General Hospital
GH's Frank Valentini, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante, Have Inked New Deals!
Photo: ValentiniTwitter
Looks like the creative team from General Hospital is staying put! According to a report from Daytime Confidential on Friday, executive producer Frank Valentini, and co head-writers, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante will continue on in their roles behind the scenes at the ABC daytime drama series.
Frank Valentini has been at the helm of GH since coming over from One Life to Live in 2012, replacing then EP Jill Farren Phelps, and as for Shelly and Jean, they took over the top scribe spots from exited head writer Ron Carlivati in 2015.
With this past week’s news of several casting changes, exits and more, it will be interesting to see just what the thressome have in store for General Hospital fans as it moves into fall and then into the key November sweeps storylines and into 2017.
So, what do you think of the news of Valentini, Altman and Passanante all signing on the dotted line with the series? What creative decisions do you hope they make moving forward with the characters on the canvas? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Happy about Valentini, not so much about Passanante and Altman. Hope they step things up and soon.
My sentiments exactly
Mine too!
I feel the opposite. Jelly have been okay – not stellar but okay.
Valentini has done more to dissipate the legacy and essence of GH than any other individual except for Jill F’n Phelps. He is responsible for blowing up the cast to an unmanageable size so that the show is almost unrecognizable. Bringing in people that GH viewers couldn’t care less about – making them offers “they couldn’t refuse” and paying for them by low balling the longtime characters we tune in for. Latest being Tyler Christopher. I guess Brian Frons will have had the last laugh when GH finally bites the dust – whenever that new ABC Daytime hire finally does his/her job and comes up with a successful replacement show… because Brian had the idea for that ABC mega soap and Valentini has so little creativity on his own that he can only follow the ideas of his fired former boss. No money for writing infrastructure, just money for other shows stars and recurring actors. Just, ugh.
Bring back Ron Carlivati! Even if it’s not as head writer, he was very creative and I loved the characters he created–Nina, Dr Obrecht, Spencer,–they were all great under him. I don’t think he would have written Julian and Alexis the way they are written now.
EXTREMELY angry over killing off Sabrina….we just got Teresa back…there was so much more for her….TERRIBLE DECISION
TeCa was just background noise after her break up with Patrick. Her character was just a glorified day player for the past two years.
But she absolutely could have been more if she had been written for.
Bingo!
I actually like Jelly! They are not perfect… much better than Y&R’S new writers.
Someone at Sony at least cares about Y&R – having hired a soap EP from a very successful British franchise and now just having replaced the head writer who is beloved for her character driven writing history at the apprenticeship of the show’s creator.
Meanwhile, GH continues with a showrunner who is far more preoccupied with hiring his friends than he is with building upon the legacy he was handed.
Meaning, replaced the head writer with another who is beloved……….
Let me now eat crow… I apologize and stand corrected… It appears that I have the wrong writer Sally is not a bad writer!
If Jane Elliot is leaving to retire…i hope they have good sense to write a good exit story for her…i see Tracy getting custody of Sabrina’s child and leaving town to reunite with Luke…show needs more Qs then…Brook lynn could return and be like Tracy…again AJ is alive and now played by Nick Stabille…
Better AJ than Nikolas. No offense to Stabile but he just doesn’t carry off the brooding prince.
Luke will not welcome a baby!
Okay, there it is, the death of GH! Frank doesnt care about the history or the fans and JELLY are a hot mess! Mark my words, IF you see a big names like Maurice or Nancy not renew their contracts after they expire, they know the end is near!
GH has been dead for a long time now. No Frank doesn’t care about GH history, GH characters, actors, legacies. He doesn’t care about long time GH fans and they are the largest pool of potential viewers, those who have tuned out; and their not returning for Frank’s GH.
Look at recent events. Tyler Christopher, 20 year Vet, legacy character out. Can’t come to a contract agreement with him but Howarth & Easton are happy as clams; they’re front and center, were literally on every single day for about three weeks. Oh and guess what, ratings are still in the toilet.
