General Hospital
GH's EP Frank Valentini Talks JaSam, Friz, Julexis & Steering The Ship In Port Charles!
Photo Credit: Steven Bergman
As the final weeks of summer play out and into the fall on General Hospital, look for some intriguing storylines, and plenty of drama ahead for fans of the ABC daytime drama series. With recent casting additions, new story for beloved favorites and duos, it’s a good time to tune-in.
On-Air On-Soaps caught up with the man at the helm of the series, Emmy award-winning executive producer Frank Valentini at the ABC TCA summer cocktail reception to get his thoughts on a myriad of subjects related to the show including: bringing Valentin Cassadine to the canvas, big story for JaSam, Julexis, utilizing Genie Francis (Laura) … and, inside the construct of the show from; formulating story with the head writers, to his job of overseeing the GH machine as it churns out episode after episode, and the state of the soap genre in 2016.
In a time where the network soap has to seemingly always rein in its budgets, while still delivering compelling, and exciting content to compete in the daytime space for an audience, Valentini has continued to be an expert in balancing all the aspects for GH to march on 53 years after its beginnings. So, what’s up at GH? Here’s what Frank had to say about it.
There are so many plot points beginning to shape up, or just beginning on GH these days. How do you feel James Patrick Stuart is doing as your newest villain, Valentine Cassadine? And, why the decision to bring his story on to the canvas at this point, when it had first been talked about several years ago?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: He is wonderful, and we love having James. We didn’t bring the story back, per se. We just knew the character was out there, and that it was a character that existed that the audience has never seen. So we thought: let’s have him show up and cause some trouble, and sort of reintroduce the next generation of Cassadines.
Genie Francis was terrific in her recent scenes when she railed on Valentin for “killing” her son, Nikolas. Fans always say they want to see more of Genie. Will you be continuing to utilize her in story?
FRANK: Yup! She’s under contract. She will be working non-stop. Laura is involved with the Cassadine story, and she has her own drama with Lulu (Emme Rylan), and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) as well; and the budding romance with Kevin (Jon Lindstrom).
This week on GH there are major developments for Jason (Billy Miller) and Sam (Kelly Monaco) and perhaps some major conflicts for the duo to contend with, too?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: I can say there is so much going on with Jason and Sam in the next couple of months, and it’s going to be pretty intense, as well.
Viewers learned on Monday’s episode that Sam is pregnant. Why the decision to go that way with the story?
FRANK: I think it’s part of a bigger story, but it’s a story that evolved out of the Cassadine Island adventure, which as the viewers will see starts to unfold for everybody, and everybody comes away from that adventure changed. It’s super fun to do adventures, and do escapades, and smaller umbrella stories, but if it doesn’t move the story on the canvas forward at-large, it doesn’t work as well.
How far ahead are you planning the stories that make it on-air, along with GH head writers Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: There is an incredible amount of planning that goes into it. We have an idea of where it’s going, but we always like to keep our ear to the ground of what is airing, and sort of seeing what things are working, and are exciting. We try to capitalize on that as well, for example: the Kristina (Lexi Ainsworth) and Parker (Ashley Jones) relationship and story. I didn’t know if anybody knew that would be as interesting as it was, and that was really great. The Franco (Roger Howarth) and Liz (Rebecca Herbst) pairing is very solid, and very interesting, and so we are capitalizing on that. I feel there is a lot of romance, and a lot of adventure, a lot of potential, and a lot of really solid stories right now. I feel like the show is in a really good place.
There are a lot of moving parts for you as the executive producer of GH that you have to oversee and execute, while at the same time trying to manage and exceed audience expectations with the story. Would you agree?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: There are a lot of moving parts, and truly it is exhausting. It was interesting to be at the General Hospital Fan Club Event the past weekend. The fans were so smart. They often said, “We know how hard you work, and we know hard it is, but we appreciate everything.” We try to introduce these new sets, and we try and take the budget that we have and make the most of it, and make it visually exciting for the audience, and emotionally satisfying. I feel like the show right now is incredibly emotionally satisfying every day. We are seeing the response from the fans, and the daytime community at large.
I love that you brought Bree Williamson to GH as Claudette West. How is it working with Bree again after a few years away from your time together at One Life to Live when you were the EP of the series, and she played Jessica Buchanan?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: I love that we brought her on GH, too! She is as good as she ever was, and in ways somewhat better, because she is older and wiser, and more beautiful. Bree is just a giant talent, and to bring someone into that triangle of Nathan/Maxie/Griffin was a little bit risky. But it has to be someone who would just jump off the screen, because Maxie (Kirsten Storms) is so exciting, and so alive. So you need sort of the counterpoint to Maxie, because she has some of the same qualities, but is underneath it all a good person, while Claudette we’re not so sure about.
Let’s talk Julexis! You gave Will deVry (Julian) and Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) great story, and they delivered Emmy-worthy performances. Did you decide, “Let’s break them apart” in order to have them struggle to find their way back to each other?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: Again, it was the next natural progression for the show at large. We don’t often look at the show in terms of one or two characters. It’s like having a whole family; you can’t think of just one child, you have to think of the family altogether. It turned into an umbrella story for Alexis and Julian, and Sam, and Sonny (Maurice Benard), and Carly (Laura Wright), and Carlos (Jeffrey Vincent Parise), and Molly (Haley Pullos) and Kristina, and Lucas (Ryan Carnes). It just affected so many people. So when you are thinking of doing something like that, we knew we could give it to Nancy and Will, and they could handle the acting challenge of it. That is to play two people who really love each other, but have betrayed one another … because it happens!
Who came up with the idea to have Jeffrey Vincent Parise return to GH as Carlos’ twin, Dr. Joe Rivera?
FRANK: That was me. I asked the writers to do it, because I thought it was something that could be really fun, and another little surprise. When you have actors that you love so much you try to find ways to use them.
Courtesy/ABC
How do you think the daytime genre is performing overall right now with your show, and the other three network daytime dramas?
