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General Hospital’s Maurice Benard Tries to Appease Sonny and Carly Fans Even as He Hints That ‘Mike’ and Nina’s Future Interaction Includes a ‘Touch of Magic’
Saturday, June 19th, 2021
Don’t ask the actor to play favorites between his Emmy-winning leading ladies.
General Hospital has struck pay dirt with the story of an amnesiac Sonny’s new life as “Mike” in Nixon Falls — in that it’s got viewers all kinds of riled up. Heck, the audience is more upset that Nina is keeping the mobster from wife Carly and their family than it ever was that the onetime proprietor of the Paradise Lounge turned Scotty’s daughter into drug-addicted stripper Carrie the Schoolgirl. But Maurice Benard, who plays the dimpled don, is loving it.
“[I] did some scenes today with Cynthia Watros (Nina),” he tweeted, noting that they were “simple, sweet… a touch of magic. This to me is the underdog story. I will continue to keep bringing what I can to make it come to life.
“[That] doesn’t mean I don’t honor CarSon,” though, he hastened to add.
More: General Hospital star’s surprising baby news
For one, Laura Wright, who plays Sonny’s “widow,” is all aboard. “We are storytellers,” she reminded her iconic castmate, “and you guys are kicking ass!”
We we are storytellers and you guys are kicking ass !! Xoxoxox #GHBaby
— Laura Wright (@lldubs) June 17, 2021
For our money, that. All. Of. That. And don’t even come for Nina, saying that after letting Sonny’s family mourn him, she can’t be redeemed. “Let me remind you,” Benard pointed out, “when I first started the show, the horrific, terrible, malicious things that Sonny did [were unforgivable]. Acting is all about choices — I figured it out 28 years later.”
On top of all that, the soap vet, who got his start playing Nico Kelly on All My Children, is having a blast bringing to the fore a different side of his General Hospital character. “What I’m doing with Mike… yes I’ve changed the energy, and he’s become a lot more of my own personality,” he tweeted. “You have to understand I haven’t been able to do this in 28 years, [so] it is very freeing.
“But do I miss Sonny?” he went on. “Yes, of course.”
More: Is Vanessa Marcil returning? Maurice Benard tells all
On your way to the comments to share your reaction to Nina/”Mike/Carly, stop off at the below photo gallery play fashion police as we look back at 25 of the most memorable red-carpet looks ever at the Daytime Emmys.
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Vanessa Marcil. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, just a year after she was named Outstanding Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Brenda on <em>General Hospital</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> C’mon, are your eyes open — <em>and</em> functioning? That barely-there dress — and the confidence with which it was worn — ushered in VMar’s JLo moment. </p>
Image: Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images (3)
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Kim Zimmer. <strong>When:</strong> In 1985, as the soap-hopper made her first trip to the winner’s circle for her work as <em>Guiding Light</em> firebrand Reva. <strong>Why:</strong> Zimmer knew that with a ’do that awesomely wild — eat your heart out, Cyndi Lauper! — she could get away with an understated dress. She wouldn’t even need shoes, for that matter.</p>
Image: CBS
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Brytni Sarpy. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, the year that Elena’s feelings for Devon and Nate on <em>The Young and the Restless</em> left her feeling like the rope in a tug-of-war. <strong>Why:</strong> The actress was so gorgeous in that shimmering, structural gown, it was a wonder anyone even looked at those shiny statuettes being handed out.</p>
Image: Jennifer Graylock/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Deidre Hall. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, the year that she and <em>Days of Our Lives</em> leading man Drake Hogestyn (John to her Marlena) won… well, not an Emmy but at least a <em>Soap Opera Digest Award</em> for Favorite Couple. <strong>Why:</strong> If ever we needed a reminder that inside of every Marlena, there’s a little bit of Hattie, this is it!</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Susan Lucci and Liza Huber. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, during Mom’s legendary run as Erica on <em>All My Children</em> and her older child’s stint as Gwen on <em>Passions</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> The duo don’t just look gorgeous in their gowns, they look like they’re having a great time heading out on stage together as presenters.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Stacy Haiduk. <strong>When:</strong> In 2009, the year that she should’ve been a nominee for her stunning work as <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ poor, loco Patty and her lookalike shrink, Emily. <strong>Why:</strong> Only the actress who went on to play Kristen and Susan on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> could bring as her date Patty’s fluffy confidant, Mr. Kitty, and make it work purr-fectly.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Sharon Case. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, four years after the soap vet (who’d already appeared on <em>General Hospital</em> and <em>As the World Turns</em>) earned an Outstanding Supporting Actress statuette for her star turn as Sharon on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> For rocking a variation on the little black dress in a dazzling way.</p>
