A New Day on General Hospital

On January 9th, the "Age of Cartini" began on General Hospital. What the arrival of Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati, formally in charge at the now cancelled One Life To Live, holds for our beloved GH I do not know. I see them neither as devils nor saviors. I see them as what they are - professionals with a proven track record. I am cautiously optimistic for GH's future. General Hospital has THE BEST CAST anywhere on daytime television. Period. If the head writer can take the helm of this sinking ship and tighten things up while at the same time utilizing the talents of the amazing actors that comprise the cast, GH has a chance to shine. Shine as it hasn't in over a decade.

As fans of this iconic series, we have a DUTY to protect its legacy while continuing our fight to save it from cancellation. If General Hospital is indeed cancelled on ABC as many involved in the genre believe, it is imperative that we do all we can to help the show end with a bang and make it desirable for other production companies.

In our eyes, "Luke and Laura" will NEVER die. They will NEVER be gone from our hearts. They and the many characters and story lines that have graced our screens over 4 + decades will remain part of our collective psyche.

I urge ALL soap fans, regardless of whether you watch GH or not, to the support the show now more than ever. We owe EVERY soap out there and all the cast and crews working hard to support them. It's not about playing favorites at this point, it's about saving the genre as a whole. THE BIGGER PICTURE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT HERE. There are MANY things you can do to support all the soaps. Do your part and together we have a real chance at preserving an American institution.

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  Become a SWAN (Stand With Agnes Nixon): Facebook Group | Twitter: @SWANS4NIXON
  

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  Fill out a cable coupon to show demand for a dedicated soap cable network
  

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  Call the GH comment line and write to the executive producer and head writer about your favorite characters and what you would like to see on your screen. Let your voices be heard.
  

GH News: Comings and Goings!!!

Just a day after ABC/Disney announced the firing of embattled General Hospital executive producer Jill Farren Phelps, news that ABC Daytime president Brian Frons would be gone after his contract expired in January 2012 hit the web. The two ousters were met with a resounding cheer from ABC soap fans who blame Brian Frons for the "death of ABC soaps". Long-time GH fans were thrilled to hear of Phelps' firing. Former One Life to Live executive producer Frank Valentini will be replacing Phelps and OLTL head writer Ron Carlivati will replace GH head writer Garin Wolf. Wolf will remain with the show for the foreseeable future.

credit: columbian.com

In other news, fan favorites Kimberly McCullough, who portrays Robin Scorpio Drake, and Jonathan Jackson, who plays Lucky Spencer, announced their departure from the soap they both joined as children. Jackson filmed his last scene as Lucky on November 17th and his last air date was Friday, December 16th. McCullough, who became a soap legend when she was given the monumental task of playing an HIV+ teen, will remain with the show through February. It appears that Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati wish to have both Jackson and McCullough remain with the show. Time will tell if they can be persuaded to do so. Fans of the two legacy characters were saddened to hear of the decision by both actors to leave the show, but considering the environment they worked in during 2011, their wish to leave is not completely without merit. Let us all hope the new regime can infuse life into GH and bring back these core characters with the respect they deserve.