Connect with us

General Hospital

46

The Maurice Benard Interview – General Hospital

Photo Credit: Jim Warren

Photo Credit: Jim Warren

Woe is Sonny!  He found his ladylove Kate in bed with his arch-nemesis, Johnny Zacchara.  Only Sonny doesn’t know that Kate was Connie, her treacherous alter!  And when Sonny is scorned, what does he do?  Well, make out with Carly, of course!  But what is yet to come in this story may just be some of the most powerful and emotional moments for Sonny in his life.

On-Air On-Soaps chatted with the one and only Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) to get his thoughts on his hot storyline, that as Maurice tells it, is about to get even more dramatic.  When this Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite kicks-ass in scenes and performances, the audience and the critics go along on the rollercoaster ride and sea of emotions with him, something no one in the genre does better.  And clearly, there are some heart-stopping moments just on the horizon.

With General Hospital finally getting off life-support and being renewed by ABC for another year, Maurice reveals it’s now onward and upward, and he could not be happier.  With OLTL wunderkinds, Frank Valentini at the helm, and Ron Carlivati whipping up the juicy storylines in Port Charles nowadays, the future looks bright.  And for those constant criticisms that GH is becoming crossover central, that GH is too mob centric, and it’s all about Sonny, in this interview Benard answers his fans and the skeptics.

But now, who isn’t looking forward to an exciting May Sweeps for Sonny?  There is the Kate/Connie drama, Todd Manning returning to exact revenge in the form of Roger Howarth, and that other guy who won’t go away who has a score to settle with Mr. Corinthos, John McBain.  Sonny’s plate is full and as Maurice relates, he loves it all!

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

On last week’s episode of General Hospital, when Sonny found Kate/Connie in bed with Johnny, Sonny pulled a gun on the duo.  Then he heads back to his house, rocked and shaken to the core.  He tries to pour himself a drink, and I saw the glass decanter with the faux liquor almost break.  That was one of those intense Maurice moments!  Do you like this storyline and the scenes you are playing nowadays?

MAURICE:

Yeah! (Laughs)  You mean when the glass decanter kind of fell back, and I grabbed it and stuff? (Laughs)  I am loving everything, man.  And I have to say, since Frank Valentini has gotten here, for me it’s been amazing.  I keep praising him, and I know I have to stop at some point.  It’s just now every time I get a script, I can’t wait to get to the next one, and they make sense, and so I don’t have to change anything.  Last week’s air show, when Sonny caught Kate/Connie in bed with Johnny, people seemed to be into it.  I have done it many times, so I try to be somewhat different.  I tried to bring pain to it.  I try to bring the reality to it and see where it will take me, and it seems to take me to some nice moments.

MICHAEL:

Well, you clearly saw the hurt in Sonny’s eyes when he found Kate/Connie in bed with Johnny.  And you saw the betrayal, and that was different than just Sonny going, “I am going to just blow your heads off.”

MAURICE:

And some of that was the writing, and some of that was; Sonny loves this woman and he doesn’t even know she is mentally ill yet.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/ABC

I know!  And I keep thinking Sonny is the doofus here!  I brought this up in my interview recently with Kelly Sullivan (Kate/Connie).  I told her, “I need him to figure this out … STAT!” (Laughs)

MAURICE:

Well you know what?  I did not want him to seem stupid, anyway.  So every time I was in a scene, I made sure Kelly did not do anything to make me look stupid.  So I would stop and catch it right there.   So far for me … so far so good.  I am sure the part of the audience that are Sonny haters will think that I am stupid anyway.  But I don’t believe I have done anything that didn’t feel right in my gut, yet.

MICHAEL:

So it makes sense to you that Sonny didn’t figure out what was wrong with his gal?  Or, have a clue that she could be a split personality?

MAURICE:

I played that she was probably having an affair and I did not want to see it.  But before that, there is no way Sonny would think that she is mentally ill.  Even though she told him she was going to see a psychiatrist, Sonny feels like she probably has a woman problem.  But there is no reason in the past, which is good, to think that she would be mentally ill.  That was out of the question.  So with the stress of life and what is going on with Sonny, I played that part of it stronger.  And towards the end, when I thought there might be something off, that is when I started playing, “She is seeing some other guy.” And Sonny did not want to believe it.  So that’s my choice, you know.

