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Michele Val Jean on Positive Response for ‘The Gates’: “What Made This Announcement Especially Poignant Was It Happened on Jackie Zeman’s Birthday”

Photo: JPI

Wednesday, March 6th will be remembered as a big day for the soaps, and one for Michele Val Jean. Earlier, Val Jean’s new daytime drama, The Gates, was announced and that it was in developmental. The series would mark the first new original network soap opera in over 25 years.

Michele, who most recently wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital, is currently slated as the new soap opera’s writer, showrunner and one of its executive producers.

As previously reported, The Gates is in works in a joint venture from CBS Studios, NAACP and P&G Studios. At the epicenter of its story will be a wealthy Black family who reside in an upscale gated community. The news stunned soap opera fans who reacted with joy and The Gates was trending on X following its announcement; which proved never doubt that there is an audience for this genre and their passion.

Photo: ABC

This evening, Val Jean took to her own X account to express what the response meant to her, and in a personal moment, mentioned how profound that this huge announcement, on a potential new daytime drama, happened on what would have been the late Jackie Zeman’s 71st birthday.

Zeman passed away in May of 2023 from a short battle with cancer and was beloved for her 45-year-run as Nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, a show which Val Jean spent many years on their writing team.

Val Jean expressed: “I’m so profoundly touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to #TheGates. What made this announcement especially poignant was it happened on Jackie Zeman’s birthday. She would have loved this. #angelspirit”

What did you think about the massive response on social media for the new soap opera being developed, The Gates, and then Michele giving a nod to Jackie Zeman? Comment below.

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I wish Michele Val Jean all the best on the development of a new daytime drama and it getting produced and on the air. Congrats to CBS for recognizing that an audience exists for this type of program. Hopefully it will inspire a resurgence of daytime drama.

Finally! Applause, CBS, for recognizing daytime drama remains a viable entertainment venture. I never understood how broadcast just gave up on being original for the likes of carbon copy talk judge, and news shows. Even stations airing reruns close poorly. Another Dateline? I hope the soap fans rally to give this new effort a lot of support.

I love the idea of a new soap!!! The Gates is a dumb name tho something more soapish is needed.

Agree hopefully they change , the name of the new soap. They need to sit down and come up with a new title. I hope this new soap opera is a huge hit.

It certainly is. I hope they change it.

I thought Knots Landing was a silly name. The show certainly proved otherwise. I’m not concerned about the name, I’m more concerned that P&G are involved. WHY??? If it airs it will be everybody’s vision executive wise and NOT Val Jeans own. Too many cooks for one pot of soup out the “gates”.

“The Gates” really isn’t that bad. It beats “Loving”. Best soap title (which never made it into use) was the original OLTL title – “Between Heaven and Hell”. Maybe that’s why one poster here didn’t watch it?

“The Gates” was previously the name of a short-lived prime-time soap about 15 years ago. It starred Frank Grillo from “Guiding Light.” If the show is about a well-off Black family, then perhaps they live in a gated community, which is the literal reason for the name. But as the show is expected to highlight the Black experience in America, the title may also be an allusion to the metaphorical “gates” Black Americans have faced in gaining equality.

General Hospital

Maurice Benard Confirms Steve Burton is Upcoming Guest on ‘State of Mind’

Over this past weekend, General Hospital’s Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) revealed that he is finally going to have longtime co-star, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) on his State of Mind You Tube series for a sit-down interview.

While speaking with Soap Opera Digest at Nancy Lee Grahn’s (Alexis, GH) ALS fundraiser, Maurice confirmed the taping is happening this week and should be posted in about three weeks time.

Benard shared, “I wanted Steve Burton and I’m shooting him Tuesday, my good friend, but he’s been through a lot and I’ve been asking for three years, but he’s finally going to do it.”

Photo: ABC

In addition, to the episode, it appears Maurice also confirmed he will be doing a You Tube live on Tuesday, May 7th as well at 3 pm PT possibly with Burton.

As GH viewers know, for year Jason was Sonny’s henchman, and his right hand. Now upon Jason’s return, the two are at complete odds, due in part to Sonny’s medication being completely manipulated by Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart) and his growing paranoia.

As for what Burton will discuss, as Benard teased Steve has gone through a lot of personal ups and downs as well as professional, over the last three or more years, but has always landed on his feet. It will be interesting to hear this thoughts on those matters and how he soldiered through.

So, excited to see Maurice and Steve have a serious chat on State of Mind? Comment below.

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General Hospital

The Stars Come Out In Support of Nancy Lee Grahn’s ALS Benefit (Photos)

Boasting an incredible line-up of daytime soap opera star power, Nancy Lee Grahn’s (Alexis, General Hospital) ALS Benefit “Daytime Unites” held its fundraising event over the weekend on Saturday May 4th.

