General Hospital News & Gossip

News for the week of 27-Jan-2003
by Carol Banks Weber

In news that had message boards the Internet world over buzzing, Vanessa Marcil will exit her popular role of Brenda by February 19. Citing expenses and firstborn son concerns – according to TV Guide, which broke the story – Marcil and her GH bosses were unable to hammer out a mutual agreement whereupon the actress would receive a hefty salary raise surpassing that of legendary Tony Geary (Luke), as well as his leisurely schedule. Many have tried, many – as evidenced this past September by Genie Francis (ex-Laura), his on-screen better-half – have failed. "I'm really disappointed to be leaving, but I guess ABC's not willing to compromise on the things I need. I have a lot more needs now that I have a child, and they need what they need to run a show smoothly,” Marcil said. “When I signed a short-term deal last summer, I made it clear I'd have to see how my son responded to my going back to work. And he hasn’t responded well.” Sources claim this will probably be the finale for Marcil – who will vacation in Africa with beau Brian Austin Green soon – to come and go.

Seeing GH’s cast dolled up in 1920s gear – swoon- and possibly Emmy-worthy enough. But cast alongside the likes of Oscar-nominated movie star Gloria Stuart (Titanic)? Hand Rick Hearst (Ric) his smelling salts. To completely express his verklempt, his privilege, nothing in the English language could suffice. He tried: “I grew up with my mother, and on Saturdays and Sundays, we’d watch anything from Abbott and Costello to Casablanca. That’s where I got the bug to want to be able to do something like that. [Working with Stuart] was a thrill. The woman has lived through the history we’re presenting. I’m on cloud nine.” But Ms. Stuart couldn’t have been more pleased to oblige GH in this, her second appearance. Through friends Frank and Doris Hursley – who created the ABC daytime drama in the first place – over a weekly weekend poker game no less, Stuart landed a teeny-tiny role she, for the life of her cannot recall, on GH in the 1970s. This time around, 2002, the part expanded into a lavish, story-centered flashback to a mob counterpart 1926 speakeasy, galvanizing all the show’s crew, hair, make-up, fashion into one ritzy, splashy, era-accurate New Year’s Eve special that had the entire cast in awe. The Internet research, the b/w movie reviews and the painstaking attention to every detail panned out in an episode even Humphrey Bogart would be proud of. –Soap Opera Digest, January 21, 2003

He’s such a classic film aficionado as to distinguish himself from the crowd of the historically oblivious, probably along the lines of, “The Beatles, who?” During Rick Hearst’s (Ric) GL Alan-Michael Spaulding period, guest star Dominic Chianese (Uncle Junior, The Sopranos) made quite the headlines...with Hearst. The rest of the youth demo pack had no idea who this formidable character actor was at the time. But Hearst, raised on Casablanca, Abbott and Costello, and The Godfather, knew. “I said, ‘You don’t know who this man is? It’s Johnny Ola [from The Godfather: Part II].’ Dominic looked at me and went, ‘Who the hell is this kid?! How would you know that?’ He’s a piece of cinematic history. I was beside myself.” God I love Rick Hearst. Kids, learn from this man. –ABC Soaps in Depth, February 4, 2003

When asked about the best part of daytime in their moment, each and every GH actor pointed to their colleagues. In no other genre can such an intimate family atmosphere be said. Rick Hearst’s (Ric) reason stems from admiration for a group of qualified, passionate professionals, right up his alley. Nancy Lee Grahn’s (Alexis) centers around that family sense, which often served her in rejuvenating stead when her personal life left a bit to be desired.

The mark of any good parent, is a well-behaved, polite child. Jackie Zeman’s (Bobbie) two chips off the ole block did her proud years ago during the filming of their first Christmas show of which they played a hospital audience part, as mere toddlers. Throughout, they displayed the kind of patient, friendly maturity only found in adults, as remarked by several crew members. “I used to teach them to put their hands out and say, ‘Nice to meet you [laughs]!’ So, that was a big compliment to me.” –Soap Opera Digest, January 21, 2003

