General Hospital
GH Breakdown Writer Daniel J. O'Connor Wraps His Run & Tweets: "Thank You To The Amazing GH Team & Fans For A Great 3 Years."
Courtesy/Twitter
More turnover in the writing department at General Hospital! Following on the heels of writer Kate Hall’s exit to The Young and the Restless, comes word today from breakdown writer, Daniel J. O’Connor via his Twitter account.
O’Connor who has been with GH since 2014, after a run as the writers assistant at One Life to Live from 2007-2008 that eventually aw him writing for the series in 2011, send out this message to his followers and fans of the 52-year old soap opera Monday morning.
Daniel related: “Thank you to the amazing GH team & fans for a great 3yrs. My last ep airs today. Hope it goes off without a hitch… ”
The talented scribe then tweeted about his next writing gig: “Happy to still be part of ABC on a new project. Stay tuned.”
With the departure of Hall, O’Connor, and the recent exit of head writer Ron Carlivati, do you think this spells a new future for GH … or do you have some major concerns? Share your thoughts below GH fans!
It is sad and sickening that they ran off all traces of Llanview from the show. I guess they enjoyed the 1.9 ratings they were getting before OLTL came to the rescue
Did you happen to hear of something called the Prospect Park lawsuit? You act like GH had a choice to get rid of the OLTL characters. If you wanna be sad and sickened with someone, be sad and sickened at Prospect Park. Their lawsuit eliminated all traces of Llanview from the show.
You can’t blame Prospect Park Dan. They had every right to get the Llanview characters back. They paid ALOT of money for the rights. Unfortunately, as we know it turned out to be a disaster all around. And while I was a big OLTL fan and very happy that Todd, Starr and John lived on…and was VERY disappointed when they left…I still don’t blame PP. It ‘s business. But I do blame ABC or Ron, whomever was responsible for letting go of Kristen and Michael Easton. I’m hoping Roger/Franco isn’t next. They’re FINALLY giving him an interesting adult personality and I’m falling in love with RH all over again…
OLTL characters never brought up the ratings. The ratings were up when a core GH character Robin returned to the canvas. She left and those numbers went back down. So despite what some people think OLTL had nothing to do with saving GH
It certainly did not..but getting RC who brought off the wall stories after leaving OLTL did..and then it got tiresome..and now who knows what’s in store..can’t they go the way of OLTL and find another newcomer like Michael Malone..their are countless young writers who could most likely change the face of soaps but the networks would rather stay in the P&G Irna Phillips type days of storytelling..something has to seriously change with daytime.
It would be nice if #GH would just come out and address the issue directly. From a PR perspective it’s not very encouraging to hear about the departures from the scribes themselves. It looks as if people are abandoning sinking ship right and left instead of being asked to step down to make room for new creative blood.
So then WHO is/are writing for GH these days?
ABC rarely addresses the public.
It is business with ABC, noting emotional.
At some point in time they may announce whatever.
Soaps bring in new/different writers, all the time.
Y&R has done so, recently.
DOOL has done so, recently.
———– It is the switching.
A.
GH’s new head writers are Jean and Shelly, the two Y&R fired and were replaced by Pratt.
That almighty demographic that is SO important, the 18 to 49, is sinking like a rock for GH. I imagine they are trying all manner of changes in an attempt to stop that.
Rats, sinking ships and all that….
please get rid of all this mafia bull .concentrate on general hospital.elizabeth with her crying and whining is boreing.
I cannot stand Liz! Jasam rules!
Ok, try to figure out what ive written sarcastically…try reading it is as annoying as it was for me listening to ‘DUHneese!!!…lol
This comment doesnt make sense now that my original comment hasnt appeared…lol
Hi, Jimh.
I did give you an answer, albeit your original comment did not appear. I suppose ‘they’ did not like what I had to say either….all I quoted were the words to the song…you know? OH, DUHneese? LOL.
@jimh and CeeCee….At least we can rejoice that the DUHneese chav-fest is finally over and done with! I thought we’d never see the end of that tacky black wig and OTT tartwear! Now if we could only do something about Alexis….
Ron and now Daniel are no longer with GH..
However, both remain with ABC .
They are working on a new ABC project.
Perhaps a primetime soap, perhaps not. But, both are still employed by ABC.
GH will go on.
I just do not see it being better with the new writers that were fired from Y&R.
Time will tell..
I’m looking forward to Ron’s new project with ABC (wonder what it is..
As far as I know. I have never heard of let go head writers of a soap staying on with the network writing for a new ABC project.
That being known tells that ABC sees Ron as good writer.
I’d be curious to know what a ‘break down’ writer does. We are not insiders. But we are still interested.
What is the difference is between a breakdown writer and a staff writer?
Each show (and Headwriter) handles things a little differently, says Jonathan Reiner (TV guide online), but as a general rule, “each week a breakdown writer meets with the Headwriter and the Associate headwriters and talks over the content for his/her day (an episode), then works up a 14 to 18 page document (double-spaced) which outlines the 21 or so scenes, including actors, sets, important props, etc. A dialogue or Scriptwriter (sometimes referred to as a staff writer) can work from this to turn the breakdown into a script. Traditionally the breakdown writer doesn’t include dialogue, but several breakdown writers like to include key phrases or actual lines because it’s sometimes important to include dialogue to get the tone right for the scene.”
