News
TODAY's Venice Webisode 9 – Brilliant, Wickedly Funny & Poignant!
Photo Credit: MF Soaps Inc.
Those who subscribe to Venice the Series were in for a real treat when they watched today’s new webisode, the 9th installment of the third season of the Daytime Emmy winning series starring, produced, and written by Crystal Chappell!
The set-up: the funeral of Amber the hooker who died at The Colonel’s (Jordan Clarke), and whose body was disposed of thanks to Gina (Crystal Chappell) with a major assist from best friend, Jamie (Harrison White). With Guya (Hillary B. Smith) trying to help her sister, Katie, (Liz Keifer) pass-over to the afterlife, Owen (Galen Gering) along for the ride at the funeral (to keep sister, Gina and stick it to his pop, the Colonel) the hilarity ensues. DAYS fave, Susan Seaforth Hayes appears in the episode as a man-crazy mother of the deceased, too. How funny this woman is!
But, what most people will remember from this installment was Harrison White’s musical funeral rendition of ” Paid to Get Laid” which had us bursting out into laughter, as well as watching Chappell and Gering’s priceless reactions! Finally, kudos must also be given to the wonderful Hillary B. Smith who somehow manages to be just as masterful and adept at comic brilliance as she is with poignant moments.
This was a Venice classic! And we won’t tell you more … but if you haven’t subscribed to this season …you can still do it now and catch up and see the first nine episodes of this season by clicking here.
If you saw the new funeral webisode, let us know what you thought of it!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Nick Confesses His Drug Problem to Victor; Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, Eric Braeden Bring the Newman Bond
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
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Brandon Barash Granted Restraining Order Against ‘General Hospital’s’ Kirsten Storms
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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This was the best episode Venice yet! I laughed so hard. The song was so awesome. Then the fantastic emotional scene with Hillary and Liz was a great way to finish the episode.
I couldn’t agree more….
This show gets better and better! Not only was Paid To Get Laid hysterical but it was beutifully sung by Harrison White.Also, when everyone started clapping along with the music, I was LMAO.Susan Seaforth Hayes had me cracking up with the line to Peter Reckell, “Your friends are odd”! Hillary B. Smith and Liz Keifer had me laughing then crying at the end. Crystal Chappell really knows how to bring the right people together! Brava!
It was brillance at it best Hillary(Guya) had me laughing then crying at the end.
Laughed and cried. Happy and sad. This epi was everything a good soap should be. Crystal is truly a fantastic storyteller. Although I miss seeing her on my tv daily, I’m so glad we have Venice to look forward to every week. Such a treat to see this much talent in one place. Hilary Smith was BRILLIANT in today’s epi. Loved seeing Susan Seaforth Hayes!! What a treat. I hope they find a way to keep Liz Keifer around. Her and HBS are awesome together. Harrison White killed it today! So happy for him.
Though my Bo & Carly heart can’t let go of the delusion, I AM LOVING PETER RECKELL on Venice. LOVE him ALWAYS! So happy to see him work with Crystal again and SO EXCITED about what’s to come 🙂
This was an awesome Venice Epi! Paid To Get Laid was hysterical! Brilliant performance by Harrison White and some cracking reactions from Crystal Chappell and Galen Gering . Susan Seaforth Hayes cracked me up with the line to Peter Reckell, “Your friends are odd”! Hillary B Smith is just brilliant at the comedic stuff and so moving at the end! Loved it!
It was boring, not funny at all, the forced laughing was a bit much for me. A merciful end to a pitiful storyline.
Let’s hope that Venice comes back to some actual exciting stories in the last 3 episodes.
This shows continues to amaze me! Brilliant once again. Harrison white did a fantastic job with that song! Love Susan Seaforth Hayes and Hillary B Smith! perfect cast, priceless performances,Crystal Chappell shows clearly why she and Venice are Emmy winners!
This was the worst episode ever. Terrible acting and terrible writing.
