GH: The Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati Interview

[Cyberologist]

Frons saved GH Sweeney wanted them "all gone" (too expensive too produce among other things) he said so in an interview that "GH is safe for now".

Ron and Franks got their GH jobs because of being contracted to ABC Frons hired one of them I think it was ReRon because it was rumored Franks was taking a job with Paul Lee' division.

IMO a lot of viewers are just drinking the GH is great Kool-Aid simply because it scared the sh....out of ABC soap fans when two got cancelled simultaneously GH is the only one left. And I've seen it posted everywhere "its better than nothing" so Carlintini has that working for them. They tell crappy stories and get away with it the audience IMO has been dummied down in a new way; I've seen very little they have done that impresses me and in many ways GH has gone down hill even further than with Frons/Guza/Phelps. But hey it beats a blank and their gimmick storytelling and marketing gets them the #s.

I just wish I could follow their style storytelling.

[OldGHFan]

In some ways, I agree with a lot of the posters here. The pacing is horrendous on GH. And there seems to be no real depth to the storylines either. Isn't that what soaps do best? But I do think some of the viewers (myself included) are drinking the GH koolaid because the show IS better than it has been in years. If you weren't interested in watching Sonny, Carly and Jason defeat someone trying to take over their territory time and time and time again, you were out of luck. While, I wish GH was like it was in the 80s with Gloria Monty as EP or like it was in the 90s with Wendy Riche at the helm, we are never going to get that back. GH and ABC just don't have the money anymore. So, I am somewhat content with the crumbs I receive from this regime and that they have treated most of the vets with respect. That is way more than the previous regime gave me.

[ChitHappens]

Old, how much money is needed for depth, character development, good ole fashioned storytelling? And why do we need the shows to be like they were in the 80s? I would love to have the writing quality the shows had back in the good ole days, but I'm also for a show progressing. There are too many characters on this show and anything worthwhile happens off screen.

GH may not be the CarSaSaon show any longer, but the Craptini pets are now in charge.

[OldGHFan]

I agree with you. It shouldn't cost money to have good old fashioned storytelling. And there are WAY too many characters on this show and they keep coming. This show could definitely be better but I don't see ABC getting rid of Valentini and Carlivati. ABC is content with the ratings and the shoe-string budget. Things will not be changing for a long time at GH unless Frank and Ron decide to do something else. But most of the posters here are still watching the show. Why? I told you why I am watching - to see my beloved vets written somewhat in character. There has to be something that makes the rest of you tune in despite the complaints. What is it? I'm curious.

[ChitHappens]

Good point, and I have to be honest. I am a larger than life Carly (LW) fan and I love Anna, Luke and Shawn. Even when they are not on, I try to watch the show because if I don't watch GH, I have no soap left to really watch. I dabble in YR (the show needs a shot in the arm badly) and BB, but it's not GH. I'm trying to hang in there because I love soaps, but it gets more difficult with each passing eppy. When I learned 2 years ago that Craptini were coming to GH, it sickened me, and that has not changed at all. I knew they would turn the show into sh!t, and they wasted no time. Yet, I hang in there because I don't have AW and GH was always my 2nd fave.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it

[YRBB]

This must be the most jaw-dropping post I've seen all year here, and that's saying something!

DAYS.

DAYS looks fantastic when they do "special" lighting, like in Eric's dream of Nicole & Daniel, or whenever they have a house or bedroom with the lights dimmed or just a couple of lamps on. (Some of those "dark" scenes remind me of how Y&R used to be lit when it was daylight ) They DESPERATELY need to stop with the hot-pink bright lighting. It makes all the difference in the world to the actors and sets.

[JONNYSBRO]

Everyone raves about Claire Labine. I will say Labine is a great writer. Lets not forget the woman had her misses. Her OLTL with Maxine Levinson as EP was dull as dishwater. It was all situations but no real exciting storyline driving. Her GL was horrible. I honestly believe Labine was great when she had Wendy Riche as EP. Shes had her misses. Everyone wants to knock Carlivati but hes laughing his way to the ratings bank. It was like Jim Reilly, did everyone know Reilly was one of the richest head writers in soap history. He brought the biggest ratings in soap history. Its like critically acclimaed can be low rated and popular always wins out. U know there are people that hated American Idol its early seasons it was a mega phenom it won the popular vote. Ron isn't goin anywhere at GH. Honestly wouldn't be shocked to me if ABC were to offer Ron Carlivati a chance to write and develop his own primeime soap. I think Ron should exec producer and head write an updated version of Dynasty.

[cassadine1991]

You are reaching, and I mean REACHING

Anyway.....

[John]

CL's OLTL was great. She gace us TEA and I loved Mel & Dorian

Her time at GL was difficult because P&G and Paul Rauch never let her write they micromanaged her and tried to fire her but when No One and I mean NO ONE wanted the HW gig They had to Keep Claire til her one year contract was up

[JONNYSBRO]

Actually Leah Laiman and Jean Passanante created Tea. I think Mel and Dorian was the best thing they did. She wrote well got dorian but viki had zero storyline.

[cassadine1991]

RME

[John]

Claire gave Us Todd & Tea. Viki was more involved with Family & business. Loved her friendship with Mel. Loved Dorian;s back story with her Mom

[John]

If GH wants to bring on some cool cat gays to hang with Lucas I recommend Eric Whitlow (Chad Allen) & Dr Kyle Julian (Adam Grimes) from GH: Night Shift season 2

[cassadine1991]

didn't one of them die from that toxin in that Equinox s/l AKA "Toxic Balls" in 2009??

[John]

That was Dr Andy Archer who was in Night Shift Season 1. That nurse Patrick banged in NS Season 1 also died. Lalia?