…or so says Google
Sounds like just a simple overhaul of the writing team to me! Why wouldn’t new head writers want to bring in breakdown and script writers who they work well with creatively. This sounds like a promising move towards a great creative change. I’m curiously optimistic
People overreacting, as usual. When new writers take over a show, they bring in some of their own people. It’s the same thing that happened when Ron Carlivati took over. I believe the only members of the previous GH writing team he kept were Elizabeth Korte and Kate Hall. Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman probably wanna bring in their own breakdown writers and so forth. This isn’t unusual at all. I really wouldn’t read too much into it. But of course that won’t stop people.
Bingo.
Unless there’s this club for writers or if your known because yo are the head writers of the show how are we suppose to know whose who? I’m not a writer groupie so I have no idea who oconnor is or what he contributed to the show, so I have no idea what I’ll be missing. Now if he’s been let go cause he’s to much like RC then I understand but beyond that I wish him the best.
As long as the endless recycling of writers continues, the soaps continue to be an endangered species.
Mister Media..
Soap writers/head writers have a short lifespan .. lol
They know they are not going to permanent fixtures.
Head Writers are changed usually around the 4 yr mark.
I’m no expert on length of head writers longevity on a soap, but seems like 4 years.
Then at some point in time they rotate.
Soap writers, head writers are becoming an endangered species.
I don’t see this as band news, I see it as more change!
Every time a show brings in new head writer(s), the current writer(s) either stay or leave. It’s sad to see 2 GH writers leave, but it happens in TV shows (when Ron Carlivati become head writer, a lot of GH writers left).
On the bright side, GH new head writers Shelly Altman & Jean Passanante are going to have to find new writers. I’m sure writers from DAYS, Y&R or B&B would jump ship to writer under them at GH! – I’m sure bringing in new writers will help bring in some new blood in the writers room!
This is not uncommon. In every workplace when there is a change in management, owners or supervisors, whatever, some people end up leaving for various reasons. They either cannot lose their loyalty to their previous bosses, or they don’t like the new style of management, or there is a personality conflict with the new people. It is no different on a soap–they don’t make it clear if these people left on their own, or were “let go” but this sort of thing is to be expected. The best thing for any work place is have happy employees who work well together and hopefully GH will get that team in place and continue for years to come.
And– writers also return to their originals soaps..
After a year or two, seeing how things go with GH, Ron could return.
There are not many soap writers left and recycling them seems to be the thing.
Good to hear. The show needs a fresh writing team.
Nothing fresh about these two.
Robert..
LOL 🙂
with the Queens of Snooze at the helm of GH, I am frightened for its’ future longevity..
((a change can be for the better or for the worse, I fear the worse 🙁
That’s funny, Robert S.
Negative people. Give them a chance. Personally I liked what they were doing with YnR.
Jonboy-
Research their ratings -killing and show –
killing track records.They’ve had chance after chance after chance to do damage to the genre that is so loved by so so many dismayed,disappointed and devastated viewers.For many ,seeing their venerable shows fall by the wayside is like losing their circle of friends.
Get rid of the mob and bring family and romance back to GH. The show is slowly sinking. I care about this show. Bring back the popularity that made GH an outstanding 50+ years show…one example…Jason Thompson and Kimberly McCullough. Let’s put some real thought into making a comeback.
Rebecca Franklin,
There is no longer a mob.
Show me a mob and I will be very happy.
There is 2 men, old mobsters, that threaten each other.
There are no mobsters on GH, Sonny and Julian fighting are not a mob anything.
GH used to have ‘many’ mobsters, actual characters that were of the mobs, there are no mob charters other than the 2, just 2 and 2 is nowhere near a mob.
I would love to have an actual mob story.
There has not been any mob action since the Alazars and they are long gone.
Sonny and Julian bickering over territory and dock shipments, every now and then, is far far far from mob action.
I wish they would hire characters to be mobsters.
I wish there were 12 or more mobsters as once was, now 2.
I can’t believe that people actually say there is too much mob stuff when in fact it is a rare treat to actually have mob action and then it lasts for a day or two.
That’s tough to do when Kimberly does not want to be there, she is more interested in behind the camera. I wish they would recast her already.
It only matters who stays . So he will be going , and will it make a difference ,NO. The head writer will still have the say. As for Ron. I had enough of him and his twitter and destroying beloved characters, Robin, Anna ,Nick, Liz .Even Patrick has been lobotomized. Lets face it. The fans want Robin back, Kim has said she could return here and there, but TIIC didn’t want that. My way or the highway. Ron’s now on the highway. I don’t blame Ron for all the B.S he can have his share, and his childish twitter and his name calling. Tony can have Luke’s share. Frank controls the money ,he gets to share. I now have no interest in the show except to read about it on line. The unholy threes return has made me just do it. Shut it off. I have no idea who this guy is, couldn’t care less and when he said OLTL I got it. For those of us who didn’t watch that show .We wanted to watch GH. Just not Guza’s G.H .
