General Hospital News & Gossip

News for the week of 25-Jul-2005

by Carol Banks Weber

Bravo to Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) for their tireless, courageous speaking out on behalf of themselves and those struggling with mental health issues. The two actors, among others, received Voice Awards in Washington, D.C., on July 20 from the federal government. Benard has been and continues to be an advocate for manic depressives, by example and speech, encouraging others to be aware of the symptoms and the treatments. Shields recently fielded criticism from movie star Tom Cruise for her use of anti-depressants in dealing with post-partum depression, following the C-section birth of her firstborn daughter Rowen several years ago. Scientologist Cruise is against the use of any drugs, in favor of vitamins, and has himself suffered a backlash for going up against Shields. For many women in her place, the actress is a hero, role model and pioneer.

I forgot to mention. At the GH Fan Club Weekend (July 14-18, 2005, Studio City, CA, Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel), Saturday night, my husband Eddie and son James, 3, wanted a closer look and listen to Wally Kurth (Ned) and Taylor’s concert in a gazebo area near the pool (actually, James wanted to “see them sing!”), so they headed toward the gate to peek in. Eddie sat James over his shoulders for a better glance when Cynthia Preston (ex-Faith) walked by with Lindze Letherman (Georgie). Preston stopped, noticed James – who is breathtaking to behold and I’m not just bragging, this kid stops traffic, I should get him an agent – and said to both him and Eddie, “Who’s this? Who’s this?” smiling and friendly. Eddie’s trying to place her face, mentally unable to marry this beautiful woman with the long blonde hair with the murderess bitch she played on GH, and before he has a chance to answer, she walked away. Ms. Preston, this is James Scott Weber, our beautiful son.

Another GHFC Weekend observation I forgot: Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) told fans at her Friday goddess party that Rick Hearst (Ric) does good love scenes, ‘cause when he holds her, he really holds her.

A correction to last week’s News item is in order, about what Greg Vaughan (Lucky) may have been overheard saying about his charities. Vaughan mentioned wanting to help his buddy Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) out with Christopher’s mom and an Indian Center that needs a financial boost to continue services. Turns out that it’s not his mom Jimi Ann Baker who’s involved with this but could be a Choctaw woman/fan that Christopher’s befriended. The mistaken identity has apparently happened on more than one occasion. I regret any confusion my misinterpretation may have caused.

Other fans in attendance turned in reports. Here are a few:

