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'General Hospital' Names Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte as New Co-Head Writers; Replacing Chris Van Etten and Dan O'Connor - Michael Fairman TV
In a surprise move, General Hospital has decided to make a head writer change and that means that Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor are exiting their positions and being replaced by Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte. Look for Chris and Dan’s stories to air through March.
Patrick and Elizabeth are no strangers to GH. For Korte, she has been a longtime writing team member of the ABC daytime drama series for several decades starting in 1994. During her time with the series, she has served as co-head writer back in 2001, and has worked in various capacities including as script editor since 2008. Along with Bob Guza Jr, Korte was the co-creator of the GH spinoff, GH: Night Shift and also served as co-writer of the show with Guza.
Patrick Mulcahey previous tenures with GH were starting in 1996 as a script writer, and then from 1998-1999 as an associate head writer and breakdown writer. Having a storied career in the soaps, Patrick has written for Search for Tomorrow, Texas, Guiding Light, Santa Barbara and The Bold and the Beautiful. He last worked with B&B in 2019 as a script and story consultant.
Photo: ABC
Previously, Chris Van Etten had been upped to GH co-head writer upon the retirement of former co-head writer, Jean Passanante. Before that, Etten had been a breakdown writer at GH since 2012 and working under then head writer, Ron Carlivati (now head writer, DAYS). However, Chris started his daytime career at One Life to Live working with GH and former One Life EP Frank Valentini and working his way up the writing ranks.
As for Dan O’Connor, like Van Etten, he got his start on One Life to Live as a writer’s associate from 2007-2011 and later joined the GH writing team under Ron Carlivati in 2013 where he held various roles including as associate head writer and breakdown writer, prior to being named the co-head scribes.
O’Connor was a writer’s associate from 2007-2011. Like Van Etten, O’Connor later joined Carlivati’s writing team at General Hospital in 2013, where he held the dual role of associate head writer and breakdown writer before being named co-head writer. Soap Opera Digest first reported the news.
So, what do you think of the head writing change at GH? Do you think it was a good move? What do you think of Korte and Mulcahey as the new head scribes? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Despite the well deserved praise for the Bobbie memorial – It was time for a switch.
Something creative (and balanced) needs to be done with the Carly-Nina mess. Mulcahey created the Carly character so hopefully he moves her to a different level. And Drew just needs to go.
He also was around for the introduction of Alexis – another character that needs a jump start. Mac & Felicia were also front and center during his original time with GH.
That said, it’s time to increase the presence of the next generation.
Korte has been the continuity writer for a long time. Sometimes she ignores show history, but hopefully as co-head, she’ll have a balanced approach.
I’d rather they try to lure back some of the characters that have been let go from the legacy families; bring back Dillon, Skye, (her daughter) and have AJ come back with Jason. I don’t care HOW they explain AJ’s resurrection but he should never have been killed off by Carlivati because of his petty war with Sean. Bring back Lucky, maybe bring back Liz’s sister Sarah. Bring Liz’s parents on and bring back “Steven Lars.” Get back to the core families and the various generations. And STOP this one-sided dumping on Nina; the woman lost over 20 years of her life, was hurt over and over again, had her babies taken, one grew up to be “trouble” and is dead, Sasha conned her and Nina’s heart was broken, Harmony AND Carly tried to keep her from ever finding out about Willow and yet these current writers keep having Nina pay over and over again while those who have hurt her pay nothing and are loved by the whole town. It’s infuriating to watch.
Don’t forget Elizabeth’s other sister Hayden. That character had alot more story to tell and I never liked how she was only on for 2 short stints. But everything else you mentioned is spot on!!
