General Hospital
General Hospital Leads Soap Opera Revival – An MSN Money Special Report!
Courtesy/ABC
In a twist that none of the network executives probably saw coming, the beloved art form of the daytime soap opera is having a resurgence and staging quite the comeback.
As the doom and gloom spread across the industry, that due to the escalating costs in producing these daily dramas and the lower return in the ratings, the long running series were locked in a conundrum. If you look at where we were back in 2011, All My Children and One Life to Live were nixed, and General Hospital was in need of resuscitation!
Now in a turnaround, MSN Money reports and spotlights that the Walt Disney company took a gamble in keeping General Hospital and that bet has paid off, and led the charge of the revival of the soaps! MSN Money stated, “Ratings for the show, which turns 50 in April, are on the rise. General Hospital attracted more than 3 million total viewers during the week ended Dec. 28, the highest total in two years. Viewership among advertisers’ target demographic — women 18 to 34 years old — is up 44% year over year, according to ABC.”
MSN Money also says soap fans believe the reason for GH’s resurgence is: “The show got a lot better. Under executive producer Frank Valentini, who assumed the job last year, the show has had entertaining story lines and brought back fan favorites from the show’s heyday, such as Rick Springfield (Dr. Noah Drake), Kin Shriner (Scotty Baldwin) and Genie Francis (Laura Spencer). ”
GH showrunner Valentini weighed in on the situation with MSN Money stating: “There were concerns about the future of the show. We are all aware of how the television viewing market has become increasingly fractured.”
So now with The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, Days of our Lives, GH and soon online the return of One Life to Live and All My Children, if the momentum can keep going, soaps could be sticking around alot longer than anyone would have thought a year ago at this time!
So soapers, what do you think is the top reason for General Hospital’s turnaround? Let us know your thoughts, and what you think the state of the soap industry is at this point in time?
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric
General Hospital’s Dominic Zamprogna (Dante Falconeri) opened up about the burgeoning love triangle forming between his Port Charles alter-go, Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst) and Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) after recently aired scenes, plus his hopes for the future of a Dante and Liz pairing, during his appearance on the Sunday, April 23 edition of the That’s Awesome podcast with Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Bradford Anderson (Spinelli).
On last week’s episodes of GH, Ric has made the decision that he wanted to propose to his ex-wife, only when he showed up at Elizabeth’s front door, he misread the scenario he walked in with Liz tending to Dante’s injured leg from the softball game. From there, the legal eagle’s jealous streak is reemerging which may cause him to act out and do something unforgivable, or will he take the high road? Stay tuned.
Speaking with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson about where Elizabeth stands in the annals of the long-running soap, Zamprogna said, “She’s up there with Steve and Maurice (Maurice Benard) as one of the most legacy-filled people on the show.”
Courtesy/ABC
HOW DANTE AND ELIZABETH CAME ABOUT
Dominic jokes it’s a far cry for where Dante and Elizabeth previously, recalling, “We had some scenes together years ago and we were both laughing. Becky’s like, ‘Well, I guess we’re not going be paired up anytime soon.’ I remember we laughed immediately after they yelled ‘cut,”‘and said to each other, ‘Well, so much for that!'”
Fast-forward to early 2025 and as Zamprogna remembered it, “Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) came up to me at the General Hospital Christmas party, and I think it was a year and a half ago and she said, ‘We’re going to have you in scenes with Elizabeth,’ My internal monologue is going, ‘I’m not with Lulu (Alexa Havins) anymore and Sam’s (Kelly Monaco) gone, so maybe they want to see if this works.’ I didn’t want to get scenes with Becky and try to find the chemistry. I just wanted to play whatever honestly was written and came across for both of us and hope it was what people liked, and I don’t know if it is … or not.”
Knowing how beloved Elizabeth is to the GH faithfuls, Zamprogna added, “She got a big fan base with Ric … and a big fan base with with Jason … and you know, you’re going to piss somebody off. But, didn’t Ric drug Elizabeth and put Carly in a panic room?”
Photo: ABC
DANTE AND ELIZABETH PAIRING COULD STIR UP STORY FOR OTHERS IN PORT CHARLES
In closing, Dominic felt that the wide-reaching tentacles of a Dante and Elizabeth relationship is something he is 100% down for. “The triangle thing; I was happy to hear it was with Ric and her, because I felt it’s important to have her the top of it as opposed to Dante, Lulu and Elizabeth.”
Zamprogna added, “When you get into relationships on a soap, things seem to fizzle out a little bit, The buildup is what’s the fun part, and the getting to know each other, and the people who are affected by this coming together. When with this case it’s going to affect: Ric, Sonny, Lulu. There’s so much more story here. To me, it’s going to be a fun story to play.”
You can check out Dominic’s visit to That’s Awesome with Steve and Bradford below.
Now weigh-in: Are you rooting for Dante and Liz, or Dante and Ric at this juncture of the story, or neither guy for Elizabeth? Let us know your thoughts and picks via the comment section.
General Hospital
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
At the conclusion of today’s August 21 episode of General Hospital, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali) sings a lullaby to baby Dez, that went into a montage to close out the episode as her father Curtis Ashford (Donnell Turner) reports to Pentonville and winds up in his jail cell.
However, in a fun fact, the song entitled, “A Lonely Heart To Give” was actually written by none other than former One Life to Live and General Hospital actor, Patrick J. Gibbons.
