General Hospital
Michele Val Jean on Positive Response for ‘The Gates’: “What Made This Announcement Especially Poignant Was It Happened on Jackie Zeman’s Birthday”
Wednesday, March 6th will be remembered as a big day for the soaps, and one for Michele Val Jean. Earlier, Val Jean’s new daytime drama, The Gates, was announced and that it was in developmental. The series would mark the first new original network soap opera in over 25 years.
Michele, who most recently wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful and General Hospital, is currently slated as the new soap opera’s writer, showrunner and one of its executive producers.
As previously reported, The Gates is in works in a joint venture from CBS Studios, NAACP and P&G Studios. At the epicenter of its story will be a wealthy Black family who reside in an upscale gated community. The news stunned soap opera fans who reacted with joy and The Gates was trending on X following its announcement; which proved never doubt that there is an audience for this genre and their passion.

Photo: ABC
This evening, Val Jean took to her own X account to express what the response meant to her, and in a personal moment, mentioned how profound that this huge announcement, on a potential new daytime drama, happened on what would have been the late Jackie Zeman’s 71st birthday.
Zeman passed away in May of 2023 from a short battle with cancer and was beloved for her 45-year-run as Nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, a show which Val Jean spent many years on their writing team.
Val Jean expressed: “I’m so profoundly touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to #TheGates. What made this announcement especially poignant was it happened on Jackie Zeman’s birthday. She would have loved this. #angelspirit”
What did you think about the massive response on social media for the new soap opera being developed, The Gates, and then Michele giving a nod to Jackie Zeman? Comment below.
I’m so profoundly touched by the overwhelmingly positive response to #TheGates. What made this announcement especially poignant was it happened on @JackieZeman ‘s birthday. She would have loved this. #angelspirit
— Michele Val Jean (@MicheleValJean) March 7, 2024
I wish Michele Val Jean all the best on the development of a new daytime drama and it getting produced and on the air. Congrats to CBS for recognizing that an audience exists for this type of program. Hopefully it will inspire a resurgence of daytime drama.
Finally! Applause, CBS, for recognizing daytime drama remains a viable entertainment venture. I never understood how broadcast just gave up on being original for the likes of carbon copy talk judge, and news shows. Even stations airing reruns close poorly. Another Dateline? I hope the soap fans rally to give this new effort a lot of support.
I love the idea of a new soap!!! The Gates is a dumb name tho something more soapish is needed.
Agree hopefully they change , the name of the new soap. They need to sit down and come up with a new title. I hope this new soap opera is a huge hit.
It certainly is. I hope they change it.
I thought Knots Landing was a silly name. The show certainly proved otherwise. I’m not concerned about the name, I’m more concerned that P&G are involved. WHY??? If it airs it will be everybody’s vision executive wise and NOT Val Jeans own. Too many cooks for one pot of soup out the “gates”.
“The Gates” really isn’t that bad. It beats “Loving”. Best soap title (which never made it into use) was the original OLTL title – “Between Heaven and Hell”. Maybe that’s why one poster here didn’t watch it?
“The Gates” was previously the name of a short-lived prime-time soap about 15 years ago. It starred Frank Grillo from “Guiding Light.” If the show is about a well-off Black family, then perhaps they live in a gated community, which is the literal reason for the name. But as the show is expected to highlight the Black experience in America, the title may also be an allusion to the metaphorical “gates” Black Americans have faced in gaining equality.
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital
Could Kristen Vaganos and Josh Kelly Be Exiting ‘General Hospital?’

General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.

Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
General Hospital
Kin Shriner Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ TV Daughter Kelly Kruger

It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.

Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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