General Hospital
GH Breakdown Writer Daniel J. O'Connor Wraps His Run & Tweets: "Thank You To The Amazing GH Team & Fans For A Great 3 Years."
Courtesy/Twitter
More turnover in the writing department at General Hospital! Following on the heels of writer Kate Hall’s exit to The Young and the Restless, comes word today from breakdown writer, Daniel J. O’Connor via his Twitter account.
O’Connor who has been with GH since 2014, after a run as the writers assistant at One Life to Live from 2007-2008 that eventually aw him writing for the series in 2011, send out this message to his followers and fans of the 52-year old soap opera Monday morning.
Daniel related: “Thank you to the amazing GH team & fans for a great 3yrs. My last ep airs today. Hope it goes off without a hitch… ”
The talented scribe then tweeted about his next writing gig: “Happy to still be part of ABC on a new project. Stay tuned.”
With the departure of Hall, O’Connor, and the recent exit of head writer Ron Carlivati, do you think this spells a new future for GH … or do you have some major concerns? Share your thoughts below GH fans!
It is sad and sickening that they ran off all traces of Llanview from the show. I guess they enjoyed the 1.9 ratings they were getting before OLTL came to the rescue
Did you happen to hear of something called the Prospect Park lawsuit? You act like GH had a choice to get rid of the OLTL characters. If you wanna be sad and sickened with someone, be sad and sickened at Prospect Park. Their lawsuit eliminated all traces of Llanview from the show.
You can’t blame Prospect Park Dan. They had every right to get the Llanview characters back. They paid ALOT of money for the rights. Unfortunately, as we know it turned out to be a disaster all around. And while I was a big OLTL fan and very happy that Todd, Starr and John lived on…and was VERY disappointed when they left…I still don’t blame PP. It ‘s business. But I do blame ABC or Ron, whomever was responsible for letting go of Kristen and Michael Easton. I’m hoping Roger/Franco isn’t next. They’re FINALLY giving him an interesting adult personality and I’m falling in love with RH all over again…
OLTL characters never brought up the ratings. The ratings were up when a core GH character Robin returned to the canvas. She left and those numbers went back down. So despite what some people think OLTL had nothing to do with saving GH
It certainly did not..but getting RC who brought off the wall stories after leaving OLTL did..and then it got tiresome..and now who knows what’s in store..can’t they go the way of OLTL and find another newcomer like Michael Malone..their are countless young writers who could most likely change the face of soaps but the networks would rather stay in the P&G Irna Phillips type days of storytelling..something has to seriously change with daytime.
It would be nice if #GH would just come out and address the issue directly. From a PR perspective it’s not very encouraging to hear about the departures from the scribes themselves. It looks as if people are abandoning sinking ship right and left instead of being asked to step down to make room for new creative blood.
So then WHO is/are writing for GH these days?
ABC rarely addresses the public.
It is business with ABC, noting emotional.
At some point in time they may announce whatever.
Soaps bring in new/different writers, all the time.
Y&R has done so, recently.
DOOL has done so, recently.
———– It is the switching.
A.
GH’s new head writers are Jean and Shelly, the two Y&R fired and were replaced by Pratt.
That almighty demographic that is SO important, the 18 to 49, is sinking like a rock for GH. I imagine they are trying all manner of changes in an attempt to stop that.
Rats, sinking ships and all that….
please get rid of all this mafia bull .concentrate on general hospital.elizabeth with her crying and whining is boreing.
I cannot stand Liz! Jasam rules!
Ok, try to figure out what ive written sarcastically…try reading it is as annoying as it was for me listening to ‘DUHneese!!!…lol
This comment doesnt make sense now that my original comment hasnt appeared…lol
Hi, Jimh.
I did give you an answer, albeit your original comment did not appear. I suppose ‘they’ did not like what I had to say either….all I quoted were the words to the song…you know? OH, DUHneese? LOL.
@jimh and CeeCee….At least we can rejoice that the DUHneese chav-fest is finally over and done with! I thought we’d never see the end of that tacky black wig and OTT tartwear! Now if we could only do something about Alexis….
Ron and now Daniel are no longer with GH..
However, both remain with ABC .
They are working on a new ABC project.
Perhaps a primetime soap, perhaps not. But, both are still employed by ABC.
GH will go on.
I just do not see it being better with the new writers that were fired from Y&R.
Time will tell..
I’m looking forward to Ron’s new project with ABC (wonder what it is..
As far as I know. I have never heard of let go head writers of a soap staying on with the network writing for a new ABC project.
That being known tells that ABC sees Ron as good writer.
I’d be curious to know what a ‘break down’ writer does. We are not insiders. But we are still interested.
What is the difference is between a breakdown writer and a staff writer?
Each show (and Headwriter) handles things a little differently, says Jonathan Reiner (TV guide online), but as a general rule, “each week a breakdown writer meets with the Headwriter and the Associate headwriters and talks over the content for his/her day (an episode), then works up a 14 to 18 page document (double-spaced) which outlines the 21 or so scenes, including actors, sets, important props, etc. A dialogue or Scriptwriter (sometimes referred to as a staff writer) can work from this to turn the breakdown into a script. Traditionally the breakdown writer doesn’t include dialogue, but several breakdown writers like to include key phrases or actual lines because it’s sometimes important to include dialogue to get the tone right for the scene.”
