Screentime March 26 – April 1, 2023

By Jay Bobbin

Very few television programs last for 60 years, especially in the current media climate.

That makes it a big deal, indeed, that the ABC drama “General Hospital” — which has won the Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding drama series 14 times, a record — is marking its six-decade milestone with special moments before and after the actual anniversary: April 1, which falls on a Saturday this year. Still, the Monday-through-Friday episodes surrounding that date will honor legendary characters and stories (including a tribute to late co-star Sonya Eddy), and bring back the popular Nurses Ball being staged for the first time in three years.

CoVer sTory

Created by Frank and Doris Hursley, the saga of the residents of the fictional Port Charles (now guided by executive producer Frank Valentini) has transformed since its 1963 debut, reaching one of its peaks with the 1981 wedding of Luke and Laura Spencer (played by Anthony Geary and continuing cast member Genie Francis) ... to date, the highest-rated dramatic hour in daytime-TV history. However, for whatever romance or espionage has been factored in, the center of the show always has been the title medical facility.

One of the longtime characters reflecting that is Nurse Elizabeth Webber, portrayed by Rebecca Herbst, who’s marking her own “General Hospital” milestone by cel-

ebrating her 25th anniversary with the series. The part was created for her, and with her alter ego having gone through affairs and kidnappings and pregnancies over a quarter-century, the three-time Daytime Emmy nominee appreciates that she remains prominent on the show.

“It certainly does not feel like it’s been 25 years,” the pleasant Herbst reflects. “We have so many cast members, I do not envy the writers with their job of keeping everybody on the canvas in these complex stories. It really is amazing to me.”

Herbst confirms that the mood on the “General Hospital” set has been quite spirited lately. “I feel like we look at each other and just chuckle in a way,” she muses, “because

this show has been around for 60 years. We’re not surprised, because it’s been a popular show forever and our writers have done a really great job of keeping up with the times. We’re just incredibly grateful that we’re still here!”

Married to former “General Hospital” co-star Michael Saucedo, with whom she has three children, Herbst almost left the show in 2011 due to a storyline shift. Fans spoke up against that — loudly — and effectively saved her job.

Expressing her ongoing thanks for that, Herbst says that lately, the initially rebellious Elizabeth is “not too far off from who she was when she came to Port Charles. It’s really nice that I’ve been able to add so many layers to the character over the years.”

Learn Something News Every Day

Did you know your local newspaper is a valuable teaching tool? It’s filled with the latest information on all types of important topics, from current events and health and science breakthroughs to mindopening information about the arts, travel and different cultures all over the world!

The STREAM Scene

“Movie: Reggie”

Reggie Jackson looks back on his baseball career and considers what his legacy might be as a Hall of Fame slugger and Black athlete in this documentary from director Alex Stapleton (“Hello, Privilege. It’s Me, Chelsea”). Along with Jackson, Hank Aaron, Julius Erving and Derek Jeter are interviewed, as are his former teammates Joe Rudi, Vida Blue and Rollie Fingers. (ORIGINAL)

Where all the top choices can be found in one place!

In Focus

“Jane: Season 1” (Apple TV+ — series premiere, April 14)

Inspired by the work of Jane Goodall, this original family drama series follows 9-year-old Jane, a budding environmentalist on a quest to save endangered animals with the help of best friends David and Greybeard the chimpanzee. Ava Louise Murchison, Mason Blomberg, Tamara Almeida and Dan Abramovici star.

WebLinks

6 x 2” ad

3 x 3” ad

The award-winning actress, director and producer travels across Mexico to get a taste of the country’s varied cuisine in the new series “Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico,” airing Sundays on CNN. Find recipes and get your first look by visiting www. cnn.com/shows/evalongoria-searching-formexico

“Next

in Fashion”

The sophomore round of this design competition series brings in a fresh batch of talented up-and-coming designers to compete for the chance to win a $200,000 grand prize and share their designs with the world. Fashion designer Tan France returns as host alongside new co-host Gigi Hadid. (ORIGINAL)

Sports Zone

en State Warriors. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å Wednesday

1:30 p.m. GOLF Women’s Golf Augusta National Amateur Champonship, First Round. (N) (Live) Å

7:30 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Dallas Mavericks at Philadelphia 76ers. (N) (Live) Å FS1 Boy’s High School Basketball The Throne National Championship, First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å TNT NHL Hockey New York Islanders at Washington Capitals. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

9:00 p.m. FS1 Boy’s High School Basketball The Throne National Championship, First Round: Teams TBA. (N) (Live)

10:00 p.m. ESPN NBA Basketball Minnesota Timberwolves at Phoenix Suns. (N) (Live) Å TNT NHL Hockey Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å Thursday

1:30 p.m. GOLF Women’s Golf Augusta National Amateur Champonship, Second Round.

(N) (Live) Å

4:00 p.m. ESPN2 NBA G League Basketball First Semifinal: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å GOLF PGA Tour Golf Valero Texas Open, First Round. (N) (Live) Å ROOT MLB Baseball Pittsburgh Pirates at Cincinnati Reds. (N) (Live) SNY MLB Baseball New York Mets at Miami Marlins. (N) (Live) Å

7:00 p.m. ESPN MLB Baseball Chicago White Sox at Houston Astros. (N) (Live) Å GOLF LPGA Tour Golf DIO Implant LA Open, First Round.

