Connect with us

General Hospital

40

Jean Passanante Rejoins The Writing Team Of General Hospital!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Veteran daytime drama scribe Jean Passanante, who recently revealed her departure from the writing team at The Young and the Restless, is heading back to her former digs on the writing team at ABC’s General Hospital!

Passanante confirmed the news via Twitter last evening tweeting:  “Heading back to Port Charles! I hear there’s one nutty hospital there.

The last time Jean was writing for the characters of GH was back in November of 2013, prior to her taking the co-head writing position at The Young and the Restless.

As soap fans know, Jean has written for a myriad of other soap operas including: Another World, All My Children, As the World Turns, and One Life to Live.  The move reunites her with her longtime colleague, GH head writer Ron Carlivati.

So, happy to hear the news that Jean is coming back to work at General Hospital?  Comment below!

40 Comments

40 Comments
oldest
newest

so glad that she will be back writing for general hospital.

Bring Steve back with you! Talk about ratings!!!! Thru the roof!!!!

Yuck! Steve is a horrible one note actor…Y&R can keep him!

It’s great news. I hope she can focus on families and bring some love and romance to GH! NO mob.

I agree–sick of the mob storylines, especially Sonny, Carly, and Franco. But that’s what fast-forward on my DVR is for.

I luv the mob stuff as do many fans..
GH IS mob stuff mixed with a variety of stories,,
GH is not just mob lol there much variety on GH..
The mobsters will never leave Port Charles, they rock !!

long live the mob !!!!

And GH does focus on families..
they just happen to be mob families lol Michael and Sonny have been great,,
Always there is something going on in the families..
All is well and as it should be with GH … 🙂

(GH is not as the other 3 soap nor is it supposed to be as them)

Yes seems like good news. It is interesting when you look at other recent developments. The show has had problems for a while and it is obvious that the network is stepping in to try and right the ship.

The ratings have not been good and the first week of sweeps, with the Nurses Ball and heavy promotion did not move the needle. The network ordered the live shows to try and get some buzz and they are bringing back Genie Francis. Now,
after the Fluke disaster and the Jake story just dragging, a new writer is coming on board, one that has Head Writer experience.

This is a good sign if for nothing else, it shows that the network is taking steps to try and improve the show. It’s nice to see a commitment and hopefully the show will get on the right track.

The Fluke “disaster”? I know some very vocal fans didn’t like it, but as far as I know they’re the only ones. Geary got at least one Emmy out of it, among other things. I have yet to hear any reports of network or cast, crew, or show dissatisfaction with that story.

Erick, aside from the vocal fans, who do you hear from? The silent one’s? The Fluke story was riddled with holes and inconsistencies that were talked about, all over the place, by many fans on many different sites and forums as well soap writers; many of them as well. The story dragged for way too long, regardless of TG’s absence and was then completely changed in a way that sealed the deal on the inconsistencies and holes.

TG getting an Emmy for a ten minute reel of performances is no indication of the story and its success.

As for hearing reports of the network’s dissatisfaction, where would you expect that to appear and is that how you think they would handle it? Broadcasting it so that you could hear about it?

Follow the events. Ratings are at best stagnant, not doing well, demos are down and hitting lows. The network ordered the Live Shows. RC said that they were the idea of the network and ordered. So right there we have an instance of the Network stepping in, inserting their control and demanding an event designed to boost ratings, something they care about. Something they’re not getting.

Then Genie Francis is coming back. She has been gone for two years and Frank’s statement was very telling. He said the door was always open if the story and timing were right. He made a point to show that he was in charge and that her absence was based on the show’s direction and story. So why now when we saw that FV had no use for her previously? Why give a qualifying statement about her return? You wouldn’t. He didn’t because It’s obviously not his choice. It’s about ratings and that’s the network. We also got reports that Genie demanded a contract and a story. It is clear this was done at the network level, especially given these other steps, including a new writer being added.

The network has an investment here. They’ve given Cartini three years. They’ve had some ups, but many downs and that’s what they are experiencing now. They get only so long on their own before the network comes in to try and protect their investment. That is obviously what is happening.

Yes. The Fluke disaster. Covered with a Emmy- a Daytime one.

