General Hospital
The Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati Interview – General Hospital – Soapmakers Of The Year 2014

109
Thanks for the interview, Michael! It’s always fascinating hearing what Frank and Ron have to say. I know the people that don’t like them will be picking apart their comments word for word, and getting the pitch forks ready, lol. For me, someone that has been a loyal GH fan for over 20 years now, I can’t remember when I’ve enjoyed watching the show more. The cast is phenomenal and the deepest its been since I’ve started watching, and the stories are like a roller coaster ride, you never know which direction they’re gonna go next. And I love that.… Read more »
You were right Dan. So many negative comments. Are things perfect on GH…but what soap is perfect?!?! Some people just need not to be so flippin’ critical.
No way do I believe RP was hired for his acting talents because when he started…………..
Well, if the description is “hunky 20ish male,” you have to know that there are THOUSANDS of them in L.A. just like Paevey. Looks alone don’t get you hired. Yes, Paevey was a little awkward in his first scenes. But, he also was really good right away in scenes with Finola Hughes, Donna Mills and Lulu. He’s always been more relaxed & comfortable in scenes with the ladies.
KansasGuest, Agreed! RP was incredibly stiff (I used to joke about the stick up Nathan’s butt and wondered if he was sucking on lemon drops whenever he was showing displeasure), however he connected with his scene partners which is an important first step. His early scenes with Anna were earnest in a way that ultimately saved his character from coming off as a conniving villain when going after Silas. And as grating as this year’s NYE hijinks were, it is pretty impressive that he was able to connect with KS so well on his first day on the job, that… Read more »
I agree with every word Dan said. GH has not been this good in a very, very long time–thanks to the great team of Carlivati and Valentini! Kudos also, to the hard working and talented cast and crew!
I have watched GH for almost 50 years and I assure you that at one time the show was way better than this. RC is not a writer, he just picks out plot points. You obviously missed GH during the 90s when it was written by Claire Labine. If you enjoy the claptrap this pair dish out, fine but don’t diss people who are negative because they think it stinks.
Agreed! This era of GH has been one of my-all time faves, been watching since I was like 10 or 11, so 33 or 34 years. Great interview Michael, and thanks to the cast and crew, writers and producers — wonderful to have GH relevant again! Happy New Year!
2014 was a outstanding year for GH!! Can’t wait to see what is ahead in 2015, but Please, for the love of your viewers, solve this Fluke storyline once and for all.
There is just so much to comment on here. So many things on this show just don’t make sense, characters are dumbed down and ignore the obvious to advance plot and so many beats are missed. Things are rewritten midstream (like Robin all of a sudden skyping with Emma). Still can’t get over the whole Chrichton-Clark stuff and the Levi/Peter, Aztec treasure bit. It was about nothing and meant nothing. Felicia wasn’t even a part of it and by the way, how’s that recount going? The election, a 30 year vet running for Mayor, was so intriguing and brilliantly told,… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more with your assessment. Show is sorely lacking in sense… but maybe we are simply expecting too much of this team. Maybe this really is the best they can do. If so, no amount of thoughtful criticism will resonate, because it will make as much sense to these creators as their show makes to many of us. We clearly have much different dramatic standards than these creators and maybe we should just accept that this is all they are capable of giving us. They have reached their level and maybe that is just what it is. Expecting a… Read more »
Sigh. It being almost the new year I want to be positive. But the truth is this interview made me wince. I mean, does Ron ever get shoulder pain from patting his own shoulder all of the time? As GH50 says, there is so much to say but suffice to say Ron is reinventing the soap opera genre. Character driven drama has been replaced by pure plot driven camp. Some viewers love this new brand of soapy camp while others like me miss flesh and blood characters who make us care about them.As Tristan says, it is what it is.
Tristan, I think you’re right. It is what it is with this regime and team of writers. My biggest problem with the show is the lack of sense, logic and superficial storytelling. I still can’t believe that Super Spies Robert and Anna, in their attempt to safeguard their family from Faison, stuck him in a hole under Wyndemere, had what appears to be the groundskeeper keep an eye on him, never checked on him in a year and were duped. What kind of storytelling is that? Does it make any sense to the audience? Is that really the best that… Read more »
Finally, comments that make sense! Sure, there have been some good stories, but far too many are unbelievably over-the-top. I’d like some semblance of reality on this soap!
