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EP Frank Valentini, ABC Exec Vicki Dummer & Tony Geary On The Revitilzation Of GH!

By Michael Fairman

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Courtesy/Variety

Courtesy/Variety

The celebration is just beginning this week for ABC’s General Hospital who turned 50 years old on Monday,  and now the party train has left the station!  Coming up. we have the highly-anticipated Nurses’ Ball and some exciting special episode of Katie and 20/20 to look forward to as well!

Variety has a great piece on the revitalization of General Hospital which ABC reports, “that ‘General’ is pacing for its best season in five years in total viewers, averaging more than 3 million. ‘General’ is the No. 1 broadcast daytime program among women 18-34 and also up 18% in total viewers season to season.”

Series executive producer, Frank Valentini,  spoke about putting together the Nurses’ Ball episodes, and all the returns he and head writer, Ron Carlivati brought home to Port Charles for the GH 50 celebration noting, “I  felt that if we aimed really high and came close, then we’d be really happy and the fans would be, too. We’re really thrilled with what we have. It’s exceeded our expectations.”  He went on to say, “I like celebrations. It’s really important to reflect back, take stock and look towards the future.”

Vicki Dummer, ABC Executive VP of Time Square Studios, Primetime Current Series and Specials, who now oversees General Hospital, related how happy she is with the attention the lone ABC is garnering:  “I ’m thrilled to be celebrating (the show’s) 50 exceptional years on television. … As someone who grew up watching General Hospital, it has a special place in my heart.”

Long running series star, Anthony Geary (Luke), also thought 50 years was nothing to sneeze at revealing:  “Our 50th year could have come and gone with a (simple) ‘Wow’. But Frank and Ron have been determined to make it something special for the audience. The ratings are showing that they’ve already decided to achieve that.”

So GH fans, are you happy with the celebration thus far? Do you think ABC  is now 100% behind GH?  Let us know your thoughts!

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with great work from FV/RC team, I hope ABC is 100% supporting GH.

As Edna Krabappel would say, “Ha!!”
What a difference a year makes, ABC was anti soaps and today so warm and fuzzy to it’s last one.
General Hospital is the Grand Dame of soaps and deserves praise but at the stupid sacrifice of One Life.

Agree what you said & especially on their stupid saxrifice of One Life which was doing well in the ratings at the time it was cancelled last year.

Happy with the celebration – only reason I’m watching at this time! After it’s over, I’m done. I’m an avid ABC boycotter since they took off OLTL, can’t wait for it’s return!!

Boycotting GH will only make it get cancelled too. Please reconsider your boycott!

Have to agree with BeckyZ. If you enjoy the show, then watch it. Those involved with the demises of AMC and OLTL are gone. That’s the best cumuppance that could happen.

Boycotting ABC will do nothing but get other great shows cancelled.

I have been watching for 30 years and General Hospital is as good as it has ever been!! I look forward to watching every afternoon!

GH’s 50th Anniversary episode was fabulous! I wish it had lasted longer. Kudos to FV, RC and the entire cast and crew!

As for ABC, I don’t trust anything that comes out of it’s mouth!! I only hope they have learned the lesson – DON’T SCREW WITH THE SOAP FANS!!!!

the 50th anniversary was fabulous. I loved it. GH is better than ever these days. I hope it continues. I still do not trust ABC. I hope ABC learned their lessons
don’t mess with GH and Soap Fans. the episode reminded me of the last 2 shows of OLTL. Very hearfelt.

I am thrilled with the 50th Anniversary celebration of GH. Seeing all the soap vets return really is like seeing old friends. However, I do not and will not trust ABC again. It is in extremely poor taste for Katie (I want GH’s time slot) Kouric to host a special on the 50th anniversary of GH. That is something I will not watch. It should be Barbara Walters hosting it.

Im 100% happy with the celebration of GHs 50th, only a little worried for what comes after the NB but i have faith FV and RC can keep the magic alive and as for ABC (im still upset that they cancelled Dark Shadows back in 1971 as it is)but i feel they are only 100% behind GH because of the good ratings and for the publicity the 50th has given the network. When the show hits 51 and the show is renewed past 2014 then ill agree they are 100% committed!

P.S. i wish NBCs The Doctors (the soap opera) wouldve survived and then we’d have two medical soaps celebating their 50th. It couldve been awesome. The Doctors premiered the same day as GH but originally was an antholgy b4 revamped as a continuing drama! Had that one survived, it would have been fun compairing both celebrations! Im still wondering what the song singer turned nurse Lauri James(Marie Thomas) used to play and sing on that show, and if ever avaiable for purchase!

