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Shelly Altman & Jean Passanante Share Thoughts On Being First GH Female Head Writers In Over a Decade!

Photo Credit: ABC/Paley Center for Media

ABC recently named Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante as co-head writers of General Hospital replacing Ron Carlivati.  This marks the first time since back in 2002 that a head writing team for the 52-year-old soap is women.  Over the last several years the reins of  the writing of GH have been handled by men including: Bob Guza and Chuck Pratt Jr., Bob by himself, Garin Wolf, who was also later joined by Shelly Altman for several months as co-head scribes, and then for the last 3 and half years, Ron Carlivati.

In the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, the publication has the first joint interview with Shelly and Jean, which took place shortly after they began their new writing duties, in which they share their initial thoughts on their plans for the iconic series.

When asked if they feel their take on the GH canvas will be different because they are women, Altman responded: “I don’t necessarily.  I think each individual writer brings his or her own experience to the table.  Jean and I are both women and we are both mothers.  You can’t help but have some of that influence your ideas, your thoughts.  We will approach everything from a women’s sensibility because we are women.”   However, Passanante’s answered:  “I’ve never really known it to make that much of a difference.  I’ve worked with some great male head writers who really channeled all the characters, male and female, equally well.”

Make sure to pick up your copy of SOD to read the entire interview.

So to Jean’s point:  Does it really make a difference if a man or a woman is head writing a soap opera?  Do you think having two women as head writers will truly bring a new perspective for the people of Port Charles because of their gender?  Share your thoughts below!

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Please keep Liz with Jake/Jason, they make my heart melt.

Yes! One thousand times agreed!

I’m good with Liz/Jason – they deserve a real shot. I also like Sam-Jason and possibly Carly-Jason he’s for chemistry with everyone!

It’s time to bid Liz/Jason BYE BYE. She needs to come clean once and for all about the Jake/Jason situation and put Nicholas in his place, along with bratty son, Spencer.

Please bring back Michael Easton . That would make a HUGH difference to LOTS of his GH fans.

No no Michael Easton will not come back. Please you need to get over it. Silas Clay was the worst character on General Hospital. I hope Michael Easton comes to the Bold and The BEAUTIFUL as Brooke Logans new man. I love Michael Easton, but Silas Clay had to go.

I agree, Adam. Easton was put in such an unrewarding role for an actor of his magnitude. GH seems to follow this pattern, it seems….downward spiral. All these seasoned protagonists are getting chopped up and minced, ready to make unsavory soup. Then they are saved to us leaving a disappointing taste in our mouths.
The same could be said for Michelle Stafford and Roger Howarth. As much as I love these actors, they deserve a more substantially SANE, MATURE role. I have gleaned a shade of change with these two…the jail scene was so sweet and real…..
I am hoping against hope that Billy Miller’s talent does not get butchered. In my opinion, he is just floating, right now….filling a void….he speaks, he moves, and follows Sam like a little lost puppy, for heaven’s sake !! Sam, the brains of GH….God’s gift to the investigative world! WOW! Remove the bonds and let Billy free. Allow him to do his thing, I say!!

Brooke and New Man is kind of an oxymoron. She’s had them all…multiple times!

I agree!!! Michael Easton NEEDS to be back on the GH canvas! He needs proper character development and a story/background that matters! He needs a family — brothers, sisters, wife/girlfriend, children, parents, etc. He needs a job that matters — a career where we see him excel! He needs friends — Patrick, Nikolas, Jason, Dante, even Agent Sloane!

Michael Easton simply needs a well-rounded story line, written by people who see his value as part of the GH team!

No it wouldn’t

Simple, Silas has a cousin who looks like him. Cousin is a detective (he then can work with Dante and the hunk and Sam). He has a flirtation with Hayden (see if they have chemistry). He is MUCH more animated as a dashing private detective, more outspoken, more everything than Silas. He can be friends then with those guys as well as do some detective work for the Quartermaines, especially Tracy. They would do well as great friends.

A good writer is a good writer, no matter their gender.

Amen to thatt!

Please just keep us awake, don’t write down to us , give characters like Liz and Anna back their “character ” don’t let it be the sonny Carly and Jason show. And listen to legit complaints .

Would like to see Robin, the ONLY Robin, played by Kimberly McCullough back. Let FV work with Kimberly like he does others. Not interested in their pets since both have them. JP this isn’t AMC and RBu isn’t needed. Don’t care if your interested in writing for her like you said on Twitter. They need to fix the mess RC made of Robin played by Kimberly McCullough and if they know GH history Robin would never leave her child for ANYONE. ALSO NO RECAST since KIMBERLY IS THE ONLY ROBIN. She is an icon and legacy character and well known for her and Stone’s HIV/AIDS story. Yet FV Works with others and not Kimberly. Thats insulting and FV lost many GH fans over that. .

She doesn’t want it! She wants to direct. GH should offer the role to Elizabeth Hendrickson.

Agnes Nixon, Bill Bell, Claire Labine, Douglas Marland — proof that good serialized storytelling is not dependent on gender.

Based on Passanante and Altman’s work on Y&R, it seems to me that GH’s ratings decline may not be over. The tone of this week’s scripts and the nearly total focus on the Corinthos clan and the TJ “drama” has me thinking that by November this show will once again be The Saint Sonny and His Pal Lil’ Badass Enforcer Jason Bromance Hour.

When will the episodes they are writting appear on TV??

Their writing hits our screens mid-Octobler..
—— pray

I cannot pray–I am an Atheist.

I’ve read that their work will start airing in October. Hayley Erin (Kiki) just did an interview dated 9/1 and stated she received the last batch of scripts written by Ron Carlivati to film next week. Since the filming to air delay for GH is 3-4 weeks, that sounds right.

Wasn’t her interview during fan club weekend? When was that?

Rechecked, & Fairman interviewed Hayley Erin the week of 8/25/15, at a Television Academy’s reception for the daytime drama community.

GH has had female executive producers, male executive producers, female head writers, male head writers, gender doesn’t matter if the story is good. That’s what it all boils down to. I don’t care if the writers are from Jupiter, if they make the show good.

I read the Soap Opera Digest interview with Passanante and Altman, and I liked a lot of what they had to say as far as revitalizing the show, and refocusing the stories around romance, families and the hospital. When GH has been at its best over the years, that’s what it has revolved around. I like the idea of getting back to basics. That’s what the show needs more than anything.

I know a lot of people have talked about what these ladies wrote when they were at Y&R. Personally, I don’t care what they did at Y&R, I don’t watch it and never have. They’re coming to GH with a clean slate with me, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do.

Bring back Michael Easton and keep Robb Derringer as Kyle!

Sounds good to me! Doubly good!!

Silas and Sloan is a one-two punch to an early bed time!

what!
[[Jean= and I are both women and we are both mothers. You can’t help but have some of that influence your ideas, your thoughts. We will approach everything from a women’s sensibility because we are women.” ]]

bwa! get the fug off with you..
1- GH has more male viewers than any other soap
2- if the Queens of Snoose do to GH as they did to Y&R, GH will fall.
3- They were fired from Y&R for a good reason, they wrote horribly and Y&R dropped to its lowest rating… Pratt has brought it back up and everybody is awake.
4- Jean and Shelly know next to nothing about GH..
5- GH will crash… It will be like putting pretty curtains up in a seal bunker.
6- GH is the most modern soap and now I’m visions of grandma’s circling the screen.