• Cynthia Preston’s (ex-Faith) Sunday morning pajama party drew an appreciative crowd. This lady does an event up in style, substantially feeding her fans with a hearty breakfast and bringing in the big guns – guest stars Ted King (Lorenzo), Rick Hearst (Ric), Wally Kurth (Ned), Natalia Livingston (Emily), Scott Clifton (Dillon), Adrianne Leon (Brook Lynn), Lindze Letherman (Georgie), and even Tamara Braun (ex-Carly), via telephone. Braun gave the crowd some lovin’, after apologizing profusely for missing her own event (which had been canceled days before, due to Braun landing a movie role).
• At the Saturday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. cast luncheon/autograph session – the biggest event of the fan club weekend – awards were announced, as voted by fan club members. Maurice Benard (Sonny) took favorite actor, Natalia Livingston (Emily), favorite actress, Lucky and Elizabeth and Jason and Sam, favorite couples, Robin Christopher (Skye), favorite supporting actress, Rick Hearst (Ric) and Ted King (Lorenzo), favorite supporting actors, Lindze Letherman (Georgie) and Dylan Cash (Michael), favorite younger actress and actor, Scott Clifton (Dillon), favorite scene stealer, Corbin Bernsen (John Durant) and Cynthia Preston (ex-Faith), favorite villain and villainess, and favorite storyline went to the kidnapping. Also, favorite song was “Angel,” and favorite website was Betty and Cat’s MauriceBenard.tv.
• Like I told a visiting couple (who’d asked about my injuries from falling through a chair at the Nancy Lee Grahn/Alexis event sigh), they would not be disappointed with Steve Burton’s (Jason) Saturday event in the Vista Room on the second floor. He packed the room and had ‘em rolling in the aisles with his standup routine at GH’s expense, mocking the hurricane at one point by standing underneath an air conditioner and going, Ooh, this feels just like it and swearing he wouldn’t be joining Kelly Monaco (Sam) in the dancing department any time soon. He went serious for a few topics, like how great Jason and Sam are, but not married with kids, that’d be boring. He and Monaco – Burton was a big supporter of her on Dancing With The Stars – have a blast on-screen together, and that’s probably why fans dig them. The scene where Sam accidentally spits on Jason surprised Burton in two ways, that it even happened (not in the script) and that TPTB kept it on the air. When all is said and done, in the end, Burton would prefer to do production work over acting, bringing up a possibility in his retirement.
• Tyler Christopher’s (Nikolas) Sunday fundraising fan event helped raise $12,744 for his 68 Cent Crew theater, monies which will go toward adding restrooms, remodeling the lobby and maybe buffering for the exorbitant monthly rents.
• Chad Brannon (ex-Zander) held his own event before everybody else’s on Thursday, giving his fans an update, a mini-concert with his rockin’ band, an auction and individual table visits – in a new, shaved haircut and as a renewed Christian. The event’s proceeds helped Brannon’s personal cause, Cystic Fibrosis (his aunt Allison died from the disease). As for the update, Brannon plans to spend the fall taking a break from school (he’s an A student) and focusing more on acting, auditioning and learning to hone his acting further. He nearly landed roles in The Office, Ghosthunters and something having to do with Elton John. He has been fixing up his new house with some pals, and is even thinking about turning his garage into a music studio. There’s a detailed recap at ChadBrannon.net's official message board.

During the Larry King Live show on CNN July 13, Kelly Monaco (Sam) admitted that, at first, she didn’t want to broadcast her celebrity participation in the new reality-TV mid-season Dancing With The Stars on ABC. Whenever people at GH would ask, she’d mutter the name of the series. Now, with the surprise hit cachet of Dancing With The Stars ready for a second season, it’s safe to brag, especially since Monaco won the dancing competition.

During Monaco’s first dance in the Dancing With The Stars competition, a waltz, the judges were extremely harsh in their reviews, the Bruno Tonioli guy going so far as to joke that she looked like she’d just come from the hospital (meaning, he wanted her to smile more). According to the soap star, a) the theme of her waltz with partner Alec Mazo – “I’m going to kill myself if I don’t have you” – required anything but a smile, and b) she couldn’t have smiled through the waltz to Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” even if she tried, because she really did practically come back from the hospital, for dental work, 15 stitches worth. Winning the reality-TV series dance championship provided all the validation Monaco desired, after all the flak from the judges (she’s still getting flak, from TV critics and mainstream TV fans, who are crying foul). That’s a long way from feeling as clumsy and stompy as an Oompa Loompa (Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), to earning three straight 10s for an acrobatics-heavy Latin finale… that’s the equivalent of learning what it’s like to stretch past the boundaries of her usually reserved façade and put herself out there for millions of viewing strangers.

Part of the reason for the delay in an actual confirmation of Ted King’s (Lorenzo) contract re-signing has to do with dotting every “I,” crossing every “T,” and ensuring diverse stories with diverse members of the cast to enable the actor to tap into a variety of mood shifts in a variety of situations, not just dark, intense mobster #2. However, he did re-sign, and said he’s happy with the results.