…or so says Google
Sounds like just a simple overhaul of the writing team to me! Why wouldn’t new head writers want to bring in breakdown and script writers who they work well with creatively. This sounds like a promising move towards a great creative change. I’m curiously optimistic
People overreacting, as usual. When new writers take over a show, they bring in some of their own people. It’s the same thing that happened when Ron Carlivati took over. I believe the only members of the previous GH writing team he kept were Elizabeth Korte and Kate Hall. Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman probably wanna bring in their own breakdown writers and so forth. This isn’t unusual at all. I really wouldn’t read too much into it. But of course that won’t stop people.
Bingo.
Unless there’s this club for writers or if your known because yo are the head writers of the show how are we suppose to know whose who? I’m not a writer groupie so I have no idea who oconnor is or what he contributed to the show, so I have no idea what I’ll be missing. Now if he’s been let go cause he’s to much like RC then I understand but beyond that I wish him the best.
As long as the endless recycling of writers continues, the soaps continue to be an endangered species.
Mister Media..
Soap writers/head writers have a short lifespan .. lol
They know they are not going to permanent fixtures.
Head Writers are changed usually around the 4 yr mark.
I’m no expert on length of head writers longevity on a soap, but seems like 4 years.
Then at some point in time they rotate.
Soap writers, head writers are becoming an endangered species.
I don’t see this as band news, I see it as more change!
Every time a show brings in new head writer(s), the current writer(s) either stay or leave. It’s sad to see 2 GH writers leave, but it happens in TV shows (when Ron Carlivati become head writer, a lot of GH writers left).
On the bright side, GH new head writers Shelly Altman & Jean Passanante are going to have to find new writers. I’m sure writers from DAYS, Y&R or B&B would jump ship to writer under them at GH! – I’m sure bringing in new writers will help bring in some new blood in the writers room!
This is not uncommon. In every workplace when there is a change in management, owners or supervisors, whatever, some people end up leaving for various reasons. They either cannot lose their loyalty to their previous bosses, or they don’t like the new style of management, or there is a personality conflict with the new people. It is no different on a soap–they don’t make it clear if these people left on their own, or were “let go” but this sort of thing is to be expected. The best thing for any work place is have happy employees who work well together and hopefully GH will get that team in place and continue for years to come.
And– writers also return to their originals soaps..
After a year or two, seeing how things go with GH, Ron could return.
There are not many soap writers left and recycling them seems to be the thing.
Good to hear. The show needs a fresh writing team.
Nothing fresh about these two.
Robert..
LOL 🙂
with the Queens of Snooze at the helm of GH, I am frightened for its’ future longevity..
((a change can be for the better or for the worse, I fear the worse 🙁
That’s funny, Robert S.
Negative people. Give them a chance. Personally I liked what they were doing with YnR.
Jonboy-
Research their ratings -killing and show –
killing track records.They’ve had chance after chance after chance to do damage to the genre that is so loved by so so many dismayed,disappointed and devastated viewers.For many ,seeing their venerable shows fall by the wayside is like losing their circle of friends.
Get rid of the mob and bring family and romance back to GH. The show is slowly sinking. I care about this show. Bring back the popularity that made GH an outstanding 50+ years show…one example…Jason Thompson and Kimberly McCullough. Let’s put some real thought into making a comeback.
Rebecca Franklin,
There is no longer a mob.
Show me a mob and I will be very happy.
There is 2 men, old mobsters, that threaten each other.
There are no mobsters on GH, Sonny and Julian fighting are not a mob anything.
GH used to have ‘many’ mobsters, actual characters that were of the mobs, there are no mob charters other than the 2, just 2 and 2 is nowhere near a mob.
I would love to have an actual mob story.
There has not been any mob action since the Alazars and they are long gone.
Sonny and Julian bickering over territory and dock shipments, every now and then, is far far far from mob action.
I wish they would hire characters to be mobsters.
I wish there were 12 or more mobsters as once was, now 2.
I can’t believe that people actually say there is too much mob stuff when in fact it is a rare treat to actually have mob action and then it lasts for a day or two.
That’s tough to do when Kimberly does not want to be there, she is more interested in behind the camera. I wish they would recast her already.
It only matters who stays . So he will be going , and will it make a difference ,NO. The head writer will still have the say. As for Ron. I had enough of him and his twitter and destroying beloved characters, Robin, Anna ,Nick, Liz .Even Patrick has been lobotomized. Lets face it. The fans want Robin back, Kim has said she could return here and there, but TIIC didn’t want that. My way or the highway. Ron’s now on the highway. I don’t blame Ron for all the B.S he can have his share, and his childish twitter and his name calling. Tony can have Luke’s share. Frank controls the money ,he gets to share. I now have no interest in the show except to read about it on line. The unholy threes return has made me just do it. Shut it off. I have no idea who this guy is, couldn’t care less and when he said OLTL I got it. For those of us who didn’t watch that show .We wanted to watch GH. Just not Guza’s G.H .
Kind of hard to write story for some one who only wants to come on now and then. It really messes up everyone involved in her stories. Is Patrick just supposed to keep breaking up with people every-time she decides she wants to appear for a couple of episodes?
Robin could have returned, had co parenting with Patrick. She could be working in a lab, and Patrick could be free to chase other women. The way it has been written, he looks like a jerk, Robin told him what Victor said his threats etc, and what does he do. Jump in bed with the wife of the man who Robin went to save. .This way neither of them look like jerks. She comes home to see her parents, and emma . leaves to do work in Paris /
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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