Hi James. I have to disagree with you there. I couldn’t stand Hayden from day one until she thankfully took her exit. I hated that they made her Liz’s sister out of the blue intead of bringing back Liz’s “established” brother and sister. What was REALLY galling to me was that as you know (how can anyone miss it) there’s not ONE Jewish character on the show (which I’ve brought up several times). Diversity seems to include only certain groups, but I digress. When Hayden found out that her father wasn’t her biological father, she reminisced at how close they were and how she loved Passover dinners. Passover dinners????!!!! Not ONE Jewish character on the show, but for some reason the writers decided that Hayden’t “not real” father who she thought was her father, was Jewish. And what was he in jail for? A ponzi scheme. A Bernie Madoff-type crime. HOW GH got away with that blatant antisemitism is beyond me. They create a Jewish character who has no role on the show, imply that he’s Jewish, and is in jail for a ponzi scheme. So for me? There’s nothing about Hayden, the way she was written, how they threw her in as Liz’s sister at a time they barely had any vets left on the show, add that piece of antisemitic crap to her story and I have no desire to see her return. I’m not optimistic though. Any character can be brought back so I just enjoy her absence for as long as it lasts…
I might be willing to send AJ back up from Hell, if they asked me to. But isn’t Sean Kanan busy on one of the CBS soaps?
The Billy Warlock version of AJ really doesn’t need to be seen again. Ever. At least Kanan’s version had a few redeeming qualitiies. And remember, I’m the Devil, so it takes a lot for me to find somebody totally reprehensible, but the Warlock version of AJ? Yeah, he would be one of those. He’s cleaning out the dragon stables with Heinrich Faison, and he can stay there.
Yes; I think Sean Kanan’s on B&B. I don’t watch that but I’ve heard he was (I think he still is). AJ was always one of my favs; and I hated that Carly and Sonny got over on him til the very end. He should never have been killed off especially when he was brought back from the dead to begin with. And though I LOVE Sean and would love to see him return, I have to admit that after a while Billy won me over, too. I felt empathy for him as AJ; I think he did a great job. So though physically he and Sean are nothing alike (understatement) Billy made the role his own. I’d love to have him back if Sean wasn’t available…
If Im following the timeline correctly, was Mulcahey part of the Lucky and Elizabeth storyline in 98-99, which was fantastic until JJ left GH. If so, I hope he will finally write a front burner storyline for Becky H. I’ve read a blast from Elizabeth’s past will return soon. I’m not a fan of Finn/Liz pairing. While I’m excited that Jason is returning, I would love to see the writers reunite Becky with Jonathan Jackson’s Lucky.
whynot
3 months ago
The only thing “surprising” about this move is that it took so long. I stopped watching “Generally Carly” completely for the first time in over 30 years because it’s virtually unwatchable. I doubt this will get me to start again, but good luck to them.
Satan
3 months ago
I think this is a good move. Probably would be better to have Guza himself back as head writer, but at least these two are writers who worked under him, and not “fruit of the poisoned ReRon tree” like the previous writers.
Along with the return of Jason and (hopefully) the demise of Parasite Nina, things are starting to look up for the city of Port Charles.
“Parasite Nina?” You can’t see where she’s been hurt over and over again by Carly and company yet is the ONLY one who is rejected and berated and treated like garbage? REALLY? What are you watching???
I’ve been watching a complete toilet spiral since November 2021, with very few exceptions (such as the Bobbie tribute episodes). And I haven’t been shy about saying so.
Thankfully, it looks like I’m not the only one who noticed this, and things – by all indication, given recent developments – are finally changing for the better.
I didn’t mean in general; I meant the Nina part. I’m not sure how you can call “Nina” a parasite. She’s heads above Carly in the character department, no pun intended. She’s the victim; not the perp, and I’m sick of the way, surprise, surprise, Carly’s loved by one and all, forgiven for everything she did to Nina, and everyone, including clueless Willow, another character they ruined, somehow can’t see how cruel Carly was to Nina, how Carly took it upon herself to keep a daughter who was stolen from her mother at birth to keep her mother from ever finding her…and then goes a step further and asks Carly to walk her down the aisle. And what was with that idiotic bracelet Willow gave to Nina on Nina’s wedding day? She gave her Harmony’s bracelet? The woman who stole Nina’s child, was never going to let her know Willow was her daughter, who drugged Willo so Shiloh could rape her, who killed Neal and his brother, was going to kill Alexis and Carly???? Willow gave Nina THAT bracelet as a gift? Nina’s been treated like sh-t by everyone. It’s not the character that’s unbearable, it’s the one-sided, imbalanced, writing. It’s horrible and tough to watch.
