General Hospital
Tristan Rogers reflects on Bob Guza's reign as GH head writer & daytime's demise!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The talented and outspoken, Tristan Rogers (Colin, Y&R & formerly, Scorpio on GH & GH: Night Shift) posted a thought-provoking and compelling blog post on his website TristanRogers.com. Titled, “The Going of Guza” Tristan takes a look at the tenure of recently fired long-time General Hospital head writer, Bob Guza, and how it impacted the direction of the series. Next, Rogers reflects on how the soap genre was in deep trouble years ago, and how changes were not made soon enough to fix the model of daytime dramas so they could have staying power in today’s times. Here are a few riveting excerpts below!
Tristan on Guza’s time as head writer on GH: “Many things have been said regarding Bob’s writing some of them fair and some of them less so. Let’s have a look at what will probably be regarded as his legacy. We have a “mob influenced storyline” and the fact that he had little respect for women. And then there’s the systematic dismantling of most of General Hospital’s legacy, including that of Luke and Laura, to be replaced by the noble deeds and example set by a bunch of “bargain basement criminals”. I am sure I will get some flack for that statement but the fact remains that whatever thoughts, you the fan harbor in your mind and heart about this relationship the show itself has done everything possible to trash and disassemble it. I don’t think there’s any legacy or standard on GH that has been untouched, in some way, by this wholesale “story slaughter”.
Makes you look back on the eighties and wonder if they ever happened at all. Now the general consensus is that Guza’s to blame for this and no one else. The fact is that Guza was just one of those involved. I mean, come on, does anyone think for one second that Guza could have single-handedly changed the direction of the show without the permission and cooperation of other significant people? As to who the others are I remain “mum”, but think of the endless hours you’ll all have exchanging views on who else could be involved!”
Tristan on the demise of daytime: “I have commented before that the demise of ABC Daytime has been on the table since the eighties. It was never a case of “if” but always “when”. And now it’s happening. What will happen and can it be reversed? IMO not at a Network level. The shows could/might be picked up by someone else and re-engineered. Cost is a major factor to be addressed and so is the overall way the shows are structured and managed. Daytime has been stuck in a time warp since the early eighties and needs to be completely re-invented. It needs to look at how prime soaps have evolved and try to grasp why Reality shows are so strong and learn something from them.”
Make sure to read Tristan’s entire blog post here.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, new and old motivations come into play with dangerous consequences. According to the just released GH video spoilers video for the week of August 3-7, a bailiff calls out, “All rise!”
Now it’s Isaiah (Sawandi Wilson) vs. Curtis (Donnell Turner), as the surgeon is suing the owner of the Savoy for assault that ruined is ability to operate. At the end of the day, which of these men has enough evidence against the other? Portia (Brook Kerr) is by Isaiah’s side, while Jordan (Tanisha Harper) is with Curtis.
Next, Lucy (Lynn Herring) has a plan to get the controlling shares of Deception away from Michael (Rory Gibson). She wants her daughter, Serena (Kelly Kruger) to seduce Michael. She tells her, “Pick out your most seductive suit.” Soon, we see Serena in her bathing suit at the Metro Court face to face with Michael.
Later, there is a small baggie containing three blue pills. Nina (Cynthia Watros) ask Willow (Katelyn MacMullen), “What did you do?” We also see Michael asking the same thing of Jacinda (Paige Herschell). Leading into this week, viewers know that Willow doesn’t want the former escort anywhere near her children, Amelia and Wiley. Is this how she stops her, or is Jacinda up to old tricks and wants to frame Willow? Remember when Jacindsa drugged Drew (Cameron Mathison)? Stay tuned.
Finally, in the pick-up from last Friday’s cliffhanger, an emotional Jason (Steve Burton) continues to tell Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he cannot work for him anymore. Sonny ask, “So that’s it? You’re Out?” We fade to black.
Take a look at the official GH spoilers for the week below.
