General Hospital
Jean Passanante Rejoins The Writing Team Of General Hospital!

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. @carlivatiron”
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!
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!
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)

General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:

Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!

Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.

PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
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