Breaking News
TONIGHT: GH’s Maurice Benard As John Gotti In Lifetime’s ‘Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter’
Fans and colleagues of Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) have been eagerly waiting to see the General Hospital star take on the role of famous mobster, John Gotti. Well, tonight (February 9th) is the night! Make sure to watch the Daytime Emmy-winner in Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter on Lifetime at 8pmEST/7CST.
In the log lines for the movie. it relates: “Executive produced by Victoria Gotti herself, the movie takes us deep into the world of what it was really like to grow up as the daughter of mob boss John Gotti, revealing the glamour, glitz and unique hardships of her world. Sharing never-before-revealed stories about her life, Victoria (Chelsea Frei) tells of a sensitive child growing up with a beloved father (Maurice Benard) she worried about constantly; the tragedy of her younger brother’s death; and her turbulent romance, forbidden by her father, with the man who later became her husband. Victoria had a front-row seat to a life the world became fascinated with, all while trying to reconcile the loving father she adored with a man the outside world was determined to bring down. . The film is based on Gotti’s book This Family of Mine: What It Was Like Growing Up Gotti. Victoria Gotti will appear on camera narrating.
Benard spoke with ABC Soaps In Depth about taking on the role and wanting to get the performance just right, where he expressed: “That’s up to the audience to decide. I played him like a real-life guy who’s loyal to his people and loves his family — and that’s kind of what the story is about. It’s through Victoria’s eyes and told with complete compassion.”
Photo: Lifetime
As to how playing Gotti compared to his role as Port Charles’ loveable mobster, Sonny Corinthos, Maurice added: “When I was shooting the role, I didn’t really know how different it was from Sonny. But my last day, I wrapped at about 1 in the morning in Canada, flew back and went straight to work as Sonny. I remember shooting the scene and thinking, ‘Wow, Sonny’s in about second gear, Gotti’s in about fourth or fifth gear!’ It’s two different energies.”
Check out the promo for tonight’s Lifetime Movie starring Maurice as John Gotti below, and the let us know if you will be watching, and if you caught it, what you thought of Maurice’s performance, and the movie via the comment section below.
I don’t have the lifetime channel. Can I view it elsewhere?
Recording it so I can watch it a few times. Yes! I am watching it♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
I love Maurice benard on gh he is good with the mobster character. and I cant wait to see him in this movie tonight.
The movie was O.K, but got more from Victoria’s book. I still like Maurice no matter what. I am sure he did his ,best.
Come on guys, let’s not all get into an argument over a stupid movie, that was poorly done, including the screenplay,casting,(not M.B) ,just about everything! I can not imagine anyone seeing the movie, would not agree, that on a whole, it was a lousy production, pure and simple.
Every Italian I know will be up in arms…..They all say, they cannot see how an Hispanic, with a pretty high trace of Hispanic accent can pull it off… Italians do not appreciate a non Italian, anyone from a different race play such a prominent role. Gotti looked like the typical Italian. Sonny looks Hispanic, of mixed race. Italians are Caucasoid–European.
I hope Maurice does a great job. But, his Hispanic accent and coloring will not do him any favors. He simply does not look Italian at all.
The same thing happened with JLo in MAID IN MANHATTAN. She looks indigenous—a gorgeous woman, nonetheless—-just does not have the look of an Italian—–the accent, the gestures and, again, the coloring. The movie flopped!!
They must have really hated the Zacchara family on GH then.
An entire Italian mob family portrayed by Jewish actors.
If they matched actors ethnic origins with the characters they played over the years we probably wouldn’t have the film or tv libraries that we do now. It’s really apparent when you watch TCM. And can be infuriating. I wanted Bruce Lee in Kung Fu for instance but admit David Carradine was very good in the role. But right now I’m just getting tired of all of this nit picking. Can’t people just get over it, and appreciate an actors work well done. If I have any problem over Bernard playing Gotti it was that they did another Gotti story. And as an Italian I don’t appreciate this, and obviously didn’t watch.
And there you go again, Rose. David Carradine was disguised to look Asian. Maurice does not look Italian. You never miss the chance to get on the bandwagon, do you, oh pius one? Please, I have grown up these five years. If you push me? I will push back in spades, lady.
Who do you think you are? Ignore me!! Was I talking to you? Communicste with Satan.
Thou hath spoken a bunch of nothing……..