GH Veteran Actors are a vanishing breed. TC gone. Jason Thompson, Patrick, another legacy unhappy and leaves. Sean Kanan felt the environment was hostile and bailed, legacy AJ Quartermain killed after being brought back. Duke Lavery killed as well. Steve Burton wanted some flexibility to commute to TN and Frank wouldn’t do it. Yet Howarth goes back and forth to NY. And of course characters like Ric and Mac are never on, Jax is brought on for a cameo and the same with Robert Scorpio. That’s Robert Scorpio.
There is no commitment to GH history, actors , characters or fans. The show is unrecognizable and will remain where it is. Maybe Frank does manage to keep budgets in line, seems like he does that by low balling GH Vets and keeping them off the show. And whatever GH’s profit is, it would be greater with better ratings but the network doesn’t seem to understand that a show that resembles GH and would attract GH fans is not being produced. I can’t imagine they don’t care, that they wouldn’t want to maximize profits, all networks, all businesses do.
Very true. I think they keep Frank around solely because he runs under budget.
it does seem to be that way.. I think we need some new writers, etc.. not killing off our actors, vets.. something really needs to change.. can they not see what is happening, and they must care about the viewers.. someone over there must care about us the viewers opinions, and the show itself, and whomever is on top musst know something needs to be done to get our beloved GH back on top,and they need to know how important our favorite actors, and all actors are to us all
Agree 100% with everything you said. But I thought SB left before Frank became EP?
Great post. I totally agree with you. I don’t think Frank is producing GH; I think he’s producing a so-called “super-soap” with all of these actors from dead soaps driving beloved GH vets off the screen.
I agree with your every word, AJQ.
Awesome post, AJQ!
Amen! And you mentioned Ric, there are tons of stories for him but he is not one of Frank’s Boys!
It has been rumored that if GH goes down it will be with this group they are not interested in making changes the writin is weak and Frank is just like JFP lets keep all my friends employed even if their characters are not working that well with the audience.
Interesting — oh to be a fly on the wall at ABC to find out all the behind the scenes drama that goes into negotiations like these– either ABC could get these three for dirt cheap or else a big chunk of the production budget went to them so they played hard balled with some actors– or had to get rid of some to afford them– who knows, all I know is poor Souu is not going to like this–
Bring back Teresa Castillo loyal fan Faith Sealock
Bring back Teresa Castillo
So when will Teresa Castillo’s–Sabrina’s–twin come waltzing in? LOL!
Yeah happy about Frank but P and A really need to step it up. GH is going down hill again.
FANTASTIC!!
I would love to see better storylines . I want to see more of GH core characters with interesting and believable stories. And for crying out loud let’s see some justice brought down on those dishing out torture. Writers please study the history of the characters and be consistent. Stop making up stories as you go along. Really disappointed in the way stories are written.
I so agree
Happy for Frank, but we really need Ron back.
Say what you want about Ron, but he was certainly better than these two.
Agree that Ron should not have been let go but I doubt they will bring him back. I don’t see how they can redeem Paul now so he will be the next character to go. This s/l with him killing people is silly and the worst idea ever imo
Ron’s first two years at the helm were much better than the stories Jean and Shelly have been putting out. But 2015 was a HOT MESS for GH with everything from Fluke, to Denise DeMuccio, to Duke’s death, to Valerie in general, to Luke’s send off, to Silas’ death… it was painful at times.
RC was alone.. He needed a Co-writer.. He also needed a rest..
His writing was very invigorating! Never a dull moment.
Ron was a master with twists & turns and surprises.
His mysteries were intriguing and on the edge..
That Luke stuff was Tony and FV with their fingers in the pie.
could after, RC was happy about it..nor was he happy keeping Luke’s story alive for 6 months until his return.
Yet, he gave us the brilliant black&white reveal a got an emmy for it.
I agree with you Jimmy, some of those storylines from 2015 were messy as heck.
I also agree with you su0000 Ron needed a co-writer.
He could be very good and it was clear he was a true fan of the genre, but he could also go off the rails, badly. He needed someone to tell him NO on occasion
Preach!
Same old. Same old. (Sigh!)