Kirsten Storms wants to make one thing clear: She did not, repeat, did not go begging at DOOL’s door for her old job back as Belle, despite the role already having gone to second recast Martha Madison. Media reports of such a lie pained Storms, who agonized over the effect on Madison until she was able to straighten out the lie from the truth in person at the May Daytime Emmys event. The facts: Storms hadn’t had much luck in the pilot circuit after the promising new series, The Clubhouse, fell through due to lack of audience interest (and network execs fiddling with the show’s time slot too much early on). She fell between the highly coveted teens and post-collegiate set at age 21, and so, opportunities came in short supply. A return to daytime attracted the hard-working young lady, born April 8 and from Orlando, FL. Before she could start making the rounds, Storms honored her word to her former DOOL bosses by letting them know she would be back in the market – they’d requested this of her when she last left the show. Right off the bat, ABC Daytime made its intentions known, with something from the East Coast. Before she had a chance to inquire further, West-Coast-filmed GH threw its interest in the ring. GH being Storms’ favorite, with two outstanding hunky actors whom she long adored in Steve Burton (Jason) and Maurice Benard (Sonny), GH eventually won out.

Several weeks into her new role as the Maxie recast, and Storms still gets stars in her eyes whenever Benard and Burton go by in the studio. She can’t help it, she really digs them as a fan and an admirer of their sterling work. Recently, Benard paid Storms the highest compliment, actor to actress, following her sterling work in the heart transplant story. “That was it. That was my validation moment: I am an actress on GENERAL HOSPITAL now. I was like, ‘I’m part of the show now.’” –Soap Opera Digest, July 26, 2005

Storms is the type of person, if she loves something, she’s loves 110 percent, with total rapture. She was that way after viewing the celebrated 2004 indie movie, Sideways (about a man who threw himself into the art of the vintners to avoid dealing with his middle-aged crisis), and now, is all about Star Wars, the franchise. She also has to have two TiVos in her home in order to satisfy her Law & Order cravings – original airings and in syndication. Then, there’s her fling with late-night soft, chewie chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the oven, and Harlan Coben’s latest tome, which has inspired her to write him a fan letter.

Many old-school GH fans remember Bobbie as a conniving, mean bitch of the lowest order, capable of torturing Laura for the affections of Scottie, then rubbing the young lass’s face in the duplicitous triumph. But portrayer Jackie Zeman sees Bobbie differently, as that of a misunderstood, shamed young woman who always struggled with self-confidence and often failed because of her horrible upbringing (no parents, child prostitution, spousal abuse). Those issues also tainted her romantic relationships in that Bobbie always sought, in the beginning, redemption and salvation through men, Zeman said.

Love in the Afternoon (LITA) introduced its new bi-weekly column with a quick and fun Corbin Bernsen/John Durant questionnaire, July 15. Examples: The actor digs Mexican food, while he thinks his character might prefer White Castle; Bernsen’s into water, his iPod, the series House, the book “The Closer” by Michael Connelly and going online everyday, while Durant would rather have cheap whiskey, his cellphone, watch HBO’s The Sopranos, read “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoyevsky, and troll the ‘Net late every night; and both rate Curtis Mayfield high on the CD scale.

Corbin Bernsen (John Durant) has amassed quite a number of snow globes since his L.A. Law period, about 6,000 and counting – many from fans, many on his own. Initially, he remained strictly interested in collecting for fun, until he set his eyes on an antique one in a show, and that was it, he went hardcore, preferring the souvenirs in plastic form, but yearning to obtain glass snow globes used in the classic film, Citizen Kane. Besides collecting, Bernsen also creates snow globes, and has for the Hard Rock, Qantas Airlines and Planet Hollywood.

Not so long ago, but long enough to be far removed from her present-day fame as one of GH’s stars, Kari Wuhrer (Reese) had the unfortunate displeasure of falling off the stage during a presentation at the Sci-Fi Awards. She’d handed over a Best Actor award to Martin Landau, his entire clan tromped onstage, and she—being ever polite—inched backward to make room for them all until she tumbled off to the roar of the crowd. They clammed up when she climbed back onstage and mocked herself with a Merrie Melodies theme song, which embarrassed her further.