Im always going to wonder ‘what if’ ABC never cancelled OLTL? Would GH still make it to its 50th under a different regime, and would PP still have picked up just AMC if only that one had been cancelled…maybe in some way it was good that ABC cancelled both AMC and OLTL otherwise how would PP start without them…maybe create their own soap? Probably will never know. Just a thought…

I take anything that comes from the ABC Studios with a grain of salt. I don’t trust it one bit. That said, I hope ABC finally realizes that it made a huge mistake by cancelling AMC and OLTL, and that it will leave GH alone.

I appreciate and am enjoying all of the celebrations for GH’s 50th anniversary. Frank and Ron have done a fabulous job, and have made GH must watch TV again! As for ABC/D, I will never trust anything they say again. As happy as I am that AMC and OLTL will be returning online, I can’t help but feel bitter about those two wonderful shows not getting the network support that they should have had all along!

After ABC canned OLTL, I stopped watching everything on ABC-even GH. I just don’t trust ABC to do right thing and keep it on the air. After I heard how good it was again, I was going to watch, but the fools at ABC moved it up an hour. It airs against Days, which I turned to after OLTL went off the air. I WILL watch the new OLTL online though! I can’t wait to see my favorite actors again, but the boycott of ABC continues!!!!!!!!!!!

fv/rc is doing an extraordinary job with gh period!
as far as abc goes i still don’t trust them………….

ABC/D did exactly what they said they would do, cancel the 2 soaps., and they did, no lies from ABC/D lol .
all that other junk was simply an Idiot Frons messing with the soaps..

ABC canceled OLTL, only because it was the Lone soap in NY (They also needed to make room for Katie’s studio) and AMC was destroyed after moved to LA. With Agnes still living, ABC wanted more control creativity.

With GH, They owned the show from the beginning and the creators have been gone for years. So They (Brian Frons/ABC) could do what they want. They probably canned OLTL and and prevented the PP delay so they could snag FV and RC and bring them to thier crown jewel. The plan worked and GH is better than ever.

I agree with you suOOOO!

Also will Robin show up at the nurses ball and will it really be her or Brittany in a Robin disguise?(Id rather Britt pull a ‘Carrie’ on Sabrina myself) If Britt does show up as Robin im sure itll upset fans because Anna would look dumb if she believed it was her daughter after what happened with Faison/Duke! However if K.M. was returning and staying it would be fun to watch two Robins…real and fake…showing up at the nurses ball at the same time!!!

I am not an expert on GH, but it is refreshing watching a soap written by writers that seem to care about what the viewer would like to see, instead of trying to manipulate us into believing we want what they are throwing at us. When a writer writes like they are a viewer there are writing for their audience- when a writer writes for ratings they are writing for the network.

Networks that interfere instead of support the creative process cut their nose off to spite their face, because by trying to control ratings by controlling the story line usually causes the ratings to go down. Write with the viewer in mind then ratings will go up. GH proves this to be so- so let us hope ABC did learn their lesson and will continue to support a team that knows what they are doing.

GH is the absolute most entertaining show on TV. I cannot believe how fantastic it is now. I knew it would be with the addition of frank and ron, who I admire completely. I don’t believe a word Vicki Drummer says. She should discuss what has happened to their network. Worst thing I have ever seen. Power to the people!!!

Am I happy with the GH 50th Anniversary celebration so far? Yes, very. I love the way FV/RC manage to TEASE and not SPOIL the viewers. It really makes me salivate for what may be coming in the next episode. It amazes me how they were able to get ABC/D to cough up the cash to bring in so many, many of the former GH actors ~ even if only for a day. It’s just like real life, where you may not see someone for months and then they’re in town for a brief visit; so nice to just get a glimpse even and find out what they’ve been up to or that they’re okay.

I don’t trust abc either…They say one thing and do another(talking from the two sides of their mouth)! They better leave the last remaining soap alone! Or there will be an even bigger up roar than before………… Enjoy watching GH a lot! Love the storylines and bringing back characters from the past.. What a BLAST!

I am thrilled about GH bringing back the Nurses Ball & many of the old characters
It was long overdue, I hope they get another 50 years. I have watched soaps since I was around 10yrs. Old. One of my aunts watched AMC, I got hooked on GH around 1982, then got into OLTL.
I still wish ABC had not cancelled the other 2 soaps but I will watch them on HULU in April.
I don’t trust ABC yet, they let the fans down & have a lot to make up for. If GH continues for at least 2more years +, then I may reconsider…
Note to ABC…. We need more family shows that bring back the moral finer of this country!!
Our kids watch more TV & play on computers more than ever.
Parents spend less time with their kids& are worried about paying bills in this economy….. We meed more family shows desperately!!!!