FRANK: I can’t speak for the other shows, but I feel we are doing very well. The ratings are very solid, and very consistent. The audience is loving the show, and like I said at the fan club event, we received really good feedback. Overall, I think it’s a tough time in television for everyone in nighttime and daytime.
Speaking of the just concluded GHFCW, there was an amazing turnout by your cast at the main event. It was very impressive!
FRANK: There were only a few people who didn’t make it, but it was a really good turnout. I take my hat off to the actors, because they really love the fans. Right now we are in five weeks of intense production, and everybody came out on their Saturday to be with the ones who love them.
Courtesy/ABC
You brought fan favorite Michael Easton back to General Hospital as Dr. Hamilton Finn. What are your thoughts on how his new incarnation is working out within the framework of the show, and with the audience?
FRANK: It’s great! I think we took a big risk, but it was something we felt very strongly about doing. Michael is a personal friend of mine. So it was very challenging for me, and I wanted to make sure I gave him something that was worthy of his talents, and also something that was different than any and all of the characters he has ever played on daytime. I think he is doing a masterful job.
You are one of those executive producers who is always the floor, and on the set with their actors and crew. Are you still getting the same joy out of it when you are out there, or directing an episode, or do you want to pull your hair out everyday?
Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
FRANK: I pull my hair out only about financial things, because that’s always very challenging to make ends meet on the show. We take our responsibility to the network that has been so good to us very seriously. We have to be on budget, because at the end of the day it’s a business. But I always get the joy being on the floor. In fact, I just directed an episode on Friday.
Earlier this year at the Daytime Emmys, General Hospital took home the award for Outstanding Drama Series, and for the first time in your career you won an Emmy as executive producer. Where did you put that Emmy?
FRANK: Yes, it’s my first executive producer Emmy, but I have four others. I have it in my apartment in Los Angeles. I have my One Life to Live Emmys in New York, and my L.A Emmys in L.A.
Speaking of One Life to Live, would you consider bringing Erika Slezak (Ex-Viki, OLTL) to the cast of GH?
Courtesy/ABC
FRANK: Absolutely! I love Erika. I do stay in touch with her, and I have dinner with her and her husband Brian whenever I am back in New York. I haven’t seen her in a couple of months, because I have been a little swamped lately. I would love to bring her on to GH. If the right combination of story and situation arose, we’d do it!
So, what are your thoughts on Frank Valentini’s sentiments on the Valentin story, JaSam, Laura, Fizz, Dr. Hamilton Finn, Bree Williamson, the state of GH, and perhaps one day bringing Erika Slezak to Port Charles? Comment below!
245 Leave a Reply
I love Frank and know he’s doing the best he can for the show and the fans. The best part of what he said, however, is that he’s consider bring Erika Slezak on the show. I’d do cartwheels to see that happen! LOL!
you and me both!!! I LOVE Erika Slezak!
As much as I love Erika Slezak and OLTL, the show is General Hospital and FV needs to stop hiring every other actor out of work. GH has a rich 53 year history and characters like Scotty, Lucy, Serena, Tommy Hardy Jr., Simone Hardy, Tom Hardy, Mac, Felecia, Steven Lars, Jasper Jacks, etc… can’t even get on air most of the time or we don’t see them at all.
I loved OLTL, but the show is gone, sadly.
I think if there is a story line that can make use of a great actor or actress it should be done. With the ending of OLTL and AMC it created a terrific pool of really talented acotors to draw from for new characters. I believe you need new character in order for the show to grow. After all you have new people come into your lives and leave in real life. I love Erica and would love to see her on the show.
Frank needs to bring Erika Slezak and Melissa Archer on like NOW!!!
Yes indeed how wonderful would that be(smiles)
Love me some Archer and Easton. Please it is time!
Missy could be Finn’s comatose wife Becky who had an affair with Finns best friend Tom Sawyer-Hardy…Erika could be Becky’s mom Polly who disliked Finn and put her own daughter in a coma to frame Finn and to get her hands on Polly’s late husbands fortune-he left everything to Becky…Dr.Joe Rivera who murdered Doc Twain in a cemetery and also framed Finn is the secret hitman hired by Polly to eliminate Finn but in a dramatic courtroom scene with Finn accused of Doc Twain’s murder, witness Tom Sawyer-Hardy shows up and announces he witnessed Joe kill Doc Twain…Joe esxapes by crashing through a courtroom window but is later killed while chasing Finn and Sawyer Hardy with Roxy the lizard inside a cave during a picnic-lol
Agreed. Love them both
Seriously, Melissa Archer needs to come on as Finn’s not so dead wife! Fans of Archer and Easton have waited too young for a reunion! Please make it happen!
OMG YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Yes to the 10th degree. MA and ME rock! I have missed them so much.
No more characters, please.
I agree, this is GH not OLTL!
Thank you! Nothing against the actors but GH is not OLTL 2.0.
Yeah, why doesn’t anyone ever ask Frank why he needs to have so many actors? I prefer interviews where the questions are a bit more dimensional than just holding up the interview person from a variety of perspectives.
Agree Mari. I have missed Michael and Melissa so much. They’re wonderful. Hope this happens…
I’ve been after Frank forever to hire Melissa Archer for Finn’s lost wife, she could have made it by the native Indians who had something to make her well and then surprise him by coming to G.H. She is the very best partner to be with, their chemistry is off the charts!
HECK YES SOUNDS GREAT!
Agree with you di. Michael and Melissa are golden.
Love Erika Slezak and love Michael and Melissa. They are fantastic together. It would be wonderful to have them on our screens again. ME and MA rock!
REALLY! I -got so upset with Frank when he said at the end of OLTL that all things would be tied up, but John and Natalie’s story never got finishedm THEY DID NOT GET MARRIED SO it was a huge dissapointment for me!
So true di. It was a disappointment to many and still carries over today. Things got messy with PP and that made things worse. Again, would love to see these two reunited on screen. They are magic, whether they’re arguing, talking or loving. Miss them a lot:(
It would be great if TPTB would reunite them onscreen.So many possibilities for these great actors that bring out the best in each other. Love Michael and Melissa
I would start watching again if GH brought in Melissa Archer for Michael Easton .. those two have REAL chemistry!
