General Hospital News & Gossip

News for the week of 17-Apr-2000
by Carol Banks Weber

Let's heave a huge sigh of relief. We almost lost Sarah Brown (Carly) to pilot season. If it weren't for TPTB willing to bend over backward to keep her... Within hours of her contract expiration March 12, a new and improved offer was laid at her feet, allowing her to pursue outside projects--such as that pilot she'd tried out for, as well as pairing her up with long-time dream co-star, Maurice Benard (Sonny). She, of course, re-signed minutes before the pilot audition, even though that role fell through. Nobody knows her "General Hospital" contract's length (a year, maybe), or the additional particulars. The important part is, she's staying. And finally, TPTB realize the ratings bonanza in Sonny and Carly, the next supercouple. You couldn't talk sense to 'em last year in August, as they were determined to pit Jason with Carly, and Hannah with Sonny. Forget that now. Now, it's an explosive one-two punch with Sonny and Carly. As it should be, Brown said, adding that their chemistry can't be denied. Bring Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda) to the mix, stir well, and--even better. Bring her on, enthused Brown, who would relish the opportunity to really exchange acting chops, fighting over Sonny. "God, I would love to have the gloves off, and Vanessa and I would really be able to go at it over Maurice." Something she couldn't really do the few times they sparred briefly before Marcil left the show, because a then-pregnant Brown didn't want to disturb her unborn baby with too much yelling. Anyway, thankfully, leaving GH to be challenged elsewhere is no longer a factor, now that she has acting partner Benard on hand to keep her 100 percent true to the craft. [SOURCE: ABC Soaps In Depth, April 18, 2000]

You wish Carly and Luke would interact more? Try the woman who portrays Carly. "I wish that Tony Geary (Luke) wasn't so busy in his current storyline so that he could work with me. I like Tony so much. ... There's some sort of sexual chemistry between Tony and I that was just innate in the scenes. But the fact that he happens to be Carly's uncle made it really interesting and gross and scary. Hopefully we'll work together again very soon." [SOURCE: Soap Opera Digest, April 25, 2000]

Billy Warlock and his A.J. are staying. Contract re-signed. All is well. Now, give him a decent storyline. He's a superlative actor wasted on the feuding Qs chasing their vicious tails.

The American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Awards announces its winners (maybe lead actor nominees A Martinez/Roy or Maurice Benard/Sonny will take the title) on ABC, June 17. ALMA annually recognizes outstanding, positive portrayals of Latinos by Latinos in movies, TV and music.

Recall that short film starring Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Tava Smiley (Chloe) mentioned here months ago? It's back in the news, ready to make the festival rounds. Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky) wrote "Crystal Clear" and his older brother Richard co-directed. Benard plays an alcoholic's brother and Smiley's his girlfriend (can we see this on GH too?)

Réal Andrews (Taggert) is a real popular draw. Even his guest stars keep adding up. Besides Maurice Benard (Sonny), A Martinez (Roy) and Michael Saucedo (Juan), Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky) will visit Andrews' July 22nd fan club event at Studio City, California's Sportsmen's Lodge Hotel-Vista Room.

Love online auctions? Andrews' fan club has one goin' on. Set tours, lunches with stars like Benard and Jackson, autographed calendar/scripts/photos/magazines, so much more. And more setting up to coincide with those summer fan luncheons. Check the site frequently for updates.

More Sonny and Carly sites springing. Like this one, Dimples' The CarMichael Society--chock full of pictures, sizzling hot fan fiction, polls, weekly thoughts... All dedicated to the "first new supercouple of the new millennium." And this one, Adriana's The Sonny & Carly Website--touting itself as a scoops find, sometimes predicting what's to be months prior, along with photo galleries, GH news and rumors, banners, a chat room, GIFs, message board, polls and a special newsletter for the couple. Last I checked, changing images of the two in lock-lipped mode.

If a co-star dies, it's best to play that out on-screen ASAP. It's the best homage a soap can provide, according to John Ingle (Edward), who experienced this when Rosalind Cash (Mary Mae) passed away in 1995. The story addressing that current event took a while, but when the on-camera memorial finally happened, it was worth the wait. The funeral choir hosted by singer Lou Rawls and other real-life dignitaries lent nobility to the proceeding. "It was really something," Ingle agreed. The months preceding her scripted screen death caused some consternation amongst fans, though. "When we lose an artist, the death of the artist must be immediately segued because you know our fans; they're in bed with us every afternoon. They don't take this lightly." [SOURCE: Soap Opera Digest, April 11, 2000]

Eye-opener about Stephen Nichols (Stefan)... The actor often mis-identified as movie star hunk Brad Pitt wouldn't mind a big vibrating bed. Hey, hey, hey! Nothing x-rated, people. For a massage! Out of the gutter, please!

