October 1995
Katherine Bell, intolerable yet redeemable, has a romance blossoming with Mac Scorpio, General Hospital’s wholesome Aussie barkeep and private eye. What makes this affair different is that both Katherine and Mac are grown ups. While Kayla and Patch had loads of romance, it was a young love. Stephen was the knight in shining armor (arguably), and Kayla was the damsel in distress. She was infatuated with him, and he adoring of her. On the other hand, Katherine and Mac are mature, equal…and not so innocent.
The other day, a scene aired which showed the awakening of this romance. Mac and Katherine soaked each other during a playful seltzer fight at his bar. Mac, dripping but still chivalrous, walked Katherine home. At her door, she turned on the stairs, looked him straight in the eyes, and kissed him square on the mouth. Katherine spun around and disappeared inside, leaving Mac hanging out to dry.
Minutes after that scene aired, I got a phone call from Stephen Nichols. He was shopping in an appliance store and all the TV sets were turned into GH. Surrounding him on a myriad of screens was his “Sweetness” making the moves on Mac. “What are you up to, baby? What are you doing kissing another guy,” he teased.
Stephen and I fell into a long conversation. The chemistry is still there. I always feel it. Fans have always known about chemistry, and it seems many producers are finally seeing it, too. There’s a trend in the industry of reuniting couples who have this chemistry.
One of the first supercouples was George Reinholt and Jacqueline Courtney (Steve and Alice) on Another World. They’re now together again on One Life to Live. Another example is Darnell Williams and Debbie Morgan, who played Jesse and Angie on All My Children. They’ve been reincarnated on Loving. Some shows bring back original supercouples, such as Tony Geary and Genie Francis as Luke and Laura on General Hospital. When Kristian Alfonso returned on DOOL, Robert Kelker-Kelly (a Peter Reckell look alike) had already been brought in as Bo, but the original Bo and Hope chemistry wasn’t there. The producers must have seen it- they’ve just recast Peter.
It leaves one to wonder about the ultimate fate of Patch and Kayla. I’ve missed working with Stephen and I’ve often felt sad because I thought I’d never have that perfect chemistry again with any other actor. Until now. John York and I are excited about working together as Mac and Katherine because there’s a spark. This is the first time since working with Stephen that I’ve felt their could be good chemistry.
No one can explain what causes chemistry between two actors. But when something clicks and everything comes together, the actors feel it. It’s as if the writing has improved, our scenes come alive. For Kayla, there is only Patch. But can a dinky-di Aussie reform this wild Yankee? With the right chemistry, I bet!
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