Daytime fans first met Gibbons as Sam Manning on One Life to Live. At the time, when he started on the soap, he was just 5-years-old. Gibbons played the part from 2010-2013 on ABC and Prospect Park’s editions of the show. Fast-forward to 2018, Gibbons shows up on General Hospital as Wyatt Hoover, the scout who seemed always be injured, but in the thick of the drama. Patrick had appeared on GH multiple times as Wyatt including: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Photo: ABC
FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH CAME THE INSPIRATION FOR HIS SONG
Now in 2026, General Hospital fans are getting to learn about another side of Gibbons’ talent as a songwriter and guitar player after “A Lonely Heart to Give” debuted today! Michael Fairman TV caught up with Patrick, who is now a senior at Penn State entering his final year as a finance major, to get the back-story of how his song wound up on GH!
Gibbons explained he wrote the song in honor of his grandmother who passed away a few years ago with whom he was, very, very close with. “Randomly, my grandmother had a downfall and passed away during the second semester of my sophomore year. I was in my dorm a lot and I was just playing with my guitar. And at the time, I was really into finger-style playing. I wrote the lyric and music to it (with a little help from my guitar teacher Lou), and my mom showed the rough demo to Frank Valentini (EP, General Hospital). He’s like an uncle to me. Frank loved it so much he said, “Finish that up. I want to hear the whole thing, and I want it on the show.”
MAKING MUSIC FOR GENERAL HOSPITAL
Gibbons and his parents took the next steps! “So now, all we needed was a female voice, because I thought that would fit the song well,” Patrick shared. “At the golf club we go to my parents were at a dinner. They liked the singer that was performing and spoke to her about the song, and she says she would like to bring it to her ‘boss’ who ended up being Eric Bazilian of the Hooters fame!” (Bazilian also wrote the smash hit song “One of Us” for Joan Osborne).
Next, “We went in the studio and recorded it and the song came together and it was beautiful. We loved it. They loved it at General Hospital and now they’re putting it the show and they are coming in with a piano, instead of a guitar. Paul Glass, the GH musical director, has been keeping us updated over the last six months of how it was coming along, and when it would air, and how GH put their own arrangement to it. I can’t wait to see and hear what they did with it.”
Photo: JPI
PATRICK’S ONE LIFE TO LIVE FAMILY
Everyone knows that the One Life to Live extended family share a very tight bond, and Patrick said he does stay in touch with a few of his former One Life to Live co-stars, especially those from the Manning family! “I stayed in touch with Kassie DePaiva (ex-Blair) and sent her little videos here and there. She was like my second mom for five years. We keep in contact with Kristen Alderson (ex-Starr) over X the most, and she can’t believe how big I’ve gotten. Like, none of them can! (laughs). I also loved working with Roger Howarth (ex-Todd) and Trevor St. John (ex-Todd and Victor Jr.), and to me since I was so young, they were just my friends, ‘Roger and Trevor,’ not Todd Manning or Victor Jr.”
It was a trip to California and a visit to Port Charles that ultimately led to Gibbons second soap role of Wyatt Hoover. Patrick explains, “In 2016, Frank Valentini invited us out to Los Angeles to visit the set of General Hospital. I think he heard me say, ‘This is so much fun. I miss being on the set.’ He goes, ‘You should come out. I’ll bring you on the show. We can make you a character.'”
A few years later, Patrick’s dream became a reality! “Then, by the summer of 2018, I was playing Wyatt, the scout, and shared scenes with Wes Ramsey (Peter August), and the best was when I shared a scene with Roger Howarth and Michael Easton (ex-John, OLTL and ex-Silas, Finn et al, GH), it was like chemistry from the old days.”
Photo: PGibbons
IT’S ALL IN THE NUMBERS
As to his future aspirations, it’s a career in the finance game that has piqued Gibbons’ real-life interest. But never say never to a return to acting. Patrick explained, “I’ve always enjoyed numbers. And on top of that, one of the biggest parts of finance is being personable and outgoing.”
He continued, “That’s one of the greatest skills I developed growing up. I really love the markets. I’m super interested. I’m never going to close the door to acting. I’m always open to that because I just love it so much. It’s such a great art.”
Take note! If there are any investment bankers or private equity folks among the GH faithful looking for a young analyst next year, Patrick’s DMs are open. You can find him on X at @PatrickJGibbons.”
So, what did you think of the song sung by Trina on today’s GH that was written by Patrick J. Gibbons? Did you enjoy Patrick’s performances as One Life’s Sam and GH’s Wyatt? Would you like to see him back on GH at some point? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)
Chad Duell, the Daytime Emmy-winning actor, who stepped away from the pivotal role of Michael Corinthos on General Hospital, opened up about: his previous decision to leave the series after nearly 15 years, where’s he’s at now after time away from the demands of a daytime soap opera, and took a stroll down memory lane with some of Michael’s most-acclaimed storyline during his run, during a livestream chat on August 19 on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.
Viewers last saw Duell on-screen as Michael in January of 2025, and with his successor in the role, Rory Gibson making his debut at the GH Nurses’ Ball in episodes that aired later in May. It was clear that during the conversation, Chad was a bit surprised that the GH brass decided to recast him when he thought he was just taking some much needed time off.
Burn-out of the daily grind of being on a soap was definitely a part of Chad’s decision to take a break. Duell explained “People know when you’re doing something for so long or your character is kind of in the same place for so long or doing the same stuff over and over again, you do get a a little burnt out, you get a little stiff, stale, a little stiff at times. I didn’t want that to be any sort of lasting impression. I have 15 years of a body of work of I’ve done on that show, which is fantastic.”
Photo: ABC
WHILE CHAD WAS AWAY GH RECAST MICHAEL CORINTHOS WITH RORY GIBSON
Chad shared, his mindset when leaving GH was, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens.” Then he added, “Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”
Duell also shared he has not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels he reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the GH, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into it again.”