(N) (Live) Å

7:30 p.m. ESPN2 College Basketball State Farm College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships. (N) (Live) Å FS1 Boy’s High School Basketball The Throne National Championship, Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å ROOT NHL Hockey Nashville Predators at Pittsburgh Pen-

BY GEORGE DICKIE

Framber Valdez takes the mound as staff ace in Houston

If ever there was a team that could afford to lose a Cy Young winner like Justin Verlander, it’s the Houston Astros. Indeed, the ‘Stros rode a talented pitching young staff through the postseason to an 11-2 record, culminating with their second World Series championship in five years. But now as the 2023 season gets going with Verlander gone to the Mets in free agency, there must be a new ace on the hill at Minute Maid Park

Submitted for your consideration: Framber Valdez.

Lost in Verlander’s dominant return from Tommy John surgery in 2022 was the emergence of the 29-year-old lefty as a legitmate force. His numbers were stellar: a 17-6 wonlost record with a 2.82 ERA, 194 strikeouts and only 67 walks in 201.1 innings for a WHIP of 1.16.

In the postseason, he was even better, going 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in four postseason starts, including 2-0 in the World Series. Additionally, he placed fifth in Cy Young voting and was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game. Now as the clear No. 1, the Dominican says he’s ready to shoulder the load as staff ace. With that usually comes pressure, but Valdez says it’s something he welcomes.

“Obviously we have a lot of great pitchers and I want to try to be the guy to lead those guys,” he said. “I feel very responsible for that. I know there will be a little weight to carry, but it’s something I’m willing to do.” Valdez will likely be on the mound at Minute Maid Park when the Astros open the 2023 regular season against the Chicago White Sox Thursday, March 30, on ESPN.

NAME: Framber Valdez

BIRTH DATE: Nov. 19, 1993

BIRTHPLACE: Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican Republic

HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5 feet 11 inches/239 pounds

guins. (Joined in Progress) (N) (Live) TNT NBA Basketball Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks. (N Subject to Blackout) (Live) Å

9:00 p.m. FS1 Boy’s High School Basketball The Throne National Championship, Quarterfinal:

TEAMS: Houston Astros

(2018-present)

POSITION: Starting pitcher

BATS/THROWS: Right/left

NO.: 59

9:00 p.m. FS1 Boy’s High School Basketball The Throne National Championship, Semifinal: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

10:00 p.m. SHO Bellator MMA 293: Golm vs. James. Marcelo Golm vs. Daniel James, heavyweight bout. (N) (Live) Å

12:55 a.m. ESPN Formula 1 Racing Australia Grand Prix, Qualifying. (N) (Live) Å

saTurday

8:00 a.m. FS1 NASCAR Xfinity Racing Series ToyotaCare 250, Qualifying. (N) (Live) Å

10:00 a.m. ESPN2 Girls High School Basketball Geico Nationals, Championship Game: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

FS1 NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400, Qualifying. (N) (Live) Å USA Premier League Soccer Arsenal vs Leeds United. (N) (Live) Å 12:00 p.m. WGRZ-2 WICU-12

Women’s Golf Augusta National Amateur Champonship, Final Round. (N) (Live) Å

WKBW-7 Bundesliga Soccer Bayern Munich vs Borussia Dortmund. (N) (Live) Å ESPN Boy’s High School Basketball Geico Nationals, Championship: Teams TBA. (N)

Å ESPN2 College Softball Texas at

HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: All-Star (2022); World Series champion (2022); All-MLB First Team (2022); career record is 41-23 with a 3.38 ERA

Solution is on page 6.

Nationals, Second Semifinal: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å

6:30 p.m. SNY MLB Baseball New York Mets at Miami Marlins. (N) (Live) Å

7:00 p.m. ESPN 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament First Semifinal: Teams TBA. (N) (Live) Å ESPN2 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament The Bird and Taurasi Show: Teams TBA. Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi comment on the game. (N) (Live) Å FS1 PBA Bowling USBC Masters, Match Play. (N) (Live) Å FX XFL Football Seattle Sea Dragons at Arlington Renegades. (N) (Live) Å GOLF LPGA Tour Golf DIO Implant LA Open, Second Round. (N) (Live) Å

BEST MERYL STREEP MOVIES

“The Deer Hunter” (1978) In her first Oscar-nominated performance, Streep plays a steel-town resident linked to several men who leave to fight in the Vietnam War.

“Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) Streep earned a supporting Oscar as a quietly desperate wife and mother gone AWOL.

“The French Lieutenant’s Woman” Giving her knack for playing complex roles free rein, Streep is superb as an actress s involved in a passionate affair, as is the 19th-century character she’s portraying.

“Sophie’s Choice” (1982) The choice renching for the concentration-camp survivor played by Streep in her best-actress Oscar winner. Turner Classic Movies shows the film Sunday, March 26.