I don’t pay as much attention to the powers behind the scenes like many of you. So I do hope at least one of these people can inject some life into GH. Too many excess characters (I keep trying to imagine the meeting that gave the green light to characters like Aaron, Claudette, Valerie), not enough legacy character time (though lately that seems on the upswing), and truly great actors (Roger Howarth, Billy Miller, Jane Elliot) not given material they can run with to thrill us as they have in the past. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
Seriously, who on earth calls these women “Jelly”?? Lol, that’s the lamest thing I’ve ever heard. But it’s appropriate considering what a hot mess this once proud show has become on a regular basis on their watch.
I hope I’m wrong, but it clearly seems that ABC is purposely trying to tank GH and ultimately cancel it. Do the execs at ABC/Disney really think these women are doing a great job writing for this show? Do they actually listen to and consider fan feedback? It’s been an unwatchable, bloated, poorly paced snooze fest for the last year. I’m so sick and tired of these recycled has-beens that are so out of touch with modern times continuing to write for these shows. How about some fresh, new, young blood for a change? Is it any wonder that young females are tuning out these soaps in droves?
Happy about Passanante and Altman, they’ve done some beautiful writing. Not so much about Valentini, please let story lines play out, and not just die on the vine. Michael and Sabrina would have been more dramatic, had we actually seen them together in a romantic SL in the past 3 months. Michael, Felix, Brucas, Molly, Kristina, Parker, all chillin at another coffee shop? We see them for 5 minutes every 2-3 months. Sad.
I have been a watcher since the 70s – thinking about calling it a wrap!!
Great news about Frank. Not that impressed with the writers. I much preferred the storylines when Ron was writing – so much more interesting
For those who like Frank but not the writers………why?
0ooh
$%*^%%^*!!!! Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante just $#@&^!!
I want them gone..
They destroyed GH, actually it is no longer GH it is empty of all that made it GH..
Those Idiots at ABC are killing GH with Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante…
This year is the year GH will fall, wait for it..
su000, cannot agree this time–GH had been LONG gone–Guza shares the lion’s share for its decline. As do his successors. Remember, the writers (now Altman and Passanante) are “under their thumb.”
See Su? It’s all relative. To you, who hasn’t been watching GH for decades, the GH you knew and loved is gone. For others, who watched the show years ago, or maybe even from the beginning, their version of GH is or was gone when “your” GH came around. LOL…well, now almost everyone can agree that the GH they loved is gone…even if they’re talking about different versions!
ITA with you Rodd. I am not happy with the writing at all. While Sabrina wasn’t a favorite of mine I did like her with Michael better than with Patrick. I do like Teresa Castillo and will look forward to seeing her in other projects. I won’t miss Bryan Craig. The bipolar storyline is important and the writers are playing with the medication. Not Cool!
Personally, as proven with Michael Easton FV is able to reuse actors as new characters, I would throw Julian and Ava in prison where they belong. Keep the actors and create new characters.
I guess Michael and Nelle will hook up with Sabrina gone.
I hope they do things to like Tyler back on gh please the fans want that so much I know yall can do it.
Apparently Disney and ABC hate GH.
The combination of this writing team and EP has proven to be a lethal combination. I believe the buck stops with the EP and he is to blame for the bad writing which has led to the loss of beloved characters and which favors his pets (Stafford, West, Howarth, Eastman).
First off the head of the EP and then give me the heads of the writing team.
It’s too bad the three of them are being rewarded for doing a terrible job.
You said it, Harry!
I’m EXTREMELY disappointed Jean & Shelley are NOT leaving!!! They Absolutely ruined my favorite soap!!! I tape everyday now and I’m FF more and more lately. REALLY sad because there are some FABULOUS actors on that show. Each week things seem to get worse. TRULY DEPRESSING!!!
Agreed!
Anne…AMEN!!!!! I still remember how Jean and Shelly (in certain ways) RUINED Y&R with their GOD-AWFUL WRITING!!!!! Beyond sad.
Take care, Anne.
Not so happy….they are slowly destroying GH and all it’s characters.
