General Hospital
GH Co-Head Writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’ Connor Interview – “Soapmakers of the Year” Honors 2020

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The supremely talented and uber popular Rebecca Herbst is tragically underused and Liz has been reduced to wallpaper. I guess writing for morally sound characters is just too hard, I wonder how Shonda Rhimes and others do it every day. may Chris and Dan should contact her and ask? Also Daytime writers stay avoiding interracial relationships involving leads at all cost. Black couple containment supercedes actual chemistry. Disappointing!
I ditto everything you said about Rebecca Herbts, liz, I mean its so frustrating to see her not be on continuously like “some” others that will go nameless get to be. Its really getting old to say this but damn the people writing and producing this show need to wake up.
Yes, I definitely agree with you. You’ve got a vet like Rebecca Herbst on the show of more than 20 years who is very popular and well liked with minimal POV anymore. Liz Webber is a complex character who used to have a bit of an edge. She could be very snarky, sneaky, and sassy. Now, her character has become very 2-dimensional and almost seemingly irrelevant. Why? Where are Liz’s parents? Why do they never check in with her? Do they know she’s a rape survivor? That she’s birthed three children and is married to an ex-serial killer? Are LIz’s… Read more »
Or they could bring her sister Sarah back and have her make a play for Franco. She and Liz have always fancied the same guys, Lucky…Nickolas.We would get to see the strong Liz again when she goes all momma bear for her family.
Liz seemed a little jealous and resentful of Franco’s artistic talent a while back, maybe it would be interesting seeing her renewed interest in painting, while we watch them dry and be shown at Ava’s gallery or displayed around the hospital, cheering up the patients or they might have her showing signs of an early menapause, acting like a bitch at home with her husband and kids and screaming at her co-workers and patients when she has to empty a bedpan or take a temp.
It would be great to see an Elizabeth-first storyline, as she’s mainly been seen as reactionary in Franco’s storylines these past few years. These writers are capable of giving story to morally sound characters (Laura, Ned and Chase as current examples). As for interracial couples… although we see them less frequently, Molly and TJ are a good example of a modern young mixed-race pairing. This on a show that was a pioneer in interracial coupling in the 80’s with Tom and Simone Hardy. The show played the potential pairing of Cameron and Trina but his end game is likely with… Read more »
The only story Chris & Dan could come up with for TJ & Molly (the show’s only interracial couple) was Molly cheating with a white dude.
Liz’s parents were mentioned the other day & she told Terry that she didn’t expect to see her parents anytime soon. Seems to me that someone got snippy about the fans criticizing them regarding not bringing on Liz’s parents.
Um, Mollie and TJ? I agree with you about Lizzy, however.
I despise them for killing Jason and Sam, and apart from the altzheimers story I have utter contempt for their dubious talents.
Go watch YR and see what true garbage is. Dan and Chris are amazing.
So true. The GH writers are GREAT. I appreciate them keeping the “bed hopping” to a minimum. If you want that, watch the other soaps. PLEASE keep GH as it is!
Despise them for breaking up a couple that was truly yawn worthy? I do believe they’ll eventually find their way back to each other, but hopefully in a more interesting way.
Exactly, however Jasam are not getting back together! They are permanently over and that is on Kelly Monaco not writers!
Something had to be done with Jason and Sam. The actors barely seem to want to be in the same scene together. Outside of Sam’s orbit, Jason seems much more alert. I’m intrigued by the possibilities of a Jason/Britt pairing. Some soap couples, no matter how popular and long their reign is, have an expiration date. Luke and Laura is a prime example. Outside of Luke’s shadow, Laura has so much story to tell. Sam grew as a character when paired with Patrick and Drew. Once “the real” Jason returned, she reverted back to 2012 form (a time before she… Read more »
Agree I will not be watching I quit watching when Steve Burton left. They have not done anything with Jason and Sam since he came back now they’re breaking them up I’m done. They were the only reason I watched GH. Sick of the Carly and Jason relationship.
