General Hospital
Is Frank Valentini about to be named new General Hospital EP and Jill Farren Phelps OUT?
There is a brand new tweet out tonight from ABC Soaps In Depth via their twitter page that is saying that they heard from sources at ABC/Disney that One Life to Live’s, executive producer, Frank Valentini is the new executive producer at General Hospital and that Jill Farren Phelps had been let go! The tweet also says the actors will find out in the AM!
We will stay on top of this developing story in the next 24 hours to see if these sources are correct, and this move has been made to re-schuffle and shake up things in Port Charles, or if this is just a plain rumor.
Valentini was scheduled to become the VP Serial Dramas for Prospect Park following the end of his run as EP on One Life to Live. But since Prospect Park bowed out of bringing the show online, that has freed up Valentini for other opportunties.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”
Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
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RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
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‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing
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Will Ron C. be that far behind????
I only hope that if this is true, that Mr. Valentini, will take into account, GH rich history, that he will be smart enough to take into consideration what fans have been asking for, we don’t want someone coming in and thinking they have to populate the show w/ all new characters. I think oltl was a fun show w/ great history, but i don’t want GH to become a copy of oltl, cause i don’t think that would work for the show. It would also be a mistake to populate the show w/ the oltl cast, although i wouldn’t mind seeing a few of the actors on GH, thats not what we want now. we need the show fixed w/ its current cast intact. GH biggest problem right now is storyline an the pacing. Its not the cast, so please don’t mess w/ that. I think the mistake of anyone who comes in, is thinking that they have to completly overhaul the show, and one of the reasons Garin Wolf is failing is because he’s awful at pacing the show, and hardly did anything storyline wise, he’s basically still telling Bob Guza s storylines.
MAYBE THEN I’D WATCH AGAIN IF BOTH FRANK N RON WERE THERE.
If Frank is EP can he do whatever he wants? Can he integrate OLTL characters and storylines into GH? What about just dumping GH and replacing it with OLTL? OLTL beats GH in every category of the ratings, except for tying in the women 18-49 rating:
https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/ratings/ratings-good-week-for-daysoltlgh
Oh wait, most of the New York actors from OLTL don’t want to go to LA. If Frank stays in New York, moves GH there, and transforms it into OLTL, the world would be better off (in my dreams).
yes thats right in your very bad dream, dream on about oltl being better then GH.
Well, if that is the case, my guess is that Disney is doing everything it can to keep Valentini on the pa
(oops, let me finish it now)
Well, if that is the case, my guess is that Disney is doing everything it can to keep Valentini on the payroll and quiet about the OLTL/Prospect Park debacle. I am sure FV would/could have a LOT to say…
Don’t do it frank. I think its an evil plan by abc to say that even the talents of valentini couldn’t save gh and abc will feel justified in their decisions to cancel amc, my beloved oltl, and gh. I feel gh fate has already been decided by abc. They haven’t publicly announced the cancellation yet because oltl is still on until jan. But its coming. If fv did go to gh, I do not want to see any oltl characters on that show. Oltl deserves there own time to live in llanview not port charles.
they should get some OLTL actors while they are at it a lot of people are complaining about the newbies they are bringing on, with some established talent new characters will be easier to accept for some.
Why are they even Bothering As Gh Is being cancelled will be off the air by next yr.Abc/disney WILL announce it by end of JAN. Katie Couric Is Having Her Own Show In GH time slot That was Announced MONTH’S AGO.