And the mark of a genius mind, arguably, is his cluttered environment. If this holds true, no other castmate but Kin Shriner (Scott) – who finally bit the matrimonial bullet by asking girlfriend Tabitha Semler to marry him recently – would rule. As co-star Zeman described, what a visitor sees in his dressing room, is what he’s about at the moment. That includes all over the floor, magazines, pictures, whatever. “If you walk in, you really see what’s going on in Kin’s life [laughs]!” On the opposite end of that spectrum—proving genius comes in extremes—Felix Unger counterpart, Tony Geary (Luke), whose dressing room is a spacious, clean existence, not a hair, jacket, coffee table out of place. –Soap Opera Digest, January 21, 2003

Let’s not forget the mark of a good manager by any means, while we’re on our marks. Michael Bruno—manager to several big daytime stars, including AMC’s Rebecca Budig (Greenlee), Billy Warlock (A.J.), Julie Pinson (ex-Eve, PC) and B&B’s Tracy Lindsey Melchior (Kristen)—goes out of his way to land choice roles and choicer standing in the daytime community for his friends, who just happen to be clients. There’s his magic, he doesn’t treat his actors as numbers on a roster or as notches on his resume belt, encouraging them to intermingle as one big happy supportive family. Besides finding new acts and better jobs, he also encourages his talent to think beyond their current supporting status, into leading territory, as he successfully did with Passions’ Bruce Michael Hall (Reese), who will soon segueway into a major role on OLTL, possibly as the oft-recast Joey Buchanan. As a man familiar with daytime, this stands him in higher stead than the average Joe Agent who doesn’t know Adam Chandler from Alan Quartermaine. And for Bruno’s next trick, quite possibly the biggest AMC coup of the century, A.J.’s permanent cross-over into Greenlee’s romantic arms. The two talented actors are mutual admirers and friends, willing and able to make the unusual but definitely memorable pairing work. “We’ve even said Billy would move to New York to play opposite Rebecca. We would do it in a second so that Billy could finally get the girl – and what a girl to get!” postulated Bruno, always on the case. –ABC Soaps in Depth, February 4, 2003

Sometimes, online fan groups do more than flap their collective gums and FED EX lounge chairs in lobby exchanges for their favorite fictional soap couples and characters. Take Nancy Lee Grahn’s Alexis fans, of JustBreathe and TheGate, who recently contributed all things baby to Los Angeles-based St. Anne’s, in their favorite character’s name, on the fictional event of her on-screen baby’s birth. “The fans turned something they love to do – watching GH – into something that’s productive and beneficial for other people,” Grahn marveled. They even found time and expense into the frivolous and flamboyant, when they coughed up enough dough to hire a pilot to fly a banner welcoming Baby Davis near the studio. –ABC Soaps in Depth, February 4, 2003

January 4th gathered actor well-wishers in a variety of calibers, from GH’s Leslie Charleson (Monica), Stuart Damon (Alan) and PC’s Anne Jeffreys (Amanda), to veteran movie star Maureen O’Hara and film critic Leonard Maltin, all to celebrate 90 years of Anna Lee’s (Lila) precious existence. Heralded as an institution, an inspiration and an historic landmark unto herself, guests remembered anecdotes from the memory lane of an actress whose star has yet to dim, and probably never will. Charleson for one remembered the handy advice Ms. Lee gave about keeping her age 10 years in advance; that way, people will always assume you’re younger than you really are. Entertainment Tonight’s Maltin stood in awe at the edible work of art that was Ms. Lee’s birthday cake, tiers of past works in TV and movies. O’Hara named her daughter after a character Anna Lee co-starred in, How Green Was My Valley. And finally, actor son Jeffrey Byron (ex-Mark, PC), the party’s host, honored his mother as a fine example, “She is 90 and still a working actress, which is something we’ve never seen before [on daytime] and probably never will again.” And something that very nearly didn’t happen if TPTB had anything to say about it. –Soap Opera Digest, January 28, 2003

While Jacob Young’s (Lucky) girlfriend Julie Costello plays golf in London’s Duke of Edinburgh Cup amateur leg, he’ll catch up with his record producer, as well as his former co-star Genie Francis (ex-Laura) – who’s currently ensconced there with her family while husband Jonathan Frakes directs. They’ll probably enjoy dinner together, while talking story.