Kate turned two on February 24--and is turning into quite the beauty. Cute as a button, Nancy Lee Grahn's (Alexis) only daughter enjoyed a rock 'n roll birthday party at home, complete with 25 fellow toddlers, a GH music department-compiled CD of the kid's fave songs and a faux Mickey Mouse-turned-Teletubby. The guy pulling double-duty didn't fool Kate one bit. She recognized his voice when he changed from Mr. Mouse--Disney would sue if he replicated the exact costume of its mascot--to Laa-Laa Teletubby. She also called him "Mickey." Oops! Don't tell the Disney people.

Don't blame Lisa Vultaggio for her character's lukewarm meanderings. If the Vancouver, British Columbia-raised actress had her druthers, FBI agent Hannah would be the next Bruce Lee, kicking ass everywhere she went instead of turning the other cheek. Especially now that Vultaggio's armed with the basics of judo and kickboxing. She signed up, for exercise and self-defense. Fun's a side benefit. At first, she balked at having to don the robe and white pants. Not anymore. Embarrassment quickly disappeared as she eagerly took to the time-honored martial art of judo, learning from Korean master, Chang.

The lady at that bar who offers Lucky room and board for his expertise on the laptop was recognized by a fan as Kiki from "Showtime at the Apollo." I'm assuming Kiki is the host of this variety show. What else? Tell me.

What is up with Jax's GH babes, present and past, in see-through filmy numbers revealing thong panties? First, it's Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda) within the pages of the April 11th "ABC Soaps In Depth," then, on GH this past week, it's Tava Smiley (Chloe) with her white peekaboo skirt. A little slip and a lotta modesty go a long way, girls.

I much prefer the latest trend of haiku summaries as recaps. Here's a sample from the April 14th show from coffee_monkey, who started a trend several weeks ago. Often imitated now, but never the same je ne sais quoi.

Bible hunt goes on 
Soap people are so stupid 
It's by the damn bed 

Rae's kind to Carly
Wait 'til you know her better
She doesn't play nice

Flea is so clueless 
Doesn't know what 'get out' means 
Bet she will learn soon

Bobbie looks for help 
Ev'ryone says, Sorry, can't 
Don't bend over, Roy

Katie spills her guts 
She says Lucky liked her, too 
Liz is turning green

No flies on Sonny 
He catches Carly lying 
Simple . . . her lips moved

Carly flies the coop 
She has nowhere to go, though 
Her kid is so screwed

Lulu sees Lucky 
Lucky's back from heaven, now 
More like back from Hells

"People" magazine's Tube critics--the ones who hate everything and tell you so ad nauseum--liked Jonathan Jackson's (ex-Lucky) turn as Max the heroin addict in new ABC TV-movie "Trapped In A Purple Haze" (on April 17, 8 p.m., ET), even if they whatevered the film itself. "Jackson and [Carly] Pope are effective as the addicted young lovers, but the film is too determined to lay the guilt on their elders." [SOURCE: People Weekly, April 17, 2000]

The latest "TV Guide" spotlights a bit about Jackson, his chances of becoming "Star Wars" series' Anakin Skywalker-the teen and being burned by a life-altering crush in 1997 (Rebecca Herbst/Liz?). The mag's critics gave his upcoming April 17th movie a thumbs up--scoring an eight out of a possible 10.

And over at the recent "Entertainment Weekly," the grade for Jackson's TV-movie is a "B." Singled out for lavish praise is the young man himself, making quite a splash in Hollywood circles: "'General Hospital's' Jonathan Jackson could re-upholster furniture for two hours and make it engaging. As a suburban kid who gets hooked on horse after meeting an addicted vixen ('Popular's' Carly Pope), Jackson makes a moving transition from Nice Boy to Dope Fiend, but always looks too darn cute to be a junkie."

Here's another site for Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky) fans who wanna keep up with his latest. J2 has the requisite bio and published write-ups, frequently including mention of his GH departure.

An updated scoop on Lisa Cerasoli from Lisa Cerasoli (ex-V), posted April 14 on her Forum Message Central board: All about filming NBC's "The Pretender" season finale, hanging with fellow guest star Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas), upcoming interviews for "Soap Opera Weekly" and "Soaps In Depth" and a best friend newly ensconced as a comely nurse on "Port Charles." Read all about it and send her your best wishes.