MICHAEL:

How is working with Kelly Sullivan (Kate/Connie) now that she has taken over this role from Megan Ward and made it her own?   She raves about working with you, as most of your co-stars do.

MAURICE:

Photo Credit: Michael Tammaro

When you see the next couple of weeks of this woman’s work, especially when Sonny sees her somewhere, and they have a lot of scenes together, you’ll see.  And that’s another thing, I have been praising Kelly so much, people could tend to go, “Shut up, already, Maurice”.  (Laughs)  Kelly does not need a lot of work.  What she is to me is a great acting partner.  She is in the moment, right there, bam, bam, and it is fun.

MICHAEL:

Where do you think Sonny’s journey will take him?  There seems to be this repetitive pattern of him going from woman to woman to woman.  Did you discuss with Frank and Ron at any point since they took over the reins, what you would like to do with Sonny that hasn’t been done?

MAURICE:

The beauty for me right now is that Sonny has to deal with someone and he has to look in the mirror now.  She has an illness and he has an illness.  As far as what the trauma was in her life, I am hearing things here and there, but I don’t know for sure.  Look, when Sonny loves someone he loves as deep as a tunnel.  He has had a few women, but when he goes to that deep love; like he has with Brenda, Carly and Kate, it goes pretty damn deep.  And I don’t know what is in store after this.  I just know what is happening soon.  I mean, it’s like, “You are going to be with another chick, dude?”  Either Sonny has to be alone or with Kate, but don’t put him with another woman.  It’s too many already!

MICHAEL:

Last week Carly and Sonny had that kiss!  Should this signal to fans that perhaps these two might become a couple again in the near future?

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

For me, it’s been playing nicely as exes.  I like the exes to be friendlier with each other.  I think we are doing that now.  To me, getting back into a romantic relationship is not taking a step forward; to go back with your ex and that sort of thing.  But I enjoy working with Laura Wright (Carly) and we have good chemistry.  We had some beautiful scenes together the other day, and so we will see where all this goes.

MICHAEL:

GH got its renewal, when many feared ABC would can another beloved soap.  Was it tense before the renewal?  I thought about you, and that you are the main face of the show, and how you must have been dealing with this unpleasant possibility.

MAURICE:

It was intense right before the renewal.  Don’t get me wrong, I was going to be pissed-off, if they canceled General Hospital.  It was not going to go down easy with me.  The last two weeks before we found out, I just felt that everybody there had a good feeling that we weren’t going to get cancelled.  That’s just because what Frank and Ron had done and how the show, unless you feel negative about it, is so much better!

MICHAEL:

Oh Maurice!  The show was just dragging before Frank and Ron came on.  I often could not get through an entire episode!

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

And now people can’t wait to get to the next one!

MICHAEL:

Correct, and Frank and Ron did that over at One Life to Live.  By the end of each scene there was a reason to keep tuning in.  There were none of those throwaway two-character scenes.  What I mean by that is; as much as we love meaty two- character scenes in the genre, in this day and age you have to quicken the pace.

MAURICE:

Yeah, and I hear what they did on One Life was really great.  I don’t know, but I watched a few times and it was really good.  Now, I was not a consistent viewer, but if what Frank is doing at GH is any indication, this show is now coming back to being hip again.  And, when you get a show to be cool and hip, that is when people start talking and watching.  That is what I think Frank and Ron are doing.  Every story is like a mini-movie now, and whatever movie you want to watch, you can watch.

MICHAEL:

You can get all that in an episode now!  I also think it’s great that they brought back all the returns.  And, I know you have been pro bringing in the One Life to Live crossovers.  How has it been working with Kristen Alderson (Starr), Roger Howarth (Todd) and Michael Easton (John)?

MAURICE:

For me, I connected with each of them.  Let me tell you, that is not always the case.  Many times you can’t.  You connect or you don’t connect.  It doesn’t mean you can’t act with someone, but with Roger, Michael and Kristen, I connected with each differently. And I enjoyed each of them tremendously.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins/ABC

Roger will be back on air shortly!