MONDAY, AUGUST 3
Jason makes a sacrifice for Danny. Elizabeth becomes privy to a secret. Carly is touched. Valentin has a warning for Nina. Josslyn cautions Brennan.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4
Brook Lynn and Chase celebrate a milestone. Trina gets an earful. Carly’s plan backfires. Curtis is skeptical. Michael is anxious about his family’s’ future.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5
Sonny wants answers. Ava is struck with inspiration. Curtis’ trial begins. Brook Lynn wrestles with a big decision. Lucy and Serena scheme.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6
Sonny makes a stunning announcement. Serena makes her move. Willow faces a new threat. Isaiah takes the stand. Lucy questions Laura.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
Josslyn is taken aback. Ava courts a new ally. Jordan and Anna catch up. Isaiah vents to Lucas and Elizabeth. Michael questions Jacinda.
Check out the latest ABC promo for General Hospital entitled, “What Did You Do?” below.
Now weigh-in: Do you think GH is about to pair Serena with Michael? Is it curtains for Jacinda? Can anyone stop Willow once and for all, or make her pay for her crimes? What will Jason do without Sonny and the mob? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
General Hospital
Vincent Pastore of ‘Sopranos’ Fame and ‘General Hospital’s’ Maximus Giambetti Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s The Sopranos has passed away.
The veteran actor was found dead on August 1st in his home in the Bronx, New York. Pastore was 80-years-old. The cause of death is yet to be determined.
As well as his role on The Sopranos, many soap fans will recall he played multiple smaller roles on the beloved One Life to Live from 1995 and 2004. However, in 2008, he landed the short-term role as Maximus Giambetti on General Hospital.
PASTORE WANTED TO BE ON GENERAL HOSPITAL
Maximus was the mobster father of Sonny Corinthos’ (Maurice Benard) bodyguards: Max (Derk Cheetwood) and Milo (Drew Cheetwood)
According to Soap Opera Digest, Pastore told Soaps In Depth back in 2009, after appearing in a SOAPnet promotional campaign as a celebrity fan of General Hospital: “‘I’d love to be on the show. So they called up GH’s casting director (Mark Teschner) and Bobby (Robert Guza Jr. ex-head writer, GH) and they wrote me in!”
Pastore was a huge General Hospital fan from way back, who at one point told producers that he would watch the ABC soap opera while working in bars and nightclubs in the 70s and 80s.
Throughout his decades long career, Pastore appeared in films including: Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way and Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie and the 1996 HBO TV movie Gotti.
In TV, besides The Sopranos, Pastore’s credits included: Law & Order, The Practice, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, Hawaii Five-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, plus the miniseries The Last Don II. Most recently, Vincent was a series regular on Gravesend and guest starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee, son-in-law and granddaughter.
Share your remembrances and condolences for Vincent Pastore on his memorable role on ‘The Sopranos’ and his time on ‘General Hospital’ via the comment section below.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
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Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
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GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
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Tristan has always had his finger on the pulse of daytime, and his comments are spot-on. He can call it as he sees it because he was there for what I call the honeymoon period of soaps. The perfect storm of writing, acting, and producing was in effect and the viewers were the happy recipients of great television. How sad for Tristan, and for us, to have to watch it disappear.
The main reasons I watch the show is Sonny, Carly, Jason, Sam, Alexis and her girls, Maxie, Matt, Robin and Patrick. It is the only soap that I watch the same day I record it. GH has the good mob guys (Sonny, Jason) and the bad mob guys (Johnny and Anthony). According to the good mob guys they don’t deal in drugs, pornography or prostitution. (OK, a little poetic license here) 😉
My leas favorite storyline was the Laura and Luke “rape me, I’ll marry you” …..I stopped watching when pitiful Laura was enamored of her rapist….what a sad message to send to to young girls and women.
Just recently, Luke – driving drunk – killed Liz’s and Jason’s son, raised by Luke’s son, Lucky. Again, GH writers are sending the wrong message…Luke should have been charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence…GH decided to send him to rehab instead of having him serve prison time for a year or two and then do community service. Geary likes long vacations.
One of Mr. Guza’s biggest blunders was bringing Brenda back…there is no chemistry between Sonny and Brenda. If another male PC resident would have proclaimed his love for Brenda or she would have giggled once more; I would have shot my TV set. That entire storyline was a snoozefest.
I loved the “spy” era….same as the “mob” with badges….