I think Frank has done a good job with GH since taking over 4 years ago. But Jean and Shelly HAVE to go. They’re digging GH into the ground with stories that drag on far too long and lack the interest and substance they should have. The pacing is deathly slow, as show-days easily run for over a week (as evidenced by Sam spending over a week in her wedding dress!) and very little story progress is made in that time.
Not to mention, GH is over populated with characters that viewers don’t care about who take away screen time from established characters, like Tracy, who should be front and center in story. Plus, GH has just lost Tyler Christopher and Bryan Craig, leaving the future of Nikolas and Morgan up in the air. The future of the show looks pretty bleak unless the cast is culled, the pacing is sped up, and stories have more intrigue and suspense, with big payoffs.
The pacing, the hiring of characters that viewers don’t care about, the loss of GH vets and legacy characters, is all on Frank. What on earth is it that you think he has done a good job with?
Dumb move killing off Sabrina! Morgan and Kiki are boring!
And that’s just the start of the problems! Half the characters on this show (Amy, Darby, Andre, Griffin, Claudette, Nathan, Valerie, Joe, etc.) need to go.
I am not a fan of Jelly or Frank so far, I have a lot of concerns with the writing and the direction of the show, I can only hope things get better, the characters have loss a lot of their zing, there don’t seen to be any follow through , and a lot of the stories fall flat, there seems to be some people up front and others in the back ground. I need more balance with all the characters. Hoping things change.
Yikes! This news sent a shiver down my spine. General Hospital deserves better than what it’s getting from these three. ABC seemingly could not care less about this once-magnificent daytime drama or its loyal viewers.
I don’t care for the new writers, Frank is fiNE I suppose. I also don’t mind them bringing on ONE LIF TO LIVE actors, I miss them and the show! Killing off Sabrina was a huge mistake, I feel like they want to throw Michael with the kidney donor (can’t think of her name) My opinion is there just aren’t that many soaps left. Good or bad, if people stop watching because so and so leaves or quits or retires they’ll take GH away from us too! If your a true die hard fan KEEP WATCHING!
Bringing all the OLTL actors in helter-skelter certainly alienated a lot of fans.
Stop adding characters. Let the extraneous ones go. Focus on core families and the show’s history. Gahhhh!
Bad move when you killed off sabrina need to bring her back like yesterday
Talk of the hospital closing makes me wonder if the network will pull the plug right from under our viewing eyes. Writers Jean and Shelley have been kept on is awful news. Bring Ron C. back. I think he and FV make a good team. All shows lag from time to time. I expect it. I couldn’t watch Alexis on today’s show on the stand. To see a successful woman reduced to drinking over the past few weeks. The writers should take responsibility for terrible writing about alcoholism and bipolar. In the wake of journalist Elizabeth Vargas’ real life story I prefer the real story than the fake one.
Soaps have suffered across the board. The courtroom scenes were showing the bare bones production. I really didn’t see a jury. The court gallery had many empty chairs…I don’t feel entertained. Does anyone?
Greatly disappointed that Tyler is not coming back. The fans watch the show cause we love that actors that portray the characters in the show. The Quartermains. The Spencer’s The older characters are vital to GH. I have been watching since day 1 with my mother. I love the show and want to see it run another 50 years. Please stop killing off the ones we love. Get Tyler back. Bring Luke & Robert back Write for the viewers. Keep us watching. Why woul a writer kill off Alan Quartermain. He was loved. Still angry.
Please make the show more interesting. It seems storylines are recycled; no one has a happy ending. I actually do not look forward to weddings or relationships, because you know something tragic will occur. Surprise us with a happy ending for a change!
Also, storylines are dragged out way too long. Case in point – Jason’s memory, Paul’s murder spree, Sonny’s wheelchair stint. Writers, you got new contracts, now earn them please!
So i herd that Jean said she hated soaps. So then if that is the case then why is she behind the senses of a soap that is so well loved? Glad Frank is sticking around. I don’t know about Shelley.