It took 13 weeks of background work instead of as a contract player, as a result of the I Wanna Be A Soap Star’s premiere win on SoapNet, and a couple extra weeks in between of fans griping about a lack of GH integrity… but Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Officer Murphy) finally earned more screentime for his patience in a contract extension. His cop turns out to be the dirty cop involved illegally with drugs and the one who took a shot at John Durant, but hey, villainy’s better than nothing. Throughout the waiting, Jenkins never thought about how he was gypped, he merely waited for his opportunity to shine, soaking up everything like an eager student until the spotlight came on him.

Jenkins made his presence known at the GHFC’s Saturday luncheon in a cute way: when introduced, the aspiring actor launched into a heartfelt speech about how it felt to win a GH role, until reminded that this was just the introduction, dude.

While at the GH Fan Club Weekend, I snuck away on Saturday afternoon to catch up with my bro, James, at Jerry’s Deli (open 24 hours and as close to New York as possible). That’s when he blasted me with one way he and his girlfriend Kris earn a few extra bucks in between jobs: They act as seat fillers for SoapNet’s SoapTalk show. He’s become a soap fan in the bargain. I casually informed him that Kari Wuhrer (Reese) would be at the fan club luncheon, and he flipped out, desperately wanting to meet her. I couldn’t finagle that, but thanks to EYE ON SOAPS’ Katrina Rasbold, I was able to score an autographed picture and a quick glimpse as she passed by him about six feet away.

Look for Kelly Monaco (Sam) to appear half-naked in an upcoming issue of the men’s magazine, MAXIM (skin slicks is all that rag’s good for, IMO)… and for Sam’s twin in an ungodly new story that both Monaco and Steve Burton (Jason) allegedly apologized to fans in advance for.

Look for the latest IT girl, Monaco, to also perhaps, maybe, appear in a few national commercials, one for shampoo.

The head writers said that they, with the casting department’s help, sifted through quite a number of little actresses for the right Jodie, and narrowed their search to the cute, charming and compelling Katia Coe. Her appeal could generate a repeal in the imaginary part, into a real, live girl that Michael eventually befriends. (Funny, the head writers acted like they’d just laid eyes on Coe for Jodie, but fans swear they saw her before, as Skye’s imaginary daughter in a near-suicidal hallucination months ago.)

Larry Poindexter (Dr. Thomas, or, as Burton referred to him recently, “Dr. Tom ASS”) – currently stealing scenes with his clever, wise one-liners – used to play in the same band Jon Lindstrom (ex-Kevin/Ryan) did. Poindexter is my new soapy dreamboat.

Ryan Carnes (Lucas) reprises his role, to beef up the teen group, starting August 11. He’s not gone from ABC primetime’s Desperate Housewives, just taking a pause.

Gossip for the week of 25-Jul-2005

by Carol Banks Weber

Fans at the July 14-18th GH Fan Club Weekend were buzzing about Alec Mazo joining Kelly Monaco (Sam) at her event on Saturday, but he had prior plans (some fans spotted him earlier, though). Mazo was Monaco’s professional ballroom dancing partner in their successful, first-placed win in the Dancing With The Stars show on ABC. M’fundo Morrison (Justus) and Jed Allen (Edward) also missed the fan club luncheon because of personal engagements.

In more GHFC Weekend gossip, more than a few fans unnaturally speculated at an end to the Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) and Natalia Livingston (Emily) real-life pairing, simply because they were never seen together in public by these fans.

… Based on exchanges between Jennifer Bransford (Carly) and some fans, seems Carly will suffer a breakdown and learn to deal with it on her own, without Lorenzo.

… At least two other stars recommended fans give Bransford’s Carly a chance, vouching for the earnest, talented actress’s ability to make this complex role her own. Steve Burton (Jason) thinks she’s already doing a fantastic job, so fantastic that it’s a joy for him to work with her.

… Carly gets her own story, but then so does Maurice Benard’s Sonny (if you believe fans who say they spoke to the man). Some of his new, big story involves a closer look at Emily and what that will do negatively to Sonny’s friendship with Jason (Burton joked at his fan event that he’d have to give Sonny a “beat-down” in that case), as well as what that will do to Emily’s family, the Quartermaines. According to Benard, via the several fans he spoke to, Carly and Sonny will not revisit their connection by the fall or any other day.