Kind of hard to write story for some one who only wants to come on now and then. It really messes up everyone involved in her stories. Is Patrick just supposed to keep breaking up with people every-time she decides she wants to appear for a couple of episodes?
Robin could have returned, had co parenting with Patrick. She could be working in a lab, and Patrick could be free to chase other women. The way it has been written, he looks like a jerk, Robin told him what Victor said his threats etc, and what does he do. Jump in bed with the wife of the man who Robin went to save. .This way neither of them look like jerks. She comes home to see her parents, and emma . leaves to do work in Paris /
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Adam J. Harrington Weighs-in On John and Carly, and How it’s ‘Starting to Get Very Complicated”
On recent episodes of General Hospital, Carly (Laura Wright) came to John “Jagger” Cates (Adam Harrington) rescue as he was beaten down in an assault. Carly put on her “nurses cap,” sort of speak, and got John to his hotel room and watched over to him, to make sure he didn’t lose consciousness.
GH fans also got their first glimpse of what may be a new romance for Carly, if she and John continue to bond. If John and Carly were to have a relationship, it would certainly have a ripple effect with Jason (Steve Burton) and Sonny (Maurice Benard).
Adam J. Harrington shared his view on the scenes and what might be next between the two. Speaking to Soap Opera Digest, Harrington shared, “I thought it was written in a way where there’s an understanding and a respect between them both. I don’t think there was any moment where she was not aware that he’s an FBI agent, and there was no moment that he wasn’t aware of her history and relationship to other people in the town. I really liked it. I was really looking forward to shooting it with Laura and we had a really nice time shooting it.”
Photo: ABC
When Carly and John part ways, it seems there were some romantic sparks, as Harrington puts it, “Isn’t that interesting that sometimes with people, the one moment they actually show how they feel is when they know there’s an escape hatch. They know they’re about to walk away. So, it’s almost safe in that moment to do it. I thought that was really special about how (the writers) handled John and Carly. Even the music in that scene was beautifully done.”
Where is this all heading? Conflict! Internally and professionally, and as Adam explains, “Who Carly was to John on paper as just a tool to be used as bait is starting to get very complicated.”
What would you think of a John and Carly pairing? Would you prefer him with Anna, or neither of them? Let us know via the comment section and take our poll below.
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Steve Burton Reveals the Emotional Scene He Almost Could Not Get Through
On a recent episode of General Hospital, Jason received a message from his mother, Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson) via a note. The effect it had on Jason’s portrayer, Steve Burton turned out to be quite visceral.
As GH fans know, although Jason’s bio-mom was Susan Moore, he was raised and adopted by Monica. Speaking on his Daily Drama podcast with his co-host and GH co-star, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Steve shared some insight on the difficulties he had getting through that scene.
Burton shared that in the key moment, “Brooklyn (played by Amanda Setton) came in and that’s where she gave me (Jason) the letter from Monica. That was a very hard scene for me to do. That was a tough one. That was the one time I was almost going to call ‘cut!’ It read ‘Jason, I believe in you.’ I was literally going to walk off the set.”
Photo: JPI
To clarify and in the story, Monica was saying “I believe in you” and that she knows Jason didn’t shoot Dante (Dominic Zamprogna). Steve added, “It was tough, man. Emotionally, it was a tough scene. It was overwhelming in the moment.”
Steve went on to detail to Anderson, “She (Brook Lynn) pushed it to me and I read it and she was walking out and I had to stop her, but I was so emotional I couldn’t even get it out. And at that point, I’m like, ‘Do I just keep going … or do I just walk off the set right now?’ But, I knew just to stay, because it’s so hard to get back there, once you shut it down. I knew, the next take wasn’t going to be the same.”
Photo: JPI
It’s clear that Leslie Charleson is so missed on-screen as Monica by all of her castmates, and that Jason and Monica had a very special mother/son relationship throughout the decades on GH.
What did you think of the moment when Jason got a note from Monica that said, “I believe in you?” Were you touched as well? Let us know in the comment section. You can check out the latest episode of Steve and Bradford’s podcast below.
General Hospital
George Russo to Appear on General Hospital as Carmine Cerullo
Coming up, it looks like Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) grandfather, Carmine Cerullo is headed to Port Charles.
According to casting news from the ABC soap opera, George Russo will take on the role. Russo will tape his episode next week on April 15th and will appear on the May 15th episode of the long-running daytime drama series.
If George looks familiar he has been in numerous primetime television shows and motion pictures including: The Offer. Winning Time, Grand Crew and Shameless.
Photo: ABC
Longtime GH viewers will recall that Lois’ (Rena Sofer) dad, Carmine, was previously showed up in Port Charles on and off from 1994 to 1996 and was played by John Capudice.
Clearly, it seems that Carmine will be a part of Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s wedding. Will it go off without a hitch? Are you looking forward to it? Stay tuned.
Who else would you like to see attend the nuptials? Gloria Cerullo (Ellen Travolta), any other blasts from the pasts who should be present? Let us know in the comment section.
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