Su…Just out of curiosity why did you ever start to watch GH?

Ron did the same thing to GH, Su. You always seem to forget that as you slam Altman and Passanante all over the Internet. And quit telling other posters to fug off! It is ignorant and unnecessary! You are not the moderator!

su0000, give the ladies a chance. What they did on Y&R has nothing to do with GH UNTIL it does have something to do with GH! Lets get through a couple sweep periods before we run them off.

SAM and JASON are the next Luke and Laura. Bring them back together and keep them together. Too much of the splitting up stuff. Families do stay together sometimes. I am a product of that and continue that with my family. Have Jason and Sam bring up the next generation of Morgans and Quartermain’s. Edward and Lila/ Monica and Alan take two. Those two are on fire and will continue.

As I understand it, Laura was a young girl when her romance with the-so-much-older Luke ‘grabbed’ her.
Sam is passed her prime for that unrestrained, young-free love. There’s no comparison….and, there’s no comparison between Genie and Kelly, either. I shall leave it at that.
There could be a love story to be had with Jake and Sam. But, it will not be that all-consuming passion…..not with Sam. We need Hayden for that. How ironic would that be! Jake and Hayden….what a twist of fate!
Beside the point that Jason and Sam have gone this route before….their heyday is gone. None of us can ever recapture the euphoria of young love. Don’t get me wrong….passion is forever alive. It gets better, actually. But, that newness, that feeling of being alive where nothing else in the world matters can only be experienced by young love. You know what I mean? I better shut up now.

Hayden is hot, hot hot! Yeah, wouldnt it be something for her and her “Husband” to end up together. I want it to happen. However, for now, to play out Sam and Jason makes sense. They are not young but she would be reunited with her “Dead” husband and Jason would regain who he is so that drama in a nutshell works. The big picture would be for Jason, especially if he is a Q and not a Morgan, to end up in the mansion with the delicious Hayden!

@Timmm
Hi, Timmm.
You are right…that is what needs to take place, that is, play out the Sam and Jake/Jason “thing” before anything else happens. That chapter needs to be closed once and for all. I love the idea of Hayden and Jake together, …..as I said, the plot would be given structure . Great drama!! Yeah!

Hi, ShayGirl.
Lol. I found some of my lost threads here…I just read your comment about Hayden’s Jersey Shore beachwear. HaHa. I must admit that’s funny. But, you are right. What was that? ‘Gotta’ appreciate those abs, though! Makes me want to accelerate my workout sessions.
You know, Budig was quite the fashionista during her stint at AMC. She put Maxie to shame, if that’s even possible. (Maxie’s wardrobe killed it, this summer…love those sun dresses!!) Nik ‘ruined’ his persona all by himself, without the help of Hayden. He had already chosen to go aboard the Lomax train—-destination: crime and destruction. He’s a bad boy…dishonest and avaricious….no surprise there, right? Cassadine issue.
I know what the writers are trying to do here. I think Hayden will remember eventually, but, her coma and traumatic experience have changed her. She will awaken to be quite the ingenue….breaks through the cobwebs of her mind, and voila’, there emerges the butterfly. No? LOL. Well, Shay. I figured it’s one way of redeeming her, if she is to play the good girl. I also think she and Nik will fall in love; this fact giving her the power to turn Nik around to his old good-guy self. How about that??!! Good Night, my friend.

L&L were a one time thing that will NEVER happen again. Its okay, really. Sam and Jason are great together but their history doesnt make for a comparison. It was a different time, altogether.

Excellent observation, Timmm, but I’m not totally down on Sam and Jakeson, either….I would actually prefer them to the Sam and Jason of the past. SB never bothered me all that much when he was on GH, but after he left, I honestly didn’t miss him. I much prefer BM’s take on the role–so far–and I feel that he will only get better once his true identity comes into play. As for the suggestion for pairing him with Brazen Hayden? No, no, a thousand times, NO! She’s such a complete guttersnipe…cannot stand her! Please don’t let her taint the adorable Billy’s character like she already has Nik. That guy is supposed to be a prince, and yet, during his last appearance with that tacky trollop they both looked like they were headed to the Jersey shore in their hideous attire! (Am I the only one who noticed this? CeeCee, help me out here!….LOL.)

I agree wholeheartedly. Every time it looks as if Elizabeth is going to expose Nicholas for his part in the cover up of Jake/Jason plot, it goes in a different direction. PLEASE, put Sam-Jake/Jason back together again. And the sooner the better. Sorry Patrick.

I don’t see a lot of positives from this interview. No major changes and GH needs them. Considering how bloated the cast is, If there is no exodus of characters, we will never see Vets that have been cast aside and therefore, no return to core families or building them.

It’s fine to throw around the word Quartermaine, that’s what Frank and Ron did. But then it meant making Franco one and when that was a disaster, that was that. They killed AJ, they let Wally go so there’s no Ned. The Q’s are just a name that these people use for bait.

Integrating Franco and Nina? How? There’s too much crap that has gone down, Franco is hated by too many. If there was a chance for him to integrate, it was when he came on, his personality should have done a 180 after the tumor removal and he should have been remorseful. Two years have gone by. It was disgusting when he was with Carly and if you have other characters start to accept him you will get the same backlash from fans. Dumping him on Scotty was gross and watching Scotty fawn over him is equally gross and totally OOC for Scotty to accpet him so readily and to even accept he is his son, taking Heather’s word and a piece of paper and not getting a valid DNA test.

So how do they expand and integrate them? It can’t be with vets so the only people possible for them to interact with will become more prominent, like Dr.O, Nathan, Kiki etc. Franco and Nina are just a waste. They will do everything they have to for them because of Howarth and Stafford and that’s too bad. They are not imp’t characters to GH or actors for that matter. They never brought tangible ratings, and GH fans, those you could win back, would much prefer to see their favorite characters and actors.

Integrating Franco and Nina, more mob, more Kiki, Jeromes, and a still extremely bloated cast will not allow GH to reach its full potential. It will undoubtedly improve some and TPTB will take that to the bank as them doing the right thing. But as long as the same agenda continues, tons of new characters front and center, desperate to make Franco the star of GH and Franco/Nina a supercouple, it will always have a limited appeal.

As long as Frank is in charge, the agenda will remain the same. Within that context, the new writers can still do some things to appeal to long time fans. One would be to kick Dr.O out of the hospital. That would go a long way in fostering some good will.

What a bunch of whiny crapola .. ^^^^

Brilliant post!!!!! This show needs an immediate mass exodus of about 15 superfluous characters….and yes…many of them are Emmy winners for this show and other shows. The show CLEARLY needs major changes, and if that is not going to happen, why did they not let Ron just run the show ttotally into the ground and cancel it??

Franco and Nina light up the screen. Terrific chemistry, great acting.

Franco is the problem and I hope these ladies fix it. I dont know if Frank has to approve but they need to reboot this monster. I hate the character. Once James Franco died as Franco that should have ended the psycho’s run forever! Roger Howarth is gold BUT he is asked to play a character that has NO redeeming value and the viewers never latched on to in a positive way. Like you said, Ron tried like hell to fit Franco in with the Q’s and Scotty and now Nina and it SUCKS! Jean and Shelly, please end it!

Matilda is right, Suooo and it’s not whiny crappolla at all. What a thing to say.