The Sonny, Jason and Carly show is what has helped destroy GH. Check the viewer ratings if you don’t believe me. Please explain to me what kind of msg is being sent to young girls and women when a Mob Boss, Hitman and the town TRAMP are the main focus of a soap opera where the criminals and a mean, vindictive, ruthless whore are ALL glorified?
The story of Luke and Laura is what made GH number 1 in the 80’s. They have been titled the number 1 super couple of ALL time in daytime. The genius of the writers in those days took a rape story and turned into the most popular love story in the history of daytime. Tony Geary and Genie Francis are daytime royality.
Lastly, bringing Brenda back was the smartest thing GH has done in years simply because of the tremendous fanbase Brenda has and Sonny and Brenda have as a couple. The week of their wedding proved through the ratings how many fans came back to GH for this event. Where TPTB messed up was in the writing for this phenomenal super couple.
Thank you!!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself! Brenda and Sonny’s story has been so full of turmoil there hasn’t been time for the hot romance they are known for. Heck we’ve maybe gotten 4 kisses and they’ve been married for almost 4 months!
Yes! You get it! Bringing back Brenda was the best decision tptb made in years, but the writing for this super couple wasnt there. I think out of the entire year, there were maybe 3-4 scenes that got it right. A total let down.
Sonny and Jason were “good mob”? Are you high? There is no such thing as good mob. They are organized crime. They are mobs. They are thugs. They kill for business. This is what went wrong with this damn soap opera.
Right on Tristan !!!!! At least we get to see you and Genie back on a show that hasn’t turned into a Mob Show!!
I agree with Tristan totally. I don’t accept the notion that Sonny and Jason are “good people” as was mentioned in an earlier comment. GH makes them out to be that way in the storyline……..but everyone is familiar with what actually takes place in the mob, right? How do you think Sonny makes his money……..poker? The truth is the show is too mob-centered and it will become more so without the non-violent characters of Nikolas (Tyler) and Jax (Ingo), who have now both been fired.
Agree 100% with Tristen. the mob was sexy and augmented story when it was a *part* of the show under Claire Labine in the early 90’s. But Guza’s misogynistic rendering of so-called story with a mob obsession spat in the faces of history and characters.
One commenter said bringing Brenda back was a mistake. WRONG. She was the only character I came back to GH to watch — and that because of her history with the show and interaction across the canvass. Vanessa is a fine actress. Maurice was too until he got bored with Guza’s writing and indifferent in his acting. THAT was the reason for the change in Sonny & Brenda’s chemistry. Maurice Benard got back in gear at the phenomenal S&B wedding, however. Brenda’s return was the perfect example of how much Guza could mess up a cash cow. Brenda always, always brought ratings to GH. Even when Guza messed her 1st return in 2002-03 she brought back ratings, but this time in 2010-11 it was just too much. Guza had thoroughly massacred so many characters.
GH will die and soon. Garin Wolf is better because anyone is better than Guza, but he’s not Claire Labine or other great soap writers. He’s on board to end the soap and the genre altogether will soon be a thing of the past.
Kudos, Tristen, for speaking the truth!
I agree 100% Gh fan 35 years. Late 90’s and especially 2000’s was exciting. The viewers were expanded to the males and younger adults. I love soaps, I have to work during the day so most are recordings, soap net or other means. I really think the viewer ratings are off. I nor my family , friends actually stopped watching. I would not ever want to see a time when soaps don’t air. Reality tv sucks and is the reason I don’t watch prime time tv anymore. Guza did destroy all super couples including Jasam. He could not come back from that mistake as far as I am concerned. Mob / action is key and it’s what separates GH from other soaps. Don’t bore me to death. GH is boring right now .
Gh always- reney
Luke and Laura and all the past storylines were good in its time. The show has to continue and move on. They could not possibly be as popular now, just like Brenda triangle. It ran its coarse, time to move on. GH once had variety of storylines, doesn’t anymore. GH also let too many characters go. Missing Jason, Lucky, Jax and the mob. Glad to see Nick back. The mob didn’t have to take over entirely. The mob and bad guys have always been part of GH. All I see now is long drawn out , boring storylines from actors I can care less about and oldies.