In addition to GH and B&B. primetime fans know Alley as Norma Arnold, the mom of the ABC’s hit late 80s and early 90s series, The Wonder Years.
When GH viewers last saw Heather and her crime spree as The Hook, she had taken the life of Brando Corbin (the late Johnny Wactor) and what was believed at the time to be the life of Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud), although a few years later, Britt showed up alive.
Heather wound up in the slammer at Pentonville, but got released in 2024, when it was revealed that she had a bad hip replacement which resulted in cobalt poisoning which was said to be the root cause of her erratic behavior.
WHAT BRINGS HEATHER WEBBER BACK INTO THE STORY?
Eventually, Heather’s son, Steven Lars (Scott Reeves) returned to Port Charles to retrieve his mother, and to make sure she was taken care for out of town. Now the question becomes, why is Heather back on the GH canvas in 2026?
One theory! Could Heather be revealed as the person stalking Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali)? After all, Heather is the mother to the late Esme Prince (Avery Pohl). Perhaps, she wants retribution for her daughter, and this is her twisted way of doing it? Or, is something else at play here? Stay tuned!
Take a look at our conversation with Alley from the 2025 Daytime Emmy Awards immediately following her second Emmy win below.
Now let us know, excited to know Alley Mills is returning as Heather? What do you think will be her storyline this time around? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jordan Sees Sonny and Justine Making Out, Britt and Anna Have a Chat, Valentin is Livid
On the Tuesday, September 22 episode of General Hospital, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) got an earful from Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) after her proposed stunt to get damning evidence against Drew (Cameron Mathison), Anna (Finola Hughes) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had a conversation they needed to have, and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) came upon Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Justine (Nazneen Contractor) making out in the parking lot of the Brown Dog Bar.
Let’s take a closer look as the action and story that went down: First, Valentin was horrified to learn what Charlotte was plotting to get Drew to leave Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) alone. Learning that Charlotte thought that her plan to make it look as if Drew was making out with a teenage girl was a great idea, Valentin fired back. “Dammit, why can’t you admit you put your life at risk?”
Valentin firmly told his daughter that she will not have any more contact with Danny. However, Charlotte said she will see Danny at school, Valentin stated, “Not anymore.” Will Valentin put Charlotte in another high school? Send her out of town or leave town with his daughter? Stay tuned.
APOLOGY ACCEPTED
After leaving the Brown Dog Bar, Britt headed over to Aurora Wellness and had a tense confrontation with Anna, the woman who planned on killing her. Anna apologized to Britt noting she would always regret what she did and would like to smooth things over with Britt if she would let her.
Taking in Anna’s apology, Britt also apologized for not coming to Anna’s rescue sooner while Anna was locked up in Wyndemere. Anna says she understands Britt was made to believe she was dying of Huntington’s disease. However, Anna said that Cesar Faison had caused just as much long-term damage to his daughter as he has with her. That moment, leaves Britt startled.
JORDAN OFFERS AN ENDORSEMENT THEN GETS AN EYEFUL
Back at the Brown Dog, Jordan offered Justine her endorsement for the Port Charles district attorney position. Jordan even went one step further and said as much as she does not like going out in public (due to her facial scars) she would help organize a kick-off rally.
Jordan also let Justine know she will have tough competition during her DA election campaign, and for Justine not to be surprised if one of her competitors goes looking for any dirt or skeletons they can dig up on her. While Justine glances over at Sonny, who is at another table, she tells Jordan she is confident no one will find anything to use against her.
HOWEVER at the end of the episode, Sonny followed Justine into the parking lot after they had separately exited the Brown Dog Bar, where they flirted and reminisced about their first kiss in the same spot. Next thing you know, the two are making out when Jordan happens upon the scenes and is witness to their smooches. We fade to black.
Take a look at the final moments from today’s GH in a scene entitled, “Not Public Knowledge” below.
Then weigh-in, Why do you think it was Jordan who came upon Sonny and Justine’s romance? How will Jordan use the intel to her own advantage, or will she? What do you think Britt will do next? And what did you think of Charlotte’s plan to get some video on Drew to use against him to get him to leave Danny alone? Let us know in the comment section below.
General Hospital
THIS FRIDAY: ‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali to Drop Music Video for Her Single ‘Pray’
General Hospital’s Tabyana Ali (Trina Robinson) is following up the September 1st premiere and drop of her new single Pray, with the release of the music video for it this Friday, September 25.
Ali made the announcement on Tuesday, September 22 via her Instagram account, which featured snippets from the music video with the date 9.25.26.
The timing couldn’t be better since most of the music industry is all about Sunday night’s September 27 MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards).
Photo: ABC
TRINA TIME
Previiously, Trina and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) performed the song “Pray” at a showcase arranged by music executive Simon (Grady Eldridge), with the looming question of who is Trina’s stalker yet to be revealed.
In more recent episodes of GH, Trina was on the warpath after learning that Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) was the actual driver of the car involved in the accident with Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and her father, Curtis (Donnell Turner).
Realizing Brook Lynn kept her mouth shut, in the end, Curtis is serving two years of jail time over accosting Isaiah Gannon (Sawani Wilson) believing he was the other driver! When Brook Lynn knew it was her all along. The situation has caused tension between Trina and her music manager.
WHERE TO LISTEN AND FIND TABYANA ALI’S LATEST SINGLE
Pray is based off a poem written by Ali and was turned into a track.
Currently, you can download or stream the song via You Tube Music, Apple Music, Spotify and more.
So, are you looking forward to seeing Tabyana’s music video for her single Pray this Friday? Let us know via the comment section.
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BEYOND THE GATES: Hayley Pulls a Gun on Dani, Sneering, “Gotta Love a Full Circle Moment, Don’t You?”
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jordan Sees Sonny and Justine Making Out, Britt and Anna Have a Chat, Valentin is Livid
THIS FRIDAY: ‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali to Drop Music Video for Her Single ‘Pray’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson to Star in New Holiday Movie
Kelly Monaco Honors Her Late ‘General Hospital’ Co-Star Billy Miller, Sharing Letter He Wrote After Taping His Final Episode as Drew Cain
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Chris McKenna Speaks Out On His Final Day as ‘General Hospital’s’ Jack Brennan with Words of Wisdom to ‘Finish Strong’
‘General Hospital’s’ James Patrick Stuart Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
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Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
DANCING WITH THE STARS Viral Hits Night: Who Was the Fiercest Couple of Them All?
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jordan Sees Sonny and Justine Making Out, Britt and Anna Have a Chat, Valentin is Livid
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