General Hospital
Could General Hospital end up as a primetime Summer Series?
Courtesy/ABC
There is a report out this evening from TV Guide, that is saying that while General Hospital may get the ax later this year in the daytime to make room for Katie Couric’s new syndicated talk show that the alphabet network may be looking into other scenarios to keep the show on the air in primetime!
According to TVG, “One scenario being discussed has the drama continuing as a short-run prime-time summer series, similar to Spanish-language networks’ telenovelas. Even if the cost of production doubled over the typical soap budget (around $200,000 per episode), a nighttime version of GH would still be inexpensive for an original scripted show.”
Perhaps, what they really should be doing is keeping GH on the air in the daytime and doing a summer series to bring more eyeballs to it in the daytime, so the soap doesn’t go away all together? Whatever the case, new creative heads, Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati are plotting big returns for GH with Robert, Anna and Holly and bringing John McBain and the Mannings over from OLTL, be it long or short term to try and drive up the ratings and invigorate the ailing lone ABC soap.
What do you think about a primetime GH telenovela style arc? Let us know!
General Hospital
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
Just a few weeks ago on the January 4th episode of General Hospital, viewers were left devastated when Dr. Britt Westbourne succumbed to a fatal poisoning after a confrontation with ‘The Hook’.
While it was revealed that Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud, was exiting the ABC soap opera at the end of 2022, many thought the story would see Britt leaving Port Charles to deal with her declining health due to Huntington’s Disease in private, in order to keep the door open for a possible return down the line. However, that was not meant to be. When a report from Deadline surfaced back in August of 2022, it indicated that Kelly was returning to her primetime role on ABC’s Station 19, which caused some confusion and rumors of just what would Thiebaud’s ultimate status be with the daytime drama series.
Photo: ABC
Now, in a very special exit interview for You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, Kelly chats with Michael Fairman and clarifies what led to her decision to leave her role as Dr. Britt Westbourne.
Talking with Fairman direct from London, Kelly, who won a Daytime Emmy in 2022 for the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, reveals how it came to pass that GH would kill-off the character of Britt by becoming another victim of ‘The Hook’, and more.
Photo: KThiebaudIG
During the conversation, Thiebaud shares her thoughts on working with her former GH co-stars including: Steve Burton (ex-Jason), Parry Shen (Brad), Kirsten Storms (Maxie), Kathleen Gati (Liesl), Cassandra James (Terry), Roger Howarth (Austin) and Josh Kelly (Cody), as well as some of her favorite memories throughout her run on the series which began in 2012.
Photo: ABC
Kelly took the character from being the manipulative ‘Britch’ as an interloper in the romance of Patrick (Jason Thompson) and Sabrina (Teresa Castillo), all the way to becoming a well-loved character to root for.
Courtesy/ABC
While, GH viewers witnessed Britt’s shocking death scenes, Kelly weighs-in on taping those moments, as well as Britt’s emotional goodbye birthday party, and having the opportunity to portray a character who was trying to navigate her life, while suffering from the effects of Huntington’s Disease.
In addition, Thiebaud gives a very special ‘thank you’ and shout out to the fans for their enduring support as she looks forward to new roles and new adventures ahead.
Photo: NATAS
Check out our heartfelt farewell interview with Kelly below, and for upcoming celebrity features, interviews, event coverage, music videos, and more, make sure to ‘subscribe‘ to the Michael Fairman Channel.
So, what did you think about Kelly’s decision to depart GH? Will you miss her as Britt? Share your thoughts on our conversation in the comment section below.
General Hospital
Denise Crosby Makes a Return to General Hospital
After a major fallout with her parents, Carolyn (Denise Crosby) and Jeff Webber (William R. Moses), Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) was devastated, in particular because they concocted a plan to make her forget all about the tragic situation earlier in her life. That being, when Finn’s (Michael Easton) late wife, Reiko, fell down a flight of steps and eventually died after she struggled with Liz.
Apparently, the story is not over, when Denise Crosby reprises her role of Carolyn beginning the week of January 23rd on General Hospital.
Talking about her return in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, Crosby previewed, “She (Carolyn) wants to make a connection with her daughter and try to make amends for something that is almost impossible to make amends for. She knows it could go really wrong, but she can’t live with herself if she doesn’t take the shot.”
Photo: ABC
Something tells us there is more to the story of why Carolyn could have returned to Port Charles? Any thoughts?
