IIRC Nathan Varni made a public statement about trying to get lapsed viewers back around the time Burton returned, and alluded to the show returning to feeling more like a classic GH with characters the audience associates with the show. This had followed a year of declining ratings and the show not capitalizing on Sprina who were generating their own publicity. There were a bunch of mismatched couples, and several stories hinged on recurring cast members or newer folks and the contract cast was mostly in the stories but not the focus.

It started with Burton’s return, then Mulcahey, longer scenes, then almost all Frank’s besties or personal favorites were slowly shown the door. As far as Lucky and Lulu, Genie had been quietly lobbying for their return for a long time. And to Valentini’s credit, he did try to get Julie Berman back several times before going with an ABC name recast.

I truly believe the second JJ’s scheduling became complicated Frank was done with even pretending to integrate Lucky. TPTB clearly didn’t want him there because the natural stories were there and he wasn’t in them.

19 minutes ago, titan1978 said:

I truly believe the second JJ’s scheduling became complicated Frank was done with even pretending to integrate Lucky. TPTB clearly didn’t want him there because the natural stories were there and he wasn’t in them.

Same.

It's just malpractice what's being done with Alexa, Genie and the Spencers in general. And a real shame. I do think the writing chaos during the Mulcahey interregnum and corresponding ratings drop only re-cemented FV's power when he brought them up with a few quick moves after PM was ousted/quit. Now they can't tell him anything and it's all his preferences all the time. I won't be shocked if they bring back ME or RH in future. It's too bad, because I do think the network actually made some of the right moves in 2023-24.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Vee

36 minutes ago, Vee said:

Same.

It's just malpractice wha's being done with Alexa, Genie and the Spencers in general. And a real shame. I do think the writing chaos during the Mulcahey interregnum and corresponding ratings drop only re-cemented FV's power when he brough them up with a few quick moves after PM was ousted/quit. Now they can't tell him anything and it's all his preferences all the time. I won't be shocked if they bring back ME or RH in future. It's too bad, because I do think the network actually made some of the right moves in 2023-24.

A shame for the meddling, and some of the story choices I don't think were worthwhile even without meddling, as a few of Mulcahey's choices have powered most of the good in the show since his exit. I've never known why ABC wasn't more uneasy about Frank seemingly being willing to tank the show in the ratings just to get his way.

1 hour ago, DRW50 said:

Oh I hadn't heard that.

Hopefully he was just poking fun.

1 hour ago, titan1978 said:

It started with Burton’s return, then Mulcahey, longer scenes, then almost all Frank’s besties or personal favorites were slowly shown the door. As far as Lucky and Lulu, Genie had been quietly lobbying for their return for a long time. And to Valentini’s credit, he did try to get Julie Berman back several times before going with an ABC name recast.

I truly believe the second JJ’s scheduling became complicated Frank was done with even pretending to integrate Lucky. TPTB clearly didn’t want him there because the natural stories were there and he wasn’t in them.

And God bless her for the quiet lobbying because you probably remember what was on my wish list when PM was announced as HW.

Which is what Frank was doing. Pretending. And I believe I ranted about the same thing at the time.

17 minutes ago, DRW50 said:

as a few of Mulcahey's choices have powered most of the good in the show since his exit.

Yep. We are still dealing with stuff that popped up from his run.

Britt is in tge wrong here. Why is GH doing so much for an actress who is gonna jump and quit when a better gig comes

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by John

Yes, the Drew and Willow drama exists because of Mulcahey. The current team just ran with it. But they've done a half-decent job with that as opposed to wishing it all away and rolling the clock back, even if Drew is now largely just a cartoon. They've also gotten lucky. Not just with what Mulcahey left them but with an excellent Michael recast (now being squandered on a cheap dayplayer).

I don't think that Frank would ever deliberately sabotage the show, at least not from his POV or in his mind. But I do think the show heavily suffered from whatever went down BTS early last year with all parties, and I do think it seems like FV was leaning into that chaos and battling til he could get back the whip hand. Counting on the fact that he could outlast the turmoil, and he did.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Vee

I loathe that dayplayer.