I watch because I’m in love with Jasam, but with Micheal back on G.H. Melissa should be here too, I want to puke whenever Hayden is with Dr. Finn, no chemistry!
Hey Di .. the only time I ever rooted for Jasam was when John McBain was in the mix, lol .. John belonged with Natalie! Made me so mad, lol.
Agree with both of you. I know some think Hayden and Finn have chemistry however I don’t see it as this exceptional chemistry. Really cannot compare to our beloved MA and ME. Really hope to see them together. Please TPTB reunite them. Missing them soooo much.
Yes, yes one hundred times yes! Michael and Melissa are amazingly beautiful . Frank are you reading this?
I’m loving GH. I love Finn! Seeing Michael Easton and Kelly Monaco together today was everything! Sinn
Sam came to life today on screen with FINN!
Meant too long
I THINK ALOT OF US WANT TO FINALLY SEE FRANCO HAPPY HE HAS EARNED IT.SO PLEASE LET HIM BE HAPPY.
PLEASE LET FRANCO BE HAPPY .HE HAS EARNED IT. THANKU
Put Franco and Sam together I want Liz and Jason together I almost stop watching when Sam had her baby and it was Jason he needs to be with Elizabeth Franco needs Nina not Lis
Are you serious Michael, bring on another OLTLer? I don’t care if it IS Erica Slezak, may I please remind you that this is GH!!! No more Actors and esp no more OLTL ones! I think Frsnk Valentini is watching another show altogether! Sorty but Dumb, Dumber, Maxie & Claudette is a super snooze fest; ffwd material! Nina sucks. Lucas got like one scene with Julian, Parker & Kristina are done already, kiki & stupid Morgan are pointless and a waste of time to watch.
Oh ….. I can go on!!
Btw….. The Sonny & Carly show is grating on all my nerves!
the Sonny and Carly show? really? what show are you watching. they don’t even have their own story
I completely agree with what you said about Morgan and Kiki. I refer to them as the “village idiots.” I’ve never cared for the character of Kiki or any of her backstory. Morgan, is just plain dumb.
Not a Kiki fan either.
Well, this interview reinforces my belief that Frank doesn’t watch his own show or listen to fans. Under his leadership, the story lines are a jumbled mess full of newbies he has brought on recently. There are days I don’t even recognize GH. Beloved vets/legacy characters are sacrificed for his pets many of whom were on OLTL. The Cassadine Island adventure had a lot of potential as an umbrella story line but it fell short and seemed rushed to its ending. Characters are placed in stories that makes no sense. Ava in the Cassadine Island story, Nina in the kidney donor and now the Cassadine Island story, Curtis just floats around the canvas with no real purpose. Just when stories are getting interesting, they are dropped for days or weeks. I have loved GH for years and hate to see what Frank and his writing team has done to it!
Yup; and we lose focus and sight of characters/storylines for weeks on end.
I lose focus on G H the story lines are not keeping our attention they have dropped the ball and now all the new ones are just not fitting in G H it’s almost a wash no one cares anymore
And you are talking my language also–“pets” and “personal friends” do not GH make!
Really, Julian trying to kill Alexis a betrayal? One you can easily overcome and that whole story is s great “umbrella” story? Such a bogus response and I am disappointed in you Michael for letting Frank get away with that response.
What I said!
This is GH, not OLTL. Enough already. Disappointed you didn’t address the bloated cast issue. It’s killing the show and clearly Frank’s the one responsible.
Second the emotion!
Frank has an addiction to hiring every actor that he meets and it has got to stop! GH is bloated and this man is talking about bringing on another OLTL actor? I love OLTL, but this has got to stop!
have to say i was disappointed in the typical oh your pregnant but to dumb to know it episode of GH today, especially considering the character hardly pays any attention to her current offspring, oh i forgot, i’m talking about sam, theres one storyline not looking forward to seeing. and although i love all the players in the maxie,nathan,claudette, and griffin story , its weird because the two guys(hot as hell) look alike, and the two women do too, i guess you can make the argument that they have a type. As for Valentin Cassadine, well not sure yet, creepy, yes, jasam, boring, loving bree wiiliamson, yes to more laura, more jax, more anna, more liz and franco, bring on Erica Slezak, and yes, GH is better, but not great yet. I’ll still watch though, love my GH…
I’d love to see Dr. Dorian Lord return!! lol
wouldn’t that be something!!! I’d love to see her tangle with Jax!
A big mistake was made when they decided to break up Julexis the way they did. They went so far over the top there is an uproar on twitter & many fans have quit watching. Ratings have dropped & fans feel disrespected. They need to fix this now before it gets any worse.
Yes, can easily “fix” it by saying bye-bye to the mobster Julian.!
Or better yet, send them off together into witness protection, so we never have to see or hear from either one of them again!
@Linda….I’d really love to know the demographics of this group of fans who feel so slighted and disrespected over the loss of “Julexis,” because I don’t anyone who is in an “uproar” over this development. We’re all actually quite delighted to be spared any further exhibits of this puke-inducung pair’s beyond redundant “sexual Olympics!”
I agree 100% and fRANCO DESERVES TO FINALLY BE HAPPY, HE & lIZ COULD MAKE A HELL OF A SUPER COUPLE AS THEY ARE BOTH THE TOWN MISFITS
Join the party! Elizabeth and Nik were trashed for JaSam when there was no need! Helena is more than capable of causing havoc on her own and did not need to share Jake Doe is Jason Morgan to Nik. Helena could have gone after ELQ on her own!
hi Linda…I don’t frequent Twitter too often but I agree Alexis and Julian had quite the following. If you’ve read many of my posts I am a big fan of Alexis (and Nancy). William DeVry has been putting in some stellar performances as he goes from love to rage to hurt, loss, anger, delusion. He’s been bringing it on without being over the top. So yes, I have no doubt that regardless of what a handful of people say on one sight that weren’t Alexis/Julian supporters there were way more that were. The story as it’s been written puts the pro Julian/Alexis fans in a quandary…how to…should they…reunite after Julian tried to kill her? I’m not convinced, as desperate and as crazy as Julian was, even with knife at her throat, that he would have killed her and I believe he still loves her. With that said, there’s NO going back from that….unless…well, this IS a soap and he was an imposter, mind-controlled, cursed….in some way from Helena and that knife….there’s just no way to reunite them unless thru soap ridiculitis excusitis ( lol, just invented a term!)