Let us know your theories about Elizabeth’s mother upcoming return to Port Charles in the comment section below.
General Hospital
Johnny Wactor Featured in Music Video Short Film ‘There to Catch Me’ by the Nashvillains
NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
Y&R 50th Anniversary Cast Photo Revealed
Y&R’s Tracey Bregman Receives Replacement Daytime Emmy from Christian LeBlanc on ‘The Talk’
Shemar Moore Becomes a Dad for the First Time with Girlfriend Jesiree Dizon as They Welcome Their Baby Girl
TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
TONIGHT: Season Premiere of ‘The Bachelor’, Just How Dramatic Will Zach Shallcross’ Shot at Finding Love Be?
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
Denise Crosby Makes a Return to General Hospital
Alec Baldwin to Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in ‘Rust’ Shooting of Halyna Hutchins
Vail Bloom Returns to Y&R as Heather Stevens; Lily Brooks O’Briant Cast as Lucy Romalotti
Denise Crosby Makes a Return to General Hospital
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
Vail Bloom Returns to Y&R as Heather Stevens; Lily Brooks O’Briant Cast as Lucy Romalotti
TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Renewed for its Fourth Season
Alec Baldwin to Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in ‘Rust’ Shooting of Halyna Hutchins
Y&R’s Tracey Bregman Receives Replacement Daytime Emmy from Christian LeBlanc on ‘The Talk’
Shemar Moore Becomes a Dad for the First Time with Girlfriend Jesiree Dizon as They Welcome Their Baby Girl
Y&R 50th Anniversary Cast Photo Revealed
NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
NBC Celebrates Carol Burnett’s 90th Birthday with Retrospective Special Featuring Susan Lucci and More Celebrity Guests
TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
Johnny Wactor Featured in Music Video Short Film ‘There to Catch Me’ by the Nashvillains
‘Ryan’s Hope’ Favorite Michael Levin Dead at 90
General Hospital to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with the Nurses’ Ball, Stage Dedication, and Jane Elliot to Return
Y&R Alum and S.W.A.T. Star Shemar Moore to Become a Dad for the First Time
Kelly Thiebaud Shares Parting Thoughts On Her GH Exit: “Being On This Show, Being in Your Living Rooms Everyday, is an Experience I Will Cherish for the Rest of My Life”
‘Kombucha Cure’ Starring Tamara Braun with Jennifer Bassey Drops Official Series Trailer
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Britt Dies, Josslyn Breaks Up with Cameron, Ava Finds Out Esme is Pregnant
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General HospitalJanuary 20, 2023Denise Crosby Makes a Return to General Hospital
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General HospitalJanuary 22, 2023Kelly Thiebaud Opens Up on Her Exit from General Hospital, Taping Britt’s Tragic Death Scenes, and Parting Thoughts on Co-Stars
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NewsJanuary 19, 2023Vail Bloom Returns to Y&R as Heather Stevens; Lily Brooks O’Briant Cast as Lucy Romalotti
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NewsJanuary 24, 2023TODAY: Tracey Bregman Visits ‘The Talk’ to Discuss Her 40th Anniversary With Y&R; Standalone Episode Airs Tomorrow
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Breaking NewsJanuary 17, 2023‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Renewed for its Fourth Season
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Breaking NewsJanuary 19, 2023Alec Baldwin to Face Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in ‘Rust’ Shooting of Halyna Hutchins
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NewsJanuary 25, 2023Y&R’s Tracey Bregman Receives Replacement Daytime Emmy from Christian LeBlanc on ‘The Talk’
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Breaking NewsJanuary 25, 2023Shemar Moore Becomes a Dad for the First Time with Girlfriend Jesiree Dizon as They Welcome Their Baby Girl
Don’t like it. I want for General Hospital to remain on abc Daytime. Waiting an entire year for a short Summer prime time version doesn’t do much for me.