And I’d like to see some of the “ruined” women (Anna, Tracy) redeemed and brought back to their fierce selves!
“For me, Faison was a story thread that was left hanging that the audience wanted to know the answer to, which was: ‘what did Anna (Finola Hughes) and Robert (Tristan Rogers) do to Faison?’ We then sort of found a way to weave that into our Fluke story, and give some payoff to that. That one was a no-brainer. We knew that Faison would have to come back eventually to play that out.” That comment by Ron speaks volumes. It proves what is obvious to many, that they make it up as they go and change story midstream. They had… Read more »
There is so much delusion in this interview. Who enjoys the mask stories? Or the way most of these uses of history are done? They usually end up rewriting it or making people so unbelievably stupid and vapid so they can move some piece of BS they are shoveling. The best work they did this year was the Sonny/A.J. reveal and Michael’s reaction. Sadly, things like that are few and far between. No one cares about Fluke anymore. I have been FFd like mad for weeks.
Love these guys not only for the stellar work they do on GH but also for the final years of OLTL. Their brand of soap opera may not be for everyone but there are a lot of people who obviously love it. I haven’t missed an episode since Valentini and Carlivati came on board. If you don’t like it, throw your passion into one of the other shows that needs viewers!
General Hospital rules Daytime Soaps. This is the soap that will be the last one standing. Great writing, acting, and production. The winning combination.
Production is good, yes. Some of the acting is as good as can be expected given the over-the-top, purely camp stories. Billy Miller seems to be just acting like Billy Abbott while claiming that he’s going to play it his way. I guess that means he is not even going to try and hint that Jason Morgan lurks darkly beneath the surface-no nuances, and no conflict. And I LOVE Miller–I was singing his praises from the roof tops when I heard he was coming aboard. The writing? I do not profess to be an expert on anything except one thing–good… Read more »
Your right Harry, Billy is talented but to me Billy Miller is still just being Billy Abbot in PC! I’m waiting for Victoria to show up at Kellys and ask Billy why he hasnt been around because over at Y&R they have some guy in our “Father Knows Best” dream home who looks like John Denver but calls himself Billy Abbott!
I agree jill right on
I will never understand how the soap press keeps marvelling at some greatness that is not on my screen. This show is awful. There is no consistency and the propping of characters that should not be is astonishing. Dr. O? She is a frigging felon. She is now leading the traditional Christmas show. Another slap in the face to GH history that they so respect. The trashing of Robin is another. I am sick to death of hearing how they never know when she will be available, but they continue to USE this character to drive stories. After reading this… Read more »
Dr. O is just ridiculous. Robin is trashed, Anna and Robert are trashed.
I don’t get it, Michael.
Agreed–Margie and Angela.
Why is Anna constantly being made to look like a imbecilic, corrupt officer of the law while the vile, heinous, vile, sneering horrible Dr O is constantly being propped up at Anna’s expense? I did not know they had Dr O taking the beloved Steve Hardy’s place in reading “Twas a Night Before Christmas.” Is that supposed to be cute and funny? I have a pretty good sense of humor but I see no humor in that.
I agree with everything you said as well, GH 50. None of the people you mention seem to be playing it straight.they all seem to be “winking at the camera.”
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I’ll never understand why these men are praised as Messiah’s of the soap world when they haven’t done a single thing extraordinary to warrant such honors. There are no Labine like ratings coming from these two. Even Guza’s era had higher ratings and I threw a literal party online when he was finally cut loose. It’s downright baffling. None of the soaps have shown major improvement over the last decade and won’t because times have changed, which I totally understand. But Ron and Company are so stuck in his love for the 80s that he refuses… Read more »
It’s always been a mystery to me too! I quit watching OLTL shortly after they started writing that show. They did the same ridiculous far-out writing over there too. I’ve been with GH longer, so I’ll not quit watching, but I always have the remote in my hand so I can FF.
@ Angela-This. There is neither heart nor soul in this headwriters’ plot point stories. and little that resembles greatness as it emanates from this executive producer. The sad thing is that some people keep on eating this stuff up, talking themselves into believing it’s good. The loyal viewing audience deserves better. The actors who have to wring something out of this schlock deserve better.