As for Bobbie’s memorial? I wasn’t thrilled with that either. It was the Carly show. I’m not even sure why they had Lucas come back for it….
Satan said it right about Ms. Nina. This woman blames everyone for choices that she made. She knew the character of her daughter, Nelle first hand, because she worked with her. Matter of fact, she worked with Carly to bring her down! She even made an enemy of Anna, because she worked with Valentin to.cover up the bad seeds deeds.
gt13
3 months ago
I’ve always wondered if fans would like the Nina character more if it was played by the original Nina (Michelle Stafford). Drew is a different character than the original for sure but how do they fix that now? I liked Ron sorry and Van Etten. Korte has been writing for GH for a long while now. Look forward to Jason being back.
Stafford was so done by the time she left to go back to Y&R. There was no way they’d even attempt to pair her with Benard. Nina could’ve left the canvas without ever exploring her connection to Nelle or Willow.
Watros came in and revitalized the character and had a calming effect on Benard’s portrayal of Sonny.
The first few years of Ron’s writing was rather entertaining. When Fluke and Denise DeMuccio appeared, however, the writing was on the wall.
Funny because I liked Nina more when she was played by Michelle. However, I cannot picture Michelle with Sonny! No way. The whole backstory of Nina is heartbreaking & really kind of ridiculous but . . . Remember when she came to town in a wheelchair at the park when Sam & her kid(s) were there with Silas?
Heck no!! I’m so done with Y&R and her overacting over there. Not to mention their retread storylines, and the overdone pairing of Sharon with Nick. They’re going to go there yet again, and I’m sick and tired of it. Get NEW characters in there, lighten things up. Nick and Sharon, Nick and Phyllis, Nick and Chelsea…….overdone, overdone overdone!! All shows need new writers, and need to weave the history of its characters into the present. Long time viewers appreciate it, and new viewers need to know the history of its characters.
James R Poissant
3 months ago
Just keep some of the storylines running for long periods of time. I hate that most storylines on soaps are started and wrapped up in just a couple of months. One example i can give is when Nelle switched babies and it took a year-and-a-half for the payoff. THAT’S how stories used to run. GH has a good track record of keeping their stories going until we finally get the payoff and I don’t want to see that changed.
As far back as Port Charles, ABC’s become enamored of the telenovella approach. For the last few years of PC, each story was designed to be told in thirteen-week chunks. I kind of like that approach, because if you have a clunker storyline, it will be gone in a few months. Remember how excruciating the Peter August storyline was? He couldn’t die soon enough! And Fluke? Please! Keep the pace up and tell better stories.
Bella
3 months ago
Quit this show when Billy miller stepped on the elevator and was gone! If you people really think the return of expensive Steve Burton is going to solve your problems with this soap get a grip ! First of all he looks horrible second he can’t act third who needs this?? But I do know I would not come back because now it’s the Sam and Jason and the Jason and Liz stupid fan wars
DAJ
3 months ago
I guess the last quarter ratings was the last straw for ABC and/or FV?! I actually don’t know who pulls the plug on writer changes. It was a needed change. I’m always curious how different things look on screen when a new writer(s) stuff is aired. Back in the day they used write out whole families. I don’t see anything like that happening though.
The ratings for 2024 have been up significantly. The primetime special/Bobbie’s memorial episodes brought back some viewers who stuck around for at least the week after.
Ratings did dip under 2 million for the later weeks of 2023, but have strongly rebounded to over 2.2 million last week. That’s better than some network primetime shows.
Probably the best description for the HW switch is “creative differences”.
Bella
3 months ago
As for Laura Wright she sucked the life out of this show years ago ! Your best asset was Becky and you have wasted her
She really did. The way she uses Nina as a punching bag has driven me to only watching once or twice a week. Wright actually defends her character being a bully on social media and has said “Carly is the girl everyone wants to be friends with”. When I read that I just thought that she must be delusional.
