General Hospital News & Gossip
News for the week of 15-Sep-2008
Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) took viewers through his regular work day in the 7th episode of Camera Ready on SOAPnet (posted on August 25th). He managed to avoid speaking in all but one scene scheduled for GH. But that one scene involved seven pages of dialogue, considered a lot by daytime standards (two to three is the norm). He filmed the scenes with Steve Burton (Jason), who razzed him about having to watch all Anderson’s SOAPnet webisodes, “Don’t ever make me do that again!,” and Kirsten Storms (Maxie), whose character ends up seeking comfort from Spinelli by slipping into bed with him up in the regrettably pink room (scenes that aired last week). Derk Cheetwood (Max) started off Anderson’s work day in hair/makeup, as the unofficial show masseuse.
Tristan Rogers’ (Robert, GH:NS) backstage video blogs have become the gateway for fans to glimpse what goes on behind the scenes to bring SOAPnet’s primetime GH offshoot to life – especially informative, entertaining and heartwarming as regards to his colon cancer story. There’s something for every fan to enjoy, from the nuts and bolts of making Robert’s shaven head look realistically like that of a colon-cancer survivor (water and a hairnet do wonders)… to the down and gritty, light and lively real personas behind the compelling, quirky characters of GH:NS in several candid interviews conducted by the veteran actor Rogers himself. He interviewed John J. York (Mac) on August 29th about having the Scorpio brothers together again but not on GH. Both actors, who are fond of one another as two close brothers would be, agreed that the chance to play the family bond under trying medical circumstances has been a boon to them. York embraces the humanity in Rogers’ story—such a welcome change. “I think it’s incredible for your character, it’s an incredibly courageous thing to tackle this story, to treat it with the dignity and respect [it deserves], not just pushing it aside, to take it on… You’ve always been there to save everybody else… now you have to make yourself vulnerable.”
One of the things Rogers approved of when he first started on GH:NS was how he got to “work with a lot of different people” from Kyle to Jagger, to Epiphany and Toussaint. These relationships will be further explored and “evolve” later on, he said. He also said he got the chance to refer to Robert’s past, like the capers he had with Luke, when – for example – talking with Jagger, as well as the importance both men stake on parenting their children.
GH:NS head writer Sri Rao has been able to do what GH head writer Bob Guza hasn’t (or won’t, depending on one’s POV), honor the vets with human-interest stories that touch the heart and reveal surprising vulnerability in heroic soap icons. Rao spoke with Daniel R. Coleridge over at SOAPnet’s website (posted August 12, 2008) about some of the reasoning behind bringing Robert and Jagger back to tackle two important but painful social issues, colon cancer and autism, respectively. A fan of the soap genre as well as veteran soap icon Robert Scorpio, Rao said he picked colon cancer (and a health problem to begin with) to afflict the superhero character in order to play up the family ties with Robin, Mac and Anna, and to feature a common disease afflicting so many real people. To do this to an almost invincible superhero, Rao reasoned, was also meant to continue the showcase of Robert as an active “character in motion. … I don’t believe in bringing back legacy characters and having them rest on their laurels. That’s how they end up on the sidelines. And as a big fan of GH, that’s the last thing I want to see [for Robert]… This is bigger than any WSB [spy] mission he’s ever been on. Who else could take this [cancer] on but Robert Scorpio?” Stone’s autism was brought on for Jagger, to educate, inform and focus on the effects of the widespread disorder on the loved ones, namely the parents who must undergo a series of emotions before arriving at acceptance, Rao said. “The [autism] statistics are staggering. They say that 1 in 100 boys across America currently have autism.” Rao and his team are carefully and closely working with the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance and Autism Speaks to ensure these two stories be told with respect, accuracy and realism.
John Ingle (Edward) pretty much panned all of GH on a recent September Stardish Radio interview, including the choice to put him in with the other jurors in Johnny’s murder case. Among the sins in Ingle’s bitchfest: doing away with most of the heart and soul of the Quartermaine clan, focusing too much on the mob and its violence—not enough of families and their ties, not working on GH in substantial scenes and stories enough, Tyler Christopher (Nikolas) not being recognized in the last Emmys. Even Spinelli got nailed by the veteran actor and former Beverly Hills high school drama teacher. Ingle can’t figure out what the hell that boy’s saying half the time. Amidst the bitching, Ingle let on that Tony Geary (Luke) will show up soon and that he’s heard GH:NS is more interesting, because of its focus on relationships and broader interaction.