Courtesy/ABC
Even though he is no longer Michael on GH, Chad was very happy with his final storyline where Michael was set on fire when a bomb exploded at Sonny’s (Maurice Benard) penthouse. “It was fun to put him in a dangerous situation, because I was wanting Michael to be in something scary instead of trying to be a hero character or just things happening around him, but to be the center point of tragedy happening to him. (I always saw) Michael as the heart of the (Corinthos) family.”
When Michael was badly burned the show chose not burn his face, which normally a soap does when they are recasting role and switching actors. Chad weighed-in, “They didn’t burn my face because I told Frank Valentini (EP, GH) I’m willing to come back. It was just a little bit of a break. So, I assumed that if they would have burned my face, they could have brought somebody back looking different than me… if that’s what their plan was.”
Courtesy/ABC
MEMORABLE MICHAEL STORYLINES
One of Chad’s most memorable performances was the in the storyline of Michael’s rape while he was sentenced to prison in 2010 and the confession of it in 2011. “It was so well-written and I was very nervous,” recalled Chad. “When I get really nervous about something, it ends up being really good when I do it, because it just means I care a lot about it”
“I have to put a lot of effort and work into it, and I really want it to be good. I was working with Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) and Steve Burton (Jason) a lot during those scenes, and Laura Wright (Carly). It was great working with Steve and Dominic, especially, during that storyline.
A NEW SOAP ROLE FOR CHAD?
As to a future soap opera role, Chad is open to the idea and would love to jump back in to a juicy role, “I know people over at The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless. They know that if they’re interested, I would love to come in for a screen test or something, and they can see what I’m doing.”
Meanwhile, Chad has been busy putting out new music under the moniker Duelly and during the interview he explains how he creates his EDM tracks and much more. You can stream his latest single, Static in the Quiet Room on Spotify, Apple Music and You Tube Music.
You can check out the full conversation with Chad Duell below.
Now let us know: what show would you like to see Chad cast on down the line? BTG, DAYS, B&B, Y&R, or a new role on GH? What did you think of his thoughts on the casting switch while he was away in the role of Michael? What was your favorite Michael storyline during Chad’s 15-year run on the ABC soap opera? Let us know via the comment section.
‘General Hospital’s’ Dominic Zamprogna Shares He Was ‘Happy to Hear’ of The Triangle Storyline Developing Between Dante/Elizabeth/Ric
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Kelly Sullivan Debuts as Dylan’s Mom; Suspicion is Raised About Carter and Steffy
‘Beyond the Gates’ Star Mike Manning Lands Role in Indie Horror Feature ‘Deify’
GH and OLTL Alum Patrick J. Gibbons Reveals the Story Behind Writing Trina’s Song on ‘General Hospital’ (Exclusive)
‘Guiding Light’s’ Grant Aleksander Shares Heartfelt Remembrance of TV Daughter, Hayden Panettiere On What Would Have Been Her 37th Birthday
‘General Hospital’s’ Maurice Benard Talks: New ‘Sonny’ Storyline, His Contract, and Three Characters He Would Want to See Back in Port Charles
How John Oliver’s ‘Days of Our Lives’ Guest Star Turn as ‘Devlin St. John’ Came to an End
John Oliver Recaps His ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘General Hospital’ Soap Opera Experience on ‘Last Week Tonight’
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
‘General Hospital’ Alum Bryan Craig Cast in ‘The Weapon’
‘Guiding Light’s’ Grant Aleksander Shares Heartfelt Remembrance of TV Daughter, Hayden Panettiere On What Would Have Been Her 37th Birthday
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Admits That He Didn’t Expect the Role of Michael Corinthos to be Recast, and Would Consider Working on Another Soap (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ric’s History of Jealousy Where Elizabeth is Concerned Has Come Back Around
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy and Carter Get Lame Excuses From Their Spouses, and Try to Shake Off Their Night Together
‘Veronica & Julian’ Feature Starring ‘Days of Our Lives’ Alums Nadia Bjorlin and Kyler Pettis Releases Key Art and More (Exclusive)
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Frank and Ron! Every week on GH feels as exciting as the last year of OLTL. The show is so well rounded. Every cast member is on and interacting with a larger/different set of characters. The show is seldom boring, and there is a cliffhanger at least 3 times a week.
Noticing less MOB related and more details on lives of other characters..brought back old favs and focus on hospital things..added some psychic stuff and some (poor judgement Vampire story lines) Writing is much better and despite losing a major player (Burton) the show continues to be interesting. LONG LIVE GH!!
As far as Burton in about 3 months when he has become the air hog on Y&R EB & PB will be calling GH to please take him back. Congrats GH!
It was interesting how the mob stuff just slowly went away but Sonny is still front and center and now mixing with the likes of Tracy Q! Love the show in every way and I can’t wait to watch it every day! Great work Cartini!!!!
Hate the Vampire story!!!!!! To far out there.
I agree
Miss Jason but love the fact they made Sonny more social and not a mob guy so much. Love Todd and Star, Like Anna and Luke although with Laura coming back I will be torn.
Just read that Starr..John Mc & Todd will not be taping after Feb..& will not be seen after March..something to do with being banned from the set of GH due to problems with their past shows and contracts… I really hope this is not true..In the beginning I didn’t want to like these stars because I thought they would take over GH..but,,they were written in and I have learned to love all 3 of them…I just love Todd..& his quirkiness..& John is sooooo easy on my eyes, & just love his voice,,& Starr is really good for Michael…
Triple DITTO!!!!!!!!!
