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B&B’s Executive Producer and Head Writer Brad Bell Talks The Sheila Carter Effect!
Courtesy/CBS
One of the most enticing of all daytime dramas right now to check out is The Bold and the Beautiful, especially now with the shocking return of all-time soap villain, Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)
The series head writer, and executive producer, Brad Bell chatted with TV Insider to give fans some answers to their questions including some teases into just what Kimberlin Brown’s return as Sheila will be back in story for, how they sidestepped the last time Sheila was seen on Y&R when the character was played by Michelle Stafford, and how the CBS Daytime series was able to keep Sheila’s return under-wraps.
Here are a few interesting excerpts from TV Insider’s chat with Brad.
Brad on how they kept Kimberlin Brown’s return a secret: “We gave Kimberlin Brown a code name, snuck her into CBS incognito every day and swore the cast and crew to secrecy. There’s nothing quite like a jaw-dropping soap surprise, so it’s good to know it’s still possible to pull one off, especially in this era of social media. I’m very excited to have Kimberlin back. [Laughs] She knows how to give good tag.”
Brad on what is planned in story now that Brown is signed on for a one-year contract: “This is a big arc. We will watch it closely and hope for success. We all thought Stephanie was pretty bad, but now that Eric is caught between Sheila and Quinn, Stephanie’s looking like a pussycat. I think we have all the ingredients for a great, long story. Yes, it looks like we’ve brought back the devil, but Sheila’s first moves on the show have been good. She even thinks Quinn is a great person and she’s really happy Eric married her. But then Sheila will learn more about Quinn and what she’s been up to and suddenly it’s, “Hmm…maybe Quinn isn’t so wonderful after all. Maybe Eric needs my help.” So she and Quinn will become rivals.
Brad on the decision to not play into the history of Sheila where Michelle Stafford last played the part as a Phyllis doppelganger on Y&R: “So we are focusing solely on what previously happened with Sheila on B&B. That’s my universe and the only way I can embrace the character right now. What happened in Genoa City stays in Genoa City.”
Brad on a potential crossover for Sheila to Y&R now that a grown-up Scott Grainger (Daniel Hall) is on the canvas: “Sheila was completely obsessed with him. So, yeah, there is definite potential there. We may do something, I’m not ruling it out.”
So, excited to see Sheila and Quinn duke it out over Eric Forrester? What other evil deeds do you think Sheila will ultimately pull off this time out? Share your thoughts on B&B’s plans for Sheila and let us know what you would like to see happen while she is on the canvas in the comment section below!
Team Sheila all the way she will wipe the floor with Quinn once she finds out about Ridge and Quinn nothing but good old fashion soapy goodness! KB expresses so much with just lifting a eyebrow and a smirk she is so good the female version of Roger Thorpe on Guiding Light you knew he was a scroundrel but you could not take your eyes off of him.
I agree with your comments. As I was watching today, I knew Sheila would have something to do with Quinn and Ridge’s secret coming out. This is going to be great soap opera. All older fans need to tune back in and get ready. It is going to be a bumpy ride.
Great comparison to Sheila and Roger Thorpe from Guiding Light! Totally agree.
Hi, Kay,
Pardon the intrusion. As I stated, I don’t watch B&B, but I had to tune in for Sheila, if only this once.
I could not believe her demeanor….she’s a different person, it seems.
She must make an appearance on Y&R, sooner or later….too much mystery going on with Tessa and Zack. I am almost positive the threee are connected, and, Nikki will be one of the many to pay the price.