Hi Harry..
I and many others luv Franco & Nina.. they have a great many fans, so what she said about them is crappola lol
I as many others also luv Sonny, and RC did what he could with the Q’s.. AJ wanted out, Ned wanted back to his other soap he was double timing and RC brought Dillon in to give the Q’s a boost.
The Q’s will take years to rebuild if they could even be resurrected
So, yeah to me the rant was crappola 🙂 she hates this and that lol I do not.

Do you ever feel like you are in the movie Groundhog Day? Were these writers not on Y&R spouting the same verbal mess. In the words of Marvin Gaye’s song years ago makes me want to holler throw up both my hands.

I’m so excited to see what this pair have under their sleeves. I think they work extremely well together, and in reading their full feature on SOD, what they have planned for the soap is going to be excellent!!

Exactly Scott, its a fresh start, lets see what they have.

Kiss General Hospital goodbye, I smell a cancellation. These ladies will Kill General Hospital

Yes Derek this is the end, General hospital will be history soon. Sorry these has beens will bury GH to the Grave

They near killed Y&R..
hmm if we could find a volcano and a virgin and make a sacrifice to the soap gods, perhaps that will save my GH ..
Jean and Shelly are the worst thing that could happen to GH at this point in time..
RC has brought GH back up, he is very good at that, and GH has been totally awesome since Luke’s exit.. RC is running high steam ahead!

New writers stuff will the screen mid Oct.. enjoy RC while we still can….

Su…you complain about bi**hers and complainers of other GH stories. In the case of the new/old writers you yourself have lead the charge about how awful you think they are. You have a right to express your opinion, but wouldn’t once, or twice been enough instead of going on and on about it. I know you have your reservations, but we all need you to put on your GH cheerleading hat for this one…however reluctantly. :))

Hi Rose..
I did not ””hate rant”’
I said it like it is, and Jean and Shelly near took down Y&R, fact
RC these past weeks is on fire, truth
No hate, no rant 🙂

I never said “hate rant.” I rarely if ever use the hate word. All I said was you keep giving negative opinions of Jean and Shelley over, and over and over. Yet, at the same time you complain about other chronic GH complainers who also do it over and over and over about their pet peeves. Just saying once or twice is enough.

I don’t mind that you love RC, though I have some reservations on some of the stories he did. Or even some of you overwhelming attraction for the badboy element. Possibly, secretly, some of us other “girls” may have had that as well once or twice in their lives. But we GH fans need at least your hope, if not your cheerleading, for the new/old girl writing team, not bashing

I may get some push-back here, but to answer the question could two women head writers bring a new perspective to Port Charles compared to any other guys, in my experience I would say “yes,” as a general rule. That is not to say one gender is better than the other at writing a soap,. As mfarris70 said, “a good writer is a good writer, no matter the gender.” But generally (again) the sexes are wired differently. So I expect to see some subtle differences. Just hoping for the best no matter who is writing.

Woman-Power, Rose….long live women!! LOL.

Here comes these two hacks with their own brand of mess. .yippee. .. NOT

Passanante; GH -breakdown writer-
was one of the writers who followed Ron Carlivati to General Hospital as breakdown writer from May 3, 2012 until November 25, 2013
(((She was with GH for a very short time during the very recent years of 2012/13 a breakdown writer (google)
She was with GH = 6 months.

Shelly;
Associate head writer: August 10, 2011 (GH’s near cancelation)
January 6, 2012; February 28, 2013
Co-head writer: January 9 – February 20, 2012 (google)
(((not even 2 months as co-head writer lol)

Both together have very little General Hospital knowledge/experience/history..
Near GH newbies lol
whomever takes over as head scribes need to understand the history and what is important to the audience who has stuck by the series..
how they visualize the characters, and the passion for the soap that they will bring to GH, well, I don’t see it, but We shall see.

su0000 both together have an infinite knowledge of soaps just not how to commandeer one and make it a hit. In a thirty year span of the 60’s to the early 90’s soaps road the waves of multiple characters and story ingenuity that sometimes replicated and oft times bettered what came before. The problem with American soaps is the networks..cheap cheap cheap..sensational (if you can do it on a shoestring)..push the envelope..remembering it’s daytime so you can only lift a tiny portion of one corner..and always hearken back to the perils of Pauline and the days of radio…drama drama drama..to the nth degree and forego the intricacies of the realism of what people watch..that’s so 1969…people want explosions..serial killers..major deaths and calamities..give us over the top people…over the top..if we tank we tank..but we know what viewers want..yeah??..it’s 2015..the days of social media …and the networks still ignore daytime viewers and could care less..so here’s who is coming to GH..Jean Passanante..worked 96-97 for OLTL and was fired as co-head writer..worked as co-head Another World 98-99 Another World cancelled..Interim went to AMC and was kicked to the curb…As The World Turns as co-head with Hogan Sheffer (who came up with good though sometimes fantastical story) 2001-2005..then became sole headwriter in 2005-2010 writing the show into cancellation..Went back to OLTL as associate head with RC into the shows cancellation..followed RC to GH and went to Y&R who luckily wasn’t so blinded..CBS ain’t dumb..and now following her firing at CBS she and Shelly Altman are taking over GH..it won’t be good by any means…ABC is taking the show known now for the legion of doom and putting it into the hands of the true legion of doom..the queen of soap cancellations..Jean and Shelly both wrote the demise of Another World as Co-Head and associate respectively..but in all honesty Shelley Altman has the longest tenure at one show..OLTL as Associate Head from 1999-2011..It may serve this show and Shelley Altman a good turn to put Passanante on the side chick list and let Altman spread her wings..either way ABC has first hired Tyra Banks..annoying personality number one to be their Phil Donahue/Oprah..so sad that ABC who benefited from the most talked about soaps wants out of the game and consistently tries to prove to viewers why…AND FAILS…EVERY..EVERY…EVERY..generation of up and coming adults will always crave a good daytime soap and that will NEVER change..NEVER!!!

Although I believe woman writers are capable of writing action and male writers are capable of writing romance, I think to get the best of both genders the male female duo head writers are the best– that is what Days has right now and I think that is working.

I have only watch GH when Ron was writing it, so it will be interesting to see what the show will be like under new writers– I’ve been through a lot of writers on Y&R over the years so I know a show can survive a writing change– but with every change there is a transition — there will some fans that will like the changes, but a equal number than won’t- whether the suits will give GH the time to get through that bump and let the dust settle to find out whether the core audience is holding remains to be seen.

But for all soaps fans let hope GH holds on– I think it will only take one network having no soaps to convince the other networks they don’t need a soap in daytime either. Right now, no one wants to pull the final plug on the genre, but if GH numbers don’t start coming up with new writers, it might be on its way out– and that makes me very nervous for the other three soaps.

A male and female writer, love it Mary!

I find it truly amazing that people were on here for months, years in some cases, calling for Ron Carlivati’s head on a silver platter, criticizing his every move. ABC finally gave you his head, replaced him with two ladies that have won numerous Emmys over the years for their writing on various soaps, and people are already bitching and moaning before the first episode of GH that they’ve written has evem aired. Give me a friggin break already. Some people are never happy. Must be a miserable existence, that’s all I can say.

