General Hospital
General Hospital’s EP Frank Valentini on How the Writers and a Dream Helped Craft Bobbie’s Emotional Final Story and Exit
This week, viewers and Port Charles said goodbye to Bobbie Spencer who passed away while in Amsterdam. That also meant, that the long-running ABC daytime drama series was laying to rest the character in heart-tugging episodes that honored her portrayer, the late Jackie Zeman.
Three stand out story points delivered the gut-punch and brought the tears to many a longtime fan. First, Angela, the “Associated Press reporter” from Amsterdam, was played by the same actress who played little BJ Jones up till the character died in a school bus accident. As GH fans know, BJ’s heart was given to Maxie to save her life. Brighton Hertford returned 30 years later to the show in which she used to appear to honor her former on-screen mom, Jackie Zeman.
In the story twist, Angela turns out to be BJ who visits Bobbie’s family and friends from heaven, but who brings with her an important secret of Bobbie’s. The second stand out story point involved Carly (Laura Wright) and Felicia (Kristina Wagner) as they quickly headed to Amsterdam after learning that Bobbie was helping women escape human sex trafficking. This harkened back to the days of a young Bobbie, who was a prostitute. In the end, Bobbie was helping a young girl to safety. Carly and Felicia wanted to honor Bobbie’s last wish and find the young woman, which they did. And third, changing the name of “Kelly’s” to “Bobbie’s” as the final moment of Thursday’s episode revealed.

Photo: ABC
Speaking with PEOPLE, GH executive producer Frank Valentini clearly gave credit where much of the credit is due to his co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor. Addressing why it took so long for GH to address Jackie Zeman’s death and what should happen to the character of Bobbie, Valentini shared it all had to do with the timing of the writers’ strike and wanting his head scribes back in the fold to craft the story.
Frank explained: “Jackie passed away while we were in the middle of the writers’ strike, and I wanted to make sure that we saved Bobbie’s memorial and everything dealing with Bobbie’s and how we were going to deal with the character parting the canvas.” He added, “There was never any question in anyone’s mind that we weren’t going to recast, Bobbie because that just would’ve been impossible and I think would not have honored the show. So we decided that Bobbie needed to have had some kind of purpose to help sort of explain her exit.”

Photo: ABC
The head scribes also came up with the idea for BJ to return in the form of Brighton Hertford. The GH showrunner said, “It’s really their brainchild.” However, the final moment where Carly hangs the new sign at Kelly’s and it now says “Bobbie’s” came to Valentini in his dream.
Frank shared, “I dreamt that we changed the name of it because, having known for several months that we needed to address this character’s departure from the canvas and being concerned and wanting to do right by not only Jackie, but by Bobbie Spencer.” He concluded, “I thought, ‘What’s something that could be lasting?’ And that was the one that seemed to make a lot of sense.”
So, what did you think about what the GH writers and the EP came up with to do right by Jackie Zeman and the character of Bobbie Spencer? Comment below.
The show has been on fire for weeks. The shows dealing with Bobbie’s/Jackie’s death were amazing. The performances of the actors will stick with me for a while. Laura Wright, Kristina Wagner, Kin Shriner, Genie Francis and Kirsten Storms were simply the best.
I remember thinking that Finola Hughes had Best Actress in the bag for her scenes regarding Charlotte’s shooting. But, now I see how rich GH is with so many great performers. The show has an embarrassment of riches with the aforementioned actors, plus Maura, Cynthia, Nancy Lee, Jane Elliott and Kate Mansi.
We’re in a new Emmy cycle (for daytime, it’s based on calendar year). Finola’s work on the Charlotte story is all for 2023.
What an incredible dream.
Kudos to Frank, the writers and the incredible cast. The two farewell episodes were incredible! It was worth the wait!