More evidence of John Ingle and Edward Quartermaine’s disparity: The former acting teacher turned character actor would choose business as a career as the very last resort. That, and Ingle – who thrills to his yearly Emmy N.Y. trips for the Broadway shows – sang an Elvis hit while washing up in the shower recently. Disparate, meet understatement.

Such a shame and missed opportunity with Linda Dano (Rae, OLTL, et al). The veteran actress, Another World staple and fashion maven would like nothing better than to co-star opposite Tony Geary (Luke) in any capacity, fight it out with Monica over Alan’s affections, delve deeper in a relationship with long-lost daughter Skye and enjoy the kind of romance formerly found with John Bolger’s character on OLTL—not necessarily in that order. Tapping into a very real-life bond with Robin Christopher (Skye) – “...one of the daughters I never had.” – would gratify not only fans but the actresses, who go way back together. –ABC Soaps in Depth, February 4, 2003

Remember Camilla More (ex-Anna recast, 1991; ex-Grace/ex-Gillian, DOOL)? Some fans still do, and that in and of itself always touches the former actress-turned-Internet-design-entrepreneur deeply. She and her former actress twin, Carey (ex-Grace, DOOL), have put together their own individual websites for the designer in us all – a natural evolution of hobbies. Camilla’s, Sublime Designs, sells faux-fur throws, and Carey’s, Carey More Designs, framed furniture. As a tribute to those fans who still acknowledge their places in daytime history, 10 percent discounts can be had from either sites, until March. Be sure to include a cover of Soap Opera Digest’s January 21st issue, too. “Daytime fans are so loyal. They have such great memories. It reminds you of how much of a family the daytime world is,” Camilla added.

Gossip for the week of 27-Jan-2003
by Carol Banks Weber

In light of Vanessa Marcil’s imminent departure as Brenda, rumor has Jax taking over where Sonny left off last, by taking his turn at abandoning her at the wedding altar. This could be great news for Jax & Skye fans, who already predict a speedy reunion and a Brenda, who?. One thing’s clear, TPTB presumably didn’t even see it coming.

Amber Tamblyn may be bummed by her imminent recast as Emily, but not Lucky’s. Greg Vaughan (ex-Diego, Y&R) is a shoo-in, and she should know, she recently caught his glimpse during several screen tests, along with her former co-stars Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth) and Vanessa Marcil (Brenda), while on a primetime shoot break nearby. All three agreed that he made the perfect third Lucky Spencer, and in person, according to Tamblyn, who posted at her message forum, he ages just right, that oft-downloaded photo doesn’t do him justice.

A few posters in the know began circulating this one particular rumor about Steve Burton (Jason) and his close friendship with one of GH’s writers, Elizabeth Korte – the very same who turned his character from reindeer-sweater Quartermaine to monosyllabic motorcycle jacket Morgan. Hanging around him at every opportunity, including his dressing room, doing whatever it takes to please ... could explain this Jason-centered GH of late. But then, that’d mean she’s actually more in charge and more of an obstacle to good soap than Guza & Co.

Which begs the question: Is it egos run amuck, plastered with several lips on several asses, or just plain shoddy workmanship all around that’s caused GH’s continued decline?

Another impossible-to-believe rumor has Rick Hearst (Ric) running his ego amuck in reaction to the usual GH chaos. And I’m Mrs. Billy Warlock.

According to Parul, manager of Billy Warlock’s (A.J.) official website, he’s not leaving GH for DOOL. Congrats, btw, to his betrothal to long-time girlfriend and CBS marketing executive, Tolan Clark.

‘Kay, I might’ve missed the entire week of January 20th (no big loss there), but isn’t it against the law for ADA Dara Jensen to represent on behalf of criminal defendants?

People, never, I mean, NEVER believe a word of the magazines reporting denials to rumors. Nine times out of 10, the inside sources scoffing in the face of firings and quittings turn out to be wrong. Recent case in point: Greg Vaughan, now ex-Diego, Y&R. The acting ain’t just on-screen.

Oops! Did I say it was a good thing the women of the 1926 speakeasy episode were not well-endowed so as to fit the flat-chested fashion preference of that pageboy era? I forgot about Courtney, as well-endowed as you can get without hitting Dolly Parton’s jugs.

General Hospital News & Gossip, Copyright © 2003 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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