General Hospital
Exec Prod Frank Valentini On GH’s Return with New Episodes: “There is a Bang and a Surprise and a Twist”
Monday, General Hospital will finally be airing a new episode – the first in months due to COVID-19 – which had previously shut down production of the show. Now with safety protocols in place, GH will become the first ABC network show back on TV with original installments.
GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini spoke to ABC 7 Los Angeles’ entertainment guru George Pennacchio on the legacy soap opera’s return and picking up the story where things left off.
Valentini offered up for Monday’s episode: “The very first few seconds of the show, I think, will blow a lot of the audience’s mind because there’s a big surprise that we inserted in.”
Meanwhile, viewers know that their is a major custody case going on for Wiley/Jonah, and that Mike’s (Max Gail) battle with Alzheimer’s could wrap in the coming months if the story continues as it had before the shut down.
However, Valentini shared that fans have some very exciting things to look forward to on GH: “There is a bang and a surprise and a twist and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
In addition, Pennacchio reports that the GH Nurses’ Ball will return sometime in August, which usually airs in May, but didn’t, because of COVID-19 this past spring.
As to how GH will handle the love scenes, the kisses, and the intimate moments between characters which are a staple of the genre during the health crisis, Frank expressed:”Physical intimacy is limited. We’re going to leave a lot more to the imagination.”
So, what surprises do you think are in store as previewed by Valentini when GH returns with new episodes? Comment below.
Well, assuming there’s no time jump due to the missing months, and they pick up where they left off, then I sure as Hell hope the “big surprise” isn’t anything to do with Psycho Nelle being Nina’s daughter……
We know Dante’s coming back, but I doubt we will see him on Monday. While it’s logical to assume he might come back due to Mike’s rapidly declining health, he might just have a “work-related” reason to turn up in Port Charles, and my guess that it will have something to do with Cyrus the Virus. Maybe Dante knows what the real deal is between Cyrus and “cousin” Brando. In any case, let’s hope Dante sticks around for a while.
As far as the Nurses Ball, I think they should skip it this year. You can’t have “live acts” (most are lip-synced, but fake live anyway) in a crowded hotel ballroom in the current mortal reality. What are they gonna do, have all the acts perform remotely via Zoom (Like Stephen Colbert has been doing with the musical performances on his show during the pandemic)
Pretty sure Dominic Zamprogna is back full-time.
OK, a Devil can admit when he missed a call… They actually DID bring Dante back first thing. Literally the first scene.
Though Frank’s own words were they “inserted” this in, so my interpretation is that this was not part of the original script for today’s show, and we probably won’t be seeing Dante full time for a while. This is much like the way we saw a 5 second appearance of Ian Buchanan on GH literally the same day he left Days, but he didn’t have any further appearances on the show for a few months… and then even those turned out to be Faison in a stupid mask.
So let’s hope they don’t repeat that stupidity… and that Dante is actually Dante when he sets foot in Port Charles.
We can only hope!
Of course we left off in the court room! I hope Nina sees the other half of her necklace!!!! In Nelles hand !!!
Heeey Satan 🙂
I have nothing, as to where GH left off.
000hhh Mike (luvs Mike) was near death.. perhaps a miracle, that would be good..
I gotta tell;
I did not miss Y&R ad GH as I had thought I would..
I got busy with other things and moved on..(different viewing routine)
But– I am looking forward to seeing, both, again.
And– WHOA! you have a great recall/memory- to be able to go back in time.
((it’s like I haven’t clue lol I’ll need a refresher course ..
I am sad that none of the soaps seem to have done a time jump… however, am looking forward to General Hospital‘s return!
I REALLY don’t want Nelle to be Nina’s daughter. A bang? Someone gets shot???
Nurse’s Ball, well, I hope they spend one episode on it, the 3 day episodes tend to be boring. And, did I say I REALLY don’t want Nelle to be Nina’s daughter? 🙂
The Surprise… could Kristian Alfonso be joining GH??? Wishful thinking. Or, could Greg Vaughn be returning as Lucky?