I adore Dr.O! Kathleen Gati is incredibly talented, she brings so many sides to the character. She can be evil, scheming, giving, vulnerable, hilarious, and what a singing voice!
I love when Dr.O. and Anna get in each other’s faces. I do not agree at all that Anna has been trashed. Her character was never perfect and she did many devious things in her long ago past. I am just so darn glad that Anna is back on GH.
As for Robin, she is barely on the show so…
IMHO, what most mean when they say Anna is “trashed” is that she’s being written like a total idiot 99.9% of the time. Who can’t tell rubber lips from real ones? It’s absurd. For someone who is a former spy, it’s not remotely in character. Same for Tracy and most women on this show. They are written like total fools.
Bravo, I agree. Plus GH was going under, and was only expected to survive for one year, when Frank and Ron came on board. That was in 2011. I love these 2 guys, and because of them, GH is still going strong.
My issue with these guys is twofold. First- the overall storytelling. Gaps, inconsistencies and contradictions dominate. Don’t know if writing team just lacks skills or are lazy, but it needs to improve. They’re in dire need of a TV version of a dramaturg. Secondly, their style. I’m not a fan of the camp and actor mugging for the camera. It feels like we get bad versions of SNL sketches rather than a serialized drama. In addition, sets continue to get darker creating a gloomy atmosphere. On a positive note, at least wardrobe has improved .
Everyone salivates over Liesel. I hate the character. She is an evil bitch! She kidnapped Robin and then took over Steve Hardy’s job at GH.. What a joke!
This is another gloss over the flaws interview. It’s a shame the soap press would rather cozy up to actors/producers/writers then critique the show. Every article praising horribly written characters, plot points, and ridiculous reveals.
Wonderfully short and sweet comment. And absolutely true.
I agree, brevity is the soul of wit. And speaking of brevity, now that Geary is finally back, can we please wrap up the Fluke storyline?
I agree, He is definitely glossed over this interview. There is so much over the top writing at GH these days. I am totally exhausted and burned out from it. You now have your entire cast the people of PC as criminals. All in need of jail space. There is no balance. and the fake faces storylines are too much. It is time to be more creative and move on and end this. They can’t continue to fall back to this overused storyline plot. We are not in 70’s any longer.
agreed
The head writer thinks people have moved on from scrubs. LOL Maybe because he intentionally systematically destroyed them. I have actually moved on from GH.
With KM not available to be on the show all of the time, how can scrubs still be relevant? They were one of my favorite otp’s but it is not fair to JT to have Robin on every once in a while.
How about working with Kimberly like they work with others. Or better yet give Scrubs their HEA and have JT come back as someone new since this isn’t Patrick anymore. Real Patrick isn’t stupid and would be investigating his wifes’s reason for leaving’especially after she came back from the dead and don’t get me started on how stupid ANNA looks like. PATRICK is written so out of character., he is unrecognizable. Getting tired of FV blaming Kimberlys schedule since he doesn’t blame TG for one, who delayed many stories,. He works with BM and others when they get other jobs… Read more »
This is true. Kim is leaving a huge hole on this show and it hurts other characters. Robin was gone 2 years, reunites with her husband and child and then “Disappears” again and Robert, Anna, or Patrick are not even suspicious? Bull****!
I feel like Jake/Jason is a failure of a storyline. I don’t even like Jake. There is nothing special about the character. I don’t understand why Jason wouldn’t be JM unless somehow Robin took away the brain damage because the brain damage is what made Jason JM not the memory loss. JM has been around for almost 20 years while JQ was only around a few. JM was the most unique character on daytime. I don’t want BM to try to act like Sbu. I just want him to be Jason. Sbu was nothing like JM but they never cared… Read more »
I agree the stuff with Liz and Ric is way OCC. Liz moved on a decade ago and never gave her ex a single thought!
I completely agree! Liz got over Ric… and she didn’t mourn for him a darn lick when she thought he had died. She flirted up a storm with Jake only to then kiss Ric on Christmas? Her reaction to seeing Ric was way too much and didn’t make sense at all. I’m tired of characters acting against their history. I actually miss Guza and JFP.
Wake me when Robin returns with the shock waves because right now show doesn’t warrant an hour of my time. Jason return has been sleep inducing, Fluke identity has gone on too long, too much focus on the crazies. Show need someone to be a grenade to blow everything Sky high.