Image: CBS
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Kelly Thiebaud. <strong>When:</strong> The year that <em>General Hospital</em> swapped JaSam for Britton — in other words, 2021. <strong>Why:</strong> Green means go — or in this case, “You go, girl — that dress is nine kindsa slammin’!”</p>
Image: Disney General Entertainment Content/Getty Images
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes. <strong>When:</strong> In 1975, a year after the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> supercouple, who play Doug and Julie, tied the knot off screen. <strong>Why: </strong>Since the awards were handed out that year on the <em>SS Dayliner</em>, the marrieds — old pros at making a splash — went full-on <em>Gilligan’s Island</em> with their attire.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Jacqueline MacInnes Wood. <strong>When:</strong> In 2011, eight years before her Emmy party favor would be a golden girl for the way she utterly <em>owns</em> the role of Steffy on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> Oh, please. How many dresses look as badass going as they do coming the way that this one does?</p>
Image: Getty Images
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Mishael Morgan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2022, just before she exited her <em>Young & Restless</em> role of Amanda after making history as the Daytime Emmys’ first Black Lead Actress winner. <strong>Why:</strong> Although the MVP was on <em>Young & Restless</em>, that amazing dress was strictly bold and beautiful!</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Maura West, back when she was playing Carly on <em>As the World Turns</em>. <strong>When:</strong> In 2008, a year after she began collecting Outstanding Lead Actress Emmys like they were Pokémon cards. <strong>Why:</strong> In this emerald sheeth, the actress — now Ava on <em>General Hospital</em> — could turn any other fashion plate green with envy.</p>
Image: CBS
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Diamond White. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, the year that the soap newbie made her <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> debut as Paris. <strong>Why:</strong> The outré outfit is like a dare — one that the actress not only <em>took</em> but <em>rocked</em>. “Pretty in pink” isn’t even the half of it! </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Melody Thomas Scott. <strong>When:</strong> In 2002, three years after the <em>Young & Restless</em> icon received her (wait, <em>what</em>?!?) only Emmy nod to date. <strong>Why:</strong> Nikki’s portrayer provided all the star power that the outfit could’ve possibly needed. But to ensure a win in this round of patriot games, the blonde bombshell added stripes for good measure.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Susan Flannery and Jennifer Finnigan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, the year that the <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> legend completed her collection of three Daytime Emmys for playing Stephanie and her castmate scored the second of her three Younger Actress statuettes for her work as Bridget. <strong>Why:</strong> Their colorful fashion choices gloriously reflect their individuality.</p>
Image: Lisa Rose/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Laura Wright. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, back when the soap-hopper who now plays Carly on <em>General Hospital</em> was still Cassie on <em>Guiding Light</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> Not only did the form-fitting number shimmer like the stars at midnight, that rear-view ensured that anytime the future Emmy winner walked away, she’d get a glance “back.”</p>
Image: CBS
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> The inimitable Jackée Harry. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, only a few months after <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ Hurricane Paulina blew into Salem. <strong>Why:</strong> In that gown, the <em>Another World</em> vet — the only African-American ever to win an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — gives us the best kind of blues.</p>
Image: Jennifer Graylock/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Gina Tognoni. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, a year prior to the daytime vet’s first Emmy win, for making the role of <em>Guiding Light</em> pot-stirrer Dinah her own. <strong>Why:</strong> The look, complete with henna-tattooed hands, is as unique as the actress who’d go on to win two trophies for <em>Guiding Light</em> and a third for playing Phyllis on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>.</p>