MAURICE:

I just worked with Roger again and you will see.  The scenes are interesting. You know, I love Michael Easton’s character, too.  I don’t know why I love it, but I just do.  I know why I love Roger, because Todd is coming at me with a pen!  And it’s better than a gun, because as Sonny, I can’t do anything.  He’s got me by the … you know what!  So I love that and it’s great.  And then McBain, he can do it because he has something on Sonny, obviously, and it works.

MICHAEL:

It’s so refreshing to see an influx of new (to GH), strong male actors for you to go up against.

MAURICE:

Absolutely!  And it’s no disrespect to the actors at GH, because they are the best.  But with these two guys in particular and why it works is no one is coming in with the feeling of, “I am tougher than you.  My muscles are bigger than yours.”  They are coming in with humor and different ways of doing the work, and I love that.

MICHAEL:

People always say about GH, “It’s the same ole, same ole.  It’s the Sonny, Jason and Carly show.”  Many fans have commented that when GH brings in new people and characters, there is still too much focus on the mob, and it never changes or veers from that.  They have sometimes been known to say, “These guys should be back-burnered.”  Do you ever feel like you are, shall we say, over saturated as the lead of the show?

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

Well, that is a good question.  I used to feel that way when it was the Sonny show and it was too much, and I felt a lot of pressure.  It was like, ‘Yeah, people.  You are right.” Even though I love being on the show a lot, it was too much.  Now when Garin Wolf (ex-head writer, GH) came in, I was barely on and people were complaining about the show anyway. (Laughs)  You can’t win for losing, right?   I think what they are doing now is spreading the story out all over the place.  Right now, I don’t think anyone is on necessarily too much.  I think Frank and Ron are doing a good job using Tony Geary (Luke), and other people they bring back from the past.  But I do understand people’s feeling on that, but if the show is good, that is all that matters.

MICHAEL:

I know we talked about this in the past that I felt there was Sonny and Jason, and the new super villain would come to town and try to wreak havoc on Port Charles. And to me, at times, those villains seemed interchangeable because the outcome was always the same.  Sonny and Jason saved the day, even though they are the mob.   I think people got tired of that, and it was tedious.  Did you think that, even though it may have given you great story?

MAURICE:

It can get old even for me, and too much of anything is too much.  The way the show is now is different!  It’s exciting.

MICHAEL:

How is working with Brandon Barash (Johnny)?  It’s great on-screen when you guys go at each other.

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

It’s fun messing with Brandon. (Laughs)  I can tell you, I am having more fun working   with him now than ever! Before, it was too intense and I was coming at him too hard.  Now I am trying to bring just a little bit of lightness into our scenes.  Brandon dishes it back and he doesn’t care.  He goes at it 100%!

MICHAEL:

In scenes with Chad Duell (Michael), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), where would you like to see those go between Sonny and his on-screen sons?  And then, you have Sonny’s daughter Kristina coming back to the fold!

MAURICE:

I think we have Chad in a position now where he is not trying to be something he is not. And I love it.  He is sweet, and so I am playing into that.  We have a different dynamic in our relationship.  I think when Chad was playing the tough guy it kind of threw me, and for me, it was not quite what it should be.  It was definitely affecting me in the scenes. But now I am embracing the sweet side of him and it’s nice.  I love our relationship right now. 

MICHAEL:

But as for Dante and Sonny… it keeps going back and forth and back and forth!  I can’t follow if they hate each other one day, or are on the same side, or if they have a father/son bonding moment.

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

I hate that! 

MICHAEL:

I think probably my favorite Sonny moment ever … and On-Air On-Soaps Best Moment of the Year in 2010, was when Sonny shot Dante!  That was the best scene, and the two of you were so great in it.  I loved it.  Then after all that, what happened?  Their relationship seems to get all mucked up … again!

MAURICE:

Oh, it was the best show and amazing.  I love Dominic and I want to say that he is one of the most underrated actors.  He is like a working-class actor.  He is honest and he is real, and the camera loves him.  But with our on-screen relationship, I would hope that they would figure something out to expand our relationship, but I don’t know.  We will see what happens.

MICHAEL:

Do they love each other right now?

MAURICE:

They are cool and all right with each other right now.  They are much better with each other than they have been in the past.