An amazing tribute to a daytime legend! I have always believed that the ABC soaps I’ve watched (OLTL, GH, and RH) truly honor the history of these soaps to longtime viewers. First of all, the fact that the actress who played little BJ reprised her role as a ghost was genius. And when she says to Lucas, “anytime champ” as the memory Lucas shared pulls at your heart string. Second, the amazing performances by the entire cast, especially Kristina Wagner, kin shriner and genie francis who not only were grieving the character of Bobby but their friend Jackie who they have known and worked with since the late 70s and early 80s. Third, the story behind how Bobby who was trying to help a young girl from human trafficking as to how she started on the show came full circle to honor the true essence of this character and renaming kellis to Bobbies allows her legacy to live on for years to come. Lastly, the part that really brought me to tears is when Felicia realizes it was BJ and goes back in to tell Maxie and touches her heart and you can hear the heart beating just like Tony heard when he put his ear next to maxies heart nearly 30 years ago. This is what made daytime soaps special. Thank you GH for honoring Jackie zeman in this way. We the audience got to grieve her loss with you. WE MISS YOU JACKIE & BOBBY but you will never be forgotten!
Brilliant!!
The outcome of what transpired on the screen this week was Beyond Great. It was so well done and totally tugged on the heartstrings. You just have to know Jackie is smiling knowing how much she is loved.
I thought it was a beautiful and very emotional tribute to Bobby. Jackie Zeman would be so incredibly proud. Great work GH
Mycomment to Frank is the tribute was nice. Sorry I don’t give Dan & Chris all the credit for this story. My reason is you guys blew the 60th anniversary show- disgusting. It appeared you threw it together in 15 minutes. Gh deserves better than this. I wish change from Disney in 2024 or else I don’t see gh making it. Bad
The fact the network gave GH a primetime special (not on a Friday or in summer) shows Disney’s commitment to the show. The ratings are significantly up in the past few weeks. GH is in relatively good shape.
I couldn’t disagree more regarding the prime time special on the 60th anniversary!! I loved it and have already watched it (via Hulu) several times. It had EVERYTHING including humor, surprise guests, fans, flashbacks, behind the scenes, blooper reels, and more. Hopefully it draws more viewers to the show & it continues for an additional 60 years. I liked the tribute to “Bobbie” of course l, but I enjoyed the anniversary special even more. But that’s what makes GH terrific. You might not like something one day, but luckily it’s aired 5x a week, so you’re bound to enjoy something else.
Just wish that something had been done regarding the Audio. The music dubbed over the actors was way too loud. Also, wished for more clips and it seems some of the guest actors had nothing to do with GH other than being fans.
The ending with the doors however made up for a lot of the quality issues. That shocker with Steve Burton – BOOM! Wow!
The guest actors DID have something to do with the show except I think her name is Sheryl Underwood. John Stamos, Max Gail and the guy that plays Brick have all been on the show.
They did nothing of the sort! The anniversary special was great! I don’t know what you expected, but a primetime special for a daytime drama us amazing in itself. Sad you couldn’t appreciate it.
Perfect “Farewell and Closure” to Bobbie and Jackie! Well done…Thank you!
EXCELLENT, GENIUS 2 DAY MEMORIAL!!
Great ending to a daytime legend and her character. The GH writers and EP obviously love the show and tied up the show with a historical twist to include the return of the original BJ as an angel. Let the tears flow. GH may have just wrapped up another Best Daytime Drama nomination and win in 2024! See you at Bobbie’s!
General Hospital writers and Frank Valentini hit this one way out of the ballpark. As a viewer who started watching in 1977, I loved the way Bobbie was memorialized. Genie Francis and Kin Shriner were amazing. It is so hard to believe that the three of them remained connected on this show for so long. Thank you for doing this for us fans.
Thank you for showing Bobbie/Jackie the person she was. Because Bobbie was a part of the show for so long, the actors didn’t need to ‘act’ – their true feelings showed how they felt about her. We’re really gonna miss you Bobbie Spencer!