@CeeCee….Well, thank goodness you checked-in here! With the “CyberGods” almost constantly conspiring against us, the rare occasions that we actually can share a two-way conversation are about as common as a blue moon! (Although I do always try to reply….like just yesterday on the “Sam” and “Maxie” threads…I made numerous attempts to remark to your and others’ interesting thoughts, yet managed to post only a measly brief one to you ala the Maxie. But at least it was a goody! LOL…) Still, I’m glad that you were able to enjoy my waxing nostalgic on the way “B&B” (and by extension, ALL soaps) used to be. I know you wouldn’t think it now by my disapproving tone regarding pretty much all things GH, but I was once a totally avid soap fan….used to “VCR” numerous shows and episodes and even required multiple recorders in which to do so…I still harbor nothing but the fondest of memories about so many fictional daytime places, people and storylines that inhabited my formative years….they were, quite simply put, phenomenal! Alas, such is no longer the case, and it is nearly impossible not to express my utter disappointment in that fact. The newfangled form of soap operas simply leaves me bereft!!! But that’s neither here nor there, one finds other sources to take their place…I have my UK/European entertainment that conforms to my personal tastes…which leads me to a really valid question…What the deuce is so verboten about discussing the subject of Poldark here???? We see the most lengthy, tangential discussions about binge-watching all sorts of off-topic programs and yet, I’m the one who gets moderated for a few lines about a truly excellent series for whom numerous contributors here have previously noted their own enjoyment!!! Hmmmm….At any rate, I hear you on the weird playthings to which today’s kiddos are being subjected…I can recall not so long ago when avant-garde artists used to literally butcher Barbie and Ken into their own punk, nerd, trailer park or fill-in-the-blank versions with greatly hilarious results…it was harmless fun! But to seriously mass-market these—and other—freaky incarnations as suitable toys for the youngest of our consumers is another thing altogether. Children need to remain children in their purest, most instinctual form…they should be allowed to find their own way before being exposed to any agenda beyond just providing them a happy, healthy, safe and nurturing upbringing. If nature takes an unexpected U-turn later on, well, one prays for the strength to deal with that in the most accepting, loving manner possible for the best interest of the child, but I think that pushing any notion that goes against the age-old traditionally-accepted customs of childrearing should be avoided until any youngster has arrived in their own (individual) good time at some sense of themselves. I realize that may be considered controversial in our modern-day environment, but sobeit! Lastly, I hope Sheila does eventually find her way to GC since so many viewers like yurself seem to desire answers to her previous activities there…I can relate. I’m still waiting…and waiting…and waiting!….for umpteenth resolutions to the sloppy loose ends that have become a far-too-frequent occurrence on GH! Later, mia amica! (Fingers crossed this one makes it to your inbox….)
Also agree on Sheila and Roger Thorpe…the years that Roger Thorpe was on GL canvas and when Douglas Marland was writing GL, can’t miss a day and always long to tune in each day to see what is happening.
She is not at all like Roger Thorpe! Michael Zaslow was classy to a T!!
@k/kay…”Good old-fashioned soapy goodness,” indeed! It’s been an absolute age since I watched B&B—when it turned into “The Brooke Show” I tuned out permanently….I couldn’t abide that blandly-blonde social-climbing creature from “Day One!”—but some of my fondest memories of that soap are of the utterly unhinged Sheila! Her wrathful revenge antics were just off-the-chart awesome! Of course, I am also delighted for Kimberlin Brown’s return to the airwaves, as well…she’s too talented to be spending her days simply farming avocados! As for your previous comments about nuRidge, I totally concur….despite his often cardboard-like presence, Ronn Moss was Ridge personified, and his recast should have at the very least emulated some of his style and elegance, not to mention, extremely polished good looks! Even all these years later, I’ll never forget the debut of this series when Ridge and his brother Thorne stunned with their otherworldly handsomeness….OMG!!!!
LOL, Shay….hi, by the way,
To be honest, I never watched B&B because neither my mother, nor my grandmothers watched, sooooo…
Then, when Don Diamont made the transition from Y&R, it stopped me even further. Nothing against the actor, but Brad Carlton was cringe-worthy for me. I had developed a strong antipathy for him, due to his not-too-savory persona. Couldn’t stand him.
I only know Ronn Moss from PLAYER, the defunct? rock band. And, yes he was hot—smoldering hot.
Was he involved with Eileen Davidson, at one point?
Anyway, back to Sheila…..I keep harping on this because I really EXPECT her to show up in GC, albeit many fans want to let that part of her life go…disintegrate into oblivion.
But, how can that work? If I were both a B&B and Y&R watcher, everytime I’d see her, my mind would automatically swing to Sheila’s Y&R past history. I wouldn’t be able to omit or erase that vision from memory.
I think it stands to reason and logic she would make an appearance….especially if Zack and Tessa are an integral part of what’s coming down the pike, involving Sheila.