Brian, Sonny is not front and center anymore. He is now a supporting player and the show is better for it. The over reliance on Jason and Sonny was ruining the show. The reason GH is better is it now an ensemble cast and the writing is far superior. Also, the 3 Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Guza, Farren and Fronz are gone–those three are the grim reapers of daytime drama. It was as if they were trying to destroy GH>
You are right on about Frank and Ron. They are the best there is and now I am loving every single second of GH. I laugh and cry and love the actors and their stories. All I can say is Ron and Frank have my deepest gratitude for all they do.
so much better than it was before! !!
also I don’t think the soap genre was dying to fans… we were still watching, but there are so many ways to watch and have it not being counted… using a digital tuner, watching episodes on youtube. If they could track ALL viewers and how much of the old episodes we still watch, well I’m sure the execs would be floored.
Cable just go too expensive for me – what used to be $19 was about to go up to $50 and I said count me out! Got the digital tuner and it’s been fine…. and FREE! But ABC couldn’t tell I was still watching.
Absolutely!
I have watched GH for at least the last 40 (no kidding) years. After years of watching…or taping (VCR) the show….I now watch GH on SoapNet…only because of the new time change. I am sure when they are counting viewers…I am not inlcuded!
I am so glad to hear that GH is doing so well! I have watched it since the days of Steve Hardy and am so glad it is still around and better than ever! Love the fact that there are old characters back and I LOVE Todd Manning, he is probably my favorite character. I also wish the Chew & Katie would go away and OLTL & AMC would come back to daytime & not online.
I agree.
i whole heartly agree. they never should of taken ALL MY CHILDREN OR ONE LIVE TO LIVE off in the first place..
I agree, All My Children should of stay and now that they are going thur the internet but only in the states (not fair) (I am in Canada). I have watched it from day one and I still will not be able to watch it. Not fair.
Absolutely right!!!! I don’t know how The Chew even slightly compares to AMC and One Life!! I just want to know who they actually polled for this. There is no way they are getting more viewers for this show than the actual soaps. They need to bring them back to daytime!!
I agree totally. But i do miss Jason. I think he will be back since his body was never found.
This just my humble opinion, but I think ABC can concede that the availability of a channel such as “Soapnet” greatly took down their ABC viewing numbers. That, and the ability to go online and watch episodes. The ratings were most likey not far enough down for our shows to be cancelled, t
loyal fans were watching all along, just not in the way that produced Neilson ratings.
I watched AMC and One Life to Live when i was a kid my mom watched them when i got married i stopped watching GH but when they toke off AMC and One Life when i was that
they had Starr and Todd Manning on GH i stated watching it .
Can’t wait to watch AMC and One Life i only wish it was on tv and not on line.
Not liking the Vampire story line but love seeing all the old cast returning! I would love to see more James Franco too!
Love GH..Have been watching for 30+ years. Was disappointed when AMC and OLTL were cancelled..can’t wait for them to be on-line…Hope GH is not cancelled. There are lots of people who are home during the day that look forward to these soaps!!!!
We have been LONG time DOOL fans (I’m talking decades). Tuned in to GH every now and then since the 70’s, Luke and Laura days. Got sick and tired of DOOL a few months ago, switched to GH and haven’t turned the channel back since! We LOVE IT! We look forward to watching (we, as in my husband and I) and are actually SAD when it ends. It is AWESOME seeing old cast mates come back. A big THANK YOU and keep up the GREAT WORK! Muah! xx
I have been watching General Hospital for 34 years. It is and always has been the best soap opera on television. I love how they are bringing back so many of the old characters.
Also help when don’t pay the actor good money anymore, replace great actor with low paying/bad actor’s to take there place
I think it’s made right decision for GH,AMC and OTOL.. too bad,I never chance to see both favorite soaps off the air. I wish ABC put it back it belong,get rid of The Chew and Katie. I feel that ABC should leave it alone long time ago. as far that JD Ross made mistake to never brought it up before they press it on the air. i’m sorry,ppl.. people made biggest mistake in their lives. I feel happy that ABC is not plan to ban or cancel our favorite soap. Cheers for ABC!!
I would like abc to get rid of the revolting show(The Chew) (what a stupid name). And get rid of Katie. One less talk show in the afternoon! Loving GH!!! And soon on
Hulu OLTL & AMC (HURRAY)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More of Viki & Llanview!! And Pine Valley!!!!!!!!!
Ditto Ditto Ditto!!!!! The Chew IS REVOLTING and Katie is just one more talk show. What are they thinking??
Frank and Ron are listening to the majority of the fans, the consensus of who we want to see, I.e. the legacy characters. Simply put theyve resurected or resescitated General Hospital.
I agree totally!
i agree, does anyone out there even watch that stuped show the chew. I dont even go on abc till 1:00 so i dont have to see there faces. gh a hella of a lot better now that its not the jason, sam, carly show or even mob love the story line!!!
I’m in complete agreement. Working with Frank had always been a pleasure but at the “end” of OLTL,I was given the opportunity to work with Ron and Frank together. What a historically good team! Not since Michael Malone had I seen scripts with as much movement in them,as well as creativity, passion, fun yet depth of feeling. I’m so happy for GH and hoping that OLTL will soar as it did the last part of last year. Working with Josh Kelly was a dream… I hope I get to have it again!
Enjoy and thanks everyone for supporting our shows.
Its a pleasure to watch wonderfully gifted actors like you Tonja! Miss you on GH!
I can list a dozen reasons why GH has turned around:
1. Brian Frons the a-hole of ABC Daytime got ousted from his job which was long overdue!
2. Bob Guza the idiot headwriter who ignored viewers disgruntlement of too much mob and too much violence got canned, another long overdue action that finally transpired.
3. Jill Farren Phelps-Gone! I only feel bad Y&R is stuck with her now but hopefully they will wise up and not keep her for too long.