With all due respect, I stopped watching General Hospital for good after the “One Life cast debacle”. It’s been going down hill for years. I can’t believe the executives at ABC cancelled One Life and All My Children and kept General Hospital going. Nothing against the actors, most of them are talented and do the best they can with the lame storytelling. But for them it must get frustrating!
I honestly believe pretty soon all so papa will be on the Internet! I no longer watch any of the ones on TV but I do see the ratings falling steadily!!
Ok now. It’s time that y’all earned these new contracts. Like I stated on the Ava/Nina feud. You are sitting on something very explosive. Let the truth come out that Nina is her real mom. Have Nina flip out and finally attack Ava thinking she killed her. Have her bury her alive and later to come back and haunt Nina. After a few Ava sightings, have Nina go dig up the grave. Once the dust settles, Nina and Kiki begin their new relationship. As Ava begin her revenge on Nina, Kiki will be the one hurt and has an accident that leaves her comatosed. The doctors discovers she is pregnant and that she or both of them may not survive. Here’s a chance for Nina to raise a child.
Second- Sabrina is not dead. Joe finds her and injects her with something to lower heart rat. Joe wins custody of Teddy and leaves town. Months later, Sabrina awakens and finds out Joe is really Carlos. They switched places to divert attention so he could rescue Sabrina in Puerto Rico but Sonny and Michael found her. Posing as his brother, Joe is the one Julian killed. This opens up a tidal wave of emotions and storylines for Julian, Sonny, Michael, and Ana. But the really big thing should be that Sabrina is really Sonny’s daughter with Lily. Lily didn’t die in that explosion. They pulled her out from underneath the car and was held against her will till. By the time she escaped, she read that Sonny married Brenda. When all this hits the fan and Carlos is discovered alive, Sonny can not kill him because he’s his son inlaw. But Lily comes to town and recon havoc on PC takin her revenge on Sonny.
Third- so over Claudette. She should be killed by her priest lover Griffin and go to trial.
Fourth- get Ilene back as Ava’s mother. Let Heather escape and start her own killing spree. Let the two ex-Delia’s (Ryan’s Hope) battle it out.
Fifth- this embryo story is disgusting but who said he had to be Stavros? Jason was there too. By the way, Jason needs a bigger story. He’s being waisted.
Sixth- Morgan goes to school out of the country. No big deal.
Seventh- If Tyler doesn’t come back, get a replacement (Michael Muhney). Pair him with Ava and have her to marry him. Have her and Laura constantly at odd’s on the island. Let Ava discover the tunnels and come across another family secret.
Eight- whatever became of this big secret between Brad Cooper and Rosalie. You can’t just push this aside. Deal with it. Wrap it up. But make it good and worth the wait. Tie her heritage to an old forgotten family like the Barringtons.
Ninth- It’s time for Lucky’s return to the canvas for good.
Tenth- Leisl’s secret comes out. Valentin is Nathan’s real dad. He is also the father of Kiki. This is why he came across Nina. He remembered her in a similar predicament. Drunk at the bar after she found Silas in bed with Ava. So he took advantage of her- enter Kiki.
Let’s go!
I definitely AGREE with bringing Ilene Kristen BACK… pronto (Delia Ryan).
DANG IT – just when it seemed Maura West was on her way back and OUT of Sonny and Carly orbit; she loses 3 men
Morgan / Paul / Nicholas
let’s see some bonding and maternal instincts and insight to what makes Ava tick
GH ! do not squander Maura West… when she got on that plane to London… with Tyler Christopher… that was one ride that held promise.
so… let’s see Ava with mumsy … especially if GH still wants to tear Kiki from her… or is that now going to be Nelle ?
Another thing……… Todd Manning and Star must return. Blair and Tea are welcomed too. I hate to say this but Todd and Franco can be twins. Why not? They are popping up everywhere. Or not, send Franco over the edge and have Jason finally kill him. Todd’s pairing with Carly was awesome chemistry but what about with Nina? Hmmm. Roger Howarth is a phenomenal actor. Puts you in the mind frame of Robert Downey Jr.
I never watched GH until the OLTL migration.