Those who watch Y&R know Sharon suspects Zack….I suspect his on-line dating “business” is questionable—it’s a cover-up for something iniquitous… ahh, gee, I don’t know—–a prostitution ring? LOL.
Hey, CeeCeeGirl!!!!!….At last we connect, though certainly not for lack of trying! (I sent you at least three responses on the subject of Nurse Amy….a total exercise in futility!) Mercifully, I quit my B&B habit long before the arrivals of the ridiculously-named “Dollar Bill,” aka, Don Diamont, and the seriously underwhelming reconstituted Ridge, but when the show first began, oh, what a sight to behold! Even in the late ’80’s, when drop-dead gorgeous men were a multi-soap staple, “The Bold and the Beautiful” lived up to its name from “Day One” when the “Brothers Forrester” emerged on the tv screen for the first time…To say I was impressed beyond words is a true understatement! “Thorne” was portrayed by a rather awkward, but sweet, neophyte actor/former model who looked like the walking, talking version of “Malibu Ken!” (Unlike today’s pathetic new “manbunned” incarnation…have you seen that awful thing? Eewwwwww! ) He was, to put it quite simply, “All-American” perfection personified….blond-haired, green-eyed, you know, my idea of the ultimate male! LOL. Then, as if that weren’t enough to “send me,” we had the tall, dark, brooding Ridge whose flawless facial features looked like they’d been sculpted by a master artiste! This time, even I was uncharacteristically smitten by this unbearably divine specimen of masculine brunette beauty! Soooo….yeah, those were definitely the halcyon days of B&B! (There was also a stunning blonde actress who played sister Kristin and even Susan Flannery’s Stephanie was initially an impossibly-soigne’ Beverly Hills matron who was a real looker!) Alas, today’s show cannot hold a candle to the elegance and sophistication that was the soap’s trademark in its early years….I would now term it “bland and boring” by its previous standards.) At any rate, one of the highlights during those years was the introduction of bat-guano crazy Sheila onto the show’s canvas….she was off-the-wall bonkers, but it just worked!!! Whenever something went awry in “Forresterland” one’s first thoughts wandered to this wicked wench of a woman, and sure enough, Sheila was usually back from the dead—or whatever—for more mirthful menacing! As for her time in Genoa City, yes, I do recall her part in some earlier famous capers there, as well, though not as fondly as what wrath she wrought to the B&B-ers. Hence I cannot really fill in the blanks about how these two soaps can reconcile their mutual inconsistencies in terms of her many merry forays into insanity! All I know is that I am truly delighted that Kimberlin Brown has returned to daytime….she is one of its most-storied she-devils and those who still watch B&B are in for a real treat to be sure!!!!
Hello there, Shaybelle,
Would you believe that the only reason I have “caught” your post was due to the fact that I scrolled back to check??
I am not receiving any replies in my inbox. I have no idea why!!!! I have a different email address from my personal or “business” one. I have been using/sharing my sister-in-law’s, with a one-letter difference. All I get are unwanted, stupid ads.
Yes, I have seen the ‘sexless’ dolls. Unreal. Hasbro has designed non-gender toys ….for what? So both boys and girls may play with ‘interchangeable’ toys.
I have yet to see my little Rosie play with my son’s matchbox cars or his Transformerr collection etc…..she wants her Little Ponies.
Strange. Totay’s kids will grow up completely off their axis…no individuality….if the state of the world weren’t confusing enough, as it is….
You do illustrate the way B&B was in its heyday. Soaps have always been a part of my life. Every past or present character of any soap, unfailingly, stirs special memories–with me, it has always been Sharon and Nick. (Y&R).
More importantly, every storyline had me enthralled.
Sheila is etched in my brain. As young as I was, I remember the craziness well. She was that impressive.
I do hope she shows up in Genoa City. There is sooo much story waiting for her to finish.
This is going to be sooooooooo good!
Love Sheila Carter but I don’t like the whole “I’ll just ignore what happened on Y&R” mindset since the shows have an established shared universe with numerous crossovers. The show needs to respect the audience by presenting a logical explanation for the character’s return that respects her history and then move on with the story it wants to tell.
Also, I’m finding it hard to believe that Eric hasn’t called Lauren to let her know that her arch enemy is out of prison and back on the streets…
Give him time. He absolutely has to do that, since that bit of history cannot be ignored. I’m all for the crossovers, it would do a world of good for both shows.