Well that answers so many questions. So basically, he is writing half the stories around characters he creates so that his friends can have a job. I guess the ratings will tell whether or not his vision for the show is working. I think long time viewers, like myself, just have much higher expectations. We’ve seen the best of the best, but sadly, that’s been many years ago. I was not a fan of his with OLTL and so far my mind hasn’t been changed.
One example of what I wish GH had done differently was bringing Jason back. They had such a great opportunity to take that character in an entirely different direction but instead, he’s right back to the same old thing. And how many times is Easton going to be resurrected? It’s a joke among daytime veiwers. And instead of adding Hardy’s and Webbers to boost the cast (Liz’s cousins, Uncles, etc.) we get new families and more new characers.
And it seem they are going to make Hayden Liz’s sister when Sarah Webber is her sister they could bring back-hope they dont say Liz isnt a Webber and was adopted by the Webbers and is really Hayden’s faternal twin seperated at birth-ugh!!!
No hopefully thar doesn’t happen Liz will always be a Webber they keep messing up the show
Liz is a Webber. Herbst has worked with John Beradino, Rachel Ames, and Richard Dean Anderson. History like this should not be so easily erased for a new character. On screen are Liz’s children age appropriate – Cameron 12, Jake 9, and Aiden 6?
I have higher expectations but it is better than it was last year, more due to the writers than FV. Still, I am watching late 80s eps instead of regular GH these days. There’s much more satisfaction in that.
It’s way too easy to create new characters than to do the research on existing characters, so we end up with a bunch of newbies that I want off my show!
Great interview with Frank! How amazing it would be to see the fabulous Erika Slezak on GH!
Nice try Michael–but this is just not realistic.
This–I feel we are doing very well. The ratings are very solid, and very consistent. The audience is loving the show–
is simply not true. The ratings are mostly down–the demos are tanking. At least be honest Frank.
There is a group of us die hard G H fans who are losing intrest in the show we need the people we have to get good stories lines this is not keeping our attention G H is close to being a wash
I know–so not entertaining anymore
I would love to see Erika Slezak, Melissa Archer and Bob Woods on our screens. Miss them sooo much.
Would especially love to see Archer and Easton again. Really miss those two..
If GH had been the one cancelled instead of AMC and OLTL, I would be furious if FV and RC brought over 32 of their pets and bloat the OLTL cast. Enough!
Exactly, MissySnow…I’ve made the same comparison before, as well. It was quite one thing to bring an actor or two over to GH from other defunct soaps…I accepted Michael Easton and even Roger Howarth’s introduction to Port Charles, even though their newfangled characters didn’t serve either of them particularly well. But it has gotten to the place that the show we always knew and loved is unrecognizable due to all the extraneous additions of what I refer to as “soap refugees.” (I.E., Stafford, West, de Vry, Budig, and now Riker and Williamson.) It’s utterly absurd to expect those of us who tune in to see Port Charles and its people be delighted with this constant onslaught of newbies who have no real connection to the canvas.
Erika could play Claudette’s mother!
Better yet, please put OLTL back on the air. It’s getting too crowded in Port Charles.
Great idea!
ABC/D is just itching for another hour of GMA and they sure will never give up a bunch of cash to bring back AMC or OLTL.
I would love it if OLTL were to return, but all my favorites have moved on. What I would really love to see is Renee Goldsberry making a temporary appearance as Hamilton’s wife. She is one of Michael Easton’s favorite leading ladies and boy do they have mad chemistry.
hey Frank !
I’m BORED !!
for godsake man, give us some on the edge action..
And– dump the Queens of Snooze ..
It’s General Hospital not the Waltons, remember that .. thanky
The Waltons are even better!!!
I was surprised to read Frank Valentini’s comments about Erika Slezak. She is an amazing actress and would add a lot to the show. Must admit I would so love to see Melissa Archer again as well.
Hell No to the comment put ME back with KeMo #JaSam the story gh tried it 4 times don’t do it gh Liz fans always trying
The ME and KM ship sailed . Enough already
Agreed.
I am a Liz fan and the last thing I want is for her to be paired with Jason. Billy Miller is still sleep walking and I am really tired of his talking thru his gritting teeth so we are suppose to know he is mad.
I know many fans complain the GH cast is too big and I get that but damn it would be wonderful to see Melissa Archer as well as Erika Slezak again. Wonderful talents. Especially love Melissa Archer and Michael Easton together!
my equal favorites with jasam!
Frank cares nothing about General Hospital and its fans and that is the main reason the show is in the tank. Yeah, we know Easton is a friend, the fact that he’s back for a fifth character gave it away Frank and guess what? That “huge” fan base that was supposedly clamoring for him doesn’t exist. And watching him try to play a “quirky” character is painful, yet he takes up space that a character and actor that would bring GH fans back could have.
Frank thinks Friz is working because the same five people, literally five people post on a couple of message boards and he will ride it to death because he has to make Howarth work after three years. Another mess. Frank thinks GH fans want to watch Howarth stuff his mouth with a muffin, chew like a cow and lick his fingers because Todd ate. That’s so appealing to GENERAL HOSPITAL fans. And what acting talent that involves. How has Hollywood resisted for so long?
Now he’s got Bree Williamson, the door is open for Slezak and GH fans care why?
It is so sad that GH is going down the tubes because it has an EP who can’t get past his former show being cancelled and his need to stick it to GH fans. Duke is dead and Carlos dies twice, is brought back, then killed again and the actor returns as a twin. You can’t make this up.
ABC really has to be clueless or they just don’t care. Either way, Frank stays along with his OLTL crew and other “huge stars” like Stafford, West, DeVry that have no appeal to GH fans and the show stays where it is or disappears completely and it’s a shame.