I really hope we get Silas and Ava as a official couple in 2015. Silas and Ava is all I really care about.
Their scenes were FANTASTIC, weren’t they? I don’t think Silas will ever tolerate Ava’s criminal involvement. But, I love the brutal honesty between both of them, and his continuing kindness to her. It even fits his character that he’s not completely horrified by her behavior because, after all, he had an evil serial killer brother.
Michael, I wished you would have asked Frank and Ron if they have considered recasting the role of Robin especially because as they’ve said of the challenges of KMC’s unpredictable schedule. Additionally, there has been backlash to the character & Kimberly because of the comings and goings of Robin and some believing stalling the progression of Patrick, which I find unfair to the actress. People are blaming KMC when it was FV and RC who chose to keep Robin alive back in 2012 after the lab explosion. I will admit I find the writing has been underwhelming for Robin and… Read more »
IMO, KMC should be mature enough to cut the cord to GH. If she wants to be successful director, she needs to go after that & not continue to count on the “safety net” of playing Robin. Look at Ron Howard. Once he decided to direct, he stopped the acting thing & went after directing whole hog. I think Scrubs fans would feel respected if KMC gave the OK to recast Robin because then GH would be free to write a REAL resolution for these two characters, and not just continue the patchwork job that has been done.
If this show is so “awesome” right now please explain why they are down 300k viewers from last year? Sam loved Jason, but soon fell in love with Silas, but a week later is with her soulmate Patrick. WTH? I suffered through the god awful unneeded dying baby storyline with Patrick and now he barely remembers he has a real daughter Emma who is in some weird kiddie romance. This show has become nothing but plot points and camp. No depth, no soul. It is shame they are not being called out on it.
As a longtime viewer I’m very happy w/GH! I love what they have added to it. A few years ago I was deleting episodes of GH because it was going nowhere. Now I’m back again watching daily. When they took over OLTL, I loved it and began to watch it after giving up on that show. I’m happy that they took over GH before I gave up on it.
I agree. I am extremely happy with GH, the talents of all involved. Of course there are critics (always are)…. and they have a choice to stay or go … but for those of us who enjoy GH today this is OUR time, and I love that these talented gentlemen are the toast of the town. They deserve it …. and so many of us love it.
I came back to GH last year after giving up on daytime soaps for over 25 years. I LOVE it! It’s a hoot. I like the pacing, the humor (Nina’s horse story while delivering a baby), the talent (hello, Maura West!), and the little surprises they throw in (“Wilkommen”, Spinelli, Anna imitating Faison, triple Carlys). Can’t wait to see what happens next. Go, GH!
Either recast Robin or have Patrick divorce her and move on…and instead of a repeated Robin kidnapping, have her work in some medical facility overseas…case solved!!!
Ya, probably best to finally recast Robin. I’m waiting for story to pick up with Emma, she has been abandoned so much lately, and probably still confused wondering why her Momma is always “away”.
I have been watching GH over 30 years. I have loved the story telling. It’s not real life, it”s an escape of reality to be enjoyed. I may be disappointed in losing Luke and Laura or Frisco and Feclicia, my favorite couples, but I still love my GH. I respect the writing and the actors, new and old. Go with the flow of life and GH.. appreciate their efforts and just try and be positive with a smile.. I for one am glad General Hospital is still here for me to enjoy.
I agree lisa as I have been watching GH FOR 22 YEARS thanks to Maurice Benard abd I love me some sonny!!!!!
Ron is wrong about the majority of the audience moving on. Most people I Know seriously grateful for DVR can barely watch cuz w/o being able to FF through the majority of the show. Robin and Patrick’s marriage was the only anchor on the show.
I started watching general hospital in 93 I fell in love with the character of Robin, Sonny then Jason and They kept me glued. I loved jason and robin and also love Robin and Patrick they became my super couple. I felt so bad at the way they wrote Robin off. I can’t believe the writers have made me dislike Patrick but I can’t help to love him sometimes when I see the old Patrick show up here and there especially around emma. Robin deserve better then RC has come with. Scrubs 4ever
I think it’s sad GH writers lack the ability to write for their gay characters l can’t remember when was the last time I saw Lucas in a storyline. and the two other gays on the show are nothing but cheerleaders for their female friends. I watch soaps like Hollyoaks… the writers are always giving their gay characters back to back lead storylines I just finished watching one of the gay character in court, the scenes are some of the best I’ve seen from a soap opera. I think GH producer need to maybe hire someone who knows gay characters… Read more »
ya, I hear ya, man. I always enjoyed the great drama, Hollyoaks when I’d visit the UK.
