General Hospital
General Hospital Writing Team Wins At 68th Annual WGA Awards In Daytime Drama Category!
Courtesy/WGA
The writing team of General Hospital led by former head writer Ron Carlivati were the big winners tonight in the Daytime Drama category at the 68th Annual Writers Guild Awards. The ceremonies are being held simmultaneously in New York and Los Angeles and are still in progress.
General Hospital beat The Bold and the Beautiful to take home its second WGA Award in a row in this category. Carlivati and his team won for their submission of three scripts; one of which was the beautifully written 52nd anniversary of GH that aired on April 1, 2015 that centered around the reveal of what caused Luke Spencer (Tony Geary) to act out as Fluke. Viewers learned as a young boy Luke had accidently killed his mother and murdered his father. The scenes in the show flipped from black and white to color, and incorporated other cast members including Laura Wright, who played Luke’s mother, Lena.
The winning GH team consists of Ron Carlivati, Anna Theresa Cascio, Andrea Archer Compton, Suzanne Flynn, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O’Connor, Elizabeth Page, Jean Passanante, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles, and Chris Van Etten.
Days of our Lives writer Melissa Salmons will also be honored tonight with the Richard B. Jablow Award for service with the guild at the ceremonies in New York City. To follow the live time updated winners list in all categories click here.
So, what do you think about GH’s victory for the top writing honors by the WGA, and former GH head writer Ron Carlivati and his team being honored for the 52nd anniversary episode of GH? Share you comments below!
Days Of Our Lives
LISTEN NOW: Soap Nation Live! With Jon Lindstrom, Beth Maitland, Freddie Smith & Linda Dano
Tonight on the November episode of Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman, get ready for a dynamic line-up of some of your favorite soap stars.
Join Michael and his special guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin), Y&R’s Beth Maitland (Traci), DAYS’ Freddie Smith (Sonny) and soap icon, Linda Dano (Ex-Felicia – AW, ex-Gretel – OLTL, GH, AMC, Port Charles, and ex-Cynthia, ATWT) for this 90-minute broadcast, plus you never know who might pop up during the show!
Make sure to listen in for our trivia game show segment, when one lucky caller has the chance to win a Days of our Lives goodie/swag bag, and a personalized autograph picture from our guest, Freddie Smith.
To call-in and pose a question, or a comment to any of our guests, dial the exclusive listener-line at 818-295-2130.
The season premiere begins its stream-live at 7PMPST/10PMEST. You can also head on over to the Soap Nation Live! page at Spreaker.com, if you have any trouble listening to the show here.
Portions of the broadcast can also be viewed at Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/michaelfairmanTV
Now, listen to Soap Nation Live’s all-new episode below in the player.
If you are tuning-in shortly before 7PMPST, you will hear some musical interludes before we go live for showtime. Make sure to press the play button on the player below and enjoy the show!
Days Of Our Lives
THURSDAY NIGHT: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom, Y&R’s Beth Maitland, DAYS’ Freddie Smith & Soap Favorite, Linda Dano
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
On Monday, in honor of Maurice Benard’s 25th anniversary as Sonny Corinthos on ABC’s General Hospital, the daytime drama took a look at what life would have been like if Sonny had not fallen in to a life of crime and in the mob. The standalone episode featured the return of Dominic Zamprogna as Sonny’s eldest son, Dante.
But in the twist on ‘soap-reality’, Dante was now the ascending mobster in Port Charles, and Sonny was a sergeant in the police department in Brooklyn married to Olivia Falconeri (Lisa LoCicero). It all beings when Sonny remembers being 18-years-old and that fatal day when he shot Vincent Marino. The young Sonny is played by Maurice’s real-life son. Sonny then dreams of what would have happened to him if he never pulled that trigger.
Sonny is now a by-the-book cop, who visits his son Dante along with Olivia. When they get there, Dante is now married to Sam (Kelly Monaco), who is his trophy wife. Dante is working for the Jerome family – enter Julian (William deVry) and Ava (Maura WestO – and we quickly learn that “Jason Smith” is the hit man who works for them. And, wouldn’t you know? Seems like Ava and Jason have a “thing” going on … sealed with a kiss.
Now disturbed by his son’s life of crime, Sonny goes to the PCPD to talk to the police commissioner, who is now Anna Devane (Finola Hughes). In the story, Anna is very inward, depressed, and more. We find out that her daughter, Robin died of complications from AIDS in the 90’s, in which Anna has never recovered from. We also learn at the PCPD that Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is the current District Attorney.