I have been saying the same thing, about Eric not informing Lauren.
I’m with you on the reveal that for now, the writers will pretend that Sheila’s last doesn’t exist but as much as I hated that last Sheila story, it still needs to be addressed. My reason for hating that story was because Kimberlin wasn’t Sheila. If they go down that road with Eric not calling Lauren, there better be one hell of a good explanation. I’m hoping that this one year contract Kimberlin signed turns into something alot more because I love the actress and the character even if she’s managed to scare me in the past.
Y-A-Y!!!!!
Not many group members want her back in GC. Personally I detested all of the storylines she was in. I’m a great fan of semi believable villains but she was over the top. Keep her in LA, we don’t want her presence ruining the show in GC.
Her best stories were always on B&B anyway, those Y&R writers made a mess of the character on that show, glad to have her on the show she’s always been great on.
I totally agree with you. Y&R is my favorite soap, but I was ready to drop it when the entire Sheila Carter nonsense was going down in Genoa City. Those were some dark days of ridiculous and unpleasant writing on Y&R.
So agree…stay in LA…But I have to say it would be nice for her to also visit GC and all that horrible writing could be explained if done right.
Sheila was never an over the top villain though, so that is a misrepresentation on your part. Kimberlin always played Sheila as quiet and cool and deadly.
As a viewer who has been watching this soap since it’s inception it is MY opinion Sheila was an over the top villain. Carry on with your own opinion which I and others may consider a misrepresentation.
I doubt what “group members” feel makes any difference to TPTB,GramS.
I do agree with you that, as a villainess, Sheila went above the acceptable norm, but, that’s what was needed to swerve from the beaten path—she stood out —
However, I will find it hard to think that Sheila will not show up in GC. As I said, too many loose ends.
I may be going in the wrong direction, but that Zack guy and Tessa give me the heebie-jeebies—just as Sheila did. I find it too coincidental for them to come on the Y&R stage, almost simultaneously as Sheila on B&B.
Tessa has been on the show for about 3 months now and Zack about a month…hardly simultaneously. Many think Tessa is working undercover to bust the sex trafficking ring Christine talked to Scott about and that Zack is a trafficker.
Well I for one never believe the Shelia that looked like Phyllis was the real thing. Even when Lauren shot that Shelia she said with her dying breath that it wasn’t over– so to me that left the door open for a Shelia return to GC.
I get why Brad doesn’t want to explain what happened in GC– yet if there is a crossover he might have too. If Lauren comes to LA to confront Shelia — it will be insulting to viewers to have Lauren act like she never shot “her” or Shelia’s sister– and what about Shelia’s twins Ryder and Daisy when Lauren in LA is just going to forget all that— No sorry Brad at some point you will have to come up with a way to explain it– and if Shelia goes to GC to be on Y&R then that writing team will have to explain it– it is too big of a piece of the character’s history to sweep under the rug and pretend it never happened.
But I give Brad major kudos on pulling off a real surprise– not too many of those left in soaps because of social media and studio’s announcing things to hype ratings. The fact Brad got CBS to keep quiet and not run commercials advertising the return of Shelia is quite the feather in his cap–
I feel bad for Brad that the Y&R writers made such a mess of the character with the sister Sarah garbage and Phyllis face. I understand that he’s not anxious to address all that nonsense and confident we will see great Sheila stories again like in the early years of B&B.
Can’t the writers come up with a NEW storyline? Dredging up Sheila is a lose lose idea. I’m a long time B&B and Y&R watcher, BUT I am DONE with BOTH shows if these writers don’t move on to new and. BETTER storylines!
As far as I can remember I think Sheila Carter is dead in the Y&R universe…..
PLEASE KEEP HER THERE !!!
Well, in my opinion this show needs a lot of help. Seriously believe the boring foursome of Zende, Nicole, RJ & Coco MUST go! More Sheila airtime might b what this sinking ship needs.
I’ve been critical of B&B before but I’m very pleasantly surprised to read that KB has a one year contract! I thought this was a 3-month arc at best. Smart move by B&B. The show needed something and Sheila Carter may just be it. I’m on Team Sheila!!
Brown is great. Sheila, when written well, is great. I’m glad that she is back.