Interesting. GH can be highly entertaining yes, but it’s also maddening because of the numerous inconsistencies and plot gaps. You many think people are ‘overly critical’ and it’s a SOAP but that doesn’t take away the fact that GH has a bloated cast and because of that, can’t keep up with telling the stories that mean the most in a timely manner. I also really REALLY wish you’d get some complexity into your questions for these guys. Why waste time bringing back characters like Lucas and then wasting doing nothing with them. What about the whole TJ/Shawn left-field thing about… Read more »
I am so sick of the Royal Robin Highness Treatment. Comes back when she feels like it, she is not needed any more. Patrick can be with anyone he chooses, she will only come back to destroy whatever happiness he and Emma find. Put this deadbeat character to rest. Oh, and RIP Scrubs once and for all. Buh Bye, Robin.
I Thank God For These Two, I AM GLAD That They Saved General Hospital From Certain Death And Brought “NEW LIFE” To The Show
I Am GLAD That They Turned Things Around And Saved The Show
Which Was About To Be Extinct By SOAP OPERA KILLER JILL FARREN PHELPS
And Her Toadies And Lackies: Bob Guza, Steve Burton, Brian Frons, etc.
Glad THEY ARE ALL GONE From GH.
A Special SHOUTOUT Goes To Frank Valentini & Ron Carlivati
Thank You For Saving This Show.
I Am Glad I Stopped Watching Y and R
And Started Watching AND STILL Watching General Hospital And Have Been A Fan Of General Hospital Since January 2014
And Most Of My Other Favorite Actors Are On GH From Other Shows
Ie: Billy Miller & Michelle Stafford (The Young And The Restless)
Ilene Kristen (Ryan’s Hope / Loving / One Life To Live)
Donna Mills (The Secret Storm / Knots Landing)
And thats the point, these two saved the show. Its not perfect, sometimes you scratch your head, get frustrated on who IS on the show and who is NOT on the show but Frank and Ron deserve credit. How would you like to be a AMC or OLTL fan right now. I’m sure those fans would take Frank and Ron in a heartbeat!
I love GH for the following reasons: 1.a large talented cast with a great distribution of storylines.(remember the days when it was the Sonny- Carly-Jason show) 2.cast members aged 6-66 enjoying frontburner storylines(remember the days it was the Brenda- Sonny-Jax show) 3.guest appearances, cameos, of old time fan faves to bring surprises and rewarding storyline pay- offs to long time GH fans. 4. The Frank -Ron pairing. Frank the great businessman and Ron the writer who both were responsible for OLTL ‘s last year being one of the best of any soap with literally pennies to work with as their… Read more »
The large talented cast you speak of is filled with Cartini inventions. Wonder why they were invented? Not that hard to figure out. 6 year olds have no business driving a romantic story. That is disturbing. The guest appearances are called stunt casting to bring in viewers, but offering no reason to stay. Cartini is responsible for the CANCELLATION of OLTL. GH is down 300 thousand viewers from this time last year. People are finally figuring out the real deal here and not staying. There is no substance and anything that even smells of General Hospital history is at best… Read more »
The latest rating report states total viewers is down 22,000 viewers from last year. Where is the 300, 000 viewers figures from? Everybody has the right to their own opinions, but ratings are factual. Happy New Year, I hope your beverage choice is at least half full next year.
Barb, I respect your opinion but would you rather have this or nothing?