As forCynthia Watros I don’t know how she gets up and goes to work every day just to be pummelled into the ground by Carly, Michael and Willow.I believe Patrick Mulcahey was at GL and wrote for Cynthia there. So hopefully she will get much better treatment under him than the current “Carly Loving” regime!!!
The regime that killed off her son Morgan (yeah he’s not really dead), killed her best friend Jason TWICE (yeah he’s not either) stole her husband, stole her business, tormented her for years with Psycho Nelle, then for more years with Nelle’s alleged “mother” (still not proven, other than a WalMart necklace as “evidence”) , neutered Sonny and broke up their marriage and almost got her killed in a mob war, caused by Sonny’s alleged “death” and resulting power vaccuum.
I won’t blame the regime for killing off her mother, since that was out of their hands, of course. But the rest of it…. if that’s your idea of “loving”, what would a “Carly Hating” regime look like??
Scott (ATWT fan)
3 months ago
Let me start with: I liked Dan O’Connor & Chris Van Etten as a head writing duo. They came in and really did shift the writing in a way that had been needed for quite some time. However, once COVID hit, the steam immediately left their station. Returning from the COVID break, instead of progressing storylines and possibly even factoring in the COVID-19 pandemic into the scripts (considering hey, this IS a hospital show), they picked right back up with the same storylines they went into the hiatus with. Timing and pacing is their issue: when they are given a time limit for executing a storyline (a.k.a. Emma Samms’ one-month return) they shine. They have an A to Z plot point and they aren’t allow room to change it. When they are on it they’re on it, but when they are not…. it’s all Hell breaking loose. The changes in storyline because audience figured it out (Cyrus / Pautauk leader being a female), the hold Hat Daddy had over the mob and his big secret, etc. were really messy, and proof they couldn’t stay contained to a story timeline. And that ultimately is their negative. Plus, I also believe Nathan Varni and TPTB at Disney-ABC were paying attention during the strike material; fans were VOCAL about how much better-paced things had moved, and once O’Connor and Van Etten were returning, things immediately reverted and were being undone.
Patrick Mulcahey is a MAJOR WIN! He’s someone whose name has been tossed around for a while. First in possible replacement of Josh Griffith on The Young and the Restless and then in general terms. He’s smart, he’s educated and he’s worked some of the greats, so his input is needed. He is hard-headed and doesn’t take the easy way out in his writing, and IF Disney-ABC allow him to do his job ⏤ and I am hoping they do, because you don’t hire someone like Mulcahey and not allow them to do their job ⏤ this really could put General Hospital back on an amazing trajectory. His words have always reigned true to his passion for daytime. He is smart, and when John Conboy came onto Santa Barbara, Mulcahey left after the one and only meeting he had with him. That’s the kind of energy we need: he won’t be taking anyone’s bullshït, which again, proves to me TPTB know what they’re doing in hiring Mulcahey. In 2011, in an interview with Santa Barbara Online, he had this to say on the future of soaps: ❝ [That] soaps really don’t have a future. We needed to change or die, and the only changes we made were for the worse. ❞
Elizabeth Korte I feel is a safety promotion; she’s been there since 1994, and has remained through multiple regimes while Mulcahey had been misused on The Bold and the Beautiful, so she can be there for some kind of “continuity,” which I don’t feel is necessary. Plus, both Mulcahey & Korte worked together during his all-too-short time at General Hospital, and I am hoping her attention to playing favourites with characters is settled by Mulcahey, who I do feel is top dog in the head writing team.
I know it’ll take time for the new material to shift, and I am willing to provide the appropriate time for both Mulcahey & Korte to fix things that need to be fixed. That being said, I am also happy to see a FEMALE head writer back in daytime, and while it is not the name I would have chosen, I am welcoming it cautiously.
Now, if only the “writer” could get canned from Days of Our Lives.
Chris & Dan had some strong points. On the plus side, I admire how they had vets like Ned and Lucy front and center driving story. Sonny became less hostile. And, although not perfect, Spencer & Trina became the most talked about young couple in ages.
Su000
3 months ago
Hopefully, the new writers will bring suspenseful stories…More action, something that grips you and has teeth to it…GH has been an overkill of lackluster writing….