Courtesy/ABC
Carly (Laura Wright) enters the scene, and she is still married to A. J. Quartermaine. Sonny takes a liking to her and vice-versa. We later learn that Jordan (Briana Nicole Henry) is back working for the DEA and Dante has gone undercover to bring down the Jeromes; so the entire territory is under his control.
Dante and Sam have a major falling out, as he is excited by the power he will have once he rids the Jeromes out of his business. Sam has had it. She doesn’t want to dress like this, be his trophy wife, or have this kind of life. When Dante walks out, an upset Sam is alone with Jason, and the two connect.
In the conclusion of the episode, Dante shoots Jason on the pier, a scene which Sonny walks in on. Sonny and his son struggle for the gun, and once again Dante is shot, just like in the original version of the story years ago, but with the twist of the struggle. Olivia comes running onto the pier and sees Dante shot, and yells at Sonny the signature line, “You shot your own son!”
CourtesyABC
At the end of the dream, Sony goes back to the mark in time where he decides whether or not to pull the trigger on Marino with Mike (Max Gail) and him looking on at the young version of himself. In the end, Sonny still pulls the trigger.
The episode featured stand-out performances by: Dominic Zamprogna (how great was it to see him again, and to see him play Dante’s dark side), Maurice Benard (who illustrated the other side of Sonny, more reserved, and delivered a heartbreaking speech as Sonny to Dante about his life being abused, and the choices he made), Kelly Monaco (who showed a woman unhappy with the outward shell she had created and been a part of), and Finola Hughes,who gave us a different look at what life would have been like for Anna had Robin been taken from her years ago. Additionally, it was nice to see the entire cast deliver in support of making this episode work in the ‘flip the switch’ sequence of events.
So, what did you think of the Sonny-centric episode? Who was your favorite in it? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
LISTEN NOW: Soap Nation Live! With Jon Lindstrom, Beth Maitland, Freddie Smith & Linda Dano
‘The Bachelor’ New Key Art Revealed Playing Up Colton Underwood’s Virginity
THURSDAY NIGHT: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: GH’s Jon Lindstrom, Y&R’s Beth Maitland, DAYS’ Freddie Smith & Soap Favorite, Linda Dano
Robin Givens Tapped As Lead For OWN’s New Soapy Family Drama, ‘Ambitions’
Karla Mosley Back To Work At B&B; Hunter Tylo On The Way Too?
GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
Kimberly McCullough Directs Episode Of ‘The Conners’; Shares Pics From Show Night
Thia Megia Joins The Cast Of DAYS; Paul Telfer Set To Return
Max Ehrich On Why He Was Not Back At Y&R To Reprise His Role As Fenmore Baldwin
Ex-Y&R Favorite Mishael Morgan Welcomes Second Child
Y&R Brings Back The Role Of Devon’s Sister, Ana Hamilton
GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
DAYS Launches The DOOL App, A First For A Daytime Drama Series Featuring Exclusive Content With The Cast & More
Kimberly McCullough Directs Episode Of ‘The Conners’; Shares Pics From Show Night
DAYS ‘Before The Year Ends’ Mega-Promo: Surprise Returns, Secrets Revealed & Tables Will Turn
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
Thia Megia Joins The Cast Of DAYS; Paul Telfer Set To Return
Y&R’s Tracy E. Bregman Shares Heartbreak Of Losing Her Home In Southern California Wildfires On ‘The Talk’
REPLAY: Days of our Lives 53rd Anniversary Facebook Live Event From The Set: A Special Tribute, Preview Of The DOOL App & Fun Moments with the Cast!
DAYS ‘Before The Year Ends’ Mega-Promo: Surprise Returns, Secrets Revealed & Tables Will Turn
WATCH: Live With Kelly And Ryan’s All My Children Halloween Reboot
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who Will Die In Ryan’s Halloween Murder?
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Special Halloween Episode On Tap With Some Very Spooky & Familiar Faces
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Abbott Family Drama Leaves Ashley To Make A Game-Changing Decision
Eileen Davidson Farewell Y&R Interview: From Her Exit Storyline, To Her Co-Stars, And Her Decision To Leave
Genie Francis Talks On Her Return To GH, Fans Outcry Of Support & Her All-Time Favorite Storylines
Eileen Davidson Looks Back At Ashley’s Life & Times As She Says Goodbye To Y&R
Breaking NewsNovember 9, 2018Max Ehrich On Why He Was Not Back At Y&R To Reprise His Role As Fenmore Baldwin
General HospitalNovember 4, 2018GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sasha and Valentin’s Secret Out Of The Bag: So Where Is Nina’s Real Daughter?