Best Episode Ever Of Venice. The Funeral Song Was The Best
LOL Venice was awesome today. CC sure knows how to cast the right people, and write an awesome story. The funeral/memorial was amazing. just the right amount of awkward mixed with hilarious. I didn’t know whether to burst out laughing or just cringe at some points. That song was genius, and everyone’s reactions were priceless. Susan Seaforth Hayes’ “Your friends are odd” line had me on the floor laughing. I also love that in the midst of this chaos they still managed to add a little mystery to the Gina/Richard storyline. GO CC. Venice is amazing this season, and only keeps getting better.
I actually felt that this was the WORST episode of Venice that I have ever seen. I was bored silly and found nothing funny or worth watching. Way too much alcohol consumption. Apparently Lara is not the only alcoholic on Venice. Everyone but Ani needs AA. The acting was either flat or over the top. The stories were a total bore. It was a bust. Easily the worst episode of Venice. Its a crying shame that with only 12 episodes of Venice a year we have to endure episodes like Ep.9 that are nothing but long winded boring filler episodes. At this rate I seriously doubt I will be back for Venice 4 if it ever happens. Its not worth it. Fairman should have written reviews of V3 episodes 3, 6, 7, and 8 as those were easily the best episodes that this very lackluster season of Venice has had to offer.
I just keep thinking “Am I missing something” cause that was, in my honest opinion, the worst episode ever and I was cringing through it. The laughter was really forced and not believable and whilst Harrison has a great voice, the song was terrible and not funny, just lame. It was stupid. Susan Seaforth Hayes was brilliant but not enough so to save the episode. I don’t know, I honestly do sit here and think “huh” cause I don’t see the brilliance that everyone else is seeing, I didn’t find it funny in the slightest.
Thanks Michael for highlighting this episode. After the setup last week, I was anxiously anticipating the payoff with the funeral. They did not disappoint. What can you say about a song titled “Paid to Get Laid” at a funeral for a hooker? Priceless! Harrison did a fantastic job. I have missed Gina and Owen scenes so much and their reactions to the song further highlighted the amazing chemistry between Crystal and Galen. Hillary B. Smith and Liz Kiefer were fantastic and that final scene had me teary eyed. Jordan was fantastic with his quiet, brilliance as always. Was never a fan of Daniel on DOOL but I dig this witty, foul mouthed cop Shawn C. is playing and I think he and HBS have good chemistry. But the surprise of the episode was Susan Seaforth Hayes. Man they gave her great lines and she delivered. The making a drunken play for Richard (Peter) was priceless. I loved Richard’s reaction. Comments about the attendees were great zingers. But my favorite line of Susan’s and the ep was when talking to Guya about her connection to daughter Amber she asks “are you a colleague of hers… or a client.” LOL! HBS’ reaction was priceless too. Great job to CC and Jill Lorie Hurst for the writing and as Crystal tweeted Susan Flannery was one of the directors. And to the cast in this episode, all were fantastic. Best episode this season and there have been some great episodes this year so that is saying alot.
I thought it was boring, boring, boring. Really forced humor. The only good thing was that the dead hooker story ended.
Wow is all I can say about this episode. I’m a Carbo fan and I was amazed with CC/PR storyline. I smell a sibling coming on and Richard is on the case. Left for a year; stayed away until she missed the family; Guya and Owen already know. So many clues. Does this have anything to do with Molly Burnett’s character? I think one of these episodes that hasn’t aired will be her emmy win for this year. Gina will have to come face to face with her secret and Richard. This is must see tv.
Best episode of Venice ever IMO. I have watched all three seasons. Season 3 is by far the best. Hillary B Smith was brilliant as always and I adore her with Liz K. I also loved the Susan Hayes scenes and Harrison White is always a treat. I even watched twice.
This was the best episode yet of the show. HBS was outstanding, she is completely stole the whole show. Hillary was at the top of her game in this episode.