Kirsten Storms’ (Maxie) hair, makeup and wardrobe preferences are as interesting and eclectic, and fashionable as all get-out. For her hair on the show, Storms is into short, sassy and sometimes in her face. Some products to help keep her lovely blonde locks shiny and manageable: Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum, Unite Eurotherapy’s Tricky Spray Finishing Wax (1-888-95-Unite) and its Shina Liquid Gloss and hair spray. Her makeup habit favors organic mineral powders, Lorac concealer, Cargo Face Bronzer-medium, clear lip gloss, Lancome’s Chai Freeze, clear Lip Smacker, M.A.C black liquid eyeliner. Either she or makeup artist Caitlin Davidson will do the honors for the show. Because she’s young and plays a young, hip, fashion-forward vixen, and she’s got the perfect body, Storms can pull off more daring designs. “She can wear something in a brighter color or a different silhouette that a lot of people couldn’t get away with,…” said Mary Iannelli, costume designer. –Soap Opera Digest, “Style This!,” September 16, 2008
On GH:NS, Kathleen Noone (ex-Ellen, AMC) returns to daytime as Kyle and Leo’s mom. Christine Elise McCarthy will show up as Eric’s sibling. Eric is the gay guy (as played by Chad Allen) who attracts intern Kyle’s attention. Robert Pine and Toni Sawyer will portray Eric’s dad and mom, too.
A Martinez (Ray, OLTL; ex-Roy, GH) had a lot of good things to say about his pal, executive producer Jill Farren Phelps and actor Tony Geary (Luke), who played his pal. Phelps is a good family friend, who’s been there for him in many ways. “Our family owes so much to her family, and the things they do instinctually is just wonderful.” Geary’s just an acting phenomenon Martinez couldn’t help but stand back and admire. “Tony steps up on a daily basis. He explores these colors, and the palette he is using is just so huge. It’s so hard to pin that character of Luke down. There are things we have come to understand about him. The day by day exploration and wanting to try new things made it such a joy to work with that guy.” More from Michael Fairman’s recent September interview.
Antonio Sabato Jr. (Jagger, GH:NS) agreed to turn his love life into a VH-1 matchmaking reality-TV series to debut early next year. The man who claimed not to be into too many reality-TV shows will be heading up his own for cable. In the show—which hasn’t a name yet and is put together like a soap—Sabato, 36, will put the female contestants through their paces in order to win his heart, from redoing a hot love scene to jumping out of a plane wearing a gown. The actor will narrate, participate and help produce the series along with Ish Entertainment. Ish Entertainment’s responsible for another upcoming, new reality-TV series centered around Paris Hilton.
Leslie Charleson (Monica) and some of her pals raised a little hell back in their day. She remembered one time when she helped jack a car belonging to one of those pal’s parents. Then, they drove to Port Chester, NY (from Connecticut), where the legal age to drink was younger than 21, and had fun in a bar. It was when they drove back that they got into a car accident. While the driver fiddled with the radio station knob, the car swerved into oncoming traffic. Charleson attempted to swerve the car back on the road and BAM! Three cars, a guardrail and the rearview mirror hit, rendering Charleson and her pals slightly injured. “When we got out of the car, I was bleeding and all I could think of was, ‘Oh, damn. These sneakers are new.’ I yelled at Chris and said, ‘I hit my head,’ and her response was, ‘You? What about me? I’m going to lose my license [laughs].’ We were pretty much grounded for the rest of our lives.” –Soap Opera Digest, September 16, 2008
Jaffer Chaudhry, 26, was plucked from the rank and file to bring life to a handsome, young, mysterious, British-accented doctor. Chaudhry comes from St. Albans, England, played cricket and settled in L.A. last February. His acting credit includes the movie Catch 44. He’d auditioned for the doctor role amongst mostly Americans, but won on the merits of his sexy accent and that special something.
Leslie Charleson (Monica) finds work over at GH:NS, October 7.
SOAPnet will air a GH:NS marathon of its successful 2nd season, October 12. Then, part one of a two-part finale will follow, October 14.