Easton was far better as a brooding cop…Franco is only interesting in scenes with Heather-he needs to steal Roxy The Lizard and make lizard soup out of it…Nina is in every story while characters like Scott, Brad and Lucas are ignored…and instead of expanding the iconic Webber family by bringing in Liz’s sister Sarah Webber rumor is Liz isnt a Webber but Haydens long-lost faternal twin sister separated at birth!!!
Those rumors about Elizabeth had better not be true, because why change a almost 20 year vets history, because HateChel/ReBu character has bombed?!
Truly cannot stand Hayden
Good stuff AJQ.
Very true I hate to say it but this is not G H that I wait for every day they keep bringing the same characters back I’m sick of it
I’m with your sentiments 100%–such a shame, yes.
well said, and agree
It has become a show for actor fans instead of fans of GH. Very sad if FV cannot curb his tendencies.
This just in–Geologists report that there has been a huge land shift due to unexpected earthquake activity resulting in Llandview crashing into Port Charles.
Amen, AJQ!
Oh what the heck, I’d rather post in this spot so I’ll repeat it.
Sorry AJQ. Once again your negative comment is off base. Is GH still on the air? I rest my case.
Frank don’t play with my heartstrings. It would do this OLTL fan so much good to see Erika again. Outstanding actress.
I think Erika would be great as Steffanie Forrester on B&B, but they rarely do recasts.
2 things outa the gate
1. Thank you FV for bringing back Jeffrey Vincent Parise… just wowsah
2. as a fan who will never “know” the behind the scenes product assembly line as it were
with all due respect ; you deserve it.. the accolade of most deserving executive producer
of the 4 shows… GH is the only one I make time
my DAYS have gone dark…. I hope and pray that Ryan Quan and Dena Higley TURN
I’m going to miss Molly Burnett , the recast of Maxie
the dynamic has totally changed… me thinks FV protest too much…. ????
Bree Williamson acting has totally dismantled Maxie
I mean really.. when all is said and done… when Maxie has to ditz her way out of a scene… as in shoving Claudette in to the wheelchair to hightail her out of Port Charles
Claudette “owns” Nathan and Griffin….
there’s a nice charge going on with Bree and her character
I’m Looking forward to character story !!!!
James Patrick Stuart : Valentin
Jeffrey Vincent Parise : Joe
Tyler Christopher : Nicholas
Jon Lindstrom : Kevin
Maura West : Ava
Rebecca Herbst : Liz
Ashley Jones : Parker
Cast hottest
gotta love Lexie and Parker w/Aaron
gotta love Kiki and Dillon w/Morgan
gotta love STILL unwavering Franco and Liz
I agree about Molly Dolly, LOVED her as Maxie!
Garbage. General Hospital is a mess and has been a mess for way too long. You can bring every beloved veteran back but it does the audience no good without well constructed, well written stories, Frank Valentini seems to have good intentions, certainly better than Jill Faren Phelps, but soap opera is a lost art, It can;t be reinvented,
My main issue with GH is the bloated cast size.It’s unmanageable. Storylines drop off for days or weeks so the pacing sucks.Stories can’t resonate that way.
Frank needs to cut unneeded characters that haven’t caught on or are unneeded.I’d cut newbies like Claudette,Hayden,Julian,Naomi,Darby,Joe,Nina,Aaron,and Amy.I’d also cut Paul (what a mess they’ve made of him) & Olivia.
I’d give contracts to Ned and Lucas & put Lucy & Scotty on heavy recurring. Lucy Coe should be running Crimson not Nina.
I/m thrilled with the development of Franco/Elizabeth.I’d never thought to put them together but Becky/Roger are amazing & they’re getting a classic push/pull soapy build. I love KiKi/Dillon.Why they’ve saddled her with bratty Morgan I don’t know. I’m also loving Laura/Kevin. and Finn/Tracy.
If I were writing the show I’d love to see a messy sassy triangle between Ava/Scotty/Lucy. They’d be a hoot!
GH has a lot of strengths but they simply must cut the cast size down. That’s 75% of the show’s problems
Enjoying the Valentin addition a lot – really liking the actor – curious to see him moving about Port Charles, and more curious to see what happens when Nikolas returns. I’m remaining open to the Jasam baby story, although it’s definitely not what I would’ve chosen for the “adventure couple”. Hopefully the writing makes that apparent conflict a part of the story. Laura and Kevin were my favourite part of the Cassadine story; it would be great to see Laura with a new pairing out from under Luke’s long shadow. Elizabeth/Franco totally took me by surprise, and I’m rooting for them individually and together – genius pairing. Dr Finn is entertaining me. This is by far my favourite of Easton’s GH characters. Not seeing the fuss about Bree to be honest, but I’m interested in seeing more of the quad story. I didn’t watch OLTL, so I have no real interest in seeing Erika Slezak. The cast that’s there now is already way too large. My biggest wish for GH would be for the hospital killer to pick up the pace, or a pretty major disaster story that dramatically reduces PC’s population.
It would be great to see Erika onscreen again .
“The ratings are very solid, and very consistent.”
Lol! The ratings are actually lower than what got RC fired.
I don’t doubt that everyone is working hard but For the love, as great as Erika Slezak is, GH needs no other characters. I’m so sick of not seeing storylines for weeks on end because we have to see other characters. In the past month alone GH has added four new characters. Nelle, Valentin, Claudette, & Dr. Joe. From the beginning of the year we also added Amy, Curtis, & Andre. And because of that Becky Herbst & Tyler Christopher were offered crap contracts.
It is just ridiculous how disjointed this show is. What was the purpose of the CI story other than to get Nik offscreen for awhile, introduce Valentin, and make the audience laugh that Jason was flying a plane? What is the purpose of the hospital killer except to give Franco a reason to whine about no one believing in him? No one we know has died. No one we know has even come close to dying except Lucas, who has been MIA with the exception of the day he was allowed to yell at Julian.