Ever since soaps started playing the recycling game of EP’s and HW’s, namely Y&R and GH, fans everywhere have gone thru the same cycle. Get a new HW, blame them when ratings go down, call for their firing, praise the new team and then start the cycle over again. Jean and Shelly will meet the same fate on GH as they did on Y&R. It’s inevitable so it’s no surprise at all.

It absolutely makes a difference!! The past 15 years, GH has been written by mysoginistic, narcissistic men, who have Sonny Corinthos complexes, who love stories about the mob, violence, blood, gore, and other warped things. GH was the hallmark for quality soap opera when Claire Labine and Wendy Riche were at the helm. Lets hope they get back to that!

You know, Dylan? I never really thought about the male/female writer point of view. I am fairly new to GH….came in with a clean slate. I had no clue who the writers were because good writing should not make a difference who the author is. However, you are correct in how you depict THESE writers. The word misogynistic has been bandied around several times; thus, considering the lack of motherly love and the influx of adoration that these mothers bestow upon their men, leaves a lot to be desired. It is ridiculous how foolish said women are made to look. I wonder…., if, for instance, Sonny and one of Carly’s children were drowning, and Carly was the only savior, who would she save??!!
Perhaps a woman-writer’s point of view and tenderness will equalize the notion that male
protagonists with unhealthy macho, violent appetites is what every woman wants. Then again, some diminutive men tend to puff up around the gills (like the Anole Lizard) to compensate for their less-than-appealing stature.
Perhaps, some male writers aspire to that lifestyle and live/fantasize vicariously through their writing.
I just love a good story, with a sense of humor and heart. I hope the ladies will deliver.

I want that more than anything but I highly doubt it will happen. Gender shouldn’t matter with a good writing team but GH is a boys’ club and has been for many many years now. If we don’t notice the difference in these women’s voices in the script then this ship will sink sooner than I thought. They better HOPE we notice the difference.

The show does NOT need the return of Jason “Stone Cold” Morgan, mob enforcer. Nor does SourPuss Sam McCall Morgan need yet another love interest.

Oh, thank you, Engrady. You and I should have a tete-a-tete…..Such wise words you speak. LOL.

PLEASE enough violence is on tv news right now… can you please stop the murder and killings that are going on with this show?? Can’t we have just a little more happiness, yes, some intrigue, but stop the violence. Also… The kids… no way any little boy talks like Nicolas’ son… even Nicolas does not talk like that… it’s enough to make me want to throw up when he does that stupid dialog. We need at least a little happiness even if for a short time, please. Also…now Ava pregnant, Valerie pregnant… you going to add Sabrina to that too and Sam?? Don’t they have birth control there??? Sure is not sending out a good message to teenagers watching, but that’s my opinion. I have watched the show over 30 years, and also just wish ONE wedding could be done without violence or something horrible happening. NO need to have had Sonny shot!!!!!! Hope you ladies can make some good changes, more love and happiness for us at home watching and less blood and violence.

I couldn’t agree more. Had to watch GH as a rerun late Friday since I worked that day. What a shock, and not a nice one pre bed time. It’s not that I didn’t expect last minute hiccups for a wedding I could give or take. But the brutal shooting and possible killing of Sonny was totally unneeded. If I’m to believe these September stories are still under RC, what a swan-song he threw in the faces of GH viewers.

How long do we have to wait before it is revealed who actually shot Sonny? A year, two years? I’m getting impatient!!!!!!

One last comment.. STOP BRINGING BACK THE DEAD !!!! it’s not funny anymore or interesting… all of us totally expect it and it’s tiring.. I record and just fast forward through all that junk… Too many people on the show, too little air time for any story to get interesting….. Hate Helena… and her “gang”…. all should have been dead and gone a long time ago… it’s tiring, it’s boring… stop bringing them back!!!! Hate seeing Patrick hurt again, not sure Sam will fall back in love with Jason and get rid of Elizabeth, she is dishonest and only thinks of herself…. we all know how that will end

I agree because we invest our emotions on losing the character and then they say, wait, it NEVER happened! Lazy.

This is for Judy Cooley. AMEN Sister. I have been saying that all along about Helena. And although it would cause a stir, replace Robin so Patrick will have someone to fall back on when the Jake/Jason-Sam comes to light. Emma needs her Mother.

I am a fairly recent viewer of GH so I can only speak for the last couple of years. I am frustrated that it is taking so long for Jake to be revealed as Jason. Unlike most of you, I love Franco and Nina. Their acting is amazing and should they leave, especially Roger Howarth, I am pretty sure I would no longer watch the show. I do agree that the storylines leave a lot to be desired. At times, they have been “must watch T.V.” and at other times just so,so. Most of the actors are very good and deserve much better material. Hopefully, the new writers will bring a fresh perspective and good stories.

Completely agree, jb44.
I never watched GH until Roger Howarth took Todd Manning to its canvas when OLTL was cancelled and the current Franco and Nina storyline is the only reason I keep tuning in. He and Michelle Stafford electrify the screen and I am anxious to see the new writers take their sweet romance to the next level. It will also be interesting to see how their characters are integrated into Port Charles society.
I highly recommend everyone read Soap Opera Digest’s September 7th recognition of Roger Howarth as that week’s Performer of the Week. I have followed his work now for just over two decades and he makes each soap on which he appears more rewarding. I hope his recent work garners him long overdue Emmy honors.
Long live Franco & Nina and all the best to the new scribes!!!

Getting rid of Sonny and Carly would be a great start! I’d be happy to write that for GH if no one else will… 🙂

I’m with, James. I would think that, by now, the world knows how I feel about Sonny. I can tolerate Carly when NOT under the influence of ‘lover nino’.

CeeCee, I haven’t posted in a while. Actually, I haven’t watched GH at all lately or much else in the way of soaps, but I had to get my digs in when I saw this topic. The world also knows my thoughts on the character of Sonny, so I won’t belabor the point. And I agree with you about Carly being tolerable when she is teamed up elsewhere…

I love you! Lets become Co head writers of THAT GH!!

Thank you, dylan!! Let’s get our resumes together and make a pitch to the producer. No doubt, we would have some good ideas. Love backatcha!

Why?

Hi Sue!

Thanks for your question! I will be happy to respond. I realized that fans of TV shows have their favorite characters (actors) and that fans can disagree on those characters (actors). In the past, when I have written here about Sonny (Benard), I have been extremely negative, not taking into account that he does have his fans. At best, I think the character of Sonny is polarizing.

I have never liked the character of Sonny (since day 1). Not only is Sonny a mobster and killer, he never pays for his crimes. Never. I also think he is verbally abusive and condescending. He is constantly yelling and barking out orders. I see no rooting value for such a person. I certainly wouldn’t like or socialize with such a person in real life.

In addition, Sue, I started watching GH in 1969 (yep, older than most fans), and I have watched as this character took over the show, becoming the show’s lead character and overtaking all other veteran actors/characters. The focus of the show hence shifted from the hospital to Sonny and the mob, in turn becoming darker and darker. So, as a long-time viewer (who, BTW, recently quit watching once again), I just don’t like veteran actors being fired and/or given little screen time in favor of this character, and I don’t like my formerly favorite show becoming such a dark place, with no moral compass.

There are plenty of villains in daytime TV, many of whom are fan favorites. I can root for a villain if and when the character is textured and has redeeming values. I see nothing redeeming in Sonny. And the dimples don’t fool me, neither does his chemistry with Carly (who I also find unappealing) or the myriad of younger, pretty leading ladies who have worked alongside him.

