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 Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!
In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?
Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!
Courtesy/ABC
FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS
The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!
Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?
Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.
FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.
Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).
On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..
In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”
GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW
So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!
FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD
As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”
Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.
So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’
In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.
The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.
Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”
Photo: CDuellIG
SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL
Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.
The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.
In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”
So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Marlena Looks Back at 50 Years in Salem
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom
Deidre Hall Marks 50 Years as ‘Days of Our Lives’ Dr. Marlena Evans
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Promo: Rocco’s in a Panic as Britt’s Health Takes a Turn, Chase is Called to the Carpet
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Y&R Preview: Matt Clark Asks Phyllis on a Date, Would You Be Down for the Pairing? Roger Howarth & Michelle Previously in GH’s Franco/Nina Romance
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