Erick, cast and crew are not going to complain about a story because they value their jobs. You ever see that episode of Friends in which Joey, who played Dr Drake Amore on Days of Our Lives complains about the writers? Joey’s character ends up stepping into an empty elevator shaft and ends up dying. Funny and fictional? Yes, but it’s predicated upon a reality–if you value your job you don’t bitch about the writing. Tony Geary strongly hinted that the writing was ridiculous but he vowed to play the hell out o fit anyway. The Fluke debacle was made up it went along and it showed.

Where in the world do you get any of this information?? Ratings have not been going down, and the network didn’t order the live shows. The rating have fluctuated but over all the numbers are up – overall. The Fluke story was anything BUT a disaster. GH hasn’t had this much buzz about in decades. Period.

The Fluke disaster is almost an understatement. It was like a train wreck in slow motion. Now that Geary’s emotional self-love storyline is done, maybe Show can actually tell a story instead of a year-long testimonial to a hasbeen who was never much to begin with.

Dotty,,
I agree with your words…
Some people are just grumpy when stories are not the way they want them to be- written just for them .. lol
I thought the Luke story was awe grand/awesome.. I really like the journey..
The Luke story did not start until after the Fluke ride ended and that is when Luke went on his journey to face his demons, not before..

First there was Fluke story stuff.. after was the Luke story, and it was great ..

Dotty, I get my information from various sources, much of it, from Michael Fairman.

I saw in a couple of places that it was at the network level that the live shows were conceived and ordered. Here is a clip from Michael Fairman’s interview with RC, where RC says that the Live shows were the brain child of Paul Lee. Paul Lee is the President of ABC Entertainment Group, he runs the network.
https://e98.637.mwp.accessdomain.com/general-hospital/ron-carlivati-interview-general-hospital-42nd-annual-daytime-emmys-red-carpet/2015/04/30/

As for the ratings. The ratings are not great. They are up in total viewers from other times and down from other’s, yes they fluctuate. But the overall numbers are not great. The fact that Paul Lee, the guy who runs the entire entertainment group, the network and the studio, is involved should tell us something. For him to get involved in the GH process and to try and devise a way to boost ratings and generate interest for a soap opera, given all his responsibilities, is telling.

But the ratings are actually down, the one’s that count, the demos. Here is another link to Michael Fairman’s story on the current ratings. He points out that although there was a small gain from the previous week, GH “unfortunately hit their all-time low in the demo rating share for the third week in a row.” And the fact is that GH is down over 100,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo, close to 20%, from this time last year.

So yes, The Live Shows were the network’s call and the ratings, the demo ratings, are down and hitting an all-time low.

AJQ..
GH ratings are not down they holding in the line of steady..
And-
GH has via RC and FV have brought in approximately a million, a million viewers, and that is greatly upping cancellation ratings it once had..
No other soap has brought in millionish new viewers during the past 2 years..

(ratings are up and down.. GH is doing well..:)

Su0000-

FV & RC have not brought in a million viewers. If GH is averaging approximately 2.8 million viewers, that would mean that it was averaging only 1.8 million viewers prior to Cartini and that is absolutely false.

But this is about demo ratings and GH is down in 18-49 from the numbers prior to Cartini. That is a fact, as reported by Michael Fairman, GH is at an all time low in the 18-49 demo. Here is the link, so you can now tell Michael Fairman that he is wrong. https://e98.637.mwp.accessdomain.com/news/ratings-all-soaps-gain-in-total-viewers-except-days-down-but-expectations-are-high-nbc-soap-will-rebound-for-50th/2015/05/15/

ALQ, HI..
My comment was about GH’s numbers rising ..

2012– Jan. (avarage)
One Life to Live 2.1 (Final ABC Season; ended January 13, 2012)
Days of our Lives and General Hospital 2.0 (tied)

GH since RC and FV took over GH has gained a millionish/there abouts, new viewers..

Su0000-

Your numbers are wrong, you are confusing the rating with the raw number. 2.0 would be a rating, it doesn’t mean 2 million viewers.

The average in total viewers for Jan 2012, was 2,340,000 not 2,000,000.