Sue, you may have a different take. And I’d be happy to hear it. Take care.

James

Man or woman writing, I don’t care, as long as they are GOOD writers!

Was looking forward to the writer change until I heard what their work was like on Y&R (have yet to hear one good thing). Wish they’d brought someone in who didn’t drive another show into the ground. That does not bode well. Still, Ron was pretty great (overall) on OLTL and he started out well… so maybe past performance can’t entirely predict what’s going to happen, but they’ll have to do better than promise more mob and more Sonny to lure me back as a viewer.

C’mon, now, Andrew. I understand, really, I do. But,I echo Dan, here. Let’s not jump the gun and give these ladies a viable chance. Hey, one never knows, if the consensus is that they demolished Y&R, they will have learned by their own mistakes and by others’. There’s always that chance the ladies will rebuild GH, for all us disgruntled fans(lol), brick by brick.

Hi CeeCee..
it was not only Y&R..
I did post their writing records.. (bad)
They never built up or saved any soap, quite the opposite. ..
It is their writing style= loooooong stories and lackluster

GH has always been action/drama, yes way back to LnL days…
J&S are not a good matchup for GH, not at all.

the hospital is a building, the stories were about the Doctors working there.
those Doctors, that era, has long past.
Time moves on, things change, no going back that never works, not even life.

@su0000.
Awwww, su….you sound so nostalgic. Are you saying there’s no hope? That’s really sad…( tears)!!

Funny how Su never posts Ron’s track record. OLTL…cancelled four years after Ron took the helm. (Even I dont blame Ron for that, that was network politics). And then GH…three years after Ron takes over, it is in the worst creative shape it EVER has been, recording record breaking lows in all ratings categories, and cancellation rumours have been swirling. And Su will blame ANY writer for the decline of a show, except Ron. When Ron is involved, the problems are always someone else’s fault…the network, Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Sarah Palin, the rainforest ecosystem, etc. Let it go Su! Ron is gone! He is not coming back! Go back to the shrine of him in your closet and watch old YouTube clips of his work, but PLEASE….pick a new topic to post about!!!!!!

I read the entrie interview in SOD. My take —
Not interested in the characters they are writing about. Agree RH and MS and many others are good actors but every good actor does not belong on a show if the char does not work. KIKI< Nina, Franco , Madelline , Hayden …don't . Never have made it and at least up to Hayden have been given chances. NOT INTERESETED in Paul Hornsby no matter how much prime time the guy has—didn't like him years ago on Days and PH char was a bore.
IMHO what would bring me back to GH (and maybe the writers don't care to bring me back) is 1. clearing up the messes of ruined char beginnning with Frisco and btw the return made everyone look bad including Mac who was a wuz. Also Robin, lucky and Anna should be fixed. Do something with Lucy she is talented, maybe bring Serena back.
Other char may have just been on too long with no new stories to tell about them. ..Alexis(and I don't like NLG due to her pollitics which she neve shuts up about and her boobs which she never covers up at age 55) Sonny, Carly.Without Ned why Lois and she can also shut up about her pollitics.
Which leaves us with not much. so maybe ABC should just do a brand new soap and reuse those actors they love so much as new people and the writers can write what they want and not be handicapped to a past.
I do not agree with these writers that Sonny/Carly are a supr couple and that Maxie should return to her bad girl days or some of the other thoughts they have on those they are planning to write about. I never want see TG again as luke, fluke bill or anyone.
Others may disagree and if there are enough of those GH will stay on ..if not it won't.
I won't give the GH these guys are talking about doing my time, but I would a brand new soap.

Donna you said it all. I totally agree. I find this show has gone tooo far over the top. I don’t think I will be as disappointed if this show is cancelled as I was when As the World Turns was. For almost the same reason. EP and new writers who wouldn’t listen to what the fans wanted. First they destroyed the show .then fans shut it off, and the ratings slipped and it was cancelled. GH looks like its on the way. That is really to bad.

hi janet..
as far as writers listening to what fans want..
Some fans love the mob others do not as an example..
What 10 fans don’t like 10 fans like.

It is the disgruntled fans who are not getting what they personally want from their soap who are bitchin and the ones who like it are content and silent/not much to bitch about.

The writers are well aware what some dont like others like it.
Writers write by their visions more so than squawk..
It is mostly the vet watchers of 20 or more years complaining, it seems.

I like the mob, I do not care for boring couples, I also like a good plot over romance, and I am not alone.

GH was doing well, 3 million a few times.. It was Fluke that downed GH ..

A lot of strong opinions here. I love it! Thats what being a fan is all about. I dont care what gender writes for the show. HOWEVER, as in life and if your married or in a serious relationship you know that men see things one way and women see things another. Now the trick is to come together and meet each other in the middle. IF that happens you are in it for a lifetime with the love of your life. In other words, soap wise, these ladies will see GH through their eyes as Ron did with his. The trick is to find a middle ground that appeases both the male and female fan base. Drama with a fist fight here or there with Sonny and the boys and then a romantic evening with Sam and Jason. A nice dinner and some hot passionate love making and a song. Remember when couples had a song and you had to search for who sang it and if it were available? They dont do that anymore. There are 1000’s of artists who would love to get a song out there and make a name for themselves. Jack Wagner did it! Happy Labor Day all.

Hip, Hip, Timmm. Best post yet on this subject! Later. …

@Timmm.
Yes, the younger generation does have love songs.
I have always been a fan of the OLDIES. My husband is more of the Zeppelin-type music.
But our song was/is, I GOT YOU BABE. And, our wedding song was AT LAST, by Etta James. See, we appreciate love songs…LOL.
There should definitely be music we can all appreciate on soaps.
Do you watch Days? It really irks me when Aidan and Hope dance to that insipid music. I am sure there are those who appreciate it, so I apologize. Also, ‘they’ started playing some kind of church music lately. There is so much beautiful music at their fingertips…yet, I understand…budget, budget, budget. Bye.

Hey there, CeeCeeGirl!…Your opinions could never be either nonsensical or worthless! (That “distinction” clearly belongs to someone else with whom we both are too sadly familiar! LOL.) Having said that, I find your grasp of musical history and choice of favorite eras most compelling, since I have very eclectic, multi-generational tastes in tunes, as well. Of course, I remain besotted with my ’80’s songs….they were optimistic, energetic and as big and bold as the decade itself! I still derive much happiness and pleasure whenever I hear the soundtrack of my coming of age years…great for conjuring up beautiful memories, uplifting my spirits or even driving my exercise routines! But I also have some choice picks from the ’70’s and as far back as the ’60’s, as well….like Chicago, Carpenters, Bread, Boston, Eric Carmen, the Beach Boys, and oh yes, The Grassroots, too! (Just to name a few….) As far as the Brit Boys go, I was far more into Duran Duran, Bowie and Spandau Ballet than Freddie M, but that’s not to say that Queen didn’t have some awesome stuff. (Have you ever watched footage of the original LiveAid? Unbelievable…..such a major world event!) As for wanting to have experienced the 1960’s in all of its so-called glory, I’m not so sure about that….granted, it started out beautifully enough with the white gloves, pillbox hats and social niceties, but I do believe I’ll be forever grateful that I didn’t live in the midst of all the uncivilized, unsavory aspects and psychedelic craziness that accompanied the latter part of the decade. Definitely not my cup of tea….let’s just say I was a very happy camper ensconced in the more conventional and sane sensibilities of the 1980’s…in fact, I still miss them! (And what a coincidence,,,,I actually had a singing beau, too! His repertoire included “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” “Physical” and “Abracadabra,” amongst many others….yes, he was a saucy one! LOL.) As for your selection of wedding song, I’d have to say how apropos, given the many years you knew your husband before your marriage….what an absolutely sweet love story you have! I always enjoy the details that you so generously share with us. Anyway, yes, I was fortunate to have partaken of the many joys of the “Golden Age” of daytime dramas….probably a bit too much and early for my tender age at the time….but they were an absolute kick to behold, just the same!!! It really is a shame that at least a vestige of their creative greatness is no longer apparent in today’s pared-down versions.