I am LOVING GH ever since Frank and Ron took over. Its been the best it’s been in a long time and I’m actually EXCITED to watch every day! They’ve went beyond the call of duty for the 50th, but even prior to that, bringing people like Finola and Ian back, keeping Kimberly M. around, putting the Quartermaines on the front burner, adding humor and romance back into the show, everything has just been incredible! I love that we FINALLY have a daytime exec who knows what daytime SHOULD revolve around and thats soap operas. And I love that Anthony Geary, someone who has been under so many leaderships, respects Frank and Ron and notices that viewers have as well.

As for people on here who are saying they boycott ABC because they don’t “trust them.” That is absurd. I was devastated when OLTL was cancelled, but boycotting GH doesn’t do anything but take away one less viewer. Be apart of revitalizing love of soaps and tune in! If you really hate ABC so much, the best revenge is the sweet, sweet success of their remaining soap so watch! 🙂

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Brook Lynn and Chase Hesitate to Sign Divorce Papers, Elizabeth Reveals Aiden’s Leaving For Paris, Willow Flashes Back to Her Crimes

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Brook Lynn and Chase

As the week came to a conclusion on the Friday, October 23 episode of General Hospital, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) wrestled with becoming an empty-nester, while Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and Monet (Blythe Howard) conspired to keep Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Ric (Rick Hearst) at legal bay, and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase’s (Josh Swickard) frozen relationship thawed, but how much?

Let’s take a look! First, in a moment that was written to bring Liz and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) closer, the GH head nurse is wistful over the fact that she just learned that her talented bakery chef son, Aiden, secretly earned his GED and got into a prestigious pastry school in France and to top it off received a scholarship to attend the school.

Liz is concerned that allowing him to go wasn’t the smartest move because of his young age. Dante suggested that maybe it’s her fear of being alone that is causing her to feel hesitant for Aiden to go abroad. He shared a story about the support her received from Olivia when he moved away from home for the first time; that he understood mothers and sons are close, but she needed to let him go build his own life.

Elizabeth

Courtesy/ABC

After coming to terms with it, she revealed that Aiden is leaving in four days and had to make cupcakes for the Halloween party, Dante offered to help her do the baking. They smile. So, what this means to GH fans? All of Liz sons: Cameron, Jake, Aiden are all now officially off the canvas!

WILLOW VS. LULU

At Miller & Davis, Willow strolls in to meet Monet to go over their strategy in their meeting with Ric and Lulu. While discussing their next move, Willow flashes back to the night she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison) twice in the back, and then later, how she first stuck a needle in his neck to use the paralytic drug that kept him in a locked-in state for months.

Willow

Courtesy/ABC

When Ric and Lulu arrive, the four end up in a stalemate. Willow refused to drop the lawsuit, and Lulu refused to retract the story on her. Willow’s stance is that Lulu had been manipulated by the Quartermaines, who wanted to take her children away, so Michael can have sole custody of them. Lulu fired back that she was doing her job as an investigative reporter to expose crimes perpetrated by a congresswoman.

Now at an impasse, Ric and Lulu tell Monet and Willow they will see them in court as now a judge will hear the case. Not what Ric wanted that to happen, but now he tells Lulu, they will figure out a way to bring Willow down.

DIVORCE BLUES?

Finally, Chase and Brook Lynn head to the Dominican Republic to get a quickie divorce after how their lawyers dredged up awful things about both of them in Port Charles. While on the plane, the two discuss that they still want each other to be happy.

Once in front of the judge in the Dominican Republic, he asked if the two were mutually consenting to this divorce, but instead, the two sang each others praises.

This left the judge to ask if the two wanted to go through with ending their marriage and he left the room. Later, when he returned with the divorce documents to sign, Chase and Brook Lynn stared at each other hesitating to sign on the dotted line.

So, what do you think will happen next? Will Brook Lynn and Chase end their marriage, or decide to try to make it a go? Is it upsetting to you that all of Elizabeth’s sons are off the canvas? Should the soap recast them all, like they did with Alexis’ daughters and restart the story of these young men? Do you think now will be the time that Willow’s crimes will be publicly exposed, and she will lose her kids and her seat in a congress? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Breaking News

53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

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Daytime Emmy Presenters

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.

The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.

Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Genie Francis

Photo: NATAS

In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year,  A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.

The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).

The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”

Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.

So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

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Josh and Kristen

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.

The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.

Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC

WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?

Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.

So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?

Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.

Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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