PERFECT!
i only have one issue where the heck is genie francis,,,,id like to know why ron lied when genie 1rst came back and said she was back permanently,,,,hes a liar a total liar,,is that why there is never no mention of genie in interviews,,,sorry this show is a over the top mess… does any one even really care bout fluke,,,,i didnt even realize tony geary was gone,,,,the whole cassidine mess does not work with out genie francis s laura,,it just does not work,,sorry ive taken this disaster off my dvr…a waste of good actors in retarted story lines…
Genie left because her dad was very ill and went to take care of him. Don’t quote me but I think she did interview with TV Guide (or some other mag) I can’t remember which explained why she had to leave so suddenly. As to why she hasn’t come back I’m not sure. Maybe her dad is still ill or maybe some other reason. But they brought back almost every other person there has to be some reason why not GF. I’m sure the payoff would be with the reveal of Fluke finally if she was involved. I hate the… Read more »
I have watched GH since 1977. Over the years, there have been compelling characters and stories that drew you in and kept you watching. However, my GH viewing has now dwindled down to the point where I barely ever watch. In fact, watching old episodes on youtube is far more satisfying. I think for me the last straw was the abrupt way that Genie Francis (Laura) fell off the canvas last go round. To have the Cassidine /Fluke storyline without her is just such a lost opportunity and frankly I find it jjust too frustrating to continue watching. Time to… Read more »
All I have to say in response to many of the negative posts about the present writers is this: Would you seriously rather have Guza back?? The stories on GH now may have their flaws, but at least this team has bothered to integrate the characters, writer large umbrella stories that affect every character on the canvas, and make it fun. This is a show that has a history of wild and bizarre tales that didn’t always make a heck of a lot of sense. Since the early 80’s this show has had spies, weather machines, masks, alien crystals, cryo… Read more »
I’m with Matt this show is so much better then it was before. I may not like it all but who likes everything I’ve been watching 30 years that be impossible. FV and RC have brought the show back for certain death. I’ve LOL, cried and been shocked so many times. When I watch GH i try to just go with the flow and don’t worry about that would never happen in real life. I have a real life I want to see suspense and thrills and love that are out of the realm of anyone’s real life. That’s what… Read more »
I will gladly accept Guza back. I would rather watch character driven stories with depth than some stupid plot point that makes the weekly Soup. This crap is NO WHERE near “must see”.
Guza and his “character driven stories” had GH on the verge of being canceled. There wouldn’t be a show on today for you to complain about. How soon people forget.
Outlandish plots are fine if they are told intelligently. The problem is when stories don’t make sense and characters are constantly dumbed down, ignoring the obvious, to advance those plots, and that’s what we have on GH.
All the things Michael praised FV/RC is what had me rolling my eyes. Britt’s exit was laughable! Her crying over a 9 year old kid she selfishly USED and put in immense danger to SNAG his father… TOTALLY LUDICRIS!!! But why am I not surprised? Villains have taken over the show. Dr. O, Faison, Fluke, Britt, Franco, Ava, Nina, Helena, Victor, even villainous kids like Spencer and Josslyn all get pushed to the front while the normal characters most fans can relate to are shoved to the back fighting over scraps! Meanwhile their stabs at romance on the show can… Read more »
Guza can only return to the show if he helps RC write character driven stories and not stories where veteran characters are round pegs in his square hole story telling..ie. see Carly/Franco and Liz/Ric!
Tired of the plot point story telling with no focus on character development or POV. These writers so desperate to sell a plot that they sabotage their own writing. Case in point the Silas/Sam romance. They built that romance for over a year only to destroy it to sell Patrick as Sam’s love in a matter of weeks. They should have just went with Pat from the beginning and moved Silas on to another viable love interest instead of wasting my damn time for a year. Will never invest in a couple again cause this regime damn sure does not… Read more »
I have watched GH for over 25 years and finally Frank and Ron made me wash my hands of this show. GH makes no sense. It is all plot driven and no real character development or stories are told. For starters Sabrina is the one who wanted Gabriel not Patrick yet she had next to nothing to do with the story of who ran her son off the road because he had to use Gabriel as an excuse to push his Sam and Patrick agenda. Also what happened to Silas being the other great love of Sam’s life besides Jason.… Read more »
I agree with everything you said which is why I WILL NOT be watching GH in 2015. I have DVR’d every episode since October and probably actually watched 3 all the way through. I’ve been watching for most of my life (I was 7 when Luke and Laura got married and remember it) and I cannot believe the amount of inconsistencies and just bad storytelling that is going on. I know it’s a soap opera and there is a level of disbelief but come on. How many times do we have to watch Helena come back – just die already.… Read more »
Amy, you make some really good points. I think one reason characters are written all over the place is to always have options in telling new or different stories. Your best point is the writers asking us to care about people who committed heinous crimes. It will be very tough to watch Ava bounce her little girl on her knee while we all know that she is a cold blooded murderer!
