General Hospital
BREAKING NEWS: It's official Bob Guza OUT & Garin Wolf IN as GH Head Writer!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
Well, after months of on again and off again speculation that Bob Guza was on his way out as head writer of General Hospital, finally late today, it became true and official! Guza has been at the helm of GH for 15 years, and many in the industry and the shows longtime fans were feeling that a change needed to be made sooner than later, especially in these dwindling times of the soap genre.
So today, ABC Daytime President, Brian Frons made it official by naming Garin Wolf as the new head writer to take the reins of all the characters you love in Port Charles effective immediately! Frons in a statement commented, “Garin is a talented writer and storyteller who has been a part of the General Hospital family for nearly 15 years. His in-depth knowledge and adoration for the show’s legacy will help make a smooth transition and an immediate impact on story. I’m sure he will succeed in taking General Hospital to new heights as he develops characters and storylines that will engage and thrill our viewers.”
Wolf has won two Daytime Emmys and has been working at GH since 1997 and over the years has held various positions on the writing team: associate head writer, breakdown writer and script writer. He has also written for SOAPnet’s: GH: Night Shift and As the World Turns. In addition, in 2008, the WGA published a list of writers who resigned from the guild during the strike by filing for financial core status which included many soap opera notable veteran writers. Garin Wolf was also on the list. And as fans may know, this is not the first time a writer who went fi-core has later become a head writer for a soap!
So, are you excited about the prospect of new stories and shake-up at GH? Let us know!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
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I’m excited to see what Wolf comes up with…I loved his writing during the writers’ strike. But I’m also nervous about what it might mean for characters/couples I love! I really want more balance on the show, more interaction between characters, character-driven storylines, and the couples I want to be together -Lucky & Liz, Spinelli & Maxie, Ethan & Kristina. Would also love Sonny & Brenda or Jax & Brenda, Kate & Coleman, Alexis & Mac, & Steve & Olivia! Also some Cassadines & Quartermaines back…
Hope Wolf keeps writing for a long, long time.
And the Soap World Rejoices!
This is Terrific News and Loooooooong over due –
Guza drove GH into the ground with his Sonny & Jason fixation –
Appropriate that the clean up guy for this mob fixated show is Mr. Wolf
Good Luck to him!
Well I don’t know if Garrin Wolf is the new head writer or not, but I have never in my long love of General Hospital seen such discusting writing in my life a Vampire come on, and to get rid of Burton was a big mistake, and Mcbain and Todd Manning is a laugh!! they both stink, and so ugly, I think whoever the head writers are they need FIRED!, you have this soap going in so many different directions and one is worse then the next, I know its a matter of time before this soap will be cancelled, Amen…
Cautiously optimistic. One can’t help but wonder if they brought in a new HW to write GH’s swan song. I’m hoping not, but I’d rather watch and see before joining the parade.
One wonders – if Bob Guza has written GH into the ground with his Sonny /Jason ….
Maybe Garin Wolf is a Frons pet and has been brought in to put the final nails in GH’s coffin……..
We’ll see !!!
I mean t say Sonny/Jason fixation.
Anything a new writer can do to punch up the stories now playing on GH would be greatly appreciated by the fans. It is becoming the same old-same old. Let’s finish the Lisa, Robin fiasco soon, please. And also the Abby, Michael frame up by the Zacarras. Did we have to bring back daddy Zacharra? And when will Lucky learn about his other son? I’m holding out for Lucky to lose his so-called Irish wife whose accent is hard to understand, especially, when she talks fast. Luke is a lost cause until he accepts his drinking problem. He now is aiming at Jason so that Jason will get mad enough to kill him. What a sloppy mess…..
BEST NEWS I HAVE HEARD IN FIFTEEN LONG YEARS!!!!!
i hope its not to late… Now Frons needs to be fired as well… I trust nothing that man does…
Brian Fronz is still at the helm and no doubt Garin Wolf had to share his outline ideas and Brian is now happy that these are different but not in conflict with what Fronz wants. So there will be some change for example maybe more airtime and story for others but I am not expecting anything too drastic, this guy is a very safe choice and has been writing for the show for 15 years!
Co-sign Webbie. I would be ecstatic if this didn’t seem so eerily similar to what happened w/ AMC & OLTL — rumours of a cancellation followed by hiring a new (wrap up) head writer. I truly hope this is not the case.
I stopped watching GH about 15 yrs ago, when it became so mob driven and less about the hospital. May have to tune back in unless OLTL finds a miracle and stays on the air.
I think this is great news….but because of what is going on in the soap world…I question whether there is more to this….why now? I have not liked Guza’s writing for a while now…too mob fixated. Hoping Garin gets back to the GH we all know and love…core characters, love stories, character driven s/l…..I usually never take sides when it comes to couples pairing…but I have to say I started watching youtube during the jake storyline…and I have come to love Liason. Wish they would revisit that couple.