I wish Roger could play Todd Manning again, too. Todd was a much better character, more worthy of an actor of Howarth’s caliber.
I do like his work with Hayley Erin (the current Kiki).
It would be great to see Todd and Blair reunited or Todd and Carly spark once more. I hate how she accepts all of Sonny’s mob activity.
It was a shame how Franco and Nina were squandered. It was all downhill after they left Shady Brook. One or two love scenes, then nothing but arguments over getting married and having or not having babies.
Now, the only characters/story I tune in to watch is Franco and Elizabeth. Delightful chemistry between Roger and Rebecca Herbst–just loathe how they got trapped in the pitiful hospital murderer saga.
Hate having my intelligence insulted, as when the power went out at GH and Monica just stood around how long it would take to restore.
Don’t all hospitals automatically switch to generators, if for no other reason, to maintain life-support systems???!!!
Overall, a thumbs up move to retain Frank Valentini.
Not very encouraged to see Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante kept in charge of the scripts. Wishing Ron Carlivati would reassume his duties as head writer–and immediately either bring back the Mannings, recreate the Todd and Carly magic or do justice to Franco and Elizabeth!!!
Correction: Monica just stood around , asking how long it would take to restore power.
And, once again, incompetence and failure are being rewarded. This regime has turned GH into a sad, incomprehensible joke. Characters that were once faceted and compelling are being made to look foolish. Stories seem pointless and gratuitously cruel. And, despite the spin TIIC try to put on it, ratings are sagging. At least CBS is trying to fix their mistakes with Y&R. ABC, on the other hand, is just making things worse. We life-long soap fans want to see GH live and thrive for many years to come. However, it’s painfully apparent that the network doesn’t share those sentiments.
Please don’t take GH off get good writers an don’t take main characters off we luved Sabrina Nicholas an Morgan what’s going on hope u can fix this problem we luv GH
Frank is understandable since it’s always pointed out how he brings the show in under budget.
But Jean and Shelly…why? Their material over the last year has been lackluster at best — no suspense, no romance, no storyline payoffs — and fan reaction to the show over the last year has been less than enthusiastic so why can’t this show just admit it made a mistake and bring back Ron Carlivati?
GH isn’t going to survive unless it moves the focus from the Corinthos family and back to the hospital where it belongs. The network seems to think that Sonny is the ratings grabber but forgets this show was hottest when the stories revolved around Laura Webber and romance at the hospital.
GH *is* centered around the hospital. That place has been used more in the past year than any other setting. Really, if you break down the episodes, the hospital is always the setting of at least one plot thread for every episode. Even during wedding episodes, viewers find themselves back @ GH for some reason or another.
I agree RC can bring the excitement. But, he really went off the rails for the last 6 months of his tenure there, and that was with Jean & Shelly working with him at the time. His writing was like watching Morgan be bipolar – crazy highs that went out of the stratosphere combined with lows that made no sense & went nowhere.
Bottom line: This is NOT good news…
I am fair. As I posted earlier the sadness of JELLY resigning, I must give them credit for Thursdays show. The dialogue between Lulu and Kevin and Monica and Jason was really good!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award nominations kicked-off on Monday with the announcements of four major categories including, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and among the nominees is General Hospital’s Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Burton is already a two-time Daytime Emmy winner in the Supporting Actor category for his roles as GH’s Jason and his turn as Dylan McAvoy on Y&R. However, Steve is yet to win in the Lead Actor category and he has received 11 nominations along the way in his daytime career.
Following the reveal that he is a 2026 Daytime Emmy nominee, he and his GH co-star, podcast co-host and comedy show partner, Bradford Anderson (Spinelli) taped a special edition of their That’s Awesome podcast just featuring Burton’s reaction to the news.
Photo: JPI
FOR LESLIE CHARLESON
Steve expressed, “I know it’s such a cliche to say, ‘I’m just so honored to be nominated.’ But truly, I’m so grateful to be nominated, so grateful to just be on the show off and on for 30 plus years and to be nominated with the guys in my category. Just to get the opportunity. Frank (Valentini, executive producer, GH) texted me right away. I was just like, ‘Thank you for the opportunity to get to do what I do.'”