I mean FV wanted RB. Hired her for short term and then gave her a huge 4 year contract. To only have her fail with Nik, because shocking after a guy has you shot in the head he kind of loses his shine as a romantic partner. So now they are going to shoehorn her into a legacy family so she can have some reason to be on the show. Same with MS. First Nina was brought on to cause trouble for Silas, but then they killed him so they made her crazy & hooked her up withFranco, but the audience had no interest in the pairing because NEITHER character was likeable, so they moved her to the Crimson story, but that wasn’t working, so now she’s sleeping with Valentin and for some reason they’ve inserted her in the Joss kidney story. What should have happened in both the cases of MS & RB is they should have been shipped out of town when their initial stories didn’t work. Take the contract options and CUT BAIT.
Just pick 5 stories and tell them. Stop collecting actors from other shows.
Right on, Meg! You hit the nail on the head with both Nina and Hayden….they are vapid, superficial players who have added nothing to the GH canvas in the way of appeal, interesting stories or depth of character. I swear watching this show is often like observing chess pieces being moved about their board….except for the fact there is a rhyme and reason—not to mention a purposeful conclusion—to that game!
Not a fan of Nina, Hayden, Sabrina at all.
Seems we share a LOT of the same tastes, Nikki!!!!
Let’s count all of the characters and recasts added by FV since January 2012.
Recast – Lulu, Franco, Dillon, Connie/Kate, Paul, Julian
OLTL characters – Todd, McBain and Starr
New characters – Sabrina, Felix, Britt, Nathan, Dr. O, Nina, Trey Scully, Joe Scully, Danny, Rocco, Georgie, Teddy, Leo, Aaron, Anna Donnelly, Amy, Madeline, Nina, Rosalie, Brad, Valentine, Ava, Kiki, Silas, Griffin, Dr. Mayes, Carlos, Joe aka Carlos #2, Danny, Parker, Claudette, Hayden, Naomi, and this is just a few names, but I am sure there are many more!
Hamilton Finn, ATWT actor that played the British guy during CI story, the woman from CI with the antibiotics, Andre, Curtis,,,,,yes, way TOO many characters which is why we can’t see the vets!
Excellent interview Michael!!
I would love to see Erika Slezak, on GH or Y&R. Erika can play Dina Abbott Mergeron on Y&R. Also cast Erika, in a new role on GH or a recast of Audrey. Erika needs to be back on our screens again. She is a wonderful actress and still looks terrific for her age. Erika turned 70 years old.
Frank please bring Robin Strasser to General Hospital, I miss her so much. The lady can act.
You Can’t Just Think Of One Child: Sonny is involved in too many storylines! Bobbie’s birthday party was rushed. Liz does not need Jason to micromanage her life. The police department needs to be more competent. Jason comes across on screen as a bully. Where are the strong female characters?
Characters History: The only revelation from Cassidine’s Island is that Sam is pregnant. Nicholas is trained in the martial arts and should only lose to Jason with a gun. Dr. Mayes was the only doctor on staff in the vein of Steve Hardy – a no nonsense male doctor over the age of 40.
I like Dr. Mayes and was hoping him and Monica would date and fall in love.
I would have put him with Tracy!
“When you have actors that you love so much you try to find ways to use them.” Yep, that pretty much says it all….forget about characters who have real appeal/development potential or intriguing storylines to draw in the viewers…as long as the actors that are “loved” by the show get to come/stay on, well, that’s all that really matters! (As the current—and future?—-GH canvas attests…..)
My fear is that the writers are going to say Liz isnt a Webber but is really Hayden’s fraternal twin sister separated at birth…making nuJason old Jason was a big mistake-they should have went in a different direction and made him Dr.Q in honor of Alan…Nina in all the stories(Claudette’s, Valentin’s, and even Josslyn’s kidney story-ugh)…only improvement is less of Sabrina but they got her all wrapped in the Q’s-more UGH!!!
Well, not enough “less” of Sabs for my druthers, jimh, but hopefully Nelle’s appearance portends a new romance for Mikey….she’s much more suitable for him than the twice over babymama!!!! (Who needs to be out of the Q’s orbit for good!) Nelle and Michael would be an especially interesting couple if she turns out to be a Jacks!!!
After the debacle with the Liason vs JaSam wars, why would FV change Elizabeth’s history?
I like her this Nelle…i think she would make a good Allison Mckensie in a Peyton Place reboot…she makes Mikey more interesting…they were smart to bring her back…anyway its obvious Jacks is behind the kidney transplant but i didnt think at her possibly being a Jacks-that would make an interesting twist!!!
Agreed, jimh! I just read on another soap site that Nelle is supposedly related to someone else from GH’s past….I won’t spoil the secret, but I really hope it isn’t true, because I think making her a Jacks would be a far better idea! (By the way, I do see what you are saying about the Allison McKenzie thing….Peyton Place was before my time, but am aware of that show and its stars….)
They should have Nikki Smith kill Julian and then Vikki could take over the Port Charles Press. Just a thought.
Yes! Erika Slezak would be an awesome addition!
Such a crowded cast already, but would love to see both actresses on the show, Kassie DePaiva as well. Frank is awesome, and this cast is soooo talented. Frank, if you ever need to add a writer to your team and want to take a chance at an unkown, I am in! The GH cast is a writer’s dream cast!
Yes bring Erika to the show and yes Natalie too ill play different people but they will be part of the Claudette storyline would be great also bring tea please make happen
So agree
Why not ask if ilene Kristen is ever coming back as Delia-Ava’s momma???
Really, jimh! Delia as Ava’s mom was the one clever twist in that whole sorry Jerome debacle….she would be a natural to run Kelly’s, along with Robin Mattson’s prison-work release programmed Heather!!!! You would get two different Delias in the bargain! (And perhaps a delightful cameo or two from Ron Hale as Roger/Mike! How fun would that be????)
That sounds like fun-Dee and Heather running Kelly’s together-Ryans Hope is another soap i miss!!!
I watched Ryan’s Hope midway through the 80’s, so I missed a lot of the original characters from the show….but at least I was around for the “Two Dees!” (Or should I say three…..I seem to recall there was another actress in the mix, too, although for me, Ilene Kristen was truly the one and only, no offense meant to Robin Mattson!)