My thought’s exactly !!! JaSam forever ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Agreed 100%
Ditto!!! I think they have damaged every woman character on the show portraying them as weak, whiny, and rather stupid. Hate what they’ve done to all the couples too. I’m so frustrated with their writing and wish there was a woman writer on this show.
I absolutely love General Hospital and the direction it has taken. Writers can’t please all of us and every coupling is going to have those that want their characters to be with others. I think they do an amazing job; if every couple was happy it would be boring. The writing has had such great depth and when you have the cast you, have it’s riveting at times. The episodes mentioned in the article where exceptional. I much enjoy this type of writing and staying for the most part in character than what Days of Our Lives is doing. It’s… Read more »
Chris Van Etten and Dan O’ Connor, since becoming the head writing team of GENERAL HOSPITAL, have single-handedly ignited this soap to new heights. Is everything perfect? No. But, that is what makes a good soap opera. They came into 2020 firing on all-cylinders and they are leaving 2020 firing on all-cylinders, and I can only hope they are able to continue to do so in 2021. Under their regime, the Quartermaine family have seen a grand re-ignite, even more so than when Ron Carlivati became head writer in 2012, and I hope it continues to flourish. I do hope… Read more »
Totally well deserved. Dan and Chris brought the best soap all year and nothing came close to these two. They brought twist after twist and huge excitement. Just fantastic these two are and refreshing. Josh Griffith can take note because he did everything opposite.
What I like best about the writing on GH with some of the stories is that they tell stories the way they used to be told…they take their time before giving us the payoff. yes, it’s a killer to see those stories dragged out for so long but when we get to the end, it’s delicious!!! To me, that takes me back to soaps of yesteryear and that’s what i like best.
Hi James, I agree with you 100%…I am loving GH and it reminds me what soaps use to be…GH is my favorite…Keep up the GREAT WRITING Chris and Dan…I also agree THAT GH has a GREAT CAST…
Chris and Dan have shown made GH a Show that is worth watching everyday. I applaud them on their hard work and look forward to what this great team brings to the viewers in 2021
I must be watching a different show. You talk of history yet we have 1 Spencer since Lulu is gone, Liz is the only Webber, Ava is the only Jerome now that Julian is gone and the Q’s are hardly the powerhouse they used to be. The truth is the only ones featured day after day are Jason, Sonny and Carly. They have dominated every storyline since Jason returned and you continue to portray mobsters as heroes and law enforcement as fools. They are not noble, they are not root worthy. They are killers. Your constant focus on 3 characters… Read more »
Fine point taken
I think they deserve the kudos given by most of us. When you compare the exciting shows we’ve been given the past few months with the boring and stupid fodder fed to us daily from the other two and 1/2 shows, GH stands out alone. Good job guys!
I love the direction the show is headed & the closing out of stories; instead of an unending circle. I’m going to need a bit more diversity from the TPTB on GH. Where are the interracial couples besides TJ & Molly? Where are the Latino & Asian actors? Is it really cost effective to have this many former Soap vets return indefinitely vs the kind of fire we get from ex-Teresa (Passions)? Nothing against Nina, but I would trade that character out for the above mentioned actress in a heartbeat! It’s time to recognize the viewers don’t care how much… Read more »
Jeff Webber is the ultimate deadbeat dad/son/brother. The writers didn’t have him return when his father died (Steve), when his daughter was raped, grandson presumed dead, son (Steven Lars) went to prison, new daughter (Hayden) revealed or when brother Rick was killed. It’s been 40 years since Richard Dean Anderson left the role. Multiple writing regimes have passed on the chance to revisit the character and passed. If there’s any crew that would have him return, it’s Dan and Chris. I mean, did you really expect Jackie Templeton to return after 35 years? There’s no chance that Audrey will be… Read more »
“If there’s a crew that would have him return, it’s Dan and Chris.” Then where is Jeff Webber? They brought on Chase & Finn’s parents instead. They deserve to be dragged for filth for that.