Image: Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Andrea Evans. <strong>When:</strong> During the 1986 storyline that paired her incorrigible Tina with Roscoe Born’s wicked Mitch on <em>One Life to Live</em> to create double trouble. <strong>Why:</strong> Evans has the fab figure to take a “less is more” approach to fabric as well as the fashion sense to know that a handsome co-star is always an ideal accessory.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Victoria Rowell. <strong>When:</strong> In 2004, midway through her comeback stint as Drucilla on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> We barely notice Radio City Music Hall in the background. Such a natutal born attention-getter is Rowell that the only thing that could <em>possibly</em> upstage her is her own magnificent headpiece.</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Rebecca Herbst. <strong>When:</strong> In 1998, the year that she attended her first Daytime Emmys after joining the <em>General Hospital</em> cast as Elizabeth. <strong>Why:</strong> The fan favorite didn’t just wear the heck out of her beautiful dress, she is said to have designed it herself. Eat your heart out, Ridge Forrester!</p>
Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Suzanne Rogers. <strong>When:</strong> Way back in 1979, when her portrayal of beleaguered Maggie on <em>Days of Our Lives</em> earned her a statuette for Outstanding Supporting Actress. <strong>Why:</strong> The only thing lovelier than Rogers’ silky gown is Rogers herself.</p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Shemar Moore. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, half a decade after the former model was named Outstanding Supporting Actor for his work as Malcolm on <em>The Young and the Restless</em>. <strong>Why:</strong> The future <em>Criminal Minds</em> and <em>S.W.A.T.</em> star was as at-home in his modern-day zoot suit as he was on the carpet that matched it. Also, he’s Shemar Moore. That never hurts.</p>
Image: Ron Galella/Getty Images (3)
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Lisa Peluso. <strong>When:</strong> In 1985, the year that she left her <em>Search for Tomorrow</em> role of Wendy and (coincidentally?) a year before the show was cancelled. <strong>Why:</strong> The future <em>Loving</em>, <em>One Life to Live</em> and <em>Another World</em> star clearly knew that priority No. 1 when choosing a dress should always be, “Can I have fun in this?” (And she did!)</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Annika Noelle. <strong>When:</strong> In 2018, when she was still establishing herself as the Rookie of the Year for the way that she’d stepped in and taken over the role of Hope on <em>The Bold and the Beautiful.</em> <strong>Why:</strong> We consider this look a preview of what could be in store if Noelle’s halo-clad character ever unleashes her inner supervixen.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Victoria Konefal and Olivia Rose Keegan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2019, the year that the <em>Days of Our Lives</em> castmates (who played Ciara and Claire, respectively) were both nominated for the last-ever Outstanding Younger Actress award.<strong> Why:</strong> Isn’t it obvious? If we had to pick which of them was more stylishly outfitted, we freakin’ couldn’t do it. Tens across the board!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Bryton James. <strong>When:</strong> In 2009, just a couple of years after adding to his trophy case his first Daytime Emmy, for Outstanding Younger Actor. <strong>Why:</strong> Though we never would’ve even made it to the ceremony without coffee and wine stains all over that stunning suit, the <em>Young & Restless</em>’ Devon managed to. And dang, were his efforts ever worth it!</p>
Image: Lisa Rose/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Debbi Morgan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2003, 14 years after her bravura work as <em>All My Children</em>’s Angie made her the Daytime Emmys’ first African-American Outstanding Supporting Actress. <strong>Why:</strong> Just when you thought you knew what this outfit had in store, aha! She revealed that its color palette was broader than we’d imagined!</p>
Image: Ron Galella Collection/Getty Images
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Melody Thomas Scott. <strong>When:</strong> In 1985, when the ceremony was held at the schmancy Waldorf-Astoria in Manhattan. <strong>Why:</strong> Not only does the <em>Young & Restless</em> leading lady’s garb say that she’s ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple, it elevates the hockey jersey into fabulous formalwear.</p>
Image: CBS
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Melissa Claire Egan. <strong>When:</strong> In 2021, as the <em>Young & Restless</em> leading lady and Outstanding Lead Actress nominee was counting down to the arrival of her firstborn. <strong>Why:</strong> So sleek is Egan’s silhouette in this maroon stunner, all we can say — and <em>enthusiastically</em> so — is, “Mamma mia!”</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Jeanne Cooper. <strong>When:</strong> In 2010, two years after <em>The Young and the Restless</em>’ regal Katherine was crowned Outstanding Lead Actress for the first time in her enviable showbiz career. <strong>Why:</strong> The kaftan wasn’t just tie-dye, it was to-die-for.</p>
Image: George De Sota/JPI
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<p><strong>Who:</strong> Justin and Lindsay Hartley. <strong>When:</strong> In 2005, when the <em>Passions</em> castmates (who played Fox and Theresa) were still newlyweds. <strong>Why:</strong> In this photo, they pretty much epitomize “the perfect couple.” He went on to play Adam on <em>Young & Restless</em>, take primetime by storm on <em>This Is Us</em> and marry two more soap co-stars, and she appeared on <em>All My Children</em>, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> and <em>General Hospital.</em></p>
Image: Colin Knight/JPI
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