I shouldn’t be amazed at how the only soap critics who address the faults of GH (and there are many) are those who don’t make the big bucks and obviously work for the networks. Cmon Michael, sometime I would enjoy reading an interview between you and GH head honchos where some of the issues mentioned by fans above are actually addressed by Frank and Ron. GH wouldn’t be in third place out of four if there weren’t issues that needed to be addressed. You are great at what you do, but the continual stroking of Frank and Rons egos without… Read more »
I thought the interview was great. Michael asked good questions and Frank and Ron were as candid as two could be. You may have not liked their answers but give credit. I watch talk shows on TV and its the same questions with the same canned answers!
If I look at the whole show, there are things I don’t like or agree with . But I still think Ron C and Frank have done a fantastic job. I can’t remember the last time I fast forwarded anything even when I’m not happy with the story. And I always remember the Guza days and that makes me sooo thankful for these two
Michael Fairman, I consider this a belated Christmas gift. Thank you. As for Frank and Ron, you two are at the top and people will point fingers at you about this or that but my friends, I am a huge GH fan and when the history of this show is written and the curtain falls, you two gentleman will play a major role in not only keeping it on the air but wring and producing some of the best entertainment on TV, daytime, nighttime, ANYTIME, thank you.
I started watching GH in the 70’s and although I missed most of the 80’s, I have not missed an episode since 1993(when they brought Luke and Laura back). I love this show and think it is amazing right now. Sure there are things about the show that I don’t like, but the stories and characters I do like, far out weigh the bad. My question to all the fans complaining is, if you hate what’s going on so much, why do you watch? I go on ABC message board a lot while I’m at work to see what’s happening,… Read more »
The Fluke story itself is sooo long, Lulu will be wearing Depends by the time it’s over. You had a father and son sleep with the same woman (get Sonny neutered already) gross for even GH’s standards, you set up the reunion of a lifetime with Scrubs only to decimate it in months…for what? On top of that you destroy a veteran character from Medical doctor researcher extraordinaire into flake of the week. Nothing was new, how many fake faces and baby daddy stories can we recycle….oh and bring em back from the dead stories? Kathleen Gati, my fav Anna… Read more »
Hello, in the General hospitals episode tue. 30 at the New Years Bash Carli made a speech that I really enjoyed is there a possibility of me getting a copy of it, it was a terrific speech , thank- you Ginger Houck
Do you know what happened to Sabrina? and Felix? Sabrina just disappeared. Is she leaving the show? I was truly hoping that there would be a chance for her and Patrick to get back together.
Consider it a blessing!
Touche’, Timmm…..You are a man after my own heart when it comes to Sappy. The only thing I wish for her in 2015 is a one-way ticket out of Port Charles!!!!!!
Sabrina and Felix are great;ly missed and loved by this fan! I want to see more of them in 2015…and I want Sabrina and Emma scenes. Sabrina has been more of a Mom to her than deadbeat Robin, who didn’t even try and get in touch with her “daughter” for Christmas.
I began watching GH only after OLTL was cancelled, and OLTL only after Port Charles was cancelled, because I’m a huge Michael Easton fan. I loved him as the vampire Caleb Morley, then as John McBain, and now as Silas Clay, and I wish they’d feature him more prominently. As a mystery writer, I love the many plot twists, the humor and the sometimes over-the-top campiness. Some things are just unbelievable, for example that Jason would come back as Jake and the women who were closely involved or intimate with him wouldn’t recognize his body and voice if not his… Read more »
Well looks like the majority is sick of re ronscrappy writing and dumbing down of characters. Frankly I think this was a flat year for Gh and the current writing is boring.
There wasnt a flatter year than the one Y&R had!