I’m 71 yrs young ,have been watching GH for over 40yrs, thank you, I think it’s fabulous. Please don’t put Alexis and Julian back together again, that wouldn’t be good For girls after all Alexis is a very strong woman.
Thank you
This Nancy, also watching for over 40 years. Nix Alexis and Julian–yes!
Erika should join GH or robin strasser I miss seeing robin!!!!
I hope Franco doesn’t get evil again. Just keeps him struggling with his inner demons. He’s quirky but funny.
Also wth bring back Alcazar.
Can’t find a killer “quirky” or “funny.” Sorry. Now the ACTOR is both of those–but he is saddled with a character that can’t be redeemed (even by removing a BRAIN TUMOR–say what???????
I’d love to see Alcazar too Margaret and Ted King was eager to come back but his character was tied up in legalities too. Not sure what was going on with that…
In other words Franco is OLTL’s Todd Manning. Sheesh.
You could bring Erica on as Claudette’s mother. That would be a great story line.
Franks is obviously out of touch with the majority of GH fans…b/c they are not happy with GH at all. Thus they FF lots which makes ratings stay down. Frank and Jelly need to visit some of the large fan based sites for a reality check.
Nothing is working on this show because its a disconnected/disjointed mess with too many characters. He doesn’t seem to care about the fact that keeping all of his friends employed is what has made this show what it is today. Nina, Franco, Finn, etc are failures but he keeps trying to sell them. The Cassadine Island “adventure”. What a joke that was. Weeks on end of actors just standing around in the same room talking about nothing. If anything he needs to be off the floor and locked in his office because his instincts and perceptions of what audiences want to see are totally backwards.
Glad to hear they will continue to use Laura. I’m only watching GH for Genie Francis (the rest of the show is not very good).
That goes for me also–BUT just when Genie gains momentum (and popularity) she disappears off screen.
I am going to take him at his word re Genie. He says: “She will be working nonstop.”
Re Julian and Alexis: I beg to differ with his analysis that they are “two people who really love each other and have betrayed one other.” Julian is incapable of love–can’t paint him any other way given his actions. And very disturbing that he goes on to say, “It happens.” Would be repugnant to me if TPTP get the two back together. (Retch!)
“Non stop”, at ABC’s commissary!
Good one!
Agree on both points!
I’m not saying they should or could get back together unless Julian was “cursed and possessed” by Helena ….she hated Alexis. But…I truly believe this couple loved each other…yes, Julian loved Alexis and I believe he still does. I also believe that he killed Carlos for fear he would get caught and lose Alexis and his family. And then…he snapped. Not the epitome of stability but he does love her…
Seems like quite a few of our Port Charles folk can kill someone they love:
Sonny threatened to kill Carly if Olivia died…instead he married her.
Nicolas had someone shoot to kill Hayden, she found out…but fell in love and married him.
Laura? Well, we know what happened between Luke and Laura back in the day…and still…she married him.
It’s a soap “opera” … The implausible somehow works itself out.
Re Michael Easton as Dr. Hamilton Finn: He says, “Michael is a personal friend of mine and “we took a big risk.” Re the “taking a big risk” part: W-A-Y too big a risk in my book!
At least FINN is better than Silas!
Yes, I DID think he started out in a more intriguing way. Kind of came to a stop, though, didn’t he?
About FINN, someone here said it best, JELLY can write a scene but not a story. How true. And it seems like a different spin on that is they and or FV have good ideas for new characters but they never think beyond a new characters introduction!
Re Erika Slezak: I love Erika Slezak, but hope that he wouldn’t bring her back and ruin her legacy and damage her reputation as he has done with RH–as Franco. Would be a real shame.
True. And nothing against Erica BUT we have our own legends we dont even see or use enough! [Monica, Bobbi, Tracy, Robert, Mac, Felicia, Scott, Lucy, freakin Ned!]
Dancing with the Stars Juniors
LISTEN TO THE REPLAY: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: Y&R’s Joshua Morrow, DWTS: Juniors & GH’s Hudson West & B&B’s Joe Lando
Photo Credits: CBS, JPI, ABC
Listen to “Soap Nation Live! October 2018” on Spreaker.
If you missed Thursday night’s broadcast of Soap Nation Live! with Michael Fairman you can now listen to the replay right here in audio player above!
This episode was given to the gents in soaps as Michael welcomed his very special guests: The Young and the Restless Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman), Dancing with the Stars: Juniors and General Hospital’s Hudson West (Jake), and The Bold and the Beautiful, and One Life to Live and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman favorite, Joe Lando (Judge Craig McMullen).
During this fun night of chat, Joshua weighed-in on the Shick wedding that went bust, when Sharon told Nick at the altar that she knows he had sex with Phyllis. Morrow, who will celebrate his 25th year as Nick Newman in early 2019 chimed in what the future for the stat-crossed couple may hold, and how he has enjoyed showing Nick’s dark side of late, plus he revealed one scene he felt uncomfortable with that he would not play, the ladies over the years in Nick’s life, and when asked by a listener of his memories of the late, great Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor), Joshua shared some fun and poignant remembrances. He also addressed the status of Doug Davidson at the CBS daytime drama, and hopes that the writers will find a way to utilize the Y&R vet in the future.
Next, Hudson West’s joined the podcast where he gave listeners the inside scoop on what it has been like to be one of the 12 celebrity kids competing in the first-ever Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, which debuts Sunday at 8PMEST in a two-hour season premiere on ABC. Hudson talked on how he has been learning the dance moves with his young pro dance partner and Dancing with the Stars pro mentor, how he deals with nerves before performing his dance routines and more. General Hospital fans who know of Hudson’s Daytime Emmy-nominated performance of Jake Webber, Elizabeth and Jason’s son, got some interesting tidbits when he talked about working with Rebecca Herbst, Steve Burton and more, and how much he loves being on the show.
