Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — Yesterday afternoon, Soap Opera Digest reported that “General Hospital” has named breakdown writer Shelly Altman as its Co-Head Writer working alongside Head Writer Garin Wolf. Per the magazine’s website Altman’s new role is effective immediately.

In July, Soap Opera Network first reported on Altman’s move to “General Hospital” after 11 years at ABC’s “One Life to Live.” At the time Altman was joined by Tracey Thomson on the breakdown team replacing Meg Bennett and David Goldschmid, who were both fired following the termination of Bennett’s husband Robert Guza, Jr., who Wolf replaced back in May.

Before joining “One Life to Live” in 1999 as an Associate Head Writer, Altman worked at NBC’s “Another World” from 1995-1999 in the same position. She received five Daytime Emmy Award nominations in the category of Outstanding Writing Team. Her last four nominations being at “OLTL” (2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009) and her first at “AW” (1996). Altman won the award in 2008 while at “OLTL” under the writing team headed up by Ron Carlivati and Dena Higley.

In July 2010, Altman wrote a blog for The Writers Guild of America East which can be viewed here.

As Soap Opera Network went to press, a “GH” representative was unavailable for comment.

Disney/ABC Television Group

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — On May 18, 2011, Robert Guza Jr. was fired as head writer of “General Hospital” and Garin Wolf was named the new head writer.  With Guza leaving, it’s not surprising that his wife, breakdown writer Meg Bennett, was also let go from the show.  Breakdown writer David Goldschmid was also fired.  Replacing them on the breakdown team will be Shelly Altman, who’s been writing breakdowns for “One Life to Live” for the past 11 years, and current “GH” script writer Tracey Thomson (though she may only be helping out with breakdowns temporarily).

Over at “Days of our Lives” the changes just keep on coming.   Ryan Quan who’s been a script writer and writers’ assistant gets promoted to breakdown writer, replacing Michelle Poteet Lisanti.  Joining the script writing team is Pete T. Rich.

More changes are expected at both soaps.

For discussion, join us in the Writers/Directors thread.

ABC

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — After fifteen years of working in various positions on the “One Life to Live” writing staff, including serving as the show’s head scribe for the last three years, ABC has announced that Ron Carlivati will be joining “General Hospital” as a script writer. The move will fulfill the remainder of the three-year contract Carlivati signed with the network last September. A similar two-year deal was hammered out at the time with “One Life” Executive Producer Frank Valentini.

Despite the timing of the news, “OLTL” fans breath a sigh of relief, however, since Carlivati is not expected to begin his new duties until after the show wraps production sometime in mid-November. “One Life to Live” will air its final episode on January 20, 2012.

Carlivati echoed the sentiment in a press release, saying that “I remain fully committed to Frank Valentini and ‘One Life to Live’ as the show’s Headwriter until the series concludes in January of 2012.  It has been my distinct honor to write for Agnes Nixon’s groundbreaking soap opera for the past fifteen years, and it will be with a heavy heart that I, along with my incredibly talented team, pen its finale.  At that time, I am happy to announce that I will then be joining the writing team of ‘General Hospital,’ and am thrilled to be working once again with Executive Producer Jill Phelps as well as new Headwriter Garin Wolf.”

Wolf was just named “GH” headwriter last month by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, upon the firing of the show’s former head scribe Robert Guza, Jr.

The news of Carlivati’s move to the L.A.-based “Hospital,” was broken Thursday by “One Life’s” soon-to-be-departing leading lady Robin Strasser, who tweeted that ” JUST TOLD but NOT told it wuz SECRET: Ron CARLIVATI to #GH as script writer-hopes 2 b co-head writer? Yo,I’m taking heat for leaving early?” Strasser, as we previously reported, is leaving “OLTL” this summer to have back surgery. Her final tape date is Friday, July 1.

Carlivati, along with his writing staff, won a Daytime Emmy in 2008 for their work on “One Life to Live.” He began his daytime career on the soap as a Writer’s Assistant from 1996-1998, before being promoted the the position of Script Writer. In 2001 he was again promoted, this time to the job of Breakdown Writer. In May 2007, he was appointed Co-Head Writer (along with Dena Higley). In September of that year, he was named the show’s sole Head Writer following the network’s dismissal of Higley, where he has continued to serve (minus a brief hiatus during the 2008 Writer’s Strike) in the same capacity.

Click here to read an interview Soap Opera Network did with Carlivati in March of this year, one month before ABC announced the cancellation of “One Life to Live” and sister soap “All My Children.”

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — A few weeks back I reported on my personal Twitter page that two actors would be let go by summer’s end and it wouldn’t be by their own choosing despite how it would be presented by the show. The firing of Ingo Rademacher was not one of those people I alluded to. In an official statement released to ABC Soaps In Depth on their website, the actor said “After 15 years on ‘GH’ portraying Jax I must say goodbye. I’m fired.”

While Rademacher’s departure does not come as a surprise, his firing comes hot on the heals of ABC confirming reports of now former Head Writer Robert Guza Jr. getting the boot this past Wednesday only to be replaced by scab writer Garin Wolf and Tyler Christopher getting kicked to the curb in March after learning his new ABC Family pilot, “The Lying Game,” was picked up to series. Christopher’s last airdate has not been announced, but he last tapes today in scenes we’re told he may have had a hand in writing.

“Yes, I know that’s sounds bad but sometimes little birds need a shove out of the nest to find their wings…. better late then never? I’m trying to find some humor in all of this. Even though this was not my call, I think my ‘GH’ days were almost up anyway,” Rademacher’s statement read. “I would like to thank everyone at ‘GH,’ the producers, directors, crew, my fellow actors and ABC/Disney for making my 15 years enjoyable and fun. It was always a great place for me to work and I will have fantastic memories. I would like to thank my fans and especially my ‘Jax Angels’ who have been there for me, supporting me in every way, from Day One. Thank you!”

An ABC representative was unavailable for comment at press time. A last airdate has not been set.

JPI

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — ABC’s “General Hospital” has announced that effective immediately Garin Wolf will replace outgoing Robert Guza Jr. as its head writer. The announcement was made by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group.

“Garin is a talented writer and storyteller who has been a part of the ‘General Hospital’ family for nearly 15 years,” said Frons. “His in-depth knowledge and adoration for the show’s legacy will help make a smooth transition and an immediate impact on story,” said Frons. “I’m sure he will succeed in taking ‘General Hospital’ to new heights as he develops characters and storylines that will engage and thrill our viewers.”

According to ABC, Wolf has been part of the “General Hospital” writing team since 1997 for which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition to his time at the flagship ABC soap, Wolf had written for CBS’ “As The World Turns” and SOAPnet’s “General Hospital: Night Shift.” While he’s best known for his work on soaps, Wolf is also credited for his time at animated series “Batman” and “Tiny Toon Adventures.” He won a Writer’s Guild of America Award for his work on “GH.”