I find this interview more disappointing than the show. I’ve watched the show for 35 of my 46 years and will probably watch one way or another as long as it airs but I am losing faith in the soap press regarding GH. I don’t need the press to rubber stamp my opinions of the show but I would like answers to some of my questions regarding what I think are problems. Mr. Carlivati has developed a reputation for being thin skinned and Mr. Fairman seemed to dance around any semblance of a tough question. I have no desire to… Read more »
Even though I don’t like all the characters, when GH is good, it is so good! And, looking back to what it was before RC and FV took over, one can only say it has improved 500%!, thanks to these guys. Ok, remember Alexis walking around saying “I’m so hot, I’m so hot!” Now, the men all pause when she walks into a room! She has a storyline!!! And Julien does too…. And remember when it was the StoneCold and Spinelli show (I liked both these guys but they were 95% of the show). I think Ron and Frank can… Read more »
Thanks, Michael for that great interview. I love to hear how plots are hatched. What goes on behind the scenes is fascinating to me. It’s great that Frank and Ron can enlighten us without spoiling us. One thing I latched on to was when Ron was talking about evil twin plot lines. It’s looking more and more (at least to me) that Luke’s evil twin might REALLY be his evil twin!! Just my current and ever changing theory about #WhoIsFluke Since OLTL & AMC have left us, GH has been a real comfort. I’ve tried to get into Days but… Read more »
I must be in the minority of what the Frank and Ron see because I don’t think Patrick needs to move on. There’s so much story there for him to figure out what actually happened to Robin. He can spend months searching for the killer of the child he didn’t even want but can’t find his wife? Bullshit.
After feeling like 2013 was a flop for GH, 2014 was truly a great year all around from start to finish. I hope that Ron and Frank will continue to develop and invest in Patrick and Sam who have become my favorite couple on the show. With KMc not on the show, Patrick had to move on imo and also BM only signed a one year contract as I understand it so Scrubs & Jasam would be touch and go. Better to invest in two characters we know are going to be on canvas long term.
I’m just not a fan of Valentini/Carlivati’s storytelling. Their characters are too cartoonish which makes their storylines dull and dumb. The writing is dreadful. I can only imagine what the actors must be feeling and thinking when having to rehash the ridiculous storylines in their lines. I was a fan of Gloria Monty, Claire Labine, and Wendy Riche.
I think the Sam & Patrick pairing was such a brilliant move by the writers that I never saw coming. One of the reasons why Scrubs always felt endgame is that Robin is one of the few people who will put Patrick through the ringer for his crap, but love him anyway. His relationship with Sabrina had that sleeping with the babysitter cliché ick factor, that fit more with his affairs with Layla and Lisa, where the women came out more broken and damaged than him. I just wanted people (other than Britt) to take her aside and warn her… Read more »
They get many more hits than misses and have made a once dull show very watchable. The big multi-generational cast works because of the use of the shows very rich history. Please keep up the good work.
My favorite characters are Stefan played by Stephen Nichols and Jax played by Ingo Rademacher. I guess I have given up ever seeing them again on GH, but that’s just the way things go in the soap world I guess. I don’t have anything really against GH or any other soaps, it’s just that there isn’t that much to pull me in right now. Hope it changes someday.
General Hospital
GH’s Brook Kerr and Tabyana Ali Talk On: Trina’s Trial, Spencer and Rory, And Their On-Screen Mother/Daughter Relationship
General Hospital
Kin Shriner Celebrates 45-Year Milestone as General Hospital’s Scott Baldwin
General Hospital
General Hospital’s Maura West Delivers The ‘Power Performance of the Week’
-
NewsAugust 5, 2022
Y&R’s Christian LeBlanc Shares Emotional and Heartfelt Message to Fans and Colleagues
-
PreviewsAugust 7, 2022
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL PREVIEW: Sheila Stunner … Is She Dead?
-
The Young and the RestlessAugust 8, 2022
Y&R’s Joshua Morrow Shares His Son, Crew Has Launched Hoodie Clothing Line Campaign To Help Ukraine
-
Breaking NewsAugust 5, 2022
Anne Heche in Critical Condition After Fiery Car Crash
-
Breaking NewsAugust 13, 2022
AW and OLTL Alum, Robyn Griggs Dead at 49
-
Breaking NewsAugust 8, 2022
Anne Heche in “Extremely Critical Condition”; Still in Coma Following Fiery Car Crash
-
Breaking NewsAugust 11, 2022
Anne Heche ‘Not Expected to Survive’; Suffered Severe Brain Injury From Fiery Crash
-
DynastyAugust 7, 2022
‘That’s A Wrap’ For Dynasty’s Elizabeth Gillies & Adam Huber As They Share Farewells