The final guest of the night was Joe Lando. Prior to bringing Joe on the air, Michael played a classic clip from Megan’s death on One Life to Live from the 90’s, where Joe as Jake Harrison performed one of the saddest and most memorable scenes in soaps with his then acting partner, Jessica Tuck. Joe then revealed when he was on Soap Nation Live that it has been over 20 years since he had heard the scene, and was still moved by it. Lando who is now appearing as Judge McMullen on CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful teased there could be a love interest around the corner for the judge, as well as some retribution for his ruling in the custody case of Will Spencer, because of a favor called in by Ridge. Lando also talks about his time on the hit primetime series, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman as Byron Sully, and shared more about his time on One Life to Live working with the likes of: Erika Slezak, Bob Woods, and Tuck.
Last, during out Game Show segment, a lucky caller won two VIP tickets to the Star Struck Fan Event Fall Festival in Alexandria, Virginia featuring members of the cast of Days of our Lives, as well as a Y&R goodie bag; which includes a personalizes autographed picture of Joshua Morrow, after answering correctly some Nick Newman trivia!
For archived and past episodes of Soap Nation Live, you can go to the official show page on Spreaker.com here.
Now, listen to the broadcast with Joshua, Hudson, and Joe above, and then let us know via the comment section below what was your favorite moment in the broadcast.
Breaking News
General Hospital Honored With Sentinel Award For Alzheimer’s Storyline
This week, ABC’s General Hospital was one of the recipients and honorees at the 2018 Sentinel Awards.
The awards honor storylines that inform, educate, and motivate audiences to make choices for healthier and safer lives.
Now in their 19th year, the 2018 Sentinel Awards were presented by Hollywood, Health & Society (HH&S), a program of The Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The 12 outstanding Sentinel Awards honorees for 2018 spotlighted topics that included: nuclear safety, maternal health, HIV/AIDS, autism, sexual assault, mental health and disabilities.
One of those programs to receive the award was ABC’s General Hospital for “Sonny’s Dad storyline” which as viewers know shed a light on the progression of Alzheimer’s disease for those afflicted and their loved ones. The story is beautifully played by Max Gail (Mike) and Maurice Benard (Sonny). Accepting the award on behalf of the series was EP, Frank Valentini.
Other series, notably Empire was recognized for their abortion storyline, and Grey’s Anatomy for their Hemorrhage cart storyline representing Maternal health were two other popular shows that also received recognition for their work. among others.
So, proud of GH for receiving this honor for the work they are doing in telling the emotional tale of Mike’s battle with Alzheimer’s and how it affects Sonny and his family? Comment below.
Breaking News
Chloe Lanier Making A Return To General Hospital
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Expecting First Child!
Y&R’s Gina Tognoni Opens Up About Billy’s Bombshell With Summer & What’s Next For Phyllis
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Ashley’s Revenge Plot On Jack Revealed; He Is John’s Son After All!
Peter Reckell On The Passing Of DAYS Peggy McCay: “Looking in Peggy’s Eyes, All I Could See Was A Mom Who Loved Me, And Wanted The Best For Me.”
DAYS Stars Pay Tribute & Share Remembrances Of Peggy McCay
Days of our Lives Peggy McCay Passes Away
Adam Rippon Talks Judging Dancing With The Stars: Juniors And Stepping Away From His Olympic Figure Skating Life
WATCH: GH’s Hudson West Dances The Cha Cha In Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Debut!
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Billy Hits The Sheets With Summer As Philly and Shick Go Bust!
LISTEN TO THE REPLAY: Soap Nation Live! With Special Guests: Y&R’s Joshua Morrow, DWTS: Juniors & GH’s Hudson West & B&B’s Joe Lando
Y&R’s Gina Tognoni Opens Up About Billy’s Bombshell With Summer & What’s Next For Phyllis
Days of our Lives Peggy McCay Passes Away
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Ashley’s Revenge Plot On Jack Revealed; He Is John’s Son After All!
DAYS Stars Pay Tribute & Share Remembrances Of Peggy McCay
Peter Reckell On The Passing Of DAYS Peggy McCay: “Looking in Peggy’s Eyes, All I Could See Was A Mom Who Loved Me, And Wanted The Best For Me.”
B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Expecting First Child!
Adam Rippon Talks Judging Dancing With The Stars: Juniors And Stepping Away From His Olympic Figure Skating Life
Peter Reckell On The Passing Of DAYS Peggy McCay: “Looking in Peggy’s Eyes, All I Could See Was A Mom Who Loved Me, And Wanted The Best For Me.”
WATCH: GH’s Hudson West Dances The Cha Cha In Dancing with the Stars: Juniors Debut!
WATCH: General Hospital Cast Give JEOPARDY Clues!
Wendy Williams Is Loving On The Bold and the Beautiful!
Y&R’s Joshua Morrow and Sharon Case Take A Trip Down ‘Shick ‘Memory Lane!
Genie Francis Returns To General Hospital: Watch the Promo
NBC Unveils Days of our Lives Fall Season Promo Featuring Surprise Returns!
How to Get Away With Murder Season 5 Trailer Released Featuring B&B Alum Rome Flynn In His New Role
Will Y&R’s Jack Abbott Turn Out To Be Victor Newman’s Half-Brother?
One Life to Live’s Ellen Holly Talks Her Groundbreaking Role And Struggles As Carla Gray
InterviewsOctober 18, 2018Y&R’s Gina Tognoni Opens Up About Billy’s Bombshell With Summer & What’s Next For Phyllis
Breaking NewsOctober 10, 2018Days of our Lives Peggy McCay Passes Away
RecapsOctober 16, 2018THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS: Ashley’s Revenge Plot On Jack Revealed; He Is John’s Son After All!
Breaking NewsOctober 10, 2018DAYS Stars Pay Tribute & Share Remembrances Of Peggy McCay
Breaking NewsOctober 14, 2018Peter Reckell On The Passing Of DAYS Peggy McCay: “Looking in Peggy’s Eyes, All I Could See Was A Mom Who Loved Me, And Wanted The Best For Me.”
Breaking NewsOctober 18, 2018B&B’s Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Expecting First Child!
Dancing with the Stars JuniorsOctober 10, 2018Adam Rippon Talks Judging Dancing With The Stars: Juniors And Stepping Away From His Olympic Figure Skating Life