Thanks Cee. You know what is funny? You and I go back and fourth posting on this site and we have never met, HOWEVER, when Michael told Sonny he loved him as Sonny lays there fighting for his life, you were the first person I thought of! I wondered how you would react to that scene? My opinion is Sonny murdered AJ. I hated that BUT he thought AJ murdered Connie. Its an excuse and murder is murder and Sonny hated AJ but I honesty think Sonny wouldnt have just gunned down AJ because of Michael. And Michael probably will always resent Sonny for what he did but he loves Sonny and he is like a father to him and to stare at Sonny lying there fighting for his life probably makes Michael feel like forgiveness is more important than grudges. It makes Michael more of a man and it makes Sonny SEEM human. Later Cee!

@Timmm.
Hi, there!
Hey, I don’t need to know you, or see what you look like to ‘dig’ your character…or to sense what a great, humble and to-the-point person you are.
What you say is absolutely true. Hate and anger can only eat one’s heart…and body…..like a cancer. Then again, if someone had hurt my father in any way? Well, I may look like a helpless kitten; but, I do have the claws of a tigress. LOL.
I do see exactly what you are saying, but there is never a good excuse for murder. It’s a soap, I guess. Nonetheless, I am sure such situations happen in real life, as well. I think if I had any sympathy for Sonny, I’d have a more malleable point of view. Luv-ya.

You are so right, Timmm! And not just about the male vs. female aspect of life, but the overwhelming role that popular tunes once played in daytime dramas. Even now, one can hear a certain song from decades past and it still immediately calls to mind memories of a specific soap couple long gone….the musical effect was just that indelible!

Shay, it must be a budget issue. It does cost money to play an artists song BUT what about those who are trying to get noticed? Oh the good old days. Remember when they went on location shoots?

Hi, Shay.
Just to inject my nonsensical and probably worthless opinion……
I wish I lived during the 60’s and 70’s just for the music.
My greatest dream was to have met Freddie Mercury. I can’t offer anything else, except that my husband used to foolishly sing HEARTBREAKER by Gene Pitney to me, when I would ignore him as a teen. LOL. Or, MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS.
Seriously, I can appreciate the way soaps used to be. I have both my grandmothers, who are a font of information. The songs were a big part of the soap world. So meaningful and poignant….so much so that there seems to be a revival of said songs everywhere we look…..especially commercials.
Nonetheless, as you and Timmm, discussed, budget can deter TPTB from ’embellishing’ even the scenery. Everything has a price tag….later.

@Timmm….Yes, I’m sure music royalties are a huge factor, just as tight budget constraints also account for the lack of those sumptuous location shoots, not to mention anything resembling a decent array of fashions or set designs. The soaps used to be both a visual and aural feast….not only did we have better shows and storylines, but we were spoiled for choice amongst so many different programs. I used to need two VCR’s to tape all my daily favorites during the mid-to-late ’80’s and early ’90’s when we had wall-to-wall soaps from late morning until well-past the school day! Good times, indeed. Sigh……P.S. I do wish GH would add a singing character–beyond the incomparable Dr. O., of course!— who would provide their own “soundtrack” to the show…..I was a huge Frisco fan…..would love to see Jack Wagner return as the crooning crime-fighter alongside Anna!

BRING BACK JACK! He actually had a new single out last year thats worth a download. “Drivin’ Miss Daisy”

To be honest, I am getting sick of the word BUDGET being used as an excuse by the powers that be. It is an excuse because they can use it as a stock answer anytime they dont want to give fans what they want. GH can well afford a bloated cast of 50 plus (recurring and contract) and rent massive warehouses for stories about mob shoot outs, but cant set up more than 3 tables at the Nurses Ball or stage a wedding with more than 8 guests. On Days, the most powerful families now have one room shacks for homes, while throwaway character Kyle had a large, sumptuous, fully decorated apartment. Bold and Beautiful can go on location shoots all around the world but cant afford o hire one writer who will say “I dont like writing about incest!” Young and Restless can bring on an endless parade of old primetime t.v. Stars, but cant afford a lawbook that would explain why Victor Newman would be rotting in jail right now. I LOVE what Ellen Wheeler tried to do with GL!! She was indeed a visionary! I am not saying what ultimately aired was perfect…far from it…but her intentions and her vision were spot on!! They shouldnt have chosen quite such a small town as Peapack, when it was established that Springfield had major conglomerates and hotels and nightlife. As well, the writing was not strong enough at first to support the minimal dialogue. But by the time the show ended, I thought they had most of the production kinks worked out. I love location shoots….they dont have to be sumptuous! Two characters sitting in a REAL park as opposed to the fake shrub park set that every soap has makes SO much difference!! All the soaps now tape in L.A. I dont see how it is so expensive to shoot outside right in their own back yard! Days was doing that with its Salem Place outdoor set back in 1992!! Producers and writers of the FOUR remaoning soaps better stop blowing smoke, passing the buck (or lack thereof), and start listening to fans!! Or there will be no shows to budget and no fans to listen to!!!

Or, Rick Springfield, Shay.

Shay and Timmm…what nice thoughts about what music, special songs, and “exotic” locations can bring to our soaps and memories….even the original GH intro music.

I hear the first strains of “If Ever Youre In My Arms Again” and I am transported to my childhood self watching this wacky wonderful new show called Santa Barbara! Sadly, before a show can have a love song for couples, the show would need, well…couples. Itis very telling that DAYS is returning to former glory by bringing back couples from the past! Their most recent attempt at a young couple ended with the girl being strangled to death. It is hard to invest in a couple when you know they are only being put together for the sake of future plot manipulation. Y and R is chief offender…their canvas is littered with couples we dont Care about at all and who have no long term rootong value…Nick and Sage, Sharon and Dylan, Noah and Hispanic Newcomer of the Month (they already tried this story for Noah…it tanked!), Joe and Ashley, etc etc.

Does anyone fall in love or even stay in love long enough to have a song! Your right Dylan, the Y&R pairings are horrible! I dont even like Jack and Red. No chemistry with new actress!

@Dylan….Who are Joe Perkins and Kelly Capwell????? Hah! How very uncanny that you chose this particular SB supercouple’s “theme song” over which to wax nostalgic, because Peabo’s tune was one of those to which I specifically was referring! To this day, whenever the strains of “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” hits the radio, I am also immediately transported back to the earliest moments of that long-lost soap. Just goes to show how the power of great music, casting and storylines can make a couple come alive and remain indelibly etched in one’s memory forever!