Although OLTL was by far my favorite soap on ABC, it is now a thing of the past. But GH isn’t and it’s not too late to save it. It’s time for OLTL and GH fans to put their differences aside and to join forces to save General Hospital. I’m calling out all OLTL fans, GH fans as well as Y&R/B&B/DAYS fans to boycott The Revolution like the plague and to support General Hospital by watching it live on ABC as much as possible (if possible, avoid the DVD or online thing). I know that General Hospital isn’t exactly the… Read more »
I am with you but HOW does anyone know if we watch live on ABC or on DVR, DVD, VCR or online? HOW DOES ANYONE KNOW THAT? I will gladly watch it live if I know how this matters & will help things! Thanks
unless you are a Neilson home, watching it live means nothing. The best thing right now, as per Raven Beauty’s blog, is to watch it at abc.com on your pc or mibile device. She has heard from a reliable source that abc is monitoring online viewing of GH right now. For what purpose? nobody knows but still-anything to help. DVD watching only counts if the info is requested from the cable company (which it rarely is and still only for a week after airing) I dont know anyone who has a Neilson monitoring system, so I will dvr it as… Read more »
Heather: This is a wonderful post but you have to continue to keep posting THIS POST. Because people dont get it. If they don’t stop with which show is better and which should be cancelled, there will be no more GH., period. Please continue to POST this same post. Save it and copy past t in your email so that U can go back to it and re-post it. Hopefully, your post will take fire and people will see that we need to rally together. Continue to fight for the genre by saving GH., at the same time we must… Read more »
Absolutely! I couldn’t agree more. I am also not watching ANY ABC shows, except for GH. In the morning, I now watch the Today show on NBC instead of GMA that I watched for years. The afternoons I turn to CBS, as they still have two soaps Y&R, BB, then turn to ABC for GH. I autotune my satellite, so the channels will change even if I’m not at home ( I keep the tv on for my cats when not at home). I’m only watching shows on networks that still run soaps in the daytime. I think we soap… Read more »
I’d prefer it to stay in the daytime as is, but at this point, I’ll take my stories any way I can get them.
That’s true, I’d rather have it part time than never.
Why did not think of this for AMC and OLTL?!!!
For me, GH was the targeted soap to save in the first place and the save AMC & OLTL was a smoke screen and slap in the face to fans who participated.
same here-better some of the time, than not at all!
Why not bring OLTL back as a primetime summer run show while they’re at it.
I wish they would just leave our soaps alone, they have done more than enough damage! Let us recover from our latest losses…seriously!!!
So after all the whining about how expensive Soaps are and that is the reason they have to go – now they say Soaps are cheap compared to Prime Time shows? I always thought the expense excuse was a lot of bunk.
Yes, but will there be as many Virgin Marys hanging on the wall? I like my novellas authentic.
Right now I need the patience to wait for Frank & Ron to work some magic. Today’s GH was awful ! It has gotten so bad that when the scene was going on with Tracey & Anthony I was gringing at his voice & demeanor…. Hate this. Hurry up and dump these awful storylines. Then advertise on prime time who’s back, especially on Wednesday & Thursday nites with their best lineups. I cannot believe not having One life today I turned off GH. Do we really need to deal with a new messed up kid thrown into the mix……really?
Oh how I agree. Every day I turn GH on & TRY to watch, every day I turn it off in disgust. I cannot stand Anthony & Tracy, I mean really. And I when I saw the new angry kid, I turned it off then. Another example-Friday, I think it was, I turned it on at 2:00-first thing was Ethan kissing that girl, I turned it off-it is hard to invest in a story when you know the character is leaving. At 2:30 I checked again-there is Sam with big tears in her eyes & Jason looking sick-what’s new here-turned… Read more »
I would rather for The Revolution to tank so that GH takes its timeslot in September. Although OLTL was by far my favorite soap on ABC, it is now a thing of the past. But GH isn’t and it’s not too late to save it. It’s time for OLTL and GH fans to put their differences aside and to join forces to save General Hospital. I’m calling out all OLTL fans, GH fans as well as Y&R/B&B/DAYS fans to boycott The Revolution like the plague and to support General Hospital by watching it live on ABC as much as possible… Read more »
A primetime summer series? Sounds to me like an even easier way to get rid of GH once and for all. I can see it now. Well we took it from daytime and put it on primetime, but the ratings were not what we would like. Might as well cancel it in favor of another reality show … after only a handful of episodes. That is what ABC does. What GH, and while we are at it, OLTL, AMC, GL, ATWT, PC, Loving/The City, etc., all the cancelled shows and those remaining need is to go to their OWN network,… Read more »
What sort of damage control is this? We can all see through this. The show is getting cancelled, one way or another.
As soon as Ron’s material starts airing, I’ll be watching GH. Not before.
how would it work? i just can’t see it.
I’m almost done with GH, so boring lately, how dumb is this ghostly gal running around, to broad of storylines, get back to the main players and thier issues, the more you add the less focus. I would rather read this then watch GH now.