“Silkwood” (1983) Streep’s knack for making ordinary people seem extraordinary is evident in her portrayal of the plutonium

“Out of Africa” (1985) Letting her show off her chameleon-like skills, the part of author Karen Blixen is ideally suited to Streep.

“A Cry in the Dark” (1988) Did she or didn’t she? Streep’s skilled work in this true drama leaves the question of whether her character – or a dingo – was responsible for her daughter’s death in Australia.

“Postcards From the Edge” (1990)

Carrie Fisher’s semi-autobiographical novel yields the tale of the strained relationship between daughter-and-mother celebrities, played by Streep and Shirley MacLaine.

“The Bridges of Madison County” (1995) Streep and director and co-star Clint Eastwood prove an ideal match in the adaptation of Robert James Waller’s melancholy love stor y.

“The Hours” (2002) In the saga of three women of different times who share a

x 2” ad

common thread, Streep is magnificent as a modern book editor staging a party for an an AIDS-stricken poet (Ed Harris).

“The Devil Wears Prada” (2006) For a textbook example of how to do a lot with a little, witness Streep’s purposely minimal emoting as an imperious fashion magazine editor.

“Mamma Mia!” (2008) Yes, she sings, too! While Adele has nothing to worry about, Streep demonstrates she can carry classic ABBA tunes.

“Julie & Julia” (2009) Streep flawlessly channels chef Julia Child, effectively showing the woman behind the icon in the earliest phases of the cooking star’s international fame.

“The Iron Lady” (2011) Matching Streep to the role of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was a cinch to earn the actress her third Oscar.

Look Now Look Here...

“Great Expectations” on FX on Hulu

(Words in parentheses not in puzzle)

Eccentric Orphan Manipulation Revenge Class (System)

Ginger Gonzaga

OF ‘TRUE LIES’ ON CBS

BY JAY BOBBIN

Did you see the movie version of “True Lies” before starting the series?

I was in a lucky position where I had never seen the film, so even before the pilot, I committed to not watching it because I know Jamie has an iconic performance. The last thing I want to do is an impression of Jamie Lee Curtis. I love her so much, I have so much respect for her, I didn’t want to absorb any of it.

When I auditioned for this, I got to literally just take the script for what it is and be like, “Okay, here’s (the character) Helen,” like I would have done at any audition. How can I make this pop? How can I make this a character I want to play? How can I make this super-funny? I got to organically just make it based off of (that).

Do you feel that the “True Lies” series stands apart from the movie?

The DNA of the show is in the film, and there’s so many winks at it. And I think just because of the year it is, it already has that freshness to it. It’s the perfect amount of time between when the film happened and when we made this, because it’s not so close that you’re like, “Oh, I remember the other one.”

Society has evolved, the actors are different, so we’re lucky in that way. It really makes it just kind of easy to be this fresh, new thing.

“True Lies” is a very physical show. How did you prepare for that?

I like to say that I’m stupidly brave, so I kind of just assume I can do things when that’s not always the case. I’ve learned how to do everything that way ... riding horses, skiing. I had done gymnastics, so I tried to incorporate a little bit of that.

I had no idea how much I would need Pilates for this job. You physically have to be strong. I literally need the muscle that comes from that in order to do some of the work. I took a parkour class, and the other students were, like, 14 years old. So it was just me and boys, and I was weirdly trying to show off by dismounting on gymnastics bars and stuff –trying to look cool to my 14-year-old friends.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. (PROVERBS 3:5-6)

In Focus

“Blindspotting” (Starz — season premiere, April 14)

Season 2 of this dramedy series picks up nine months after Ashley (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and Miles’ (Rafael Casal) prison nuptials, and sees Ashley doing her best to raise their son on her own. But she is at her breaking point. Meanwhile, Miles is adjusting to life on the inside and counting down the days before their first family visitation weekend. And Rainey (Helen Hunt) is trying to make Ashley and Sean (Atticus Woodward) feel at home.

Crossword Puzzle

The identity of the featured celebrity is found within the answers in the puzzle. In order to take the TV Challenge, unscramble the letters noted

32. “The __ I Live In”; Antonio Banderas film

33. Actor on “So Help Me Todd” (2)

36. Fencing sword

37. Some bills

38. Roxy of “FBI: Most Wanted”

DOWN

1. Locked up

2. Witch in “Hansel and Gretel,” e.g.

3. “__ Haw”

4. “Just the Ten __ __” (1987-90)

5. Mr. Goodman

6. Upper room

7. Cheeky

8. B on a piano keyboard (hyph.)

11. Musical disc, for short

12. Word in the title of Howie’s game show

13. “Say __ to the Dress”

14. 27 years from now

20. Uncle __; “The Addams Family” role

21. Inquiring

22. Actor Claude

23. “__ All Night”; Liam Neeson film

24. Mule’s father 25. Two-wheelers

26. “Tales From the __” (1989-96)

29. Actor on “The Beverly Hillbillies”

30. George Clooney series

31. Mexico’s continent: abbr.

34. Joseph Anderson of “Young Rock”

If

956-435-7640 956-510-8777 956-972-1920 aveanna.com