According to a post on X from Grahn following the event, she revealed that the fundraiser raised over $71,000 for ALS research. Stars from GH who participated included: Genie Francis (along with husband, Jonathan Frakes), Dominic Zamprogna, Kristen Vaganos, Kate Mansi, Maurive Benard, Laura Wright, Evan Hofer, Parry Shen, Lane Davies, Carolyn Hennesy, Michael Easton, Lydia Look, Tabyana Ali, Maura West, Adam J. Harrington, Cynthia Watros, and Lisa LoCicero.

In addition, The Bold and the Beautiful’s Don Diamont and Annika Noelle, The Young and the Restless’ Jason Thompson, Trevor St. John, Kate Linder, Melissa Claire Egan, and Christian LeBlanc, and Days of our Lives Stephen Nichols and Patrika Darbo, and more were also on-hand.

In her message on X, Grahn, the two-time Daytime Emmy-winner expressed, “Thanks to my beautiful friends who showed up, along with some extraordinarily kind Daytime fans, we raised over 71k for ALS. Truly grateful for the privilege to help move the needle a little closer to finding a cure.”

Now below check out some of the snaps featuring several of your favorites from the soaps below.

Photo: JPI

GH’s Lisa LoCicero (Olivia) and Maurice Benard (Sonny) strike a pose with former castmate Jason Thompson (ex-Patrick, GH, now Billy, Y&R).

Photo: JPI

B&B’s Annika Noelle (Hope) with the host with the most, Nancy Lee Grahn.

Photo: JPI

GH’s Adam J. Harrington (John “Jagger” Cates) attended Nancy’s event, his first with his new GH co-stars.

Photo: JPI

Y&R’s Peter Bergman (Jack) flanked by GH’s Car0lyn Hennesy (Diane) and Grahn.

Photo: JPI

Good buds and former OLTL co-stars, Y&R’s Trevor St. John (Tucker) and Michael Easton (Finn).

Photo: JPI

GH’s Cynthia Watros (Nina) showed her support for ALS and her co-star Nancy Lee Grahn’s fundraising efforts.

Photo: JPI

Star Trek favorite, Jonathan Frakes, with his wife, GH’s iconic, Genie Francis (Laura).

Photo: JPI

Two of the soaps and GH’s finest, Maura West (Ava) with Maurice Benard.

Photo: JPI

Tucker meets Tucker! The former Tucker McCall of The Young and the Restless, Stephen Nichols (Steve, Days) meets the current Tucker McCall, Trevor St. John!

Photo: JPI

The Davis girls showed up in support of their on-screen mother played by Nancy Lee Grahn- Kristen Vaganos (Molly) and Kate Mansi (Kristina).

So, what do you think about the star power of Nancy’s event? Glad to know they raised over 71K to help find a cure for ALS? Comment below.

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General Hospital

GH’s Tabyana Ali Responds to Nicholas Chavez Exit: “I Hope That We Will Get the Chance to Work Together Again Someday”

The “Sprina” that everyone knew and loved is not coming back in the form fans have been accustomed to, at least, anytime soon after Nicholas Chavez last week confirmed his exit from General Hospital.

After months of speculation if Chavez would return to his soap role, after exiting to film a leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story, he revealed he has stepped away from the role via a post on his social media accounts.

Now, the other half of Sprina, Tabyana Ali, has offered up her thoughts on Nick’s exit from the series. Speaking to Soap Opera Digest, she shared, “I want the best for him and all of his endeavors and I hope that we will get the chance to work together again someday. I also want to show my gratitude to Sprina Nation as well.”

Photo: ABC

As to what the future holds for Trina, and where the character goes from here, Tabyana would like to see a character turn, adding, “I would like her to have a vendetta story or a revenge story. Or the love of her life is gone and now she just turned evil a little bit.”

However, Ali is very aware that Trina is not wired like that emotionally, at least, as she is written now, “I don’t know how much that would be possible. She’s such a kind-hearted person at her core.”

Photo: ABC

How would you feel if the show recast the role of Spencer with another actor, and brought Spencer back from the “dead”, given that his body was not found? Would you like to see another actor paired with Tabyana? Or, should Trina find happiness with a new love, and THEN, a recast Spencer shows back up?

And you never know, as Nicholas Chavez put it in his exit statement, “While there are no current plans for me to return, we are still talking very openly about future possibilities for Spencer in Port Charles.”

Vote in our poll below, and let us know what your hopes are for Trina’s future, via the comment section below.

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