Hi Rose, I’m still playing catch-up (about to watch Feb episodes of GH), so I’ve stayed away from the site—avoiding the spoilers. Apropos of what you just endured here, the very definition of cyber bullying, I wanted to acknowledge your thought-provoking exchanges with Jamesj75 from the 1/16 “Aiden Gets Bullied” thread. Sadly, that kind of discourse was lacking here, through no fault of your own. As with James, I’ve only known you to be a thoughtful contributor, enhancing the discussions here, and I’ll continue to look forward to your posts.
Reed…Thank you for your kind comment. I will be interested on what you think of Feb GH. So don’t watch anything about what has happened in the first few weeks of March. Don’t want to ruin it for you. ((:
Firstly, Satan, I have tried by best to be civil with you, despite your sarcastic undercurrent. If you have an issue with me, I do not give a flying fig. I try to respect everyone. I will avoid you from here on in. Please do the same. I bite when pushed too far!!
Secondly, GH misspells Zaccara. There is no ‘H”…. the only time the ‘H’ is employed in the Italian language is with a soft vowel to beget the ‘k’ sound; as there is no ‘k’ in the Italian alphabet. How fo you like me now?? Laugh, if you must–
Thirdly, Jews are WHITE, neither mestizo or indigenous as Maurice is. More power to him…..not to offend anyone, all races are noble and outstanding…..BUT, Italians are caucasoid, not of mixed Hispanic heritage. That is the difference.
Have a good night nell’inverno!!
Comparing white, Jewish actors convincingly playing caucasian, Italian soap opera characters with CeeCee’s objections of the casting of a clearly Hispanic individual portraying a famous, real life mafioso of another race is hardly the same thing! Whilst a person’s religion of choice can have an imperceptible bearing upon how they fill a prospective role, their physical presence does not, especially if it is obviously indicative of a different ethnicity than said character. One works, the other often cannot.. (Take for example, the late, great Edward G. Robinson’s iconic star turn as “Little Caesar’s” Rico Bandello….despite being a Romanian Jew, he totally owned that role, not only through his acting ability, but by totally looking the part of the dapper gangster.)
hey Celia! 🙂
I watched it..
I never watch those lifetime movies isshh they just are not in my lane..
Anyways.. It was good to see Maurice having fun being a real gangsta ahaa
but- the movie stunk!
it was DULL for a Gotti movie, indeed.
It was a true to form Lifetime movie; BLAAHHH.
so- Maurice good, move bad ..
Hey, SuzieQ,
I didn’t watch….I couldn’t bring myself to watch a mockery……I like Maurice as much as you do…..the only difference is, you love Sonny—I don’t. LOL.
The accent alone probably did Maurice in. Mannerisms are also hard to imitate. It’s an art. Having been around my husband’s family since I was six years old, I have come to accept the fact that they can communicate by gesturing–no words. LOL. It is amazing to watch!!
Thank you, my friend, for always being so civil and kind!!❤️
C, watch the movie! I didnt focus on the races. I looked at the acting and the story. For Lifetime, I give them credit, they spent some money on the movie. Maurice did well. The actress who played Victoria was really good. Victoria herself was part of the movie, commentating on certain aspects of her story and her relationship with her dad. They even inserted clips of John himself. Listen, it wasnt a Netflix production BUT, remember this, Travolta and his wife were attached to one of the WORST movie last year, GOTTI, and it was panned by almost every critique. Thats John freakin Travolta! Maurice did a better job than John Travolta, hand down!
JLo was playing a Puerto Rican in Maid In Manhattan. :))
Her character name was Marisa Ventura. Can’t get more Italian than that, as my husband’s grandfather’s name is Bonaventura….everyone calls him Ventura.
In WDDING PLANNER, JLo also played an Italian–Mary Fiore ( fiore=flower).
What do you want from me, Rose? If you cannot address me by my name, yet refer to me as ‘people’, do not acknowledge me at all. Ok?
Hi Celia,
Agree with your comments. I didn’t want to criticize the show too much, and there isn’t enough space here, but, having grown up on the East Coast with Italians, including my mother, its not hard to want to take this show apart, but what’s the use? My first gripe was “Mottsarella??” Thought I’d choke on that one. I live in Ca.now, and they do say it that way here, but took me years to get used to it. Maybe a different network would have done a better job with authenticity, but I don’t understand V.G approving that script, which was so different than her book. At least Maurice’s dimpled don persona, didn’t let us down.