Gossip for the week of 15-Sep-2008
Sebastian Roché (Jerry) told NY Daily News columnist Carolyn Hinsey (for her September 12th edition) that his character will be even more reviled by the fans after his latest stunt with explosives. Jerry sets off a bomb at Nikolas’s free clinic, then gives Alexis a false alibi, then will throw caution and consideration to the wind by seducing her daughter Sam. Roché acknowledged that the guy’s a kinky bastard—far from the beloved nerd Spinelli. I get the feeling Roché prefers Jerry bad than warm and fuzzy. That’s fine for him, as an actor. But for me, I have to admit that his seduction scenes with Kelly Monaco (Sam) gross me out. I can barely look at my TV screen, it’s so nasty and wrong, it’s almost—for me—like he’s taking advantage of a teenaged girl. It also plays into the sexy Playboy centerfold siren typecasting I’m sure Monaco’s weary of.
Estimated time of arrival of baby Scrubs is Oct. 29—with or without HIV-related complications. What’s her name gonna be? Ashley Taylor Tiffanii?
Olivia and Sonny made a baby who turns out to be – nope, not Spinelli – but Tom Pelphrey’s (Jonathan, GL) new character? Will their son go rival on Michael when he snaps out of his coma soon? Or, more impossible to imagine, will Pelphrey inhabit the role of the recently awakened Michael?
There’s a surprise awaiting Lulu when she tries to convince her brothers that their mom came out of her catatonia and is coherent for longer periods of time. The big guess by fans is that a walking, talking, comforting Laura was all in Lulu’s head. Can this entire show for the past 10 years have been all in Lulu’s head? Please??
When Carly spies Jax dating Leyla, she’s gonna get violent. Carly versus Leyla, as witnessed by Robin who probably will side with the nurse since they’ve been more friendly lately.
Casting’s on the lookout for an actor who can play dark, brooding and hot. In his 20s.
Claire Coffee (Nadine) doubts that it’s true about her character departing GH. She does realize, however, that the character has her detractors. The actress mentioned on a tribute board last week that Nadine and Nikolas could lock lips soon, and a lot.
Nikolas wasn’t originally supposed to fall for Nadine. But it is said that his portrayer, Tyler Christopher, is on board for it, and even a triangle with Claudia. Claudia, though, seems destined for Ric.
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t the stomach to read much more of head writer Bob Guza’s thoughts about GH, its cast – current and former. He recently entertained an SOD reporter with his thoughts on Vanessa Marcil (Brenda) coming back, Finola Hughes (Anna) continuing on, Josh Duhon (Logan) being let go and his character killed off for story, the success of GH:NS not under his jurisdiction this season and the chances of Antonio Sabato Jr. (Jagger)/Tristan Rogers (Robert) crossing over to GH in a meaningful manner. He said he’s always open to Brenda coming back, Anna’s practically one of the cast, Jagger and Robert at GH is always possible, it’s cool what’s happening on GH:NS, even if it’s a little weird to see it penned by another writer (he even thinks it stands a chance of continuing outside the summer bracket), and the Logan murder? Tough but necessary to squeeze out at least six months of a thriller. “Josh did a really good job. We were pleased with the Logan/Lulu/Johnny triangle for its run. I’m quite sure Josh will show up on another show very soon and for anyone listening out there, he’s got my wholehearted recommendation.” –Quote from Soap Opera Digest, September 16, 2008
If you think Jagger and Robert will cross over for a long run on GH, you haven’t been paying attention to ABC Daytime in all its convoluted, double-speaking ABC Daytime glory. Word is, two other GH:NS characters will have those honors.
The life insurance nurse came back to my house last Tuesday morning, to get my urine sample (remember when I couldn’t pee on command for her two weeks ago?) and pump me for more information about the latest goings-on at GH. She couldn’t believe that Kate and Sonny would go on with the wedding, and really flipped out when I previewed Olivia’s bombshell. She then went on to OLTL and expressed her disgust with Todd keeping Marty in the dark and having a thing for her. Man, this is like having my own focus group.
General Hospital News & Gossip, Copyright © 2008 Carol Banks Weber. Published by SoapZone.com / Jeff Jungblut. 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. Opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and may not be representative of SoapZone.com or its advertisers. Don't steal scoops.