Breaking NewsNovember 3, 2018RATINGS: DAYS Moves Into #3 In Key Demos: 18-49 and 18-34; B&B Gains Most Total Viewers
Breaking NewsNovember 9, 2018Ex-Y&R Favorite Mishael Morgan Welcomes Second Child
Breaking NewsNovember 8, 2018Y&R Brings Back The Role Of Devon’s Sister, Ana Hamilton
General HospitalNovember 13, 2018GENERAL HOSPITAL Flips The Switch In Sonny-Centric Episode Featuring Standout Performances
Breaking NewsNovember 12, 2018GH Releases ‘The Sonny & Carly Collection’ Featuring 20 Pivotal Episodes With Three Carlys
Breaking NewsNovember 8, 2018DAYS Launches The DOOL App, A First For A Daytime Drama Series Featuring Exclusive Content With The Cast & More
Leave a Reply
CONGRATS RON !!! & team !!
—-Carlivati and his team won for their submission of three scripts; one of which was the beautifully written 52nd anniversary of GH that aired on April 1, 2015—–
TNT DYNAMITE !! ^^^^^^^ (that ^^^^ was great soap…
WHY?
I second Nancy’s query, only louder and more drawn out.
WWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????
I did not see one thing about the 52nd anniversary ep… other than touting Anthony Geary
I just do not see it… I watch the same show
I really will prop RC. it really bothers me.. that Maurice Benard… “just being Honest” dissed and disrespected the writing of RC…
he only liked 4 months of all of year 2015… J and S started airing in September, 2015
I will also bring in to this post the actors who portray Julian and Alexis who are also disgruntled employees…. allegedly.
Ron Carlivati… revived GH… “saved from cancellation” a big word
It was just a fluke that he won…lol
52 was legendary, what were the other two scripts they submitted?
Congrats to Ron and his Team! Wish he was still the Head Writer
I agree!!
ConGrats GH, well deserve!! 🙂
Congrats to Ron and his team.
You are truly missed.
We really need you to come back.
SOON…
yes, GH was fun and history was used!!
As much as I didn’t like the Fluke story, the b/w Anniversary episode was really good. Wonder what the other two scripts this team submitted were about?
SO happy to hear this! Good on the team from GH!!!
I am not surprised to hear that it was Ron’s GH that took the award. It is still a shock to me that he has let go. I always thought of him and Frank as the Dynamic Duo.
And I always thought of them as the Dynamic Dunces.
the dynamic dancers… left … 2
Harry I, I must hand it to you–you really have a (fine) way with words. Go, Harry I!
LMAO. Agreed!!
A most worthy win. As a viewer, I could not be more pleased. Also, as a viewer I wonder if the powers that be might not be second guessing their decision to dump RC.
hopefully they will submit this same work for the emmy’s too and win, the 52nd anniversary show was really a great episode… as fir RC he was like a mad scientist who just lost it, sure theres things he did great but more often he turned his own work into one old big mess so i’m glad he’s gone in the long run, i’m not as frustrated by the two current head writers as i was with him, i haven’t liked what they’ve done to elizabeth, but that started with RC so, hopefully liz will be redeem and i don’t know yet, but they “the new writers” need to do something to make the show must see tv, they’re not so good with cliffhangers and surprises, but hopefully they will pick up the pace.
I agree that RC got out of control after a while, and things were just a mess by the end. I loved how he brought back veterans and the Nurses Ball. He did some great writing for the vets, but was not so good at introducing new characters. I also hated the way some stories were dropped for weeks. As good as the b/w episode was, the Fluke story was otherwise kind of incomprehensible. But there’s no doubt he is a talented writer who respects legacy characters and a show’s history. I hope he lands somewhere else soon.
As for the new writers…I feel like the writing is more grounded in a way, but it’s also less compelling. They are trying to do some issue-oriented stories, like breastfeeding and Kristina coming out, but these aren’t exactly ground breaking issues. Rather than Kristina coming out they should write a REAL story for Brad and Lucas. Let’s see them more often and in more meaningful stories. Public breastfeeding is protected by law in 47 states, so it’s not exactly a cutting edge issue. All in all these feel like fairly “safe” issues to take on. Gone are the days when soaps tackled thorny issues like abortion and domestic abuse.