MICHAEL:

Courtesy/IMDB

People were sad that Lexi Ainsworth was not returning to GH, and that they cast Lindsey Morgan as yours and Alexis’s daughter, Kristina.  Have you worked with her yet?  How is she doing?

MAURICE:

I just worked with her for the last few days.  Look, I love Lindsey and like I say with everything like this, you have to understand it’s a recast.  It’s a major thing where people go, “I hate the new girl,” and all those kind of comments.  You know what?  You love the past, but you’ve got to love the moment more, because that is who I am working with now.  You can’t keep thinking about what was.  Lindsey has come in.  She is a fighter and she has a lot of attitude!

MICHAEL:

Oh, she is going to be a bitch!  I just know it.

MAURICE:

Oh, she can play the bitch!  (Laughs)   Sonny and Alexis are going to have some fun with this one over the summer, because she doesn’t back down to me at all.  And she would probably fight me, so it’s pretty interesting.

MICHAEL:

Is there extra pressure on you now that the show has been renewed?  Do you feel an extra responsibility to keep the show on the air, along with Frank and Ron?

MAURICE:

Courtesy/Harpo Prods

When Frank and Ron first came to GH it was like all three of us felt like, “This is not going to go down!”  We were like a football team and we said, “We are going all the way here, and this is not going to happen on our watch.”  But, you put that pressure on yourself, and it’s actually a good kind of pressure, because it makes you work harder.  I don’t think there is any more pressure now.  That goal was accomplished.

MICHAEL:

Now you have time to make GH even better.

MAURICE:

Yes, and I truly believe with Frank and Ron, that this show will go to number one.  It may take some time though, but it will go there.  I know when I am out and about, people are talking about the show, and you feel that.

MICHAEL:

Did you have a favorite moment in the past year of your work?

MAURICE:

Off the top of my head, and my favorite show to me so far, is what I believe is coming up on air in the next few weeks.  It will be probably be one of my favorite things.  Now, I have not seen it, but you feel it in the moment, and then you see it and go, “Nah, that wasn’t that good.”  Or, you see it and go, “Wow, it was good!”  But when I was doing it, it felt like, “Whoa! This is serious!”

MICHAEL:

If I know you, and the way you work, it’s those “Whoa” moments that you love as an actor because you have transcended in some way.

MAURICE:

Courtesy/ABC

Yes, and if the person in front of me is doing something that makes me go, “Oh, man” then it makes me want to dig deeper.  But I will tell you; the whole series of scenes coming up with Kelly were very special.  However, my favorite show was Connie and Kate in the mirror … from the writing, to the acting, to Bill Ludel directing.  More people called me on the show; more than anything people have called me about this whole year. To see Connie and Kate going at it in the mirror like that was just great.  Just in general as a show, and I am not even in it, that was to me, fantastic!

MICHAEL:

If you could have any actor show up on General Hospital, whether its primetime, daytime or a crossover, who would you love to have a chance to work with that you haven’t as Sonny?

MAURICE:

I think somebody like Sean Penn or Anthony Hopkins!

MICHAEL:

Ah … well … we are going to have to work on that! (Laughs)  But is there anybody on daytime you would love to work with?

MAURICE:

I have always said I would like to butt heads with Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R).  This whole thing of bringing actors in to GH, I have been talking about for a long time.  I hear people’s comments that, “It’s confusing.”  But I don’t care, it works!  It brings new energy and blood.  Even on different networks, if you work it right, it’s like, “Hey, I will let you have Sonny on Y&R, if we can have Victor on GH.”  It’s like a trade, and it would be fantastic and it would bring in the audience.

MICHAEL:

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

I have always said crossovers and any type of refreshing the canvas, as long as it rings true to the show itself, helps spice up the genre, and can invigorate the soap itself!

MAURICE:

Right now, it’s proving that bringing the One Life to Live people is making the show better.  So you’ve got proof now.

MICHAEL:

Thank God The Revolution is canceled, so you and General Hospital won’t have a crappy lead-in anymore!

MAURICE:

Right!  Can you imagine if we had a good lead-in?

 

Leave a comment | 46 Comments

46 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

What a great interview! Nice to read!! thanks !