@CeeCee…This is just another example of the gross hypocrisy of the left where the application of “cultural appropriation” is a one-way street. God forbid caucasians of certain ancestries ask to be accurately portrayed by their own, yet when a minority person is piqued by even the smallest of perceived offenses by those of another race doing what they claim as theirs and theirs alone, then there is a huge outcry with major recriminations. Just look at what recently happened when a woman of color, albeit not the “right one,” decided to try out a different hairstyle associated with a particular ethnicity…Padma Lakshmi was excoriated for her cornrow braids, even though she wore them well and obviously meant no harm. Still, she was taken to the politically correct woodshead for daring to go there…At the same time, many of those very individuals who grouse about the most minute of matters regarding identity politics consider it perfectly acceptable to constantly demand that traditionally caucasian roles, like that of the iconic fictional film figure, James Bond, be relinquished to anyone and everyone but the actual white male of UK origin as his creator, Ian Fleming, intended. The same goes for that utterly disgraceful mess of a revisionists’ wish-fulfillment piece called “Hamilton.” Whether those who repeatedly seek to obliterate our actual history and sully those genuine heroes of our country’s earliest days like it or not, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the rest of the founding fathers who instituted the world’s greatest nation on earth were indisputably male and they were indeed white….Hence they therefore should be presented as such since all the dramatic license and pc posturing in the universe shall never change that fact. No matter how many attempts by those who wish to the contrary seek to undermine that reality through their own interpretations of those courageous souls who bravely fought the American Revolution to give birth to our new land, they are still nothing but pure fabrication and a total insult to the real people they purport to portray If only those aggrieved individuals would just deal with this apparently inconvenient truth, move on and dedicate their efforts toward creating new icons that better illustrate their own agendas, rather than repeatedly trying to usurp or destroy ours, we would all be better for it. There is certainly enough room in this world for a variety of perspectives and characters who represent them, but why is it our long-treasured figures, both historical and fictional, cannot not be left standing undisturbed and revered as they always have been and always should be, instead of tearing them down as a means of building up those of alternative ideals? It’s quite one notion to do your own thing by introducing new idols, but demeaning established ones in the process is really not necessary.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”
Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”
Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Santa Barbara’ Alums A Martinez and Marcy Walker: In Conversation; Two-Hour Livestream Event with the Iconic Cruz and Eden Announced
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 7. That’s when Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker, also known as beloved Santa Barbara supercouple, Cruz and Eden, will participate in a global two-hour streaming event where they will be in conversation together for the first time in years.
The last time A and Marcy appeared publicly together was back in August of 2024, when both stars were in attendance at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara. Now, host Melissa Braverman, who has also penned the upcoming book, Santa Barbara: The Complete Story, will moderate this special event beginning at 4pm ET/1pm PT.
Fans around the world who continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of Santa Barbara will be able to watch Braverman lead an intimate discussion with the actors and go behind the iconic characters of Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell.
Photo: JPI
In a statement, Braverman shared, “A Martinez and Marcy Walker didn’t just play a couple. They created a cultural phenomenon that resonated across continents. This event is a rare opportunity for fans to hear directly from A and Marcy about their chemistry, their favorite storylines, and the lasting impact of the show’s unique storytelling.”
She added, “A and Marcy’s partnership as Cruz and Eden was unforgettable. Bringing them together for a dedicated conversation about their SB journey is a true event, and a testament to their enduring appeal and the sheer popularity of the characters they created.”
The exclusive event will feature: a moderated discussion exploring the actors’ favorite memories from the Santa Barbara set. Behind-the-scenes insights into the show’s most famous location shoots and dramatic arcs, and a Q&A session where ticket holders can submit questions in advance to the stars.
Martinez, currently starring in AMC’s hit series Dark Winds is known for his multi-decade TV and film career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1990 for his portrayal of Cruz. In the soaps, A has also appeared on General Hospital, One Life to Live, Days of Our Lives and The Bay. Walker, whose unforgettable daytime run began as Liza Colby on All My Children before her definitive turn on Santa Barbara, took home the Outstanding Lead Actress honors in 1989 for her work as Eden Capwell.
Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion are $100, and registration is open now. For additional event information, visit Melissa’s author page on Facebook or www.melissabraverman.com.
So, if you are a Santa Barbara fan and one of the unforgettable Cruz and Eden, does this sound like the event for you? Let us know, and share your favorite Santa Barbara moment and storyline of Cruz and Eden’s via the comment section, But first, in case you missed it, the Michael Fairman Channel shared the arrivals at the 40th anniversary of Santa Barbara in this video below.
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