And again, it is about the 18-49 demo, the demo that a majority of advertisers care about, the audience number they use to determine the price they will pay for commercials, the number that Paul Lee cares about and why the network has now gotten involved.

GH has lost over 100,000 viewers in the 18-49 demo in the last year, that is almost 20% of the audience. The number is even down from the time period that you have used as an example, Jan 2012, the last month before FV and RC took over. The Jan 2012 18-49 avg was 584,000. It is currently 530,000.
They had increased, now they are back to all time lows.

Those are the facts. The 18-49 demo is down significantly in the last year, it is at an all time low for three weeks and GH does not currently have a million more total viewers since Jan 2012, not even close.

AJ, your posts are always long and filled with information that backs up MOST of your statements BUT to say the Fluke story was a disaster dismisses some of our credibility. If you study EVERYTHING that was written and televised you can find loopholes BUT if your a fan who watches GH for entertainment purposes and not so much with a critical eye, you would see that the story wasnt so bad and its not done. Your writing a review before it ends. Tony will be around the rest of the summer and he vowed to clean up some of the holes. He did say that he is less interested in the twilight of his career in the direction of his story and letting the writers write and he acts. Genie needed to be back a year ago but she will be here now. As far as these rating stunts, GH FANS will watch regardless. A “Live” show is really what we see everyday anyway since there are no time for rehearsals or two and three takes. Lastly, the ratings may not have reached the peak they expected so far for sweeps but GH is healthy. Genie may bring back a couple old fans back to the show or a couple new ones but she is not a ratings blockbuster. If you want to see a soap struggling and looking for any angle to keep its head above water, tune into NBC, Days is flat lining. I wish them luck. GH doesnt need it. They are healthy.

You all need to get a room.

People bitch about the mob issues on GH. I got news for you, its been around for 33 years and its not going away. It creates drama. They try and focus on the hospital but people come and go in a hospital and they end up there one way or another. What do you want to happen, someone cut their finger at a bakery and come to the hospital looking for stitches?

Me, too!

I am glad to have her back on GH…

Clearly some fans know about her writing but I’m not familiar, all I know about is that RC is the head writer and FV runs the show, pass that when things are great I praise RC/FV and when it’s bad same thing, so beyond that how would I know what she’s responsible for writing if she’s part of a writing team? But welcome back I guess..

Her work is a plus to the show! Very good news!

I am not overly familiar with the writing of Jean Passanante..
I do know; while she was with Y&R the terrible writing of the- music box story among other snores) well I hope she doesn’t bring that stuff to GH..
I hope she is good and doesn’t mess up my GH .. lol
Her resume looks good.. And the comments here look good in her favor..

She wrote for GH before she came to YR.

People started leaving because of the Gay scenes. Many have said they’re good byes on blogs. I look forward to more story lines. Bring A new rich guy.

I am happy they are featuring gay story lines on Days of Our Lives and General Hospital.. I enjoyed the ones on All My Children, As the World Turns, and One Life to LIve. It broke new ground and gave a chance for people to understand love between people of same sexes. I wish on Days, they would let Sonny and Will enjoy their marriage alittle before bringing in another gay male to upset the apple cart. I am sad to see Freddie Smith leave, i hope they recast his character. Luke, Noah, Reid, Oliver and Fish were all great on their respective s oaps. I think it is great the daytime dramas are willing to feature new groundbreaking stories involving gay couples.

WORD!

Jean, seems like you went from the outhouse to the penthouse! Yes Y&R is #1 but so were they Patriots and we see what happened with their “Balls!” GH’s PSI’s are legally inflated and ready for you to pick up the ball and throw a couple touchdowns! Welcome back!

Nathan West and Maxie Jones are headed to Cassadine Island. [Touchdown!]
We need more Scotty and Franco moments in their robes eating steak. [Touchdown!]
Agent Sloan is recasted. Third times a charm. [Touchdown!]
Anna brings a recasted Robin home with her. Sorry Kim. [Touchdown!]
Stefan Cassadine swoops in and steals ELQ from Nicholas! [Touchdown!]
Hayden sticks around in Port Charles. [Touchdown!]
Jason and Sam reunite. [Touchdown!]
Carly and Rick, seriously! [Touchdown!]
Luke walks off into the moonlight and hops on a ship captained by English. [Touchdown]
Recast Dylan and he will be Tracy’s right hand man to recover ELQ [Touchdown!]
Goodbye Sabrina, Carlos, Lucy and Liz! [Touchdown!]
Hurry back Ned! [Touchdown!]
Brenda and Julian? [Touchdown!]