GH is the best. So nice to hear Mr. Benard’s thoughts on his favorite scenes&
How he enjoys his work. He is my favorite!

wish you you and cast member was staying longer + on soap operA _
*
HUGE FAN OF YOU _

mauriec
keep up the good work + { do not like connie +
*
do like sam with jason + + i know ya and sam had a daugher toqther ?
and still born * and died > miss geeting picture of you ^ steve burton & kelly

a good lead in? yeah OLTL should be back! Great interview!

That would be great… But I don’t think so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Interview! Can’t wait to see Sonny and Kristina this time around. She sounds like a real match for him this time around. Victor Newman would beat Sonny anyday

Victor Newman would be a natural to come in against the Quartermaines..Tracy and Victor could go toe to toe..

SONNY REMINED ME > OF VICOR NEWMEN +
*
KRISTINA & SONNY NEED TO SPEND TIME TOQTHER + *
*TRACY Q AND VICTOR + COULD GO TOE =TO TOE )*
*
LUKE AND TRACY Q GOOD TOQTHERS { NOT ANTHONY Z < OUT _

Love Maurice Benard, really great job Michael!!!! Fantastic interview!!!

Its funny, even 2 years later, I get the impression that Maurice is not thriled with Chad Duell. They have few scenes together and Maurice had made it clear that he wasnt happy with the recast. He even had Drew to his fan club event last year – which I thought was a bit insulting to Chad. Chad remains a remarkable young actor who stepped into an impossible situation.

I dont think so, I don’t think maurice has a bad bone is his body, he just plays one on tv, just joking, just because you don’t like that another person has been let go doesnt mean you disrespect the new one taking over a character, He also didnt want to see a new luckly, new carly, Sadly people come and go in the soap world, I say its better to get along with the people you see every day at work,and that rule applies to the soap world to. I never liked sonny as the mob boss,But I have always liked Maurice, everything I have ever read about him,he is a down to earth good person.And now I am so happy I can like him again as Sonny.

HATE Sonny. But I happen to really like Maurice. As a person, he seems so down to earth and kind. He never says a bad thing about anyone (even the 3rd woman who played Carly for 6 months) and is always happy in the moment with whatever he’s doing (no matter what he says post fact). I think he gets a lot of what fans think and feel, even if we don’t see any changes on screen with it, it still feels validated. He’s accessible to fans and as gracious as they come. Still HATE Sonny with the fire of a thousand suns, but if only all actors could be like Maurice.

Love the interview, Thank you Michael., It was great to hear from Maurice and what he really thinks about things. He is great in whatever he does and I enjoy him very much.

Great interview with Maurice, Michael. It’s rare that we hear from Mr. Bernard. But he is the one constant on GH. I love when he shows his sensitive side as Sonny, as he does in scenes with his children and best friend Jason who is suffering now and finally told Sonny about Franco and what happened to Sam. I’m wondering if someone faked the results of the DNA tests of Sam’s baby and the baby is really Jasons. And is Franco really dead? You never know on soaps. Sonny is a dichtomy. Just when he shows his mob side, he can turn around and do something wonderful. But, Maurice has lived in that role for such a long time that you truly believe he is Sonny.I’m glad that he likes the actors from OLTL who have come on the show, too. It has brought a new dynamic that has perked up the show. Let’s keep it going. Hopefully now, he will be able to see the true Kate and will help her once he understands what her illness is. Loved this Interview…..

Look forward GH every day. (especially Maurice)

Look forward to seeing John McBain, Anna, Star,Luke,Sam & John??? I alway’s liked Natalie & john together …

Me to, I wonder what they will do, keep john single? I don,t think that will work out. John is on the phone talking to natalie all the time, He is keeping in touch. What can that mean?

I love it when actors are excited about their jobs and their storylines! It can only be a GOOD thing for the show and the fans. I’m SO happy that Frank & Ron are being accepted & I love the crossover characters from OLTL. My only wish would be to bring in a few AMC characters, as well…for now, I’m glad my interest has been RE-newed in GH…I’m finally starting to feel comfortable watching again and genuinely look forward to each new episode! Thank you, Michael, and thank you, Maurice! GH is BACK!! 😀

Maurice is one of the best actors in daytime and I love how he constantly praises his fellow actors on the show! I don’t get all the Sonny haters out there.