However, the show really needs to deal with the “fake Sheila/Phyllis” business. Also, Sheila has a daughter named Daisy roaming around somewhere and that should be handled as well. I do NOT want a return of Daisy (the character and actress were not compelling) but I would prefer the writers to address it at least.
I’m still wondering where the heck is Molly Carter, Sheila’s devoted, victimized mother?? It was strange that Sheila’s “sister”, Sarah Smythe, never mentioned the woman. It also would be odd if Sheila made no reference to her as well.
I’m fine with forgetting what happened on Y&R in regards to Sheila and her fam now that Sheila is back on B&B. Let’s just focus on what Sheila did on B&B.
I think Sheila is much worse than Quinn, so Q better watch out. Interested to see what happens!!!!
I am OK “forgetting” Sheila’s connection to Genoa City. The Y&R writers back in that day just made the story so insanely dumb. No one could have been happy with it. I am happy Sheila has returned to Los Angeles tho not surprised. B&B seems to be going retro with its plots and characters. Would like a clean house at B&B as some characters are just too long in the tooth for the roundelays anymore. I would like to see more story and focus on characters day to day, not just six weeks and gone.
I could not be more excited for Kimberlin Brown’s return. It would have been ashamed to go into year 30 of the show and not address/resurrect a character like Sheila. While the Brooke/Stephanie rivalry is what galvanized the show in its early years, Sheila’s appearance on the canvas literally changed the show. I appreciate the vision and guts Bill Bell had in deciding to bring back to the character. As to his decision to ignore the admittedly ludicrous Phyllis/Sheila/Sarah storyline, but it is not something that can be ignore. Y&R and B&B share a universe, and that plot will have to be addressed at some point — particularly now that Scott Grainger, Jr. is back on the Y&R canvas. With Sally Sussman and Kay Alden back at Y&R and Bill Bell getting back to basics on B&B, I’m sure they will find a way to undo the mess made of these legacy characters.
Look Sheila died on young and restless with phyllis’s face , we even had sheila’s sister sarah smythe with lauren ‘s face on that show and sarah confirmed sheila had died and of course sarah died herself . Sheila’s kids didn’t dispute or question their mother died . and she is alive on BOLD ? please don’t treat soap viewers as idiots . won’t watch .
That’s exactly my point, nicholas. We, Y&R fans, need a plausible explanation.
I was thinking that Sheila’s evil-doing will be explained away by saying that her double did all those things while she had the real Sheila imprisoned.
Isn’t that the usual theme?
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric
General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”
Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”
Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
While Smitty tries to hold the fort down in his marriage to congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) and their two teenaged children, Samantha (Najah Jackson) and Tyrell (Jaden Lucas Miller) on Beyond the Gates, Emmy-winner Mike Manning has also landed another feature film role.
According to Deadline, Manning has joined the cast of Deify with 6 other new cast members for the indie psychological horror film starring Neal McDonough and Skeet Ulrich, which was previously announced last week.
Joining Manning as the latest cast addition are: Dennis Haysbert, Ashley Greene, Casey Harnett, Kirk Avecdo, Anji White, anf Nicholas Chimera who’s directing the pic also has a part in the film.
WHAT’S THE STORY OF DEIFY?
Taking to his Instagram with the news of his casting, Manning shared, “A movie about a cult? What could possibly go wrong? Come for the enlightenment. Stay because they won’t let you leave. DEIFY is coming…”
The movie is currently shooting in Chicago and in story, “a cult leader is put on trial after causing his devoted followers to be burned alive. The film is inspired in part by events surrounding the 1993 Waco, Texas, standoff between members of the Branch Davidians church and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, one of the largest civilian firefights ever recorded on American soil.”
MIKE MANNING IS A DAYTIME EMMY NOMINEE
In addition, the multi-talented Manning is a producer on the feature. Previously, Mike was nominated last month in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He previously won an Emmy for his role on The Bay and for being a producer on the digital drama.
Mike’s previous credits include the role of Charlie Dale on Days of Our Lives and the Manny on This Is Us, plus various primetime and screen credits.
So intrigued to find what role Mike will play in the upcoming horror/cult film, Deify? Enjoying him as Smitty on Beyond the Gates? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”
Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”
Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
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