4. The new regime at GH showing respect for the history of GH and bringing it back in a BIG BIG way with past favorite characters, faster moving plots and where mobsters are not glorified as heros anymore (except Sonny).
5. Less violence and gunfire-sure there is some but it no longer where we have mob shootouts every other week airing.
6. The HOSPITAL is getting more airtime! HALLEJUAH!
7. The Quartermaine family, once dwindling away to nothing is now revived and re-building! And we actually are seeing ELQ again!
8. Yes bringing on some OLTL characters was smart-even smarter though is not letting them take over the show. Interacting them with GH characters in rational dosages is smart. It brings OLTL fans in without alienating GH fans who don’t want their favorite characters sacraficed at the altar of Todd Manning, John McBain and Starr Manning.
9. Keeping Kimberly McCullough, even if on recurring and when she can tape. Any Robin is better than dead or no Robin at all. Now it just time to bring Robin home to her family. The suspense and twists of Robin held prisoner are wearing out fans patience.
10. Reviving the Nurses Ball-can’t wait to see it and it promises to be climatic in plot twists as well as great entertainment!
11. Keeping storylines tighter under wraps instead of leaking out too much information. Guza had a tendency to give away plots way too much and it not only ruined the daily suspense of what was coming next, most times fans hated what Guza was writing and knew to not bother watching. Twists like keeping Ian Buchanan’s return under wraps and who had Robin prisoner were examples of brillantly keeping fans on the edge of their seats and loving the surprises thrown at them that they didn’t see coming!
12. Last but not least GH has achieved BALANCE. The GH that was tanking in the ratings just over a year ago was too dominated by Sonny and Jason and their women and mob storylines as a whole. Jason is now gone and Sonny is still around but he doesn’t monopolize the show as he once did. Characters that lanquished on the backburner are now getting their share of the airtime pie and new characters as well as old favorties returning are also making GH a more balanced show. The cast might be a bit oversized now but so far the new regime is doing a good job in pleasing all the fanbases with airtime and story for all the GH characters on canvas.
And that is why GH is back on top-where it belongs!
Jenny
Excellent thoughts, Jenny!
thanks for doing all the hardwork, all i have to say is ditto!
I agree with you 100%! Great synopsis of what makes GH great. Maybe you should send this to Soap Opera Digest for possible publication as well.
D I T T O Jenny! You go girl! 😀
Yes, I agree. The GH legacy is soo wonderful.. all the stupid mob stuff won’t be missed. I finally will start watching again after ten years.
1. Ruby’s
2. The Brownstone
3. Young love/summer couples in the vein of Frisco and Felicia and Luke/Laura. (Not too edgy but sweet.)
4. Holly and Robert and the WSB
5. Noah Drake needs to have a hot romance with someone
What an extremely articulate and well thought out list. Very impressive. I agree! And I love seeing ELQ again. Heck, it hasn’t even been *mentioned* in how long?
Jenny, you are right on all counts. But I will add, and MSN also pointedly stated, THE SOAP FANS had alot to do with the genre’s resurgence. Naysayers can say what they want, but WE all know the fans not giving up has a lot to do with it.
Rock On Jenny!
Nicely said….. Nice Read.
I totally agree. Very well said. Thanks for pointing out how the Q family has seen a resurgence. I am so happy that there are scenes with Monica, AJ, Michael and Tracy. I just pray that someday Alan will be back to stay.
Enough said Jenny. Totally agree. As an avid fan of AMC and OLTL I use to only watch GH when I saw a commercial for a good story, for example kristina’s domestic violence story but now I can honestly say I will continue to watch GH after OLTL and AMC comes back.
Jenny, I couldn’t have said any of that better (really!)! You are so right about everything! You hit the nail exactly on the head for many, many fans, I’m sure.
Congratulations Ron and Frank!!!! You have restored GH to it’s glory days. Love Ellie with Spinelli. Tracy is rocking again. Loved her with Joe Scully. I hope he turns up on the canvas again.
Totally agree Jenny!!!!!!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself. If so many of us could figure this out and agree 100%, why couldn’t the execs do the same?? This is a no-brainer!
Very well said, Jenny. I couldn’t agree w/ you more.
Personally i like the idea of the Vampire theme. If it is a good one.
Have watched the show for many years. Being 78 that gives you a hint. just how long it has been. No i didn’t watch it as a baby.
Dot
WOW Jenny u nailed it. Word for word.. could not agree more. Thank u
General Hospital is doing way better with Frank and Ron, but if the head would bring back OLTL and AMC and take off the CHEW and KATIE it would be lot better. I am watching GH for over 30 year, love Frank and Ran. long live GH, and welcone OLTL and AMC.
Agree Chevjuls!!
I think GH is doing better because AMC and OLTL are off if whey would come back to tv i think the ratings mite drop.
It’s a GREAT show… with a fabulous CAST, crew, writers, directors, and producers!!! They have brought past talent back… but have also had some good stories for many! Fans are rallying and don’t want to lose their genre. GH is the best soap with the best cast and characters and a fabulous writing, producing, directing, tech and all other categories of crew or back office. Let’s hope it has 50 more years!
The only credit that ABC/D deserves for helping the soap genre is for bringing Frank and Ron to GH. Other than that, that company destroyed the other two wonderful soaps that once enhanced their daytime schedule. I’m very happy about the new life that AMC and OLTL will have online, but make no mistake; ABC/D is still not to be trusted, and they certainly shouldn’t be heralded as any kind of soap savior!
You’ve got that right, Mary!
Frank and Ron are brilliant and they have not only inspired and invigorated the cast, they have done the same with fans. They both deserve awards!!
Absolutely, Cindy!