They did some exceptional writing! I love that they changed Kelly’s to Bobbie’s. I think it is a wonderful way to honor Bobbie and Jackie.
What a team, they bring it every day.
Kudos, to Frank i have mixed feelings about the name change. But i understand why it was done. To Chris/ Dan congratulations on horning Jackie Zeman. And what a brilliant idea to ask Brighton Hertford to come back as Angela who turn out to be BJ angel you had everyone tears.
The writers did not miss a moment on tying all who Bobbie was and all the people and events she lived together. I have watched since day one and this touched my heart and left me in tears. A perfect storyline and great heartfelt acting.❤️❤️
Y’all did a fantastic job with this week, brought back so many me memories ❤️
This was an amazing way to pay tribute! Every scene was emotional and having Felicia realize that the reporter was BJ was jaw dropping and heart warming at the same time…General Hospital, (as BJ would say) way to go…CHAMP!!!
I have mixed feelings about Kellys being renamed. As a very long time viewer I actually remember the real Kelly. I think it will always be Kellys to me. I did see the renaming coming because of the way the story line was going. so it wasnt a surprise to me.I remember her more as a nurse, than running the diner.
It was simply epic! Quite the emotional roller coaster!
It was fantastic but they should have given Bobbie a fantastic storyline the last 15 years she was on the show basically doing nothing!! R.I.P. Bobbie Spencer
I loved it! Kudos to all!
It was very touching. To watch all of the people not just having to play their parts but it was a loss of a real character and friend had to be so hard; these were real tears. I had a few myself. After the story ended I said ” what an awesome and wonderful tribute ” to honor Jacqueline Zeman ” Well done producers, cast and all involved. Thank you all. Susan Green, N. Carolina
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.
The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.
Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST
Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”
Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”
Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI
KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL
Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”
You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.
So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!
General Hospital
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.
TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.
That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Photo: ABC
STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES
GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.
Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).
Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.
GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS
Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.
Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.
So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?

On the Friday, September 11 episode of General Hospital, Jason (Steve Burton) and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship becomes strained to potentially the point of no return.
Things take a turn when an unglued Britt having been traumatized by almost being killed by Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) asks Jason to back her up with the PCPD when she reports Anna for attempted murder.
However, Jason told Britt, he can’t. Jason shares that he does not believe Anna would have gone through with shooting her. Therefore, Britt was not in any real imminent danger. Britt is flabbergasted and hurt that Jason is refusing to tell the police what he actually witnessed for himself on Mount Emerson.

Courtesy/ABC
BRITT WANTS BACK UP FROM JASON
Jason counters that he can’t believe that Britt would want Anna punished. or sent to prison, or a mental facility after the trauma she endured while being locked up and mentally tortured while at Wyndemere.
He asks Britt, “How could you even say that you want her locked up or prosecuted for what she did when you knew she was being held prisoner and you did nothing to save her?” Britt is stunned by Jason’s response.
Coming up, official General Hospital spoilers share that on the upcoming Monday, September 14 episode, Jason confides in Carly (Laura Wright), while Britt is stung. In the video preview that aired at the end of the Friday, September 11 episode for this coming Monday, Britt says to Jason, “You don’t believe me. Do you?”
General Hospital head scribes, Chris Van Etten and Elizabeth Korte previously teased in their fall preview of the soap, “Britt and Jason have come a long way and fought a lot of enemies to be together. But the most stubborn obstacle to their happiness isn’t without, it’s within. Decisions Britt made to stay alive while under Cullum’s thumb will come back to haunt her and may prove too difficult for this unlikely couple to survive.”
So, what do you think will happen? Will Jason and Britt break-up over Britt’s lies and Jason’s unwillingness to report Anna’s crime against her? Do you want Jason and Britt to go their separate ways? If they do, will Britt become romantically involved with Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) ? If so, who do you pair Jason with? Anyone? Weigh-in via the comment section.
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