Dust off some of the glory days writing of GH–
tweak them and produce exciting stories as once were..
Bring back the days when I couldn’t wait for the next day’s episode….
michael
3 months ago
The show is mostly great-please don’t screw it up
thad bosley
3 months ago
I sure hope that the new writing team keeps Tracy around. Her return in 2023 breathed new life into my GH viewing habits. Tracy Quartermaine is a force!!!
I think it’s Jane’s choice if Tracy sticks around. She retired initially. I assume if she’s having a good time, she’ll stick around. It isn’t like Tony Geary where he left the country. She’ll also probably want some nice long vacations (which she’s earned!)
davlestev1
3 months ago
Depending on how well it goes, and with Mulcahey it should go well; I wouldn’t be surprised if EP Frank Valentini is replaced by Mulcahey as well. Been watching soaps since the late 60’s so I know he’ll bring some good stories to the table. So does ABC.
I doubt Valentini is going anywhere. He stays within the budget they give him, and that seems to really matter to the ABC folks.
Hiring Patrick Mulcahey is a super-smart move; let’s hope they let him work his magic.
davlestev1
3 months ago
Been years long break from GH. See you in April GH. I will be tuning in again. Bring back Rebecca Budig please.
Ozzie Lee
3 months ago
This is good news. Patrick Mulcahey is a skilled writer. He’ll bring character-driven drama to-the-table.
Honestly, with this current headwriting team, they were unimpressive. No real cohesiveness & “stories” that dragged on ad nauseum.
Definitely time for a fresh approach in the headwriting department.
Rodd
3 months ago
I’ve appreciated what Chris and Dan have written. Haven’t always liked where stories went, but certainly appreciated their efforts. I can’t imagine that writing a soap is easy with all the interferences from network execs, having to figure out actors’ schedules or others’ whims that play into what makes it on air. I’ve read it over and over again how all the interference makes churning out over 250 scripts a year is draining on the Head Writers and their staff. And yet so many soap fans think they can do better. We can’t. So, Thank You to Dan and Chris! And Welcome and best Wishes to Patrick and Elizabeth!
Actually, I’m not so sure that many of us couldn’t (do better), especially those of us who’ve been around for a while and remember what soaps used to be like in the 1970s and 1980s (and before, even, for some people who post here).
But I still take your point on how hard it must be to produce good, solid writing with the network and others interfering constantly. (There’s a reason why some of the great headwriters left the field, starting in the 1990s, and never looked back.)
I’d also point out that what makes it onto the screen, after all the interference, could be vastly different from what was originally written (which I’d suspect in most cases was much better than the final product). I’ll happily criticize what makes it onto the screen, but I’m much more careful than I used to be about making judgments about various writers’ abilities based on what I see, because I don’t see any way of determining accurately what’s their writing and what’s somebody’s meddling.
In GH’s case specifically, I’d say the last time ABC really got out of the writers’ way and let them do their jobs was early in Carlivati’s tenure. At some point, though, about a year or 18 months in, I could really tell that ABC had gotten back heavily into the mix, and the show started veering back into some truly unpalatable territory.
I give Van Etten and O’Connor credit for finding a way to keep Sonny front and center (which ABC apparently insists on, despite the damage to the show overall) without making the mob stuff the center of his existence; they’ve threaded that needle better than anybody since early Carlivati.
I’ll be interested to see what Mulcahey does (and how long he sticks around before he either walks or is shown the door). As others have pointed out, he has a reputation for not suffering fools gladly, and he doesn’t seem to have a problem walking away from daytime entirely for extended periods when the clowns take over, so I think we’ll like what we see on the screen, if they’ll only let him do his job.
Remember when P&G ran the majority of soaps? Back in the days of multiple Soap magazines and books and articles on the subject. BTW my favorite columnist back in the day was Cleveland Ohio’s Lynda Hirsch, especially for her live Friday updates on The Morning Exchange mostly following Dorothy Fuldheim(#Icon).But I digress. I read Harding Lemay’s ”Eight Years In Another World and P&G was a nightmare for daytime(for a lot of HW). But he fought for his vision and got it for years until they stepped in again. If ABC and Disney really want the show to continue they’ll step back and turn Mulcahey loose to do what he does best. But I doubt it. Like Dolly Levi they can’t help but meddle. To the show’s detriment.
