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Michele Val Jean on Positive Response for ‘The Gates’: “What Made This Announcement Especially Poignant Was It Happened on Jackie Zeman’s Birthday”

Photo: JPI

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.

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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.

General Hospital

Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine

Nikolas Cassadine will be back on your screens next week but now via Pentonville. That means, that actor Adam Huss is back for a visit for all-new episodes of General Hospital.

In story, Ava (Maura West) comes to visit her ex in the slammer. So, just what does Ava want now? She clearly has been working an agenda on Sonny (Maurice Benard). Is she working with Valentin (James Patrick Stuart)? What will she tell Nikiolas? stay tuned.

Meanwhile, once news of Huss’ return broke earlier on Friday via Soap Opera Digest, he also announced his return on his Instagram expressing, “For all those who’ve been asking, cat’s out of the bag;) Thank you to all my #Nikolas #GH fans for your unwavering support. I don’t take it for granted for a second! (Even when I can’t answer 😊) #generalhospital”

Photo: ABC

Huss took over the role of Nikolas back in January of 2023, after Marcus Coloma left the soap opera. Previous to that, Huss filed in for Coloma in September of 2021 and November of 2022. Fast-forward to January of 2024, Nikolas gave Ace to Laura and Kevin to raise, while he eventually turned himself into the police for kidnapping Esme and keeping her hostage while she was pregnant and Wyndemere.

Photo: ABC

The return of Huss comes on the heels of multiple reports that his on-screen son, Nicholas Chavez is not returning to the show as Spencer Cassadine, while in story Spencer is believed to have drowned int the Seine River after falling off a boat in France, when drugged by Esme.

So, looking forward to seeing Adam Huss back as Nikolas? Do you think GH will eventually have him more full-time? Comment below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other

The love affair that once was mobster Sonny (Maurice Benard) and hit man Jason (Steve Burton), and having each others back, is now apparently over! On the Thursday April 25th episode of General Hospital, an increasingly paranoid Sonny is confronted by Jason.

Jason wants to talk to Sonny about a “family matter”, but Sonny says they aren’t family now because he’s working with the Feds. Sonny goes on to say how he cannot trust Carly (Laura Wright) or Jason and he knows about Jason buying back the Metro Court for Carly from Nina (Cynthia Watros).

When the conversation turns to Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Dex (Evan Hofer), Jason informs Sonny that Kristina (Kate Mansi) knows Sonny ordered a hit. Jason is worried about Dex’s safety. He tells Sonny that if he does something to Dex, Kristina will figure out that he is responsible.

Courtesy/ABC

Sonny goes on to say how much he loves his kids and how he will protect them. He then tears into Jason for abandoning his sons, Danny and Jake, for two years and how he has no right to stand there to tell him what to do.

Jason warns Sonny again to leave Dex alone or he’ll personally stop him. Sonny snaps at Jason, countering, “You’ll die trying!” And at that point, Jason walks out and Sonny slams the door behind him.

What do you think about this split in the longstanding relationship of Jason and Sonny? Do you like Jason and Sonny at odds? Will Kristina be the person to ultimately figure out what is happening to Sonny, or it might it be Nina, who knows Ava (Maura West) is up to no good? Share your thoughts in the comment section, but first watch this clip from part of the Sonny/Jason scenes below.

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Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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