Interview With The Headwriter

By Val. E. West

Sweeps is over and what a month it was for General Hospital on SONBC. The show's been holding strong in the ratings and storylines seem to be progressing at a very good pace. Now with some permanent backup, can the writers continue their momentum? SONBC reporter Val E. West recently conducted an interview with one of the head writers at the show.

VW: Thanks for sitting down with me to do this interview.

RC: No problem. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.

VW: You've been writing for GH for a while now. What are some of the mistakes you've made and things you would do over?

RC: For one, I wouldn't have taken such a long sabbatical over the summer. There were so many things that should have happened this summer that affected some storylines now. For instance, I had this really huge story planned out for Peyton List's character Jamie, but once she started airing, we realized that it was a waste to bring the character on. If we don't like the way a character is working out, we'll can it. We aren't going to force the viewers to watch a character they don't care about. That's unfair to them and us.

VW: Was that the only mistake?

RC: No it's not. The original focus of the first arc "Secrets & Lies" changed dramatically since it was originally thought of. Originally Sam, Helena & Alexis were to be the main focus, but we realized that we couldn't have the show revolve around those three. It has been done in the past under previous regimes with certain groups of characters and it turned many fans off to it. Also, we recasted the Diego character with Tyler Hoechlin, but never did anything with the character once he joined the show. Again, that was bad planning on our part but we can't do anything about it now.

VW: I was told that many backstage are unhappy with the recent cuts and feel their job is next. What do you have to say about that?

RC: When actors are let go, especially those who are well liked, it will create some sadness and anger, but as I said when those cuts were announced, many of them will be back later down the line. We just didn't have any story for them at this time and it would be unfair to keep them around and reduce them to extras.

VW: One thing I can say is the show has been a lot more balanced. Did you and your writers specifically go for that angle?

RC: Yes we did. There is no reason why everyone who is on contract can't be in a storyline. Usually when that happens, it's a big umbrella storyline, but these are separate storylines that cross over into each other on a weekly basis. Even characters who didn't have a storyline in the beginning of the arc are beginning to have one now. Look at Mac for instance, he didn't do much in the beginning, but recently we've been laying the groundwork for his storyline. If you have a big cast it is your responsibility to write for them and make their stories connect. You can't have a bunch of storylines that don't flow and keep characters islanded off somewhere. That's the sign of a bad writer.

VW: I'm hearing rumors of a cross-over with "As Days Go By". Is there truth to those rumors?

RC: Would our shows be mentioning each other's characters and companies if we weren't gearing up for some kind of crossover?

VW: You answered my question with a question.

RC: I sure did.

VW: Lol, moving on.

RC: Yes, let's do so, lol

VW: What will the title of the next arc be?

RC: Nothing is concrete at this time, but we're toying with the names "Fated," "Endgame," "Armageddon," but plans could change at any time.

VW: Have you all begun penning stories for the next arc?

RC: Yes, we have. I am very confident that my team and I will do a good job.

VW: You have any previews for us for the next arc?

RC: I can say that this will be the storyline that gets Sonny & Jason out of the mob. It'll also open up a new chapter in the Anna/David relationship and lay the groundwork for future storyline.

VW: Can you give us a preview of what's to come this month.

RC: Sure. Bobbie and Lucas' relationship will be repaired….for the time being. There's an event that will happen that will send Bobbie back a few steps. Dillon will find himself spilling more of his feelings than he expected. Monica & Alan's relationship will switch roles for a while. Carly & Nikolas finally address their feelings for one another. There will be no Christmas spirit for Tracy who takes her frustration with Luke out on everyone else. The storyline involving Sam takes an interesting twist that the audience will be in on but not the other characters (or will they). And the end of the month will foster in the surprise return of two characters and the return of one announced.