How about they Sabrina, Lucy and Liz and they say goodbye to those Godfather rejects Olivia, Dante, Max, Milo, Diane, and Ric Lansing?

I am all about booting the Godfather rejects!

Jean Passanante is a good writer with a lot of experience behind her. She has worked with the GH landscape before so it won’t be foreign to her. I have to say I love Ron Carlivati’s writing style because in addition to good drama he adds great humor into the mix. Those characters have complexity and it’s refreshing to see. As for the comments mentioned above about leaving GH because of gay storylines, I find those who leave needing some therapy. Two or three characters being gay and being portrayed as part of the fabric of a community is real life. The idea that someone doesn’t like a gay character getting airtime shows a complete lack of humanity. It’s okay to be gay as long as you don’t talk about it or acknowledge it in any way. That line of thinking belongs in the 60’s. Not in current times. Explore more stories with those characters and place the emphasis on the fact that gay or straight we all live the same lives. I love the direction the show is taking. The actors are top notch and with the exception of one or two characters I have to say that I love the entire cast. They obviously work together well. I love GH quite a bit and look forward to what the writing team has to offer.

Beautifully said. When I was 13 years old in 1993 and started watching General Hospital if you told me in 2015 after 23 years of watching the show that there would be a gay couple on it I would have laughed in your face. In 1993 I knew I was gay at 13 years old I knew I was gay at 6 years old I knew that I thought Bo Duke was very cute it wasn’t sexual I just had a crush on him. So for me to see gay characters on General Hospital it helps me identify with a couple.

Wow some of what I’m actually reading here looks correct. Yes, key demos have been at record lows including the first two weeks of Sweeps. Yes the live shows were probably pitched by Cartini to ABC simply as a means to counter the ratings slump in the absence of any stories actually taking place.

Yes Fluke was pretty strongly disliked. I believe the network likely asked for rewrites to wrap it up after it still dragged even after TG’s successful return from surgery rehab. Yes more downs than ups especially lately.

I don’t think hiring back Jean Passanante is incidental at all. I think it’s strategic. Among all the people on twitter connected with ABC and the show that welcomed her back, there was one very glaring omission. There’s a very good reason for that.

Unfortunately, the “live” shows nor the touted Nurses’ Ball added nothing. They were lackluster, and that’s being kind. And the Fluke story did alienate many, many fans because of the total violation of Luke’s character, someone the longtime fans loved and were previously devoted to.
To be blunt, the Fluke storyline (the “climactic” 52nd anniversary show was a real shock and letdown) accounts for the low ratings. And the writing is simply bad.
The current writers care nothing for the legacy of the show and the historical accuracy of it. A real turnoff for the longest, most loyal viewers.
In short, the show is in trouble, ratings wise and the suits at ABC want to shore it up; thus they have hired JP, a writer who is sympathetic to “women’s issues,” probably to write the Laura scenes for Genie Francis–and those she will have with Luke as they attempt to salvage that character so Tony Geary can exit with some shred of dignity after his evil, angry, ego-obsessed portrayal of Fluke, a distasteful character that longtime, loyal fans wanted nothing to do with.
Again, I ask: what is gained if you win an Emmy and lose an audience?

They should keep the Nurses Ball. The whole thing is what keeps Sonny and the mobsters from overrunning the show once again.

I so agree!

Beyond the Gates

RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

Published

on

By

Beyond the Gates and General Hospital

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.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

Published

on

By

Antonio Sabato Jr.

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.”

Jack Sabato

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Antonio Sabato Jr (@antoniosabatojr)

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos

Published

on

By

Ayla Bullington

Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.

In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.

She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’” 

Josslyn

Photo: ABC

THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH

Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’

The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.” 

The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.

As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”

So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

40
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x