The stories are better even the nod to Port Charles ( VAMPIRES), WOULD be NICE to nod ALL soaps that have ended especially Dark Shadows since DS took place near NY. I know I’m dreaming….thanks to FV and RC for helping GH return to its former glory. So many people are noticing how great the show is and people are talking and spreading the word. To bad the Nelsons (rating guru’s) are so antiquated and do not reflect a true number of pople really watching….Gh has a cast of greta actors and some are young and plying up against older actors which may be noticed but we should all understand that the quality of actoring is infectious and you ca see all are doing their best……..I don’t agree with all the poor sarcasm I read but I hope the actors know that they are appreciated for securing GH for us, without all of the cast and crew we would not be able to enjoy what a classy show it is.
Love and thanks to all….
sorry so many spelling era’s above…….
LMAO that Disney/ABC get all these kudos for the resustation!! The FANS have rallied and let ABC know by boycotting, etc…. that they would not take this lying down. Because Prospect Park could not get up running in time, ABC was the recipient of their bad fortune!! Thus RC/FV coming to GH. So I’d say the never say die FANS and the Producer/Writing Team has made the difference. Prospect Park has lost momentum, producer, writers and some very good actors/actress because of their failure last year!
I think what has made GH to a complete 180 is the team of Frank and Ron – for bringing back fan favorites from GH’s past; bringing on a few OLTL characters to get the OLTL viewers who may never have watched GH to begin with; telling compelling stories (not all good, but many much much better than have been in years); and certainly the fact that viewers like myself, who gave up on GH after the last return of Brenda was done terribly, started watching and supporting GH because it was facing cancellation.
I think there are a lot of us who believe in this genre and were willing to start watching again to support it for as long as it lasted. Honestly, I did not think GH would make this much of a turnaround. I am glad I thought wrong. 🙂
Frank and Ron have listened to the fans, and as fans themselves, they have followed their instincts. I never watched GH on a regular basis before they brought on OLTL characters, but have learned to be invested in most all of them, now. It wouldn’t have happened if GH had stayed on its death spiral of All Mob, All The Time. I love the blend of vets and newbies. I love the non-stop acknowledgement of character histories (both OLTL & GH, & now Port Charles).
And I want to see Todd and John stay on GH, but would like to see crossover stories, if ABC and Prospect Park can learn to play nice with each other for the sake of the fans.
I think it’s bringing back the favorites as well as bringing the favorites from OLTL ..kinda of like the best of both shows coming together…more intertwining storylines from both shows as well..Todd was a breath of fresh air. Sorry to lose Steve, but his was getting kinda old..
Kimbercin stated she was sorry to see Steve go? Who is she referring to?
Burton (Jason), probably.
Steve Weber – alias Scott Reeves has been let go on GH-the end of February he will be off the screen.
Much to the credit goes to the actors. The storylines are boring with a few exceptions. They have ruined the characters of Sonny, Carly, Michael, Anna and several others. I’m tired of the flashbacks and repetitious “filling in the blanks” for the characters from other shows. The beloved GH characters are almost unrecognizable. The plots are so confusing – Connie’s split personality, the baby surrogate mess, the vampires, AJ – they should have recast Jason instead. New Christina needs to go – bring back old Christina. Shawn just takes up space as does Duke. More Luke and Tracy!
The lack of OLTL and ALM, and moving the characters of John Blair Todd and Starr over helped GH. Upping the ratings. that and the fact there isn’t much out there to watch at 3:00 in the afternoon.
AMC sorry.
Nobody’s mention whether they think the earlier time slot has help the show. I think it has because I was one of those people who could not watch it at the old time slot – the new time slot works into daily schedule perfectly- so I started watching and getting hooked. Never saw the old GH so I can’t comment on other aspects, but for me what made the difference was changing the time slot.
I think there is a whole group of people for whom the new time does not work. For me, it doesn’t. It’s too early to watch live so I watch at night on the ABC website. It would be easier and take less time to watch on YouTube, but then my viewership does not count to ABC. So I endure the online commercials so ABC knows I’m watching the show. SoapNet was removed from my cable last Fall. I’m still very ticked off about that.
I hate the new time slot!
The new time slot had nothing to do with it. Many DVR or tape the shows to watch when they want. Others would watch it on Hulu, YouTube or ABC.com.
Yes- I know all that, but I was thinking more in terms of attracting new viewers. People who always watched GH and want to continue can and do use all those wonderful ways to keep up, you mentioned. But there were people like myself who would have never bother doing that because we never watch GH before. I was able to tune it in because I was available to watch live at the new time slot- so that was what my comment was referring to, that perhaps changing the time slot, GH got some new viewers out of it.
I think you may be right about some of those OLTL viewers also. They were used to tuning at 2pm already.
As a former GL fan, it was hard for me to tune into GH, but when OLTL ended I decided to try it. GH became as exciting as OLTL in the end and I have to say I am so glad I tuned in. I know OLTL fans will hate me for saying it but I am actually enjoying GH more than OLTL! The show is so good right now except the girl that plays Kristina! I think soaps should ask people like Brian Frons and Barbara Bloom “how do you like them apples?” As for ratings it is great they are up, but they are so inaccurate. They should look more like this:
1. General Hospital
2. Days of our Lives
3. Young and the Restless
4. Bold and the Beautiful
now they have jasn on young and restless
Not enough to get me to tune in! I could care less about Steve Burton….sub par actor IMO. I haven’t even missed Jason. I just missed Kelly Monaco having a storyline. She is HOT and a decent actress. So glad she has something going again. Carly also has gained more without Jason. The show is simply the best on television period! Daytime or Primetime!