Greg
3 months ago
I read on another site late last night that one of mulcahey,s conditions for a return was to bring Tamara Braun back as Carly. How amazing. She was the best Carly!! She will give Carly layers again . Not a vile toxic character which seems to be the only way Wright is capable of playing her.
Tamara will be be back on screen in late april/early May according to the report. Finally I will look forward to watching GH!! This is like the biggest casting news in at least a decade!
That’s just wishful thinking/speculation. Besides, Braun was not playing Carly when Mulcahey created the character – Sarah Brown was.
Head writers have little impact on casting decisions. Frank Valentini (with guidance from Mark Teschner) has the say on all casting decisions. Frank is pretty close with Laura Wright, so again that hypothesis doesn’t hold merit.
It said that Sarah brown wasn’t available so he went with Tamara Braun in order to”reset” the character of Carly!! Apparently both Teschner and Valentini signed off on this in order to apease him!!
Braun is under contract to DAYS. Brown has no acting credits for past 3 years. Please list the site. Many of them out there are pure speculation and fan fiction.
Not that things like that don’t ever happen, but I wouldn’t bet on it, if I were you. (I’m not even sure TB wants to come back to GH, for that matter.)
Greg, you are spewing absolute bull crap with this one.
clb
3 months ago
Not sure how to take this surprising news. The show’s ratings fell but are back up to 2.4 million viewers. Hope the new head writers can build on that and bring the show up to over 3 million. Anyone that formerly wrote for Guiding Light or Santa Barbara has my vote. Good luck to GH! And how about create a character for the great Kim Zimmer or Erika Slezak? OMG as that show would have the best cast ever in daytime!
ABC has invested a lot of money bringing back a lot of its soap stars from the 90’s and 2000’s for those falling ratings. The cast on GH is huge and I doubt Disney is happy at this point. I have a sneaking suspicion this show is being prepared for streaming on Hulu exclusively. Mulcahey writes for adults. Peacock has proven with Days that a hard core of soap fans will follow a soap to streaming when it leaves a network. The bonus for a streamer is a soap provides year long content with a loyal audience and is cheaper than creating original programming from scratch.
I had not thought of that possibility, but you may be right. Days has survived the transition, which shows that the model can work (if by “work” one means “mean make continuing to produce a soap viable in the eyes of network executives”–I know most viewers still aren’t happy with the decision). I’m not thrilled with the idea, but I’m not thrilled with most decisions TPTB have made in the last couple of decades, so . . .
I am a very cynical person but I just have this nagging feeling in my gut and I hope I am wrong. ABC learned from the AMC and OLTL cancellation debacle. If they later pull the plug on the show – they can say see we tried everything to save the show even bringing back all of the old favorites. My gut tells me the future of the remaining daytime soaps are on streaming where content that viewers are willing to pay for is all that matters.
Another reminder that casting is up to the Executive Producer (Valentini) and Casting Director (Teschner).
Slezak lives in Connecticut and would not want to commute to LA on a semi-regular basis. Zimmer had some not-so warm things to say about Echo’s return to OLTL after GL went off the air. Unlikely she and Frank would work together again.
Frank
3 months ago
This is great news. Patrick Mulcahey is among the best. I hope that you’ll do an interview with him, Michael, asap. It would be interesting to hear what some of his plans are for the show. I’m especially curious about Nikolas’s future. Since he was instrumental in writing for the character during Tyler’s (RIP) original run, I’d like to see more of those personality traits restored. I’m confident that, if it’s on the page, Adam Huss can play it.
Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer
May 16, 2024
After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.
Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.
A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”
In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.
Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.
We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.
What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.