If Chase’s mom wasn’t Jackie Templeton, played by a soap legend, combined with the great addition of Gregory Harrison, I might agree with you. Robert has been revitalized and Finn actually seems a bit interesting after all these years. If, and when, Jeff returns, he needs to be played by a major soap presence. Richard Dean Anderson has said he has no desire to return. Someone like Jerry ver Dorn or Walt Wiley. While she’s lacking non-offspring family, it’s good to see Elizabeth has a real friend in Terry, who needs to be seen more. Too often they’ve given Elizabeth… Read more »
The writers have gotten better this last 3 months. Instead of exciting on Wednesday only we do get 2 days of action,drama, and the good stuff. I just wish the arc of the storylines wasn’t 6 months. Let’s wrap it up in three. Can still leave a hanger but dragging it out is boring. You get fans losing interest. You’d think they’d tune in daily for the peak but they don’t when it just goes on and on for months. Example: Michael and Wiley. Too many twists and turns for 2 yrs. Nell, Shiloh, Brad, Julian, Lucas, etc…all involved in… Read more »
GH has really been on fire since returning from the COVID shutdown. I hope it continues. I also hope that ABC will promote this show more in primetime. It’s far more deserving than many shows on the roster.
Congratulations and many Thanks to Dan and Chris for keeping us glued to our TV sets!
Great interview! This year’s re-focus on Laura, the Ava, Nik and Ryan story, and the Alzheimers story… all were great (and I’m no fan of the Sonny character.) I hope this trend continues. Still a little too heavy on the Sonny/Carly/Jason front and I’m not sure why that is. Something tells me there’s some heavy handed influencing that’s been taking place for years regarding that threesome. It’s time to give Liz a storyline and I’d vote to have it start with the Franco character being offed. Figure out a way to bring the actor back but no amount of redemption… Read more »
Liz is a boring character. Always has been!!!! Nothing makes her interesting.
Ditto. Is it me or are there tons of guys on here that watch GH and like what these writers are doing? As for me, except for the alzheimer’s story, their writing has been leaving me cold. Destroyed almost every couple (do like Ava and Nic and Liz and Franco and the boys) and write garbage for the women characters. Very sad and am almost ready to give up on GH after over 50 years.
What a great interview. The questions were researched and thought provoking which yielded to interesting answers. Well done!
It’s sad to see Dan and Chris using the same party line as Frank Valentini and touting the same few pet players. Genie deserves to be number one because she is GH. NLG and Maura West are both talented but over hyped, Maurice and Laura Wright are over used but all of these characters get the best writing and airtime. Other actors and characters would shine even brighter if GH would just give them the opportunity to do so. Rebecca Herbst is an incredibly talented gem. Fans love Elizabeth yet GH only uses Liz to prop Franco. Minimizing such a… Read more »
I have been watching GH since I was around 12 with my Mom back in 1971. I am now 61.I want Michael and Sasha together and Willow and Chase together. I wish Nina’s daughter was Willow
I’m with you Mark – exactly!
Bring back Julian.
Please do not bring Nelle back. Willow and Michael are super boring. She belongs with Chase. Jason and Britt are great together. Sam needs to quit whining. Nina’s daughter story has gone on waaaaay too long. And bring Sonny home SOON.
I hope Nelle isntNinas daughter also keep Michael and Willow together
Didn’t the writers confirm she is?
As the saying goes b.s. walks money talks! Makes no sense but fits perfectly! Not many soaps left!
Loved all of them but the scenes with Mike really hit home. I have a Sister with Dementia and all the things Mike was doing is what she is doing. Really scary. Terrible disease. Great year of story lines. Keep on writing. Kudos
Reunite Jason and Sam. You did not give them a chance to be happy .Go back and look at u tube at the power couple. You could learn a lot.
Edna, you took the words right out of my mouth
My thought’s exactly, couldn’t agree with you more.
The writers may love Nelle, but most of the fans despise her and the long drawn out storyline. Who, exactly are they writing for? Themselves? Sorry – Enough already and stop making Nina such a whiney little byatch. MOVE ON
Chris I love you I do but please stop bring bck ppl they don’t know what ppl been through some people has been through a lot but understand like losing a family member that’s sure he’ll slit if some has stuffer more than one can’t believe people think they do much better than everybody else when they are just as bad and they accuse people of being bad and doing terrible things when they did the sane there no better and where the hell is the love
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