I hope he puts mob central in the background and fills in some glaring holes left by Guza. For instance, Who’s Sam’s father? Could Diane be Spinelli’s mom? Built a storyline using character histories. I’ll watch. Frank and Doris Hursley hadn’t counted on a 24/7 mob show, I want an equal balance of mob and hospital storylines.
I hope the change refreshes Port Charles. The mob storylines have become so dark, depressing and repetitive. Once novel, they bore me now. I want new stories with ties to the past — BRING BACK BOBBIE! GIVE ME MORE MONICA! — and more focus on the hospital. It may be too much to see some more “real life” in the mix… economy, world events, social issues, health care issues… GH is not a disaster by any means and has some great actors but a lighter tone, a revisit with the past, and maybe a new family in a new business could open doors for sme of these characters who seem stagnant to me.
thank god its about time!
can’t wait for wolf as headwriter on gh hopeful we get a scrubs storyline front and center since robin has been a veteran character since a little girl
Hallelujah, He’s done so much damage to this show in his reign of terror. He’s smug, arrogant and didn’t appreciate fans he believes we can be trained.
I’m just thinking its too late the carnage Guza has left that was once a great soap will take years to rebuild and I’m not certain GH has years left rumors are flying Sweeney wants all soaps gone. And Frons only promotes his favorites the rest of the cast he seems to disdain and minimize.. he doesn’t like old people for one
He’s the main culprit and until he goes I just don’t hold much hope.
There have been so many stories I’ve wanted to play out..Elizabeth Webber’s mother for fifteen years we don’t even know her name..I think I remember someone mentioning Andrea Trent thirteen years ago…I would like women written stronger showing character growth, less misogyny in the writing, more hospital less mob write for the characters on the canvas the vets who have been with the show over a decade yet they keep getting thrown under the bus for newbies..
And these babies story lines I’m sick of them Jake being ran over tuned me out; Jason is shown fawning over every kid in town but didn’t want his own while he is talking of another baby…
There is still a lot of good story to tell but with the extreme favoritism that has dominated this show since 2003-2004; I’m hoping Wolf wipes that slate clean. I’d like to see women driving story lines e.g. Alexis, Tracey and where in the hell is Monica? Hopeful this new writer will bring fresh less biased approach to the storytelling.
Darcy, I think you are confusing Guza with Fronz. Fronz is snug, arrogant and has stated that we can be trained.
Fronz needs to go! I was at the Rally this week in NYC and you should have seen Brian Fronz walk by with that condescending smirk on his face!
Guza is in love with Jason/ Sonny/ Carly, or the Holy Trio as they are refered to around the boards but I wonder how much was his doing and how munch Brian Fronz is responsible for.
Garin is supposed to value the legacy of soaps as well as write for woman. He created the friendship between Alexis and Diane and that is something the show really lacked, female friendships! Way to go Garin!
I don’t have a problem with the Jake story . I think it was brilliant but , it should focus more on Liz and Lucky and less on Jason. I think making Luke the driver was so powerful! Love the story coming from the aftermath but I did miss Bobbie being present or even mentioned. HOw about Monica finding out Jake was her grandson (instead of paging her 3 times and making it even MORE noticeable that she was missing). How about Jossyln being sick for more then two minutes. I also hate, hate, hate how Carly keeps going around saying that Jason saved Joss’s life…No honey, that was Lucky and LIz.
I agree with the favoritism and think it is ashame that JE, NLG, LC, VM, JZ aren’t honored more as vets. I am glad that Robin is getting storylines, KMC deserves it more then anyone else on the show. She literally grew up on the show and yet she even gets snubbed for MB, SB, and LW
I’ve always believed it is the combination of Frons/ Guza/Phelps they are all buddies IMO pretty much the same line of thinking Phelps is a show Killah and Frons bragged also about killing one soap on two different networks I just think all three of them are burnt out and their vision is old and newblood is sorely was sorelly needed to revitalize the genre into the new millennium and how long ago was that…LOL I was holding for Wolf who is a Guza protege of 15 years with the same breakdown/script writers. I just think under the guidance Frons for the time GH have left won’t get me that interested again. GH is a couple driven show I’m more into “good stories” I don’t care about couples and hate them shackled together forever its not good soap opera. This ain’t a Harlequin romance.
Well I hope he gets rid of that idea of kristina & ethan, that crap is so so wrong and disgusting. He needs to keep Jax & Carly together, get rid of Sonny, Brenda, Robin & Patrick.
I am happy that GH finally has a new head writer! I love the show, but it has mostly been based on the mob for years now & that isn’t right when you have a whole great cast of actors & characters on the show that deserve to be seen more than once maybe twice a week! Hopefully with Garin Wolf things will change & there will be equal story telling & airtime for all!
As a writer myself I know how difficult it is to pull the reader into the story especially when it is in this genre. However, I would like to see Sonny, Carly and Jason killed off the show in a really exciting and dramatic way and make room for the next generation. These characters are so old and pathetic that I get sick every time they speak. Lets see the kids take over and go on a revenge rampage. That would be much more fun. At least kill Carly and Sonny god it’s so old!