Look forward to GH everyday….but want OLTL back as it’s lead in.

So do I……….I don’t think it will happen………………….I miss it a lot Too…

Would be nice, But I don,t think it will happen either. I also miss one life to live and would love to have it back.

awesome interview!! thank you michael

Great interview Michael… as always! Love Maurice and love GH! I too would like to see GH go to number 1! They can do it… they really have the best cast in daytime!

What a fantastic interview !!! Thanks Michael and Maurice !

Michael, What a great interview with Maurice, I am one of those fans that have been so angry with Sonny because of the mob stories that started so many years ago and then took over general hospital.When Sonny caught Kate/Connie in the sack with Johnny My heart stopped, for the first time in so many years I fell in love with Sonny again and saw what I use to love about this guy.I am so thrilled that he, like me, agrees with the one life to live crossovers and it can bring general hospital back to where it was, a great soap opera. I know first hand what Ron and Frank did to One life to live. General Hospital is now in good hands and It is so nice to hear about it through the soap stars that are saying it.Cant wait to see what happens today.Thank you Michael for another interesting interview.

There is a very good chance Gh will go longer than one year!!!!!!!!!!!!The writers From OLTL are the greatest…..The stories are a little bit of everything…Not as much mob/gangster stories….I wish OLTL could be GH lead in…But that will never happen….Great interview Michael !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am getting more interested in GH these days………………..Again I wish OLTL would be gh ‘s lead in But they probably destroyed all the sets & got rid of the clothes ,jewlelry Etc….RATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gh is going to be #1…..

I hope you are right, that we keep general hospital for longer then a year,a forever contract would be nice. I heard the one life to live sets have been destroyed, That’s dumb what a waste. I remember ryans bar,I think it was given to one life to live, wish i could remember where it went, anyway its sad. I’m keeping the faith that general hospital will be # 1, I know I will be watching every day.

great interview

FV has made Maurice Benard a much much better actor, and yes I think GH could easily take over #! spot! I was out of town and missed the episode where he caught Johnny & Kate/Connie in bed. Nice Interview! I think the chemistry he has with Kelly Sullivan is the best I have seen in years.

Thanks for the entertaining interview, Michael and Maurice! You have reinforced all the positive feelings that I have for GH these days. Though I am still mourning the loss of AMC and OLTL, the excitement and buzz being generated about GH helps take the sting away somewhat. Here`s hoping that this beloved show continues to rock and gain viewers, all the way to the number 1 spot! I`ll be there for the whole ride!

I loved this interview Michael. I am loving General Hospital so much. With Frank and Ron at the helm its like the old glory days of the Gloria Monty thrill ride again….I can’t wait to tune in tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow!
Shopping takes a little longer these days because the supermarket and coffee shop conversations about General Hospital have come back again as well as to the ones around the water cooler at the office.

General Hospital is a wonderful part of my day and has been for 49 years and I am so proud that General Hospital is must see TV again.

I agree that The Revolution is horrible. But do people think that GH’s ratings will improve with Good Morning America as a lead-in for the summer and The Chew as a lead-in for the Fall.

GH has a lot of work to do on its own. GH can’t depend on its lead-ins. GH is not a new show. People just aren’t interested in watching it because the s/l sucks.

Lead ins really don’t matter GH has been on for almost 50 years. If people wanted to watch they would plain and simple

all you non-believers, get on board now GH is must-see again

I noticed the other day that sonny was popping pills maybe the head writer should dive into that and too he always has his liquor. Talk about a good story a boozer pill popper with a psycho ex girl friend just think of the possibilities and all that could be!

Maybe he was taking his antidepressants,Remember he is bi polar. Or maybe Kate/Connie gave him a really bad headache.Jeff, Did he drink with that pill I dont remember? Your right about the liquor, your not suppose to take antidepressants and drink you can get messed up.

Bipolar disorder meds are not antidepressants. In fact taking antidepressants when you have bipolar makes you worse!

Either way your not suppose to take drugs and drink if your bipolar.

Great Interview. As a long time viewer of of GH, almost 50 years 🙂 I am loving the show again. It as that special spark again. Who cares what the lead in show is.. GH can stand on its own. Although I would truly love to have OLTL back.