Isn’t Sofia Pernas (Marissa) gorgeous, Dylan? But, she is not Hispanic. She is half Moroccan/French and a Spaniard from northwest Spain. You know? The area known as Galicia.
True-blue relationships on soaps are recycled ( everyone has had a taste of everyone’s sister, brother, father, mother and each other…LOL)….as revolving as Russian Roulette. One never knows who’s going to bite the proverbial bullet or when.

@Timmm…..I second the motion on Rick Springfield! Unfortunately, whilst GH definitely requires a return visit from the dishy Dr. Noah Drake, the busy actor certainly has no use for the soap at his point! His career is going just fine without it, from his work as a talented book author, to his many musical appearances all over the world, not to mention his latest film role opposite Meryl Streep, and his numerous tv guest shots. ‘Tis a real shame for us fans who would love to see him turn up again in Port Charles, but not unlike countless other hotties of GH past…..i.e., Jack Wagner, Sean Kanan, John Stamos and now Michael Easton, it would seem that Ron C. saw fit to besmirch, dispose of and/or direct his character into that soap opera limbo where all our former heartthrobs seem to go, perhaps never to be heard from again. (I really hope the new lady writers will change that….) Needless to say, I’d love to see Noah back in town to reclaim Anna…they made the most vital, attractive and cool pair of grandparents that I’ve ever seen!

Just in case these two new head writers are reading: The character I can’t get enough of right now is Kyle Sloane… Oh. My. Goodness. PLEASE keep him!!! The actor currently playing this character is fantastic and charming — and I like the depth of acting he’s bringing to the role. If you don’t want him with Anna, give him a new story line. Just please keep him in Port Charles (as a good guy or bad guy, but maybe a good guy pretending to be a bad guy???)! 🙂

Funny you should say that, Samantha. I always contended that Sloane was a good guy pretending to be in cahoots with Lomax and Nikolas. I think he has something up his sleeve. As far as his longevity on the scene? Well, that remains to be seen. LOL.

That would be my hope, CeeCee! Although GMcC operated in a much smarmier manner than the “original recipe” Kyle—and actually made my skin crawl—now that the first “Sloane Ranger” has returned, I’d love to see his previous actions explained away just as you have described. RD has such an appealing boy scout facade and I really like him with Anna. They make a good looking couple! I could easily envision them paired as a “Nick and Nora”-type duo if GH doesn’t have the good sense to bring back Robert or Frisco to do likewise with Ms. Devane.

Hi, ShayGirl
You’re right, of course. Anna and This Sloane do look good together…their looks alone send me.
But, Anna does not deserve a rascal such as he. We certainly do agree that, at the end of the day, his actions will have a sound and plausible explanation. I would love for there to be an evolving romance between them. Later.

I concur, CeeCee! Anna and “The Sloane Ranger” do make a mighty fine looking couple! Alas, I fear he is going to remain a rogue to the predicted bitter end, no heroic figure he….you know what they say about a “woman scorned?” Well, me thinks this guy is going to put all females to shame in his quest for romantic retribution…LOL. How I hope my sneaking suspicions prove to the contrary…..RD is a classic leading man type, and a real keeper.

Has anyone on this board ever participated in one of those focus groups that help guide the EP and the HW’s as to what type of storylines and characters will increase ratings? Who is asking for more mob stories all the time? Who is asking for main characters that we are supposed to care about who are cold blooded murderers? How can one root for a romantic situation when one or more of the parties are murderers, often multiple murderers? Don’t people want justice? And what about all the born again Christians out there–they seem to drive a show’s reluctance to depict gay romance, but they seem to have no problem with characters who break several of the Ten Commandments and are theoretically bound for Hell? How can one invest in a character like Sonny, or Julian, or Ava, or Michael, or Jason, or Sam, who have all killed people, rather ruthlessly, and in some religions are considered on a straight road to Hell–and those viewers are supposedly determining our national elections? It doesn’t make sense that daytime TV doesn’t get that these people are their viewers, not the more liberal, willing to be challenged viewers on the Coasts?

Thank you for leaving the doors open for Tony Geary (Luke) to come back, although it won’t be permanent. Lulu will need her Father and her Mother when news of her cousin Valerie’s pregnancy with Dante.comes out. It should not have gone that far. Lulu and Dante deserve all the happiness in the world. And PLEASE, don’t let Helena throw a monkey wrench in their plans to have another baby. Please let the sperm they have be that of Dante and Lulu and not that of Helena’s son. (his name eludes me) I have had enough of her shananigans.

James, Thank you for the response to the Sonny Corrinthos situation. He is not the only one out for someones blood. Ava Jerome wants to do him and Carly in. She is out to get them no matter what and who stands in her way. She is trying to get Avery back no matter what. She wants to take her away from Sonny because she is in a dangerous situation. HELLO? She is no stranger to toting a gun. ae: She shot Connie in cold bllood. Okay, who else? Ana Devane. She shot Carlos in cold blood. It’s being covered up. Heyden. Nicholas had one of his goons shoot her. But, she lived. Franco. How many people did he put in the ground,. That was explained away due to a brain tumor. He is now walking around a free man. Madeline. She stabbed Silas. Almost got away with it, but is now back in prison. How long will it be before she is out wreaking havoc again? Do you get the picture? Sonny is not alone in all the shootings going on in Port Charles. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fan of violence, okay? Far from it. But you can’t change the script. Some lines they just let go on for too long instead of sitting back and saying, okay, let’s try something different here. That’s where it all goes to Hell in a hand basket. ( What I said earlier about not being a fan of violence, I have a son who is 29 years old and does re-po work He has been shot at numerous times and I am in constant fear that one night I will get that knock on my door).
So, in conclusion, let’s not forget about all the other GUN TOTING mobsters. Sonny is not alone. P/S, Out of all the people on GH, Sonny and Luke are my son’s favorite actors. Thanx for letting me vent. Hope to hear from you again. Have a good day……

I think that it don’t made a difference but think that they should bring back the vets back like zrobert to help Anna out .If you only bring him back you see that all your viewers would come back.Robert Mac seam and the gamed that was their during the first cartel .why do we need all ofthe new people. Ron messed up Robert and Anna love by said that Duke wad thr love of her life wrong.zif you go baçk in look at Robert anf Anna lovr you will see who is.Evrn when shr wad with zfDukr she alway though of Robert and alway will .so bring Robert back.The che that he anf Anna have will nevet br with no other couples.So if it rating that you want bt ing him back you see it go upThe veiwer love Robert Anna Robin .Isn”t it odd thst no one is looking for robin. Bring some clourse to the Robin just don’t let her be a died beat mother because thàt just what shr is gor nou. Whst sbout thre SCORPIO FAMILY.

I have been watching General Hospital for 42 years. Yes 42 years but I’m getting ready to give it up. So tierd of this boring Jake Jason thing. You need to hurry up and get jason back. To Sam. Elizabeth is the most boring person on GH. She needs to go. Please get it together its so boring.
GH fan gonna say bye-bye

You hit the nail on the head. I have been watching GH ever since it first aired way back when with my Mother. I’m 62 now. (my Mom has since passed on). These people need to get it together. They have too many irons in the fire as it is. Solve one dilemma, before starting with another. I am so tired of the hum drum drama. Don’t know about you, but I am curious as to what’s up with the ex Dr. Silas Clay. Is he an addict?

