'General Hospital' Creative Team Talks the Best of 2016

Michael Fairman recently sat down with General Hospital head writers, Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante, and executive producer, Frank Valentini, to talk about the major events that took place on the show during 2016. Below, are their thoughts on some of what they thought worked the best during the last year.

Passanante on James Patrick Stuart as Valentin, "He is such a wonderful actor, and he gives us everything. You know he is a bad guy, but boy can he be charming and loving!"

Altman on Finola Hughes, "We want to see Anna Devane being the strong woman she has always been in the past. We love Finola. She is an important element on the show for many people. Increasing her relationships with the addition of Griffin (Matt Cohen), and the occasional return of Robin as often as we can have her, we felt was re-grounding her in Port Charles society. We admire strong women in the world, in our lives, and on our show. So it’s fun to invent situations for Anna to be in."

'General Hospital's' Nurses Ball Returns

General Hospital's annual Nurses Ball sponsored by Aveeno returns Tuesday, May 24-26, 2016 on ABC.

Founded in 1994 by Port Charles resident Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), the Nurses Ball is one of fictional Port Charles’ most glamorous charity events dedicated to HIV/AIDS awareness and research. Stunning red carpet fashion, breathtaking musical performances and plenty of intrigue and drama define this exciting programming event.

General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini Promises Huge News This week. Will it Live Up To The Hype?

Come on General Hospital, don't let us down. Executive Producer Frank Valentini has promised big news for GH fans, and the news is set to be revealed this week.

Big big news for GH fans in Two Days...only here. #GHWildWinter
Watch Monday and Tuesday for hints

— Frank Valentini (@valentinifrank) January 31, 2016

 Are we going to see the return of a popular character from the past? Many have assumed the news is that  Kelly Thiebaud is reprising her role of Britt.  Thiebaud recently posted a picture on twitter from the set of General Hospital, leading fans to believe that she is back on the show. However, ABC Exec Nathan Varni nixed that possibility in a response to a fan on facebook.

Valentini has a habit of promising big news, and ultimately letting fans down when his news doesn't live up to the hype.  I hope that isn't the case this time.

What are your hopes for General Hospital? The return of Michael Easton (Ex-Silas), or Ian Buchanan (Ex-Duke)? A castration planned for Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard)? Sound off below!

Does 'General Hospital' Star Bryan Craig Want to Lose His Job?

Bryan Craig

If General Hospital star Bryan Craig wants to lose his job, he is off to a good start. Today, Craig took to Twitter to share with General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini that he is seeing a lot of complaints about his storyline.



To be honest, I can't imagine anybody likes this story other than Chad Duell. Duell is taking center stage, while Craig is forced to play opposite GH newcomer Hayley Erin. But is Twitter the proper place to to air your dirty laundry? A direct message (DM) might have been wiser.

If you see a casting call go out soon looking for a hairy chested twenty-something actor, I think it's safe to assume it will be for a Morgan recast!

'General Hospital' Will Broadcast Live Two Days in May

ABC will unveil a two-day network daytime television event as General Hospital broadcasts live from Los Angeles -- it was announced today, by General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini. GH will air a live show on Friday, May 15 and another live show on Monday, May 18.

“Taking such an iconic show as General Hospital live for two days is both exhilarating and risky,” said Frank Valentini about the two upcoming live broadcasts of General Hospital. “I am enormously proud of our cast, crew and staff for all their tireless dedication and hard work that will be leading up to this daytime television event. It’s live television and absolutely anything can happen, but that is what’s fun about this and we’re absolutely up to the challenge.”

Additionally, fans can be a part of the conversation surrounding this live event by using #GHLive.

General Hospital, which celebrated its 52nd anniversary on April 1, 2015, is the longest running American soap opera currently in production and the longest running scripted drama on U.S. television currently in production. General Hospital has received the prestigious Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama a record 11 times. General Hospital was created by Frank and Doris Hursley. Frank Valentini is the executive producer and Ron Carlivati is the head writer.

'General Hospital' Segments Airing on ABC 7 in New York Every Monday in November (Watch the First)

"We're there comfort food," Lynn Herring says about the longtime characters on the show.

ABC 7 in New York City air a segment on General Hospital on Monday, featuring some of the cast and executive producer Frank Valentini talking about the show's turnaround from the brink of cancellation three years ago. The features includes Ryan Paevey (Nathan), Vinessa Antoine (Jordan), Lynn Herring (Lucy), Finola Hughes (Anna), Jason Thompson (Patrick) and Laura Wright (Carly).

"What happened on October 31st and just shifted everything in Port Charles," Wright teases.

Historical Note: Laura Wright debuted as Carly on General Hospital 9 years ago today (November 4, 2005).

"Problems for me come in two forms, romantic and family," Paevey adds. "I got problems in both arenas going on right now"

"It's a big commitment to watch five hours of television a week, it's a lot to ask the fans," says Valentini. "I think when you're asking someone to give you that much, you need to give back in equal measure."

Watch GH segment, hosted by Sandy Kenyon, below:

'General Hospital' Spoilers: Fall Will Feature Romance and Adventure, Plus Returning Male and Female Villains

General Hospital executive producer promises "a lot of romance"
this fall.

General Hospital is returning to its old 3 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT timeslot in many markets starting September 8.

To celebrate the move, producers are promising big stories for all its major characters.

"We're interested in pushing the envelope in a way that challenges the audience's ability to accept, understand and be entertained by the show," says executive producer Frank Valentini.

So what can fans expect this fall? Love in the afternoon full be in full bloom.

Michelle Stafford: 'I Am At GH To Aid Story'

General Hospital actress Michelle Stafford.

Michelle Stafford talks about her General Hospital character, Nina Clay, in a new interview published on Sunday. She praised head writer Ron Carlivati for his writing style.

"He GOES for it," Stafford said. "So I don’t want to be careful. I’m going all out, because then if it’s too much they can bring me down. We’re finding the character together. Ron writes to your strengths. He watches you and gets ideas from you, so you’re doing it together. That’s so important for a head writer."

Stafford has appreciated the notes that executive producer Frank Valentini gave her about her performance.

"You don’t hit it out of the park every time," she explained. "You go for it, but you don’t always hit it. Sometimes an actor makes a splash on one show and then comes onto a new show expecting they’re going to make another splash. But you have to start each new job anew. I’m the new kid on the block. I am at GH to aid story."

Stafford will make her next General Hospital appearance on Tuesday, June 3rd. Watch a promo for her return below: