General Hospital
Frank Valentini Speaks On: Pressure to Save GH, Jill Farren Phelps & Time to Assess Port Charles!
Courtesy/ABC
As was made official earlier today by ABC, One Life to Live’s former head honcho Frank Valentini will now be taking over the reins from Jill Farren Phelps, at General Hospital as of January 9th. Phelps had been GH’s executive producer for the last 10 years.
In an exclusive interview with EW.com, Valentini addressed his quick hiring to General Hospital, coming into the series when there are consistent rumors of its soon-to-be-demise, and what he intends to do with the canvas. Valentini is quick to point out that becoming GH’s show runner happened over the last 48 hours. Here are some excerpts below!
Valentini on if he feels his coming on-board GH is to save it from cancellation: “ Any exec producer always has the weight of the world on their shoulders. I’ve always felt a tremendous responsibility. You have the fate of a lot of people’s futures in your hand. I’m the type of person who takes that very seriously. If I spent any energy worrying about whether we were getting cancelled, it would take away from making the show the best that it could possibly could be. When you’re running, don’t look behind you.”
Valentini on replacing long-time GH executive producer, Jill Farren Phelps: “Jill Phelps is a fantastic producer. She taught me so much when we worked together She was so generous and so kind. And I can’t say enough good things about her. Jill called me this morning and congratulated me. It’s always tough when someone loses their job. But at the end of the day everyone understands that there are business decisions that get made.”
Valentini on his playbook or plans to help GH: “But I don’t think it will change dramatically. I have to come in and assess what’s working and see what can be made better. At this point, during the transition, I ask the audience to be patient. Come along for the ride, and enjoy and love their show.”
So what do you think of Valentini’s comments? Let us know your thoughts on the move of bringing the talented Valentini over to Port Charles!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali on a Potential Kai/Trina/Gio/Emma Quadrangle, ‘I Don’t Think That’s Impossible, But That Would Be Messy’
On recent episodes of General Hospital, music executive Simon Craft (Grady Eldridge) has been pushing and demanding that Trina (Tabyana Ali) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) play up a faux relationship when they are onstage, or in front of the camera, to add to their allure as new recording artists to his label.
Simon knows full well that Gio is dating Emma (Braedyn Bruner), and Trina is with Kai (Jens Austin Astrup). It was apparent from the start, that Kai seemed a bit more comfortable with the “arrangement” understanding this was for business, and not pleasure, while Emma initially didn’t like the idea.
Now with Trina’s stalker story in full gear, and as fans eventually find out who is completely obsessed with the budding young singer, while initially seeming to be Simon that would seem to be too easy of a choice. But is GH toying with the idea that somehow Gio and Trina get stuck in a situation and one thing leads to another and they develop feelings one another, too?
Photo: ABC
SIMON’S MANUEVERS
In addition, after Curtis (Donnell Turner) and Sidwell’s (Carlo Rota) beatdown at Pentonville, where everyone is accusing Sonny (Maurice Benard) of ordering the deed, will this find Gio and Trina on the same side, believing it’s Sonny, or will Gio end up sticking by his grandfather when by week’s end he was also questioning if he was telling the truth?
During a new conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel, Tabyana Ali shared her thoughts that if Gio and Trina were pushed closer together, what that would mean for their relationships with Emma and Kai, respectively.
Photo: ABC
MUSICAL CHAIRS?
Pondering the soap staple, Tabyana exclaimed, “Oh, my goodness. Who knows? I mean, quite honestly, I don’t think it’s it’s impossible, but, oh, wow! That would be messy!” Ali added that its something that could be quite intriguing to play. “There’s a part of me that wants it to happen just to see, how does it play out? Right? Then, there’s another part of me that’s like, “You can’t do that to Emma and Kai.” That’s so wrong,” believed Ali.
However, Tabyana did admit a complicated love story wasn’t far from her mind. “Originally, I wanted something like a quadrangle. I really wanted that to happen. And if this is a moment where it could happen, I think that would be fun too.”
When asked to tease what’s coming up for Trina in the next several weeks, she offered up three words. Things for her will “(get) Suspicious, (be ) spontaneous, (and) very dangerous.”
So, do you think the GH writing team is teeing up a situation where Trina and Gio become more than friends and musical artists together? Would you be down for it, or be against it? do you like Emma with Gio and Kai with Trina? Share your thoughts via the comment section, nd in case you missed it, check our chat with Tabyana below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!
Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).
GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.
Courtesy/ABC
A VISIT WITH DAD
Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.
Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!
Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.
Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!” The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.
Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR
While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).
Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.
An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process. As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”
CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER
At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.
Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.
So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.
General Hospital
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
Two soap opera alums very familiar to fans of General Hospital and The Young and the Restless are paired together in a new short-form digital series from none other than Issa Rae’s production entity HOORAE Digital.
Look for Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, GH)) and Loren Lott (ex-Ana Hamilton, Y&R) as part of the cast of The Compatibility Experiment, premiering on October 14, 2026, exclusively on TikTok and its companion microdrama platform, PineDrama.
In the video teaser, it appears that Bellow and Lott play a couple, Kelvin and Camila, set in a Love Island reality show-esque environment trying to win the one million dollar cash prize, only what could go wrong?
Photo: HOORAE
The Compatibility Experiment loglines share that it brings a fast-paced, relationship-focused reality check—much like Love Island with a twist. The show takes a participant’s current relationship, introduces them to a potentially more compatible partner, and forces them to navigate the differences with life-changing money on the line.
The new series is part of a groundbreaking content deal between HOORAE Digital and TikTok to develop premium short-form storytelling. The ensemble cast also features; Ayona, Reggie Luck, JaNa Craig, Tosin Morohunfola, Jessica Jacoby, Georgia Warner, and Nick Cassidy.
General Hospital fans know Tajh Bellow for his performances as TJ Ashford, and who earned two Daytime Emmy nominations along the way during his run. Bellow took over the role in 2018 and last appeared on the ABC daytime drama series in December of 2024.
Loren Lott first appeared as Devon’s (Bryton James) sister Ana Hamilton on The Young and the Restless from 2018 to 2019; making a brief return in 2024. She has continued to perform on the stage and screen with recent credits including: Bel-Air, Cherish the Day, and All American: Homecoming.
Check out the trailer for The Compatibility Experiment below and let us know what you think of its concept and if you are glad to see Tajh and Loren again? Hoping they might return to daytime in their GH and Y&R roles at some point in the future? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
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I love Frank! I sure hope he can make some substantial changes to make this show the best it can be.
the writting is bad I can tell the writer has changed. what is going on with the storylines the best one going is carly and sean I feel bad for the actors it has to be hard to go to work and have a stupid script. GH has always been the best soap on but at this point I am about to stop watching and so are my friends please fix it quick and you can send lulu packing.
My piece of advice is please don’t make GH all about the mob. The hospital storylines have some interesting stories left to tell. The characters and character histories to build on if someone pays attention. Please focus on the whole cast. Don’t make it a three person show like past headwriters did. Utilize actors to their maximum potential.
They really should shake it up at GH if they are going to survive… I saw a promising story with Carly and John a bit controversial when she told him his problem with her was because she was white and then it just fizzled out but it was good story.
As much as I love Sonny, I agree!! WE NEED THE HOSPITAL & THE QUARTERMAINES!!
ENOUGH FRANCO CRAPPO!! JASON: KILL HIM AND MOVE IT ALONG!!
ROMANCE:: LUKE & TRACEY, LUCKY & LIZ, SONNY & CARLY, MAC & ALEXIS, JOHNNY OLIVIA STEVE..,,A GREAT TRIANGLE… JASON LIZ SAM LUCKY MATT MAXI SPINELLI…A NICE MIX-UP
WE NEED ROMANCE,,,,,LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON!!
ALSO: HOW ABOUT PP & OPRAH WORK IT OUT AND MAKE A SOAP COMBO OF AMC & OLTL.. USE THE ACTORS/ACTRESSES WHO ARE INTERESTED
OPRAHS NETWORK IS IN BIG TROUBLE, BUT IF PROSPECT PARK INC AND OPRAH WORK TOGETHER, THEY CAN HELP EACHOTHER…AND THE FANS!!
I AM SO SAD ABOUT MY SOAPS AND THE INDUSTRY!!
PLEASE WORK IT OUT..AND LET US HELP. I AM WILLING TO PAY $50 A MONTH…IF YOU TAKE 200,000 FANS…YOU GET A LOT OF HELP RIGHT THERE…PLEASE WORK IT OUT!!
I don’t believe that this was all a sudden thing! Frank and Ron were already slated to go over to GH a few months before the PP thing came along, so I don’t doubt that they had this thing in the works all along! Don’t trust anything that the Mouse tells us!
More Quartermains! The Q’s were a huge part of the show througout the 80’s, 90’s and well into the 00’s. just bringing Monica, Edward and Tracy out every so often throughout the year to bicker isn’t enough. I want storylines. Give Monica happiness.
Love the Sonny and Kate paring, but make it a reality. Get them married and stable. it cuold always be a contest of will between the upscale Kate and mobster Sonny that could bring interesting storylines for years.
Interesting news. Now, I may consider giving GH a chance after January 13th, as long as the following occurs. I propose that all or most of the residents of Llanview relocate to Port Charles and take over. John, Bo and Nora can finally take down the mafia and send Sonny, Jason, Luke and their minions to Pentonville where they belong. Dorian can run General Hospital because currently they have no adults on staff, except for Epiphany. Clint and Viki can run ELQ. Todd can bring the SUN to Port Charles. Blair can open up Capricorn PC. Tea can go head to head with Diane in court. How much fun would that be!? Only if wishes came true! Note to fronsie: if you were going to replace the GH show-runners with the heads of your #1 soap, why didn’t you just cancel GH instead and leave ONE LIFE TO LIVE on the air? Oh, I forgot: this decision was made by a corporate executive; common sense doesn’t exist amongst the decision makers of corporate America. My bad. hehe. Long live ONE LIFE TO LIVE!
I know you’re probably joking with what you wrote, but instead of hijacking GH and basically turning it into OLTL 2.0, how about we hope for a happy medium.
A show where perhaps some former OLTL characters can be incorporated into the mix, to help freshen things up, which as a GH fan, I would welcome. While also rebuilding and strengthening the core of GH, and honoring its rich history and tradition. which is long overdue. That would be a show that both GH and OLTL fans might be able to enjoy.
Instead of the fans of both shows sniping back and forth, saying this should have happened, or that should have happened, shouldn’t that be what we all hope for?
Long live OLTL Jared! I’ve never watched GH, but only if. Loved you post.
I will be devasted if OLTL takes over GH. I have been watching OLTL since I was 7 years old and I am devasted to see it go but I will be pissed if GH is ruined! OLTL has been exciting the last couple months now that its ending but before that it was so boring, it kinda felt like cornation street ( or whatever that old program is called) GH doesn’t need any help from outside viewers taking over the show… Just keep doing what their doing and ii will at least have one of my guilty pleasures to watch.
I threw up a little when I saw that Brian Frons announced it – that tainted it for me because I won’t ever respect anything he’s involved with ever again – ever again – one more time – EVER.
And, I don’t trust anything that was said because of that, either – I think it’s all B.S.
Sigh……..
yeah, the show is tanked now. Frank and Ron are horrific. This is Frons saying “Hey, here’s my way of sticking it to you fans before I cancel this show, too.”
If Frank Valentini is moving to GH to bring new life to it, as good as he is, won’t that all be in vain? If Katie Couric is taking that time slot , where is GH going to be? None of this makes sense. With all the commotion about OLTL and All My Children travesties, what do the producers think they are going to accomplish in the end? Will we all be in suspension and holding our breath waiting for the final pin to drop. It’s just a matter of time……..
My advice to GH new team is to make sure you don’t try to make GH into OLTL, both of you have a long history w/ OLTL. The worst thing you could do is to start hiring OLTL actors, or start recasting w/ OLTL actors ect. If I was both of them, i would concentrate on on storylines, pacing, and the current cast. Biggest mistake they could make is to start creating new characters or bringing on to many new people. GH has its own unique history, it has a great cast, and even past talent, that would be welcome back, so concentrate on that, and i think its possible to succeed.
The best thing they can do actually is turn GH into ONE LIFE TO LIVE. The ratings don’t lie, and OLTL is the #1 soap on the network that shall remain nameless. They cancelled the wrong soap, period.
Ditch GH and Keep OLTL
The wrong soap was cancelled. OLTL is head and shoulders above GH in every way. And I say that as someone who has been a fan of both shows for years. Unfortunately, GH has turned into the Sonny and Jason hour. And James Franco has done GH no favors. I turned GH off quite some time ago which really bothers me because I know I should be supporting the soaps right now, not tuning out. When OLTL ends, I’ll no longer watch ABC. They have no loyalty to the fans, why should I have any for them?
Im not a GH fan, I loathe mobe related tv shows and movies. If Frank and Ron can do for GH what it did for OLTL then the fans should welcome them both with open arms. I do think that the fate of GH is sealed with Katie Couric’s show taking its time slot in 2012. Hey, worst case is these guys come in and give GH fans a quality final season!
too much reality and talk. hope they can keep our drama going forever. otherwise, sell GH to Sony, a much better organization for drama
I wonder if Frank will get rid of the Franco nonsense, which the audience obviously never cared much for when looking at ratings, and finally bring my Valentin Cassadine character on, which was displaced by the Franco Fiasco, much to the chagrin of most GH loyalists. I am still willing to shake things up in Port Charles, balancing those duties with my producing duties elsewhere.
If this is really you Matt I completely agree. James Franco has been a complete waste of air time. There is no story with him and his performances have been ridiculously inept and over the top.
Maybe the new brass with cease to kiss his derriere and send him packing.
I agree forget franco who cares the storyline is a wast of time and stop making jason look like a wimp get him back to his old self he and sam.
I still believe that Disney has already made the decision to cancel GH. They just want to throw the remaining viewers a bone and usher it out well. And all I would say to Frank V is that if you dont make any drastic changes, I wont watch. GH needs a complete overhaul. But Im not concerned. I cancelled GH off my TV about a yr ago anyway. Que Sera que sera.
Ron C.and Frank V. can work their magic and bring great things to GH as they did to OLTL. However, people fail to recognize that this takes time and that is one factor GH does not have on its side. It doesn’t matter. OLTL has been outstanding and brings in over 400,000 more viewers than GH, but it still got canceled. GH is losing their 3 o’clock time slot in Sept. If OLTL replacement shows produces the same ratings as the Chew, GH doesn’t stand a chance. The end of daytime happened on April 14, 2011 when AMC and OLTL were cancelled. I will be so sad on Jan. 13 when the final episode of OLTL airs.
I’m sorry but I’m not for this AT ALL. I was shocked to see Garin Wolf already replaced as head writer for General and to see Ron Carlivati????? What is this????? Turning into One Life to Live????????????????
I’m sorry, but if General characters are slowly being pushed out, I’m out for good. This has been my show for over 30 years and if it’s being taken over by a show that couldn’t hold its ground, then that’s just ridiculous.
Sorry about you, Garin. You were doing an excellent job as was Jill Pharin Phelps. I was suprised to see you out of the production as well. It’s really sad. I’m also sick of the new credits in the beginning, no match-ups at “half-time”, and FINALLY seeing Jason and Sam after, what, almost two weeks???????????????????????????
Sad. Very sad.