No one (I think) has mentioned the pacing! GH MOVES much better than other daytime dramas. DAYS will spend several minutes in a diner or coffee shop, while GH shoots scenes that seem to range between twenty-five to ninety-seconds tops, occasionally even shooting back and forth between two locales and sets of characters. The brisk pacing has revitalized the storytelling.
I have noticed the past couple of months or so that the MSN homepage regularly features links and stories about the latest soap news and casting coups. I always click on them so they know their readers are interested in the genre. Keep it coming MSN!
The new writers are bringing back some of the fan favorites as well as everyone having a storyline instead of just a few. Example being: Tracy Quartermaine, Monica Quartermaine, giving Kristine a storyline for a change, showing more Alexis on the set as well as Diane Miller. Now let’s Milo and Max back, along with Tiffany and Sean…we will all be in heaven.
I agree it is nicer with more characters getting a storyline. I also like that alot of the favorites from many years ago are making appearances and getting new stories for some of them. I like the Diane and Alexis storylines showing them to be successful women. Keep up the good work but please not so much vampire stuff it is a bit creepy! Connie needs to get a conscience and give the Book credits back to the original writer the young girl, Alexis’ daughter.
Well I’m not detracting from what Frank and Ron have accomplished, because the show is MILES better than just a year ago, but it baffles me that ABC and other “business” minded individuals are surprised by this resurgence. Fans have been complaining, writing, emailing, phoning and overall voicing their concerns for a decade now, and finally someone is listening. The mob is dialled back, the core characters and legacy characters are in storyline and not just backburnered. The Quartermaines have life once again. All the reasons the show is currently successful have already been mentioned, but my point:
I saw this coming and so did thousands of others.
It just took too long for the brass to listen.
ABC can talk a GOOD game, but I learned my lesson after the network cancelled my beloved OLTL. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, same on you.
I think the new writers have been great, but most of all they honor the outstanding and treasured characters of the past. Bringing back fan favorites and mature actors has brought back long-time fans and mature/loyal viewers.
c’mon! we all know the reason for gh comeback is because of the cancellation of one life to live!!! the fact that oltl characters came to the show, kept gh living! I am one of those people who never watched gh but was watching only amc and oltl.. but since the oltl was cancelled i switch to gh just to see todd, starr and john!
It has nothing to do about the old characters that came back! When people stopped watching a show, they will not miracle come back because of an actor or because the story line got better. These shows, you have to grow up with them. I would have not watched gh if it wasnt for me fallowing the story i’ve been watching for years…
I hate to burst your bubble…but you are incorrect. I myself have friends who had turned off GH years ago and at my suggestion, they gave it another try this past year. They all loved the returning characters…one wouldn’t even consider watching until I told her Anna Devane and Duke Lavery were back.
I do agree that the OLTL characters helped win over people like you.
Love Love Love GH great job but can’t you get kimberly mccullough to come back please let her direct some episode as many as she wants .We need Robin
The reason GH is doing so well is that it’s gathered all the forner AMC and OLTL fans, myself included. I love the fact that characters from Llanview (OLTL) are now regulars on GH and there are lots of references to places, past events and people from that show.
I really hope the revivals on line do well enough to return the soaps to the networks because really? If the major networks air one more lame reality show or panel of talking heads telling me how to live me life, I may just unplug my television all together!
I just hope when AMC and OLTL come back online that they aren’t on at the same time as GH. Has anyone heard anything about a time slot?
I also think they are bringing back a lot of the older cast members is because they are coming up on the 50th Anniversary in April.
I feel gh vampire story is an inside joke about how the previous producers and writers sucked all the blood out of GH and almost killed it, and now with the tranfusion of new blood behind the scene, GH has been revived and can live again.
Good one!
thanks
I agree glad mob stuff has ended even though I want jason back, Im in my 40s and I can remember missing so much school just to be able to watch gh when it had stories like the police commish kidnapping robyn noone saw that comming it was so saspensful , the catacone stories, fazana, Ice princess and all the love stories and lets not forget the grant story with the cage. Thank god the nurses ball is back please keep it. It is so nice to see theese actors doing something outside of their everyday characters it makes us relate to them more. Loved when they did carryokee at jakes bring that back and girls night out. Please keep showing actors like coleman and sonnys body gaurds give them some stories I know their not front line actors but they would be missed if they were gone theyre like apefany you expect to see her even if its in the background or for a quick line when you show the hospital scenes shes the new age amy lol. Finally I just want to say we have not stopped watching soaps we miss oltl and amc we just get so buzy in our day to day lives we can no longer watch them live. Thank god for dvr service. So please figure out a way to change how the ratings go so no more of our soaps are cancelled, We need our fantasy soaps to make are lives better that is all night time tv is too relality tv has run its corse you can tell with the revise of dallas and sitcomes like tim allans and I heard boy meets world is coming back we need tv that releates to our lives and we dvr night tv as well and they stay on the air I dont think I watch anything live anymore its easier to get rid of commercails so dont give up on us we need our famous luke and laura love stories are lives wouldnt be the same without them. Sorry about my horrable spelling.
soap fan forever
Please get rid of the stupid vampre crap. It’s ruining the show.
I agree get rid of the vampires
yes it is and its stupid
I disagree. I don’t think it will be a big story line anyway.
I agree – the vampire story line is ruining all the good things about the show.
I wish they would stop the vampire story line! I really don’t like it ! It is putting a damper on GH. All the other story lines are great , but not this one particular story line. It has to go. I find it silly & dumb…
I would like to see robin come back when they have the nurses ball as a tottal surprise to all.