I forgot about hi bi polar he poured something in that scene where he took the pills i’m not sure but yeah your not supposed to mix certain antidepressants with alcohol.

The interview with Maurice was great. No matter who he works with he’s outstanding. I’ve watched GH for 32yrs. #BigGHfan

they need to bring back brenda so us snb fans can get a proper sonny and brenda reunion

I’m one of those people Michael talked about. I just got too burned out on Sonny, Jason and Carly and stopped watching GH after 25 years. In addition, my favorites on the show seemed like they were always getting the shaft, so I finally had to quit the show. I am now watching Y&R and I have to be honest, I do not want to see any current GH characters on that show. The cast is very full even to bring on someone temporarily and there are many storylines going on already. I have to say though, I really like Maurice and really enjoyed the interview.

Great interview. I am a huge Sonny & Brenda fan. To me one of their best scenes was when he gave her her rings (which were unique), and MB & VMG’s last scene together. What was happening in that scene was was DEEP. Maurice is an awesome actor as well as so many on GH! I’m proud to be a GH fan.

General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Learns Britt Died and Tells Anna He Has Been Working For Cates Since November 2021

On the Tuesday, March 26th of General Hospital, Anna (Finola Hughes) and the viewers learn about where Jason (Steve Burton) has been for over two and half years. However, Jason gets some news of his own.

Anna is visiting Jason at the PCPD interrogation room. She asks him if he shot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), which he flatly denies. Anna believes him, but she tells Jason it doesn’t matter, because video footage shows him on the roof at the time of the shooting

When talk turns to Jason not willing to speak without his lawyer present, Anna can’t grasp why Jason would instead spend an hour alone talking with John Cates (Adam J. Harrington).

Photo: ABC

It is then that Anna brings up that John went by “Jagger” and that the two of them knew each other in high school. Jason doesn’t recall much of his time in high school following his brain injury, but then he gets furious realizing John knew about “Jason’s” past. That is when Jason slams the table and tells Anna, “I’ve been working for John Cates since November 2021.”

Next, Jason explains further that he has been working as an informant for the FBI. Anna wants to know how this came about and he tells her that after the tunnel collapsed, and he couldn’t make it to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud)… all of a sudden he sees Anna’s face drop.  Anna is the first person to tell him that Britt died and was murdered. She tells Jason the killer is in custody, but he continues to be shocked, overwhelmed with tears welling up in his eyes. Realizing he has to pivot to save his life, Jason continues telling Anna how he wound up working with John.

Jason explains that after the tunnel collapse in Greece, FBI agents grabbed him and placed him under arrest and took him to Quantico where he met John. At Quantico, John played a recording of RICO violations and offered Jason a deal if he agreed to be an informant against Pikeman, the illegal arms dealer.

Anna hears from Jason that he thinks Pikeman is selling illegal arms to anyone flagged by the NSA but has ties to the WSB which they needed a civilian to infiltrate their organization as a military soldier, a mercenary.

Jason tells Anna he was a part of the team brought into eliminate Sonny (Maurice Benard). Every time an attempt was made on Sonny’s life over the last two years, a different team was sent to do the job. Anna gets furious when she learns that John told Jason his job was to kill Sonny and she was with John at the warehouse that night. Jason ensured the sniper missed Sonny and left the rifle behind. However, they were supposed to meet an extraction team. Before he was shot, Dante saw it was Jason on the roof and when he turned around with his hands over his head, Dante was shot by the other guy. Jason says if Dante dies, he’ll be charged with capital murder and then will be useless to the FBI.

Photo: ABC

Meanwhile, John visits Bobbie’s and runs into Carly (Laura Wright). She learns Jason is in custody and is going to head to the PCPD. Before she does, Carly has some words with Cates when she learns not only does John have a vendetta against Sonny, but Jason too.  Carly tells John he should recuse himself from the case.

So, what did you think about the moment when Jason learned Britt died? What do you think of Jason’s return storyline thus far and what we learned about Jagger/Jason and more? Comment below. But first, check out a moment from today’s GH with Jason and Anna.

 

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Kim Coles as Whitley

Days of our Lives

Airdate: 7-24- 2023

Popular