Melody Thomas Scott and Edward J. Scott to Receive Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Honors
May 6, 2024
The Young and the Restless iconic Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) and her husband, Emmy-winning producer, Edward J. Scott have been named by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as Lifetime Achievement Honorees at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Melody and Ed will be presented with the award on June 7th during the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (8 PM ET/delayed PT) broadcast live on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+*.
In a statement Melody and Ed expressed, “We are honored and humbled to receive this recognition from NATAS. Throughout our decades-long careers in front of and behind the cameras, we have had the opportunity to work not only with each other, but also with an incredibly talented pool of people who excel in their crafts and are passionate about the art we create in daytime television. We are grateful to have worked side by side with them and to be included with such esteemed recipients who have made their mark in our industry. We look forward to spending another wonderful evening celebrating the daytime community!“
Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS added,“We’ve long wanted to honor the legendary daytime duo of Melody Thomas Scott and her husband Edward J. Scott. With a combined 93 years of contributions to our community, they are true institutions in the world of Daytime television.”
In addition to Melody and Ed receiving their Lifetime Achievement honors, public television host and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich will also be honored.
Photo NATAS
Lidia Bastianich said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized and receive the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for having shared my passion for food with TV audiences for over 25 years. Cooking together and sharing food remain a common denominator of all cultures. Food nurtures, it connects diverse people, and it brings families, friends, and strangers together. There is no better place to be on this earth, especially in these trying times, than sharing food at a table with others. That simple idea has been the basis of my life’s work. Hence, as I say in my shows, “Tutti a Tavola a Mangiare!” Mille Grazie to NATAS for this honor.”
While Adam Sharp shared, “Lidia Bastianich’s astounding success combines her love of cooking while simultaneously entertaining millions each day. It is an honor for us to say ‘grazie’ for the many fine meals borne from her TV kitchen and cookbook pages.”
Melody Thomas Scott recently celebrated 45 years in the role of Nikki Newman, having joined the show in February 1979. Scott’s character has matured from the girl from the wrong side of the tracks to the serial’s luminous and resourceful leading lady. After garnering a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1999, she went on to win in the same category for the Soap Opera Digest Award in 2001 and received four Soap Opera Update Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress (1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996). Scott began her career at age three. She studied singing, tap dancing, ballet and jazz and became one of the world-famous “Meglin Kiddies,” performing in USO shows as she started booking national commercials and guest spots on such series as “Wagon Train,” “My Three Sons,” “Ironside” and a recurring role on “The Waltons.” Scott made her motion picture debut at age eight when she was cast by Alfred Hitchcock as the young Tippi Hedren in the thriller “Marnie.” She has co-starred with legendary actors Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Scott has worked on stage and in numerous television shows and was the subject of Lifetime Television’s “Intimate Portrait.” As a lifelong fan of “I Love Lucy,” Scott served as a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, N.Y., which is committed to preserving the legacy of the great comedienne. In 2020,
Scott released her memoir, “Always Young and Restless.” Married since 1985 to Edward J. Scott, the couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Photo: JPI
Edward J. Scott is a six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer who has played a pivotal role in the historic development of the soap opera genre for nearly five decades. Scott is currently supervising producer for The Bold and the Beautiful, the #2-rated daytime drama in the U.S. and the most-watched daily drama in the world, which is nominated for 12 Daytime Emmy Awards this year. Scott began his association with The Bell Family and Bell-Phillip Television Productions when he joined “The Young and The Restless” as an associate producer in 1976. He quickly moved up the ranks and served as the show’s executive producer for decades.
Scott’s legendary 48-year producing partnership and creative collaboration with “The Young and The Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” creators, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, and their son, Bradley P. Bell, has helped create the two most popular daily American television series. Today, both daytime dramas are syndicated internationally. Before joining “B&B” Scott was executive producer for the NBC daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, Scott earned a B.A from California State University at Northridge with a double major of anthropology and broadcasting journalism. He has been married since 1985 to actress and author Melody Thomas Scott. The couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
So, excited to hear Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott and longtime daytime soap opera producer, Edward J. Scott are receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honors at this years 51st Annual Daytime Emmys? Comment below.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton(General Hospital)Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (*subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, Featuring Days of OurLives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