GH has been rockin’ it since Frank and Ron have come aboard. Most of the actors are very good, but they desperately needed good writing and faster paced story lines. Frank and Ron delivered. I’m a little concerned about this vampire storyline. I’m not keen on vampire sagas. I sure hope it doesn’t take over the show and/or cause me to tune out.
The story-lines are moving now. They also benefited from the additions of Roger Howarth & Michael Easton, along with bringing back favorites from the glory days of soaps. WTG General Hospital. They brought me back after a 20+ year absence from GH.
i think its stupid to bring the vampire into general hospital we already watched this old stuff already
II love GH .I will continue to watch GH as long as it’s on the air.
The vampires story doesnt have to mean real bloodsuckers are in PC, and im sure there will be a reasonable explanation for it. After all there was the freezing of PC and an alien visited Robin when she was little. Maybe Robin will get another visit by the alien and he’ll rescue her. Just joking.
The real vampires that once drained the blood out of gh and nearly killed it, have flown over to another soap and a tranfusion of new blood have arrived in PC that have revived it and now PC can live again. It does have more bite. lol
GH has always been good but new storylines and some new people being added helped. Mr Carlavati and Mr Valentini have done a great job. Bringing back some of the fans favorites has helped greatly too. All of the vampire stuff from PC is a bit strange. Nice to see some of the people from it but don’t like the vampire stuff!
I do think the merger has benefited GH’s ratings but it had become The Jasam Show, even Steve Burton admitted he was on too much. They had story lines that were critically panned, low ratings in general even on their WEDDING and were pathetically propped by everyone. Not to mention they took up the most airtime. They were so bad, and pathetic just a cancerous tumor, or manure on the side the road deteriorating a 50 year show that I’ve watched since childhood. Now they are never on and guess what ratings are great. The couple who took the most airtime, no Emmy nominations are not on AT ALL and numbers are better even in relation to the other shows. I don’t hate them but anyone with a brain bigger than a peanut cannot ignore this huge factor of weakness being eliminated as one of the sources of success.
I have enjoyed this show for many years Do wish jason would return ., I agree with dumping the vampire thing
First off, Brian Frons and Bob Guza needed to go. Especially Frons since he is the one that cancelled AMC and OLTL.
Secondly, the opening sequence needed to be changed. This sequence is REMARKABLY better than the previous one.
Third, I will say that bringing OLTL characters wasn’t as bad as I thought. And in the long run, it may have helped resuscitate OLTL for its web series debut.
Lastly, the stories are better. It’s not just better management and show-runners, but the stories as well. It just goes to show that there was always an interest in soaps. It just needed to be taken better care of – not replaced.
I think the OLTL viewers are what’s caused the turnaround. GH gained several OLTL characters and writers. Of course the media would never get the fans credit.
I have watched GH for over 40 years & I love that they are bringing some of my favorites back…such as Genie Francis. I also like that they are tying in some of the past stories from Port Charles in with GH. GH has always been my favorite soap & it is better now than it has been in a long time !!!!
I,m a Greatgrandma now and have watched Gh since ,I was in elementrary school I came home from school and my Mother always was a faithful watcher. Love GH no one enteruputs me when its on,I won,t even answer my Phone I let my aswering machine get the call HA!HA! Don,t want to miss an epsoide.Love the story lines and yes,I get mad at times But I think the show is the best soap. Just like Family to me!!! Love GH!!!!!
I have been watching GH (at least 30 yrs.) since I was a little girl, it was always my favorite soap. Sadly, it had gotten sooo boring that I was watching maybe twice a mth. but now I can’t wait to watch every single episode…it’s wonderful. Thank you for bringing back so many of the past characters…I love it!! I’m so excited about the Nurse’s Ball being brought back. I hope it becomes a yearly event again.
Ratings for GH are up because OLTL and AMC were cancelled. Also GH acquired a handful of characters from OLTL. Thus, the fans who watched OLTL are now watching GH because OLTL is gone. The true test for GH will be whether or not they keep their same ratings after OLTL and AMC are broadcasting online.
I’m thrilled to hear the soaps are growing again! I have watched GH since 1969. I do think the interesting story lines are helping tremendously. There seems to be better continuity and historical accuracy too, which helps the viewers feel a stronger link to the stories. Bringing back former characters is great. And I am VERY glad to see the deaths slowing down this year. It was getting depressing. Way to go, GH!! Your fans will never leave and I’m thrilled to hear about all the new ones!
Love the action and the fast turnaround of the story. Keep them coming. I love that a few of OLTL favorites came over to GH. I can’t wait for the nurses ball and to see Sabrina in a beautiful gown and watch Dr. Drake fall for her. Although I want Robin to come back and Robert. I can’t wait to watch it every day. The story lines move quickly and keeps me wanting more. I love Tod and Carly together. I want AJ to succeed.
I have Been A General Hospital fan for as long as I can remember I love that your bring back a lot of the old people back and the story lines are better then ever
I am So Happy GH is sticking around I am a long time fan my daughters middle name is Alexis lol But GH has been disappointing to me lately , the show is all about the newest charachters and all our characters are running around out of they’re minds they are not our beloved characters…..I guess that would be life after Steve Burton as Jason. And where is Robin? and vampires in the same town as Gangsters ? I think they have really messed it up and they need to give Steve his days off so Jason can come back.
I’ve been a GH watcher since 1980, but the show had been losing appeal for a long time with a lot of new characters and weak (sometimes forgotten) story lines. Ron Carlivati and Frank Valentini have breathed new life into General Hospital with good story lines, excellent writing, and returning so many of our favorite actors/characters from the 1980s & 1990s when GH was at its best. I’m loving the show again! They even found ways to bridge the gaps between OLTL and the former Port Charles shows to explain some of the overlapping characters. I can’t wait to tune in every day!