ARTICLE: Robert Guza Jr. Exits ‘Beyond The Gates’; ‘Secrets of Sulphur Springs’ Creator Tracey Thomson Joins As Executive Producer – EXCLUSIVE

[Errol]

After helping launch the show as co-head writer and one of eight executive producers, Daytime Emmy Award winner Robert Guza Jr. has exited “Beyond the Gates,” Soap Opera Network has learned.

Robert Guza Jr.
ABC

While representatives for the daytime drama series did not respond to a request for comment at press time, it’s understood that Guza chose to leave after fulfilling the terms of his contract.

Renewed for a second season earlier this month, CBS inadvertently revealed in a press release that veteran writer Tracey Thomson (“The Young and the Restless,” “All My Children”) had joined the show as an executive producer, replacing Guza.

It’s unknown at this time whether Thomson will also serve as the show’s new co-head writer, working alongside creator and head writer Michele Val Jean in crafting the show’s long-term story, though it is likely considering her extensive writing career in daytime that also includes writing episodes of “General Hospital” and “General Hospital: Night Shift,” and her substantial time as co-head writer or associate head writer at “The Young and the Restless.”

Outside of daytime, Thomson created the live-action, time-travel mystery series “Secrets of Sulphur Springs,” which ran for three seasons at Disney Channel. She also served as an executive producer on the series.

With a soap writing career spanning decades dating back to his time as a writer on “Santa Barbara” in 1989, Guza is best known for serving as head writer of “General Hospital,” a position he held alone or with a co-head over for the better part of 15 years, including gaps.

He was first named co-head writer in March 1996, working alongside Karen Harris before taking over sole head writing duties from December 1997 to December 2000, when he exited. He returned to the series in June 2002 to work alongside Charles Pratt Jr. The two would continue overseeing the show’s writing until March 2006, when Guza was named sole head writer following Pratt’s exit.

By February 2007, Guza’s real-life wife, the late Meg Bennett, would become his co-head writer, a position she held until October 2007. By then, Guza once again became the show’s sole head writer until January 2008, when his name disappeared from the credits due to the 2007 WGA writers’ strike. Guza would return to the position of sole head writer again in March 2008 following the strike’s conclusion, and he remained at the show until his name disappeared from the credits again in July 2011.

In addition to “General Hospital,” Guza’s other writing work includes serving as head writer on “General Hospital: Night Shift” during the show’s first season on SOAPnet, as well as serving as a story consultant during the earlier run of “Port Charles. His credits also include the primetime soap “Melrose Place” and the beloved half-hour soap “Loving,” among others. He co-created “Sunset Beach” and served as the show’s head writer during the time he wasn’t working at “General Hospital.”

In July 2024, during the early production stage of “Beyond the Gates,” it was reported that Guza had joined the daytime drama series as an executive producer alongside former “All My Children” executive producer Julie Carruthers. Their roles were formally confirmed in November 2024 when CBS released the names of the show’s writing team, which included Guza as co-head writer.

With Thomson now included, executive producers for “Beyond the Gates” include Val Jean, who also serves as showrunner, Sheila Ducksworth, president of the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, as well as Carruthers, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson, Kimberly Doebereiner and Anna Saalfeld.

Note: The post Robert Guza Jr. Exits ‘Beyond The Gates’; ‘Secrets of Sulphur Springs’ Creator Tracey Thomson Joins As Executive Producer – EXCLUSIVE appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

Read More

[Liberty City]

Disappointed in his exit, but I am looking forward to seeing what Thomson brings to the table.

Edited May 30 by Liberty City

[Soapsuds]

I saw none of Guza's magic injected into BTG. Was he there in name only? It's a shame his talents weren't used to their fullest. I wonder if he wasn't thrilled with the direction of the show and that's why he left.

[DRW50]

As speculated by some I wouldn't be surprised if he was just there to help show Michele Val Jean the ropes, and maybe as a way to help go through what is a tough time for him personally.

[Vee]

I think it's probably just the above. He came in to help get the show off the ground.

[BetterForgotten]

I wonder who brought Tracey Thompson in - yes, MVJ was on the same scriptwriting team at GH with her, but I wonder why she felt she needed another Co-HW after the Guza experiment, and why TT of all people.

In other news, @Errol, any verification on @mikelyons scoop (who has been reliable in the past) about JFP returning to Y&R in some capacity? 

[ranger1rg]

I think this is pretty stunning news.

It's one thing to be hired as someone to help get a new soap off the ground, but Guza was also co-head writer and an executive producer. I have a hard time believing his intention was to stay less than a year.

[VelekaCarruthers]

I lost interest in BTG after six weeks. It was a mess. May tune in again but I agree with other posters that Guza's influence was not obvious at all. So many rookie head writer mistakes (not to mention very poor casting choices for those who cannot act but got important roles). I think MVJ lost a golden opportunity in those first weeks to craft a tight A,B,C story around the main family. I'm not enthused about Tracy either. 

[Chris B]

I'm not too worried about this. We all know MVJ is the main vision and the show has continued to improve over time so I don't see why that would change. She's also close with Guza in real life so I wouldn't believe it if anybody said there were any drama surrounding his exit. It's not surprising for a new show to have writing changes. We already know Gregori Martin will be out at some point and Jamey is joining. Now we know Tracy Thomson is joining. I don't know anything about her but I'm going to hope for the best.

 

I wasn't aware of this rumor but I will say I loved JFP's last stint on the show. I think she did a good job of stabilizing things and I loved that she brought Jill back. Of course a big problem was that Chancellor mansion re-design but overall I think her Y&R was safe and watchable. They're in dire need of a major change so I wouldn't be mad at it.

[Paul Raven]

I would agree that Guza was probably signed for a short stint- 13 weeks to provide experience/expertise in launching a one hour show.

We don't know exactly what his actual contributions were. The exec producer/ co-writer credits may have been in deference to his position in the industry and also a way of paying him more.

If you look at some primetime shows everyone but the car park attendant gets a exec producer credit-it's often just a financial/vanity thing.

[Ryanc2]

They need to broaden their cast and create more stories outside the main family. I love a lot of things about the show but to me its giving B&B in its first season when the whole show centres around the Forrester’s and since rewatching from the beginning I’m so damn SICK of all the drama centring around Ridge/Caroline. I’ve always hated when soaps do that. 90s and early 2000s Days & Y&R were always good at juggling multiple stories so I HOPE BTG will start to do that too.

[Aback]

Please let the mob and the casino go with him.

[Soaplovers]

I think Guza was only meant to show her the ropes of being a headwriter since she didn't have experience doing so... and based on her social media, she seems kind of like a micro manager.

And I think the Joey character and the casino element was Guza inspired... but maybe that isn't something MVJ was wanting to write.

Sadly, instead of hiring another male to help co lead the production/writing... they picked another female.  And I haven't heard anything about TT so maybe she'll be good... but in my experience, the best run things usually have both men and women in decision making positions and complementing one another's styles.  

[Chris B]

I like Joey and the idea of having a criminal element but I do agree they need to find a better setting for it. Maybe give Joey a more traditional location for his front business like a coffee shop or restaurant so you still have a place the cast can meet up. 

Daytime has been run by men for the past decade and it hasn't been good. I am more than open to women taking the lead. 

[Soaplovers]

Maybe instead of a Casino set, they could have built up Vanessa's real estate office instead.  Since Joey's aim is to use that business to 'clean' his money.

There are some things men do better and there are some things women do better... and usually when they work/lead together, things thrive.