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?

It's still got to be plenty cheaper than a scripted show with a big cast. Lucci said that Frons told her it was 40% cheaper than AMC. She repeated that constantly.

I don't doubt it's cheaper, I just wonder if that's going to be enough, especially if this ends up being their peak. All the ingredients (no pun intended) were there for this show to be a hit. Something else will get the same ratings for less cost.

LA Times article, sorry if this was already posted(haven't read the whole thread)

http://latimesblogs....ews+%26+Buzz%29

Bad medicine. ABC is forcing out Jill Farren Phelps, the longtime Emmy Award-winning "General Hospital" executive producer in favor of Frank Valentini, who ran the canceled "One Life to Live." "General Hospital" is not expected to be around much longer either. ABC has made it clear that it is getting out of the soap business. Still, the abrupt departure of the well-regarded Phelps, who most recently lured movie star James Franco to the soap as a recurring character, caught many in the industry off guard. However, insiders note Phelps had been clashing with ABC brass lately over both the extreme budget cuts forced on the already strapped show and its creative direction. Details on the latest daytime drama from Vulture.

That makes her sound like a noble fighter. I guess she must be well-respected in the industry, even if she has some bad moments.

I continue to be amused at the idea of "movie star" (AKA B or C list actor who had a part in one big franchise) Franco being any kind of real coup.

Weren't there rumors for years about GH being overbudget?

To me, this is a last ditch attempt to get this show back where it belongs.

To where? The place where OLTL sits now ratings-wise? That's really the best case scenario. OLTL's resurgence didn't stop ABC from telling cast and crew to get their asses off their property.

Edited December 1, 201113 yr by trish672

Nelson Tweets RE: JFP

@nelliebranco

Nelson Branco

The big story here is JFP! I hear she's LIVID!

I hope we hear some dirt. I'd especially love to hear her views on Sweeney, since JFP's most...creative...years at GH were before Frons came in.

I hope we hear some dirt. I'd especially love to hear her views on Sweeney, since JFP's most...creative...years at GH were before Frons came in.

That's what's great about JFP, she's both a villain and a victim. If she hasn't been working on her memoir (a la Julia Phillips' You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again) then she should really start. It'd be a New York Times bestseller.

I wonder if Phelps is gonna take a bunch of the cast with her. She seems like the type who'd be like "Are you with me or are you not?"

I wonder if Phelps is gonna take a bunch of the cast with her. She seems like the type who'd be like "Are you with me or are you not?"

I think most of them are probably going to base their decision on whether they want to stay on a dying soap. Some may want the money to the end, others may want out early to try other options. It will be interesting to see what NLG says.

So maybe if OLTL ends on a cliffhanger also, Ron can have Skye show up on GH and she can spend three minutes explaining what happened in the two Pennsylvania suburbs that she used to live in.

I wonder if Phelps is gonna take a bunch of the cast with her. She seems like the type who'd be like "Are you with me or are you not?"

Why would they go with her. Its not Like Days, B&B and Y&R will hire JFP

Edited December 1, 201113 yr by John

Not necessarily. They have outs in their contracts just like the actors. Cycles, cancellation clauses, all sorts of options. Valentini and Carlivati both likely exercised an option, on their side, to go with Prospect Park's offers.

I assumed that those two signed contract renewals with ABC and not OLTL unlike the actors 'cause it was so expressively stated when they re-signed that will remain part of the ABC family for another 2 years...

Why would they go with her. Its not Like Days, B&B and Y&R will hire JFP

People like Burton and Geary always claimed no one other than Guza could write for them. But then neither of them bolted when he left.

I assumed that those two signed contract renewals with ABC and not OLTL unlike the actors 'cause it was so expressively stated when they re-signed that will remain part of the ABC family for another 2 years...

Everyone who works for ABC Daytime (producers, writers, actors, crew etc) are ABC employees and their contracts are with ABC-Disney. Regardless of the length of their deals, there will be out clauses in them to the benefit of both parties. Valentini is likely working on a short term deal with GH, same for Carlivati.

lisalocicerogh lisa locicero

Love Jill Phelps. She's been like a den mother a dear friend and a fearless leader all at once...Will be forever grateful to her..

lisalocicerogh lisa locicero

Have also had the pleasure of knowing and working under Frank Valentini. Guy's a force of nature, and if anyone can make GH work, he can..

@lisalocicerogh

lisa locicero

Have also had the pleasure of knowing and working under Frank Valentini. Guy's a force of nature, and if anyone can make GH work, he can..