According to an April 13th online chat with "The Pretender's" creators Steven Long Mitchell and Graig W. Van Sickle... They addressed the buzz on Tyler Christopher (ex-Nikolas) appearing as the lead character's brother, Ethan, in the season finale. They call him "a one-of-a-kind actor in a role for which we felt he was perfect because he possesses a very unique talent on-screen" ... who may or may not be the next Pretender, but definitely is "a major player" on this primetime drama.

Open, warm, nurturing, enthusiastic, great lady... just a few apt adjectives for Norma Connolly (Ruby Anderson), who died in 1998, from co-stars Tony Geary (Luke), Jackie Zeman (Bobbie), Genie Francis (Laura) and Susan Brown (Gail, PC). Zeman found in Connolly a surrogate big sister who took her in for the holidays. Brown, who rarely shared scenes with the grand dame, remembered her fondly from an earlier show, "The Young Marrieds," that they were both on and where they first met each other's acquaintance, fast becoming friends soon after.

Remembering Emily McLaughlin (Jessie Brewer)--who died in 1991--brought up equally sterling qualities courtesy of Peter Hansen (Lee, PC), Brown, Stuart Damon (Alan) and Kin Shriner (Scott, PC). Such as... "Emily had a fire in her. Her eyes were enormous. They were like Venetian blinds, which she would slowly open and my word, the whole room would light up," said Hansen. A fan of poet Robert Frost, McLaughlin's special magnetism and subtle humor held in good stead amongst those who knew and worked with her. [SOURCE: Soap Opera Digest, April 11, 2000]

Many soap stars are fans of HBO's regular cable drama, "The Sopranos." Count Finola Hughes (ex-Anna; Alex, "All My Children"), Sarah Brown (Carly) and Linda Dano (Rae) as some of 'em. But Big Pussy's Vincent Pastore is a big fan of several soaps, such as GH, AMC, "As The World Turns" and "One Life To Live." ABC Daytime President Angela Shapiro would kill (no pun intended) to nab Pastore for a guest spot on one of hers.

Coming soon to an ABC pilot near you, "Wilder Days"-the drama, co-starring Patrick Fabian (ex-Ted Murty).

"Roswell's" season finale welcomes Genie Francis (Laura) in a guest spot as the mother of the alien trio, May 15. Husband Jonathan Frakes produces the drama.

He plays an artist Liz and Nikolas run into while searching for Lucky. Omri Katz filmed scenes on April 3 that should air on Monday, April 17. While initially only a bit part, it could turn recurring. The actor who co-starred as John Ross Ewing III on long-running hit TV series "Dallas" and as Max in the film "Hocus Pocus" found working with GH actors Rebecca Herbst and Coltin Scott a pleasure. They were very delightful and nice, he said.

A new online soap opera, "Santa Cruz," premiered on April 10 with Judith Chapman (ex-Ginny Blake Webber) amidst the cast. SoapCity.com's interactive four-part soap allows websurfers a chance to offer storylines and pick finales. SoapCity.com is owned by Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment. Betty Thomas (of "Hill Street Blues" cop drama infamy) directs.

Gossip for the week of 17-Apr-2000

Will Brad Maule (Tony) cross over to PC permanently as Rachel's l'amour? GH sources insist, No! We'll see.

It's how rumors get started, folks. Is this a disgruntled viewer with an ax to grind on Kristina Wagner's (Felicia) pretty head? Or a bit of truth hidden amidst commonly-held gossip? You decide. [Jeff’s take: disgruntled viewer making stuff up.]

"Felicia ruined the Faison story. Rather, Wagner did by demanding IN as damsel of his obsession and all-around leading lady, knocking off the originally planned targets of Genie Francis (Laura) and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis). Tired of background noise status, she wanted a major front-burning story. Or else. After waving reluctant bye-byes to popular soap stars Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda), Kimberly McCullough (ex-Robin) and, at the time last year, soon-to-be-ex-Lucky Jonathan Jackson, TPTB were leery of losing yet another big name. Anders Hove, who actually had to play Faison revisited, was very much chagrined to be playing it opposite Wagner and her lackluster form. The actual reason he left wasn't the cartoonishness of his returning character, but the cartoonishness of being made to fawn over the cartoonish Felicia like a lovesick puppy. He probably won't ever repeat that fiasco after what they did to Faison with Felicia as his center. Then, Tony Geary (Luke), who initially jumped at the chance to work with Wagner, quickly changed his tune after experiencing her subpar performance downer. Now he wants out, fast, even though he's friends with her. Acting is another story."

General Hospital News & Gossip, Copyright © 2002 Carol Banks Weber. No part of this page may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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