In a surprising move, General Hospital brought back a fired head writer to join the soap opera’s writing team. Keep reading for all the details.
Bob Guza Joins New CBS Soap
Bob Guza served as head writer on General Hospital for multiple stints in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was responsible for many great storylines, especially ones including the mob and Sonny Corinthos.
However, many fans blamed him for killing off legacy characters such as Alan Quartermaine and Georgie Jones. Former GH writer Michele Val Jean took up in his defense recently and said that the unpopular death was during the 2007-2008 writer’s strike.
Now Michele Val Jean and Bob Guza are reuniting on the upcoming CBS soap The Gates. Val Jean is the showrunner and head writer. According to Soap Hub, Bob Guza will serve as one of the show’s executive producers.
The Gates is expected to premiere in January 2025 on CBS.
General Hospital Brings Back Fired Head Writer
Bob Guza isn’t the only former GH head writer to return for multiple stints. News broke earlier this week that the ABC soap rehired one of the head writers fired back in January.
Deadline broke the news that Chris Van Etten is returning to the soap six months after he was let go along with co-head writer Dan O’Connor. They were replaced by Elizabeth Korte and Patrick Mulcahey. Mulcahey was fired in May.
Van Etten joins Korte as co-head writer. GH executive producer Frank Valentini praised the shakeup, “No one knows General Hospital and its history more than Elizabeth and Chris.”
The behind-the-scenes drama is just the latest in comings and goings. Jonathan Jackson will reprise his role as Lucky Spencer later this summer. The soap also recently announced that Rick Hearst is returning as Ric Lansing after nearly a decade. General Hospital is currently looking for a Lulu Spencer recast.
Move Unpopular With Fans
Fans of the ABC soap were stumped by the news of Chris Van Etten’s return. Soap columnist Alan Sarapa shared his reaction on Twitter:
“It is comical to fire a man and then rehire him for the same position last than a year later.”
Other viewers shared similar reactions:
- I think I’d use the word “pathetic”
- I am so sad for our show
- It’s so annoying & stupid
- Might as well say that he never left…
According to Deadline, the new head writer team’s first jointly written episode airs on August 8, 2024.