I, too, think it is Dante coming back, they’ve had plenty of time to make a deal with the actor. A Twist… I don’t have a clue… guess we’ve got one more day to wait and see. And… #NELLEISNOTNINASDAUGHTER
as much as I like Nelle shenanigans’ – which end up more oft a spoiled brat tantrum – and she’s given a let… till the next big write up. which has actually run it’s course… she’ll NEVER get to Carly
she seems more dismal than any thing… AND we don’t want that for Nina , do we? I watched her with Jax… and Nina has it going… but it’s Jason Patrick Stuart sensuals that she clearly dreams about. I certainly would be… hotted out! to that extent … Nina and Valentin… end all be all PERIOD. bringing in Nelle? I don’t see it. Valentin would never put up with her..even if he could use her. Besides Charlotte would see right thru her…and may put her lights out any way.
It looks like the show is picking up right were they left off, from what I could see from the preview the show wasn’t missing a beat. I’m being biassed here but GH is vastly more surperior then BB. I saw the show first week and it was cringe inducing to say the least, I mean the weird close up scenes of the characters face, it looked like bad soap opera 101, the plots are pretty silly and I was so glad I’m a GH fan instead because watching BB almost gave me a seizure. sorry but that’s my opinion and I’m not even going to give DOOL or YR a try. Welcome back GH. I’ve missed you.
I actually enjoyed the first week of B&B’s return. Aside from Flo not being able to untie a bunch of stockings (?) Or whatever fabric was used to tie her to a radiator. That was straight eye rolling comedy. Brad Bell seems to have put the brakes on and turned around a bit. We’ll see how it goes.
As someone who watches all current American daytime soaps, and grew up watching CBS soaps, I can absolutely tell you that General Hospital is vastly superior to The Bold and the Beautiful for a myriad of reasons.
A bang? Maybe Julian shoots Nelle!
If only!
Leaving the same Executive Producer in charge for too long tends to give them a big ego and a who cares what you think attitude. I wish the same British standards were employed for our soaps. An Executive Producer is switched out every three years. It makes for better and different viewing.
Here’s the flip side of that: you get people in who have no sense of a particular show or its history and often are more interested in making their mark than on ensuring continuity or keeping long-time viewers happy. I am guessing that in the UK, you might be able to count on the people above the executive producer to insist on attention to those kinds of things; you’d be hard pressed to find a TV executive at any of the networks/sponsors who really understands the individual soaps–or soaps in general–well enough to ensure that the people hired would be the right persons for the job. Even the various people I can think of who have been “VP for Daytime” or whatever equivalent at ABC, CBS, and NBC through the years have not seemed to me to “get” the soaps, why people watch them, what viewers expect, how Soap A is different from Soap B is different from Soap C, etc.
I am sooo excited to see new episodes back on the air! Hoping everyone involved with producing the shows stays safe and that we get to see great story coming our way again!
Hope Kelly is getting better. hate to have LH take over the role Steve and Kelly is the only thing I watch !!!!
Yawn. That “band and surprise” was about as shocking as the Cheetoh tweetig something stupid
Once GH knew they were going to be on indefinite hiatus, they took the material that had already been filmed and extended each and everyone of these storylines by filling in with all of the (fun to see) flashbacks to extend the new material to the point of many cliffhangers that we are now all enjoying with the return of the new episodes. The kiss between Ned and Olivia, the Court scene, and the sad final days of Mike’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. I actually think that it was a pretty brilliant plan, as we continue to go through all of this unknown and unfamiliar time in our lives. I just hope that the cast, crew, and everyone involved with the production of these new episodes remain safe and healthy, for having the new episodes and continuing storylines has been a special treat, especially since I’m running out of Netflix binging options. Stay safe everyone!
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
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Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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