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TONIGHT: GH’s Maurice Benard As John Gotti In Lifetime’s ‘Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter’

February 9, 2019

Photo Credit: ABC

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.

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Guest

Angela

I don’t have the lifetime channel. Can I view it elsewhere?

Guest

BarBara-Ann Amador-Bollettieri

Recording it so I can watch it a few times. Yes! I am watching it♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Guest

mindy vought

I love Maurice benard on gh he is good with the mobster character. and I cant wait to see him in this movie tonight.

Guest

Violet Lemm

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.

Guest

Violet Lemm

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.

Guest

Celia

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… Read more »

Guest

Satan

They must have really hated the Zacchara family on GH then.

An entire Italian mob family portrayed by Jewish actors.

Guest

rose

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.… Read more »

Guest

Celia

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……..

Guest

Reed

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.

Guest

rose

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. ((:

Guest

Celia

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… Read more »

Guest

Shay

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… Read more »

Guest

su000

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 ..

Guest

Celia

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!!❤️

Guest

Timmm

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… Read more »

Guest

rose

JLo was playing a Puerto Rican in Maid In Manhattan. :))

Guest

Celia

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?

Guest

Violet Lemm

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,… Read more »

Guest

Shay

@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… Read more »

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Natalie Morales Set to Join ‘The Talk’ After Exiting NBC News

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Looks like the The Talk table will now be set, as Natalie Morales will be added to the line-up of co-hosts for the CBS daytime afternoon series.

Although CBS would offer no official word or comment after the story on her coming to the series ran in the Daily Mail, Natalie would join: Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Akbar Gbajabiamila on the panel.

This comes after Morales exited NBC News this morning after 22 years for an “unspecified new opportunity”. However, she will continue to appear on Dateline’s 30th season throughout the rest of year.

The longtime Today Show anchor told staffers she was moving on expressing in a note: “To my Dateline and Today show families, it’s very hard to say goodbye… and we all know in this business it’s never goodbye but see you later. I’m eternally grateful for the support and deep friendships that will remain no matter where our paths lead. I have so much to be thankful for and for every one of you who helped me get here… muchísimas gracias mis amigos.”

Tom Mazzarelli, the EP of Today also wrote in a note to staff that “Morales been offered an opportunity she’s passionate about and has decided to step away from NBC News after an incredible two-decade career here.”

Natalie previously anchored Access Hollywood from 2016 to 2019 and continued to be the West Coast anchor of Today.

So, what do you think of Natalie Morales, becoming a main co-host on The Talk? Good fit? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Soap Veteran Michael Tylo Passes Away at 73

September 29, 2021

Michael Tylo, well-remembered for his roles on daytime soap operas, has died at the age of 73. Tylo, was most-loved in his role as Quinton Chamberlain, in the Quint and Nola (Lisa Brown) romance on Guiding Light, as well for his time on The Bold and the Beautiful (Ex-Sherman), All My Children (Ex-Matt), The Young and the Restless (Ex-Rick/Blade), Another World (Ex-Lord Peter Belton), and General Hospital (Ex-Charlie).

Tylo’s death was announced by Nancy Uscher, Dean of College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where Michael was a film professor. Michael died on Tuesday at Henderson Hospital in Henderson, Nevada, following an illness.

In a statement on the UNLV website, Uscher said of her colleague: “Michael Tylo was a beautiful and caring human being — he was so special. He was an exemplary friend, colleague, teacher, and artist. He had such a distinguished and rich career, but he was humble about his accomplishments. He loved his family dearly and lived a joyous life, but he left us way too soon. We will miss him greatly, but feel deep gratitude about all that Michael contributed to the College of Fine Arts, UNLV, and the world.”

Photo: JPI

As soap fans know, Michael was previously married to Hunter Tylo (Taylor, B&B) and they shared three children together: Izabelle and Katya, and tragically, their late son, Mickey, who drowned back in 2007.

Photo: CBS

Michael is also survived by his wife Rachelle, and their daughter, Kollette.

Photo: CBS

There has been no word yet on the actual cause of death of Michael’s death, while information about services for Michael are said to be forthcoming. Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this story.

Watch Michael with Lisa Brown in the wedding of Quint and Nola on Guiding Light below.

Then, share your condolences and remembrances of Michael via the comment section.

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Lori Loughlin Returns To Acting; Set To Reprise ‘When Calls The Heart’ Role in GAC Family’s ‘When Hope Calls’

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Former Fuller House, Edge of Night, and When Calls the Heart star, Lori Loughlin, has landed her first acting role since jail time and her part in the College Admissions Scandal; where she and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, paid half a million dollars in bribes to get their two daughters, Olivia Jade and Isabella Rose, accepted into the University of Southern California.

While, Jade is now also in this season’s Dancing with the Stars, now comes word that Loughlin has gotten her first acting gig since all the legal trouble, and while still on probation following her two months in jail.

Look for Lori to reprise her beloved role of Abigail from When Calls the Heart on its season two spin-off on GAC Family, When Hope Calls.

According to Deadline: Loughlin will appear in the two-part Season 2 premiere titled When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas, to air on Saturday, December, 18th. Lori was last seen on TV as Abigail in Season 6 of Hallmark’s When Calls the Heart before she was let go over her involvement in the college admissions scandal.

Last week, speculation began that Loughlin may be back working after a report surfaced from Mercury News that she had been granted permission by a Boston federal judge to travel to Canada for about a week in late September-early October for “a filming production project.”

So, what do you think about Lori’s return to acting following serving jail time? Will you be watching her as Abigail on When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas? Comment below.