… However, Benard might not want Soily per se, as in, keep this strictly platonic. But he may not have a say. Seems there’s a growing consensus of fans who were there saying that Benard and Steve Burton (Jason) ain’t that thrilled with their stories. Specifically for Benard, it’s everything, including the over-use of “betrayal” in his dialogue. He promised light at the end of the horizon, though.

… Emily and Sonny’s strictly platonic relationship might cause friction with Reese, who eyes Emily as her next enemy. The fact that Emily is the only one who saw Reese with Ric that one night at the hotel will add to the friction between Reese and Ric. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

… Ted King (Lorenzo) gave every indication that, given a few obstacles (like, maybe Carly’s breakdown and Carly’s mounting deception in favor of Sonny), he still believes in CarLo. He hinted that Lorenzo and Skye will very nearly repeat the Luis and Skye sex episode, him out of spite at Carly.

… Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) made it sound like her character and Sonny will re-forge their original friendship (without the sex) soon. She and Rick Hearst (Ric) are well aware of problems in the stories, mainly centering around not making any sense.

… Some people are reporting that fans were assured that Jodie will turn out to be Michael’s imaginary friend at the GH Fan Club Weekend. But it didn’t come from Michael’s Dylan Cash. The twist is, further on down the line, Jodie could turn up again, as a real girl who meets Michael.

… Blind Item: Think fans have a tough time watching GH lately, especially the scenes leading up to a nine-year-old boy smothering his biological father to death? Try being the actors, especially one of them, who wanted to bolt when asked to perform a particularly trying scene.

… Steve Burton (Jason) joked with fans at his July 16th fan event that his character would not be tripping the light fantastic, despite the success of Kelly Monaco’s (Sam) Dancing With The Stars – a second season got green lighted and FOX plans a rip-off for the younger set. And Monaco joked, via a recent Soap Opera Digest “Late Breaking News” report, that the latest rumor having her character break out in a dance could prove Burton wrong…and have him in sweats at the thought.

Jason reverts to a killing machine without a softer side. Then, revert back, faster than you can say, “Pruza sucks.”

Jax and Courtney, Lucky and Elizabeth may come close to breaking up, but close ain’t the real thing.

Helena resurfaces to menace some more?

Cynthia Preston (ex-Faith) resurfaces in a less murderous role, perhaps as a relative of the Quartermaines or the Cassadines?

Some butthead from Entertainment Weekly ragged on Kelly Monaco’s (Sam) surprise Dancing With The Stars win, hinting at foul play and hard feelings following the soap actress’s win with professional ballroom dancer Alec Mazo over other celeb/dancer pairings. Especially over actor John O’Hurley’s (Seinfeld) expected win: “It seems O'Hurley agrees; sources say he threw a fit backstage.” Worst of all, this mainstream ignoramus insulted soap opera fans in general by calling them “maniacal,” and made it clear that Monaco’s “feisty” personality and “final-night platitudes” weren’t appreciated. Jerk.

Don’t be surprised if Monaco shows up as a semi-regular in the next season of Desperate Housewives on ABC primetime.

Alicia Leigh Willis (Courtney) hates the crap on GH and is dying to escape. Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) is dying to do a story with her character. If they get their way(s), Jax might work out better with Elizabeth. Remember, the two portrayers – Ingo Rademacher and Rebecca Herbst – once dated, seriously.

The tabloid National Examiner dredged up ancient history by referencing Genie Francis (ex-Laura) and her beef with Daytime’s PTB, and vice versa, surrounding comments she’d made about them treating her like crap for not losing the pregnancy weight. Because she spoke out about her version of their mistreatment, the tabloid alleged that her former bosses took her character Laura out in the most humiliating way, in a straitjacket shrieking like a loon.

General Hospital News & Gossip, Copyright © 2005 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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