That song was too much they really need to make that available to all of us. I was LMAO for the whole show and the end was so touching. I just love how well HBS and Liz Kiefer work together.
Loved this episode!! I thought the cast did a fabulous job. Hillary had me cracking up then emotional at the end with Liz Keifer. I’m actually loving the Colonel this season too. He seems to be softening a bit!! Great episode!
In my opinion this was the best episode. Hillary B Smith is simply brilliant. She had me laughing so hard I cried. And I adore her with Liz Keifer and Shawn Cristian. This cast is wonderful and this episode proved they can do comedy as well as drama. Hats off to the team of Venice.
Hillary stold the show! She’s soooo good!
I’m in between about this episode. It had some great moments with Hillary and LIz. I also thought some of the scenes with Gina and Owen and Jamie were funny. Also, the stuff with the Colonel and Stella was sweet. However, there was something about the episode as a whole that seemed just a little off to me. To me the song just didn’t feel right in that scene. Maybe if I know more about Amber’s character, it would have been funnier to me, since then I would see how the song fit in with her funeral. It’s kind of like watching a scene in a movie when someone slips on a banana peel. If you know the person falling is pompous or did something foolish, etc., to cause the slip, then it’s funny. If not, then it’s just a bad accident.
Anyway, I am still enjoying this series. It has improved each season. Not everything is perfect, but CC seems like she is learning more and more as she goes along. I certainly feel that I have been getting my $10 worth in entertainment.
i didnt like the episode either. i was skipped the song, didnt like his voice. there were some very amusing parts on it but all together it was the worst epi ever. it was laking so much. the story was unbelievably long. at the end i was feeling like i missed something and that its all been a waste of time. i wanna see lani again and their problems. gaya was great but come on. 38 mins for a memorial WTH?!
The episode was actually 26 min not 38. I would like to point out that some fans watch for reasons other than the triangle of Gina, Laura, Ani. I am one of them. All soaps should show a balanced cast to have broad appeal to viewers. Personally I am ambivalent toward Laura and Ani. Just like some are ambivalent about the dead hooker storyline. But there needs to be balance for the show to be successful. I think Venice is achieving this balance because overall I have really enjoyed season 3.
I agree Kate. I would be so bored and uninterested if this show focused on only one storyline. It wouldn’t be a soap opera which is what it was always intended to be. This ep featured the characters it needed to and did a fantastic job of it. I am glad we got a break with this episode from that tragic romance. I think we needed it storywise.
I like drama, angst, heartache. I am not a fan of over the top comedy. So this episode and all the family drinking scenes with Gina, Guya, and Owen are not for me. And in case anyone wants to reply to my post and condescendingly point out that some fans watch for whatever other reason – I don’t really need to be told that but thank you!!
Exactly, balance, this episode was boring because it was static. They should have had some drunk Laura in there for fans of romance and drama, not unfunny comedy.
oh dont get me wrong i dont just watch cuz of the lani or giani triangle. i watch cuz i like it, it was just my opinion that this episode didnt do anything for me. it they had put something else in it too, it might have. they focused just way to much on the memorial for my taste. i love the interaction between gaya, owen and gina..always makes me smile.
on the other hand there are other ‘couples’ that dont do anything for me. its just like that.
as u have ur opinion that it was a great show, it wasnt for me..i just pointed it out and didnt diss CC’s hard work for us.
Worst episode ever. Boring and not funny. Forced laughter and the song was tacky. Thank god this is over. Worse storyline in Venice.
I thought this episode had some good spots: Guya saying goodbye to Katie/Amber, Jamie and his scene with Drew, and the Colonel/Stella friendship. Otherwise, I thought this was overall a boring, filler episode. Most of the scenes ran too long, with no real drama or point, imo. Most of the humorous scenes were not funny at all. I feel like it could have gotten a lot of the storyline moved along in half the time. I just hope that the last few episodes focus on Gina/Ani/Lara, some more on Stella/Colonel, Van, and Sami.