ABC needs to STOP with the insanity!!!! Enough is enough, leave GH alone and get rid of these stupid live talk shows that air on every channel everyday all day. Cheap Cheap Cheap is what ABC has become and I’m ready to boycott all together. They can afford the one last soap on the network and put alot into it to make it successful. Kaitie Couric wasn’t successful as a primetime news anchor and she won’t do any better as a talk show host. Wake Up ABC before you lose all of your remaining viewers to other networks.
Amen! KC is not the deal!!
I’m being driven to whatever it is that my mother watches on TNT all day.
Ron should hit the ground running. Entice the OLTL viewers to want to give GH a try. He is already alienating the Jolie fanbase by ignoring Melissa Archer going over with Michael Easton to GH. Wouldn’t take much for die hard fans to follow. Instead of treating GH’s cancellation as a done deal, do what it takes to save it!
They tried this format (televovelas) with Port Charles. 13 week story arcs. So where is Port Charles now?
Exactly! Why would they do this, when they’ve tried it before? And why wasn’t this an option that was even considered for OLTL……which is my opinion was the best soap on tv, and deserved to be saved. Although, putting a daytime soap in the primetime line-up is a sure fire way to make sure it gets cancelled. If the 2.5 – 3 million viewers isn’t enough in daytime, then why would it be enough for primetime? Not to mention, as of March 2012, Soapnet will be a thing of the past. Running the soaps exclusively on Soapnet would have been… Read more »
I am confused. Should the ratings jump for GH, and they will, why move it anywhere? Is Katie, Revolution, Chew that high in ratings??
If the show is good, bringing in viewers, can’t another network pick it up?
I am not a telenovela fan. I like daytime drama and its legacy characters and histories. Seems as though B&B is that sort of telenovela with its stop-and-start plotting and character assassinations. Just not my thing. Would love the focus to be on daytime and keeping that genre special and unique. Moving GH to summer primetime does not solve a problem. The strongest primetime offerings seems to languish during summer months so I would expect GH to do the same. One day someone decided daytime drama was beginning to fail and ignored warning signs or failed to do right the… Read more »
That someone was Brian Frons. Several actors have spoken of his dislike of the genre and how it’s fans meant nothing to him. So he is leaving abc come the end of January. Big deal. The damage has been done. He is also responisble for the mess SoapNet has become. Before his reign SoapNet had great original programming; like Soap Talk, One Day With in addition to running old soaps like Another World, Ryans Hope, Dallas, Dynasty etc. etc… He took over and gave us The OC twice a day, 90210 three times a day and Gilmore Girls. The same… Read more »
Why not bring back OLTL in that form?
Don’t like it at all… unless it is all we get! Let’s keep GH on daytime in whatever slot it is in… frankly it could be the morning as long as it is on and we can get it on abc.com or hulu or wherever. There is one nice aspect to primetime and that is increased viewers. I like the idea of doing it with OLTL and if the viewers like it someone thinks about spinning off a new network for OLTL and GH if it has to move and then eventually B&B, Y&R and DOOL all go there too.… Read more »
I would rather see the genre evolve than go away. If done the right way I think it could work. Let’s give it a shot.
put it on anytime, any place but it has to be on 5 days a week and 52 weeks a year. I need my GH fix daily, not just for the summer.
Bringing it to prime time is another way to let it die. If it doesn’t attract more than it’s current viewers it will be cancelled after one season, and a summer series is what, 8-12 episodes? No, we need to get the ratings up and keep it online.
what is a primetime all? I love My GH
Honestly, I’ll watch whenever it’s on. Daytime, primetime, online, infomercial-only-time, makes no difference to me. What I will not watch, ever, never in a million years, is Katie Couric talking about anything.
Zzzzzzzz
Gimme a break already!
Still do not understand why ABC is wasting money on Katie Couric. Does anyone remember that, a former “The Today Show” co-host, Jane Pauley had a talk show? Will anyone want to watch Katie Couric listening to herself babble on and on?
I love GH!! If it is taken off, I might as well sell my TV….
I am soooo tired of all this drama about GH, I WANT GH TO STAY WHERE IT IS FOREVER! If ABCD wants to commit suicide so be it. Right now GH is the only show I watch on ABCD, so if they cancel it, this lady is off to CBS. ABCD is a lot like FB as far as I am concerned all FLUFF and NO STUFF…most of their programming stinks anyway and I am tired of people (ABCD) deciding for me what I watch.