You’re right, the 52nd anniversary was not only “incomprehensible,” it was “ire-raising” as it totally did violence to the legacy of the once-iconic character of Lucas Lorenzo Spencer–and made the whole Spencer family VICTIMS rather than VICTORS who had overcome their childhood legacy of domestic violence and alcoholism.
GH should cherish this win ’cause based on the material post-Carlivati they won’t be getting a nomination next year.
True dat.
Congrats to Ron & his team! The 52nd anniversary episode was GH at its best and I hope that’s the one they’ll submit for this year’s daytime Emmys.
Congrats to Ron and company. The 52nd Anniversary episode was a tremendous show, well written, well directed and well acted by everyone. It’s just a shame for Ron that the rest of what he wrote in 2015 was largely a mess, and that’s why he’s no longer working for GH.
I also congratulate the GH’s 2015 writing team for this award. It’s true that under Carlivati, storylines would roller-coaster in quality. But, honestly, the highs during his tenure were some of the most amazing work I’ve seen on tv in general. I’ve watched a LOT of soaps, and GH’s 51st anniversary episode was really outstanding. I’d also like to know which other two episodes were submitted.
I loved RC when he first came on, and I loved the whole water crisis thing and the intense things mixed with some comedy, BUT towards the end he kept doing the same thing over and over. In my opinion, these new writers haven’t done much to the show either. I loved Gh before when they had the Metro Court Hostage Crisis and the Black and White Ball and the things like that. Gh needs to have a huge event like that, something big that will bring in a ton of viewers instead of just the same day to day material. I’m still crossing my fingers that these new writers have something up their sleeves.
Hi Kj..
I really miss the excitement of Ron..
The team GH needs to get back its heart & soul is Guza and Ron teaming up to wake GH up, and take it back to when I was on the edge from suspense and pushing my mind to figure out Ron’s twist & turn mysteries that always held a shocker surprise..
GH under Ron had variety.. something for everyone..
Yes, I think that a pairing of Ron and Guza would be amazing! The problem is that a lot of people don’t want all the “dark stuff” that Guza and Carlivati were portraying. And I truthfully don’t think that the new writers are going to last too long
Hi Aria, I agree with you. RC is very talented, but his stories didn’t seem to have an end and at times, very they were convoluted. He created some very whimsical characters, but what do you do with them long-term? I had previously said he would be great at DOOL or B&B and nighttime TV would benefit from his talent. GH congrats!
RC threw some shade on TG about “the writer” Geary made.
First, I am a huge OLTL fan and enjoyed most of the show under RC/FV. Second, love or hate RC/FV, they saved GH in 2012 which is why the current actors still have a j.o.b! Third, RC and his team need to be congratulated for their recent win!
I thought that the anniversary episode was wonderfully created. It was a very sad episode but I think it give a lot of us long time viewers some closure in terms of the character of Luke Spencer. It showcased Mr. Geary’s acting talent as he portrayed Tim Spencer and Laura Wright was wonderful as Lena Spencer. I’m happy that this episode won.
On another note, I watched yesterday’s episode while home. I can not stomach Dante and Lulu having the same conversation, yet again. Lulu needs to grow-up. Of course her husband would have a difficult time with her going into business with a known criminal-for a number of reasons, or leaving her family for an “adventure” in finding her brother (as I recall, she was more dead weight than help). Not that her behavior excuses Dante’s infidelity-twice, with her cousin, in her home. I think my distaste for this couple, this storyline, etc., is the actress who was recast to portray Lulu. I just can’t stand her. I find her annoying and immature. I’ve also always thought of Dante as a keystone cop.
I don’t understand this show anymore. It’s called General Hospital oh just change the name of the show to The Chosen. 40+ yrs I’m still here for a few actors. But after reading twitter I maybe done.
My question is How could GH assemble a group of writers that are so bias?Instead of writing for ratings they write for themselves, and listen to idiots about show direction!He have great actor, that dumb,ignorant material are given to them!Every since FV&RC walked into GH it has been GOLTL(just as voring as that soap that was canceled)!Who over see the writing?I know NV is General manager,all he is managing is his Twitts!Its time for a complete over haul of GH!Fire Frank and bring back Guza!