Taking in the moment, Burton thanked those who helped him select the material for his nominated reel. “Unless you win, you don’t get to say things. So. I’m going just say a few things: Elizabeth Korte (co-head writer, GH) helped me a lot with the material, (as did) Michelle Henry, who’s a producer on the show, Laura Wright (Carly, GH), and then my wife Michelle (Lundstrom). I believe it was Jill Phelps who told me that when A Martinez felt like he had a great show or great scenes, he would mark it down. So, when Emmy time comes, you have all the show numbers written down, and you don’t have to think about it, because that’s half the battle (finding the material).
Burton explained how meaningful this nomination is for him, because of playing the scenes of Jason losing Monica, and his closeness with the late, great Leslie Charleson.
“The nomination’s an amazing thing, and it’s beautiful, but really it’s to honor Leslie Charleson. A lot of my material was because of her, and how I started on the show as a Quartermaine, it just means a ton,” shared Burton. “Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) has obviously has been instrumental, and I’ve said it from day one and I’ll shout it from the rooftops. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be here, and to be working with the people that we work with is incredible.”
Photo: JPI
SHOULD JOHN OLIVER BE NAMED HOST OF THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
During the end of his conversation with Anderson, Steve suggested that the host of the Daytime Emmy should be Last Week Tonight’s John Oliver, who recently guest starred as the head of the WSB named Z on General Hospital, and is soon to show up on Days of Our Lives in a mystery role in August.
Thus far, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has not revealed their host for the upcoming ceremony to be held on October 30 in a venue to be named in Hollywood, California.
You can watch Steve sharing his reaction to receiving his 2026 Lead Actor Daytime Emmy nomination below on a special segment on the That’s Awesome podcast.
Now let us know, are you glad that Steve chose scenes surrounding Jason mourning the loss of the woman that raised him, Monica Quartermaine for his Emmy reel? What do you think of John Oliver as a suggestion to host the Daytime Emmys? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer.
Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.
As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.
Photo: ABC
A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY
Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.
Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.
Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.
Courtesy/ABC
WSB WAR SCARS
Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.
In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.
Courtesy/ABC
Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”
So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.
Monday afternoon, Extra kicked-off the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations with the reveal of two major categories. First, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Daytime Drama Series — Actor, and second, Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host.
Previous Emmy winners all, the men who will be vying for daytime’s most coveted prize are: Eric Braeden (Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan), General Hospital, Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful, Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Christian Jules Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless.
Let’s take a look at the actors Emmy resumes: Eric Braeden has been nominated nine times for Lead Actor and won once in 1998. Steve Burton is a two-time Daytime Emmy winner, both in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category for GH as Jason Morgan and Y&R as Dylan McAvoy. Today’s nomination makes it his 10th overall, and his third time in the the Lead Actor category.
Photo: NATAS
Scott Clifton has won three times previously in 2011, 2013 and 2017 and has the distinction of being the only actor to win in Younger Actor, Supporting and Lead. This is his 8th nomination.
Thorsten Kaye is a two-time Lead Actor winner in 2023 and 2024. Christian LeBlanc has also won three times as Lead Actor in 2005, 2007 and 2009 and this is his first nod in over a decade.
Photo: NBCUniversal
TALK SHOW HOSTS
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, the nominees are: Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin, and Ana Navarro, The View, Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall, Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and Sherri Shepherd, Sherri.
Both The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri have come to their conclusions as Sherri was canceled after 4 seasons and Kelly Clarkson decided to end her talk show after 7 seasons.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are set to be handed out in a ceremony on October 30 in Hollywood with more details forthcoming. The complete list of 2026 Daytime Emmy nominations will be revealed tomorrow on July 14 beginning at 12pm ET/9am PT via The Emmys.TV social channels and website.
So, what do you think of the race for Lead Actor in a Drama Series? Surprised by any of the nominees? Who are you rooting for? What do you think about the the talk show host category? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
‘General Hospital’ Marks Unprecedented 16,000th Episode Milestone with New Cast Photo
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‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
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‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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