YES, YES, YES to Sam and Jason having another baby. Nicolas would do good to give the boot to Hayden, Rachel, whoever and think long and hard before he decides to give his heart so freely to another woman.. By law, he is not legally married to Rachel (aka-Hayden Barnes). Rachel’s name is not on the marriage certificate. Hayden Barnes’ name is, an alias. Am I not correct? Hey Nicolas, don’t listen to anymore of her lies and boot the Dame out.

General Hospital

Is FBI Agent John “Jagger” Cates on the Level? GH’s Finola Hughes, Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson Weigh-in

When John “Jagger” Cates resurfaced on General Hospital in recent months in the form of Adam J. Harrington taking over the role originally played Antonio Sabato Jr,. know one knew quite sure just what side of the law is Cates really on? And, is he back in Port Charles to settle old scores with Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Jason (Steve Burton)?

What viewers have learned is that when Jason was taken captive two and half years ago, back in November of 2021, he was taken to Quantico, where Agent Cates had multiple RICO violations on Jason and was going to send him to prison for years, unless he worked for Cates and his team, in which Jason has been an informant working on the inside on the Pikeman arms deal case, or so it appears.

Now on the latest episode of Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson’s Daily Drama podcast, Finola Hughes (Anna) stopped by to chat with her GH co-stars and all three weighed-in on just what they think maybe going on with John Cates.

Photo: ABC

Bradford Anderson brought up that maybe Agent Cates isn’t working on the level. Hughes responded, “I don’t know, I’m not sure.” Burton added, “Yeah, we’re not sure. There’s some unknowns coming, so we’ll figure that out. But, it’s been a fun story to play for sure. I really like it. A lot of layers to it. I’s been excellent stuff to be back with for sure.”

Finola added, “I think we’re gonna be going through finding out who certain people are that are coming on canvas, like John Cates and Brennan (Charles Mesure) and where do they all fit in?”

Courtesy/ABC

Steve added, “You’ve got Pikeman and what their real motives are. “Jagger” obviously. And then, Pikeman is not facing on-screen.” The question of if Pikeman is a person also got brought by Anderson, to which his co-stars added, they believe it’s a company.

Courtesy/ABC

Explaining more about Brennan and what he was up to was answered by Hughes,”That’s a sort of throwback, perhaps back in the day at WSB. He just came on the canvas briefly. Nobody knows if he’s goo (or bad). I (Anna) got him put in prison, so he’s off, and out of the way right now.”

You can check out the latest edition of the Daily Drama podcast below.

Now let us know, who do you think John “Jagger” Cates is working for? FBI, Pikeman, himself, or some other unknown entity or enemy? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

Nancy Lee Grahn’s Star-Studded ALS Fundraiser Reveals “I’ll Be There” Video Featuring Soap Opera Notables

Talk about your impressive line-up! It’s a soap fans dream and for a great cause. General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) is prepping her one-night only ALS fundraiser which will feature many of her friends and co-stars.

The benefit is set for May 4th in Glendale, California. Slated to participate are Genie Francis, Jane Elliot, Peter Bergman, Maurice Benard, Eileen Davidson, Thorsten Kaye, Michelle Stafford, Stephen Nichols, Rena Sofer, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, Melissa Claire Egan, Maura West, Kristina Wagner, Gregory Harrison, Trevor St. John, Kate Mansi, Kirsten Storms, Cynthia Watros, and many others.

On Wednesday, Grahn took to her social media and released an “I’ll be there” video shout-out featuring, Monaco, Elliot, Bergman, Bernard, West, Harrison, St. John and more. In a touching and important moment in the new video, Michelle Strogny, who is battling ALS, is featured.

Photo: ABC

Previously, in speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the impetus of the event, Grahn recalled, “I was actually doing Zoom events during Covid and I met this woman that I just fell in love with, Michelle Strojny. At the time, Michelle had been living with ALS for four years. Now, it’s five years. She is a mom of a teenage son, she has the most wonderful husband, and she has been dealing with this [disease] for quite a while. And obviously, there isn’t a cure yet. It’s not survivable yet. But as she says, it’s not incurable. Nothing is; it’s underfunded. But anyway, I just really dug this woman. She is so grounded and filled with grace, and she spends all of her time working to raise money for the cause. We did a fundraiser for her last year and then I thought, ‘You know what? The soaps don’t ever get together to do something for charity.’ Collectively, we have this amazing community and we don’t collectively use it for a good cause, and I think it’s such an easy thing for us to do and we could potentially really make a difference.”

As GH viewers know, Gregory Harrison is playing the character of Gregory Chase, who is also battling ALS in a touching storyline that is currently playing out shedding a light on this disease.

For information on Nancy’s event, including the stars who are s scheduled to participate click here. To purchase tickets to the event click here.

Check out the video featuring Nancy’s friends and co-stars below.  Now let us know, your thought son the line-up for the benefit and helping raise awareness and funds for ALS research via the comment section.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Writer Shannon Peace Let Go, and Shares on Sprina: “One of My Only Regrets is to Not Have the Opportunity to Develop That ‘Ship’ Further”

As General Hospital’s new head writing team of Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahy gets off the ground and running, there are still changes a foot on the writing team.

Now comes word via breakdown writer Shannon Peace that she is no longer on contract with the long-running ABC soap heading into its 61st season. Peace shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram, thanking the fans, and the show for the opportunity and the importance of diversity in the writers room.

Peace began, “After almost 3 years on staff and 106 episodes penned, I am no longer on contract with General Hospital. Writing for this country’s longest running television serial drama has been an education of epic proportions; I will forever be grateful that I earned my WGA card on a daytime fixture that holds memories for so many.” (Peace pictured below with GH EP Frank Valentini and script writer, Charlotte Gibson from about ten months ago).

Photo: SPeaceIG

Shannon added “Even more importantly, as the sole Black breakdown writer (and only POC in the writers room) during my tenure, I pushed for vital interactions and discussions that prioritized inclusion, visibility, and representation”

The writer pointed to the example of vital interaction when in story, “Stella and Portia’s frank July 2022 conversation about the role race played in Esme’s framing of Trina is just one example of the impact I’m gratified to have had.”

Acknowledging former GH co-head writers was also part of Peace’s farewell expressing, “Appreciation to my former bosses, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor – not only taking a chance on me, but for valuing my opinion and championing my voice.”

Courtesy/ABC

Many GH fans know that Peace was key to the development of the love story between Trina Robinson and Spencer Cassadine as played by Tabyana Ali and Nicholas Chavez. Shannon gave a special shout-out to ‘Sprina’ fans, “I also want to thank fans who were supportive of my work, especially the recognition of my love for ‘Sprina’. One of my only regrets is not having to develop that ‘ship’ further.”

She concludes her statement with,”In the aftermath of a historic writer’s strike that shed new light on the troubling ways writers are regarded in daytime, my sincere hope is that General Hospital recommits to valuing staff writer efforts and input, with a more intentional focus on diverse viewpoints — and thrives for another 60 years.”

Accompanying her post, Shannon added, “Thank you all for the love and support these last few years. I hope GH fans get all they hope for and more!”

So, what do you think about GH not renewing Shannon’s contract? Will there be more continued changes afoot? What do you think is the future of ‘Sprina’ anyway at this point as viewers wait to see if Nicholas Chavez officially returns to the show?  Comment below.

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