What I don’t get is why ABC is so quick to try and snatch up Frank & Ron from OLTL when they are canceling that show. So, they’re good enough to be with GH, but not OLTL? These decisions make no sense. OLTL is kicking GH’s butt in the ratings, and obviously ABC believes that the people in charge over at OLTL know what they are doing…..so why are they canceling OLTL again?
while its true that oltl is currently kicking GH in the ratings, when you stack up both shows towgether, and compare their history, its clear that GH is more of a gem then oltl could ever dream of being. GH, afterall has 10 emmy’s as best show, its made history thanks to LUKE AND LAURA, and if thats not enough to convince you, then just go to any soap opera magazine stand and you will see that GH, gets more covers then oltl. what does that mean? clearly that GH, even w/ lover ratings still is more popular as are their stars when it comes to sellin magazines. and i’m also pretty sure, that in the history books, GH outshines OLTL. Now my biggest hope is that Mr. Valentini, and Mr. Calveriti not try to make GH into OLTL. Both shows clearly have rich history, so heres hoping that they take that into account and respect that. I don’t want to tune in to GH and see a bunch of OLTL actors, I don’t mind a few, especially if they replace the current new characters, but, GH doesn’t need a cast overhaul, now, since OLTL isn’t going online, i wouldn’t mind seeing some characters cross over. The possibilities could be endless, so heres hoping for the best.
well, we will have to agree to disagree because OLTL as a show outshines GH any day. I don’t care how many awards GH has managed to pick up….it’s not all about the awards, it’s the quality of the show….and watching hour after hour, day after day of the Jason/Sonny hour doesn’t quantify a great soap, in my opinion. And furthermore, the awards they have received are all based on a system that no one in the industry is happy with. The nomination selection is finally being addressed this year, so I’m looking forward to that. I’m sure Ron & Frank will do their best, but if I were you I wouldn’t get my hopes up, because ABC will undoubtedly cancel GH.
I hope this is true. Jill Farren Phelps ruined GH with the help of Bob Guza, and unfortunately, it hasn’t been much better with Garin Wolf. This could be the shake up that GH needs, to help return it back to what it once was, the best soap on television.
I also think this is a positive sign that ABC is at least trying to save GH. If they didn’t care, and just wanted to see it die, then they could have left the current regime in place. So I’m cautiously optimistic about this news, if it does turn out to be true.
Just like the AMC move to California was suppose to be a positive one and show the fans how much ABC was behind its soaps, I wouldn’t put too much optimism behind this announcement. This is all smoke and mirrors from ABC….we all know that Katie Couric is lined up for her new show to begin next fall, so I can already read the writing on the wall.
I agree with you Torrey. After putting our hopes in Prospect Park and being let down, it’s good for us not to get our hopes up about anything, yet still not to give up the fight either.
This has GOT to be an improvement! I’ve never been a fan of Jill Farren Phelps. Hopefully, she will restore the Quartermaines (which at first looked promising with the return of Robin Christopher, who was promptly written out again — at least we get to see Leslie Charleson more often) and tone-down the stupid, tiresome mob storylines. American soap execs need to take a look at the UK’s “Coronation Street” and “EastEnders,” whose characters are wonderfully Dickens-like and whose storylines center on real, plausible events affecting a canvas of real, working-class people.
Yes !! I am Canadian and watch Coronation Street… prehaps I will just dump all American soaps once my beloved One Life To Live ends… Coronation Street will be enough for me…
But hey… just so everyone knows how the Brits do it.. Coronation Street airs on Itv, Monday nights for 30 mins, then breaks for 30 mins, and the second half airs after that, then a 30 min episode on Thurdays, and the same schedule on Friday as on Mondays. When they have a major story arc happening, it airs every night during the week and sometimes on Sundays as well. It always airs after the 7pm time slot, and always in the evening, never during the day… Yes, I used to live in the UK.
Good for Ron and Frank finding work again, they deserve it! Hopefully this will make GH watchable until it ends. I hope they bring some OLTL actors and their characters to GH. Get rid of the useless and newbies, plus they are loosing two vets. Maybe this will keep actors from quitting now.
I won’t watch GH unless it’s really good or unless they bring OLTL characters there.
I am just so absolutely dissapointed that they couldn’t do something to save our soaps. I like some talk shows but not a staedy diet of them all day long. Why can’t we have a station that is just a soap channel? Like the Soap Newtork, air only soaps on this channel and those of us who want to watch soaps will, those who want to watch all of those stupid talk shows will, but do not try to force us into watching them by putting them on during the day on the local channels. It will not work. We will find movies to watch.