Richard Simms of ABC Soaps In Depth tweeted that Jill Farren Phelps was let go and Frank Valentini is the new EP of GH

http://twitter.com/#...117320825896960

How long before Ron arrives?

Seriously, unless this translates to "Mark Lawson is the new Jason Morgan," I'm pretty indifferent to the news.

I wouldn't wish that role on that fine hunk of man.

There's different gossip on that one, and considering how negative soap fans are onine in general how do we know the cancellation rumours are the accurate ones? Nothing has come from an "official" source yet.

Probably because come Sept 2012 their timeslot is gone. Thats not soap rumor or innuendo its fact.

We hear that Frons made a last-second decision to replace six-time Emmy winner Phelps with former One Life showrunner Frank Valentini, who has helped boost ratings for that show (though not enough to keep it from getting canceled). Three months ago, production company Prospect Park made a big to-do about hiring Valenti to serve as showrunner on its alleged online reincarnation of One Life. When the company's plans quite predictably fell apart — industry insiders always considered it a virtual impossibility that an expensive soap like One Life could be transitioned to the web — Valenti was suddenly available again. With Phelps's deal said to be up within a few weeks, ABC brass, who had been talking to Phelps about a short-term contract renewal, were suddenly able to offer the gig to Valentini. He'll now be charged with getting up to speed on a soap that is most likely in its death throes. While it may seem weird that ABC would make such an abrupt change on a series that's likely dead anyway, industry insiders note that Valentini has a reputation for bringing in his shows way under budget, something that might appeal to the budget-conscious Frons (even though Phelps has already dramatically slashed costs at GH). ABC brass are more likely to make the case, however, that bringing in Valentini is a last-ditch attempt to save GH, since during his tenure on One Life, the producer had been successful at bucking the falling ratings trend that's impacted all of daytime. (During the most recent week for which numbers are available, One Life added 22,000 female viewers aged 18 to 49 versus the same week in 2010, the only soap to show an increase year-to-year.) In the end, all of this may be forgotten in a year, since the outlook for GH is decidedly grim: Despite being panned by critics, The Chew has been doing decent Nielsen numbers. If The Revolution can turn in a halfway decent ratings performance, ABC seems likely to shutter GH for good.

http://nymag.com/dai...or-ratings.html

http://nymag.com/dai...or-ratings.html

Just as I thought. Jill's contract was up, they were thinking about a short term deal and then Valentini is available and cheaper.

So, is GW completely out then?

Ron is officially Head Writer Per TV Line Update

http://www.tvline.com/2011/12/general-hospital-phelps-out-valentini-in/

FV is cheapler than Jill and he knows how 2 budget. This show going off, will go off with class

So, is GW completely out then?

i think so

Well its kinda pointless but it will be interesting to see if they can pull it out of its dark depressing rut.

Why isnt Shelly Altman mentioned at all? Didnt she join GH as co-head writer with Garin? Or did she not even begin writing?

It's NOT pointless and it's NOT ridiculous and it's NOT too late to make these changes.

If these are the last months of GH, why shouldn't they be better than what we've been getting??? I'll take these changes gladly, because GW's writing has been even WORSE than Guza's. I complained before, but GW is dour, dank, sour, depressing, slow, and B-O-R-I-N-G.

Other soaps had actors who held on, who wanted to be there, who tried to rally fans to save the soap. On GH, actors seem to be DESERTING the place.

GH has been God-Awful for Wolf's entire "tenure" except for a few episodes. If they got rid of him and JFP, hallelujah.

Frons is so full of it.

They don't start until Jan 9th? That means whatever airs won't start until like almost March right?

It's NOT pointless and it's NOT ridiculous and it's NOT too late to make these changes.

If these are the last months of GH, why shouldn't they be better than what we've been getting??? I'll take these changes gladly, because GW's writing has been even WORSE than Guza's. I complained before, but GW is dour, dank, sour, depressing, slow, and B-O-R-I-N-G.

Other soaps had actors who held on, who wanted to be there, who tried to rally fans to save the soap. On GH, actors seem to be DESERTING the place.

GH has been God-Awful for Wolf's entire "tenure" except for a few episodes. If they got rid of him and JFP, hallelujah.

I agree and I see the smallest glimmer of hope here. It does seem possible that if either The Chew or the Revolution really fails that GH might just get one more year, if they can also slash their budget even more.

All things considering, I think this is the best thing that can happen to GH. You can basically start fresh and retool this show with (IMO) a wonderful combination in Valentini as EP and Carlivati as head writer. Anyone who's watched OLTL over the past few months knows what a tremendous job the both of them have done despite the fact the show was unjustifiably cancelled. To me, this is a last ditch attempt to get this show back where it belongs. And

if the rumor of MB and / or SB being fired is TRUE, well - if that's not a shock to the GH camp, I don't know what is!

Hoping The Revolting-Revolution sputters out of the gate next year - NOTHING would make me happier than moving GH up to 2pm slot and squeezing it in the middle of that atrocious daytime line-up w/ Wannabe Oprah and the Spew gang.

Edited December 1, 201113 yr by tina m

The Chew wasn't doing that well before the holiday season kicked in, was it? I know it's cheaper though, so we'll have to see how things shake out. I wouldn't bet so much as a dollar on GH's survival, I'm just saying I think there is the smallest chance if one of these other shows truly and utterly fails.

It will be strange if Ron C is the one turn the lights off on the GH/AMC/OLTL/Loving/The Cityverse.